In his first season after his NFL head coaching experience, Mike Tice is realizing something precious about being in the background.
“I can coach again,” Tice said. “I love it. I’m back to being a coach and a teacher. Sometimes that gets lost when you are a head coach.”
After getting fired in January by the Minnesota Vikings following four seasons and a game as head coach, Tice was hired as assistant head coach in Jacksonville, working for close friend Jack Del Rio. There were 10 head coaching changes in the NFL after last season. Seven of those fired have emerged as assistants in the league.
As part of the Jaguars’ staff, Tice works with Del Rio and offensive coordinator Carl Smith. Tice said he works on several aspects of the offense and particularly enjoys mentoring younger Jacksonville assistant coaches. Tice enjoys diving into game plans, breaking down film and working on tendencies.
“This is how I cut my teeth,” Tice said. “I’m a coach, I’m a teacher. … Sometimes as a head coach you are focused on everything else that goes along with it.”
Tice admits he was down for a time after being fired by the Vikings, who finished 9-7 last season. New ownership decided to replace Tice after its first season in town, hiring Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress to replace him.
“It demoralizes you as a man to be fired from any job,” Tice said. “It’s especially bad when you didn’t think you were the problem, based on the resources I was given and the fact we didn’t have a losing record. It was tough, but you learn to move on and make the best of things. I think that’s the challenge for every coach who gets fired.”
While Tice is enjoying the simple pleasures of being in the background as an assistant, he said he is open to the idea of running his own NFL team again. Tice, who interviewed for the Jets’ job after being fired, could generate interest this offseason or after next season if the Jaguars make a serious playoff push.
“If I was afforded another opportunity, I know I’d be better than the first time,” Tice said. “You learn a lot of what to do and what not to do in that first job.
“In the meantime, I’m just enjoying this deal. I’m just a coach again, and it feels good.”
Healthy knee would be wrap
Denver: Don’t expect the same drama for Javon Walker’s option bonus that came with Jake Plummer’s after the 2004 season. Whether the Broncos were going to exercise the quarterback’s option was a major story line that season.
There will be no question about it if the star receiver continues to show no signs of a setback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Broncos will exercise the bonus that was part of the six-year contract Walker signed after being traded from Green Bay on draft day.
The only reason the option was built into the deal was to give the Broncos protection if Walker’s knee was a problem. He was hurt on opening day 2005 and wasn’t fully recovered when the trade was made. The Broncos made the deal with the idea that Walker would be the focal point of their offense – for a long time.
Window closing
Kansas City: Chiefs coach Herman Edwards has basically said it without saying it: Damon Huard will be his quarterback as long as he continues to excel. Starter Trent Green, who suffered a serious cuncussion in Week 1, might be ready to play next week and will definitely be ready to play by the time the Chiefs face the Broncos on Thanksgiving night.
But this is Huard’s team. It’s a tough break for Green, whose preseason injury in 1999 paved the way for Kurt Warner in St. Louis. But Huard has been fantastic, igniting the entire team.
Williams talk still out there
Miami: The word is Ricky Williams will be back with the Dolphins next season, but meanwhile he is enjoying his time playing for Toronto in the Canadian Football League. It makes one wonder if Williams really will return after serving his one-year suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
The Dolphins considered dealing Williams before he was suspended. One landing spot for Williams in the spring was thought to be Denver. Could Williams still become a Bronco?
Maybe, but the odds are slimmer than they were before. He would have to come at a much-reduced salary and for low trade-off for any team to make a deal for Williams.
Nothing left for Leftwich
Jacksonville: What is sometimes lost in the story of Byron Leftwich’s demotion as Jaguars quarterback is that the former No. 7 draft pick will probably be cut loose in the offseason. The Jaguars are going with Leftwich’s former backup David Garrard as their starter.
If Leftwich doesn’t get his job back this season, there is no reason to believe Jacksonville will keep him around. Next season is the final season of his contract. Leftwich will probably get cut before he becomes a free agent. Where will he end up? Oakland, perhaps.
Around the league
Even though former Broncos backup quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt has had six NFL workouts since being cut two months ago, he will probably have to wait until January to sign a contract. The top candidates are Tampa Bay, Houston and Minnesota. Another option would be for the former Colorado State standout to go to NFL Europe in the spring for the team that picks him up. …
Punter Todd Sauerbrun is another former Broncos player who may not work again this season. He has had only one workout, with the Buccaneers, since Denver cut him a month ago. Unless there is an emergency need, Sauerbrun will have to wait until next season. …
The Vikings are getting heat for drafting Troy Williamson in 2005. The No. 7 pick, who was the main compensation the Vikings received from Oakland in the Randy Moss trade, is having trouble holding onto the ball. Moss, too, is battling a severe case of the dropsies these days. …
Former Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier, cut in February in a salary-cap move, is struggling in Houston. He is the third tight end and hasn’t been a part of the offense. Putzier likely will face being a cap causality again in the offseason. …
Oakland defensive lineman and former Colorado standout Tyler Brayton should have restrained himself when he put a knee to the groin of Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens on Monday night, but it seems he is being given a pass. The reason: Few can stand the mouthy Stevens, whom some in the league consider a dirty player.
From front and center to back in the ranks
Former Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice says he is enjoying teaching again now that he is an assistant head coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seven of the 10 head coaches no longer with their teams after last season are now assistants in the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
New coach: Dick Jauron
Record: 3-5
2005 record: 5-11
Old coach: Mike Mularkey
His new gig: Offensive coordinator, Miami
Detroit Lions
New coach: Rod Marinelli
Record: 2-6
2005 record: 5-11
Old coach: Steve Mariucci
His new gig: Television commentator
Green Bay Packers
New coach: Mike McCarthy
Record: 3-5
2005 record: 4-12
Old coach: Mike Sherman
His new gig: Assistant head coach, Houston
Houston Texans
New coach: Gary Kubiak
Record: 2-6
2005 record: 2-14
Old coach: Dom Capers
His new gig: Special assistant to head coach, Miami
Kansas City Chiefs
New coach: Herman Edwards
Record: 5-3
2005 record: 10-6
Old coach: Dick Vermeil
His new gig: Television commentator
Minnesota Vikings
New coach: Brad Childress
Record: 4-4
2005 record: 9-7
Old coach: Mike Tice
His new gig: Assistant head coach, Jacksonville
New Orleans Saints
New coach: Sean Payton
Record: 6-2
2005 record: 3-13
Old coach: Jim Haslett
His new gig: Defensive coordinator, St. Louis
New York Jets
New coach: Eric Mangini
Record: 4-4
2005 record: 4-12
Old coach: Herman Edwards
His new gig: Head coach, Kansas City
Oakland Raiders
New coach: Art Shell
Record: 2-6
2005 record: 4-12
Old coach: Norv Turner
His new gig: Offensive coordinator, San Francisco
St. Louis Rams
New coach: Scott Linehan
Record: 4-4
2005 record: 6-10
Old coach: Mike Martz
His new gig: Offensive coordinator, Detroit
AT ISSUE
Bad-news Bungles
What: The implosion in Cincinnati
Background: The Bengals were expected to be serious Super Bowl contenders but are stumbling with a 4-4 record. If they lose to the Chargers today, the Bengals’ season is all but over. This team started 3-0 but has unraveled. The on-field problems come after a difficult offseason when several players encountered legal problems. Adding to the mess is receiver Chad Johnson complaining about his lack of involvement in the offense.
Williamson’s take: This team is done and may be done for the next few seasons. It all hinges on coach Marvin Lewis, who must pull things together. All the legal issues started a bad 2006. Lewis talked a tough game, but the problems continued. Now his team is floundering on the field. It’s a bad combination. This isn’t to say Lewis should be in danger of losing his job. He is a good football man and did a nice job getting the Bengals to the point of being a contender, but he must change this team’s attitude on and off the field. There is too much talent there. If the Bengals don’t turn it around immediately, expect them to limp to the finish line with even more issues.
THE HOT SEAT
Test time for Bears
Who: Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith
When: Tonight at the New York Giants
Why: Smith and his Bears are facing adversity for the first time this season. The Bears were cruising along ready to go into their clash against the Giants with a cushion. The Bears were playing the Dolphins. Just a formality, right? Um, no. The Bears were embarrassed as the Dolphins crushed them – at Chicago. Suddenly, they are fighting for survival tonight. If the Bears lose to the Giants, both teams will be 7-2 and New York will have the inside track for NFC home-field advantage. All of a sudden, Smith must rally the troops. He has to help shaky quarterback Rex Grossman get his act together, and he has to do it fast. Let’s see how Smith handles adversity.
ROOKIE WATCH
Elvis: good luck charm
Who: Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil
When: Today in Oakland against the Raiders
Why: Dumervil could have a field day. The Raiders’ offensive line is in shambles. After giving up nine sacks against Seattle on Monday, Oakland has allowed 44 this season, one fewer than the NFL record for the most sacks allowed in the first eight games of a season. Dumervil had two of Denver’s four sacks against the Raiders on Oct. 15. If he has a multiple-sack game today, the fourth-round pick will merit serious talk about earning defensive rookie of the year honors. Dumervil has six sacks. Chicago’s Mark Anderson, a fifth- rounder from Alabama, has 7 1/2, so, it could be a race between these two. Dumervil can put his candidacy in high gear by putting Andrew Walter on his back a few times today. Plus, with several injuries on defense, the Broncos could use a spark from the rookie.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
