Week Nine Crystal Ball - Thursday: Two Old Pros Face Off in New Jersey
"The Ball is life." - Bobby O., date unknown
My friends, THE GURU can count at least two reasons why he is fired up for tonight.
First, I’ll be going to town on several buckets of candy. Gummies, chocolate, anything artificial. Second, we’ve got two teams with head coaches who were National Football League linebackers so you know both squads will be ready to hit.
Interestingly, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans and interim Jets head coach Jeff Ulbrich are among four former NFL linebackers - and 10 ex-players - leading teams. The full list:
It’s a group that’s diverse in playing experience, ranging from Jim Harbaugh’s 15 years to Sean Payton’s three games1. There are five guys who played offense and five who played D. Four men who were quarterbacks and one each who worked at safety and tight end, respectively.
But, with the Texans (6-2, 2-2 away) visiting the Jets (2-6, 1-2 home), we’re going to focus on Ryans, Ulbrich and their linebacker-turned-head coach ilk2.
The most accomplished LBs who went on to lead teams?
I’d go with two men who are closely connected: Super Bowl champion Bill Cowher (161 wins) and ever-steady Marty Schottenheimer (205), who did great work with the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers. Cowher, of course, played under defensive coordinator Schottenheimer in Cleveland from 1980-82 and worked under head coach Marty with the Browns (1985-88) and Chiefs (1989-91).
The most fiery?
Let’s give the nod to Mike Singletary, who led the Niners from 2008-10, and famously gave tight end Vernon Davis a piece of his mind in his first season as head coach.
Most underrated winner?
That’s Joe Schmidt, the Hall of Fame Dee-troit middle linebacker, who posted a .558 winning percentage in six seasons leading the team for which he played.
Toughest?
I’ll tab Ron Rivera, who survived cancer and coaching the Commies at the same time. That’s two more crosses than any man should have to bear.
As for tonight, neither of these coaches has as tough a job as Rivera did but, surely, Ulbrich is facing an uphill climb. I’d love to see his team show some life but, facing an excellent Houston team, it won’t be enough.
There may be a light at the end of New York’s tunnel but methinks it’s an oncoming train. Call it 25-17, Texans.
On the flip side, THE GURU continued his (rare) hot streak with a 13-3 mark, moving the season to 71-49 (.592). Let’s see if we can keep it rollin’, folks.
Enjoy the game and I’ll be back this weekend. God bless!
He was a so-called replacement player during the 1987 player strike.
All data courtesy of Pro Football Reference. Thanks, guys.