Are the Knicks a Title Contender?
The New York Knicks were one of the surprise teams in the NBA last year, exceeding expectations by a mile. This offseason they decided to go out and make some major changes to their roster. They acquired Karl Anthony Towns a top big man in basketball and Mikal Bridges someone who is primarily looked at as a top wing defender around the league.
These moves led to the departure of 6 first round picks, Julius Randle, and Donte Divincenzo. A major landscape shake up for a team that just came to within a game of the Conference Finals, banged up, nonetheless.
The Knicks have had some struggles early on this season but that might be expected after trading away two major pieces if your team and acquiring two new ones.
New York must start putting it together fast if they want to be considered as one of the top teams in the league. It’s no secret that the team certainly does not have the same feel to it as it did last season, but does that mean that they can’t do better than last year?
If the Knicks can put it together, they have the nucleus of star players, but it just feels like the team isn’t deep enough.
The Knicks play down to their competition a lot and that’s an issue for a so-called championship caliber team.
The Knicks can silence all the doubters by winning 5-6 games in a row and creating some separation between them and the middle tier teams in the standings. They are supposed to be better than teams like the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks but right now they all are hovering around a similar record with the Magic holding more separation from other teams then the Knicks do.
The Magic are having an impressive start to the season even without their budding young star Paolo Banchero. Can the Knicks potentially be worse than the Magic when both teams are fully healthy? It certainly feels like it right now.
Best Fits for Next Head Coach of the Jets and Giants
Ben Johnson - Lions Offensive Coordinator
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions talks with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be the most sought after young coordinator to be turned into a Head Coach by someone this offseason. The Lions (11-1) are in the top five in every offensive category, including first in scoring with 31 points per game. Jered Goff is an MVP candidate, and the Lions are considered an early favorite to rep the NFC in the Super Bowl. So what’s not to like, right?
Yes, Johnson has done an outstanding job calling plays for the Lions this year, and is one of the games brilliant young minds, but being a Head Coach is another animal entirely.
Johnson will likely have his options. There could be as many as seven vacancies this off-season, and who is to say he has to take a head job when he has the best job possible, and that is as the O.C. of the Lions.
Verdict:
GIANTS: Would be a solid choice depending on who the GM is, but would the pressure of the NY market chase the South Carolina native away?JETS: Considering the drama around owner Woody Johnson per the stories from the Athletic, plus the pressure of the NYC market, Ben Johnson might look elsewhere.
Ryan Day -- Head Coach, Ohio State
COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Let’s be honest, if Ryan Day decides to jump to the NFL, heading to New York would make the pressure of coaching the Ohio State-Michigan game seem like peanuts.
Day found himself on everyone’s social media hot seat following the Buckeyes 13-10 loss to Michigan on Saturday that cost them a shot at the Big Ten title game. Thanks to the College Football Playoff, Ohio State’s season is far from over. They could make a run. Ohio State’s AD endorsed Day as well.
Verdict:
Not a chance for either team.
Kliff Kingsbury - Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 03: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury of the Washington Commanders looks on against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 03, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kliff Kingsbury is in the midst of a career rebuild as the Commanders O.C. Under Kingsbury’s tutelage, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels is a surefire bet for Rookie of the Year. Washington is also third in the league in scoring. Kingsbury was the Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 – 2022. Despite an under .500 record, he did take Arizona to the playoffs once. Although his relationship with quarterback Kyler Murray soured before he was ultimately fired after the ’22 season.
Kingsbury is young, 45, and is widely considered a quarterback guru. The guy coached Patrick Mahomes in college. Kingsbury is going to get some consideration from teams. Even the Bears are rumored as a possible link because of their young quarterback Caleb Williams, whom Kingsbury coached in 2023 at USC.
Verdict:
GIANTS — Would be an out-of-the box hire by the Giants who normally focus on guys that are familiar to the organization. If Big Blue is taking a quarterback in the draft, Kingsbury could be an interesting fit. But, again, he’d have to want to come to New York.
JETS — Was a back-up quarterback on the Jets in 2005. Was a candidate in 2019 before Jets settled on Adam Gase. Like the Giants, Kingsbury would be an out of the box hire, but it depends on 1) Aaron Rodgers future, and 2) Who the GM is.
Brian Flores - Defensive Coordinator Minnesota Vikings
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 15: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings reacts against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on October 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.
Like Kingsbury, Flores has been in the midst of a career renaissance. As defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, Flores has guided the league’s stiffest unit against the run (81.2 yards allowed per game), and is giving up only 18.2 points per game. His defense is a big reason why the Vikes are 10-2 and within an earshot of the Lions in the NFC North. Keep in mind, Flores also spent time on Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh prior to joining the Vikings.
At the same time Flores has some baggage. He was a head coach in Miami for three season from 2019-2021, and had a infamous feud with Tua Tagovailoa. Soon after his departure, Flores sued the Dolphins, Giants, Denver Broncos, and the NFL over the league’s use of the Rooney Rule. He claimed the Giants hired Brian Daboll before even interviewing Flores for the job, a violation of the rule. He also claimed that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross tired to bribe him to lose games.
Verdict:
GIANTS: Considering the litigation, this is not likely to happen.
JETS: The Jets need a disciplinarian, many believe Flores fits that model, but would the Jets take the plunge considering Flores past drama? Plus the Jets have been down this road before hiring former Dolphins head coaches, i.e Adam Gase.
Jon Gruden - Free Agent
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during a game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bears defeated the Raiders 20-9.
Speaking of controversy, Jon Gruden is out there. Yes, the same Jon Gruden who is suing the NFL over his dismissal as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 over lewd and offensive emails. Last month it was reported that the Nevada Supreme Court will rehear Gruden’s case against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell.
Since stepping away from the field, Gruden has his own YouTube channel where he breaks down game film, and is a regular guest on Bar Stool Sports. He has an out in his Bar Stool deal where he could coach again. The question is who is going to jump. (Mark Davis we are looking at you…).
No doubt Gruden would bring intensity and a long resume to a NFL Head Coaching job. He’s won a Super Bowl (2002 with Tampa), and had been a winner in two stints with the Raiders. The question will be can his style of coaching work in today’s NFL?
VERDICT:
GIANTS: like Flores, it’s hard to imagine the Giants taking a plunge on a candidate steeped in controversy.
JETS: The Jets are to headlines like moths are to a flame. This would be the wildest marriage if it ever happened. And if Aaron Rodgers is still around, hold onto your seats. While it’s nice to win the back pages of the NY Tabloids, winning is another story…
Rex Ryan - free agent
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets looks on prior to a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Rex Ryan has been busy campaigning for the Jets job for weeks now. The ex-Jets head coach, who coached New York from 2009 through 2014 has professed on ESPN that if he returns to Gang Green, he can win with this roster. Ryan is not short on bravado. Perhaps this is the ultimate play by the Jets who — as I mentioned — love creating headlines.
Ryan had a up and down stay first stint with the Jets. He took the team to back-to-back AFC title games in 2009 and 2010, but the last four season were a mess.
VERDICT:
Giants: If Ryan really wants to coach, he should be open to all suitors. The Giants would likely not go in this direction.
Jets: It’s the Jets. It’s Woody Johnson, and it’s Rex. Anything is possible.
Todd Monken - Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator
BOWLING GREEN, KY – DECEMBER 5: Head Coach Todd Monken of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on the sidelines during a game against the WKU Hilltoppers at Houchens-Smith Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers defeated the Golden Eagles 45-28.
If a team loses out on Ben Johnson as a candidate, perhaps Todd Monken could be a candidate. While not the flashy type of name that is out there, the 58-year old Monken brings years of coaching experience to the head job should he get one. With the Ravens Monken helped guide one of the league’s best offenses. Lamar Jackson won a MVP title last season under Monken, and the Ravens are first in the NFL in total offense this year.
In addition to his time in Baltimore, Monken’s resume includes stints both in college and in the NFL.
VERDICT:
GIANTS: Depending on the GM, Monken would be a solid choice for the Giants, although not one that is going to drive up fan enthusiasm. Some fans would compare it to the hiring of Pat Schumur, a veteran offensive coordinator who is widely respected. Still, if the Giants draft the right quarterback, this could be interesting.
JETS: Won’t spark immediate fan enthusiasm, but for a team in need of stability, could be a solid choice to at least settle things down.
Bill Belichick - Free Agent
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick exits the field after the Patriots 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The seven-time Super Bowl Champion Head Coach of the New England Patriots is expected to be back on a NFL sideline in 2025, the question is where? Belichick had full autonomy in New England; will a new franchise give him the same controls? The Falcons were close to hiring Belichick prior to this season, but balked at the last minute. Clearly if Belichick returns, that team is getting one of the smartest coaches in league history, and one of its most successful. Only catch is Tom Brady is not included.
VERDICT:
GIANTS: Belichick’s career began with the Giants in 1979 as a Special Teams coordinator, and rose to Defensive Coordinator by 1985. He was a candidate for the Giants head coach job after Bill Parcells left in 1991, but Giants GM George Young preferred Ray Handley. Belichick has always had an affinity for the Giants. If he comes back, the Giants make the most sense.
JETS: No chance. Belichick resigned as Jets Head Coach after one day in January of 2000, mere weeks before Woody Johnson bought the team. Belichick would go on to torture the Jets for 20-plus years in New England.
Aaron Glenn - Lions Defensive Coordinator
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is seen as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on September 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.
Like Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn’s name is getting a lot of play, and why not? As Lions Defensive Coordinator, Glenn has coached a top-1o unit that is fifth in run defense and third in scoring defense (16.9 ppg). He has been rising up the coaching ranks for years, spending a large chunk of time on Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans. A “Parcells-guy” from his playing days with the Jets, Glenn should be at the top of the list for both NY teams.
VERDICT:
GIANTS: Good fit, although Big Blue might look offensive side of the ball instead. His knowledge of the market makes him an intriguing hire.
JETS: Played for the Jets for eight years, and was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback. It would be full circle to come back and coach his old team. Yes, the Jets need to think offense in this cycle, but this might be too good to pass up. Plus with Mike Tannenbaum leading the Jets GM/Coach search, this could be a fit.
Mike Vrabel - Consultant Cleveland Browns
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 08: Mike Vrabel the head coach of the Tennessee Titans against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The most popular name on the market is former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. It understandable. He is a no-nonsense coach who comes off the Belichick tree, and was the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 2021. He took the Titans to the playoffs three times, including an AFC title Game appearance in 2019. There will be a lot of suitors for Vrabel, including in college.
VERDICT:
GIANTS: Vrabel aligns with a lot of things the Giants believe in, and considering the pattern of hires by Big Blue — guys connected to Bill Belichick or Bill Parcells, Vrabel fits the mold perfectly. By the way, Vrabel’s career in Tennessee eerily mirrors that of Tom Coughlin’s time in Jacksonville. Just saying…
JETS: If the Jets really want to shake things up and change the culture, this would do it. Would Vrabel want the Jets job if better options are out there? That is a huge question.
