Centuries ago, we developed complex time pieces, first mechanical and then digital.
When three days have passed, you might guarantee those reports are going to start dropping.
Just to squeeze every drop of out of this metaphor, it’s like clockwork.
And suffered a dropoff across the board year-to-year.
From 7th in yards allowed to 22nd.
From 11th in passer rating allowed to 26th.
They ranked 30th in that category this season.
Let’s put this in terms we can all relate to.
Imagine you work at say, Costco.
You’re the Assistant Manager, in charge of the Electronics department.
The manager is your dad.
One day, he gets fired because because sales have been down.
Your department’s still been making money, so your safe.
Still, you understand you’re not getting the job because it would be weird for everyone.
But then rather than hire from outside, they promote someone who worked underneath you.
And he decides to replace you with an even lower-level employee in your department.
But of course, there’s more.
Its not that Jerods was definitely wrong.
But I cant say Ive seen that before.
Think Captain Miller inSaving Private Ryanor Dick Winters inBand of Brothers.
Mayo went right to being Bill Murray inStripesafter Sgt.
Hulka got blowed up.
I still dont know what happened with that, a team source said.
Honestly, Jerod is a good guy.
I just dont think he was ready for all the big decisions and discipline and focus the job takes.
It’s admirable to want to give them the respect every grown man deserves.
But in doing so, you have to recognize that every grown man does and says dumb shit.
Like fumbling a lot.
And trashing the paying customers by saying fans “need to know their place.”
Even the best grown men need to be governed.
It started while trying to build out his coaching staff.
Mayos entire eight-year professional playing career was with one team and one coach.
So Mayos Rolodex was tiny.
It’s impossible to hold this one against Mayo.
In football terms, he was a homeschooled kid who is bright and talented and likeable.
But he hadn’t been around town much.
Van Pelt accepted because no one else was inviting him to their parties.
This is just an early version of what promises to be many such exposes.
Promoted too high, too soon.
But a lot of it is very much his own fault.
Be very cautious when it comes to putting a first time head coach in charge of your operation.
