THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: With just two weeks remaining until the season opener, what are the tangible differences you see in the Rams under coach Steve Spagnuolo compared to the team during the Linehan era?

JIM THOMAS
The first thing you notice is the presence each coach brings to the job every day. Spagnuolo can play what the players call “the big room” — the team meeting room. Linehan couldn’t. Spagnuolo’s speeches are direct and to the point. Linehan’s weren’t. Even in the NFL, players need to be motivated, inspired, and given guidance. They didn’t always get that with Linehan.

BILL COATS
They appear to be more aggressive and tougher on the field. And this might not be a tangible difference, but it’s obvious that they’ve bought into what Spagnuolo has brought and have full trust in him.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
I’ll keep this one simple: the players respect this coach and want to play for him.

JEFF GORDON
At the end of the Linehan/Haslett era, there wasn’t much life left. Guys were NOT flying around. This team clearly has more enthusiasm — but we haven’t seen a mind-blowing improvement to this point. The defense still gives up some big plays and the offense is still hit-or-miss. Since Bulger has been hurt, that huge question mark still hangs over the team. Can he regain his Pro Bowl form? To this point, we have no idea.

KATHLEEN NELSON
If you’re looking for tangibles, as in stats, the team’s takeaway total is encouraging. But yards per carry, yards after the catch, red zone efficiency, and all that stuff that counts in fantasy leagues prove meaningless because the first string isn’t always playing the first string, and a lot of the focus right now is on simply making the team, fighting for the final few spots at the bottom of the depth chart. The quality that’s most noticeable to me is intensity. Players seem to play with more emotion and focus more consistently than in the past. When the regular season begins, those intangibles could translate into measurable stats that could be better than last year. Not now, though.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
The team has more of an edge to it. They’re more aggressive, attack the opponent more and seem to enjoy the physical aspect to the game as opposed to getting pushed around like they did in the past. Some of that is the attitude of the Spagnuolo staff rubbing off on the players and some of it is simply feeling like there is hope. Players know when the end is near for a coaching staff and when that spiral of negativity begins to swirl it’s almost impossible to go against the stream and maintain intensity. Spags and Co. have given the team a shot of energy with their enthusiastic approach and because the players were just begging for some kind of change after the last couple of years.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: There has been an intense amount of criticism aimed at quarterback Marc Bulger this offseason from Rams’ fans. Do you think Bulger’s numbers last year were the result of declining skills, injury, lack of team chemistry, a woeful offensive line, a combination of all these things or something not even mentioned here?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Since the start of the 2007 season Bulger is 38th among NFL quarterbacks (minimum 10 games) in QB rating, 37th in completion percentage, and 39th in yards per attempt. That’s pathetic. And to blame that all on the O-line, receivers and coaches is ludicrous. He has to play better. He has to be a leader. He must to do his part to elevate his team. And Bulger hasn’t done that since 2006. He hasn’t done it since signing a big contract.

JIM THOMAS
For most of the past two seasons, everything around Marc Bulger has been substandard, from the offensive line, to the play-calling, to injury-depleted lineups most Sundays. This has been especially true when Steven Jackson has been out of the lineup — and he’s missed eight games entirely and most of two others over the past two seasons. The defense and special teams haven’t helped, either, when it comes to field position. But Bulger’s accuracy has been down, his footwork and decision-making have deteriorated, and he isn’t seeing the field as well. With a stronger lineup around him, maybe Bulger can get it back.

BILL COATS
Bulger had several things working against him last year: an injury-riddled offensive line, young receivers trying to adapt to the NFL, a disconnect with head coach Scott Linehan and offensive coordinator Al Saunders, and the cumulative effect of getting pounded over the last few seasons. Working behind a decent line in a system he believes in would do wonders for Bulger.

JEFF GORDON
Bulger was not the same quarterback for a lot of reasons. The cumulative beatings in recent years took a toll on him. So did the emotional and mental strain of losing. He was not as confident and decisive in the pocket. Physically, he could still make accurate throws. Under fire, however, he wasn’t the same guy. Then you mix in all the mistakes made by his rookie receivers — running the wrong routes, making incorrect reads — and you had a total disaster. Some of this can be fixed as Bulger works with his still-learning receivers during this offseason. But the real progress must be made in games. If the Rams run the ball well, put him in favorable down-and-distance situations and keep him off his back, will he regain his Pro Bowl form? That is NOT a given.

KATHLEEN NELSON
This one has more ingredients than my mom’s Irish stew. Bulger never found a groove for many reasons. A suspect line put Bulger in danger too often. Through injury and/or age, Torry Holt wasn’t the same receiver and Drew Bennett was never a factor. Bulger and the young receivers probably haven’t had enough time to develop chemistry. Being benched didn’t help. Being restored to No. 1 didn’t seem to help. Quarterbacks always draw more than their fair share of criticism. This situation is no different.

THE WATERCOOLER

Question: Assuming the Rams open up a coaching search after this season, are there any candidates out there with no previous head coaching experience in the NFL that you think should be considered?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
There are lots of attractive candidates out there and the smart teams will find them. Some names to watch are Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm, Titans offensive line coach Mike Munchack, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the intriguing 32-year-old Raheem Morris, who coaches the Bucs defensive backs. Spagnuolo will look for a better job than the Rams gig but Billy Devaney will be able to put together a good list. Devaney was a part of the process that led to the Falcons hiring of Mike Smith.

JIM THOMAS
Jim Schwartz of Tennessee is one of the league’s most respected defensive coordinators and his Titans play a physical, aggressive style. Smart, media savvy, and a big statistics guy, he’s at a point in his career where he’s ready for the next step.

BILL COATS
The “hot” candidates are defensive coordinators Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants and Jim Schwartz of the Titans. But the Rams already tried that with Scott Linehan, and we’ve seen the results. They need an experienced, steady hand to try to sort out the mess at Rams Park.

JEFF GORDON
My candidate is Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. I’ve talked to him quite a bit, since since his brother Jim Ryan is involved in my KFNS radio show. Family ties could make Rex interested in this job while others would pass. He has a strong track record and lots of polish. (His brother Rob Ryan, d-coordinator in Oakland, is more like their combative father Buddy). Rex grew up in the game. He has seen the good, bad and ugly of the business. Brian Schottenheimer fits that mold, too — especially if the Rams hired his father Marty to fill a Bill Parcells-like role in the organization. Brian did time here early in his coaching career, so he knows the landscape.

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MIDDAY THOUGHTS

We’re going single topic on you today, folks, because I want to dig a little deeper into the question above I asked of the writers. Please bear with me and don’t hesitate to tell me if you think I’m off my rocker.

SO YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A NEW HEAD COACH: All the talk recently about whether or not Jim Haslett should be brought back as Rams head coach next season got me to thinking about the NFL coaching ranks. Haslett may or may not be a good head coach, but I must point out that his overall record with the Saints was far from stellar and the guy who came in to replace him found success there immediately.

But what I really wanted to know is this: Is it a good thing to bring in guys who have had previous head coaching experience in the league to turn a team around, or “retreads” as they’re often called, or better to go outside the box and find a coach on the rise from elsewhere?

Sure, who wouldn’t want Bill Cowher. But that’s not going to happen here. And is Marty Schottenheimer really the guy to light a fire under the troops at Rams Park? Oh, yeah, and there was also the early calls to bring back Dick Vermeil. Puh-leeze.

All one has to do is to take a look around the league to see that opportunities for fresh blood can bring instant results, and coaches who motivate and lead can achieve immediate success. Below is just a few examples of recent history to chew on, with the coach, the year he took over, the experience he brought, the team he inherited from his predecessor and what he’s done since taking over:

MIKE TOMLIN – PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 2007
Tomlin came to Pittsburgh in 2007 after serving as the Vikings defensive coordinator in 2006. Tomlin’s resume included no head coaching experience at any level.

2006: Head coach, Bill Cowher. Record: 8-8
2007: Tomlin goes 10-6 and takes the Steelers to the playoffs.
2008: Steelers are 11-3 and already have clinched the AFC North.

MIKE SMITH – ATLANTA FALCONS, 2008
Smith took over a hapless Falcons team after serving from 2003-07 as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had no previous head coaching experience.

2007: Head coach, Bobby Petrino/Emmitt Thomas. Record: 4-12
2008: Smith has the Falcons at 9-5 and competing for the NFC South, and this while starting a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan.

JOHN HARBAUGH – BALTIMORE RAVENS, 2008
Harbaugh was the Eagles special teams coach from 1998-2006 and served as the secondary coach in 2007. He, too, had no previous head coaching experience.

2007: Head coach, Brian Billick. Record: 5-11
2008: Harbaugh has the Ravens at 9-5 and in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Oh, and did I mention that he’s doing it with a rookie QB, also?

ERIC MANGINI – NEW YORK JETS, 2006
Mangini came to the Jets after serving with the Patriots as defensive backs coach from 2000-04 and as defensive coordinator in 2005. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Herm Edwards. Record: 4-12
2006: Mangini leads the Jets to 10-6 and an AFC Wild Card appearance.
2007: Record falls to 4-12.
2008: Playing in one of football’s toughest divisions, has the Jets at 9-5 and contending for division title.

KEN WHISENHUNT – ARIZONA CARDINALS, 2007
Served as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2004-06. No previous head coaching experience.

2006: Head coach, Dennis Green. Record: 5-11
2007: Whisenhunt gets the Big Red to a .500 record at 8-8.
2008: In Year Two, Whisenhunt already has clinched the NFC West with an 8-6 record.

MIKE McCARTHY – GREEN BAY PACKERS, 2006
McCarthy came to the Packers after having served as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2000-04 and in San Francisco in 2005. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Mike Sherman. Record: 4-12.
2006: McCarthy leads Packers to 8-8 record and they miss playoffs on a tiebreaker.
2007: Pack goes 13-3 in McCarthy’s second season, advancing all the way to the NFC Championship game where they fall 23-20 to eventual Super Bowl champion Giants.
2008: Comes back to earth in a 5-9 season.

TONY SPARANO – MIAMI DOLPHINS, 2008
Ah, the only coach on this list with previous head coaching experience … at the University of New Haven from 1994-98. Came to Dolphins after serving as assistant head coach/offensive line with Dallas in 2007.

2007: Head coach, Cam Cameron. Record: 1-15.
2008: Sparano has sparked the biggest turnaround in the league this year, leading the Dolphins to a 9-5 record … tied with Jets and Pats for AFC East lead.

SEAN PAYTON – NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 2006
Payton came to the Saints after serving as assistant head coach/passing game coordinator with the Cowboys. No previous head coaching experience.

2005: Head coach, Jim Haslett. Record: 3-13
2006: In his first season Payton leads Saints to 10-6 record, an NFC South crown and a trip to the NFC Championship, where they lose to the Bears.
2007: Team falls back to 7-9.
2008: Sitting at 7-7, but still one of the funnest offenses to watch in the league.

The above examples come with a caveat … almost all of the aforementioned teams have a relatively stable front office. And, yes, I’ll even include the Arizona Cardinals now that Michael Bidwell seems to be making more of the calls than his father, Bill Bidwell. There are plenty of examples of young head coaches failing, and recently, but you can point to a dysfunctional front office in many of those instances.

To wit: Did Scott Linehan (or Haslett for that matter) stand much of chance with the Rams front-office situation? And perhaps Cam Cameron wouldn’t have been a 1-15 head coach for the Dolphins last year had he been lucky enough to have Bill Parcells in place as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Mike Nolan was doomed from the beginning as the Niners have been a mess due to the York family for years now. And don’t even get me started on Lane Kiffin and Oakland. The good (Art Shell), the bad (Kiffin) and the ugly (Norv Turner … how does this guy keep getting jobs, period?) couldn’t find a way to be successful under the reign of terror known as Al Davis.

But the point is this: As Rams fans look to next season and beyond when calling for a new head coach, perhaps it’s better to look for the next great coach rather than simply settle for the past average coach. Oh, and keep your fingers crossed that whomever the coach is, he’ll have a better situation in the front office to help him out.