Buffalo Bills: Updated 2017 Head Coach Candidates
By Daniel Hahn
Arizona Cardinals Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin
Harold Goodwin is a new name to the NFL coaching searches. He has experience with the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
He also brings experience as an NFL player to the table, which may also make him a ‘players’ coach.
The @buffalobills are interviewing head coaching candidate and Arizona Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin today.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 7, 2017
Strengths
You can’t look past his experience as a player. This coaching search while clearly looking at anti-Rex Ryan features, does include all candidates that appear to be strong at relating to players. That skill will be put to the test early if the Buffalo Bills select anybody not named ‘Anthony Lynn’.
The Arizona offense features inventive ways to use WR Larry Fitzgerald and RB David Johnson, who’s skill sets are related to Sammy Watkins and LeSean McCoy. David Johnson had 879 yards receiving this year to go along with 1,239 rushing yards, a stat line that should excite McCoy.
Having scrimmaged vs. the Cardinals defense, he should beat Todd Bowles’ New York Jets, right?
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Weaknesses
Goodwin has called plays for Arizona, but in the preseason only. He has worked under Arians for most of his NFL coaching career, so we don’t know what HE is bringing to the table.
Arizona hasn’t been successful developing young quarterbacks, so why would we assume without Arians, Goodwin can do that?
Best Fit for Him
Goodwin should be hoping for an offer from the San Diego Chargers. Trying to get over the hump with Philip Rivers should be similar to the Carson Palmer offense he worked on.
The Chargers were plagued with injury more than anything, so he could benefit from a healthy roster.
My Take
He is a candidate you can’t ignore, because he and Doug Whaley worked for the Steelers at the same time. He would bring the management style that Anthony Lynn would, but we know even less about his potential staff and defensive preferences.
I wouldn’t like this hire because there isn’t anything I can find to be excited about. Bruce Arians has been one of the best offensive minds in the NFL for several years. Harold Goodwin hasn’t been given the keys to that offense, unless it was a preseason game.
At least Anthony Lynn got 14 games to game plan and call an offense.
On to the next one.