Joe Schmidt's time as Lions' HC, 1967 thru '72

[74_75_78_79_]

Star NFL linebackers who'd go on to be NFL HCs. Not many off the top of my head. Jack Pardee and Mike Singletary the only other ones at the moment. You'd think there'd be more considering it's a leadership position, same as QB.

Schmidt's six years as skipper a fine run. Just one playoff berth which, of course, would be 1970.

But '69 should be 'treated' as such. They were the best non-division-winner at 9-4-1. Not as good as '70, and not as many quality-wins, but they beat Cleveland on the road, split with a GB team which did finish above-500, a quality-tie at Baltimore, and they beat the 11-1 Rams, 28-0, but yes LA already had their division wrapped up. Losing at Pittsburgh in the opener, the Steelers only win in Chuck Noll's first season onboard, is obviously the 'black-eye' of the campaign. But a bit forgivable being it was the opener.

In 1971 (Chuck Hughes), the Lions were actually in control of their own destiny after Week #11 at 7-3-1 given that MInny at 9-2 would end up losing at SD the following week, dropping the Vikings to 9-3. But Detroit would actually lose at home to the scrappy hot-down-the-stretch Eagles and then, in Wk#13, would lose big at the Vikes thus Minny clinching the division. Lions, now at 7-5-1, then played at San Fran in the finale who had to win which they did, 31-27, dropping Detroit to a final 7-6-1 finish. Back to that loss to Philly, that game-winning Liske-to-Kramer connection did not look like a completion.

Did injuries play a part in that collapse? Or did they not come until they were already eliminated? I know LeBeau, this being his final year, was one of them. Thanks in-advance for any answer(s)!

They finished with a better record in '72 at 8-5-1. Both they and Green Bay were tied at 7-4 atop the division going into their showdown at Lambeau where the Pack throttled them, 33-7, for the season sweep. Detroit would then tie at Buffalo the following week as Green Bay would win at 7-5 Minny, 23-7, and that would be that (Lions would win in Schmidt's final game as their HC in Wk#14 at the Rams).

An interesting, yet sad, factoid about the Lions and Vikings in Schmidt's time at HC is that after going 1-0-1 against Minny in '67, Joe would lose every one of his remaining TEN games against Bud Grant's Vikings! Even in '72 the Vikings swept them.

Further thoughts?

PS - the 1970 Lions and 1972 Packers are the same with me. Yes, GB won their division but both finished at 10-4 with some solid quality-wins, making them both look a tad better than a 10-win team! It's a shame, and a little surprising, that both their offenses totally bellied-up in each of their playoff defeats. Lions really should have played better against that flawed Cowboy team and even if this IS the '72 Redskins we're talking of, the Pack played them pretty well in their regular season game.

[CSKreager]

The Vikings were their white whale. DET could hold their own against better QB’s, yet couldn’t beat the likes of Cuozzo and Snead?

[Ten Minute Ticker]

I wonder what position (aside from kickers, punters, long snapper) has produced the fewest amount of NFL head coaches?

I’m struggling to think of many WRs. Raymond Berry is the only one who jumps immediately to mind.

[Brian wolf]

How good was Mike Lucci as a linebacker for Detroit? I got some early 1970s Street&Smith Pro Football Reviews from Karl in GB and the writers listed him as one of the top linebackers in football at the time with Butkus, Curtis and Lanier? If he was that good, why hardly any accolades? According to PFR, he has one AP second-team All-Pro nomination and one PB, though he got AP MVP votes for the Lions in 1970.

What is interesting is that he started slow with the Browns before going to the Lions. Of his 21 career interceptions, he returned 4 for TDs. That was alot for any linebacker at the time.

The Street&Smith publications also praise highly, Richie Petitbon at safety, for the Bears and Rams who many believe should already be in the HOF.

[JuggernautJ]

Star NFL linebackers who'd go on to be NFL HCs. Not many off the top of my head. Jack Pardee and Mike Singletary the only other ones at the moment. You'd think there'd be more considering it's a leadership position, same as QB.

Mike Vrabel comes to mind.
Fellow Patriot Jerod Mayo didn't last long. DeMeco Ryans but I don't know if you'd call him a "Star" player (Defensive rookie of the year, 2 pro bowls).

Here's a list of players turned coaches from NFL.com (I don't see where it indicates how old the list is):
https://www.nfl.com/photos/players-turn ... 5d82385840

[Ten Minute Ticker]

Jack Del Rio is another LB-turned-coach.

[74_75_78_79_]

Star NFL linebackers who'd go on to be NFL HCs. Not many off the top of my head. Jack Pardee and Mike Singletary the only other ones at the moment. You'd think there'd be more considering it's a leadership position, same as QB.

Mike Vrabel comes to mind.
Fellow Patriot Jerod Mayo didn't last long. DeMeco Ryans but I don't know if you'd call him a "Star" player (Defensive rookie of the year, 2 pro bowls).

Here's a list of players turned coaches from NFL.com (I don't see where it indicates how old the list is):
https://www.nfl.com/photos/players-turn ... 5d82385840

Jack Del Rio is another LB-turned-coach.

Good reminders! Should have thought of them OP. DeMeco, to me, is off to a real promising start! And Vrabel...no denying his 2019 post-season over-achievement, showing Brady the door at Foxborugh en route to that AFCCG. Until the Bills finally fail to do so, they're the kings of that division and I think they'll win it yet again this upcoming season. But the Pats at least making the playoffs and at least splitting with Allen/McDermott wouldn't surprise me. We'll see, but that may be my final prediction on them at season's beginning.

I just had to re-remember that Pardee only, ever, won just one playoff game. Either way, considering his numerous amount of playoff berths, and that we all 'treat' 1979 as one, I'd guess he has to be considered the most successful of this group.

Del Rio with three playoff berths. And, yes, handing Tomlin a loss at Heinz in his playoff debut (winning there as well in the regular season).

He wasn't a "star" LB, but Schottenheimer now comes to mind. Of course he being the most successful of them all by far, star of not.

As for Joe Schmidt himself (what this thread is really about), I'm a fan that he was actually Detroit's head coach and did well for what short time he was their skipper. Although I would have liked to see how Don McCafferty would have done averting his tragedy, given more years, I can't help but to think that Schmidt, had he stuck around, would have possibly turned some of those succeeding respectable seasons into a possible playoff berth or two, or three (my preference he staying in Detroit and Don getting that other opportunity elsewhere while also having success).

Maybe I'm wrong to think this (especially with us possibly not seeing the very best yet with Ryans and Vrabel), but Schottenheimer aside, I think I'd prefer Schmidt to be my HC among everyone in this group! Thinking of that '70 Thanksgiving showdown between he and Madden (Raiders in black though at Tiger)! Check this out...I believe some of you, here, brought APBA up...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX48QNxxlAY

[Jay Z]

I wonder what position (aside from kickers, punters, long snapper) has produced the fewest amount of NFL head coaches?

I’m struggling to think of many WRs. Raymond Berry is the only one who jumps immediately to mind.

I think Bud Grant would be considered a WR.

[Brian wolf]

Tom Fears coached the Saints, had a terrible owner though.

[74_75_78_79_]

How about Otto Graham? His very last game as a HC (Washington) was against his old, direct LCG-rival, Joe Schmidt himself! Washington won, as they always do against the Lions at home, 14-3. Both did, however, meet that pre-season as well with Redskins...winning at home. But as for that very '68 regular season finale, I can't imagine it generating too much of a buzz being it was between two 4-win teams. Perhaps schedule it for the opener instead.