Ranking Eagles HC Nick Sirianni versus NFL’s other rookie head coaches
4. player. 44. . . . Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Nick Sirianni is 1-0 versus Arthur Smith if you’re keeping score.
In the Eagles’ season opener, we got a glimpse of two rookie head coaches leading their teams in a National Football League contest. One proved immediately that he was up for the task, and that wasn’t the Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Smith.
All offseason we debated if Philly’s defensive line was better than the Falcons’ O-line. We evaluated other individual matchups. We thought that Atlanta might have an advantage at quarterback, but if you knew nothing of either signal-caller before watching this one, you might have believed that Jalen Hurts was the veteran and Matt Ryan was the guy making his fifth start.
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a sign of coaching. Both the Falcons and Eagles have talent, but Sirianni has done a better job with his roster than Smith has done with the one in Atlanta. That’s why Smith, once someone the Eagles wanted, cracks this list at number four.
David Culley, Houston Texans. 3. player. 10. . .
Sometimes, we ask questions like ‘Who on Earth would take the Houston Texans job’? Sure, they’re a mess. Sure, their best player is facing legal trouble and wants out. They’re still an NFL team though, and here’s something we don’t state as often as we should.
There are only 32 jobs like the one David Culley has.
Culley accepted the unenviable job of trying to lead his team to relevance on January 29th. He has a tough hill to climb, but he cares and has the support of the guys that play for him. That’s half of the battle.