ALL THE OC TALK

I just want to address one thing that I believe is important in this OC and assistant coaches discussion. The NFL has a lot of similarities I’m sure to the general business community but probably still has a lot more fraternization. I worked in the financial industry and it’s common for a lot of business owners to bring in sons and daughters and other family members. However, the NFL seems to have an unusually high number percentage-wise of fathers-and-sons, brothers-to-brother and even more so, close friends that have in many cases worked for several different teams together-to other close friends. We’re always talking about the Patriot way, the Steelers way, etc. But, how does this work when coaches change teams in the NFL?

First of all it appears that the NFL has tried to control this by having their non-tampering clauses and specific contract stipulations, but JMO, to me it would be pretty _______ lame to get caught in this like Detroit did with the Chief’s, the year before last.

I’m speaking from the private industry viewpoint but I can not imagine the NFL being much different. Here’s why:

My main point, is the Jim Zorn situation: Zorn has been all over the NFL as both a player and as a coach. If he’s unhappy, he can not “openly” make it known without effecting his contract. However, he's known for being popular and I have no doubt that he has a lot of close friends. But, all that he has to do, like a father to son, brother to brother, and a close friend to a close friend, is mention it.

Maybe Zorn is not happy with One Arrowhead Drive/ management / Pioli. Maybe he is looking for a way out. Maybe Phil Emery really wasn’t happy. All they would have to do is drop a hint to someone in another organization that they were close to ( that’s partially what fraternization is ) and let that person casually drop the word somewhere like, why don't we try to get Emery from KC; no, he wouldn't be interested; well, don't be too sure, bla, bla, bla. Then all that that team has to do is to “Seek Permission” to talk to that person and all of the “non-tampering” and “contract restrictions” pretty much go away.

From my experience, this is usually what happens and if so, it’s an indication that maybe someone else is not happy. If your unhappy with your employer, you can just quit but there is another alternative…….give your employer an ultimatum, then they have to fire you and then your contract comes into play, usually in your favor unless they want to fight it through the NFL or court.

Is this what maybe Haley did? Was he trying to get canned? At least it’s something to think about. How about Emery?