Rams Seek Permission to Talk to Winston Moss

[RamWraith]

from NFL.com

Add one more name to the list of candidates the St. Louis Rams are considering as their next head coach.

St. Louis asked for and received permission Monday from Green Bay to interview Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss.

It’s not the first time that Rams general manager Billy Devaney has turned to Moss. He did the same last season when he was leading Atlanta’s head coaching search that resulted in the hire of Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

Moss spent Monday getting ready for the interview and soon enough he will have his chance to try to impress the Rams.

[Bald_81]

Definitely a big "Who?" candidate, but I'm going to trust Devaney and support whoever he chooses (as long as it isn't Haslett). I view it as if Devaney can't build a winner, the new owner will hire his own personnel. But, if he succeeds, he will be kept and a mainstay for years to come.

[Bar-bq]

I like it. Young, motivated, leader. Three words that sit well with this punter. What I like more is that Moss is a defensive guy, something a lot of players were looking for during the HC campaign which landed Linehan in St. Louis.

I do have questions, though, as to why, if Devaney interviewed him last season for the Falcons HC position, he did not get the job.

This from the Packers official webiste.

Entering his 20th season in the National Football League and third with the Packers, Winston Moss begins his second year in the role of assistant head coach/defense in 2008.

Named to the current post by Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Jan. 15, 2007, Moss continues to coach the linebackers as well, his original position upon joining the Packers in 2006.

In his role, the 42-year-old Moss is McCarthy's assistant in regards to concepts critical to winning. A natural leader, Moss uses the same philosophies he learned during an 11-year career as an NFL linebacker. His leadership skills impressed McCarthy when the two worked together for five seasons in New Orleans and again in 2006 in Green Bay.

Last season, Moss helped veteran Nick Barnett continue his progression from steady performer to true team leader with a Pro Bowl-caliber year. Barnett was named second-team All-Pro after leading the Packers in tackles for the fourth time in five seasons and posting a career-high 3 1/2 sacks along with two interceptions and numerous big plays late in games.

Moss continues to develop the talented A.J. Hawk, who earned All-Rookie honors in 2006 and led the team with 155 tackles. In addition, he oversees the maturation of Brady Poppinga through his conversion from a college defensive end into a solid linebacker.

This year, free-agent signee Brandon Chillar and the mix of Tracy White, Desmond Bishop and Abdul Hodge give Moss the most depth he's had to work with at the position.

Moss spent six seasons total with the Saints, where he also coached linebackers. There he worked closely with longtime NFL assistant Rick Venturi and former head coach and current defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, Jim Haslett.

Originally hired by the Saints in 2000 as defensive assistant/quality control, he was promoted to linebackers coach near the end of that season to replace John Bunting, who departed to become head coach at the University of North Carolina.

Moss began his coaching career in 1998 as a defensive quality control assistant for the Seattle Seahawks, the club where he played his final NFL season.

A veteran of 155 NFL games (146 starts), the former linebacker played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-90) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1991-94), in addition to the Seahawks (1995-97). Over the course of his career, Moss recorded 768 tackles, 20.5 sacks and six interceptions, and recovered one fumble for a TD.

In 1993, when he led the Raiders in tackles on a team that advanced to the AFC Divisional playoffs, he earned the Ed Block Courage Award after a vote of his teammates. Moss also was a three-time defensive captain and received the 1996 NFL Players' Association Unsung Hero Award while with the Seahawks.

A four-time letterman at the University of Miami (Fla.), he and current Packers scout Alonzo Highsmith helped the Hurricanes to the national championship after the 1983 season under Howard Schnellenberger.

As a prep, Moss attended Miami (Fla.) Southridge High School and was an all-state linebacker.

Born in Miami, Fla., Winston and his wife, Zoila, have three sons, Winston Jr., 14, Robert, 9, and Marcus, 6, and two daughters, Victoria, 13, and infant Isabella. In his spare time, Moss enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.

MOSS AT A GLANCE
Joined Packers Jan. 19, 2006, as linebackers coach and was named assistant head coach/linebackers on Jan. 15, 2007.
A standout NFL linebacker for 11 years, played 155 games (146 starts) with three clubs: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-90), Los Angeles Raiders (1991-94) and Seattle Seahawks (1995-97).
Selected by Tampa Bay as the second of two second-round picks in the 1987 draft, shortly after the Bucs took college teammate Vinny Testaverde No. 1 overall.
Played with Lionel Washington, now Packers defensive nickel/cornerbacks coach, for four seasons with the Raiders.
Lettered four years at the University of Miami (Fla.).

Interesting, also, that he spent seasons working under Haslett and Venturi. Not a bad pedigree, despite what's happened here over the past few seasons.

[jkramsfan]

I think we need a little more than just a linebackers coach,thats a pretty big jump for him.

[RedArcher7]

I think we need a little more than just a linebackers coach,thats a pretty big jump for him.

What makes a position coach any less ready to be a head coach than a coordinator?

[jkramsfan]

What makes a position coach any less ready to be a head coach than a coordinator?

i guess this guy is an Asst HC also,but for me personally,I don't want a coordinator,I would prefer someone who has HC experience,but to answer your question,if a position coach is that good wouldn't he have been promoted by the team to some sort of coordinator status which could make his next step a head coaching job.now in all fairness this guy may be great,but I am not sold on the ideal.

[Bar-bq]

i guess this guy is an Asst HC also,but for me personally,I don't want a coordinator,I would prefer someone who has HC experience,but to answer your question,if a position coach is that good wouldn't he have been promoted by the team to some sort of coordinator status which could make his next step a head coaching job.now in all fairness this guy may be great,but I am not sold on the ideal.

Just throwing it out there, but three playoff teams this season were led by rookie head coaches with no head coaching experience.

Atlanta, Baltimore and Miami.

[jkramsfan]

Just throwing it out there, but three playoff teams this season were led by rookie head coaches with no head coaching experience.

Atlanta, Baltimore and Miami.

and thats a great point,it's just my personal preference to have head coaching experience,if we were to get lucky with a coach like they got I would be just as happy.

[Bar-bq]

and thats a great point,it's just my personal preference to have head coaching experience,if we were to get lucky with a coach like they got I would be just as happy.

Oh, for sure. I think I'm going to take my GM cap off for a little while and let Billy D. and the Big Boys play. This is all too overwhelming.

[RedArcher7]

i guess this guy is an Asst HC also,but for me personally,I don't want a coordinator,I would prefer someone who has HC experience,but to answer your question,if a position coach is that good wouldn't he have been promoted by the team to some sort of coordinator status which could make his next step a head coaching job.now in all fairness this guy may be great,but I am not sold on the ideal.

There are several reasons why someone wouldn't be made a coorddinato. I don't think we should assume incompetence as one. Finding good former HCs isn't easy, there's only one right now who's threatening to come back, and that's Cowher. So your options for former head coaches is, Cowher, who isn't probable given New York is a better venue and will throw more money at him...Mangini, Crennel, Marinelli, maybe Mike Sherman, I'm sure Martz would have no problem taking a job, or Mike Nolan. Pick your poison

[RealRam]

Hmmm, Winston Moss. At this point: intriguing.

I would like to give, however, the edge to Coach Haz for experience. Thanks for the info, BBQ.

[tonyray05]

I like Moss's intensity and dedication as a player, but what has been his results as a coach?

[Curly Horns]

I'm sure Moss is an excellent choice for an interview and he will also satisfy the Rooney Rule.

He's definately got the serious look going on.

He looks like a leader, a disciplinarian and a coach that can command respect.

[Falconator]

I do have questions, though, as to why, if Devaney interviewed him last season for the Falcons HC position, he did not get the job.

I followed the Falcons coaching search very very closely last year and to my knowledge - the Atlanta Falcons NEVER interviewed Winston Moss for the head coaching position......Heck, I have never heard of him until I saw this thread.....

so, the reason Winston Moss did not get the Falcons job, well for one was because he never got an interview, Bar-bq.

[GSOT]

Honestly I think there is only one real reason why we are interviewing this guy and thats because of the rules of interviewing a minority.