NFL

Its met with mixed results in the past.

In terms of coaching style, college coaches tend to be very fatherly, authoritarian, inspirational, scholarly. They are helping young athletes segue from being teens living at home to young men out in the world, bodies still growing for the most part, maturity and football knowledge still growing. They tend to work closely with each and every player. Think of them as drill sergeants with raw recruits.

Pro coaches tend to be like company vice presidents. They assume everyone is trained and capable and can immediately implement memos, new procedures, new projects with minimal overseeing. They tend to be narrow focused on their own play sheets and leave the "in your face" talking to the players to their assistants. They delegate. Think of them as commanding officers.

In terms of philosophy, college offense and defense playbooks are a little more rudimentary. Lots and lots of read option running plays where the QB decision is made very quickly. Hand the ball off to the dive back, sprint out to the right any pitch to the wide back, keep for yourself. Passing plays where all receivers are in the QBs field of vision so if one is not open he can look to two, if two is not open he can look to 3 and all within the same field of view. No multiple receivers spread out all over the field on both sides and at various depths.

When you mentioned Jim Harbaugh, I thought I recognised the name. In 2018, Amazon Prime released All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines, in 8 parts. It covers their 2017 season. It starts in Rome where they go on a bonding trip and meet the Pope, and ends with the Outback Bowl.

This hour long documentary shows the sobering side of the NFL and how the violent nature of the game takes its tolls on the players bodies and makes young men old very quickly.

And, I am half way through the 2015 Arizona Cardinals. They give me a very different perspective on things, though how much is said for the camera, or is held back because the cameras are there, I have absolutely no idea. They certainly do not give you any idea of how actual coaching works.

Deshaun Watson is very unhappy in Houston and requesting a trade.

The star QB was already unhappy with the organization last season when they traded DeAndre Hopkins - one of the best receivers in the NFL to the Arizona Cardinals for journeyman running back David Johnson (who spent most of this season injured).

After the Texans sacked the head coach and general manager, Watson thought ownership would consult him with regards to replacement hires to ensure a philosophy that best suits his skills set. The Texans did not.

There is some scuttlebutt that that Jacksonville might make a trade offer to Houston to take Watson - a proven star QB - and either trade the #1 pick in the draft or use it for someone other than Trevor Lawrence. First round QBs can sometimes be busts in the NFL - ie: Mitchell Trubisky who went at #2 in 2017.

Miami is another option as insider word is that the Dolphins are not that enamored with Tua Tagovailoa, who they took with the #5 pick of the 2020 draft. The Dolphins would presumably trade Tua and a draft pick to Houston for Watson.

The Jets are also said to be interested.

The idea of trading for Watson - and basically getting a first round draft pick QB - and then using your first round draft pick in 2021 to give him weapons in the form of a top receiver or a stud lineman to protect his blindside - makes a lot of sense. Its rare for a team to trade away a franchise QB who is still in the prime of his career. But the honeymoon is definitely over in Houston.

The organization and some of the players as well just haven't seen the "x factor" in his play or leadership abilities.

www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dolphins-players-not-confident-in-tua-tagovailoas-quarterbacking-abilities-per-report/

Its unofficially official that Deshaun Watson has played his last game as a Texan.

Watson's agent worked a "very player friendly" contract extension that allows Watson to demand a trade and he also has a no trade clause which lets him approve any trades. In other words, he can give the Houston bosses a list of teams he would agree to be traded to.

Miami is still looking as the best bet. Miami has the #3 and #18 picks in the first round of the 2021 draft. A deal would likely involve the Dolphins sending Tua Tagovailoa and one of their first round pics to Houston for Watson.

That would still leave the Dolphins with one first round pick and two second round pick as well as picks in the 3rd through 7th round to further stock the cupboard.

New England has snuck into the picture as another option. The Patriots have a ton of cap money that they can use as bait to lure Watson, promising to spend big on veteran free agents - something New England has always preferred over trying to restock via the draft.

Belichick could say "we will trade whatever draft picks Houston wants for you and we will work with you on which running backs we should target in the free agent market for you to hand the ball off too and which free agent receivers you want to throw passes to."

NY Jets
Washington Football Team
Denver Broncos are also said to be in the mix.

As are the San Francisco 49ers who are not happy with Jimmy Garoppolo's tendency towards season ending injuries. In three full seasons with the 49ers, Jimmy G has started only 25 of 48 possible games. He played only 3 games in 2018, a full 16 game season in 2019 when they went to the Super Bowl, and 6 games in 2020.