To me, this is a state of the Head Coach level decision.
Early this week I voted no to firing Steichen, and I will remain in that camp pending the outcome of tomorrow's game but I reserve the right to change that vote about 8 PM tomorrow evening.
Leonard has no injury designation for tomorrow, which I read to indicate he is the healthy back up. As such, this is SS telling everyone that his scheme is what wins games. He is proclaiming that an out of work geriatric dude with no mobility but a clear understanding of his game plan can execute his play calls to the point that we can win games in the NFL, up to and including enough games to make the playoff. If he's right, his status as the future should be secure for as long as he wants to be the coach here.
However, if he fails, he must be fired and here is my rationale. Leonard is a much closer replica to Jones than Rivers. We jumped out to the 7-1 record by way of Steichen using the full skill set of DJ with pocket movement, RPO's etc... Leonard definitely fits that mold much better than Rivers. Further, from knowing quite a bit about RL, he is apparently pretty much a play book maniac, and clearly has had roughly 8 months to learn it in preparation of possibly playing. So, if Rivers stands in the pocket tomorrow (he HAS no choice) and we shit the bed in all sorts of ways, this experiment by SS is a clear indication he is not capable of sound reasoning and he has to be removed as soon as the game ends.
This is really an incredible development and one of the most arrogant moves I can ever remember. Here's to hoping his bet is right, but consider me a skeptic until I see it.
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