Predictions review

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In the interest of self-evaluation, we wanted to evaluate our 2010 preseason predictions.

We hit on one of eight division winners – the Colts in the AFC South. Three of our predicted division winners – the Ravens, Saints, and Packers – made the playoffs but did not win their divisions.

We hit on six of 12 playoff teams – the four teams mentioned above, plus the Falcons and Patriots, whom we picked as wild-card teams but who are the No. 1 overall seeds after winning their divisions.

Our MVP picks – Aaron Rodgers and DeMarcus Ware – both had fine seasons. Rodgers is likely a top-10 MVP pick, while Ware led the league in sacks. But neither will win the award.

Our Super Bowl teams were the Cowboys, who stumbled out of the gate and missed the playoffs, and the Colts. We had the Colts winning the Super Bowl, so we still have a chance there.

Harbaugh’s gold mine

Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh has been the belle of the ball this past week, as his 12-1 season at Stanford culminated first in an Orange Bowl victory and then in a series of discussions about coaching Michigan or remaining at Stanford at the college level or moving to the NFL level. After discussions with Miami and talks of interviews with Denver, Harbaugh decided not to move – taking a five-year, $25 million contract to coach the San Francisco 49ers (a job where he won’t have to leave his house). Below are some thoughts on the hiring; we’ll compare it to other head-coaching moves next week.

Harbaugh was the hottest coaching prospect in America this year, with at least four NFL options – San Francisco, Denver, Miami, and Carolina – before him, as well as the high-profile job at his alma mater Michigan. After a series of interviews, Harbaugh decided that his gold mine was with the 49ers. It’s easy to see why Harbaugh was so highly regarded by NFL teams. After entering the NFL as a first-round pick, Harbaugh played for 15 years, starting 140 games for the Bears, Colts, Ravens, and Chargers. He’s also the son of the coach, and he acted as an assistant coach for his father at Western Kentucky during his playing career. After retiring, Harbaugh was a quarterback coach for the Raiders (including their 2002 Super Bowl season, in which QB Rich Gannon was league MVP) and then became a college head coach. At San Diego, a non-scholarship school, Harbaugh developed Josh Johnson into an NFL player, and then at Stanford he turned Andrew Luck into one of the best QB prospects ever. But despite his proficiency developing quarterbacks, Harbaugh has shown an old-school offensive approach featuring two running backs and a tight end. That pro style will move to the NFL far easier than a spread offense would. Plus, Harbaugh hired Vic Fangio, a long-time NFL assistant, as his defensive coordinator, and if Fangio moves with Harbaugh, he can take advantage of San Francisco’s talented front seven by continuing to use a 3-4 system and tuning up the aggressiveness. And Harbaugh’s charismatic personality will sell some tickets, even if it doesn’t play as well with pro players as it did with collegians. The question of whether Harbaugh can make the leap from college to the NFL is still a big one – history does not look kindly on coaches making the move – although Harbaugh’s 17 years of NFL experience as a player and assistant at least give hope. San Francisco is gambling big on Harbaugh, and while it’s easy to see why he’s flavor of the month, for some reason our hopes for Harbaugh aren’t as high as the hype suggests.