Jeff Fisher is finalizing his staff. A lot of experience, grit, and potential. Also, Halak starts first game against DET tonight, and Bill Walton has a crazy prediction.

Grizzled Veterans

Jeff Fisher hired another key component to his staff today with Dave McGinnis. McGinnis is a defensive specialist. His résumé includes four years as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, seven years as the Tennessee Titans assistant head coach/linebackers, and 10 years coaching Chicago Bears linebackers.

Dave McGinnis

Between Fisher, Gregg Williams, Brian Schottenheimer, and McGinnis, one could argue that the Rams have four coaches that could/should/have been a head coach in the NFL.

Assistant coaches are the most important piece of the puzzle.

Where has the Rams’ teaching mechanisms been in the past 5, 6, 7, hell 15 years? When you draft players in rounds 4-7, they are developmental–meaning coaches have to bring them along. Lets hope this quartet can salvage some previous picks.

The downside of having head coaching candidates on a staff is the likelihood they work on a year-to-year basis. It’s especially dangerous with Schottenheimer because Sam Bradford will already be working in his fourth offense in as many years. But success means more at this point.

Huge Game for the Blues tonight.

The Blues were manhandled on New Years Eve by Detroit. Tonight, they have their shot at revenge. Both teams are surging in their last 10 games: DET 8-2-0 STL 8-1-1

Detroit has won 16 straight at the Joe Louis Arena.

Alex Steen will miss his 12^th game with lingering concussion symptoms. He last played 12/27 in a 3-2 loss at Detroit.

Jaroslav Halak gets the start in net. Halak has not faced Detroit in four meetings this season, in part because he is 2-3 with a 4.35 GAA in six starts.

Finally…

Chip Kelly talks with Derek Dooley before a Duck/Vols game (Flickr by Tennessee Journalist)

Chip Kelley should have taken the Bucs head coaching offer. Kelly’s unique offenses at Oregon are high-flying, dynamic, and fast. I would like to see him take the challenge in the NFL instead of playing a comfort game by staying with the Ducks/Nike. Where do the Bucs turn now?

Bill Walton predicted a Lakers/Heat NBA Finals … um, Bill. Calling Bill. You OK Bill? The Lakers have some serious growing up to do if they want any part of a Finals run.

The Knicks really need Baron Davis at PG, and he has started practicing.

Take a tour of Alex Ovechkin’s new $4.5 million mansion.

Opening line for Super Bowl XLVI: Giants +3.5   … The panel’s SB picks will be out later this week.

Keep Grindin’

Thanks for reading.