Patriots Job Fair '09

In a tough economy, the Kraft family is doing their part to reach out to the community. At Gillette Stadium, the Patriots will host a job fair.All stores and restaurants in Kraft City will be represented, from Bass Pro Shops, Bed and Bath Beyond, the CBS Scene, and The Christmas Tree Shops. Even the Patriots will have a table as the coaching staff and front office has a few entry level positions open.Of course these openings are due to the departure of three long time New England employees.The first to go was offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels to Denverto be the next Broncos head coach. Just a day later, vice president of player personnel Scot Pioli accepted the general manager job from the Kansas City Chiefs. And earlier today special teams coach Brad Seely accepted the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator job with the Cleveland Browns.Apparently the AFC is adopting the "If you can't beat them, hire them" approach. That's four openings now available when broken down by roles (McDaniels had two titles).

Early speculation says there are two in-house possibilities to replace McDaniels: wide receivers coach Bill O'Brien or tight ends coach Pete Mangurian. If New England decides to tab someone outside of the organization they might call Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson. Director of player personnel Nick Caserio appears likely to be promoted to replace Pioli. No word on the replacement for Seely, but special teams is very important to Belichick so he won't just hire anybody to replace Seely.

It's not going to be easy to replace the coaches and not lose a step, but based on how well the Patriots remained competitive after the losses of coordinators Romeo Crennel (defensive) and Charlie Weis (offensive) in 2005 then defensive coordinator Eric Mangini a year later makes me believe the Pats can say goodbye with minimal pain.

The loss of Pioli is another story. He and head coach Bill Belichick worked perfectly together for nine years with the Patriots and they built a three-time Super Bowl winner. Excuse me while I make my own rendition of the famous Bill Parcells quote: Belichick didn't buy the groceries, but Pioli knew exactly what Belichick wanted (Pioli is Parcells' son-in-law, so The Big Tuna doesn't mind my twisting of his words for a family member). Pioli was grateful to the Kraft family and to Belichick for his years with the Pats. The best show of appreciation would be to trade KC runing back Larry Johnson to New England at a discount price.

Pioli was seen cleaning out his office in Gillette Stadium on Tuesday. Hopefully someone made him leave behind his notes on free agents and the upcoming draft. These notes would help Caserio as he searches for rush linebackers and corner backs.

It will be the same story for the coaches promoted to their new positions. They have to hit the ground running. But as they move up, it leaves holes at the ground level of the Patriots organization. So if you don't mind making endless copies and being a go-fer, update your resume and head to Gillette Stadium. Someone could become the next McDaniels or Mangini several years down the road.