One half of the Patriots prospective head coach/general manager tandem braved the elements and made it to Boston to meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft today.
Former Pittsburgh Director of Football Operations Tom Donahoe met with Kraft, Andy Wasynczuk and Jonathan Kraft at the Patriots offices in Boston, but Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom Capers was unable to make it through the morning snowstorm.
The Patriots have decided on the Capers/Donahoe combination as a possible alternative to former Jets assistant Bill Belichick, who remains embroiled in a legal battle with the NFL and would require compensation to New York. Belichick's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, filed an antitrust suit against the NFL on Monday and was seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow other teams to interview Belichick. That request was denied Tuesday, ensuring that Belichick's services will require compensation.
In the meantime, the Patriots have turned their sights elsewhere. Capers and Donahoe worked together in Pittsburgh when the former spent three seasons (1992-94) as the Steelers defensive coordinator. When in Pittsburgh, Capers' defenses allowed the fewest points in the NFL all three years. Capers then moved to Carolina as head coach, where he compiled a 31-35 record and brought the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game in 1996. Donahoe is given credit for building the Pittsburgh team that went to the Super Bowl in 1995.
The Patriots will reschedule Capers for an interview Wednesday. He also has been rumored for the vacant head coaching position in New Orleans and will likely speak with both before making a decision.
