Here is a quick update regarding the Cleveland Browns' search for an offensive coordinator: according to the Akron Beacon Journal, head coach Pat Shurmur has been talking to candidates over the phone. The ABJ states that it is unclear whether any formal interviews have taken place yet; my guess is that they have not.
Shurmur is keeping his list of candidates private, but he is exclusively looking for someone with experience in the West Coast Offense. If Brad Childress doesn't get a head coaching gig with the Buccaneers, I think he remains Cleveland's top candidate. If Childress doesn't work out, then I'm anticipating the team will hire a position coach looking to move up in the league (much like when Eric Mangini gave Brian Daboll an opportunity a few years back). Besides a Childress or a newcomer, I don't think the team can lure a proven coordinator on the offensive side of the ball. Hopefully we'll here some rumors next week about more of the candidates so this hiring process doesn't get dragged out beyond the Super Bowl.
0 recs | 52 comments
What are people’s opinions on Schottenheimer? I don’t know much about his time in New York, but I think a lot of their shortcomings offensively this year weren’t on him. He at least has OC experience that we can look at unlike position coaches.
Doc's Kid - January 12, 2012
He’s from the Parcell’s tree (as opposed to Walsh) so it probably isn’t someone they’re looking at.
HenryDawg - January 12, 2012
Absolutely right.
Brownie's Year - January 12, 2012
Yep.
rufio - January 13, 2012
He speaks “Hum Trunk Right, 928 Dig-Stop Queen” while we speak “Spread Right, Eagle Right, 2-Jet E Drive Z post”
rufio - January 13, 2012
exactly. He would have to learn a new language and communication would be more difficult.
bross09 - January 13, 2012
There’s probably philosophical differences behind it too, but his terminology is almost definitely different.
rufio - January 13, 2012
I think the philosophical differences are definitely important and its definitely there…its hard to even get to the point where you know you have differences if it seems like the other person is speaking greek.
bross09 - January 14, 2012
They would be able to communicate concepts to one another if they sat at a chalkboard but it’s just a matter of having one guy be able to memorize that much terminology while also being an NFL OC.
rufio - January 15, 2012
yeah. That’s what I was kinda trying to get at.
bross09 - January 15, 2012
that’s what I was thinking.
bross09 - January 13, 2012
Best part of Bryan Schottenheimer ran down Marty’s leg.
realmccoy - January 13, 2012
He’s horrible.
Roger Dorn - January 13, 2012
It would seem he should have done a better job in NY
champion64 - January 13, 2012
I have the misfortune of watching the Jets every week, and I can say pretty safely that he is terrible.
Roger Dorn - January 13, 2012
That’s some pretty tough misfortune there.
LondonBrown - January 14, 2012
The one thing that concerns me about this is that we have yet to hear “The Cleveland Browns have asked for permission to talk to
-—-”. This can only mean we are not looking at anyone who’s team is in the playoffs. Why do we always hire coaches from losing teams?GrillGuy - January 13, 2012
Remember not all coaches from bad teams are bad. Look at Belichik. We were horrible the year he left.
champion64 - January 13, 2012
A lot of times teams don’t ask permission until the playoffs are over.
notthatnoise - January 13, 2012
Yep, If this were last week and we were interested in someone with a bye week in the playoffs you might have heard it, but usually its after the playoffs out of respect.
Kimble_79 - January 13, 2012
Just hire Chilly. He is a really bad, bad head coach – but a really good OC. We will gain 2 wins just by moving play calling responsibility from Pat to Chilly – I guarantee it.
realmccoy - January 13, 2012
I think we would but we have to wait and see if he is available — he is being considered apparently for some heading coaching positions, and I guess it’s possible that he would also consider being an OC somewhere else as well (as crazy as that sounds).
TheDriveStillHurts - January 13, 2012
what a bout sherman? has he found a job somewhere else? or are we not considering him?
BG_Dom84 - January 13, 2012
And if Childress isn’t available, what about Jim Zorn???
OldTimeDawg - January 13, 2012
Zorn is probably getting a promotion in KC.
PaduaDSP - January 13, 2012
There have also been rumblings of GB’s QB coach Tom Clements. I’d prefer Chilly over anyone available, but if Shurmur wants to call plays giving a seemingly very effective QB coach a shot couldn’t hurt.
dabooo - January 13, 2012
I think Clements is defintely a possibility. I thougth he might have some last year. Certainly has the offense down and would be a step up from his current job. A hire like this might even preserve Shumurs desire to keep calling plays. It will be interesting to see how they handle Mark Whipple in this OC hiring process.
SBP - January 13, 2012
Now that has a nice sound to it.
HenryDawg - January 13, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clements over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
bross09 - January 13, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clements over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
bross09 - January 13, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clements over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
North Coast Flea - January 13, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clements over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
HenryDawg - January 13, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clement over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
chitown browns fan - January 14, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clement over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
Simmsinns - January 14, 2012
I’ll definitely take Clements over Zorn. Not a big Zorn fan, but he is a WCO guy.
Dawg Nuts - January 14, 2012
ESPN Rumors page says the Browns also have shown interest in Doug Pederson, currently the QBs coach in Philadelphia. Is that the same guy who started games at QB for us in the Chris Palmer era?
PaduaDSP - January 13, 2012
The one the only
champion64 - January 13, 2012
might as well see what Spergon Wynn is up to while we are at it or we could go the Art Shell route and hire the manager of a local bed and breakfast.
PaduaDSP - January 13, 2012
I saw Spergon on a NFL show last night called the Brady 6 – It details all the guys that were drafted before Brady and a “where are they now” format. Needless to say none of them are holding as many trophies as Brady. Spergon was holding his newborn child not a football and is an energy trader in Texas.
SBP - January 13, 2012
Wow good for him, sounds like he made a good life for himself. Of all those guys, Spergon is the dog whistle for talking about how clueless scouts be at times.
HenryDawg - January 13, 2012
is it possible he helped coach up Vick into the more effective pocket passer he’s become? Please note I didn’t use adjectives that go too far, like ‘good’. I hope they don’t think this is the best way to coach RG3000 if he’s the guy the Browns target.
dabooo - January 13, 2012
Please don’t remind us of the Palmer “era” ever again.
JulioBernazard - January 13, 2012
I would love to fill the OC position with anyone who has been around and had success coaching QBs. Can’t have too many of those guys on your staff, IMO.
rufio - January 13, 2012
Would be nice, especially if we draft a “mobile” QB.
Bernie19Kosar - January 14, 2012
I really feel that O coordinator is the #1 greatest need in the off season. Greater than any player in the draft or FA.
Some of the game management mistakes made by Shurmur were most likely a direct result of two things… Him being a rookie head coach at any level… and not having a trusted coordinator to assist in-game.
Does Hecket scout OCs too? I hope
LocalMan - January 13, 2012
Heckert would likely not be involved with the search.
Having an OC would definitely help any HC be more aware of the game, but then again so would not having your QB change the playcall to a run instead of clocking the ball.
rufio - January 13, 2012
You really don’t think Heckert would have a say in the new OC? You could be right but GMs have a lot of pull.
Brownie's Year - January 13, 2012
I don’t see Heckert doing anything. Holmgren would have made sense, but based on what he’s said, the choice is all Shurmur since they’d be working together so much.
Doc's Kid - January 13, 2012
He might have a little input but I’d guess the decision is almost purely Shurmur’s. Heckert doesn’t have to work with the guy every day for hours on end, he just has to be able to understand what kinds of players he wants.
rufio - January 15, 2012
Agree with this. Whatever we do in the draft (whatever reasonable stuff we do in the draft) my biggest wish for offseason is getting a good OC and at the moment I think that is Chilly.
Minnesota was a mess because of Favre/ owner politics but the Jags wont be any better. I’m hoping he sees the need to rehab his rep as an OC and doing it with a strong likeminded FO is the best way to do that. Also it doesn’t take much for us to improve on O, different ask to say taking over the Falcons O and making that work.
LondonBrown - January 14, 2012
Ah! We just need to get hold of his phone records. Never a reporter from The Guardian around when you need one.
JustBob - January 13, 2012
Ask Piers Morgan…
LondonBrown - January 14, 2012
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