Mixed feelings about Saunders

*Ferter* · #1 (**permalink**) -27-01-2008

:l

Saunders is 60 years old, recently fired, and coming off of two seasons ranked outside of the top ten, in total offense, with the skins.

Certainly experience comes with age, but so does complacency.

Saunders has not had a top 10 offense for the past two seasons. However he was head of the #1 ranked offense for 2004-05 with KC. Those KC teams had a lot of talent at the skill positions and along the offensive line. I am not sure the current Rams roster has that same caliber of talent to support his style of offense.

The skins did not seem to employ a wide-open attack under Saunders. They did have QB issues and the overall talent was not as great as what Saunders had to work with in KC. Perhaps Gibbs was holding Saunders back? Perhaps Saunders has fallen out of touch or is not as successful without high caliber talent up and down the offensive roster? I'm just not so certain he is the best man for the job.

Of the top 10 teams on offense this past season only 3 have OC's over the age of 50. Indy(Tom Moore), and he supposedly does not call the plays, Seattle, where Holmgren calls the plays, and Cincy.

I'm not sure why, but it sure seems that the younger OC's are currently having the most success in the NFL.

Saunders is a Big name. I certainly will not be surprised or disappointed if the Rams hire him, but I would like to see as much consideration given to the younger guys - Zampse and Jackson.

:l

**RamWraith** · #2 (**permalink**) -27-01-2008

I too fell ya Ferter.

I am also wondering about being damaged goods. Why does this guy not get promoted with any team?? Why are teams not keeping him period. There has to be a lot more to this guy than we know. Can you say ego and very hard to work with.

*rammiser* · #3 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Some people just were not meant to be head coaches i.e. Mike martz. Also the guy didnt exactly have a lot of offensive talent to work with in Washington. As was pointed out before he left Kansas City he had the leading offense from 2002 through 05 I'll take that any day. We have good offensive talent we just need someone who knows how to use it and Saunders knows how to use offensive talent even the tight ends! As for not having the same calibur he had in Kansas City lets take a look shall we.

In 2002 Saunders had Trent Green,Tony Gonzales,Priest Holmes,Ediie Kennison,Jonnie Morton and Marc Borigter to work with.

In 2003 he had the same roster.

In 2004 he had the same roster.

In 2005 he had Trent Green,Larry Johnson,Tony Gonzales,Samie Parker,Eddie Kennison, and Dante Hall.

Can you actually look at that talent and say we couldnt produce the same results with Bulger,Jackson,Holt,Bruce,McMichael, and Bennett? Their offensive line was probably better but if we stay healthy I say our line is pretty comparable. So I dont buy the talent arguement. He left Kansas City to go to Washington probably because Vermiel retired again. His age doesnt scare me at all either because the guy brings a ton of experience and has proven within the last few years he can run an offense effectively. I hope we get him because the players need this guy and so does this franchise.

**Nick** · #4 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamWraith

Why does this guy not get promoted with any team?? Why are teams not keeping him period. There has to be a lot more to this guy than we know. Can you say ego and very hard to work with.

Vermeil spoke pretty highly of him after he retired, for what it's worth. He was an assistant head coach under Schottenheimer, Martz, and Gibbs. He also coached under Coryell and Vermeil. I'm not sure a guy accumulates a list like that if he's hard to work with. I suspect his age is probably a significant barrier when it comes to getting a head coaching job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammiser

Their offensive line was probably better but if we stay healthy I say our line is pretty comparable.

Their offensive line during that period was arguably the best in the entire league. It would take a lot for this unit to come close to that, even with everyone healthy.

*bruce4life* · #5 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

the rams needs a coach who knows what he's doing and has an established relation with the players already on this team... with saunders on this team using a mike martz style of offense, the players would be reentergized, steven jackson would become this generation's MARSHAL FAULK for our rams and the team would be stooked that FO is trying to actually help the team out.

*rammiser* · #6 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

Vermeil spoke pretty highly of him after he retired, for what it's worth. He was an assistant head coach under Schottenheimer, Martz, and Gibbs. He also coached under Coryell and Vermeil. I'm not sure a guy accumulates a list like that if he's hard to work with. I suspect his age is probably a significant barrier when it comes to getting a head coaching job.

Their offensive line during that period was arguably the best in the entire league. It would take a lot for this unit to come close to that, even with everyone healthy.

I can live with that but even with the line we had in 06 and a pretty vanilla Linehan playbook Bulger and Jackson both had career years. If our o-line can be solid I say we can produce numbers with more offensive talent than Saunders had in KC.

*MauiRam* · #7 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

If we do hire Saunders, there is one thing he would bring to the table that is sorely lacking among our coaching staff, particularly on offense, and that is credibility.(excepting perhaps Haslett) Our offense at the end of the season was a battered and demoralized group. At least Saunders has "been there - done that" Sure, Linny had some success in the past, but not lately, Saunders may not have been a world beater for the Skins, but he didn't have guys like Bulger, Holt, Bruce and Jackson who all have familiarity with the type of O he would employ.

Nick made a good point about his age being a factor when being considered as a head coach. It certainly wouldn't have been perceived as an advantage. I don't think anyone knows for sure what Al could accomplish here, but I'll bet our offensive players would be happy to have him here. The eye-rolling stuff would be history with Al at the helm.

If we don't for whatever reason end up with Al, (he might not want to work for our current FO), I would love for Zampese to get a shot as OC. He has good NFL coaching bloodlines and could possibly inject some fire and excitement into the O. In any event, we shouldn't have to wait much longer as the trigger will likely be pulled soon ... Whoever we end up with, I hope Scot stays at arms length and allows the new OC to operate with autonomy.

*btimsah* · #8 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

My in-depth analysis of Saunders is that he's not Linehan. That's worth it's weight in gold. Wide open offense? Hell at this point I'd take the wishbone option. This offense last year was the most boring thing I've ever seen.

*RAMFANRAIDERHATER* · #9 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Gosh, in five years I'll be 60. I better keep my head on a swivel, 'cuz it sounds like I'll suddenly become irrelevent and ineffective.

*mcpeepants232003* · #10 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

No matter what our opinions are of Saunders I think we can all agree that he can't be any worse than Olson or Linehan were at play calling.

*RealRam* · #11 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Interesting pros and cons with Saunders and, in fact, a potential, "buyer's remorse" i.e., in advance, but it's understandable, FERTER. This is such a critical vacancy to fill!

:r At this point, I'm still favoring, or better said, hoping, Saunders joins the Rams.

*Mooselini* · #12 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcpeepants232003

No matter what our opinions are of Saunders I think we can all agree that he can't be any worse than Olson or Linehan were at play calling.

True. Sanders has been there and done that. Linehan posse has disappointed us. We can really give anyone in the world a shot since we know Linehan can't do it.

Yeah he's old, but he's got easily several more years till he calls it quits. Thats enough time to get this organization on the right path.

*UtterBlitz* · #13 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

I am not excited about Saunders, but he may provide leadership during a rocky year.

**laram0** · #14 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Linehan needs an OC with lots of experience so that he can stop dabbling with the offense and trust his OC like he does with Haslett. Linehan needs to focus on his role as the Headcoach of this football team.

*81~BIG-GAME* · #15 (**permalink**) -28-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by laram0

Linehan needs an OC with lots of experience so that he can stop dabbling with the offense and trust his OC like he does with Haslett. Linehan needs to focus on his role as the Headcoach of this football team.

If the Rams do bring in Saunders or an experienced OC, then what is the point of employing Linehan. He was supposed to be the offensive guru, a title he hasn't lived up to. On the defensive side of the ball Haslett calls the shots likewise with a big name OC he to would call them. Add in the fact that Linehan from what we hear doesn't appear to be a good leader or somebody the players really want to play for. So really what does Linehan bring to the table? If the FO don't have confidence in him would it not have been better to make a clean break? rather than have him sit as a lame duck which he would appear to be now...