Shurmur's Browns To March Forward Without An OC

[r8rh8rmike]

Shurmur's Browns to march forward without an OC

NFL.com
Published: Feb. 11, 2011

Cleveland's first-year coach Pat Shurmur confirmed that the Browns will operate without an offensive coordinator, according to The Plain Dealer on Thursday.

Shurmur told the newspaper that he will act as both head coach and coordinator, something only Bill Belichick's New England Patriots did in 2010. The Arizona Cardinals split duties between their running- and passing-game coordinators.

"I feel like we've hired a terrific staff and everybody on this staff has roles and issues of the day," Shurmur said at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Thursday, where he was a presenter. "I feel really good about how we've structured things and I think it's going to work well."

Shurmur reiterated to The Plain Dealer that second-year quarterback Colt McCoy will remain the starter.

"It would be a logical assumption," he said.

Shurmur, hired in January to replace Eric Mangini, served as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator the past two seasons, and stated in his initial press conference in January that he would call games.

Shurmur hired former University of Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple as his quarterbacks coach and told the newspaper his assistants will all have a say in developing game plans.

"I think that's the key piece," Shurmur said Thursday. "As you go through the week, you put the plan together and everybody in the room has input."

[GROUND DOG 39]

Mike Holmgrens puppet comes to mind?

[r8rh8rmike]

Mike Holmgrens puppet comes to mind?

Or Andy Reid's. You have to give credit to Shurmur though for cutting through the BS and just saying he's the OC instead of having a puppet of his own.

It'll be interesting to see if he can handle being a first time head coach AND an OC.

[fliptalianstallion]

His head coaching duties are watered down for the most part. He'll be taking better care of the OC duties whilst evolving his way through a complete head coach. I wish the kid the best of luck, even though his play calling made me want to rip my hair off for the most part.

[Nick]

Or Andy Reid's. You have to give credit to Shurmur though for cutting through the BS and just saying he's the OC instead of having a puppet of his own.

It'll be interesting to see if he can handle being a first time head coach AND an OC.

Except they tried to find someone, but failed. Bill Musgrave or Mike McCoy both went in other directions, for example. Once Shurmur said he'd be calling the plays in his opening press conference, that likely eliminated their chances of finding a decent OC. Now that it's been nearly a month since his hire, they likely just accepted the inevitable. Hopefully Shurmur doesn't get overwhelmed with both duties, but I fully expect Holmgren to have a hand in things. In part, I'd imagine that's one reason Shurmur appealed to the Browns - it would allow Holmgren to still exercise some coaching power.

[r8rh8rmike]

Except they tried to find someone, but failed. Bill Musgrave or Mike McCoy both went in other directions, for example. Once Shurmur said he'd be calling the plays in his opening press conference, that likely eliminated their chances of finding a decent OC.

Fair point, but I don't think there is any doubt if the Browns wanted too, they could have found someone to fill the OC position, if in name only. Even guys like Shanahan, Martz, Reid and Linehan always had/have a figurehead OC, despite the fact that it was no secret that they all called the plays and were running the offense. For that reason, I personally give credit to Shurmur and the Browns for not just falling in line with the status quo and actually calling it as it really is. Speaking of calling it as it really is, has there been a team in recent memory that did not have a named OC?

[Nick]

Fair point, but I don't think there is any doubt if the Browns wanted too, they could have found someone to fill the OC position, if in name only. Even guys like Shanahan, Martz, Reid and Linehan always had/have a figurehead OC, despite the fact that it was no secret that they all called the plays and were running the offense. For that reason, I personally give credit to Shurmur and the Browns for not just falling in line with the status quo and actually calling it as it really is. Speaking of calling it as it really is, has there been a team in recent memory that did not have a named OC?

I guess I'd be more willing to give them credit for not propping someone up as an OC if that's what they decided to do from the beginning. But they had no problem spending a month trying to find someone to prop up in that role. That tells me their bucking of the status quo was brought about more due to the lack of willing candidates rather than their own disagreement to the notion of an OC-in-name-only.

As for other teams, the article mentioned that the Patriots didn't have a playcaller last season. And I believe in 2009, Todd Haley fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey during the preseason and took over duties himself for the Chiefs despite being the head coach.

[r8rh8rmike]

I guess I'd be more willing to give them credit for not propping someone up as an OC if that's what they decided to do from the beginning. But they had no problem spending a month trying to find someone to prop up in that role. That tells me their bucking of the status quo was brought about more due to the lack of willing candidates rather than their own disagreement to the notion of an OC-in-name-only.

As for other teams, the article mentioned that the Patriots didn't have a playcaller last season. And I believe in 2009, Todd Haley fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey during the preseason and took over duties himself for the Chiefs despite being the head coach.

I guess credit is a relative thing.

You're right about the Patriots. They didn't replace McDaniels after he left, although QB coach Bill O'Brian called plays and has since been elevated to their OC spot.