Patrick Willis..Patrick Willis..Patrick Willis and who might be are OC for 08????
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Got this from 49erwebzone.com
here's the link
http://www.49erswebzone.com/content/news/view.php?id=12844
Coordinator Candidates
First, the news: Patrick Willis is expected to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press probably tomorrow. Willis, who also won Defensive Player for the month for December, led the league in tackles with 174 tackles, 33 more than Denver's D.J. Williams, who finished in second.
The 49ers might also find out tonight whether they will coach the Senior Bowl for the third straight year. A dubious distinction because coaching the game is offered to the coaching staffs of the teams with the worst records. No assistant coaches were seen cleaning out their offices in Santa Clara today.
On the offensive coordinator front, the stated criteria is an experienced NFL play caller who's had success. Here are some candidates
:Cam Cameron - The just-fired Dolphins coach steered the Chargers offense for five years and helped develope Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Even those who watched the 1-15 Dolphins this past year, said Cameron's play-calling was solid. Cameron is from the Norv Turner digital system, which the 49ers currently employ. From a logical standpoint, Cameron's the top candidate. His most impressive feat: Getting Gus Frerotte to the Pro Bowl in 1996 as the Redskins quarterbacks coach.
Brian Billick - The long-time Ravens coach won a Super Bowl in Baltimore in 2000. What's surprising was his lack of establishing a decent offensive team in Baltimore after emerging from the Vikings as a historically successful offensive coordinator with Minnesota. The 556 points the Vikings scored in 1998 under Billick was an NFL record until the Patriots broke it this year. Mike Nolan worked for him and Billick was drafted by the 49ers in 1977 as a lanky tight end. He has been exposed to Bill Walsh's coaching and even worked as a assistant public relations director for the 49ers. But has Billick lost his offensive touch? He was unable to develop former Cal quarterback Kyle Boller, who was a first-round pick. Could he turn the trick with Alex Smith?
Mike Martz - He's certainly had success, none more than his complete turnaround of the St. Louis Rams from a 4-12 team in 1998 to 13-3 and Super Bowl Champions the next year as the offensive coordinator. He has developed Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger and has connections to California after working as an assistant for San Jose State (1975) Fresno State (1979) and UOP (1980-81). He's another discipile of the Don Coryell's digital system adopted by Norv Turner. He clashed with Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli, who wanted Martz to use the running game more. Martz has a reputation for establishing explosive passing game but can be abrasive and sometimes ignores the running game. He also wants to establish his passing game regardless of a team's ability to pass protection, which can lead to punishment of the quarterback.
Chan Gailey - He was fired by Georgia Tech after the season, after never losing over five games in one seasons with Tech. Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said Gailey had lost the fan base and didn't excite influential alumni despite his success, which included a string of bowl game appearances. The former Cowboys coach has been a coordinator for the Dolphins and Broncos and is adherent of a balanced approach, which includes a strong running game. He and Nolan coached in Denver at the same time in the late 1980's.
Bill Callahan - The former Raiders head coach failed in a football powerhouse Nebraska and was fired. After taking the Oakland to the Super in succeeding the popular Jon Gruden, Callahan was run out of Oakland after alienating and blaming players for the team's collapse after the Super Bowl season of 2002. In that season, the Raiders led the league in passing and total offense. The one-time offensive line coach is also known for coaching pass protection. The Raiders set marks in fewest sacks (27) in 2000 and (28) in 2002 when Callahan was the offensive coordinator.
Marty Mornhinweg - This won't happen. Mornhinweg is already the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Eagles and probably wouldn't leave that job to coach for Mike Nolan. Nevertheless, Mornhinweg disastrous experience as the Lions head coach shouldn't marr his excellence as a offensive play caller. Steve Young calls him the best game-day offensive coordinator around, right up there with Mike Shanahan. Morhninweg also helped develop Jeff Garcia when he coordinated the 49ers' offense from 1997-2000.
Jim Fassel - He was with Nolan in Baltimore as an offensive consultant. Fassel has done some great resurrecting over the years, including guiding the Giants to the Super Bowl with Kerry Collins at quarterback in 2000 after a 7-9 season in 1999. His last reclaimation project - trying to revive the Ravens offense in 2004-5 - failed. He has been out of football for two years and served as a NFL commentator on radio. He's an adherent of the West Coast offense.