I had a thought on Fulmer and the O-line...

[Ohio Vol]

I know there's been much discussion over the issue of the offensive line and why the caliber of play has declined even though the head coach is the old offensive line coach. So I had a thought earlier today that I thought I would share with you.

In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings set the all-time single-season scoring record, averaging nearly 35 points per game; they also came within one play of a Super Bowl berth. Brian Billick, the offensive coordinator, was widely hailed for bringing Randall Cunningham back from NFL purgatory and also developing a troubled rookie named Randy Moss into the NFL's premier receiver in his first year. After that year, Billick was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens as an "offensive genius".

Since taking over as head coach, his quarterbacks have been Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, and Chris Redman. He finally got his wish and had a QB picked as a first-rounder (Kyle Boller), who has been sporadic at best and never really has developed. He, in turn, has been replaced by Anthony Wright and Steve McNair.

The Ravens have been noted for two things under Billick. One is below-average performance on the part of the quarterbacks. The second is overall offensive production that's been far below average. His team has one conference championship and one league championship. Nearly all the team success during his tenure has been not because of the offense and the QB play, but in spite of it. And yet Billick is still hailed as a genius, even though the hallmark unit (defense) is something that he has no say and no real control over.

With this in mind, how can the poor offensive line play and/or poor offensive production be pinned strictly on Fulmer?

 

[champyvol]

I know there's been much discussion over the issue of the offensive line and why the caliber of play has declined even though the head coach is the old offensive line coach. So I had a thought earlier today that I thought I would share with you.

In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings set the all-time single-season scoring record, averaging nearly 35 points per game; they also came within one play of a Super Bowl berth. Brian Billick, the offensive coordinator, was widely hailed for bringing Randall Cunningham back from NFL purgatory and also developing a troubled rookie named Randy Moss into the NFL's premier receiver in his first year. After that year, Billick was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens as an "offensive genius".

Since taking over as head coach, his quarterbacks have been Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, and Chris Redman. He finally got his wish and had a QB picked as a first-rounder (Kyle Boller), who has been sporadic at best and never really has developed. He, in turn, has been replaced by Anthony Wright and Steve McNair.

The Ravens have been noted for two things under Billick. One is below-average performance on the part of the quarterbacks. The second is overall offensive production that's been far below average. His team has one conference championship and one league championship. Nearly all the team success during his tenure has been not because of the offense and the QB play, but in spite of it. And yet Billick is still hailed as a genius, even though the hallmark unit (defense) is something that he has no say and no real control over.

With this in mind, how can the poor offensive line play and/or poor offensive production be pinned strictly on Fulmer?

he picks the coaches it all comes back on him. i'm pretty sure he would agree.

 

[Business]

Didn't he give up the O-Coordinating duties and fired the guy this year and took control over it again and wound up what 13-3?

I remember something like that earlier this year.

 

[rockydoc]

I know there's been much discussion over the issue of the offensive line and why the caliber of play has declined even though the head coach is the old offensive line coach. So I had a thought earlier today that I thought I would share with you.

In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings set the all-time single-season scoring record, averaging nearly 35 points per game; they also came within one play of a Super Bowl berth. Brian Billick, the offensive coordinator, was widely hailed for bringing Randall Cunningham back from NFL purgatory and also developing a troubled rookie named Randy Moss into the NFL's premier receiver in his first year. After that year, Billick was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens as an "offensive genius".

Since taking over as head coach, his quarterbacks have been Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, and Chris Redman. He finally got his wish and had a QB picked as a first-rounder (Kyle Boller), who has been sporadic at best and never really has developed. He, in turn, has been replaced by Anthony Wright and Steve McNair.

The Ravens have been noted for two things under Billick. One is below-average performance on the part of the quarterbacks. The second is overall offensive production that's been far below average. His team has one conference championship and one league championship. Nearly all the team success during his tenure has been not because of the offense and the QB play, but in spite of it. And yet Billick is still hailed as a genius, even though the hallmark unit (defense) is something that he has no say and no real control over.

With this in mind, how can the poor offensive line play and/or poor offensive production be pinned strictly on Fulmer?

Well I guess if Phil"s teamd had the superb defenses that the Ravens have had the past few years we could overlook the shoddy OL play, since we would be in the BCS picture most years.

 

[DJ2005]

WEll i dont know if we are all blaming fulmer for everything however he is the head coach and all bad vibes must fall on him and he is the one we look for in a change and Tennessee needs A change yes we having winning season but the money that pours into that program should be producing CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!! BOTTOM LINE BABY
eace2:

 

[GAVol]

I think the point is that you can't automatically assume a position will be good just because the head coach specialized in that position. There are tons of examples to the contrary.

 

[Chattownsfinest]

Problem with that is the coaches coach the oline the way Fulmer wants. Hence the reason he has run through so many oline coaches. He has always been very hands on and that is the position he looks the closet at in practice because he used to play it. Does anyone not remember Rob Smith saying "I wish Stephens could coach the way he wanted too"?