Give Bill O'Brien Another Chance!
by Richard Hill on Feb 2, 2010 12:00 PM EST
in Opinion/Analysis
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PrintI officially apologize for being so hard on you, Coach Bill O'Brien. I judged your season upon the seemingly plain playcalling, which I thought were all your doing. I am posting in full support of you taking the helm as Offensive Coordinator for next season and we'll go from there.
A lot of us as fans jumped to conclusions due to the "vanilla play calling", as some of us called it. We went through some growing pains over some bad calls in dire situations, but I believe that you learn and move on. You had much harder circumstances to coach over than any of us knew of, with injuries to almost every single starter on offense at some point over the season (No, I will not blame you for the injuries to Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Matt Light, Steven Neal, Nick Kaczur, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris or Fred Taylor).
To you, the other readers, I'll try and convince you to give Bill O'Brien another chance. I was one of the ones calling for his head and position, I admit that. However, I attempted to look at this from an objective point of view and came to the conclusion that it isn't fair to condemn him after one season. Especially not after one season of circumstances FAR out of his control.
More after the jump.
1) Your offensive line only had two players start the entire season- Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen. Due to the constant injuries you had to step back your TEs and have them assist in blocking.
2) Chris Baker spent 72% of his time on the field blocking the run or the pass. Ben Watson spent 53% of his time blocking as well. One of our main complaints with your playcalling was the lack of versatility in utilizing the Tight Ends. A few of us knew about the O-Line weaknesses and forgave you for not using TEs. However, I don't think anyone knew that the need for blocking was this high.
3) Kevin Faulk is the only RB who did not get injured over the span of the season. Kevin Faulk also ran the ball only 17.2% of the time he was on the field. You did as much as you could with what little you were given. My only hope is that, over the off-season, we address the dire need for youth and strength in the RBs. Maroney and Faulk are both finesse runners. We need more muscle if we are to succeed and you are to coach an even stronger offense.
4) Our Wide Receiving core was top heavy. I bet you had some say in keeping Galloway over Lewis, but that's like picking between Brussel Sprouts and Eggplant- no one really wins. We had difficulty in the playoffs due to the untimely and unforeseen injury to Wes Welker. We had some difficulty as Randy Moss had a separated shoulder almost ALL SEASON. Hopefully there can be a healing and growing off-season as we pick up an actual 3rd receiver who can catch the ball.
5) Oh yeah, Tom Brady was hurt. And coming back from an injury. And surrounded by an injured team. Yeah.
So please, please, please, do not give up hope and continue to strive forward. Learn more about your play calling (I KNOW you will never call for a pass play on 3rd and 2). Learn more about utilizing your players' strengths (try and use Maroney more in the swing passing game and get him into open field). Vocalize your needs for players and get them.
Here's an off-season shopping list for you!
1. A strong running back. We need a player who can almost guarantee a 1st down on 3rd and short. We need a player who can score in the Red Zone. Can we pick up a free agent? (LenDale White? Cadillac Williams?) Can we draft someone in the 4th round, or move up into the 3rd round if such a player is available? (Montario Hardesty? Jonathan Dwyer might drop. Toby Gerhart? Ryan Mathews if we want a grab in the 2nd round?). Basically, we need one. Badly.
2. A top wide receiver. We saw the impact of losing a top 3rd receiver. Aiken will never be that receiver. Tate might be able to step up, but he's currently an enigma and not a sure thing. Edelman will be a slot player, but he won't stretch the field and be a downfield, mid range threat. I suggest looking into Jason Avant (Philly), Steve Breaston (AZ), Lance Moore (NO), Malcom Floyd (SD) and maybe even Brandon Marshall (Denver, I'm sure we could corral his negative attitude). Looking to draft? Mardy Gilyard, while on the light side, has sure hands and seems to be a hard worker. Danario Alexander is a great player who could immediately step in and produce. I highly suggest utilizing a second round pick on this position.
3. An elite guard. Logan Mankins will continue to perform well. Our issue is in trusting the skills of Nick Kaczur at RG (I'm assuming that Neal is going to retire). He was the weakest link on the line at RT and I don't trust him stepping up his game and becoming a strong player at RG. I believe that Dan Connolly has a ton of promise, but I can see him stepping in for Koppen down the road. Ohrnberger is an unknown right now, and I'm all for giving him a shot, but if we want to win right now and utilize our aging offensive weapons known as Moss and Brady, we need to keep Brady upright and to give him time. I would HIGHLY suggest utilizing our 1st round pick this year on Mike Iupati, if he's available. I also suggest listening to Dante Scarneccia. One of the reason our great O-Line is his coaching and his knowledge of what our team needs. Utilize him as a top resource.
4. A second do-everything running back. Our RBC is wearing thin with the age of Fred Taylor (who I expect to be kept on), Sammy Morris (who I expect to be let go) and Kevin Faulk (who I expect to be resigned). Laurence Maroney can play, but he isn't our strong, short-yardage back that we need (that hopefully shopping point #1 takes care of). However, I still think that we need to improve not only our strength, but our overall talent. Hopefully, if you end up drafting our shopping #1 player, you will grab shopping #4 player in free agency, and vice versa!
5. An offensive tackle who can take Matt Light's position a year or two from now. Use a 2nd rounder on this pick. He has to be young. He has to be versatile a la Sebastian Vollmer. Plain and simple, take the best available tackle at your pick in the 2nd round. Matt Light slows down as the year wears on and we need a young player who can step in from time to time and who will step up down the road. Listen to Dante.
6. Keep both our TEs! Chris Baker and Ben Watson are both great players- both solid at catching and at blocking. We need to cross our fingers and hope for O-Line health, but PLEASE use these players in the offense scheme and throw the ball to them. Please.
Anyways, thanks for reading Bill (is it okay if I call you Bill?). I believe that you can do it!
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We've got Eric Kettani if he's back from the Navy
As a true fullback, he can be the short yardage guy. He can also open holes for BJGE who runs like a power back, but is a bit light.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 2, 2010 12:12 PM EST reply actions
I'd love to have a true fullback in the running game again.
We obviously missed having Evans this year (he was the most obvious difference in running game’s personnel between 2008 and 2009).
Turning in your season tickets if he comes back? LOL
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 2, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
Damn straight.
The re-signing of Bill O’ Brien in order to save some money instead of bringing in a more productive OC is the final straw.
I held out hope for so long, praying Bill would make a move to show me he cares about putting together a team that can win this year, but this proves that Hoodie is more concerned with a profit margin than winning championships.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Feb 2, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Profit Margin?
The difference between two OC salaries?
The letter from the Yankee fan cancelling his season tickets because of Damon leaving.
That’s verbatim, except for the names and positions.
USG
As far as giving O'Brien a second chance,
I think we gain more from the stability of keeping him (assuming he improves in his sophomore year as most players do), than in either promoting someone within to do the job (if there was someone there wouldn’t they have done the job last year) or finding an outside coach who might want to completely revamp the system. Hopefully, Giselle will give Brady a little longer leash, and Tom and the Bills can get together and start working on the offense earlier.
At this time last year, Tom was a little more worried about HIS game, than the offense as a whole. A healthy Brady could have a completely different perspective.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 2, 2010 12:21 PM EST reply actions
Oh, and on that note.
Listen to your quarterback. If he doesn’t like the playcalling, listen to him. He’s going to be in the Hall of Fame someday. If you want to be there as well, listen to him.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 2, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
i agree
Brady should do what Manning does. for some for the series, i want a non-huddle offense. also can we plz change the line protection calls/code names and audibles each game????
bc the Giants in the sb and the ravens knew our protection audibles and play audibiles and they countered what the Pats- That is a fact. Ray lewis said it, some of the giants players said it.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
i love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Those line protection calls are Koppen's, as far as I know
Maybe they don’t trust Koppen’s intelligence to shift calls each week, rather than Brady’s. Interesting point, actually.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
When was Maroney injured?
I’m willing to give O’Brien another chance… if just for consistency’s sake…
He was taken out for the end of the season with a knee injury.
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
Different priorities
I would put #3 and #5 up at the top and combine them into: Find at least one more mountain of man meat with a smart brain who can be a dominant OL! I think there is enough flexibility in the existing personnel that you want to find the best available OL, regardless of position. Then get another, and only worry about position after you got the first one. I would rate shoring up the OL as the #1 priority. That will pay off for years.
My next priority would be tool for one more stud to put in the defensive front 7. They’ll have to replace AD if they are truly ‘soured’ on him like the press likes to portray. I don’t fully believe any of the way the MSM portrays any personnel dynamics out of Foxboro – after all, the press doesn’t really seem to know squat about what really goes on in the Patriot’s clubhouse. But if its true, they need to look for a stud OLB. If he can be reclaimed and play out his contract at a high level, then they should look for a stud DE.
I like a couple of your suggestions of key personnel – I would definitely hope they look into Lendale White and Lance Moore – I really like both those players. I used to be down on White coming out of USC but his attitude and work ethic really turned around under Fisher. He could definitely be a strong contributor in the Patriot’s RB-by-committee approach. Even at his much smaller weight (230) that he’s trimmed down to, he’s a load that can move the pile. He’s funny as hell, too. He’ll chatter with the media as much as Evans used to.
Moore, when healthy, is like Troy Brown – productive yet slips under everybody’s radar. A very smart football player He would thrive playing opposite Randy. He was injured a bunch this year but played well once back on the field. ’Could be pretty cheap to take a look at.
The highest OLB the Pats under Belichick have drafted is Shaun Crable...
so a) they might be hoping that pick will still pan out, and b) they’ve had a fair bit of success in getting free agent/trade guys (remember, Vrabel and Colvin weren’t NE guys originally), so I would suspect Hoodie will go with the tried and true and get their stud OLB via trade and free agency. I’m not ruling out a draftee, but that’s not how he’s done things previously when he’s won Superbowls.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Yeah, I'm not too concerned whether it be via draft, trade or free agency for any of these needs.
I just want them filled with my particular sense of priority. :-D
I like LenDale White as an option, too
Especially since he’s had experience in a RBBC system at USC – he partnered Reggie Bush, who for all intents and purposes looks now like a very similar player to Laurence Maroney. I imagine White and Maroney could make a fairly good tandem, as long as they play to their respective strengths. It’s one to look into.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Injured players have little to do with basic concepts of play calling.
Maybe the only two aspects of O’Brien’s play calling that you can blame on injuries are the underutilization of the TEs in the passing game and the ineffectiveness of the running game (though the latter is up for debate, I think).
The classic example of what O’Brien just “not getting it” was his call on 3rd and 2 (before the infamous 4th and 2), a quick-drop timing pass play to Welker that fell incomplete. At that stage in the game, you know THREE things: 1) you need a first, 2) you’re going for it on 4th down if you don’t get the 1st now (on 3rd down), and 3) you need to take time off the clock and/or make IND use its timeouts. A run play is DEFINITELY going to accomplish at least one of those things, and there’s also a great chance you get the first, or at least get a lot closer, so that you can QB sneak it on 4th against the relatively small Colts defense for the easy 1st. A pass runs the risk of accomplishing NONE of these things. And, as fate would have it…..
I am, however, optimistic about one thing: the value of experience. I think O’Brien’s biggest problem was play calling in big situations. His calls were erratic, often nonsensical, in big games and pressure situations. Just like a rookie QB (or, in one case, the 40 year old child) throwing that ill-advised INT, O’Brien showed signs of his inexperience. However, with experience and maturity come poise and clarity. Going forward, simply by virtue of his gaining experience, his play calling should get better. His calls should better reflect the game plans, from which he frequently strayed. I think we will see a more deliberate and purposeful offense in 2010, with a better understanding of its identity.
didn't koppen get injured for a game or two?
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
i love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
I thought he was out for a while, because I remember the articles on how important he was to the blocking calls.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 2, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
But he missed some time during one of the games
I forget which one — Ravens maybe? I just remember Connolly coming in for a while. I think Vollmer got hurt about the same time.
Yeah, that's true...
…he was out for a quarter, or so, I think.
Offensive Coordinator > Guard > Tackle > DE > OLB > RB > WR > CB
Sounds about right
And that’s pretty good — he gave us a solid year and only missed a quarter? That’s damn good, especially when you consider the injuries and lack of continuity on the rest of the line.
yeah
I think I remember connely taking his place one time.
For the record, I can work wonders with eggplant
Brussel sprouts, on the other hand, taste like dirt no matter what you do with them.
If he is kept on at OC ...
I hope he at least looks at some of the past Super Bowl games the Pats played, and other successful Pats games, now on Hulu.com, and see what kinds of things the Pats did to succeed in the past. It inspired me. His routine on kick off returns was the same over 90% of the time. RB run play, followed by same RB on a screen play. Why not open it up once in awhile with a long pass attempt to see if the D is napping on the first play? Mix it up. Brady will HAVE to utilize the TEs in passing game this next season until the stud is healthy.
I still say I hope Bill goes with two D players with the first two picks, then address OL and WR. He even admitted in that one interview that nothing is more important than putting pressure on the opposing QB. If available, pick# 1 Sergio Kindle, pick# 2 top available DE (ie Graham, Odrick, Hardy, Hughes, etc). Pick #3 top OL, Pick #4, top WR. I think with Vollmer and Connolly stepping in, along with the rookies and 1st year OL guys, they can hold off until later picks for OL and be ok.
In the 4th round, Austen Lane or Kao Misi may still be available. Man I wish they had at least one 3rd rounder this draft. Lots of next thought WR/DE/RB with high upside, great value guys to be had there.
i think kindle is overrated ( and i was a big fan of him before i did my mock draft research)
Brandon Graham is not a 3-4 DE. he came to michigan as a 3-4OLB where they moved him to 4-3DE for 3 years and in his senior year he played both 4-3DE and 3-4 OLB (both on the weakside and strongside).
He is better than Kindle. Kindle is just a pure speed rusher. Graham however, can bull rush, speed rush, spin rush from any side of the Defense. He is a mix of Dwight Freeney and LaaMar woodley.
Jared Odrick played 4-3DT @ Penn State often getting double teamed; sometimes triple teamed. he is a projected 3-4DE. He can rush and stop the run. I would trade up in the 1st round to get him too.
im not a fan of getting WR in the 2nd round right now. you can take any FA WR and put them in the system ie. Bug eyed idiot.
But if Shipley from Texas is there in the 2nd round, i would jump on him. He is a good Slot Reciever and returns punts and kicks.
We might get some 3rd round comp picks from the NFL.
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
i love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Not ANY FA WR...
…because that’s how we got into this mess this past year.
by Richard Hill on Feb 2, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Free-agent WRs must:
a) be able to read and write their own name the playbook
b) be able to UNDERSTAND routes other than a post route the playbook
c) be willing to work hard and learn what the line at the back of the end zone is quickly
d) be able to catch something other than their pay cheque.
As Mr Bundchen said, “It’s not that effing hard!”
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Feb 2, 2010 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
well
i can argue, Stallworth, Moss, Welker, Gaffney, & bug eyed idiot.
Joey was 38 years old. i can young FA WR that are still in their prime and able to stretch the field
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
i love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Kinda agree.
To play opposite Randy, I just want somebody who is
a) fast enough to blow past tight coverage
b) can stop and turn underneath loose coverage.
c) has decent hands to catch it when he DOES get targeted
Playing across Randy, his only purpose is to keep the safety over the top honest. He will mostly be single-covered so he doesn’t have to be big or a perfect route runner. Those things would be bonuses. But the above three things are all we need to force the safety to play the middle of the field instead of camped out on Randy’s side all the time. What we had this last year was Aiken who never demanded more respect than a single cornerback playing loose coverage.
I suspect Kindle could be much like gigantic bust Vernon Gholston
He’s fast! He has long limbs! He’s big! Meh. So was Gholston, and look how he turned out – 30 tackles total, 0 sacks, in two full seasons. Fail.
Speed rushers are risky draft propositions – while you might be able to beat a guy in college via speed, O-linemen in the NFL are both wider-winged, speedier and far, far more canny than anyone they’ve met in university play. That’s a really high investment to use on a guy who might or might not succeed – if he doesn’t work out as a speed rusher, what else do you do with him?
I’m not saying it won’t happen, but it’s a hell of a lot more risky than, say, drafting a Guard or DE – both positions that Belichick knows exactly what to look for in the Combine and tape, has drafted well for previously, and has coaching staff capable of moulding into the type of player he wants.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Hill, shouldn't you change your sig now that you're a BO'B supporter?
Unless I’ve been misinterpreting it all along.
Oh, if a man tried to take his time on earth, and prove before he died
What one man's life could be worth--oh, I wonder what would happen to this world.
by LegendaryTadpole on Feb 2, 2010 9:33 PM EST reply actions
Hah, yeah...
…I set this article to show up at noon-time and I didn’t switch my sig until a while after.
by Richard Hill on Feb 2, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
Give WHO a chance?
How about give the Pats fans a chance? Belichick needs to go, as well as the inferior coaching staff. The “lie” that this past season was a re-building years masks the underlying root of the problem that neither BB nor his staff could lead a pack of cub scouts to the recycling bin.
Folding in the first round was a pathetic display of a team in total breakdown and disarray. And everyone was was worried how Edelman would do? He was the only one that showed up to play. It IS a re-building team this year. Mr. Kraft, get rid of the lot and bring in coaches that inspire good play.
"Folding in the first round..."
Folding in the first round of the what? The Playoffs? The team did make the playoffs, right? So after Belichick & his minions are shown the door, which coaches do you suggest Kraft hire that would inspire good play and take the team back to the Super Bowl next year?
Keep the faith!
Yes, and let's trade Brady and let Hoyer start.
The kid CLEARLY has heart. And he completed 70% of his (27) passes this season! Brady wasn’t that efficient. No, Brady is washed up. No heart – Giselle keeps it in her bedside table, along with his testosterone.
We should hire Mike Martz as HC, too. He’s fiery and passionate.
While we’re at it, Kraft should just sell the team to Al Davis or Dan Snyder – they’re REALLY passionate.
Yes, we need more passion. Belichick and Co. just don’t want to win anymore.
Clearly teams in "total breakdown and disarray" get to the playoffs
I’m not sure just how bad the 24 teams who DIDN’T make the playoffs have to be, then. They’re a pack of teams who were so incompetent they couldn’t find the sign-up sheet for cub scouts?
Troll troll troll troll. Who’s replacing Belichick? Who is a better coach/GM/head scout/personnel director/O Co-ordinator/part-time D Co-ordinator than Bill Belichick, at this point in time, right now, who is available to coach and do all the other roles Belichick picked up this season? Parcells? Dungy? Haha.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
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