Jon Gruden: Next Saints Offensive Coordinator?

by Dave Cariello on Jan 19, 2012 6:01 AM CST

We've been discussing possible new defensive coordinators most of the week but let's switch gears for a second. Because the Saints could also be on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator should Pete Carmichael, Jr. decide to take a head coaching position with another team. A team like the Colts, who have asked the Saints for permission to interview Carmichael, Jr. for their vacant head-coaching position.

First of all, we can certainly ponder what effect losing PCJ might have on the future of the Saints offense. That, however, is seriously tied into the success of whoever the team would hire to replace him. Naturally. Which begs our question of the day: who would the Saints hire to replace Pete Carmichael, Jr. as offensive coordinator?

I know I'll probably catch a lot of crap for this but personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Jon Gruden get a shot. The Joker! It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. We know for a fact that Sean Payton has a man crush on Gruden already...

...there are a couple of people who are just like that for me in this profession that I would at any time like to work for - guys like Jon Gruden or Bill Parcells, guys that are huge influences with me.

And wouldn't you know it, according to this random report I found, Gruden is planning on leaving ESPN and hoping to return to coaching this year. All the pieces are falling into place.

It makes sense to me. Gruden has spent a fair amount of time with the Saints down here in New Orleans covering the team for multiple Monday Night Football broadcasts. And unless he's just blowing hot air in the broadcast booth, Gruden seems to really respect the Saints, always gushing about Drew Brees and company. Not seeming like someone who tends to hold back his feelings, I'm inclined to believe him. Which is another reason I like him; he speaks him mind. And boy do the referees hate him.

The only hiccup in my sick and twisted plan is the fact that Gruden may not be interested in settling for a coordinator position. It may be head coach or bust.

Whether you like the man or not, you've got to give him credit: he knows what he's doing and he's got a ring to prove it. He led top ten offenses three years in a row as Oakland's offensive coordinator. I can't offer too many more facts right now because Wikipedia is currently blacked out in protest. But Gruden would bring creativity and he'd be aggressive, a good match for this offense.

But what do you guys think? Am I crazy? Who would you want?

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Comments

I thin Payton promotes from with-in the orginization

I dont think he would bring an outsider in to run the offense
I think he would run it and move someone up as OC calling plays himself till he was comfortable with his new OC in 2-3 years

by mississippisaintsfan on Jan 19, 2012 6:20 AM CST reply actions

F*** Wikipedia.

But I wouldn’t mind the move.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 19, 2012 6:33 AM CST reply actions

knowing the relationship Carmichael has had with brees going back to San Diego, another question would obviously be: how do you think our offense would fare, suffer or benefit, from ANY new coordinator, let alone Gruden?

The Pirates of Poydras will rule this day

by Nola5712 on Jan 19, 2012 6:45 AM CST via Android app reply actions

I like it.

by Saintsfan4life on Jan 19, 2012 6:45 AM CST reply actions

It would not be a bad move BUT...

I don’t think he’s going anywhere for, let’s say, about a good five years or so.. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7114850/jon-gruden-agrees-five-year-extension-espn

Drew looks like a demon possessed,
or a SAINT that's BLESSED.

by MattDat on Jan 19, 2012 7:10 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Wow...way to put something out there for us to speculate about...

I’d love the move and think it’d be great for the team.

by BlackandGold4ever on Jan 19, 2012 7:18 AM CST reply actions

Not gonna happen

Payton is the captain of this ship and there is no room for Chucky’s ego.

by B_Robichaux31 on Jan 19, 2012 7:21 AM CST reply actions

Agreed

I’d absolutely love the move, but how will the relationship fare if things go poorly? I know that they worked together a while back, but that was with Payton as the Qbacks coach and Gruden as the O coordinator.

by Generic Fan on Jan 19, 2012 7:41 AM CST up reply actions

agreed again

The MB Superdome isn’t big enough for Payton and Gruden’s ego.

"Move over Marino, there's a new Brees coming through town!"-Jim Henderson

by BRSaintsFan on Jan 19, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah the ego – not sure if brees would want to deal with him either.

The problem in the world today is communication. Too much communication. - Homer Simpson

by WestBank on Jan 19, 2012 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

You are right about that last part for sure

As gushing as Chuckie gets over Drew, I think Drew would be looking over his shoulder all the time so Chuck couldn’t feel him up as often…..Don’t drop the soap Drew!!!

by B_Robichaux31 on Jan 19, 2012 3:42 PM CST up reply actions

OC not enough for Gruden.

I don’t think Gruden would be interested in a position other than head coach of a contending team. He’ll stay in the ESPN booth otherwise. And I keep hearing that that ESPN booth is exactly where he wants to be, but maybe that’s changed.

"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson

by CrazyforColston on Jan 19, 2012 7:41 AM CST reply actions

I posted a link ^^^^^^^ that way

Drew looks like a demon possessed,
or a SAINT that's BLESSED.

by MattDat on Jan 19, 2012 7:43 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Payton wants Gruden in New Orleans to have his successor in place for when Jason Garrett is finally fired in Dallas. Top that.

What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?

by MtnExile on Jan 19, 2012 7:45 AM CST reply actions

I find your ideas interesting

and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

by crzycajn on Jan 19, 2012 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

an interesting theory. chuckie as our future head coach. life would certainly never be dull. can see the QB meetings now. Drew – “ok John, get down off the table and calm the f**k down, i’ve got this”.

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 19, 2012 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

Payton won't leave til Brees is gone

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 19, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

"this random report"

The linked report also had Norv Turner fired and is dated Dec. 31. Turner is not fired as we all know.

"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson

by CrazyforColston on Jan 19, 2012 7:46 AM CST reply actions

Actually

It says it is widely believed Turner would be fired. Which is 100% accurate. I don’t know a single person who envisioned Smith and Turner still in SD next year.

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 19, 2012 7:56 AM CST up reply actions

A bit more than random, widespread speculation

It is believed, based on numerous conversations with league sources over the past month, that head coach Norv Turner will be fired regardless of who is the general manager

There they go with the ‘league sources’, but it’s usually used to add a heavy dose of credibility to the story. They were wrong. And same sources in this instance are likely wrong again about Gruden.

"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson

by CrazyforColston on Jan 19, 2012 8:04 AM CST up reply actions

I’m sure if you asked, 90% of the people within the NFL, INCLUDING those in the Chargers system, would have said Turner was gone. I’m not saying that means they’ll be right about Gruden, but that also doesn’t mean they’re wrong

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 19, 2012 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

I think it was mentioned that Gruden is staying put at ESPN for another year

Yes sir we want the ball...

by bondcrash on Jan 19, 2012 7:49 AM CST reply actions

You know what I hate?

I hate it that this is the lead-up to the conference championships, and here we are talking about draft choices and new coaches and what’s going on in the rest of the league. This was our year, damn it! The further away we get from that game, the more pissed off I feel.

I hope the Saints feel the same way. I hope they torch the rest of the NFL next season.

What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?

by MtnExile on Jan 19, 2012 9:07 AM CST reply actions

im going to love it

If we have a shut down defense and the same offense. We would play “scorched earth” policy and be the first team to win a SB at home.

Oh the aspirations..

Drew looks like a demon possessed,
or a SAINT that's BLESSED.

by MattDat on Jan 19, 2012 9:38 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Just going to the SB at home in the dome gives me butterflies.

Fee-fi-fo-fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman,
Be he alive, or be he dead
I'll grind his bones to make my bread

by jonrockets on Jan 19, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

lately the SB hosting city's team

sucks the year they host the SB.
Indy
Dallas
Miami….

another trend we will need to avoid.

"Move over Marino, there's a new Brees coming through town!"-Jim Henderson

by BRSaintsFan on Jan 19, 2012 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

To be fair, two of those were Dallas and Miami, and the other one was the Indianapolis Manningless’s

Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
TOP IS GAWD!

by Alex Swift on Jan 19, 2012 10:06 AM CST up reply actions

QUATERBACK

We ve never really sucked with Drew. Just always waiting for the D to come around. They came around one year hopefully they ll come around again. Its all on the D its always been.

I cant hear you in the dark ! (lip reader)

by cannistra1 on Jan 19, 2012 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

Step away from the edge of the cliff please...

Way too early to jump now…Drew still says We Got This…Ist team to host a home SB, list me.

Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Jan 19, 2012 12:38 PM CST up reply actions

I have a feeling Gruden is going to be in the broadcast booth for a long time

If he came out for a coordinator gig, that’d be a pretty big upset.

Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook

by Billy Gomila on Jan 19, 2012 10:54 AM CST reply actions

lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qais_eGMnWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39GH-nzrY_I&feature=relatde

by tlsk1066 on Jan 19, 2012 12:10 PM CST reply actions

And another thing

So far, all of this is academic, because we haven’t lost our offensive coordinator. But even if we did, the hole in the staff that most worries me is receivers coach. Curtis Johnson helped turn Marques Colston into a star; he taught Devery Henderson how to catch; and he developed Lance Moore and Robert Meachem into top-notch, viable threats. I’m not worried about those guys slipping backwards…but what about the new receivers we’ll add inevitably, necessarily, to the roster? Will we still be able to refine gold out of raw ore the way Johnson did?

What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?

by MtnExile on Jan 19, 2012 12:17 PM CST reply actions

He also failed to develop AA into a receiver who knows anything about route running in three years. With Brees working with the receivers every day, getting their timing down etc…I think there’s little need to worry. They’ll hire or promote someone viable.

-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.

by jeff.l.b on Jan 19, 2012 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

Brees didn’t develop Colston; Brees didn’t develop Devery; and if you’re going to blame Johnson for failing with Arrington, where’s the blame for Brees?

All I know is what I’ve read in the past…the receivers talk about Johnson like he was their big brother Jesus.

What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?

by MtnExile on Jan 19, 2012 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

yeah this and normally when the QB works with the player its for familiarity and timing, as you said, not for player development. Although any practice will develop a player, so one could say it’s all part of it but the QB has to know when the player will get into the catching position of the route. The coach will coach the route and how to catch the ball when it’s there. Brees needs that timing drill as much for himself as the receivers do. Familiarity with speed in and out of the route for ball placement timing.

The problem in the world today is communication. Too much communication. - Homer Simpson

by WestBank on Jan 19, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

I might be crazy but...

I think that Curtis “CJ” Johnson was great, but Drew made him look even better! Finding a good WRs coach is a necessity, but one I’m not too worried about!

I just really wish we can find a way to have a D that makes a difference, our offense (especially if we make sure to keep Carl Nicks) will almost always be top5 in the league and that’s plenty enough!

So we need a good D-coordinator, and then we need to strike gold with at least one or two defensive studs!!! and Superbowl in the MBS, here we come!

Expect more...you'll get more...and if you don't, start over!

by Stilljreming on Jan 19, 2012 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Everyone else seemed to get it. Perhaps the problem is Arrington.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 19, 2012 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

.

-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.

by jeff.l.b on Jan 19, 2012 3:47 PM CST reply actions

This is the dumbest post we've had in a while

And a tterrible idea to boot.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 19, 2012 4:00 PM CST reply actions

totally go the other way

i would bet it all it wont happen, but its fun to speculate on and at least it created a light hearted discussion. nice break from the last game we played. “lighten up francis”

--- I don't miss the alcohol as much as I miss having the built in reason on why I'm nekkid in public.
--- I used to want to be an inspiration to my son. now i just hope to be a dire warning.
--- just two men and a dog making candles
--- I know i'll win my battles though i fear we'll lose the war
--- if you find yourself in a fair fight you failed in planning.

by maybetoday on Jan 19, 2012 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

point taken

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 19, 2012 9:48 PM CST up reply actions

we need to focus on the defense

and I don’t know how anyone could judge Arrington yet. He’s had Colston, Moore, Henderson, Graham, and meachem in front of him. To have him wait and not get pravtice reps is a no brainer, he wasn’t going to beat any of them out. Next year will tell if Arrington is good enough or not. Meachem took a while in Payton’s system.

"We've established the run; we've established the pass. Now all we have to establish is another championship!"
"Some say the glass is half empty;
Some say the glass is half full.
I say- 'are you going to finish that beer'?"

by Philinwood on Jan 19, 2012 4:20 PM CST reply actions

We can all judge Arrington.

He’s been with the team working with them for three years. When someone goes down with an injury like Moore, you step up. Instead he was out there running routes during the past two games that just made you wonder what he was thinking. Those games on the highest stage was supposed to be his attempt to let the team know that it would be ok if Colston or Meachem left in FA. Instead…all it did was let us know that we most likely are going to need serious help at WR.

-Lombardi was wrong...it's the internet, not fatigue that makes cowards of us all. But then again, what do you expect. Not like the guy could see the future.

by jeff.l.b on Jan 19, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I believe this is the first time I’ve ever rec’d you Jeff. These are strange times.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 19, 2012 5:49 PM CST up reply actions

With Sean Payton backed up by Gruden and Spagnuolo, the Saints coaching staff would be a supergroup the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since the Traveling Wilburys

"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.

by VAsaintsfan on Jan 19, 2012 6:25 PM CST reply actions

i prefer the highway men

but yep, i agree

by maybetoday on Jan 19, 2012 9:45 PM CST up reply actions

self reply

and actually the lost highway men are the greatest of all time
keef richards, hank williams III, willie nelson and ryan adams. (check out their version of dead flowers)

by maybetoday on Jan 19, 2012 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

Excellent reference.

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Jan 21, 2012 1:01 AM CST up reply actions

here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gzglg7WDmQ

by maybetoday on Jan 19, 2012 9:56 PM CST reply actions

Whatever it takes to balance the play calling.

"I don’t intend to draw any conclusions from any single game." -Brian Burke
"I will now attempt to exclude specific large amounts of TOP from the totals of winning teams, in order to prove that TOP doesn't contribute to winning." -Dr. Jeremy Arkes

by coldpizza on Jan 21, 2012 3:26 AM CST reply actions