Vikings Officially Hire Norv Turner as OC

[jackal]

when i first saw this; the first thing that went through my mind was ..

now the Vikings run six different plays !!! wow

[dead_poet]

Related story

Vikings' WRs learning Turner's offense'

Turner, though, brings a well-worn reputation as having one of the more aggressive downfield passing games in the league, which probably makes it easier for the Vikings' receivers to see past the indoctrination phase in his offense.

"What he says, you can pretty much stamp it in concrete," Jennings said. "He’s one of those guys that’s not going to give you a bunch of leeway because his offense works. It’s proven and that’s one of his statements he makes. ‘Look guys, I’ve been around a little bit longer than most guys in this building and this has worked.’"

And even though the coaching change will mean Jennings has to adapt to a new way of thinking and second-year receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has to digest another scheme, the payoff could be worth it for the Vikings' receivers.

"I had the opportunity to talk to [Browns receiver] Josh Gordon at the Pro Bowl," Patterson said. "He was telling me, ‘My coach is going to get you the football. Not just you -- everybody on your team, running backs, tight ends. Everybody is going to get the ball.'"

http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikin ... rs-offense

[Mothman]

Thanks for the link, dead_poet. This caught my eye:

"If last year's offense was complicated," Jennings said, "guys will struggle with this one."

At the other end of the learning curve, however, could be rejuvenation for an offense that seemed ill-prepared to use all of its playmakers the past two seasons. Whether the Vikings had to simplify things to compensate for their instability at quarterback or whether Musgrave's offense just had fewer variables, the Vikings' passing game sagged the past two seasons, even as Adrian Peterson presented Minnesota's offense with as many favorable matchups as almost any in the league. According to ESPN Stats & Information, opponents put eight defenders in the box on 196 snaps against the Vikings last season; only the San Francisco 49ers saw that look more often. But instead of taking advantage of teams loading up to stop Peterson, the Vikings sputtered, finishing 23rd in the league in both passing yards and yards per attempt. When they faced eight-man fronts, their QBR of 9.5 was the third-worst in the league.

From what Jennings is saying, it sounds like most offenses have fewer variables.

I'm not sure the reasons for the Vikings "sagging" passing game have been particularly mysterious or scheme-oriented: there have been talent issues and erratic performances (especially at QB) over the past several seasons. Jennings and Patterson helped with the former and thankfully, Cassel started actually finding Jennings but for years now, most of the players involved in the passing game have been inconsistent.

[mondry]

Thanks for the link, dead_poet. This caught my eye:
From what Jennings is saying, it sounds like most offenses have fewer variables.

I'm not sure the reasons for the Vikings "sagging" passing game have been particularly mysterious or scheme-oriented: there have been talent issues and erratic performances (especially at QB) over the past several seasons. Jennings and Patterson helped with the former and thankfully, Cassel started actually finding Jennings but for years now, most of the players involved in the passing game have been inconsistent.

Yeah, just watched Jenning's press conference and he also said 1 play in Turner's system has more options than Musgrave's whole playbook haha. Of course he also said he was being sarcastic to cover his butt! lol.

All that 8 guys in the box stuff is doesn't mean much without looking at the big picture. When we've had 8-9 or even 10 guys in the box it's never been much of a bonus for us, they almost always did that because we've had 8-9, or even 10 guys in the box OURSELVES. When you have 0-1 WR's on the field, and 2-3 blocking tight ends and a fullback in Jerome Felton, a QB, and a RB on the field, there just isn't a lot of opportunity in the passing game regardless of how many defenders are in the box.

Due to our scheme and formations (not all the time but a good amount of the time) the best we really got out of 8 man fronts were 1 on 1 matchups on the outside from time to time which we weren't very good at taking advantage of anyway.

[Eli]

Holy ####. I was just looking at Norv Turner's resume. Norv first started coaching in the NFL in 1985. The Vikings are his ninth NFL team. I wonder if there is anyone else still coach who has kicked around the league with as many teams.

Was his last Super Bowl appearance in 1993 with the Cowboys, or did I miss something?

Code: Select all

Year   Age   Level            Employer                      Role
                                                                
1975    23 College              Oregon        Graduate Assistant
1976    24 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1977    25 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1978    26 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1979    27 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1980    28 College                 USC           Defensive Backs
1981    29 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1982    30 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1983    31 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1984    32 College                 USC     Offensive Coordinator
1985    33     NFL    Los Angeles Rams            Wide Receivers
1986    34     NFL    Los Angeles Rams            Wide Receivers
1987    35     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1988    36     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1989    37     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1990    38     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1991    39     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1992    40     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1993    41     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1994    42     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1995    43     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1996    44     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1997    45     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1998    46     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1999    47     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
2000    48     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
2001    49     NFL  San Diego Chargers     Offensive Coordinator
2002    50     NFL      Miami Dolphins     Offensive Coordinator
2003    51     NFL      Miami Dolphins     Offensive Coordinator
2004    52     NFL     Oakland Raiders                Head Coach
2005    53     NFL     Oakland Raiders                Head Coach
2006    54     NFL San Francisco 49ers     Offensive Coordinator
2007    55     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2008    56     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2009    57     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2010    58     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2011    59     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2012    60     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2013    61     NFL    Cleveland Browns     Offensive Coordinator

[frosted]

Holy ####. I was just looking at Norv Turner's resume. Norv first started coaching in the NFL in 1985. The Vikings are his ninth NFL team. I wonder if there is anyone else still coach who has kicked around the league with as many teams.

Was his last Super Bowl appearance in 1993 with the Cowboys, or did I miss something?

Code: Select all

Year   Age   Level            Employer                      Role
                                                                
1975    23 College              Oregon        Graduate Assistant
1976    24 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1977    25 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1978    26 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1979    27 College                 USC            Wide Receivers
1980    28 College                 USC           Defensive Backs
1981    29 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1982    30 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1983    31 College                 USC              Quarterbacks
1984    32 College                 USC     Offensive Coordinator
1985    33     NFL    Los Angeles Rams            Wide Receivers
1986    34     NFL    Los Angeles Rams            Wide Receivers
1987    35     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1988    36     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1989    37     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1990    38     NFL    Los Angeles Rams Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
1991    39     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1992    40     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1993    41     NFL      Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator/QBs
1994    42     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1995    43     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1996    44     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1997    45     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1998    46     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
1999    47     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
2000    48     NFL Washington Redskins                Head Coach
2001    49     NFL  San Diego Chargers     Offensive Coordinator
2002    50     NFL      Miami Dolphins     Offensive Coordinator
2003    51     NFL      Miami Dolphins     Offensive Coordinator
2004    52     NFL     Oakland Raiders                Head Coach
2005    53     NFL     Oakland Raiders                Head Coach
2006    54     NFL San Francisco 49ers     Offensive Coordinator
2007    55     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2008    56     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2009    57     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2010    58     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2011    59     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2012    60     NFL  San Diego Chargers                Head Coach
2013    61     NFL    Cleveland Browns     Offensive Coordinator

While neither of them has been with as many teams, Pete Carroll and Tom Coughlin both began their NFL coaching careers in 1984, a year before Turner. Sneaky Pete is with his 6th team, and Coughlin is with his 5th (though, he is on his second stint with the Giants). Obviously Carroll took some time away from the NFL with USC, as well.

And then, there's Bill Belichick:

Code: Select all

Year	Age	Level	Employer	Role
1975	23	NFL	Baltimore Colts	Special Assistant
1976	24	NFL	Detroit Lions	Assistant Special Teams
1977	25	NFL	Detroit Lions	Assistant Special Teams/TEs/WRs
1978	26	NFL	Denver Broncos	Assistant Special Teams/Defensive Assistant
1979	27	NFL	New York Giants	Special Teams
1980	28	NFL	New York Giants	Special Teams
1981	29	NFL	New York Giants	Special Teams/Linebackers
1982	30	NFL	New York Giants	Special Teams/Linebackers
1983	31	NFL	New York Giants	Linebackers
1984	32	NFL	New York Giants	Linebackers
1985	33	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator
1986	34	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator
1987	35	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator
1988	36	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator
1989	37	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
1990	38	NFL	New York Giants	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
1991	39	NFL	Cleveland Browns	Head Coach
1992	40	NFL	Cleveland Browns	Head Coach
1993	41	NFL	Cleveland Browns	Head Coach
1994	42	NFL	Cleveland Browns	Head Coach
1995	43	NFL	Cleveland Browns	Head Coach
1996	44	NFL	New England Patriots	Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
1997	45	NFL	New York Jets	Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
1998	46	NFL	New York Jets	Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
1999	47	NFL	New York Jets	Assistant Head Coach/Secondary
2000	48	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2001	49	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2002	50	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2003	51	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2004	52	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2005	53	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2006	54	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2007	55	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2008	56	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2009	57	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2010	58	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2011	59	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2012	60	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach
2013	61	NFL	New England Patriots	Head Coach

He has been around seemingly, forever. Still not as many different teams as Norv, though.

[Mothman]

Holy ####. I was just looking at Norv Turner's resume. Norv first started coaching in the NFL in 1985. The Vikings are his ninth NFL team. I wonder if there is anyone else still coach who has kicked around the league with as many teams.

Was his last Super Bowl appearance in 1993 with the Cowboys, or did I miss something?

No, that was the last time he coached in a Super Bowl.

[Eli]

And then, there's Bill Belichick:

Code: Select all

Year	Age	Level	Employer	Role
1975	23	NFL	Baltimore Colts	Special Assistant

He has been around seemingly, forever. Still not as many different teams as Norv, though.

Thanks. They're exactly the same age and both started coaching in 1975, right out of college, the difference being that Belichick jumped right into the pros. That's impressive.

[Eli]

No, that was the last time he coached in a Super Bowl.

Thanks. When was Zimmer's last appearance? Was it also with the Cowboys in the 90s?

[Mothman]

Thanks. When was Zimmer's last appearance? Was it also with the Cowboys in the 90s?

Yes, it was the Cowboys last Super Bowl win in '95 (under Switzer). I think Zimmer was the defensive backs coach.

The Cowboy's wildcard game win over the Vikings the following year was the last time Zimmer was on the winning end of a postseason game as a coach.

[Eli]

The Cowboy's wildcard game win over the Vikings the following year [December 28, 1996] was the last time Zimmer was on the winning end of a postseason game as a coach.

[Mothman]

It's an eye-opener.

Of course, since he's always been a position coach or defensive coordinator, that record is, to some extent, due to circumstances beyond his control. His defenses have performed well in some playoff losses so the lack of postseason success doesn't mean he's not a good coach. He could end up leading the Vikes to many playoff wins as a head coach but his postseason resumé is one of the reasons I find the overwhelming level of confidence some fans are expressing in him a little surprising.

[Eli]

It's an eye-opener.

Of course, since he's always been a position coach or defensive coordinator, that record is, to some extent, due to circumstances beyond his control. His defenses have performed well in some playoff losses so the lack of postseason success doesn't mean he's not a good coach. He could end up leading the Vikes to many playoff wins as a head coach but his postseason resumé is one of the reasons I find the overwhelming level of confidence some fans are expressing in him a little surprising.

Nothing wrong with a little optimism (and that's coming from a guy who hasn't felt much optimism for this franchise in quite a while), but the expectations expressed here for Zimmer and Turner are completely over the top.

[mondry]

It's an eye-opener.

Of course, since he's always been a position coach or defensive coordinator, that record is, to some extent, due to circumstances beyond his control. His defenses have performed well in some playoff losses so the lack of postseason success doesn't mean he's not a good coach. He could end up leading the Vikes to many playoff wins as a head coach but his postseason resumé is one of the reasons I find the overwhelming level of confidence some fans are expressing in him a little surprising.

lol, to some extent?! Dalton had 3 turnovers by himself, completed only 56.9% of his passes, and a rating of 67.0. One of those picks was returned to the 3 yard line and zimmer's defense stuffed them and held them to a field goal. Next possession? Pick #2 for Dalton and what did Zimmer's D do? 3 and out, stopped on 3rd and 1, chargers punt. Offense turns it over on downs again! Dalton also fumbled earlier in the game and it was recovered by the Chargers.

Rivers only had 128 yards passing even! But can't give them short fields via turnovers.

Zimmer only controlled 1/3rd of the team (offense, defense, special teams) and for all intents and purposes, his 1/3rd of the team is pretty much THE reason the Bengals even sniff the playoffs all those years. I for one am excited to see if that 1/3rd he was responsible for can translate to the entire team as the head coach. Plenty of guys from winning franchises like the Patriots who have butt loads of playoff wins (Josh Mcdaniels comes to mind) flame out so clearly being part of a TEAM that has playoff success isn't the deciding factor in a successful head coach either. I see very little reason to hold that against Zimmer unless you're simply looking for a reason to be negative.

As for Turner, most of his chargers teams had the unfortunate fate of not only having to get through Peyton Manning and those Indy teams but Tom Brady and his Patriots. Both ridiculously good teams year after year with incredible QB play. Turner won't be the head coach though and his offenses haven't been the reason they couldn't advance.

I think they're both in excellent positions to make a complete TEAM and compliment each other's great football minds with the Vikings. I have very little doubt (I guess that's obvious) that Zimmer's style and his vast wealth of football knowledge and ability to teach and coach won't translate to the head coaching gig. Norv we know is a top 10 offensive coordinator and that's what his job is here and I feel way better about us developing a QB with him.

[Funkytown]

lol, to some extent?! Dalton had 3 turnovers by himself, completed only 56.9% of his passes, and a rating of 67.0. One of those picks was returned to the 3 yard line and zimmer's defense stuffed them and held them to a field goal. Next possession? Pick #2 for Dalton and what did Zimmer's D do? 3 and out, stopped on 3rd and 1, chargers punt. Offense turns it over on downs again! Dalton also fumbled earlier in the game and it was recovered by the Chargers.

Rivers only had 128 yards passing even! But can't give them short fields via turnovers.

Zimmer only controlled 1/3rd of the team (offense, defense, special teams) and for all intents and purposes, his 1/3rd of the team is pretty much THE reason the Bengals even sniff the playoffs all those years. I for one am excited to see if that 1/3rd he was responsible for can translate to the entire team as the head coach. Plenty of guys from winning franchises like the Patriots who have butt loads of playoff wins (Josh Mcdaniels comes to mind) flame out so clearly being part of a TEAM that has playoff success isn't the deciding factor in a successful head coach either. I see very little reason to hold that against Zimmer unless you're simply looking for a reason to be negative.

As for Turner, most of his chargers teams had the unfortunate fate of not only having to get through Peyton Manning and those Indy teams but Tom Brady and his Patriots. Both ridiculously good teams year after year with incredible QB play. Turner won't be the head coach though and his offenses haven't been the reason they couldn't advance.

I think they're both in excellent positions to make a complete TEAM and compliment each other's great football minds with the Vikings. I have very little doubt (I guess that's obvious) that Zimmer's style and his vast wealth of football knowledge and ability to teach and coach won't translate to the head coaching gig. Norv we know is a top 10 offensive coordinator and that's what his job is here and I feel way better about us developing a QB with him.

Fan-tabulous post, mondry.