When Joe Gibbs returned on of the first people he inquired about bringing in was Norv
Turner to be the offensive coordinator. I believe too many bridges were burned
for that to happen but the fact that Joe Gibbs’s first choice to run his
offense was Norv Turner says something. Gibbs liked Norv’s philosophy. Norv
believes in big armed QBs that can make every throw, Big O-lines, play action
and physically dominating your opponents. Who does that sound like in the 80s? Norv Turner does not have the chops
to be a head coach but I think he is a hall of fame level offensive coordinator
and obviously Joe Gibbs thought pretty highly of him as well.
Judging by Norv’s previous pupils, he would have loved to
have a guy like Jason Campbell who could make every throw and could use his
feet to make plays when needed. Unlike
Jim Zorn Norv would not try to change a 6’5, 230 pound QB into 6 foot, 210
pound Steve Young. When did I know Jim
Zorn failed as a coach? The moment I saw him trying to change the mechanics of
a guy not built for his offensive scheme. As I watch Phillip Rivers thrive in
San Diego with what many would describe as a marginal arm I can’t help but
wonder how far along Jason Campbell would be right now in a system built on his
strengths. Norv Turner could actually utilize the strengths of Malcolm Kelly,
Devin Thomas and Fred Davis and he has the superbowl rings to prove it.
If Norv were the offensive Coordinator under Gibbs he would
have asked for a bigger, younger O-line. Look at the lines Norv had in Dallas,
Washington and San Diego. They were all huge and he usually had very successful
running games. How much more effective would Clinton Portis be behind San Diego’s
offensive line? How do you best protect a QB?
With a strong running game
because it allows the QB to throw when
he wants to (2nd, 3rd and short) instead of when he has
to (2nd, 3rd and long). A great example is Ben Roethlisberger who benefitted from a strong
running game when he first entered the league. Roethlisberger had a ridiculously
high completion percentage because he only threw the ball 20 times a game. It
is a proven fact that with the protection of consistent running games QBs tend
to grow up faster. Look at Matt Ryan in Atlanta and how quickly he has come
along with a consistent running attack. Joe Flacco is also pretty good when the
Ravens are pounding the rock effectively.
So if Joe Gibbs hired Norv and implemented the
offensive approach he wanted to this implosion might not be taking place right
now. The Ironic thing is Norv Turner could be available again at the end of
this season. So what is the quickest
route back to success for the Redskins? Keep Jason Campbell because he will be
the best QB available in free agency this season and the Skins will not be
picking high enough to get a franchise QB. I would hire a GM/Coach that has absolutely nothing
to do with the west coast anything because finding a QB to run it is next to
impossible. I would hire a coach that prefers more traditional smash, gash and
play action schemes like a Tom Coughlin.
I would also hire Norv Turner as
Offensive Coordinator and allow him to build an offense around Campbell, Portis,
Kelly, Thomas, Cooley and Davis. To me this represents the quickest possible
fix on a roster that cannot change much due to salary issues. I just hope the Redskins can go back to playing Redskin football and the west coast offense just does not fit the personality of this city or the NFC East for that matter. This is why the Giants have owned this division ever since they hired Coughlin.