The Ditka/Ryan Coaching Tree

by DannoE on Nov 13, 2008 12:58 PM PST

Hey 9'ers fans,

We're having a discussion over at Music City Miracles about Titans' Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's offensive roots, and I made the argument that Heimerdinger, through Jeff Fisher, is essentially a disciple of the Ditka/Ryan school of thought, as perfected in the 1985 Bears.

Now obviously Mike Singletary was also on the 1985 team and is also now an NFL head coach. So in looking for trends in this particular school of thought, I'm wondering what your observations have been since Singeltary has taken over? Specifically, how has he forced Mike Martz to change the Offense? It's a critical piece of the argument because Martz is a known quantity. Any changes are therefore more than likely a direct reflection on the base offensivphilosophy.

Just FYI, I may well turn this information into an article somewhere down the line. If I do, I'll let you know when and if it gets published.

Here's the link if you want to see the original discussion: http://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2008/11/13/660320/the-heimerdinger-offense

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Offense

It’s only really been one week so far (the Seattle game was more the remnants of the Nolan philosophy). On MNF, it felt like early on their was more Frank Gore runs early…Of course later on they seemed to abandon the run (minus the last minute of the game). I think it’ll take a few games to really get an idea of the offensive style. Part of it also has to do with having a QB like Shaun Hill who is not a big play guy like a normal Martz offense would require.

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by David Fucillo on Nov 13, 2008 1:11 PM PST reply actions

The difference between Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary is..

the fact that Nolan left the offense entirely in the hands of Mike Martz and Singletary, when he took over, basically gave J.T O’Sullivan a one-game audition and O’Sullivan played poorly despite high passing yardage, and replaced him with Shaun Hill, a 3rd stringer, something Nolan would have only mulled over first before doing. In Sing’s mind, he was not going to sit and watch while his quarterback gets intercepted, or fumbles, or throw shovel passes when Gore doesn’t even see it coming. Sing was going to take action and do something about it. Nolan would have laid down the law but then let his boys take care of it in the locker room.

Now Sing is the man in the locker room. Oh, he’ll let his boys take care of it as he he sees fit; Sing still wants the upper hand and he will yank his quarterback anytime.

A man of action. Even as he pulls his pants down, it’s still a piece of work- Sing in action.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Nov 13, 2008 9:06 PM PST reply actions