49ers Offensive Coordinator search reportedly goes OLLLLLLDDDDD school with Jimmy Raye

by Fooch on Jan 29, 2009 7:00 AM PST in News Comment 35 comments

And so we apparently finally have an offensive coordinator and quarterback coordinator. The 49ers have reportedly (per Adam Schefter) gone in the way back machine and hired former New York Jets running back Jimmy Raye as Mike Singletary's new offensive coordinator. Elsewhere, Jim Trotter at SI.com is reporting that the 49ers have also hired former Ravens WR coach Mike Johnson as quarterbacks coach. Neither man has signed a contract yet, so the 49ers have not made announcement.

Given the convoluted nature of this offensive coordinator search, maybe we shouldn't be surprised it ended up with the hiring of Jimmy Raye. I'm not saying we should have been able to predict Raye specifically. Rather, it shouldn't be surprising that it went to the relatively young bucks that seemed to be lined up. Yesterday I was sufficiently convinced Hue Jackson was going to get the job that I made no mention of Jimmy Raye coming in for an interview. So much for that thought. Jimmy Raye interviewed for the job yesterday and apparently was offered the job the same day. He must have really knocked Mike Singletary's socks off.

First, a quick rundown of his coaching experience, which is quite extensive. There are some gaps in there but the Internet is revealing what goes in those gaps. He was an Eagles coach at one point and had a third tour of duty with the Rams at some point as well:

1977 - WR Coach, San Francisco 49ers
1977-79 - Detroit Lions
1980-82 - Atlanta Falcons
1983-85 - Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams
1985-86 - Offensive Coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1987-89 - Atlanta Falcons
1990 - Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
1991 - Offensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams
1998-00 - Offensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs
2001 - Offensive Coordinator, Washington Redskins
2004-05 - Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Oakland Raiders
2006-2008 - Running Backs Coach, New York Jets

So what does this tell us? Well, if he is in fact the guy, the 49ers are getting a guy with a whole ton of experience. Maiocco points out that in eight years as an OC Raye's teams never made the playoffs, and only once did he have a team finish above .500. People have picked up on that, but I'm not sure if it's worth worrying too much about yet. I'll leave the statistical review to Danny, but a quick glance shows he's had some pretty bad offenses and some decent offenses (see the Chiefs teams).

Mike Sando had his own take on the hiring:

But if you've been paying attention to 49ers head coach Mike Singletary, you know he isn't into perceptions so much. He is doing things his way, unapologetically. Raye has extensive experience as an assistant coach, including as a coordinator. That was important for the 49ers because Singletary lacks coaching experience and offensive expertise.

Assuming this hiring goes down, I'm very curious to hear what Singletary has to say at the press conference. He's usually a fairly up front individual at press conferences, so hopefully he won't beat around the bush about this hiring.

And let's not forget the hiring of Mike Johnson as quarterbacks coach. He was out of the league last year, which certainly makes for an interesting situation. There was talk about bringing in a OC/QB coach combination so that the eventual successor would be in place. However, the hiring of Jimmy Raye makes me start to wonder if maybe this boosts Rathman's chances. Raye did not go the QB coach route. Maybe we have two potential successors in Rathman and Johnson. It's really all just speculation at this point, but who knows.

There will be plenty of discussion going forward. In the meantime, just remember that there is but one question to ask next time you run into what seems like our new OC:

Poll

Assuming he's officially hired, do you approve of Jimmy Raye as offensive coordinator?

Yes

70 votes

No

173 votes

I have no idea

172 votes

Other (please specify in comments)

3 votes

418 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 35 comments | Share

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Comments

That's what I suspect

That Rathman was hired first because Singletary envisions him as the eventual OC.

Schemes are only as good as the players. We have a starting quarterback who doesn’t have a rocket for an arm, we don’t have any great receivers. Designing an offense around the strengths, running and run-blocking and a short-pass ball-control game, is the natural course to take. As Barrows pointed out, the top five rushing teams made the playoffs this year.

Raye has been around the league for a long time, and some of the places where he worked not even Bill Walsh could have produced a decent offense. (See, for ex, The Raiders.) Maybe Raye, after a long, undistinguished career in the NFL, goes out a winner with the Niners.

by Bob On The Coast on Jan 29, 2009 7:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

lol

Wow Fooch, I remember that song from back in the day. Me and my brother used to think we were the only 2 guys in the world that had heard that song.

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Jan 29, 2009 8:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Based on Florida Danny's 5 points

I think I have to approve.

1) Run-oriented
Yr | Rk | Team | G | Pts/G | TotPts | Att | Att/G | Yds | Avg | Yds/G | TD | Lng | Record
’82 | 15 | Los Angeles Rams | 9 | 22.2 | 200 | 251 | 27.9 | 1,025 | 4.1 | 113.9 | 13 | 54 | 2-7 – Pre Raye
’83 | 9 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 22.6 | 361 | 511 | 31.9 | 2,253 | 4.4 | 140.8 | 20 | 85T | 9-7 – Raye
’84 | 2 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 21.6 | 346 | 541 | 33.8 | 2,864 | 5.3 | 179.0 | 16 | 66 | 10-6 – Raye
’85 | 14 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 21.2 | 340 | 503 | 31.4 | 2,057 | 4.1 | 128.6 | 15 | 43 | 11-5 – Raye: Left during the season?
’86 | 4 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 19.3 | 309 | 578 | 36.1 | 2,457 | 4.3 | 153.6 | 16 | 42T | 10-6 – Post Raye

’84 | 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 16 | 20.9 | 335 | 483 | 30.2 | 1,776 | 3.7 | 111.0 | 17 | 37 | 6-10 – Pre Raye
’85 | 21 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 16 | 18.4 | 294 | 434 | 27.1 | 1,644 | 3.8 | 102.8 | 11 | 28 | 2-14 – Raye
’86 | 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 16 | 14.9 | 239 | 455 | 28.4 | 1,863 | 4.1 | 116.4 | 12 | 59T | 2-14 – Raye
’87 | 26 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 15 | 19.1 | 286 | 394 | 26.3 | 1,365 | 3.5 | 91.0 | 7 | 46 | 4-11 – Post Raye

’89 | 19 | New England Patriots | 16 | 18.6 | 297 | 485 | 30.3 | 1,749 | 3.6 | 109.3 | 12 | 35T | 5-11 – Pre Raye
’90 | 25 | New England Patriots | 16 | 11.3 | 181 | 383 | 23.9 | 1,398 | 3.7 | 87.4 | 4 | 29 | 1-15 – Raye
’91 | 18 | New England Patriots | 16 | 13.2 | 211 | 433 | 27.1 | 1,467 | 3.4 | 91.7 | 9 | 24 | 6-10 – Post Raye

’90 | 20 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 21.6 | 345 | 422 | 26.4 | 1,612 | 3.8 | 100.8 | 17 | 48 | 5-11 – Pre Raye
’91 | 27 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 14.6 | 234 | 388 | 24.2 | 1,285 | 3.3 | 80.3 | 11 | 36 | 3-13 – Raye
’92 | 15 | Los Angeles Rams | 16 | 19.6 | 313 | 393 | 24.6 | 1,659 | 4.2 | 103.7 | 12 | 71 | 6-10 – Post Raye

’97 | 5 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | 23.4 | 375 | 529 | 33.1 | 2,171 | 4.1 | 135.7 | 15 | 43 | 13-3 – Pre Raye
’98 | 23 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | 20.4 | 327 | 433 | 27.1 | 1,548 | 3.6 | 96.8 | 19 | 38 | 7-9 – Raye
’99 | 4 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | 24.4 | 390 | 521 | 32.6 | 2,082 | 4.0 | 130.1 | 14 | 82T | 9-7 – Raye
’00 | 25 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | 22.2 | 355 | 383 | 23.9 | 1,465 | 3.8 | 91.6 | 12 | 69 | 7-9 – Raye
’01 | 6 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | 20 | 320 | 448 | 28.0 | 2,008 | 4.5 | 125.5 | 16 | 41 | 6-10 – Post Raye

’00 | 19 | Washington Redskins | 16 | 17.6 | 281 | 445 | 27.8 | 1,748 | 3.9 | 109.2 | 14 | 50T | 8-8 – Pre Raye
’01 | 8 | Washington Redskins | 16 | 16 | 256 | 490 | 30.6 | 1,948 | 4.0 | 121.8 | 10 | 32 | 8-8 – Raye
’02 | 13 | Washington Redskins | 16 | 19.2 | 307 | 442 | 27.6 | 1,889 | 4.3 | 118.1 | 10 | 33 | 7-9 – Post Raye

’03 | 16 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 16.9 | 270 | 423 | 26.4 | 1,822 | 4.3 | 113.9 | 15 | 53 | 4-12 – Pre Raye
’04 | 32 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 20 | 320 | 327 | 20.4 | 1,295 | 4.0 | 80.9 | 10 | 60 | 5-11 – Raye
’05 | 29 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 18.1 | 290 | 361 | 22.6 | 1,369 | 3.8 | 85.6 | 11 | 27 | 4-12 – Raye
’06 | 29 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 10.5 | 168 | 394 | 24.6 | 1,519 | 3.9 | 94.9 | 5 | 59T | 2-14 – Post Raye

Seems like a very mixed bag. He had some good years and some bad years. Some teams got better, others got worse. His first stint with the Rams seemed to significantly improve that offense and I wonder how much of that was Raye. Was his offense what made them a contender for several years, even after he left? I don’t know, but I look at this and I don’t think it’s as bad as some make it out to be. Granted most of his success was early in his career, but he had a solid performance in KC.

2) History of NFL success
3) Has experience as an NFL play-caller (because of Singletary’s offensive inexperience)
4) Has experience in NFL game/clock management (because of Singletary’s HC inexperience)
5) Not leaving for an HC position after year 1

by Sebaz49 on Jan 29, 2009 8:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whoops, posted too early

To finish off that last paragraph:

Granted most of his success was early in his career, but he had a solid performance in KC. And without knowing the exact situations any given year, it’s hard to judge.

2) History of NFL success
Has had some solid offenses. After that previous list I’m too lazy to go searching again, but has had succeful offenses. Maybe not 30 pts/g offenses, but solid ones.

3) Has experience as an NFL play-caller (because of Singletary’s offensive inexperience)
13 years or so as OC… should be decent experience.

4) Has experience in NFL game/clock management (because of Singletary’s HC inexperience)
I’m guessing it goes hand in hand with #3

5) Not leaving for an HC position after year 1
I don’t really see this guy looking for a HC gig. Hasn’t made that jump yet and unless the Niners become the ‘07 Patriots all of a sudden, I don’t see him really turning too many heads.

So overall, I’d say we have a good pickup. A solid, experienced OC that seems to run a pretty balanced (doesn’t seem to be overly run, run, run, just enough) offense. Plus I agree that he will more than likely be a tutor to either Rathman or Johnson (or both) and have one of them take over within a few years and create that necessary offensive continuity that this team’s been missing.

But I guess we’ll see in a few months.

by Sebaz49 on Jan 29, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted no, I don’t approve, but really I just don’t know. So I should have selected that option. I was definitely hoping for one of the names of people that we actually have heard more about.

Right now might not be the best time to install a flashier offense anyway. Run the ball, throw short passes, take an occasional shot downfield. So long as we can put points on the board (not just FGs), I’ll be cool with it.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jan 29, 2009 10:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I approved

As I recall, Walsh had a run or short pass first offense. That set up the long pass and we did pretty good with that. From what I have read from Sing so far this offseason I think he just wants a balanced attack. That would protect our QBs more and also open up the long ball if other defenses are playing the run and short passes.

I look forward to seeing what happens, and also seeing Rathman back as a coach. Our running game could go up a notch or two.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Jan 29, 2009 10:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do anyone else thinks they should have waited...

There are two teams yet to play and some of their coaches would be intriguing as OC, for example Ken Anderson or Maurice Carthon

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Jan 29, 2009 11:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Does*

sorry just a little disappointed with such a “fuck it” decision. I voted NO!

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Jan 29, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t be so negative.

I declare you Sanchez.

by Rishi on Jan 29, 2009 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is gonna be awesome.

I declare you Sanchez.

by Rishi on Jan 29, 2009 12:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I detect sarcasm

(…right?)

by shlecko on Jan 29, 2009 6:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I declare you Sanchez for not being able to tell sarcasm.

I declare you Sanchez.

by Rishi on Jan 30, 2009 8:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i guess it doesnt really matter now but

Jagodzinski signs on to be Bucs OC

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Jan 29, 2009 12:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BAHHH beat me to it

Blind devotion.

by ProfessorBigelow on Jan 29, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How much you want to bet

The offense regresses next year?

by methodrampage on Jan 29, 2009 1:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't want to bet on this but I can see the 49ers having a winning record next season.

They know who they need to draft to fill holes and they have the time this spring to start with two extra training sessions. I can see the defense improving and also the offensive line being better because they have played together for a good part of last year.
Short passes and lots of rushes and then the occaisional long pass.. and we are on our way.. to a winning season.

I like to think positive, especially since nothing I say or do will change the decisions that Sing and McC make.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Jan 29, 2009 2:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

All I'm saying is this

Martz > Raye (IMHO) and I fully expect the offense to regress.

by methodrampage on Jan 29, 2009 2:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

However

Singletary > Nolan

So we’ll get a full season of consistency and growth.

by coicoy on Jan 29, 2009 3:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

re: Martz>Raye

The thing is that Singletary’s Martz>Nolan’s Martz. This is why they never should’ve canned Martz to begin with. Sure Singletary probably didn’t like the fact that Martz tended to go pass-wacky when the Niners were behind, but Martz still did change his style when Singletary became the HC. He should’ve recognized the possibility for continuity that they had with the coach THAT THEY HAD UNDER CONTRACT. Thumbs down here (so far—I’ll be glad to be proven wrong).

Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!

by grantmp on Jan 29, 2009 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone else interviewed Martz?

I don’t think so.

Martz’ offense, with its five and seven-step drops, does not work anymore.

by Bob On The Coast on Jan 29, 2009 4:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone else interview Raye?

The Niners took somebody that nobody else was interested in. That means that one more team was interested in Raye than Martz.

Martz’ offense, with its five and seven-step drops, does not work anymore.

Care to enlighten us why? In one year Martz drastically improved the offense.
Martz’ offenses have always produced even when he’s had less than ideal talent to work with.

by methodrampage on Jan 30, 2009 7:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree he almost certainly won’t get as much out of the offense as Martz did (except maybe in the red zone… ). Do you expect the talent on offense to be particularly improved, though? Because that could be a nice equalizer.

I really have no idea what to expect with the rest of the offseason, so I’m just hanging upside down right now, waiting for something really cool to happen.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jan 29, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

(might be hard to view)

You ARE Batman!!!

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jan 30, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

too damn old

seriously, too old.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 29, 2009 4:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

On Martz

I don’t think its his system that doesn’t work, I don’t think that was exactly the problem in SF. Martz’s problem is that he seems unwilling to tailor his system to his players. Sure, it worked in STL but it was because he had the personnel to carry it out. We didn’t have a Kurt Warner or two prime receivers or a particularly quality OL and Martz insisted on running his system despite our inability to execute. That’s what makes him ineffective and that’s what got him fired.

by foosball4949 on Jan 29, 2009 6:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

all i know...

is that scott linehan is a douchebag

If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.

by 9Custs on Jan 29, 2009 9:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He was coach on some of the most embarrasing teams in NFL history

during some of their down times… Is this really who the niners need coaching their offense? Uh… Prove me wrong Singletary.

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 30, 2009 12:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The 80’s Bucs, 90’s Pats and Rams… Jesus you would think it couldn’t get any worse. Then you see he coached the Raiders offense for the last few years. I would throw myself off the first tall building I could find sadly the dickwater town i’m stuck in right now doesn’t have anything high enough to guarantee painless death.

Gimme 1 Round!

by skwirrl on Jan 30, 2009 12:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

With the Rams, if I have this right, Tony Banks was the quarterback at the time. Tony Banks was a great big pile of suck that no OC could ever have fixed. I always loved playing against any team he was QBing, because it was like a guaranteed win!

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jan 30, 2009 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rat poison

I declare you Sanchez.

by Rishi on Jan 30, 2009 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t forget that high powered Chief’s offense before Vermeil showed up.

by bignerd on Jan 30, 2009 1:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Must trust in Sing

I don’t like this hire, but I must trust that coach Sing knows what he wants and what he needs. The good news about this move is that he got an experienced OC, the bad news is it isn’t anyone I knew about or desired. Here’s hoping that Raye proves us all wrong and the 49ers are competitive next year.

by Gailikk on Jan 30, 2009 6:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs