Wildcard Weekend: 49ers OC Carousel is rolling round and round

by Fooch on Jan 4, 2008 10:51 PM PST in News Comment 26 comments

EDITOR'S UPDATE 11:00AM - Go ahead and use this as the open thread for today's games.

First off, DON'T FORGET TO GET IN YOUR WILDCARD ROUND PREDICTIONS. Anybody and everybody can make predictions, even if you're not in the 8-person bracket.

Well, things are officially getting a little crazy in the 49ers hunt for an offensive coordinator. First Mike Martz is a likely candidate if he gets fired. Then, Scot McCloughan says he's not. Then John Clayton reports Martz will meet with Mike Nolan next week. The next guy is Cam Cameron after he is fired by the Miami Dolphins. People figure the 49ers should just hop on a plane with a bag of cash and do whatever it takes to get Cam Cameron out here as offensive coordinator.

Then tonight I stumble across a random article in the Detroit Free Press reporting several different bits of information. They were discussing how SMU is interested in both Mike Martz and June Jones, the Hawaii head coach:

Martz was rumored to be in line to get the offensive coordinator's job with San Francisco, but SI.com reported the 49ers have no interest in hiring Martz to replace fired offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.

SI.com reported San Francisco lacks the personnel to run Martz's system, and that fired Dolphins coach Cam Cameron is not high on the San Francisco's priority list at the moment.

The San Francisco Chronicle, however, reported that 49ers coach Mike Nolan said on his radio show that Martz is still among three candidates. Recently fired coaches Cam Cameron and Brian Billick are the others.

So the Detroit Free Press basically combines all the stories into one. Keeping up with me so far? Well one more curve ball for you. The Rotoworld article cited above says that Mike Nolan is hoping to also schedule June Jones for an interview (along with Cameron, Billick, Gailey and apparently Martz). So the candidates that have been mentioned include Cam Cameron, Chan Gailey, Brian Billick, Mike Martz and June Jones. I'd imagine some other names might sneak into the picture.

June Jones runs a highly entertaining Hawaii offense, but the Run and Shoot just doesn't have what it takes to work in the NFL. Otherwise Jerry Glanville might still be coaching or coordinating in the NFL and not Portland State. I simply don't see June Jones becoming the coordinator. If I had to rank the candidates based on who I think will actually get the job:

Chan Gailey
Cam Cameron
Mike Martz
Brian Billick
June Jones

My first choice is Cameron, but something makes me think Chan Gailey is more likely. I'm going to throw up a poll with who you think will land the job (not specifically who you want to land the job). If you think someone else gets the job, list the person in the comments section.

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June Jones

is someone I hadn't considered, just because I thought I had heard a quote attributed to him saying something about not wanting to leave his current gig. Regardless, his offense wasn't even good enough for the BCS, and I doubt it will prove very effective in the NFL either. Then again, Billy B is having ok success with his college spread offense, so who knows what will work these days?

I am, however, a bigger fan of the unproven OC candidates only because I don't want any more excuses next season about acrimony amongst the coaching staff. I feel like a burgeoning OC would be a bit more flexible, and maybe a bit more unconventional, as the Niners start taking a hard look at what honestly works and what doesn't. With Nolan's job on the line, I want to give him every opportunity to prove why he should see these Niners through '09 and beyond.

Then again, a name OC would provide a very convenient scapegoat in case this next season goes to hell, too. After seeing the lack of a clear point of failure this year, this could be a very welcome addition. At least we're not to the point of blaming other teams for our failure.

49er 'til I die! (if they don't kill me first)

by LA49er on Jan 4, 2008 11:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I can't seem to read that Billy B story

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 4, 2008 11:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bill Belichick story

Click HERE for the Bill Belichick link.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jan 5, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A burgeoning OC like Hostler?

We all know how going with the unknown guy worked out last year. Even if Smith was healthy and with his ability/inability at QB the play calling was horrible. Our offense isn't at the state where you can take an inexperienced guy and hand him the reins, unless he is truly a burgeoning masterminded OC but a the same time are currently allowed the luxury of pursuing such a candidate? Weren't not the Dallas Cowboys.

The other issue which I think you almost touched on, but completely missed is the idea of a scapegoat and Nolan's job security. Now, I'm a Nolan supporter, but it's obvious that our burgeoning OC, Hostler, was the scapegoat for this last season (and IMO justly so). But there's no way a big name OC comes in and if the team fails he becomes the scapegoat, if anything, Nolan will be that scapegoat and his tenure as HC would most likely come to an end. What's more important is making sure Nolan doesn't have a scapegoat to fall back on. The Niners, and us as fans, need to know if we should

It's my opinion that '08 will be crucial for the 49ers future plans, definitive decisions regarding Nolan's and Alex Smith's futures will need to be at the conclusion of next season. And no matter whom the OC is, Smith has to improve on his numbers from his second season for the Niners to even entertain him as a starting option in '09.

by methodrampage on Jan 7, 2008 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Gailey runs the ball

Gailey is known for developing strong running attacks. Unfortunately, there's less of a need for the 49ers to develop strong running game than a stronger passing attack. Granted, with Alex Smith at the helm, having a strong running game should be a necessity, but if the team isn't going to build its offense around the overall number 1 pick, then they to start looking elsewhere for their QB needs. I'd prefer an OC who could help develop Smith's talents and turn him into a playoff QB, and thus Cameron would be a better choice than Gailey.

Lott's Prayer: Almost as many words as the Lord's Prayer, but the Lord wouldn't recognize any of them.

by Nosetackle Supreme on Jan 5, 2008 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So far so good!

Picked up the Seattle win, and intuitively 28-19 looks like a good prediction! I could be wrong, because Intuition's other name is Folly, but I'm feeling pretty strong afer one game.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 5:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not looking good for Pittsburgh.

The Roethlesberger picks are really killing them.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 6:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh man

ANOTHER one? To kill a drive at the end of the half?

Hopefully this game gets better in the second half. Jax's first half wasn't even that good. It's just Pittsburgh (and Ben) was sooo bad.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Big Ben not pretty

That third pick was hideous.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by Fooch on Jan 5, 2008 6:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So....

I don't think the Steelers are going to be winning ths one.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 7:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Come on Pittsburgh

A touchdown this drive will actually make a game of it at least! Make it interesting, even if you still lose!

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 7:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh crap...

Your San Francisco 49ers: Punting for Perfection since 2007!

by cheno on Jan 5, 2008 8:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is way more entertaining now!

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 8:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

YES!

They really scared me there. I'm still alive!

Your San Francisco 49ers: Punting for Perfection since 2007!

by cheno on Jan 5, 2008 8:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

In fact

You're in great shape!

As I said in the other thread, to win you only need to win one game tomorrow. sfgfan needs a NY win and has to hope he either wins or ties the SD game to have a chance for round 2.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 5, 2008 9:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like

Jacksonville.
I really do.

Merton Hanks, 'nuff said.

by jtoj on Jan 5, 2008 9:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

mad mIKE mARTZ

I like Mike Martz. Sure his system calls for a fast receiver crew, but we need to either draft or acquire new receivers anyway. Our receiving corps is the worst. We need a speed burner. Martz is a great offensive mind. He can scheme as well as anyone. We need someone who can utilize what we have and what we can acquire and make it work. Then make changes at halftime when it doesnt. I say bring on Martz and let him have complete control of Smith and the Offense and see what he can do. Gore is a great back that has been underutilized. Hicks hasnt been used well either. Vernon Davis has been misused terribly. There are some pieces here for the right offensive mind to work with. I hope Mad Martz takes this job and returns this franchise to the greatness of the 80's. Please, whoever they choose, let him be a professional Football coach, and not a Junior Achievement intern hire.... That really sucked...

by FaStRmAn on Jan 6, 2008 12:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm afraid Martz

would fail to utilize either Gore or Davis any better than they have been. I'd venture to say he'd use them worse. My biggest knock on Martz isn't that he's not an offensive genius, because in a lot of ways he is. It's that he's been consistently stubborn with his system regardless of personnel. And his system wouldn't even remotely fit our personnel even if we did draft a burner.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2008 3:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this still an open thread?

so in keeping tabs on my matchup I think that I'm currently up 1-0 because we both picked WAS (oops) and I won the Jax/Pit game because I had a higher point total and we had the same point differential. I also hold the tie break with my pred of 653 yards (the actual was 623) and his was over 700.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Jan 6, 2008 11:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think

The way I understand the tiebreakers, if Tennessee wins, I win. If San Diego wins, you win. I may be wrong though. As a side note, if I realized Vince Young was starting, I would have picked San Diego.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Jan 6, 2008 3:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

The yardage prediction is the third tiebreaker. I wanted it to be as much of a last resort as I could so that the winners would be decided as much on the game predictions as possible.

Without the 3rd game this is what it looks like for you two right now. No points in the SEA game because you both picked WAS. marcello wins the Pittsburgh game with a low score of 24 to 32. Nobody wins the NY game because you both picked Tamps. So that puts marcello up 1-0 with the last game to decide it.

If SD wins, then wjackalope gets a point and the tiebreaks look like this: wjackalope predicted 2 winners and marcello predicted 1 winner, so wjackalope wins the primary tiebreak.

If Tennessee wins, then marcello takes the round 2 points to none.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2008 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Question

I won the Pittsburgh game? I could have sworn he won. I didn't do the math, but our margin of victory was the same and he was closer to the actual point totals.

We are not who I thought we were.

by marcello on Jan 6, 2008 4:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

I had to have won the Pit game, it's all moot now though because SD won. Tell me again what the first 2 tiebreakers were?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Jan 6, 2008 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're exactly right.

I even have it the right way on my official sheet. My mistake. Here's the correction:

wjackalope gets the point for the Pittsburgh game with the low score of 24 to 32. No points in the two NFC games. And wjackalope wins the SD game by default.

Sorry about that. I'm not sure how I got it wrong when I was typing it up. All my resources say the right things.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2008 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tiebreaks

I think I've done a bad job explaining the tiebreaks. So the first tiebreak is who predicted more winners correctly, regardless of score.

Say you predict 4 winners and marcello predicts 2, but his two good predictions are better than your two for the same games. He'd get points for both of those games and you'd get points for the games he got wrong. The first tiebreak says "Even though marcello won those two games to tie, wjackalope obviously predicted the weekend better."

The second tiebreak is overall closeness (sum totals of closeness scores, lowest sum wins). This can't be the first tiebreak because in the above scenario, marcello only has closeness points for two games while you have closeness points for four. There is no way to satisfactorily account for points in the games that he didn't predict the winners, and so he'd actually win because he made bad predictions. But if both of you predict the same amount of winners, you have the same amount of games with closeness scores to judge on. So the lowest total closeness score wins this tiebreak.

The third tiebreak is the Yardage Prediction.

If by sheer force of lottery probability, you're still tied after that, then tiebreaks go fuck all, both players advance, and there's a three way in the next round.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down. Over and over. / My Blog, For Writers

by howtheyscored on Jan 6, 2008 5:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs