Stan Hixon

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Yeah, that sounds great. But based on what Zorn has said, he's not changing a damn thing with regard to his scheme, or his philosophy. And he sure as hell isn't going to do it for some guy named Clyde Christensen.

To me, that's the most alarming thing about Zorn. Officially, I'm against the idea of firing him. But if he shows absolutely no willingness to adjust his system to the players we have, especially if the players are better suited to a different system, and if he refuses to at least show he's got an open mind about tweaking his offense if there isn't marked improvement in '09, then that's a problem.

Maybe he's purposely trying to be overconfident (possibly to a fault) because so many people questioned his hiring as HC??

[30gut]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Yeah, that sounds great. But based on what Zorn has said, he's not changing a damn thing with regard to his scheme, or his philosophy........To me, that's the most alarming thing about Zorn. Officially, I'm against the idea of firing him. But if he shows absolutely no willingness to adjust his system to the players we have, especially if the players are better suited to a different system,

Zorn may have said he is not changing his schemes but he in fact has and does change his schemes. Examples:

-Zorn hates the Shotgun but after the Giants game Jason was in shotgun a bunch

- Zorn in the early half of the season ran more 4/5 Wide and some empty sets
As the season progressed and the offensive line play declined he used more
I-Form (pro), and less spread formations, by the end of the season he even
was using, I-Form DDBL TE sets

The WCO has a bunch of variations, when Zorn says he is not changing his
scheme or system IMO he is refering in general to the WCO which i agree
doesn't need to change.

But within the framework of the WCO the offense changed alot over the
course of the year.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Yeah, that sounds great. But based on what Zorn has said, he's not changing a damn thing with regard to his scheme, or his philosophy. And he sure as hell isn't going to do it for some guy named Clyde Christensen.

To me, that's the most alarming thing about Zorn. Officially, I'm against the idea of firing him. But if he shows absolutely no willingness to adjust his system to the players we have, especially if the players are better suited to a different system, and if he refuses to at least show he's got an open mind about tweaking his offense if there isn't marked improvement in '09, then that's a problem.

I would like to think that Zorn is mature enough and possibly would recognize Christensen's ability to build great QB/WR tandems to listen to some of what he say but teaching/coaching our WR is not about totally designing plays. He could still take Zorn's plays and give tips and hints to the WR's as to how to get free at the line, tips on route running, tips on how to fake out the defender and maybe body placement. I know some of this is basic and our WR's should know these things but watching them for several seasons it appears they don't.

Plus maybe he could add some ideas to Zorns plays. We all thought the game had passed Gibbs by but it hadn't 'cause he was able to listen to other coach's ideas as to how to make the play better.

[SBXVII]

plus if you read his bio he was already an OC once before in Tampa and it goes on to further say he was instrumental in helping the QB King when he came out of college. He also has produced the most QB/WR tandems in NFL histoy. Sounds good for JC and Kelly/Thomas....right.


He helped the late-season development of rookie QB-Shaun King in 1999. King led Tampa Bay to four wins in its last five contests en route to the NFC Central title. King became the second rookie quarterback since the 1970 NFL Merger to win a playoff game, rallying the Buccaneers to a 14-13 Divisional Playoff win over Washington. Christensen wrapped up 1999 at the Pro Bowl as the NFC totaled a game-record 51 points.

In 2005, Christensen’s corps ranked among the league’s best. Harrison (82-1,146, 12 TDs) and Wayne (83-1,055, 5 TDs) produced 1,000+ reception yardage seasons and played key roles in the club’s 13-0 seasonal start. In 2004, Christensen’s unit had one of the best seasonal performances in NFL history. Harrison (86-1,113, 15 TDs), Wayne (77-1,210, 12 TDs) and WR-Brandon Stokley (68-1,077, 10 TDs) became the first NFL receiving trio to post 1,000+-yardage and 10+-touchdown seasons. The performances placed the club along with the 1980 San Diego Chargers, 1989 Washington Redskins and 1995 Atlanta Falcons as the only teams with a trio of 1,000+ receivers.

[SBXVII]

Ya know honestly looking at all the other teams he's our best choice. Then I would look at Seatle only cause the coach would know what Zorn is trying to do.

I thought maybe the WR coach for the Titans but he is already a OC Assist.

[SBXVII]

I don't know who we could bring in as offensive line coach if Bugel decides to retire or if the team decides he needs to go.

[rbanerjee23]

I'm glad there is the same line of thinking as myself...we've all noticed that wide receiver has been a weak link in the offense and an upgrade at that position might be the first priority. Thomas and Kelly have plenty of talent and Moss, IMO, is still a premier threat in this league...the team just needs someone to bring a lot more out of those three

[saden1]

Ummm, the offensive failure is entirely on Zorn. Lets not start with the scapegoating,

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by saden1

Ummm, the offensive failure is entirely on Zorn. Lets not start with the scapegoating,

Be honest with yourself.....our WR's sucked during Gibbs second term as well. We bring in two new taller WR's and they can't get on the field. why? coaching. Hixon needs to go. but....just in case you have a point which I'm not totally dissagreeing with....Christensen brings alot to the table. He used to be and still is a WR's coach, He used to be an OC which might bode well with helping Zorn out with some decent plays in stretching the
field. It's a wonderful double wammy for us if we bring him in.

[saden1]

I am being honest with myself. If Hixon sucked so much why was he kept? It was a perfect time to clean house and they didn't which tells me that either he is a good coach or our management is incompetent.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by saden1

I am being honest with myself. If Hixon sucked so much why was he kept? It was a perfect time to clean house and they didn't which tells me that either he is a good coach or our management is incompetent.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm........

[SBXVII]

wow you keep hitting the nail on the head but do you think management is going to blame itself? most likely not. Hixon was a WR coach in college prior to Gibbs pulling him into the NFL. They thought his abilities would carry over from the college level and it didn't. Zorn kept him cause he was told most of the coaching staff would remain in place for him. All he had to do was bring in a new offense and coach. I can only hope he sees what we have seen for the last 5 seasons. Simply put nothing out of our WR's. They run wrong routes, and they don't know the plays. Something the coach is responsible for. If you can't get rid of management then atleast get rid of half the problem.

Plus Christensen could help Zorn with developing decent pass plays.

[jamf]

I wish we still had Robiskie.

[53Fan]

Hixon definitely needs to be looked at. A few of us have been saying this for awhile. When your receivers are not running their routes correctly of course you look at the position coach. Why would'nt you?

[theJBexperience]

I agree. Hixon has had his chance to prove himself, and he hasn't under three different OCs. I like the idea of Christensen, but I can't see him leaving. Please, do not bring in Seattle's guy though. I can't remember when they've been strong at WR. Until this year, they've always seemed to have adequate performances from middle of the road receivers, but it's never been a strength.