Norv Turner, late of our Raiders, now has been hired to be our 49ers' offensive coordinator. Please, remain calm.
Now, before anyone leaps to the logical conclusion that this is a very, very bad idea, let us consider the possibility -- however unlikely -- that this may be a good idea.
Norv, much like Denver QB Jake Plummer, has shown great ability when placed in a winning situation where he doesn't have to do it all. When he was offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys of 1991 - 1993 under helmet-haired Head Coach Jimmy Johnson, Norv got credit for one of the most powerful offenses of his day.
But then, as a Head Coach himself, Norv defined the term "owner's tool." First with Washington, then with Oakland, Norv was a colorless, pliable block of Silly Putty for the owner. He never rocked the boat, and unable to gain his team's confidence, would end each season end in disappointment, with his players giving up on him en masse and moping through the last couple weeks of the season.
His tenure with the Raiders was marked by a notable squandering of resources: Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan, Kerry Collins, and a young battalion of receivers were all misplayed. A hugely-talented squad was ordered to ignore establishing the run, and offensive impotency ensued. A great crying-out was heard from within the Raider Nation. The ball, as well as opposing defenses, was unmoved.
And yet, he is our Norv still, on the other side of the Bay.
By SFist Christopher Rogers, contributing
Why? He didn't want to leave the Bay Area.
And familiarity. Niners' Head Coach Mike Nolan served under Norv as his defensive coordinator in WAS from 1997 - 1999. Nolan can play the strong coach personality that the franchise can catalyze around, while AFS' hope is that Norv can then feel free to make good play calls, and do the right thing for the Niners' offense. Couldn't be much worse than last season, right? Right?
We were amongst the first to trumpet impending failure and doom when Norv was hired to be the Raiders' Head Coach. Yet, as a second banana, he's playing the role that historically has brought him the most success.
So, Norv, we beseech you: do your best. Be your best. Be the good Norv, not the classical Norv. The Niners are now your canvas to paint upon. Deploy them well. Prove yourself to be a good idea.
Next up on your American Football Spectacular: More playoff preview excitement. The Conference Championships draw nigh!
SFist Jon's take: Norv did win two Superbowls with the Cowboys' offense, but that team was more stacked than a photoshoot at Hef's grotto. How much of a genius do you have to be to handoff the ball to Emmit Smith 25-30 times a game? The Cowboys offense, by the way, did better after he left.
Regardless, what this means for the Niners is Norv loves a power-running game. He ran Emmit crazy with the 'Boys, ran LT Tomlinson crazy in 2001, and Ricky Williams crazy in 2002-2003. In fact, he ran Ricky so crazy Ricky went crazy and took his cannabis-fueled sabbatical. There's nothing actually wrong with Norv's philosophy- power running games is so old school that it's virtually Paleolithic football. But it wins. It won in the 20's with Red Grange, it won in the 60's with Vince Lombardi, and it wins now (see Steelers, Pittsburgh). And with a young QB still learning the ropes, it's acutally a smart strategy.
The question is, is Frank Gore the guy to do the running?
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the only question:
is he staying in the bay area so his son can finish high school, or does he really want the job?
"Now, before anyone leaps to the logical conclusion that this is a very, very bad idea, let us consider the possibility -- however unlikely -- that this may be a good idea."
Granted. But I'm still looking for a spot on the Bay Bridge to leap from. . .