Offense in 2005... no more hackett ;) SI/CNN

[gg]

Didnt see this posted.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/wires/08/07/2020.ap.fbn.on.football.jets.offense.bjt.0840/index.html

Days after their ultraconservative offensive play-calling cost them a trip to the AFC championship game just as much as Doug Brien's two missed field goals at the end of a playoff game in Pittsburgh, coach Herman Edwards made the only move he could. He went searching for a new offensive coordinator who takes at least a few risks.

He came up with one of the best, Mike Heimerdinger, whose contract had expired with the Tennessee Titans. Edwards fired Paul Hackett, a target of heavy criticism from fans, media and even the players almost since the day he became the Jets' coordinator in 2001.

While Heimerdinger notes that the 2005 Jets "won't be the Oakland Raiders with Daryle Lamonica bombing away,'' they will be more aggressive. They will be less predictable.

And if they stay healthy, they probably will be more successful, giving the Jets a genuine shot at the NFL title - something they haven't won since Joe Namath's guarantee.

"We'll try to put our players in position through formations and setups to utilize their strengths,'' Heimerdinger said. "And we'll design a game plan around what kind of defense we'll be playing.

"But if we get a shot at a one-on-one with Laveranues Coles and a cornerback, we'd be foolish not to take it. We'll go after it and if we have the chance to throw it deep, we'll do it. When you design a passing game, you hope to get one-on-ones, and when you do, have to take a shot.''

Under Hackett, the Jets rarely took those shots. Sure, they developed a terrific running game in which Curtis Martin ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of Hackett's four years with the team, including a league-leading 1,697 yards in 2004.

They've made the playoffs in three of the last four years, but they also fell short in the postseason, in great part because the offense sputtered.

Criticizing Hackett for his predictability and lack of imagination became fashionable. And when he attempted to break from habit, it almost always came at the worst time. Remember LaMont Jordan's halfback option pass near the end of the first half against Baltimore last year? Ed Reed's interception turned the momentum of that game and nearly ruined New York's season.

Hackett remained in the job after a 6-10 record in 2003 mainly because quarterback Chad Pennington campaigned for him. Hackett is a good teacher - so is Heimerdinger - and Pennington felt comfortable with him.

Not after the debacle in Pittsburgh, though. Listen to Pennington's recent comments at training camp regarding the shotgun, which Hackett never employed. Pennington's words could just as easily summarized the entire offensive philosophy under Hackett.

"There are a few dinosaurs in the league as far as coaches that don't want to use the shotgun, and Paul is one of them, Jon Gruden is one of them,'' Pennington said. "You're not going to teach an old dog new tricks.''

So Edwards brought in a new dog, one who helped Steve McNair become an MVP, Derrick Mason a Pro Bowl receiver and Eddie George an elite rusher.

Heimerdinger is force-feeding his more wide-open offense during camp. He has a promising group of students because the offense is filled with veterans such as Martin, Pennington, Coles, Doug Jolley, Wayne Chrebet and Justin McCareins, who spent three seasons in Tennessee before joining the Jets in 2004.

Still, he preaches patience.

"That's hard - it's hard for me to stay patient - but it's important to do,'' he said. "We're doing the installation and putting in new plays every day and trying to find out what they can do. At least this is a veteran, smart group.''

What if those schemes don't quite fit the personnel? Hackett had problems adjusting his passing offense to the skills of the players, which turned Chrebet, Jordan and the tight ends into forgotten figures.

Heimerdinger recognizes such pitfalls.

"Some plays we put in now we'll never run all season. They just don't fit who we have,'' he said.

McCareins had eight games last season with three or fewer receptions, hardly impressive for your No. 2 receiver. He's certain that won't happen in Heimderdinger's offense.

"I just think he's a great coordinator because he's not stubborn,'' McCareins said. "He's not stuck in his ways. For every team and every defense we face, he brings a whole new set of ideas and plays in there for us to run. I think that's the key to success; he's flexible and he does what it takes to win each week.

"There are degrees on how much coaches are willing to change their philosophy and game plans. I think coach Heimerdinger is really loose. He's really into listening to his players and what we do well and, therefore, applying it on the field.''

How refreshing.

[GimmeShelter]

Good article, Thanks for posting GG.

As tough as the schedule appears it will be fun to watch a offense that takes a few chances.