Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/29949/ryan-mornhinweg-pairing-perfect-for-jets Ryan-Mornhinweg pairing perfect for Jets October, 24, 2013 By Rich Cimini | ESPN.com FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The first time they sat down together to discuss X's and O's, Rex Ryan and Marty Mornhinweg didn't have much privacy. They were on television. It was January 2007, and their teams -- the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively -- had been eliminated from the playoffs in the divisional round. They were invited to NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, N.J., to serve as guest analysts to preview the conference championships. "I had a chance to meet him in a different way," Ryan, the New York Jets' head coach, said Thursday of his current offensive coordinator. "I really liked him. He was funny. He was smart. That was obvious." That TV appearance turned out to be a good test of their chemistry. Host Brian Baldinger had to leave after the first segment, leaving Ryan and Mornhinweg alone on the set. They improvised, Ryan breaking down the defensive stuff, Mornhinweg handling the offensive material. "We fed right off each other," Ryan said. Six years later, it hasn't changed. Hiring Mornhinweg was one of Ryan's smartest moves. One year after the Tony Sparano debacle, the Jets actually have a clue on offense. At times, they're not the prettiest, but you never get the feeling that Mornhinweg doesn't know what he's doing. Under him, the Jets have improved in almost every offensive category, significantly in some cases. They're ranked 15th in total offense, averaging 343 yards per game (up from 299). The last time they sniffed the top 10 was 2010, when they finished 11th with Brian Schottenheimer calling the plays and a still-promising Mark Sanchez playing quarterback. We could throw out a bunch of impressive numbers to demonstrate Mornhinweg's impact, but it's plainly obvious the Jets are running it better and throwing it better than the past two years. And -- don't underestimate this point -- they're doing it with a rookie quarterback, Geno Smith. Plus, we're not talking about an abundance of talent here. The Jets don't have a rusher in the top 15 and they don't have a receiver in the top 50. Smith is 27th out of 33 in passer rating. Despite the lack of star power, they've played well in most of the games. "I think he's done a great job," Ryan said of Mornhinweg. "It's been impressive, without question. He has been impressive." Philosophically, they're a football odd couple. Mornhinweg's affinity for the passing game figured to clash with Ryan's defensive-minded, ball-control style, but they've made it work. Recognizing how the game is changing, Ryan let his hair down, so to speak, leaving Ground & Pound in the past. Mornhinweg has adjusted, too, especially the past three weeks. Without injured wide receiver Santonio Holmes, and with Smith coming off a disastrous game in Tennessee in Week 4, Mornhinweg has leaned more on the running game, featuring his inside receivers (tight end and slot) in the passing game. A team has to throw the ball to score points, according to the Mornhinweg doctrine, but sometimes it takes some dinosaur football to win a game. As Ryan noted in his postgame speech to the team after last Sunday's upset of the New England Patriots, "Our offensive coordinator, seems to me all he wants to do is run, because we ran it 52 times." The players roared. "That's funny," Mornhinweg said Thursday. Ryan hired Mornhinweg because he wanted a coordinator who coached offense the same way he coaches defense -- aggressively. He showed that fearlessness last Sunday. Instead of babying Smith after his first-quarter interception was returned for a touchdown, Mornhinweg called a pass on the ensuing first down -- a 17-yard strike to Stephen Hill. "We threw the ball a couple of more times right away on purpose, just a 'Let's go,'" Mornhinweg said. "That's just the way we operate." If Sparano had been calling the plays, he would've had Smith in bubble wrap for the rest of the game. Ryan is fortunate. Not many head coaches last long enough to hire a third coordinator. This was a make-or-break hire for Ryan, whose rear end is on the hot seat this season. Mornhinweg, the first to interview for the job, was summoned to the Jets' facility last January. He met for three hours with Ryan, two assistant coaches and center Nick Mangold. It's unusual for a player to be present, but Mangold is respected for his offensive acumen. The interview covered everything from "soup to nuts," Ryan recalled. Before they got into the heavy stuff, they enjoyed a good laugh, remembering their joint TV appearance at NFL Films. Mornhinweg aced the interview. "He had me at hello," Ryan said, "but we were going to do our due diligence." He interviewed a few others and offered the position to Mornhinweg. Once again, they're on TV. Their set is the sideline, and they're feeding off each other. This time, without makeup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexiRoll6 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I just read that story. Pretty interesting. Love that Marty was available and so is Rex - obviously. Sparano was a dolt who had no knowledge of running an offense and Schotty was just too predictable, so if they are the Three Bears, Marty is "just right." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 If Sparano had worked out we would be reading some other story about how they were made for each other. The bottom line is that Rex stepped in sh!t with this hire and is lucky he was able to get a chance to hire someone else after the Sparano debacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurnleyJet Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Sparano was a disaster from day one. This is like watching the Bill Walsh 49ers in comparison to 3 yards and a cloud of dust. What with his A-Back B-Back rubbish. I can't belieave the Raiders employed him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Yeah, no sh*t. Mornhinweg was a coup and exactly what the coaching staff needed. I would prefer Darrell Gruden not do anything to ruin it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 He'll get us to the AFC championship and be signed as a HC by another team and we'll have to start over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 He'll get us to the AFC championship and be signed as a HC by another team and we'll have to start over. I don't know that he will ever be hired as a HC again. His stay in Detroit was a total disaster. Rich Kotite bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiFtheOracle Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Sounds gay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I'm shocked getting an offensive coordinator with experience running an offense would help with offense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Yeah, no sh*t. Mornhinweg was a coup and exactly what the coaching staff needed. I would prefer Darrell Gruden not do anything to ruin it. Like finding a comfy couch out on the curb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Yeah, no sh*t. Mornhinweg was a coup and exactly what the coaching staff needed. I would prefer Darrell Gruden not do anything to ruin it. Darrell Gruden. I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Like finding a comfy couch out on the curb. I mean, in your head that's exactly how it got painted. Mornhinweg got kicked to the curb because he didn't want to go to Kansas City (who would pass that up? The heart of Kansas itself!) while Gruden and Bevell are forces within the league just waiting to be unleashed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I don't know that he will ever be hired as a HC again. His stay in Detroit was a total disaster. Rich Kotite bad. How long have you been a Jets fan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I mean, in your head that's exactly how it got painted. Mornhinweg got kicked to the curb because he didn't want to go to Kansas City (who would pass that up? The heart of Kansas itself!) while Gruden and Bevell are forces within the league just waiting to be unleashed. Not too sure you want to compare the coaching careers of Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg there, skipper. And I'm sure Martin said to himself, "Gosh, I know I have great job security if I go with Andy Reid to be his OC, but Missouri has harsh winters! I'm just going to quit, wait around, then hope to latch on to a team with a lame duck head coach with Mark Sanchez and a rawer than raw rookie quarterback! That'd be so ideal!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Not too sure you want to compare the coaching careers of Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg there, skipper. And I'm sure Martin said to himself, "Gosh, I know I have great job security if I go with Andy Reid to be his OC, but Missouri has harsh winters! I'm just going to quit, wait around, then hope to latch on to a team with a lame duck head coach with Mark Sanchez and a rawer than raw rookie quarterback! That'd be so ideal!" 1 - Lol @ me never letting it sink in that Kansas City is in the still sh*tty state of Missouri. 2 - Marty Mornhinweg doesn't have to worry about finding OC gigs in the NFL, Andy Reid or no Andy Reid. 3 - Nobody is avoiding Missouri for it's harsh winters. You avoid it because it sucks. It took almost 15 years and one of his sons dying to get Andy Reid to even consider the idea of moving to one of the dump states. Also, "lame duck" and "rawer than raw rookie QB" with 40+ college starts under his belt. Bold: OTOH you might be onto something. Lots of names to like on Gruden's list, even on the defensive side. When does Shaw leave Stanford? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 1 - Lol @ me never letting it sink in that Kansas City is in the still sh*tty state of Missouri. 2 - Marty Mornhinweg doesn't have to worry about finding OC gigs in the NFL, Andy Reid or no Andy Reid. 3 - Nobody is avoiding Missouri for it's harsh winters. You avoid it because it sucks. It took almost 15 years and one of his sons dying to get Andy Reid to even consider the idea of moving to one of the dump states. Also, "lame duck" and "rawer than raw rookie QB" with 40+ college starts under his belt. Bold: OTOH you might be onto something. Lots of names to like on Gruden's list, even on the defensive side. When does Shaw leave Stanford? .............................................what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorGato Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 GFY Shane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 GFY Shane. Better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiFtheOracle Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 GFY Shane. POTW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 The anti-Rex crowd has totally jumped the shark. With due credit to Gato, they are hereby known as the Darrell Gruden Coalition, or DRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 The anti-Rex crowd has totally jumped the shark. With due credit to Gato, they are hereby known as the Darrell Gruden Coalition, or DRC. Let me guess-You were in a frat in college. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Let me guess-You were in a frat in college. Not even close. I hated frats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Not even close. I hated frats. You exhibit some popped collar tendencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 You exhibit some popped collar tendencies. And you make wrong assumptions. Given your take on Rex I'm not surprised by this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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