According to many reports, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan is negotiating to bring ex-Oakland Raiders Head Coach Norv Turner in as their new offensive coordinator to replace Mike McCarthy, who after one subpar year was hired by The Green Bay Packers as their new head coach.
Turner, long considered one of the league's brightest minds, is not known as an expert in the Bill Walsh system of timed passes, large steps, muliple formations, and team organization. Indeed, he's placed as an expert in a style of offensive passing popularized first by Sid Gillman, and then Oakland Raiders Head Coach and now Owner Al Davis before being improved by San Diego's coach Don Coryell during the 80s, and who's system set numerous passing records with Quarterback Dan Fouts as the target.
The reasons why Turner is being considered by the 49ers are someone strange.
First, when Turner was the head coach of the Washington Redskins, he hired Nolan as Defensive Coordinator, then was forced to let him go by Dan Snyder, the team's owner. Pro Football Weekly reports that there may be "some issues" with what would be a reversal in relationships, but it appears Turner is able to come into the 49ers fold without a problem. He certainly wouldn't have to uproot his family and leave the Bay Area.
In my view, the real problem exists for the Niners 2005 NFL First Round Draft Pick Alex Smith. After just one year of not only learning a new system and the speed of the NFL, he faces the very real prospect of having to learn a new offense all over again. There are over 10 different teams that use the Walsh Offense terminology, including the 49ers under McCarthy.
Turner's not familar with a lingo that really can take a simple play and make it sound more complex than it is. So if Turner comes in as the Niners new offensive caretaker, will the plays and nomenclature change?
I think Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Coach Hue Jackson would have been a better choice for the Niners needs.
But that's not going to happen, so if Turner's able to come in and rip apart the playbok look out for another long year for Alex Smith.
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