SB Nation - Joe Horn

Mike Holmgren's Greatest Managerial Achievement

John Morgan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:45:48 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

Even in red, a Seahawk.

Mike Holmgren selected Steve Hutchinson 17^th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, seven picks after selecting Koren Robinson and 23 picks before he selected Ken Lucas. If Robinson could have kept off the bottle, that would have been a hell of a start to a draft. He swapped first round picks with Green Bay for Matt Hasselbeck, drafted Heath Evans, Alex Bannister, and John David Booty's older brother, Josh.

Holmgren built the 2005 offense that weekend. He won the draft. In a draft that produced someday Hall of Fame candidates: Richard Seymour, Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Steve Hutchinson, Casey Hampton, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne and Adrian Wilson, Holmgren won. The Panthers picked Dan Morgan, Kris Jenkins and Steve Smith with their first, second and third round selections, but still Holmgren's was better. He built the unit that would lead Seattle to its first and only Super Bowl.

Well, not quite.

The Bears cut Bobby Engram August 29 and Holmgren signed him August 31. Engram signed a two-year contract that paid him less than $500,000 annually. He was the 101^st highest paid receiver in 2001.

Engram received a 60k raise his second season and took on punt return duties to compensate. He averaged 10.7 yards per return and returned one to the house. That was the season Engram became the darling of Football Outsiders metrics. Targets to Engram ranked 26^th in total value and 13^th in value per target. He was ninth and second in 2003.

Holmgren struggled to fill out a roster and his teams were notoriously thin and talent poor defensively, but man did that man know early 21^st-century offense. He squeezed maximum value from slot receivers. Engram wasn't some schlub. He won the first ever Biletnikof trophy in 1994 and still holds most of Penn State's receiving records. Unlike Deon Butler, Engram wasn't a steady four-year starter with time to burn. Joe Paterno suspended him for the entire 1992 season after he was caught burglarizing an apartment and stealing a stereo with teammate Ricky Sayles. All charges were dropped against Engram after police determined Sayles convinced Engram the two were allowed to take the stereo.

The 1996 draft class included Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eddie Kennison, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds, Terrell Owens, Muhsin Muhammad, Amani Toomer and Joe Horn. Engram was the eighth wide receiver selected, behind Johnson, Glenn, Kennison, Harrison, Moulds, Alex Van Dyke, Bryan Still and Muhammad. Engram never broke through with the Bears, struggling to receive for 38 year old Dave Krieg, Eric Kramer, Rick Mirer, Steve Stentstrom, Cade "AIDS" McNown and Shane Matthews, but he was good. Engram ended his career with Chicago with consecutive seasons of over 900 yards receiving before an ACL tear ended his 2000 season.

Holmgren didn't cash in a high pick or find a serviceable safety in the second, the kind of feats any GM can stumble into, he did that thing that separates the best general managers from the merely competent: found freely available talent and turned it into a long term asset.

Engram is a free agent after Kansas City cut him earlier this season. His time with the Chiefs was a tornado-obliterated double wide in a Rolls Royce career. Or maybe an efficient Elise is more Bobby's style. His short stop in the nation's dust mite might and probably will end Engram's fourteen-year career.

But maybe week 17, should the Tennessee Titans be out of it, Seattle can IR Patrick Kerney and sign Engram for one last perfectly-timed, Hasselbeck-to-Engram curl route for eight and the first.

Remembering Brett Bech

saints-nation — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:06:43 -0000

I stumbled upon this story on NOLA.com. Looks like former LSU Tiger and New Orlean Saint Brett Bech will be at the Superdome on Sunday, signing autographs at the Saints' Hall of Fame Museum before kickoff.

My Brett Bech anecdote: I remember Bech well from his time with the Saints. His crowning moment was a home game I attended at the end of the 1998 season against the Buffalo Bills. I was eighteen at the time and he ended that game with four catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns - including what will go down in my opinion as one of the most unreal grabs made by a Saint in history. On that play: Billy Joe Tolliver overthrew a ball in the end zone and Bech dove to haul in the touchdown pass, completely outstreched with one hand. He also scored on a 72 yard pass in that game. The Saints lost the game 45-33, but that was the best game of his career and one of the the best catches I've ever seen period. I've had a chance to watch Eric Martin and Joe Horn in their prime, and neither had a highlight reel grab like the one I saw Bech haul in on that day.

Do any of you have Brett Bech memories?

Why Doesn't The NFL Celebrate Player Celebrations?

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00:20 -0000

More photos » by Mary Altaffer - AP

Roger Goodell speaks out against the dark specter of fun in the NFL. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Browse more photos »

In my sports-watching career, there are some iconic moments that stand out that have nothing to do with the game on the field. There's the Dirty Bird, of course. There's the Ickey Shuffle. And then there's Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson's finest moment.

For those of you who don't remember, the oft-fined Johnson celebrated a touchdown in a unique way back in 2003. With snow banks dotting the field, Johnson had apparently taken the time to stash a sign beforehand, because after the score he hauled out an orange sign that read "Dear NFL, please don't fine me again!" It was a hilarious thing to watch, but you knew the outcome before it even happened. He got slapped with $10,000 in expenses for what amounted to a clever and harmless joke.

This is all too common, now.

The NFL's stern and angry taskmasters have taken the art of the celebration out of the NFL. Whether they cite safety concerns as they do for those bringing items into the stadium (cell phones and Joe Horn), showing up the opponent (Terrell Owens dancing on the Dallas Cowboys' midfield star) or anyone having any kind of fun (the Houston Texan follow up to Horn's celebration), the league has clearly taken a stand against celebrations of any kind. I guess I understand the thinking, but all I really see is the NFL depriving players of a chance to be creative and innovative in any way. I also understand that some people don't care about or completely loathe these celebrations, but I do think they're kind of a blast. Of course, the NFL itself would counter with talk of professionalism, uniformity and safety. When you have the power that league does and you're holding guys by the pay check, you can do whatever you want.

But why do we have to be uniform and bland? The league is filled with exciting, dynamic people, different people, who are being forced to wear exactly the same color socks and speak in the same bland platitudes. When players whine about that, they get slammed for being whiny, crazy millionaires. But is that what we want as fans? Does anyone like listening to Bill Belicheck drone his way through a postgame interview without once saying something insightful? Are we thrilled that not one player can tell us something that's more advanced than 110% effort and play the game the right way? Am I the only one baying at the moon about the fact that the league--and sometimes we fans--go out of our way to squash the quirky personalities in the league?

Maybe I am. But I can't help but think back to the day when Chad Johnson waved his sign defiantly at the cameras, a harmless gesture, a humorous David taking on a grim-faced Goliath. I can't help but think about the NFL's reaction to that, and a subsequent crackdown that stuffs everything outside of the huddle into a square hole. And at the end of this particular day, I can't help but believe, as I always have, that being a fan is still about having fun and enjoying the game of football.

Maybe I'm alone there, too. What do you think?

Baltimore Ravens Reportedly Contacting WR Joe Horn

Bruce Raffel — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:42:06 -0000

You can add another name to the list of wide receivers that the Baltimore Ravens' are going to take a look at this week, prior to the rookies and select veterans (which interestingly includes Willis McGahee) reporting on Monday. Former New Orleans Saints and most recently Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn (originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs) has been reportedly contacted by the Ravens regarding their looking at adding a wideout (or two) to the receiving corps. Horn, who has not played since 2007, is a 13 year NFL veteran, with over 600 receptions and 8,700 yards, with 58 touchdown catches. However, his last NFL season as a Falcon was insignificant and his last three overall showed a significant decline in production.

Here are the stats from his last four years:

Joe Horn: Age: 37; 6'1", 211 lbs.; Experience-13th season

Year Team Rec. Yards Avg. TD's

2007 Atlanta 27 243 9.0 1

2006 New Orleans 37 679 18.4 4

2005 New Orleans 49 654 13.3 1

2004 New Orleans 94 1,399 14.9 11

While he put up great numbers in the earlier years alongside his teammate on the Saints, Dante Stallworth, they had a pass-first offense even with Deuce McAllister at running back. At the same time, missing of the entire 2008 season along with his diminished production over the past few years, puts him in the same boat as D.J. Hackett and Drew Bennett. Furthermore, there is every reason to believe that the Ravens younger receivers will only improve with game exerience, while these guys are on the downward slopes, even spirals of their careers.

I'll take potential over experience, especially with ther higher risk of injury along with their poor recent numbers.

CSC All-Time Saints Team Nominations: Wide Receiver No. 2

Saintsational — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:32 -0000

Now back to our election of CSC's All-Time Saints Team. This time, we will again revisit the wide receiver position and choose the second of our two ball catchers. Click here to see the original nomination post, which includes the stats for most of our nominated players, and here to view the results of that election. Since Joe Horn was selected the first time around, I will assume that the same remaining players should be nominated. If, however, you feel someone was still left behind the first time around, this is your chance to throw them in the pool for possible selection. Those remaining players still up for election are:

Eric Martin
Danny Abramowicz
Quinn Early
Marques Colston
Wes Chandler
Donte Stallworth

For those of you who were disappointed that Eric Martin narrowly missed being elected to our all-time team this is now your chance to right that wrong. Don't blow it.

The poll will open at 6am Central tomorrow morning and will be open for exactly 48 hours, ending on Saturday, July 4th.

As always, the comment section is open for more discussion about these great players and the way things used to be.

CSC All-Time Saints Team: Defensive End No. 1

Saintsational — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:00:16 -0000

We will always remember the very talkative Joe Horn. (Photo Source)

Before we move on and start discussing the all-time great defensive ends who've worn the black and gold, let's acknowledge the first member elected to CSC's All-Time Saints Team, wide receiver Joe Horn. "Hollywood" surprisingly edged out Eric Martin in the voting this weekend but Martin lovers will still have a chance to elect him in the near future for that second receiver spot.

We're going to switch gears now and change over to the defensive side of the ball. It's time to start talking about the greatest defensive ends to ever play for the Saints.

Below is a list of players I've researched and deemed worthy of inclusion in our discussion of great Saints defensive ends. Stats for this position are scarce so decisions will inevitably come down to more than just numbers. One of two of these players, Jim Wilks in particular, were versatile and also played significant time as a tackle. They will also be included for consideration when we get to the tackle position for our all-time team.

The poll will open at 6am Central tomorrow morning and will be open for exactly 48 hours, ending on Friday, June 5tth. Remember again that we will hold a separate election for the second defensive end position.

I now open it up for discussion. If there are any other nominations or players that you just can't believe I missed, let it be known in the comment section. I would also love to hear some personal rumination from our readers who've actually watched these guys plays.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
1999	16	4.5	--
1998	16	3.0	--
1997	16	10.5	--
1996	16	11.0	--
1995	16	13.0	1
1994	16	10.0	--
1993	16	5.0	--
1992	16	15.5	--
1991	16	3.5	--
1990	11	4.0	--
1989	16	2.5	--
Total	171	82.5	1

Wayne Martin

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 275

D.O.B.: 10/26/1965

College:Arkansas

NFL Experience: 11 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1989-1999

Notables: Second most (82.5) career sacks with Saints. Fourth(15.5) and seventh(13.0) most single season sacks with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
1996	12	6.5	--
1995	15	7.0	--
1994	16	6.5	--
1993	15	13.0	1
1992	14	1.5	--
1991	16	1.0	--
1990	16	9.0	--
Total	104	44.5	1

Renaldo Turnbull

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 250

D.O.B.: 1/5/1966

College: West Virginia

NFL Experience: 8 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1990-1996

Notables:Seventh most(13.0) single season sacks with Saints. Eighth (tie) most (44.5) career sacks with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
2005	12	3.5	--
2004	13	11.0	--
2003	8	5.0	--
2002	16	8.0	--
2001	16	6.0	1
2000	16	11.0	1
Total	81	44.5	2

Darren Howard

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 260

D.O.B.: 11/19/1976

College: Kansas State

NFL Experience: 10 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 2000-2005

Notables: Eighth (tie) most (44.5) career sacks with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
1969	14	N/S	N/S
1968	11	N/S	N/S
1967	14	N/S	N/S
Total	39	N/S	N/S

Doug Atkins

Height: 6'8"

Weight: 257

D.O.B. 5/8/1930

College: Tennessee

NFL Experience: 17 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1967-1969

Notables: Elected into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
1993	8	--	--
1992	12	4.0	--
1991	16	2.0	--
1990	15	5.5	--
1989	16	4.0	--
1988	16	3.5	--
1987	12	5.5	--
1986	16	1.0	--
1985	16	2.5	--
1984	11	7.5	--
1983	16	8.0	--
1982	8	2.0	--
1981	16	--	--
Total	178	45.5	--

Jim Wilks

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 252

D.O.B.: 3/12/1958

College: San Diego State

NFL Experience: 13 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1981-1993

Notables: Seventh most career sacks (45.5) with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
2001	16	9.0	--
2000	16	12.0	--
1999	0	--	--
1998	16	7.0	--
1997	16	8.5	--
1996	13	7.5	--
1995	14	5.5	--
1994	15	1.0	--
Total	106	50.5	--

Joe Johnson

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 275

D.O.B.: 7/11/1972

College: Louisville

NFL Experience: 10 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1994-2001

Notables:Fifth most career sacks (50.5) with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Sacks	Int
1994	16	4.0	--
1993	8	1.0	--
1992	16	4.0	--
1991	16	7.0	--
1989	16	9.5	--
1988	16	1.0	--
1987	12	6.0	--
1986	16	7.5	--
1985	16	5.5	--
1984	16	4.0	--
1983	16	2.0	1
1982	9	1.0	--
1981	16	--	--
Total	189	52.5	1

Frank Warren

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 290

D.O.B.: 9/14/1959

College: Auburn

NFL Experience: 13 Seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1981-1994

Notables: Fourth most career sacks (52.5) with Saints.

CSC All-Time Saints Team: Wide Receiver No. 1

Saintsational — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:00:37 -0000

It's time now to vote for the first member to be elected to our CSC All-Time Saints team. If you missed the nomination post and introduction from yesterday you can catch it right here.

Based on suggestions made yesterday in the comments section we have added Donte Stallworth and Wes Chandler. Don't forget also that there will be a separate election for the second wide receiver spot in the near future. The polls will be open for exactly 48 hours which means they will close at 6am on Monday, June 1st. You only get one vote so make it count. You can make a difference. If you've never voted in a CSC poll to date, now is the perfect time to start. Be sure to tell everyone you know to come on over and vote as well.

As always, the comment section is open for more discussion about these great players and the way things used to be.

Poll

Who should be selected as the first wide receiver for the CSC All-Time Saints team?

Eric Martin

163 votes

Joe Horn

198 votes

Quinn Early

5 votes

Danny Abramowicz

49 votes

Marques Colston

56 votes

Donte Stallworth

5 votes

Wes Chandler

17 votes

493 votes | Poll has closed

Choosing the Canal Street Chronicles All-Time Saints Team

Saintsational — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:50 -0000

We are about to enter the deepest, darkest, most boring days of the NFL off-season when nothing significant will be happening, with the exception of minicamp, and the news will slow to a crawl. But the show must always go on here at CSC even when everyone else is taking a break. So to keep things interesting around here I have decided that we will start a fun off-season project: A community-chosen All-Time Saints team.

Most of you probably don't know how this works so allow me to give you the details. We are all going to work together and decide on the greatest players to ever play in the black and gold at each position. I will put together a post listing the most obvious player nominees for each position. At that time you guys can make your own nominations in the comment section if you feel I have left anyone out or you have a personal favorite. All nominations within reason will be accepted. Once we've agreed on all of the possible candidates, it will be put to a vote in a follow-up post at a pre-announced, scheduled time. Voting will be open for exactly 48 hours. The winner will be elected to Canal Street Chronicles' All-Time Saints team and placed on the sidebar for everyone to see. Any position that requires two players i.e. wide receiver, cornerback etc. will have separate elections.

I am somewhat of a younger Saints fans so I admittedly don't have much knowledge about the New Orleans Saints of past. Anything I have ever learned certainly never came first hand. I can't speak from experience when it comes to a lot of the players we will inevitably discuss so to be fair I am not going to offer any analysis on any players in these posts. But I am hoping a lot of you guys out there will. Our little project here should spark a lot of discussion. On top of nominating players I hope to see some of you reminiscing and story-telling in the comment section of these posts. I think this will be a great opportunity for our veteran Saints fans to teach some of our younger readers, myself included, about the days of yore.

No sense in wasting any more time. Today, we start with the wide receivers...

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Rec.	Yards.	Avg.	TD
2006	10	37	679	18.4	4
2005	13	49	654	13.3	1
2004	16	94	1399	14.9	11
2003	15	78	973	12.5	10
2002	16	88	1312	14.9	7
2001	16	83	1,265	15.2	9
2000	16	94	1,340	14.3	8
Total	102	523	7,622	14.8	50

Joe Horn

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 211

D.O.B.: 1/16/1972

College: Itawamba C.C.

NFL Experience: 13 seasons

Seasons with Saints: 2000-2006

Notables: Most career touchdowns (50) with Saints. Second most career receptions (523), receiving yards (7,622) with Saints. Second and third most receptions (94) in a season. First (1,399), second (1,340), third (1,312) and fourth (1,265) most receiving yards in a season. Second most touchdowns (11) in a season.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Rec.	Yards.	Avg.	TD
2008	11	47	760	16.2	5
2007	16	98	1,202	12.3	11
2006	14	70	1,038	14.8	8
Total	41	215	3,000	14.0	24

Marques Colston

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 225

D.O.B.: 6/5/1983

College: Hofstra

NFL Experience: 3 seasons

Seasons with Saints: 2006-2008

Notables: Most receptions in a season (98). Sixth most career receiving touchdowns (24) with Saints. Seventh most career receiving yards (3,000) with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Rec.	Yards.	Avg.	TD
1993	16	66	950	14.4	3
1992	16	68	1,041	15.3	5
1991	16	66	803	12.2	4
1990	16	63	912	14.5	5
1989	16	68	1,090	16.0	8
1988	16	85	1,083	12.7	7
1987	15	44	778	17.7	7
1986	16	37	675	18.2	5
1985	16	35	522	14.9	4
Total	143	532	7,854	14.8	48

Eric Martin

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 207

D.O.B.: 11/8/1961

College: LSU

NFL Experience: 10 seasons

Years with Saints: 1985-1993

Notables: Most career receptions (532) and career receiving yards (7,854) with Saints. Second most career touchdowns (48) with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics
Year	Games	Rec.	Yards.	Avg.	TD
1995	16	81	1,087	13.4	8
1994	16	82	894	10.9	4
1993	16	45	670	14.9	6
1992	16	30	566	18.9	5
1991	15	32	541	16.9	2
Total	79	270	3,758	15.0	25

Quinn Early

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 190

D.O.B.: 4/13/1965

College: Iowa

NFL Experience: 12 seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1991-1995

Notables: Fifth most career touchdowns (25), career receptions (270), career receiving yards (3,758) with Saints.

Saints Career Statistics

Year Games Rec. Yards. Avg. TD

1973 2 2 18 9.0 0

1972 13 38 668 17.6 7

1971 14 37 657 17.8 5

1970 14 55 906 16.5 5

1969 14 73 1,015 13.9 7

1968 14 54 890 16.5 7

1967 14 50 721 14.4 6

Total 85 309 4,875 15.1 37

Danny Abramowicz

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 195

D.O.B.: 7/13/1945

College: Xavier (Ohio)

NFL Experience: 9 seasons

Seasons with Saints: 1967-1973

Notables: Third most career receptions (309), career touchdowns (37) and receiving yards (4,875) with Saints

I now open it up for discussion about any other nominees and also encourage any personal stories. Voting will begin tomorrow morning at 6am Central.

The New 49ers OC: A Raye of Hope? (Part 2)

Florida Danny — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:00:10 -0000

This is Part 2 of my statistical look at Jimmy Raye II. Yesterday in Part 1, I evaluated Raye's previous offenses, compared his credecntials to those of the other 49er OC candidates, compared his OC performance with that of other current OCs, and compared his credentials to those of recent 49er OCs at the time that they were hired. In Part 2, I'm going to attempt a prediction for Raye's offense in 2009. Enjoy.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

From Part 1, we can draw 4 conclusions about Jimmy Raye II:

His previous offenses weren't as bad as some pundits and Chicken Littles seem to think, especially when you consider how relatively inefficient offenses were league-wide during those seasons.
He compared favorably to the other OC candidates, especially after Linehan was off the table.
He compared favorably to the more well-known OCs in recent 49er history.
His major drawback is a tendency for offenses to regress in his first year as OC.

Given these conclusions, what can we therefore expect from the Niners' offense next season (and beyond)? This is actually a multi-faceted question. In order to answer it, we need to examine how previous OCs's stats have changed after inheriting the 49ers' offensive personnel, as well as how the 49ers' stats have changed after inheriting a new OC. Below is a table addressing the first part (Hostler, Tollner, and Norv's DAL stats are omitted again; See here for an explanation of table abbreviations):

OC	TOTAL	TRK	TRKIMPYR1	WEIGHT	WRK	PASS	PRK	RUSH	RRK	VAR	VRK
Martz (Pre-SF)	4.7%	15.3	12	2.2%	16.3	14.7%	11.7	-9.9%	18.3	7.7%	19.7
Martz (SF)	-14.6%	27.0	5	-14.1%	28.0	-18.5%	29.0	-9.7%	27.0	4.6%	6.0
DIFFERENCE	-19.3%	-11.7	-7	-16.3%	-11.7	-33.2%	-17.3	0.2%	-8.7	-3.1%	13.7

Turner, N. (Pre-SF)	-2.2%	16.3	11.5	-6.2%	19.7	-2.6%	17.3	-2.5%	16.7	7.6%	19.3
Turner, N. (SF)	-7.8%	22.0	10	-7.5%	22.0	-13.9%	26.0	-2.1%	13.0	7.3%	20.0
DIFFERENCE	-5.6%	-5.7	-1.5	-1.3%	-2.3	-11.3%	-8.7	0.4%	3.7	-0.3%	-0.7

McCarthy (Pre-SF)	-2.4%	19.4	11	-2.1%	17.0	-0.7%	17.0	-4.3%	17.8	6.4%	13.8
McCarthy (SF)	-39.8%	32.0	-3	-38.3%	32.0	-63.1%	32.0	-19.8%	30.0	12.4%	29.0
DIFFERENCE	-37.4%	-12.6	-14	-36.2%	-15.0	-62.4%	-15.0	-15.5%	-12.2	6.0%	-15.2

Average (Pre-SF)	0.0%	17.0	11.5	-2.0%	17.7	3.8%	15.3	-5.6%	17.6	7.2%	17.6
Average (SF)	-20.7%	27.0	4.0	-20.0%	27.3	-31.8%	29.0	-10.5%	23.3	8.1%	18.3
DIFFERENCE	-20.7%	-10.0	-7.5	-18.0%	9.7	-35.6%	13.7	-5.0%	5.7	0.9%	0.7

This table is pretty clear. An OC's patina of previous performance washes away when they arrive in Santa Clara. Given the massive hit his résumé took during the 2005 season, it must have come as a total shock to Mike McCarthy when the Packers actually showed interest in him for their head coaching position. Check out that 62.4% drop in passing efficiency! Or how about Martz seeing one of his offenses actually rank 29^th in pass DVOA?

Obviously, Martz's precipitous passing decline was the result of monumental personnel differences between the 2008 49ers and the Greatest Show on Turf. But we shouldn't assume that personnel differences explain all of the discrepancy between pre-49ers and with-49ers OC performance. Here's why. McCarthy's QBs in NO were Jeff Blake, Jake Delhomme, and Aaron Brooks. Yes, that Aaron Brooks. Granted, these 3 were all better than Tim Rattay or a rookie Alex Smith, and Joe Horn was better than Brandon Lloyd, but 62.4% better??? I don't know about that. Also, Norv inherited much the same offense that McCarthy understandably abandoned, but his résumé didn't take nearly as big of a hit in 2006.

Nevertheless, I can't ignore the fact that personnel matters, and therefore, that the 49ers' offensive personnel has had a negative impact on its OCs' career DVOA stats. Now, let's examine the second part of the question: What kind of impact have post-Mooch OCs had on the 49ers' offensive performance. Here are the relevant stats, which I've broken into two tables for the sake of readability:

OC	YEAR	TOTAL	TRK	TRKIMP	WEIGHT	WRK	WRKIMP	VAR	VRK	VRKIMP
Martz	2008	-14.6%	27	5	-14.1%	28	4	4.6%	6	19
Hostler	2007	-30.5%	32	-10	-27.4%	32	-10	9.1%	25	-5
Turner, N.	2006	-7.8%	22	10	-7.5%	22	10	7.3%	20	9
McCarthy	2005	-39.8%	32	-3	-38.3%	32	-1	12.4%	29	-13
Tollner	2004	-22.8%	29	-20	-25.2%	31	-23	6.6%	16	14
AVERAGE		-23.1%	28.4	-3.6	-22.5%	29.0	-4.0	8.0%	19.2	4.8

OC	YEAR	PASS	PRK	PRKIMP	RUSH	RRK	RRKIMP
Martz	2008	-18.5%	29	3	-9.7%	27	-2
Hostler	2007	-43.9%	32	-6	-11.1%	25	-12
Turner, N.	2006	-13.9%	26	6	-2.1%	13	17
McCarthy	2005	-63.1%	32	-4	-19.8%	30	2
Tollner	2004	-21.3%	28	-21	-24.6%	32	-24
AVERAGE		-32.1%	29.4	-4.4	-13.5%	25.4	-3.8

OK, a little bit of a tangent first. This table should effectively end any debate about whether or not Mike Martz should have been retained. The guy's 49er offense had a worse rush DVOA ranking than Jim Hostler's!!! Oh, and those Martz-Norv comparisons? Norv produced a better rushing offense and a better passing offense. In fact, the only aspect of 49er offensive DVOA that Martz improved turns out to be week-to-week, or should I say "weak-to-weak," consistency. In other words, Martz's 49er offense was consistent...consistently inefficient. Now, back to the main event...

Looking at all of the columns with "IMP" in the heading, we can see that Norv Turner was the only recent 49er OC to produce any meaningful improvement in the 49ers' offensive DVOA rankings. In light of the 2005 disaster that preceded him, these improvements are all the more impressive (e.g., the +50% change in passing DVOA). Norv's success is relevant in the current context because, as has been described elsewhere, Turner and Raye are both disciples of the 3-digit "Air Coryell" system. Indeed, their careers dovetailed in LA and WAS, and rendezvoused in OAK when Raye was Turner's OC.

BOTTOM LINE

Because Norv's success in 2006 suggests that a run-oriented, 3-digit offense best matches the 49ers' personnel, a return to this system under Raye bodes well for the 49ers' offense in 2009. How well exactly is hard to tell, especially without knowing (a) who the starting QB is, (b) who the 49ers add in free agency, (c) who they draft, and (d) how far along Jason Hill and Josh Morgan are in their path to elite WR status. Nevertheless, based on what I've presented in this article, and barring any major personnel changes and/or injuries, I'd conservatively estimate that the 49ers' offensive DVOAs will look something like -10% overall, -5% running, and -15% passing. That's not great, but it would qualify as the 2^nd best offense the 49ers have had since the revolving door swung open for the first time. How's that for a Raye of hope!

**DVOA statistics used to produce this article were obtained from Football Outsiders.

Poll

How good do you think Jimmy Raye's 49er offense is going to be?

Better than Norv's

57 votes

As good as Norv's

79 votes

Worse than Norv's, but better than Martz's

86 votes

As good as Martz's

18 votes

As vomit-inducingly bad as Hostler's and McCarthy's

54 votes

294 votes | Poll has closed

Rams looking for veteran receivers

VanRam — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:58:59 -0000

UPDATE: The Rams will sign Eddie Kennison and release David Vobora by the end of the day, according to PD's Jim Thomas.

With Bennett out, the Rams will take a close look at veteran free agents still floating around on the open market.

Possibilities include former Rams and long-time Chief Eddie Kennison. The biggest advantage the 35-year-old Kennison brings is his familiarity with Al Saunders' offense. Kennison suffered a hamstring injury in his first game last season, and watched his career descend into oblivion before being released by the Chiefs this year. The PD story linked here cites team sources who say that Kennison will visit Rams Park today, most likely taking a physical.

Other veteran free agent receiver possibilities include Joe Horn, 36, and Keenan McCardell, 38(!). McCardell played for Saunders in Washington last season. The Seahawks are desperate for receiving help too.

While I do understand the Rams need for a veteran to round out their depth at WR, I remain convinced that the best option for the Rams is to throw Keenan Burton into the fire right away. He was a better option than Bennett from the start, showing a better grasp of the playbook than Bennett and better rhythm with Bulger through the preseason. More importantly, as I said this morning, Burton's young and hungry, eager to cement his place in the NFL. That would give the Rams something they desperately lacked this weekend, players with a little fire in the belly.

Poll

Should the Rams elevate Keenan Burton to a more prominent role in Bennett's absence?

Yes.

120 votes

No.

7 votes

127 votes | Poll has closed

SB Nation - Joe Horn

Mike Holmgren's Greatest Managerial Achievement

Remembering Brett Bech

Why Doesn't The NFL Celebrate Player Celebrations?

Baltimore Ravens Reportedly Contacting WR Joe Horn

CSC All-Time Saints Team Nominations: Wide Receiver No. 2

CSC All-Time Saints Team: Defensive End No. 1

Renaldo Turnbull

Darren Howard

Doug Atkins

Jim Wilks

Joe Johnson

Frank Warren

CSC All-Time Saints Team: Wide Receiver No. 1

Who should be selected as the first wide receiver for the CSC All-Time Saints team?

Eric Martin

Joe Horn

Quinn Early

Danny Abramowicz

Marques Colston

Donte Stallworth

Wes Chandler

Choosing the Canal Street Chronicles All-Time Saints Team

Joe Horn

Marques Colston

Eric Martin

Quinn Early

Saints Career Statistics Year Games Rec. Yards. Avg. TD 1973 2 2 18 9.0 0 1972 13 38 668 17.6 7 1971 14 37 657 17.8 5 1970 14 55 906 16.5 5 1969 14 73 1,015 13.9 7 1968 14 54 890 16.5 7 1967 14 50 721 14.4 6 Total 85 309 4,875 15.1 37

Danny Abramowicz

The New 49ers OC: A Raye of Hope? (Part 2)

How good do you think Jimmy Raye's 49er offense is going to be?

Better than Norv's

As good as Norv's

Worse than Norv's, but better than Martz's

As good as Martz's

As vomit-inducingly bad as Hostler's and McCarthy's

Rams looking for veteran receivers

Should the Rams elevate Keenan Burton to a more prominent role in Bennett's absence?

Yes.

No.

Saints Career Statistics

Year Games Rec. Yards. Avg. TD

1973 2 2 18 9.0 0

1972 13 38 668 17.6 7

1971 14 37 657 17.8 5

1970 14 55 906 16.5 5

1969 14 73 1,015 13.9 7

1968 14 54 890 16.5 7

1967 14 50 721 14.4 6

Total 85 309 4,875 15.1 37