I hope the Vikings approve Kirby Wilson's move to the Browns to become their...running game coordinator.
Wilson's running backs have been productive throughout his career, and he's adapted to a number of different coaches and schemes.
Kirby really made his bones last season when, after the Vikings' first game, Adrian Peterson was suspended for the rest of the season.
Matt Asiata and Derrick McKinnon were elevated from the practice squad, and (oh yeah) the Vikings lost their two best run-blocking offensive linemen.
Wilson got creative, and had the Vikings offense ranked about in the middle in rushing. The Vikings also handed off to wide receivers and tight ends unusually often, getting most of their big plays that way.
Kirby Wilson was a candidate for some offensive coordinator positions. It didn't work out, but I guess Hue Jackson likes him a lot, because it looks like Sashi and Paul created a position for him.
Running game coordinator? I don't know what that means yet, but with these guys, I don't believe it's just another way to say "running backs coach".
Possibly, he will determine the run-blocking scheme, as well.
Possibly, this could signal Paul DePodesta's first structural change. The Browns may now be looking for a Passing game coordinator instead of an offensive coordinator (even if he's still called an offensive coordinator).
This is part of what DePodesta does: Changes outdated management systems. He's an "idea man" in several industries. He's not simply here to crunch numbers, and the new offensive coaching position might be the start of that here.
If so, it's a very interesting change. One guy for the run, another for the pass. Why not? It seems to make more sense than one individual in charge of both, and a bunch of position coaches and assistants.
There's no confusion or conflict. The blocking schemes don't overlap. Nothing overlaps (much). It might work better!
Wilson is analytical. He talks at length about "efficiency" being far more important than yards per carry.
What he means by that is how often the back accomplishes the mission at hand: If it's third and two, does he get the first down?
Kirby will tell you, some running backs never get the credit they deserve, because their roles have them constantly facing stacked fronts in short yardage. They get their first downs, but it's often good for one to three yards. To the public, they look like duds, but they might be 75% efficient, whereas the apparently better running back might fail 60% of the time in the same situations.
Makes sense. Especially for the Browns, who last season failed to convert most of their third and shorts (and short touchdowns).
To be clear, Kirby Wilson will also handle the running backs as receivers--he's historically very good at that. If I'm wildly guessing right about the possible new DePodestian coaching structure, there could be some overlap with the passing guy when the backs line up in the slot.
I sure hope the Browns get this guy.
Now, the Browns had some blocked field goals last season, and Chris Tabor became public enemy number one.
Tabor is widely respected throughout the NFL, and hasn't suddenly started taking stupid pills. You are overreacting to one blip in a great career.
He's the guy that helps get those long punt and kick returns, and runs those very good coverage units. You don't kick a coach like this to the curb because of three blocked field goals, even if one of them was returned for a touchdown.
Anyway, you can try to blame him for the block, but for the touchdown? Really?
Two factors were involved in the blocks: First, an individual blocker (Cam Erving on two of them) got driven back too far. Second, the kicker kicks long field goals at too low a trajectory.
Tabor used the tools he had. If you bash him for using Erving instead of somebody else, then bash Flip for starting Erving twice at left guard. If you bash him for the low kicks, you've got to be kidding if you think a kicker can alter his mechanics in the middle of a season.
Retaining Chris Tabor wasn't dumb at all. Deal with it.
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