Why an irate Norv Turner could be the New York Jets next offensive coordinator
In a very odd move yesterday, the Browns elected to retain the entire coaching staff in place in Cleveland, except for the head coach.
That means big name coordinators like Norv Turner and Ray Horton are still there, and actually, reporting to the facility today. It's a little awkward, especially for Turner.
Following Chudzinski's firing, many Browns players publicly voiced their displeasure with not only the decision, but the direction of the organization. The players weren't alone though, as FoxSport's Mike Garafolo reported that offensive coordinator Turner went after Browns ownership, irate over the firing of Chudzinski.
Many are saying, "Same Old Browns", and the controversial decision to let go of a coach after just one year, may have cost them their offensive coordinator as well. When head coaches are fired, you would think that most of their staff would normally be gone when a new coach comes in anyway. However, with Turner being so angered over the decision and confronting ownership about it, his fate is almost certainly sealed.
So, where will Turner end up as offensive coordinator?
One destination he was rumored to go last off-season was the New York Jets. At least, head coach Rex Ryan had interest in bringing him in.
The Jets have maybe been one of the most impressive middling teams in the NFL, well, aside from last season.
They have still always had a respectable defense and for the most part have at least stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot into December. Ryan has always been that defensive guru, and a lot of his attention seems to go to that side of the ball. He certainly has the respect of the team too, as this year may have been his finest coaching year yet given the dearth of talent he had to work with. The Jets still finished at 8-8 and Jets players acted like they won the Super Bowl when Woody Johnson told them in the locker room that Ryan would be staying on as head coach.
The achilles heel of Ryan's teams have always been the offense though. Certainly, he hasn't had the quarterbacks to work with. From Mark Sancehz to Geno Smith, Jets main starting quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in Ryan's tenure. Seriously, between Mark Sanchez (68 TDs, 69 INTs) and Geno Smith (12 TDs and 21 INTS) the Jets have thrown 80 touchdowns and 90 interceptions.
So, bringing in a keen offensive mind like Norv Turner could certainly help turn things around in New York.
Sure Ryan and Turner have had one public war of words before. When Turner was head coach of the Chargers, Rex once said that the chargers would have a couple Super Bowl rings if they had hired him in 2007 over Turner, given the talent on the Chargers' rosters. In kind, Turner replied:
ProFootballTalk:
Touche, Rex.
So, assuming they have gotten over that squaffle, a marriage between the two could actually make sense. The Jets have not yet really had a competent offensive coach running their offense, and Ryan certainly has shown he hasn't been able to fix the year in year out problem.
Turner isn't a miracle maker, and the Jets will still need to surround their quarterback with better talent than Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson. Still, the lowly Browns were actually 11th in the league in passing yards while shuffling between Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell and Brandon Weedon at quarterback. The Jets meanwhile have huddled around as high as 21st and as low as 31st in the league in passing yards in Ryan's tenure.
The team has been close to knocking on the door a times, and a little offensive push just might be what they need to finally back up Ryan's trash talk.
Could Norv Turner be willing to come along for the ride?
That means big name coordinators like Norv Turner and Ray Horton are still there, and actually, reporting to the facility today. It's a little awkward, especially for Turner.
Following Chudzinski's firing, many Browns players publicly voiced their displeasure with not only the decision, but the direction of the organization. The players weren't alone though, as FoxSport's Mike Garafolo reported that offensive coordinator Turner went after Browns ownership, irate over the firing of Chudzinski.
Many are saying, "Same Old Browns", and the controversial decision to let go of a coach after just one year, may have cost them their offensive coordinator as well. When head coaches are fired, you would think that most of their staff would normally be gone when a new coach comes in anyway. However, with Turner being so angered over the decision and confronting ownership about it, his fate is almost certainly sealed.
Sounds like Norv Turner will very likely be out of Cleveland no matter what. Very likely they hire a playcaller like McDaniels or Gase
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 30, 2013
So, where will Turner end up as offensive coordinator?
One destination he was rumored to go last off-season was the New York Jets. At least, head coach Rex Ryan had interest in bringing him in.
The Jets have maybe been one of the most impressive middling teams in the NFL, well, aside from last season.
They have still always had a respectable defense and for the most part have at least stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot into December. Ryan has always been that defensive guru, and a lot of his attention seems to go to that side of the ball. He certainly has the respect of the team too, as this year may have been his finest coaching year yet given the dearth of talent he had to work with. The Jets still finished at 8-8 and Jets players acted like they won the Super Bowl when Woody Johnson told them in the locker room that Ryan would be staying on as head coach.
The achilles heel of Ryan's teams have always been the offense though. Certainly, he hasn't had the quarterbacks to work with. From Mark Sancehz to Geno Smith, Jets main starting quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in Ryan's tenure. Seriously, between Mark Sanchez (68 TDs, 69 INTs) and Geno Smith (12 TDs and 21 INTS) the Jets have thrown 80 touchdowns and 90 interceptions.
So, bringing in a keen offensive mind like Norv Turner could certainly help turn things around in New York.
Sure Ryan and Turner have had one public war of words before. When Turner was head coach of the Chargers, Rex once said that the chargers would have a couple Super Bowl rings if they had hired him in 2007 over Turner, given the talent on the Chargers' rosters. In kind, Turner replied:
ProFootballTalk:
“I hadn’t seen his quote and I was a little bit surprised by the call,” Turner said. “And then after I saw the quote, I didn’t have a chance to ask him this, but I was wondering if he had those rings with the ones he’s guaranteed the last couple of years.”
Touche, Rex.
So, assuming they have gotten over that squaffle, a marriage between the two could actually make sense. The Jets have not yet really had a competent offensive coach running their offense, and Ryan certainly has shown he hasn't been able to fix the year in year out problem.
Turner isn't a miracle maker, and the Jets will still need to surround their quarterback with better talent than Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson. Still, the lowly Browns were actually 11th in the league in passing yards while shuffling between Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell and Brandon Weedon at quarterback. The Jets meanwhile have huddled around as high as 21st and as low as 31st in the league in passing yards in Ryan's tenure.
The team has been close to knocking on the door a times, and a little offensive push just might be what they need to finally back up Ryan's trash talk.
Could Norv Turner be willing to come along for the ride?
