Tag: Jim Bob Cooter

Highlights from Colts’ OC Jim Bob Cooter’s training camp press conference

Following the Colts’ second training camp practice on Saturday, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter spoke with the media. Here are the highlights.

Following the Colts’ second training camp practice on Saturday, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter spoke with the media.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights from that conversation. To watch the full interview, click here.

– “I’m excited. It’s an exciting group,” said Cooter about the offense.

– Cooter on the tight end group: He mentions that it’s an interesting group in part because of the variety of skill sets they have at this position. However, he doesn’t want to pigeonhole players into a certain role this early on in the process, so they’re putting the entire room into different situations.

– Cooter on Jelani Woods: “We’re excited to watch Jelani.” While the passing game is where Woods can make a big impact, as already mentioned, the coaching staff is going to ask him to fill a variety of roles this summer to see how he performs. They’ve watched his tape from his rookie year, but the coaching staff will really learn more about him as they see how he performs and executes in these live practices.

– Cooter on Josh Downs: “Josh is a really smart player.” Cooter notes the big jump that comes for many players in the second season and that Downs is going to make the most of that from a route running perspective and defensive recognition. “Josh is primed and ready to have a big camp.”

– Cooter was asked if how they integrated Downs into the offense last year they’ll do the same with AD Mitchell, and Cooter said that every player is different and you’ve got to be careful just copying and pasting. “We’re excited about AD and let him get a bunch of reps in a bunch of different situations.”

– What has impressed Cooter the most about Richardson: Cooter again notes the jump from Year 1 to Year 2 and after spending last year learning, Cooter says it’s been great to watch Richardson orchestrating and leading the walkthroughs that they do each day. “He is just running the show. Communicating with his guys, bringing motions, breaking the huddle on time, all that stuff that we do at the quarterback position. It’s been really, really cool.”

Highlights from Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter’s offseason program media availability

Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter spoke with the media on Wednesday. In case you missed it, here are the highlights from it.

On Wednesday, Colts’ offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter met with reporters for his offseason media availability. Cooter discussed a variety of topics, including Anthony Richardson, Adonai Mitchell, and Josh Downs.

In case you missed it, here arethe highlights from what Cooter had to say. To watch the full press conference, click here.

– Cooter starts by saying that it’s been good to get rolling with Anthony Richardson back on the field during this portion of offseason programs. He adds that Richardson’s energy has been good.

– Adonai Mitchell is “dynamic.” He gets open and does so against a variety of coverages. He was put in positions to win one-on-ones, and he won a bunch of them. A great ability to separate, run a number of different routes, and make a lot of big plays.

– In route running, being able to change direction at the top of the route is key and that is a different trait to have than just pure speed. Mitchell has “shown the propensity to do some of that.” Cooter adds that Mitchell’s got some cool things he’s put on tape.

– Cooter talks about how nice it is to have continuity both on the roster and with the coaching staff. It allows them to really hone in on refining the details rather than installing a new offense like last offseason.

– With Josh Downs entering Year 2, Cooter says that the better the slot receiver, in particular, can understand where his teammates are supposed to be and how the defense is defending them, the more he will be able to attack the open parts of the field, knowing where those soft spots are going to be.

– Richardson had a year with a lot of “exciting plays,” said Cooter when what he saw on film from him as a thrower. Richardson can stress the defense in a lot of ways with his ability to get the ball to all parts of the field. Not every throw is going to be an “A+,” says Cooter. There’s technique that they are refining. He learned a lot that first year.

– Richardson has done a great job of diving into the offense in Year 2. Cooter adds that he has a great feel for the game. He references a play last season where he was able to find Downs in an open part of the field because the defense forgot about him. Cooter says that they didn’t teach or draw it up  that way, but Richardson just knew.

– Mitchell and Alec Pierce have different strengths but ways to complement each other as well. Each of the receivers will have the opportunity to compete and they’ll do what’s best for the Colts.

– Cooter spent a lot of time with Mitchell at the Texas Pro Day. Mitchell was really into it. Very impressive on the field and Cooter spent some time with him in the meeting room going over film with Mitchell breaking down his decision-making on specific plays. “We left there thinking highly of him.”

– You hear about key stats like turnovers, but generating explosive plays is right up there, says Cooter. Explosive plays lead to points. The Colts’ big play ability starts in the backfield with Richardson and Jonathan Taylor.

Colts’ Jim Bob Cooter attended Washington pro day

Jim Bob Cooter was on hand for Washington’s pro day.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was in attendance at the University of Washington’s pro day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

The biggest draw for the Huskies throughout the pre-draft process has been southpaw quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

With Anthony Richardson on the mend, it’s unlikely Cooter was there to solely scout Penix Jr., especially with some of the talent at other positions. Still, he was one of several offensive coordinators to be in attendance.

The other prospect who would intrigue the Colts the most is wide receiver Rome Odunze. He checks every box the Colts would want in a wide receiver even though it’s unlikely he will be available when Indy is on the board.

Other Washington prospects who might intrigue the Colts include wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu. The latter of the three is expected to go in the first round, and the Colts don’t have a need to add a starting offensive tackle.

The Colts have been making their way across the country going to pro days and workouts with less than a month to go until the NFL draft, and this likely won’t be the last time we get a nugget like this.

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Jaguars seemingly eliminate passing game coordinator position

At least for now, it seems there will be one less coach in Trevor Lawrence’s ear next season.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars rounded out their coaching staff with a flurry of additions Thursday, it was mostly defensive coaches hired.

Ryan Nielsen filled the void left by the firing of Mike Caldwell as defensive coordinator, and several assistants who were colleagues of Nielsen’s in Atlanta or New Orleans followed him on to the staff.

Interestingly, one position that wasn’t filled was a spot on the offensive staff. At least for now, the Jaguars’ passing game coordinator role sits vacant.

In 2022, it was Jim Bob Cooter who held the title until he left to become the offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. Nick Holz took over the position in 2023, but that only lasted one season before he became offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.

It’s certainly possible that another hire will happen to round out the staff, but it seems more likely that the coaches will get to work without a replacement for Holz.

The Jaguars passing game wasn’t exactly a smooth operation during the 2023 season. Third-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw 14 interceptions — a jump from his eight picks in 2022 — and he was sacked a career-high 35 times. Still, the team finished ninth in passing yards.

Perhaps Doug Pederson feels there were simply too many cooks in the kitchen. Between Pederson, offensive coordinator Press Taylor, and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy, and assistant quarterbacks coach Andrew Breiner, there are already a handful of coaches in Lawrence’s ear. While the head coach felt a pass game coordinator was necessary the last couple years, the team’s sloppy performance in 2023 may have changed his mind.

Jacksonville needs a much sharper fourth season out of Lawrence, and it looks like it’ll be a smaller coaching staff tasked with helping him accomplish that.

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Report: Colts’ Jim Bob Cooter not a top candidate for Eagles OC role

Jim Bob Cooter is reportedly not among the top candidates for Eagles OC.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordiantor Jim Bob Cooter is expected to remain in his role with the team as he reportedly is not a top option to fill the vacancy the Philadelphia Eagles have in the same role.

Though Cooter was mentioned as a possibility to fill the role following the firing of Brian Johnson, a report from Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer suggests he’s not high on the list.

With that, it’s likely the Colts coaching staff will remain mostly intact. This is especially true after general manager Chris Ballard shot down the idea of parting ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley this offseason.

While the coaching staff will be intact, there will be plenty of eyes monitoring the Las Vegas Raiders general manager search, which includes Ed Dodds as one of the finalists.

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Moving on from Pete Carmichael is just part of the Saints’ path forward

Moving on from Pete Carmichael is just part of the Saints’ path forward. Finding the right offensive coordinator is the most important decision of Dennis Allen’s career:

It wasn’t an easy decision, but the New Orleans Saints did it: they fired longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael on Tuesday, cutting off one of the last remaining pieces of their Super Bowl XLIV-winning team.

Now what?

Moving on from Carmichael isn’t enough. The Saints must replace him with a play caller who brings something new to the table: an upgrade, not a lateral move. By parting ways with Carmichael (and assistant coaches like Kodi Burns and Bob Bicknell) they’re signaling that it was Carmichael holding back the offense for the first three months, not quarterback Derek Carr.

So finding an offensive coordinator who can get more out of Carr while improving the run game is going to be key. Maybe that’s someone already on staff like passing game coordinator Ronald Curry. Maybe it’s someone who has worked with Carr before, like Jon Gruden. Or maybe an entirely fresh perspective could be the answer. There are assistant coaches on the rise around the league like San Francisco 49ers passing game specialist Klint Kubiak and Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson who could be in demand.

At the same time, Allen has tried and failed to recruit upgrades in each of his first two years on the job. He could be in a similar tough spot again this year with candidates looking elsewhere for better opportunities. If that’s the case, Allen might have to settle for a retread like Ken Dorsey (ex-Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator) or Jim Bob Cooter (the Indianapolis Colts’ OC, who defers play calling to head coach Shane Steichen). This is the most important hire Allen will make in his three-year run as head coach.

If Allen misfires and the Saints miss the playoffs yet again in 2024, that has to be the end of the line. That must be what’s at stake here: playoffs or bust. Another average-at-best showing from the offense and near-.500 record can’t be good enough. Not when the Saints marketed Allen’s own hiring two years ago as a move that would keep them competitive in the playoffs. After hiring his own coaches and drafting his own players and getting his own quarterback, Allen won’t have any excuses or anyone else to blame if he can’t guide this team to the postseason next year.

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Colts vs. Titans: Keys to victory in Week 5

Here’s how the Colts can beat the Titans in Week 5.

The Indianapolis Colts continue their homestand in Week 5 with an AFC South rivalry game against the Tennessee Titans.

The division is currently a very contested race. All four teams hold the same record entering this week and need a win to continue their push for the South’s best. The Colts, in particular, are looking to right the wrongs of several games past and break a five-game losing streak against Tennessee.

Here are the keys to victory for overcoming the prowess of the Titans:

 

Colts vs. Texans: Keys to victory in Week 2

Here’s how the Colts can pull off a win over the Texans in Week 2.

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2023 season, where the Indianapolis Colts play at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans.

It’s a new era for the organization with many new faces, including head coach Shane Steichen and franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson. The team is anxious to get rolling, but wins will not come easy for a roster that has also been revamped and missing one of its most dynamic players.

Here are the keys to victory for taking down the Texans:

Jim Bob Cooter returns to former team in 2023

Former Tennessee quarterback Jim Bob Cooter returns to former team in 2023.

Former Tennessee quarterback Jim Bob Cooter has returned to his former team.

Cooter is serving as offensive coordinator for Indianapolis under head coach Shane Steichen in 2023.

He played for the Vols in 2006 under head coach Phillip Fulmer before serving as a graduate assistant from 2007-08.

Cooter launched his NFL coaching career with the Colts as an offensive assistant from 2009-11. He was then an offensive quality control coach at Kansas City in 2012 before becoming an offensive assistant with Denver in 2013.

Cooter coached at Detroit from 2014-18, serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

The former Vol was the Jets‘ running backs coach from 2019-20 before serving as a consultant at Philadelphia in 2021. He was passing game coordinator at Jacksonville in 2022.

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

Ben Johnson tops PFF list of offensive coordinators

Lions OC Ben Johnson tops PFF list of offensive coordinators after his 1st year on the job

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Ben Johnson has only been the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator for one full season, but he’s already proven exceptional on the job. Building an offense around QB Jared Goff and what the quarterback does well, creatively aggressive playcalling, and engineering smartly conceived drives and play designs have all earned Johnson considerable acclaim and potential head coaching gigs.

His fantastic first season on the job has also earned Johnson the top offensive coordinator ranking from PFF and analyst Sam Monson. Johnson is No. 1, followed by former Lions quarterback Kellen Moore, now with the Chargers after building his strong reputation in Dallas.

Of note, the No. 9 man on the list is former Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter. He is taking over the position in Indianapolis after being the passing game coordinator for the Jaguars in 2022.