Tag: Matt Cavanaugh

Which Washington offensive coordinators do you recall?

Looking back at some of Washington’s previous offensive coordinators. It’s a pretty good list.

As a little kid following the team as closely as I could, I recall hearing for the first time of an offensive coordinator. George Allen was a defensive-minded head coach for Washington, but I was learning they had this coach in charge of the offense (to some degree), and he was Ted Marchibroda (1971-74).

I learned in just a few years that Marchibroda really knew offense when as head coach of the Colts, his teams were exciting on offense, winning the AFC East. I began hearing how Allen had actually been too conservative, handcuffing Marchibroda.

Charlie Waller (1975-77) was the next Washington offensive coordinator. I naturally thought he must be great. Until a couple of years later and I heard Joe Theismann praising then-offensive coordinator Joe Walton (1978-80) for being his most organized ever, coordinating the quarterback pass drops with the timing of the offense.

I was a teenager (didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did) but have always remembered this Theismann comment because it struck me, causing me to wonder what Waller had been doing with the offense the previous seasons.

When Joe Gibbs was the head coach, Joe Bugel (1981-89) was listed as the offensive coordinator, but it was Coach Joe always calling the plays. Steve Spurrier didn’t have an OC, either. That time it didn’t work out so well.

When Coach Joe came out of retirement, he determined he needed not one but both Al Saunders (2006-07) and Don Breaux (2004-07) as his offensive coordinators.

Sherman Smith (2008-09), Kyle Shanahan (2010-13), Sean McVay (2014-16), Matt Cavanaugh (2017-18), and Kevin O’Connell (2019) all brought their own backgrounds and philosophies to the role.

Frankly, I don’t know what type of OC Scott Turner (2020-22) was. I heard all of the complaining about the play-calling this season. But I do know this. When I watched the All-22 viewpoint, I often saw guys schemed open and Washington quarterbacks not getting the ball to them.

Yes, it is important whom they hire, but in 2023 they are going to NEED better offensive line play and better quarterback play.

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Robert Saleh won’t be only Jets coach to miss Jaguars games

With Robert Saleh and Rob Calabrese absent, the Jets’ coaching staff will be short-handed against the Jaguars.

Robert Saleh will miss the Jets’ game against the Jaguars this Sunday.

This is what Saleh prepared for, but his Week 16 absence was confirmed by New York on Saturday after the coach tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. Saleh did not clear protocols in time for the game, which means head-coaching responsibilities will be left to tight ends coach Ron Middleton.

Saleh won’t be the only Jets coach missing on the sideline. The team also announced that QB coach Rob Calabrese will not be at the game. His responsibilities will be left to Matt Cavanaugh.

Additionally, the Jets placed practice squad defensive end Jabari Zuniga on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

With so many players already on the list and the Jets lacking depth at multiple positions, New York also made six practice squad elevations: TE Dan Brown, WR DJ Montgomery, OL Isaiah Williams, DE Ronnie Blair, LB LaRoy Reynolds and S Elijah Benton.

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Jets WR Corey Davis downgraded, while Matt Cavanaugh won’t coach vs. Texans

Jets WR Corey Davis is now doubtful vs. the Texans, while Matt Cavanaugh won’t coach due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Jets have downgraded WR Corey Davis prior to Sunday’s game against the Texans.

Robert Saleh initially believed Davis (groin) would suit up in Week 12, but his status has been changed from questionable to doubtful. That means Zach Wilson likely won’t have his No. 1 receiver in his return to the starting lineup.

Wilson will also be without senior offensive assistant Matt Cavanaugh. He won’t coach Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols. Cavanaugh’s absence could mean expanded roles for coaches John Beck and Rob Calabrese on the sidelines, as Wilson won’t have OC Mike LaFleur by his side. LaFleur will continue calling plays from the booth.

Folorunso Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers, Shaq Lawson, C.J. Mosley and Nathan Shepherd are all questionable. Michael Carter is out, as expected, after the running back injured his ankle in Week 11.

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4 things to know about Jets assistant Matt Cavanaugh

Get to know Matt Cavanaugh, who is on his second stint cpaching the Jets.

The Jets added a familiar face to their coaching staff to cap the offseason, as Robert Saleh hired Matt Cavanaugh as a senior offensive assistant.

Cavanaugh worked under Rex Ryan from 2009-12, helping New York reach consecutive AFC title games with his work as quarterbacks coach. Cavanaugh won’t have a primary role on Saleh’s coaching staff, but he brings a wealth of experience back to One Jets Drive and will aid Zach Wilson’s development as a rookie.

Here are a few things to know about Cavanaugh and a look at his past work.

Jets hire Matt Cavanaugh as a senior offensive assistant

Matt Cavanaugh most recently coached in Washington in the Shanahan-style offense, but he also has a connection to the Jets and Mark Sanchez.

The Jets hired longtime NFL assistant Matt Cavanaugh, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello.

Cavanaugh fills the vacancy left by the tragic passing of Gregg Knapp, who died last month after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle.

This is not Cavanaugh’s first stint with the Jets. He previously served as the quarterbacks coach during the Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez years from 2009-2012.

Cavanaugh is acquainted with the Shanahan-style offense. He coached quarterbacks with Washington under offensive coordinator Sean McVay from 2015-2016 (after Kyle Shanahan left to run the Falcons offense), then took over as offensive coordinator from 2017-2018. He most recently served as a senior offensive assistant under Jay Gruden in 2019.

It’s unclear exactly what Cavanaugh’s role on the team will be, but he’ll undoubtedly help with Zach Wilson’s development and should join the team next week after clearing COVID-19 protocols.

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