Tag: shane waldron

Ranking the NFL’s top-5 head coaching candidates, Week 3: Hello, Lions’ Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson leads this superb list as potentially the NFL’s next great head coach.

At any given moment, maybe a third of the NFL’s franchises know what they’re doing. Even that feels charitable.

The league may promote parity, but we consistently see the same good teams standing at the finish line at season’s end anyway. It usually all starts with coaching. When Black Monday comes around — an unofficial “holiday” surrounding coaches losing their jobs — fans rejoice at an opportunity for their mediocre team to clean the slate and start over. And they look ahead to a promising group of coaches, who might be able to pull their franchise out of the also-rans’ muck.

Sometimes, they get lucky. How do you think the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins feel about their respective home runs, Sean McVay and the always-entertaining Mike McDaniel? What about Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers? I’d be positively boasting about how far ahead of the competition my organization’s head coach is every single day.

Sometimes, they’re not so lucky. How do you think the Detroit Lions felt when they hired the bumbling Matt Patricia? I can’t imagine the Cincinnati Bengals love Zac Taylor being a passenger for one of the league’s purported top teams on paper. Finding a good NFL coach is almost as important as finding a good quarterback.

And if you make a mistake with either, they’re equally as challenging to recover from.

In the first installation of this For The Win 2023 series, I’m taking a look at current non-head coaches who are distinguishing themselves as top candidates. After two weeks, here are the folks who are proving they deserve a chance to run their own show.

Geno Smith says the Rams ‘wanted it more’ in today’s game

If Smith is right, then this loss is the best thing that could possibly have happened to the Seahawks.

The Seahawks were supposed to come in and dominate the Rams today – and they played like that’s just what they were expecting to do. As a result, the home team got put on their rear end in the second half of Sunday’s embarrassing home loss to LA.

After it was over, starting quarterback Geno Smith admitted that it looked like the Rams simply wanted it more.

If Smith is right, then this loss is the best thing that could possibly have happened to the Seahawks. While it does put them in jeopardy of the dreaded 0-2 start heading into a tough game against the Lions, the lesson that they can’t take any team lightly is more valuable. We know this is a very talented and young team – if they take that message to heart then they’ll be better for it.

As for Smith’s performance, there wasn’t much he could do after both left tackle Charles Cross and right tackle Abe Lucas left the game with their respective injuries. He’s doing the right thing by taking the blame, but if any one person on this side is most responsible it’s offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who called an atrocious game.

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Watch: Seahawks OC Shane Waldron talks continuity on offense

Waldron is entering his third year on the job, and expectations have never been higher for Seattle’s offense

Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is one of several key underrated pieces for this team’s outlook in 2023. Waldron is entering his third year on the job, and expectations have never been higher for Seattle’s offense in the Pete Carroll era. One reason why is the Seahawks have some good continuity going with their personnel.

Watch Waldron talk about it with the media after practice yesterday.

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Seahawks prepare for struggling Rams defense in Week 1

The real question will be if Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has an answer for Geno Smith and the Seattle offense.

The Los Angeles Rams allowed 36 points and 417 yards per game throughout the preseason. Could this be an indication of what the Seattle Seahawks offense should expect in Week 1?

Not only were the Rams plagued by injuries to starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp last season, their defense as a whole greatly underachieved. LA was mid-tier in opponent time of possession (No. 16) and near the bottom (No. 29) in opponent pass completion rate (68%). Following the departure of star cornerback Jalen Ramsey as well as inside linebacker Bobby Wagner (who is now back in Seattle) those numbers may get worse in 2023.

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Still, Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron will need to account for Donald, who played only 11 games last season. Containing a healthy Donald will require a team effort, but he’ll be the primary responsibility of new Seahawks starting center Evan Brown, one of several key players to watch Week 1.

If the Seahawks offensive line is efficient, quarterback Geno Smith should have time to get the ball down the field in the passing game. A fairly inexperienced Rams secondary will need to prepare for wide receiver DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jake Bobo and a potent offense that produced 50 total passing plays of 20+ yards in 2022.

Stafford and Donald present challenges, but the real question will be if Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has an answer for Geno Smith and the Seattle offense.

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Seahawks QB Drew Lock discusses the benefits of preseason play

Lock understands that the quality reps he worked through this month will only help him when and if his number is called this season.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock tallied quite a few reps in the NFL preseason. Playing with poise, Lock recorded just one interception through 55 total pass attempts in three games played.

Operating within offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s scheme, Lock’s preseason stats shows that he’ll be a serviceable second option if starting quarterback Geno Smith suffers an injury or underperforms. While the moniker “it’s just the preseason” might hold true for some, Lock understands that the quality reps he worked through this month will only help him when and if his number is called this season.

(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Lock spoke with the media after Saturday’s loss to Green Bay with a quality reflection. He said he’s very confident in his ability to run the offense barring anything bizarre. Check out his sentiments in the video below.

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PFF ranks Shane Waldron among NFL’s top 5 offensive coordinators

PFF ranked has Waldron No. 4 on their list of the league’s top 10 OCs.

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NFL rankings season continues, but we’ve now reached the portion of the year where we’re ranking uniforms, helmets and coordinators. On that point, the Seahawks apparently have one of the best offensive coordinators in the league in Shane Waldron, at least according to Pro Fotoball Focus.

PFF ranked has Waldron No. 4 on their list of the league’s top 10 OCs.

“When Shane Waldron was initially hired, the focus was on how he was going to help unlock the best play from Russell Wilson. As it turns out, he was to preside over a breakout season from Geno Smith instead. It’s very difficult to parse where the credit for that unexpected season belongs, or even how real it was, but transforming a journeyman quarterback into a top-10 starter is a seriously impressive thing to put on a resume. Waldron’s offense last season ranked 13th in expected points added per play and 12th in successful play percentage.”

It’s a little surprising to see Waldron ranked this high, especially ahead of names like Eric Bieniemy and Matt Nagy. That said, he ran an efficient if not an elite offense last season and the screen attack is the only part of the scheme that’s truly putrid. If he can get that issue fixed this coming season, we won’t have any complaints.

Of course this is all kind of a moot point – just because someone’s job description says offensive coordinator it doesn’t mean they’re calling the plays – or are truly responsible for their team’s success on this side of the ball. Neither Kyle Shanahan nor Andy Reid are on the list.

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Worst-case scenario for every NFC West team in 2023

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Shane Waldron praises 2 Seahawks rookie offensive linemen

One of the boxes the Seahawks checked in the 2023 NFL draft was boosting their interior offensive line depth.

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One of the boxes that the Seattle Seahawks checked in the 2023 NFL draft was boosting their interior offensive line depth. Seattle picked up two new offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft, selecting Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi in the fifth round and LSU guard Anthony Bradford in the fourth.

So far, we’ve heard all positive reviews on both counts. Head coach Pete Carroll says he is already impressed by Oluwatimi and Bradford is getting buzz as a potential Week 1 starter. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron also has nothing but prasie for these two rookies. Here’s what he had to say about Bradford on Seattle Sports radio earlier this week.

“Anthony is just an impressive physical guy as far as a big offensive lineman that really shows that ability to bend and play underneath defenders… It’ll be exciting to add him into the mix of the competition with what we feel like is a pretty good group of interior players already on the roster.”

And here are Waldron’s comments on Oluwatimi.

“At that center position, knowing that’ll be a great competition with him and Evan (Brown) and Joey (Hunt) there to take that starting center role… So the first thing we’re looking for is what type of command and control that player can have, and he’s really demonstrated all those things in the early stages.”

It would be rough news for Evan Brown and Phil Haynes and the money Seattle invested in their one-year contracts, but the team’s long-term interests would be best-served by both Oluwatimi and Bradford winning their respective competitions and getting as many starter reps as possible their first year in the league.

Heading into OTAs, we are projecting Oluwatimi will be starting at center and Haynes at right guard, but that may change before the summer is over.

Seahawks initial 53-man roster projection before OTAs

4 ‘offensive gurus’ who could be the next Panthers HC

If David Tepper is looking for an “offensive guru” to lead the Panthers, then where should they look? Here are four possible candidates for the team’s head-coaching job.

With the Carolina Panthers’ 2022 season coming to a close, the inevitable questions surrounding the team’s head-coaching job have begun to emerge. In fact, we might have our first beat on the search—courtesy of NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

“The turnaround has positioned [Steve] Wilks, 53, as a strong candidate for the full-time job,” noted the report, which was published on Sunday morning. “He’s well-regarded and liked within the building. However, Carolina still intends to go through a full search process that also includes other in-demand candidates. Owner David Tepper’s top priorities have been solidifying the quarterback position and the offense, so expect the Panthers to interview all of the rising offensive gurus. If Wilks is going to get the job, he’ll need to sell his plan for that side of the ball, too. Tepper also respects Wilks’ leadership traits, which is a huge part of the job.”

And if this is signaling an all-out search for the league’s top offensive minds, who are some of the people who fit that bill? Here is a list of four candidates that could make sense in this potentially broad search.

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Texans should consider these 2 NFL assistants to pair with Alabama QB Bryce Young

The Houston Texans should look at two NFL assistants who are doing good jobs with average quarterbacks as their possible pairing with Bryce Young.

The Houston Texans will be looking for a new quarterback in 2023. Ostensibly it will be Bryce Young from Alabama as the club’s No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Texans could also be in the market for a new coach at the end of a season with Lovie Smith failing to keep the momentum of completing the rebuild.

The following isn’t a definitive or exhaustive list by any means. After all, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans would be a fan favorite to return to Houston, even if he weren’t the hottest potential candidate on the market.

If general manager Nick Caserio already has April in mind to take Young, then he needs to consider two offensive coordinators who have elevated average quarterbacks to career best seasons. It would be an all-in on offensive infrastructure.

The first candidate is the Cleveland Browns’ Alex Van Pelt. The 52-year-old has put together an offensive scheme that has allowed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to have his best season of his career. Brisset is on pace to have the highest passer rating of his career at 89.1. It also helps that Amari Cooper, considered a cap casualty for the Dallas Cowboys, is on pace to have career highs in receiving.

That is the definition of talent elevation.

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been the architect of an offense that has them in the playoff hunt and defying national expectations in a year they were supposed to tank.

Geno Smith has played the part of a top-15 quarterback this season. The former New York Jets 2013 second-round pick has a career-high 72.8% completion percentage. Through 11 games, the once mistake-prone Smith has just five interceptions to show. Receiver Tyler Lockett also doesn’t look 30 years old as he’s having a renaissance year with 57 catches for 708 yards and six touchdowns.

Whether Waldron or Van Pelt, if Houston is going to go with a quarterback in the draft, Caserio needs a coaching staff that can help to transition their entry into the league.

Good offensive coaching will elevate the rookie, help running back Dameon Pierce, and mask offensive line deficiencies.

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Seahawks OC Shane Waldron named among 2023 head coach candidates

Waldron has made a list of potential 2023 head coaches at NFL.com.

The Seahawks have taken everybody by surprise this year. At the bye, they’re in the thick of the playoff race and have already matched their projected win total for their entire season.

A lot of people deserve credit for the team’s unexpected success this year. One name we haven’t heard much of is Shane Waldron, the offensive coordinator who’s helped turn Geno Smith into a fringe MVP candidate. Folks are taking notice, though.

Waldron has made a list of potential 2023 head coaches at NFL.com. Here’s what Tom Pelissero had to say about Waldron’s candidacy.

“Waldron first appeared on this list in 2018, just before he interviewed for the Bengals job that went to Rams staff-mate Zac Taylor instead. Since then, Waldron has gotten more experience at the front of the room, and Year 2 in the Seahawks’ offense — really the first year with a QB running Waldron’s system, as opposed to the mishmash of concepts Russell Wilson liked in 2021 — has been a big step forward.”

The numbers certainly support Waldron’s case. Heading into Week 11, Seattle’s offense ranks No. 7 in DVOA and No. 5 in scoring.

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