LKelley67

Inside dish: Saints to simplify offense
By TSN Correspondents -
One of the first tasks for new Saints offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard will be to simplify the playbook. Coach Jim Haslett says the current terminology is excessive and contributed to the high number of mental mistakes the offense made in recent seasons. QB Aaron Brooks often had to use timeouts because the play call got to him too late or was miscommunicated.
Former Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's demanding approach rubbed some players the wrong way, including QB Steve McNair, who has been contemplating retirement this offseason. But after McNair's successful sternum surgery and the hiring of coordinator Norm Chow, McNair is as upbeat as ever and is expected to return for the 2005 season.
Quarterbacks coach Terry Shea's return to the Chiefs after one season with the Bears and the move of Jason Verduzco from quarterbacks to tight ends coach will benefit the team. QB Trent Green is comfortable working with Shea, and Green's rough start to this past season could be attributed to Shea's absence. Verduzco knows the passing game and should help the tight ends. The specialty of former tight ends coach Keith Rowen was blocking.
The Chargers' young offensive line will have to adjust to new position coach Carl Mauck. Mauck is a screamer; his intensity and no-feelings-spared attitude can be overwhelming. Hudson Houck, the previous line coach, was demanding but patient.
Don't be surprised if Eagles free-agent RB Correll Buckhalter lands with Buffalo. If the Bills, as expected, trade RB Travis Henry, they'll be looking for a solid backup to Willis McGahee, and Buckhalter would be just that. Keep in mind Tom Modrak and Marc Ross, two members of the Bills' front office, were with the Eagles when they drafted Buckhalter.
CB Patrick Surtain probably won't be the only Dolphins defensive player dealt between now and the draft. There is a good chance CB Sam Madison will be traded because there would be little salary-cap impact from dealing Madison, and coach Nick Saban says neither fits into long-term rebuilding plans.
After being turned down for a promotion from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, Greg Olson was disappointed the Lions wouldn't allow him to talk to other teams about a coordinator position. The Lions felt Olson was too young for the coordinator job, but the team thinks he has a bright future.
Cowboys G Larry Allen and coach Bill Parcells will have to reach some type of workout agreement this offseason. They disagreed over the workout routine last year. That resulted in Dallas trying to trade Allen, who skipped much of the offseason program. But Allen came into training camp in great shape and had an outstanding year. If Parcells allows Allen to work out on his own, it might send a poor message to the rest of the team. If the Ravens switch their defense to a 4-3 from a 3-4, look for OLB Adalius Thomas to become expendable. Thomas is athletic and chases down running backs relentlessly. He always has played the run well but became more of a pass-rushing threat last season. If the Ravens do go to a 4-3, look for them to get a call from new 49ers coach Mike Nolan. As the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Nolan thought highly of Thomas.

Danno

Great find bud, good info for comment
I\'ve heard talk of this for a while now. Probably does explain why we have so many false starts, mental errors. Which leads to media labeling this team\'s players as stupid. Probably why Devery had so much trouble catching up. Probably why our WR\'s often run the wrong routes. K.I.S.S.
I\'ve heard the exact same thing about Venturi\'s defense also. Unfortunately I haven\'t heard of him simplifying it yet. I wonder if the rumors of Haz or Pease taking over the playcalling late last year resulted in some simplification. That would explain why they looked a bit more \"on the same page\" than they did early in the season. This team has awesome atheletes on it. Keep it base and they probably beat most teams on pure atheletic ability alone. Make them think too much and you get confusion, hesitation, and the 32nd ranked defense in the league.

Wouldn\'t mind seeing him in the Black and Gold.

GumboBC

Great post, Danno. I thought the samething when I read about McCarthy\'s offense. We\'ll see how the simplified offense translates on the field. If the stupid mental errors go away, we\'ll have our answer. And I\'m all about finding answers!!