Vikings set to interview former Eagles OC Pat Shurmur

[Mothman]

http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2016/ ... t-shurmur/

The Vikings are set to interview former Eagles interim head coach and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, according to NFL Media.

Shurmur, 50, most recently served as the offensive coordinator under former Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, stepping in as interim head coach for one game after Kelly was fired on Dec. 29. It’s not clear what position for which the Vikings are interested in Shurmur. He’ll interview on Friday, according to ESPN. A few other teams, including the St. Louis Rams, are also reportedly seeking interviews with Shurmur.

[Maelstrom88]

He was the Rams offensive coordinator a couple of years ago under Spagnuolo. Very predicable playcaller. I guess he is a good QB coach but I'd much prefer Norv as the offensive coordinator as unpopular as he is with some Vikings fans.

[mondry]

He was the Rams offensive coordinator a couple of years ago under Spagnuolo. Very predicable playcaller. I guess he is a good QB coach but I'd much prefer Norv as the offensive coordinator as unpopular as he is with some Vikings fans.

Sounds like he'd fit right in here then, lol. I couldn't imagine it'd be as OC to replace Norv or demote him to QB coach or something like that. Does Shurmur have any other speciality like QB coach, WR's, RB's, TE's?

[chicagopurple]

I wonder how Norv will feel if they fire his little boy in order to hire a new QB coach who also happens to have hopes of being an OC again? Sounds rather tense and dicey.

[mike2mike]

Maybe we can make up a position for him like the Chiefs did with Childress? "Spread game analyst". Interestingly enough, Shurmer hired Brad Childress as his offensive coordinator once... That probably should be a little bit concerning.

Either way it looks like the trend of grabbing experienced, overqualified or former headcoaches or attempting to do so continues.
Shurmer has head coaching experience as the Browns coach.

It would be interesting if we had enough former head coaches and offensive coordinators on the staff that we could give them like 4 weeks each to come up with a dozen plays/packages on how to exploit a team we play 4 weeks from now that Turner and/or Edwards could then potentially choose to implement into the game plan. Reduce the workload on Turner/Edwards/Zimmer and they can work a few games ahead and/or put extra time into the players with the saved time.

Zimmer mentioned how Norv was helpful to have around to bounce ideas off of and ask questions relating to coaching that only a former head coach would be prepared to answer.

[Maelstrom88]

Sounds like he'd fit right in here then, lol. I couldn't imagine it'd be as OC to replace Norv or demote him to QB coach or something like that. Does Shurmur have any other speciality like QB coach, WR's, RB's, TE's?

As far as I know he is a Qb specialist. Maybe they have two Qb coaches? Wasn't aware Norv's son was a coach.

[Mothman]

As far as I know he is a Qb specialist. Maybe they have two Qb coaches? Wasn't aware Norv's son was a coach.

Yes, the Vikes coaching staff is a bit of a family affair, with Turner's son Scott as QB coach and mike Zimmer's son Adam coaching the linebackers.

[KSViking]

Yes, the Vikes coaching staff is a bit of a family affair, with Turner's son Scott as QB coach and mike Zimmer's son Adam coaching the linebackers.

Only difference in my mind is that I have seen a notable improvement in LB play over past 2 seasons, and while I still like Bridgewater better than the QBs that have preceded him, I don't know whether he is growing/improving as fast as he should be or not. Im no expert, just using the eye test. Keep hoping that he will stun me on of these games.

[Mothman]

Interesting speculation from Zulgad:

Zulgad: Not reading much into Vikings’ decision to interview Shurmur? You should be

Let’s make one thing clear: The Vikings might be talking to Shurmur because of Wilson’s departure but Shurmur wouldn’t bother making a trip to Minnesota to become Peterson’s position coach.

Shurmur served as Chip Kelly’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia for three years before being let go by the team this week. He was the Cleveland Browns’ head coach for two seasons (2011-12) and before that coordinated the Rams’ offense for two years. Shurmur broke into the NFL as the Eagles’ tight ends and offensive line coach in 1999 before moving to quarterbacks coach and holding that job for seven seasons.

Shurmur, 50, is reportedly up for the running game coordinator job with the Rams and ESPN.com reports that two other teams might be interested in him as well.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure that the Vikings’ interest in Shurmur would be either so they can create a job that would put him on near equal footing with Norv Turner – something that might be an attempt to get Turner to step aside with a year remaining on his contract – or so they can hire him to take over control of the quarterbacks, enabling him to work with Bridgewater. (Coordinator titles are now being handed out like candy, so how about quarterback coordinator?)

[dead_poet]

It's notable it's been this long without any further information too. How have Shurmur-led offenses fared?

I guess one thing that can be said at this point is that when Zimmer said the offense needs to get better it wasn't just lip service. I've also questioned how well Teddy fits in Norv's offense. But I struggle with what would be better for his development: a new offense or continuity? Most successful quarterbacks usually have the benefit of the latter. If Zimmer is really looking for a change at OC, it feels pretty late to do so.

This whole thing feels odd.

[Raptorman]

It's notable it's been this long without any further information too. How have Shurmur-led offenses fared?

His first 2 years with the Eagles they went 4th and 3rd in points per game and 2nd and 5th in yards per game. This past year they were 13th in ppg and 12 in yards per game.

Vikings under Turner have been 20th and 16th in ppg and 27th and 29th in yards per game.

[autobon7]

Hmmmm.....

[fiestavike]

Interesting speculation from Zulgad:

Zulgad: Not reading much into Vikings’ decision to interview Shurmur? You should be

Hasn't Norv typically had a running coordinator over his past couple stops as OC? I wouldn't be shocked if that's what they are after in this case too.

[Mothman]

Hasn't Norv typically had a running coordinator over his past couple stops as OC? I wouldn't be shocked if that's what they are after in this case too.

I honestly don't know but that's a possibility.

[mondry]

It's notable it's been this long without any further information too. How have Shurmur-led offenses fared?

I guess one thing that can be said at this point is that when Zimmer said the offense needs to get better it wasn't just lip service. I've also questioned how well Teddy fits in Norv's offense. But I struggle with what would be better for his development: a new offense or continuity? Most successful quarterbacks usually have the benefit of the latter. If Zimmer is really looking for a change at OC, it feels pretty late to do so.

This whole thing feels odd.

I'd love to see him replace Norv, I didn't give it that much thought when this thread first opened but maybe it can grow some legs. The bottom line is Teddy doesn't really fit an Air Coryell vertical passing game so then you gotta make a decision. Do you value Teddy as your future / franchise QB more than you value Norv and his offense as OC? If it's Teddy then you gotta make the change, he's young, it's not like he's locked into playing in an Air Coryell system, if he plays 15 years in the league that's 13 in the new offense and 2 in this one, not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Was looking into Shurmur's wiki page to get a better idea about him and he's done some interesting things.

"In 2002, Shurmur was named the team’s quarterback coach. In that role, Shumur helped shape Donovan McNabb into the most prolific passer in Eagles history. McNabb holds nearly every Eagles career passing record, and in 2008, he set Eagles single-season records with 345 completions and 3,916 yards. In 2004, Shurmur and McNabb helped guide the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1980 season."

Mcnabb was a special talent so let's keep that in mind when giving Shurmur credit there but this is part of the theme I noticed is that wherever he goes the QB has their best stats of their career under him.

"On January 21, 2009, Shurmur was hired by Steve Spagnuolo to be the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams.

He helped the Rams improve to a 7–9 record following a 1–15 season in 2009, the second-biggest turnaround in the league in 2010. He guided St. Louis’ offense to improvements in nearly every category including total yards, time of possession and third-down percentage, while they also scored 114 more points than the previous year. In addition, the Rams committed just 21 turnovers in 2010, tied for the ninth-lowest total in the NFL.

Shurmur also made a tangible impact on Sam Bradford’s immediate success as a rookie in 2010. The first-overall pick out of the University of Oklahoma set NFL rookie records for most consecutive passes without an interception (169) and most completions (354). Under Shurmur’s tutelage, Bradford finished the season with a 60.0 completion percentage, 3,512 yards and 18 touchdown passes, winning the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award."

Sounds like something we could use, low turnovers, improved scoring, improved 3rd down %, more yards. Not to mention once again he gets the most out of the QB under him with Bradford basically having his best year as a Ram.

"Another reason for the hire was Shurmur's past success of developing young quarterbacks such as McNabb and Bradford. The Browns selected quarterback Colt McCoy in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and in McCoy’s first season with Shurmur as his coach, the former University of Texas standout posted the best season of his professional career to date in 2011, throwing for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdown passes in 13 games."

Obviously Mccoy wasn't much to work with as far as talent but once again he "had his best season under shurmur"

"Working alongside new head coach Chip Kelly, Shurmur helped orchestrate one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL. Shurmur led an offense that set a number of team records, including points (442), total net yards (6,676), touchdowns (53), passing yards (4,406) and fewest turnovers (19) en route to an NFC East title. Additionally, the Eagles set an NFL record with 99 plays of 20+ yards"

"Shurmur’s unique ability to develop young talent at the quarterback position was once again on display in 2013. Second-year QB Nick Foles enjoyed a breakout season under the direction of Shurmur, throwing for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions while posting the third-best QB rating (119.2) and third-lowest interception percentage (0.63%) in NFL history. Foles also became just the second player in league history to throw for seven touchdowns in a game during a match-up against the Oakland Raiders, and one of three who have done so without throwing an interception."

And once again we have a QB having his "best year of his career" under shurmur, it's interesting to note Nick Foles basically fell off a cliff in STL while Bradford had a solid year in PHI back under Shurmur but was fairly bad with the rams (the years Shurmur wasn't the OC there)

All in all the dude has a nice track record of getting the most out of his QB's, regardless of talent level. I think he'd be a solid addition in any capacity, if he isn't brought on to replace norv it'd be nice to have him in the wings at say QB coach and from there it's an easy promotion to OC if things don't go well next year on O.