DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns Hire John DeFilippo as OC

O'Connell works with George Whitfield, who is Manziel's personal QB coach.

I read somewhere the Walsh already interviewed and he wasn't a fit.

We also interviewed the guy from the Falcons.

the Walsh link isn't working

I believe it was Lane Adkins that reported that it wasn't a fit.

Other news, it looks like Joker Phillips is being hired to the staff.


Adam CaplanVerified account
‏@caplannfl
Former U of Kentucky HC Joker Phillips will join the #Browns staff as WRs coach, league source confirmed.

Link

Link

It looks like we are at least thinking outside the box with the QB coach position. Walsh, O'Connell, and Roper are all unconventional candidates.

Roper coached under David Cutcliffe, a known QB savant, for several years.

Might as well try something different. What we've been doing hasn't worked.

I don't have a link or anything...

but I saw we hired O'Connell

I have seen nothing saying we have hired O'Connell, but there are many positive things being said about him. Here is one from Bruce Feldman (who is one of the most respected college football writers out there. He wrote a book on QBs that came out recently called The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks.):

The Rams and 49ers are having real trouble finding an offensive coordinator. I don't want to imagine what would happen on this board if what is happening to them happened to us.

The Rams might be in a worse spot than us with their QB situation (and they also have the L.A. move lingering over them).

I am not sure what the 49ers issue is. Kaepernick melted down in 2014, but he is very talented.

Roper also worked with Joker Phillips at UK and their paths crossed briefly at UF before Phillips resigned.

Good catch. After reading more about these candidates I would prefer O'Connell over Roper. I think both are worthy candidates.

If Manziel is going to be on the team (and I think he will be), then hiring O'Connell makes a ton of sense. Not only has he worked with Manziel in the past, he was also on the same staff as Pettine, and he is a good candidate for the job even if we didn't have Manziel.

cleveland.com/browns

One of Johnny Manziel's predraft tutors interviewing to be Cleveland Browns' quarterbacks coach

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Former NFL quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who helped Johnny Manziel prepare for the draft last year, is interviewing for the Browns quarterbacks coach vacancy today, according to a report.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the meeting.

O'Connell, 29, also has ties to Brian Hoyer and Browns coach Mike Pettine and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

A former San Diego State dual-threat quarterback, O'Connell was originally a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2008, and was beaten out for the backup job to Tom Brady in 2009 by Hoyer.

O'Connell ranks first in rushing yards and second in career rushing TDs among San Diego State quarterbacks. He spent time with the Jets on and off in 2009, 2010 and 2011, where he worked with Pettine and DeFilippo, who was assistant quarterbacks coach in 2009.

O'Connell, who works for Massillon native and quarterback guru George Whitfield at Whitfield Athletix in San Diego, helped Manziel prepare for the draft along with Whitifield.

If the Browns hire O'Connell, it's a sign that they might be trying to give Manziel an opportunity to get his career on track.

The Browns have also interviewed former Falcons quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas and former NFL quarterback Steve Walsh for the job, according to reports. Walsh was seen talking to Browns officials at the Senior Bowl last week.

Thomas, 37, is another coach with strong ties to Pettine. A Falcons assistant for the past seven seasons -- including the last three as quarterbacks coach -- Thomas worked with Pettine when both were with the Ravens in 2002-03 and again in 2005. Thomas worked with wide receivers and quarterbacks, and Pettine was a defensive assistant.

The Browns also reportedly interviewed former Bills quarterback Todd Downing for the job, but he was hired by the Raiders in the same capacity.

The Browns are looking to replace Dowell Loggains, who was fired Jan. 8 when Kyle Shanahan resigned as offensive coordinator. Loggains was hired last week as Chicago's quarterbacks coach.

Pettine said last week he'd like to have the vacancies for quarterbacks coach and wide receiver coach filled by the end of this week.

By Mary Kay Cabot, Northeast Ohio Media Group
Follow on Twitter
on January 28, 2015 at 12:56 PM, updated January 28, 2015 at 1:04 PM

I think all of these candidates are pretty qualified.

Mike Pettine embraces larger role on offense

Head coach showing commitment to scoring more points

Year 2 of the Mike Pettine era in Cleveland will begin with one slightly large modification: The coach is going to be heavily involved in every facet of the offense.

Pettine built his reputation coaching defensive line and linebackers with the vaunted Ravens, installed an innovative and wildly successful scheme with the Jets and elevated the Bills’ defensive line to new heights.

But now, it’s time to shift his focus.

“When you're a head coach, you're a head coach of the entire team,” Pettine said. “You can't really have an excuse of, 'That's not my area of expertise.’”

At last week’s press conference seated next to his new right-hand man, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, Pettine mapped out a course of action. The head coach will assist DeFilippo in coming up with core concepts, especially because Pettine is more familiar with the skill sets of all of the players on offense. He’ll also sit in on game-planning during the season.

Pettine’s shift in strategy means a unique set of eyeballs could spark more ideas and innovative concepts – something he’s already mastered on the other side of the football.

“I've been a defensive guy, and I do think there's not enough communication between offense and defense as far as what's out there and what works and, 'Hey, this is the pass protection that they're running,” Pettine said. “I'm going to go across to the offensive guys and ask them, 'Hey, what are the tough pressures or tough looks against that?’

“I think that I need to be more of a bridge between the offense and our defensive staff and get that information flowing. We did some of it last year, but I think switching sides for me will really accelerate that and increase the amount of information that's crossing sides."

A major part of the reason Pettine feels so comfortable with immersing himself in the offense has to do with his defensive coordinator, Jim O’Neil.

After working through some September kinks, O’Neil’s unit became the lifeblood of the Browns, building a reputation as a physical, ball-hawking unit. Cleveland finished second in the NFL with 21 interceptions and sent three members of the secondary to the Pro Bowl – Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner. Up front, Paul Kruger, Karlos Dansby a barrage of rotating players on the defensive line and the linebacker unit did more than hold their own.

“Early in the year, I just threw [O’Neil] in the deep end, and he came out of it swimming, did a great job for us,” Pettine said.

The offense, and specifically the running game, were a large part of the reason Cleveland sat ontop of the AFC North in early November, but the progress stopped in its tracks. After a stunning, 26-24 come-from-behind victory in Atlanta on Nov. 23 to move to 7-4, the unit hit an incurable snag and spun out of control and into the ground. Quarterback play, the running game and even the offensive line, to a degree, were inconsistent and, some of the time, outmanned.

First downs were hard to come by and so were points. The offense scored three touchdowns over the final five games; the defense scored two of its own against the Colts. The Browns averaged 18.7 points per game last season. The only team with a worse average to make the playoffs was the Arizona Cardinals.

Pettine and the Browns think they’ve found a solution: DeFilippo.

The 36-year-old coordinator indicated in his press conference that his offense will have more of an evolving identity, embracing both the run and pass – and getting playmakers the football all over the field in different spots.

And like O’Neil has built on defense, Pettine senses the hunger and vivacity from DeFilippo, a first-time NFL offensive coordinator. The two often spent late nights together with the Jets in 2009, and Pettine spoke of already having “chemistry” and “cohesion” with his new play-caller. One of DeFilippo’s mentor’s, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, told ClevelandBrowns.com this was a dream job for DeFilippo, especially because of how highly “Flip” thought of Pettine.

Cleveland’s goal, with Pettine’s new role and DeFilippo calling plays, is that this isn’t just going to be a team to worry about on defense. The Browns are dead-set committed on building up their offense.

“[Our players are] going to come in here and see how passionate we are about this offense, the energy that's going to be up in front of the room,” Pettine said. “It's going to be one of those situations where they can't help but be excited once they see the direction we're headed."

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/arti...6a-7b85dba31e8e

that could very well be another reason Shanny wanted out and why there were rumors of a pretty big rigt between Shanny and Pettine. If i am considered an offensive guru, I am not gonna be all that willing to have a defensive guru tell me how to run my offense. See Iron mike trying to tell Buddy how to run his defense lol.

That could be. I don't know if this was a decision made before or after Shanny decided to leave. But it is certainly a possibility.

It seems like we're putting together a good O coaching staff. It sounds like they have a good plan. Let's hope it all comes to fruition.

What rift between Shanny and Pettine?

Shanny mentioned a rift between the coaching staff [which Pet is a part of] and the FO.

It's like if you guys say things enough times, they become true.

It's amazing! We keep hearing about the ME attitude because of one stupid article written in Washington, but you guys ignore all the articles that point in another direction.

Okay guys.........I am a downer. You guys are always right. I am always wrong. We're winning the Super Bowl!

Wait a minute! Last night you said that I was always wrong and now you're saying that you're always wrong, so therefore that means that I'm always right. Right?....lol

Right.

Or it means you are both always wrong

j/c

This may have already been stated. Why is it the Browns are portrayed as dysfunctional when they don't hire a top OC on the first day?

Yet, after interviewing several candidates and turned down by several no one speaks "dysfunctional" toward the 49ers and Rams. Both decided promoting their assistance to OC. Note Browns interviewed both and didn't make an offer.

I will say Geep Chryst, for the 49ers, and Frank Cignetti, for the Rams, are not terrible hires.

Because so many think there level of fandom has to be inversly related to their level of happiness.

I remember hearing of a rift between SHanny and Pettine during the season, but then they showed a clip of them on the sideline.. To me it looked like good ribbing between them..

Anyway, out with the old, in with the new. Hope it works out.

Given how poorly the O played towards the end of the season, I can't say that I'm overly sad to see a change.

I believe that all depends on the perception of it mac.

Some will see these hirings as people Pettine has worked with that will bring some continuity and familiarity within the coaching staff.

Others will see this as Pettine hiring is buddies verses the best qualified candidates and consider it nepotism at it's finest.

I've seen this movie before.

Pit, this is a new release, updated with new players. Hopefully the script has been changed also...

Oh I'm on neither side of the issue. I don't really feel it's fair to weigh in until I have some evidence to base my opinion on.

I meant the general overall sentiment of the board.

Some will see this as Pettine getting coaches he's familiar with as a way of getting everyone on the same page and building continuity within the coaching staff.

Some will see it as he's only hiring his buddies instead of the best candidates and see it as nepotism.

That's the movie I was talking about.

I don't. Not at all.

I remember a comment he made when he was first hired. He said something about playing qb in high school and that he would like to be involved w/the qbs. I am thinking..........shut the hell up. That is not your area of expertise.

I like Pet. I like his demeanor and tough guy look. I thought he juggled a lot of crap this year in having to deal w/a meddlesome FO and the Manziel situation. However, I don't want him messing w/the offense. Improve the run defense, Pet. That's where we need you.

Good point, Pit.

I can see how both camps have ammunition for their arguments. Time will tell which opinion is correct.

It's probably as simple as Pettine figuring out that the best way to help his defense is to minimize the offense's three and outs.

Perhaps, but I prefer to believe that they are people he respects and trusts through his knowing them. He's not going to jeopardize his position/career by hiring any buds that are not capable...

I understand what you are saying, i do think you are reading a bit too much into it.

I see this as last year Pettine totally relied on Shanahan. First year head coach, seasoned OC. Why worry about the offense much when you have so many other things on your plate.

Then we lose Shanny and need a replacement. How much does Pettine know and understand about the offense to go out and find a guy that will be the most seem-less transition? He doesn't except in maybe a general way.

Now we have a younger less experienced guy at OC. Keeping an eye on him is a good thing, and learning and understanding the offense is a good thing as well. I don't take this a Pettine taking control of playcalling on Sundays, or second guessing every call.

At best he would be a second set of eyes, or a person to bounce and idea off of. If we lose an OC down the road due to success, then we have a coach that knows exactly what to look for. He'll have a better idea if they guy we might have been grooming is ready, or if we need to hire outside the building. And he will know exactly what he's looking for as well.

And yes i agree he needs to fix the run defense. I do think that was more of a first year def, tons of d-line injuries, and finding out who can do what on defense though. I think we take huge strides next year on defense.

I work for people who know very little about the intricacies of my position. These people are unable to support me properly and their decision making is flawed because they have authority which is not informed by knowledge.

What I hear in these statements from Pettine; I don't sense that kind of arrogance. My opinion is that his intention is to transfer information between the offense and defense. I have every confidence that he will approach this as an opportunity to learn more about offensive philosophies, tactics and strategies. And provide a defensive perspective to the offense as situations warrant.

I do see ver's point though. I'm not sure if Pettine can become 'and expert at everything' but he certainly can understand the philosophy, gain insight, and give another solid opinion. He does need to fix other things that he is more knowledgable about. I guess as long as he can play a part in both and one doesn't suffer we will be better off.

I will say that i never really understood how people say they are an expert in just offense or just defense.

Pettine was a defensive guy, but their is no way he doesn't understand offense as well. How else do you defend against something if you don't understand it? Its the same with the offensive side. To say these guys don't understand defense, or should leave that to the experts on the other side of the ball just doesn't make sense.

If i'm the OC i'm taking our bread and butter plays to the DC and saying "stop these". Whats the best defense to stop these? If they call that defense, whats our best play-call?

This kind of insight imo is invaluable. When you know what the other side is thinking then you have the upper-hand. Its a chess match.

That has been our major problem with all of these constant coaching changes. Everyone always says, 'i knew what the play was gonna be'. Well guess what. If we are in the first year of the wco, then we are fools if we think that every other team doesn't know what you install in wco 101. Gameplan for that, and all of the sudden we are predictable and its game over.

We basically never get to expand our options to counter the counters. This can only be a good thing provided like you said, he doesn't micro manage.

lol for sure on calling the plays. Don't take Pettine as having an ego though so i think we are good.

I have my fingers crossed as well

If Pettine takes over offensive play calling... then yikes!