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I really like this one. I know it’s not a huge name, and not one with extensive experience in the role, but
. . .
I’m talking about the Jets hiring of John Morton as offensive coordinator.
Todd Bowles did a good job taking his time, doing his due diligence.
Morton spent the last two years coaching the New Orleans Saints wide receivers.
Man were those receivers productive.
Granted Drew Brees had something to do with that. Elite quarterback elevate the play of their receivers. There is no way around that. Look at the Super Bowl match-up.
“Drew Brees makes a lot of coaches smart,” said former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams at the Senior Bowl last week.
But the receiver development that last two years was impressive. Look at Willie Snead.
After bouncing around a few practice squads, the undrafted free agent out of Ball State made the Saints roster in 2015, and was second on the team with 69 catches that season.
In Week One this season, in a loss to Oakland, Snead caught 9 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. He finished the season with 72 catches and four touchdowns.
Also in 2016, Morton did a great job coaching second-round rookie receiver Michael Thomas who finished with 92 catches and nine touchdowns. A heck of a rookie season!
Once again, a lot of that is Brees, but Morton did a heck of job of coaching the receivers.
Before landing in New Orleans, Morton was in San Francisco coaching under Jim Harbaugh from 2011-2014.
And out there, his receivers didn’t have a great quarterback and were very productive. The 49ers went to three NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.
I personally think Jim Harbaugh is one of the best offensive minds on the planet. Whether we are talking about the University of San Diego or the 49ers or at Michigan, he calls plays in a way that brings out the best in his quarterbacks. He makes things easier on them. He has a knack. And by the way, Morton wasn’t just with Harbaugh in San Francisco, but also at the University of San Diego. Good offensive play-caller to learn from.
Prior to this, he was an assistant at USC under Pete Carroll for four years, including serving as offensive coordinator in 2009-10.
That is quite a trio to work under – Payton, Harbaugh and Carroll. What a trioka of bosses! And Payton and Harbaugh are two of the best playcallers. Harbaugh and Carroll are two of the best head coaches around on any level.
I also like Morton’s fiery demeanor. He was a scrappy, overachieving wide receiver out of Western Michigan who bounced around practice squads and NFL Europe. Chan Gailey, an older coach, was pretty laid back. Morton will bring more of an attitude to the position. Like I said yesterday about Kevin Greene, when the head coach is laid-back and quiet, it’s good to have a bunch of assistants with a fiery approach.
Only time will tell, but my gut feeling is this is a very good hire.
January 31, 2017
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