Big Ben wants Randy Fichtner as offensive coach...

I just got a notification from the NFL mobile app that Ben wants to have Fichtner as the OC. Here's the video from nfl.com:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bow ... oordinator

 

That may be a good enough reason NOT to hire him.

 

I didn't hear this from Ben. This is the reporter saying that this is what Ben wants. He didn't directly quote Ben, he just said this is what Ben wants.

I would be okay with him, but I am like Tomlin_Era, Hue Jackson is the guy I want.

 

I think Ben will manipulate Fichtner just like he did BA. He and Fichtner are close already (paid trip to Pro Bowl) and I just don't see a good outcome to naming him OC. Any player, Ben included, needs tough love sometimes and I don't see Fichtner giving it to him.

 

I liked the idea of Fichtner getting the job, based on his history, before I saw this video, so I'm fine with hearing that Ben wants him, too. While a QB should not have so much power as to manipulate his OC, I do believe it helps for them to have a good relationship.

 

yea, whats the worst that could happen? we win a superbowl or something weird like that. that's just unthinkable, the manipulation and all. where would we put a 7th trophey? this would be such a problem.

 

The question is "why does Ben want him?" I am of the opinion that yes a good relationship with the OC is a benefit, however I think the relationship should be built and based upon a respect of the OCs ability to gameplan, develop the offense, call a good game and use the tools we have on offense to the best of ALL their abilities. I think Ben like BA more because BA simply let Ben do whatever he wanted and did not pressure Ben to really become a student of the game. Ben is a great athelete and can do alot of things that many QBs cannot, however he has never been confused for an offesive genious. I think the primary reason that we struggled so much in the redzone was that once the field gets short, the ability to improvise by extending a play is lessened. To base the offense around extending plays is not a good idea. The offense should run effectivly and when a play occasionally does break down Ben can then extend it. Thus I think that a new OC from outside the organization would be a good thing, as it would mean startigna new relationship. I am very confident that all these professional football players have the ability to handle, accept, learn, adjust to, etc any changes that come about. I am not too sure our offense had any real things ingrained anyway, other than the extend a play page where the receivers and Ben lived. We certainly had no identity as an offense, so to be concerned that someone may come in with a real (and yes different) offensive philosphy is not a scary proposition.

 

Another buddy that he can basically manipulate into letting him continue running about 95% of the offense. We need an offensive coordinator this time, not another buddy for Ben.

 

well ya know if ben is such a problem child, maybe we should just trade the teams problem.

 

well ya know if ben is such a problem child, maybe we should just trade the teams problem. [/quote:3v1ukiq9]


Mac, I keep seeing that thrown out a lot on this board anytime anyone has the "audacity" to criticize Ben. But the fact remains that Ben, with all of his physical gifts, has turned into a bit of an undisciplined QB. I am of the belief that if we brought in a strong presence as the OC that would help Ben gain the discipline and study ethic that he needs, he would be unstoppable. I believe he has the ability to be Drew Brees with more physical ability with the proper coaching. As it is, there is not methodology to our offensive performance the way there is with a Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, etc. run offense. Ben can be better. Right now, he is the sandlot king of the NFL and I put a lot of that blame on Arians and Tomlin for allowing him to have free reign of the offense and play without discipline.

 

who cares if Ben wants him. why does that matter to so many people around here?

Ben is the franchise qb whether you like it or not. he has helped this team to 3 super bowls and won 2 of them. man it would suck if Ben actually got what he wanted and we had to endure another 7 year span like we just went through.

get a grip. the dude is a winner and if your star qb wants something you should propably atleast hear him out and im sure Art will do that.

 

I want Fichtner also.The more you read on him,The more you like about this guy.

 

Read what, exactly? How he led the offense at....the University of Memphis??? I'm sure there is anecdotal evidence of Fichtner's coaching abilities, but his resume doesn't cut it.

 

Ben admits he doesn't like to study which will forever seperate him from becoming a great quarterback. He is lousy at checking down. Many times this year he couldn't run the two minute drill for crap because he would let the clock wind down. Now why would you want the guy who was supposed to coach him to being so much more to be in charge of coaching the entire offense? Quite frankly, I'm not impressed with Fichtner as a quarterbacks coach. We get someone else as OC and I suspect Fichter will not have his contract renewed when time is up.

 

Remember that Mike Tomlin had only been a coordinator for a year prior to getting the HC job here. And before that was a position coach - mostly DB's. So, it is a gamble no matter who gets the job and everyone has to get an opportunity some time. I'm torn on whether we should get someone new and fresh from outside the organization, someone from within who has been here and needs a shot, or some retread from the NFL ranks. The chance of hitting a homerun with some fresh new guy from outside the organization who hasn't been a coordinator before is probably slimmer than a more known commodity. You don't want to waste the remaining time the Ben has as the window could close quickly. Maybe Fichtner does make the most sense.

 

Let's see: I've read he's great at situational playcalling,Adjusting to different defensive schemes,Getting the most out of everyone on Offense,Everything we were lacking with BA.Just because he did'nt coach at a big name school does'nt mean he can't do it in the pros.Ben likes him and wants him.I think that says alot.I don't want Ben doing what Ben wants.I think the Rooneys made it clear who's in charge,So whoever they choose will do what their told. I like Randy Fitchtner.

 

Ben wants him because he thinks he'll be able to continue to do whatever he wants on the field, have the plays called that he wants, and not have to run plays he doesn't like. With how arrogant Ben is, the fact that he likes Fichtner is enough for me to not want him as OC. I see a repeat of BA where Ben is in charge and Ben basically calls the plays. I have no time for a repeat of last season.

 

I suspect Ben's a bit lazy, doesn't want to study a new play book, learn new terminology, or have to prove himself to a new coach. All these reasons point to why Ben might want Mother Fichtner as OC. Personally, I think an OC from outside who's willing to crack the whip would in the end take Ben's career to a whole new level. But it would take buy-in and a willingness to work harder than ever from the same guy who's had nothing but success throughout his entire career just doing what he does. If buy-in doesn't happen, I could see this leading to an "I'm alright-you're not alright" attitude from BB towards the new OC, which would make it a long season.

 

So he can control him like he did BA? Did anybody see the NE OC(PSU new head coach)
get in the face of Tom Brady when Brady was screwing up, thats the type of OC
Ben needs.

 

Too bad Tomlin didn't do the right thing when he was hired and bring in an OC that would take the offense by the reigns and impose a philosophy. This team is where it is, and Ben is where/who he is, because Tomlin took the easy way out and promoted Arians. This whole situation is a mess because of that.

 

Anyone know if the meeting between BB and Rooney has taken place yet? I haven't seen any news stories on it. I was thinking that since he made it known to the media that he was planning on meeting with the boss, there would be some coverage of it when it took place. We don't get much news here in Cleveland, so I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything yet.