Linehan Sees the Light
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The most fascinating thing about Scott Linehan’s decision to hire Al Saunders as offensive coordinator is what it represents in a larger sense:
Linehan is sincerely trying to change, and improve, as the Rams head coach.
Linehan caught me off guard Wednesday during my afternoon-drive radio show on Team 1380. I’m here to cover the Super Bowl, with my partner Randy Karraker co-hosting the show from St. Louis. When I was told that Linehan wanted to call in and come on the air, I thought it was a joke.
Indeed, a few minutes later, Linehan joined the show, to personally deliver the news of Saunders’ hiring.
And it was welcome news, because Saunders will bring a nice touch to Rams Park. He’s a skilled offensive coordinator, a creative football descendant of Don Coryell, a proven source as a teacher and designer. There is a sequence, a history, of good results on the Saunders resume.
Moreover, Rams’ offensive players will be fired up by Saunders’ arrival.
This move has the strong potential to raise the morale of Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. Saunders is a link to the Rams’ best days, their greatest moments, their “Greatest Show on Turf” Era.
Rams legend Marshall Faulk, on scene in Arizona, working the Super Bowl as an analyst for the NFL Network, was pleased by the word of Saunders’ appointment.
“This gives Linehan credibility,” Faulk told me. “And Al Saunders will bring that credibility to the guys who are already there, and the guys who will be coming to the Rams as free agents or draft choices.”
Faulk hasn’t been a big fan of Linehan’s coaching. ”We all watch the games. And adjusting is part of the game,” No. 28 said.
Linehan has adjusted… his offense… his staff … and now his own role.
Linehan said that this would be Saunders’ offense completely — except that Linehan joke that he’d like to put in one play each week. But Linehan is so revved up by landing Saunders that he called it “a Godsend.”
The Saunders’ role aside, Linehan clearly wanted to explain the broader scope of this hiring, which comes in the aftermath of a troubling 3-13 season.
Linehan characterized the recruitment of Saunders this way: ”An admission that I needed some help.”
He added: “I know we need to win, and to do that we need to make some adjustments. We’re well on our way to having a positive offseason. And in this league, if you do things the right way, you can turn it around in a heartbeat and a hurry.”
“And, he said, “That all starts with me.”
For some reason, Linehan said, “things weren’t right in 2007, and 2006.”
And Linehan seems determined to change that — and himself.
By having Saunders as the coach of the offense, and Jim Haslett coaching the defense, Linehan is free to concentrate on other areas. And he knows he must improve his relationship with his players, especially on offense. (Linehan, by the way, said he was “good and happy” with Haslett as the defensive coordinator).
In an admirable display of candor, Linehan said he’d “lost touch” with his players because he’d spent so much time fretting over the offense, and stewing over so many things that distracted him from essential matters. This led, Linehan said, to “a detatchment” from the players. He didn’t mean for it to be this way, but the strain of a season gone bad caused the coach-player bond to break.
”I felt the relationship eroded, and I didn’t see it coming,” Linehan said.
Linehan added that a head coach definitely must have the confidence of “the players and the coaches and all others around the building.” And Linehan knows he’s come up short on that front. But again, he seems sincere in wanting to correct all that.
It seems obvious that Linehan wants to get on the same page with Holt, Bruce, Bulger, Jackson and other key veterans. And that’s important.
When Linehan ran the offense for the Minnesota Vikings, the players loved him. They were motivated to play for him. They hated to lose him. Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper were terribly upset when Linehan left to accept a huge raise in pay to become the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator in 2005. I always wondered why the assistant who commanded such loyalty in Minnesota would have such a difficult time connecting to players in STL.
Well, I suppose the easy answer is, it’s all about the education of becoming a head coach. This can be an excruciating job, and the responsibilities and the burdens change when a guy becomes the boss.
Linehan realizes he must do better, much better, to keep his job beyond 2008. And he seems determined to take his best shot. That should be automatic, right? Not necessarily. I’ve watched many a struggling coach in my 27 years of covering the NFL, and some of them remain hardheaded, never seeming to understand the need to adapt.
Linehan does.
The hiring of Al Saunders was a fantastic step for Linehan to take.
But what is even more encouraging is Linehan’s desire to grow as a leader.
-B
What’s REALLY comforting to know is that when Linehan tanks at the start of next season and the TV blackouts start up again, the team now has TWO candidates already on staff with more HC experience than Linehan that can replace him mid-season. How many weeks until Saunders is HC?
I am tired of hearing this common mistake of calling the Rams the Greatest show on Turf. When watching the team in 99 everyone was calling them The Greatest Show On Earth until Warren Sapp opened his big loud and obnoxious mouth and called them on turf. That season and the following two they were the greatest show on earth. On another note did all you so called Rams fans forget you were calling for Dick Vermeils job after the 98 season including you journalists.
If’s good to see Linehan finally admit that a 1st time HC probably can’t also be the OC. I thought it was a mistake for him to try from day one. Olson was a puppet OC, and he provided nothing to the offense. Now the Rams are getting one of the greatest offensive minds in football. He has a better long term track record than either Cameron or Billick. He has a strong committment to a balanced offensive attack, which should work out well for a team with top 5 RB and WR. I know it’s unpopular, but I think Drew Bennett will have a much more productive year under Saunders. Saunders made KC an offensive powerhouse with an RB, TE, and QB. They had NO WRs! If this OL gets healthy, you could see a really dramatic turn around in a team that already has playoff-caliber talent.
This move is awesome!!!! I’m finally excited about next season. As you saw last season, KC’s offense tanked. They obviously should have never let Saunders go. After Vermeil retired the Chiefs should have replaced him with Saunders and not Herm Edwards. I would not doubt if Saunders has instant success here in St. Louis and KC continues to struggle that will ultimately end the Herm Edwards era and the long awaited Carl Peterson era in Kansas City. Great move by the Rams!!! I really hope Linehan succeeds here but if not we do have a solid back up Head Coach in Saunders. Great job Linehan and good luck in 2008!!!
Nice article, Bernie. It is refreshing to hear a coach admit is faults and mistakes. Look how Coughflin changed it New York and the good it did the Giants. There is hope among Ram’s fans and hopefully players as well.
Two calls for Sauders as HC already? Let him fix the offense. I think if Linehan has to go, wouldn’t we rather have Haslett step in? At least he has some fire and leadership abilities…
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This seems nice and all, but honestly, this franchise should NEVER even be in this position. I’ve watched with an open mind, and an ear to all the excuses about injuries. And quite honestly, watching what WINNING TEAMS have as far as replacement or next teir players are concerned, what was put on the field was an EMBARRASMENT. It’s just like the moral and talent on the rams eroded to a point of a SHAMELESS embarrasment. I am not sure i want to hold the future of this organization with someone who seems to be throwing dartsand pipedreams aimlessly.
Not only with personel moves, or lack there of, but also on the playing field. Gameplans that were not identifyable by me as a fan, and no meantion of making any adjustments that could hold or even show itself evident. Then the one that took me over the top was the unforgetable scene of Torry Holt displaying displeasure and frustration with this coach on the sideline during a game. As a RAMS fan i am rooting for coach Linehan, but the proof is in the pudding, and this dish has just about gone spoiled inmy book. I can only hope the organization can get this shamble corrected and back on track. Bring some players in here that will make an impact. I’ll throw out a few names “Terrell Suggs, Asante Samuel, Marcus Trufant, Brian Kelly, Nnamdi Asomugha, Albert Haynesworth, Brian Young, Jared Allen”, and that is just the defensive side of the ball. As far as the Offense, Get a good guard (Allen Fanica) in here and create some competition to really upgrade that face of the team. It starts and ends in the interior….see N.E. Patriots line at work and take notes. I am aware that some of the names are reaches as far as salary cap goes, but explore them and at least that way we all can take you serious. And I am hoping that Chip Rosenbloom will get on hand and be involved in day to day operations and be what his dad was going to be, one of the greatest owners in leagur history. We need stability in the worst way!!!!!
“I am tired of hearing this common mistake of calling the Rams the Greatest show on Turf. When watching the team in 99 everyone was calling them The Greatest Show On Earth until Warren Sapp opened his big loud and obnoxious mouth and called them on turf.”
THANK YOU!!! Finally somebody else who’s sick of the history rewrites of the media and actually bothered to mention it.
It was The Greatest Show on EARTH, not “turf”. “Turf” was added later as an insult, implying that the Rams couldn’t play on grass. Come on, Bernie, you know this. Stop succumbing to the history rewrites.
I am sorry..but Al is not some great fix it man..Linehan is still a clown and looks like a deer caught in the headlights on the sideline. Just wait..he’ll trade the #2 pick to Miami for 5 practice squad players….that he knew from somewhere.