Who Will the Ravens Hire to be OC?

[Jayc00]

This thread has devolved into a pissing contest.

Time to lock it up and start discussing the direction of the offense and stop worrying about what the circumstances of the decision were.

Does anyone think, no matter who initiated the Kubiak discussion, that John Harbaugh doesn't want this team to be significantly better on offense, and will do anything he can to help his assistants make that a reality?

:word

[Sua Sponte]

I'm not saying that Oz and Biscuit had no say in this search, because I think that they communicate so well that it was a joint effort with John making the final call (and like any good Captain, he is going to make the boss happy). I do not think they forced his hand. I think it was a back and forth... what do think about this move.... or this move.. until the best decision was made (because that is obviously the best decision "Kubiak")

As far as John interviewing Hostler. Ever good team interviews internal staff. To me that is smart. Let's the guy know; hey man we think you are close to moving up the chain. Sort of a motivation ploy to get more out of that guy to get over the hump, etc. and familiar with the players maybe they wanted to see what he had to say.

You guys are putting way to much thought into the Hostler interview.

[Haloti92]

My concern is that if the head coach was being bypassed as much as the donut columnist indicates, then you have disenfranchised the head coach. That would be a horrible move.

For that reason alone, i don't buy that Harbs was a non factor.

Harbaugh was definitely a factor. He wants to win and he wants to please his boss.

It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, despite people continuing to pretend otherwise, that met with the suggestion (from Ozzie/Steve) that he should think big and get an established OC, Harbaugh would say, "nah, Steve, I think I am going to have to insist that Hostler becomes our OC." At which point supposedly Steve says what? Something like, "I hereby overrule you, and if you don't like it you can pack your bags"?

No sense whatsoever.

They are all friends, they all want to win. There is a hierarchy. And in no reasonable scenario is Harbaugh unwilling to do exactly what is being suggested or hinted.

That doesn't mean anything was indeed suggested, but the idea that it can be ruled out is without any logical support.

[iggyman555]

I love this board man. I wish I posted more.

My feelings were this was a joint conversation with Harbs and the FO/owner with Harbs getting the final call. However this came about, this is great news and looks to setup our team for the long haul on offense.

My next question is how this influences the kinds of players on offense that get drafted. Should be fun.

we need an andre johnson type WR

[RavenScallywag]

So, we're onto a new thread, but just going to leave this here...

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 50s
Ravens plan to hire former Texans HC Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator and former Texans OC Rick Dennison as their QB coach.

Dennison as QB coach, not OL.
Which means Castillo as OL coach.

Clearly, not a Harbaugh decision. Clearly.

[JimZipCode]

It's the best fit for Flacco IMO. Some have said the WCO is not a great fit for him, I think it's quite the opposite.

I think most WCO's around the league are watered-down weak sauce, with little dink & dunk passing plays. I think that system would be a poor fit for Joe. But Kubiak (& Shanahan) have thrown it downfield, and mixed in powerful rushing attacks. Joe fits in much better with what they have done, that what most wannabe "WCOs" do, IMO.

[RavenScallywag]

To be fair, just because Dennison is the QB coach doesn't mean Castillo stays as OL coach...

But, for now, this seems to gel a bit more with Harbaugh's call that Castillo would remain OL coach.

[lobachevsky]

I think the truth lies somewhere in between it being an Ozzie/Steve forcing Harbaugh and it being a Harbaugh move.

I could see Biscotti being the staffing person he is laying out what he think a successful offensive team would look like. Ozzie saying what the people to fills thos rolls would be and John finding the people to fill it.

I don't think it was Ozzie and Biscotti flat out doing this and telling John wait till were done.

My conjecture is that no one forced anyone on Harbs--but that Bisciotti offered him strong positive encouragement to go with the Ex-Tex Junta over the "safe" in house hire. Not"owner meddling"--rather, "let's increase your willingness to make a move we think is in the team's best interest."

Something sorta like this:

John, we know you don't have the comfort level with Gary & the staff he'd bring in, & it's only to be expected that there'll be a period of adjustment. So if you're OK with bringing him on board, no one is going to bust your chops if things don't immediately go as planned--you'll have plenty of time to work things out, & even if in the end it doesn't work out, it won't be on you.

But if you insist on promoting Jim Hostler, you own that decision. No excuses & no slack if it turns out to be a mistake. You will be held accountable.

Take your pick.

Makes sense to me. YMMV.

[JimZipCode]

I wonder what made John change his mind like this at the last minute?!?!?
Hmmmmmm.
Can't seem to put my finger on it....

Change his mind from what?

[kronusthebonus]

So Shanahan isn't a part of the deal then.. That brings the excitement down a bit, but still top notch job.

[JimZipCode]

Rob and Vinny were also saying it as well.

Oh, well if VINNY was saying it....

[JimZipCode]

Harbaugh and the team could have been interviewing him [Hostler] as a courtesy to do him a favor (help him prepare for future interviews with other teams, and boost his standing as someone being considered for such an important/prestigious job).

Yeah, that would be consistent with how Harbaugh operates (giving Rosburg the title of Asst HC, for example). Consistent with how the Ravens have operated in the past, too.