Comments on: Horton’s Norv Turner connection

By: Word From the Birds Blog | Gruden visits, so time to catch up on coach talk

Word From the Birds Blog | Gruden visits, so time to catch up on coach talk — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:15:22 +0000

[...] – XTRA’s Mike Jurecki is reporting that Ray Horton has reached out to Norv Turner to gauge interest in Turner taking the offensive coordinator job if Horton were to get the head coaching job. Not that Turner has said yes, but it’s interesting if true. I mentioned that possibility last week. [...]

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:41:14 +0000

Here is a great scenario:

HC: Horton
OC: Norv Turner
DC: Ron Rivera (after he is fired by Carolina)

By: bluepitt

bluepitt — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 06:03:37 +0000

Dude!!!! Horton called a great D for 2 years? try one and quarter! We are for forgeting his first 10 games where the Cards D sucked? And how does that make you HC quality? we get gouged in the passing game cant stop the deep ball? how did he do so well? We suck VS the run? please explain how he is so great?
Yes we had a great D in some parts of the game but lacked big time in others?

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:11:58 +0000

I just wanted to correct a post above, Norv Turner does not run the West Coast offense. His offense is a modified “Air Coryell” from Sid Gilman. I believe he learned it from Ernie Zampeese. It is a timing “Vertical” type passing game. The offense calls for the QB to throw to a spot where only the WR can make the catch, so I am not sure if this would be the best type of offense for Kolb (he seems to be a “react” type QB). His offense requires someone who is accurate. He does believe in running the ball effectively to set up the pass (Emmitt Smith and LT). As a Charger fan (also like the Cards now that I live here), he is also the “king of the screen”. This year he had to call screens constantly because the Chargers Oline was so awful. At least that wont change if he comes here . Norv did wonders for Alex Smith in SF, but he obviously did his best work with Aikman. Before Norv, Aikman didn’t have much success. Aikman attributes much of his success to Norv. In fact, I believe Norv inducted Aikman into the HOF.

He is also a great play caller. I remember hearing an interview with a defensive coordinator (I can’t remember who) who said that Norv was one of the best of all time. In any event, I think Fitz would be estatic. Norv likes throwing the ball down the field (Irvin, Vincent Jackson, etc.).

(Also, Cam Cameron runs this type of system. I always thought of Cameron as a pale version of Norv)

By: Cactus jeff

Cactus jeff — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:38:05 +0000

Darren
It has more to do with Bidwells comments. I still think they want someone to run the west coast offense as OC or HC in which Kolb had success in Philly. So, yeah, I think Reid was plan A. I also think Haleys name in the discussion now proves adjustments are being made on the fly since Bidwell ignored the Haley question during his press conference. Now I’m not going to rip the Cardinals for overpaying Reid or giving him too much power, I give them the benefit of the doubt.

By: tyman

tyman — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:17:27 +0000

Ray Horton is the most deserving of the Cardinals Head Coaching job.

He has called the D for two years now and has been great at it. Ray has learned from the best and Ray would be taking a step up instead of a step back like all the coaches that were fired. Id be much more happy as a fan to see a good guy and a good coach get the job before one of the big name fires.
The biggest Question is who would be the DC. The 3-4 is hard to call.

By: Scott H

Scott H — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 22:56:18 +0000

Actually…can I be COMPLETELY greedy and suggest all of the following?

1) Norv Turner as OC
2) Lovie Smith as HC
3) Ray Horton remains as DC

I just don’t know that Horton is ready to be a HC after only 2 years as a coordinator. Smith, being a defensive guy, would be a great HC for a team with a great DC already in place. And if it looks like it’s going nowhere after two seasons, fire Smith and promote Horton at that point.

What the heck, doesn’t hurt to dream, does it?

By: erik

erik — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:39:18 +0000

Chip Kelly would change the game at the NFL level. I wish I was hearing the Cardinals name linked to him. Then again, the media is usually way off when mentioning those said “links”.

Thank you for staying very level headed in a business that is anything but. You do an excellent job, Darren. I always enjoy reading your stuff.

By: Cert 33

Cert 33 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:34:39 +0000

Ray Horton as HC and Norv Turner as OC would work I think. But please, no more talk about Alex Smith. Even Kolb is a better choice at QB than Smith. Bring in an FA that has at least 10 years in the NFL (and at least 5 of those as a starter. Keep Kolb and Hoyer and for goodness sake get an all new O-Line and starting RB with the draft picks.

By: Sackman

Sackman — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:28:30 +0000

That’s it, Horton as the Head Coach and Norv Turner as the OC. If we don’t hire Horton as our head coach he is gone to another NFL team as a head coach. Not only will our offense hurt our defense will be hurting too. I always said, many many years ago that Turner is probably the worst head coach I have ever seen. However I also said that Norv Turner is one of the best OC’s I have ever seen. I would be in Hog heaven it that would come true. The search is over “That’s the solution” lets make it happen ownership!!!