Report: Bills to name Turk Schonert Offensive Coordinator

by Brian Galliford on Jan 16, 2008 9:23 AM EST in News

Update [2008-1-16 11:29:16 by Brian Galliford]: The official site has a fantastic interview with Schonert up; it's definitely worth your while to read through that in its entirety. The two quotes that you really, really need to read, however, I'll include here:

"It's not an overhaul," Schonert said. "I'm a firm believer in keeping some of the terminology. They've been in the system terminology-wise for two years. With protections and the run game that's what I'd like to keep the same. Hopefully we can stay as close to what we had before so they don't have to learn brand new terminology in every phase of the game."

"The pass game conceptually I think there's going to be quite a few changes," he said. "Conceptually there are things I liked that we didn't get done last year and I'm going to implement those into the system."

The Buffalo News is reporting that the Bills are set to promote quarterbacks coach Turk Schonert to the post of offensive coordinator. Schonert, who has never held a coordinator position at the NFL level, will replace Steve Fairchild, who after authoring the least productive offensive season in team history left to become head football coach at Colorado State University.

As part of the promotion process, former Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt - who has spent the last two seasons as offensive quality control coach - will assume the quarterbacks coach role vacated by Schonert.

Pressure's On
Buffalo's offense, as mentioned, was historically bad in 2007. Flip-flopping quarterbacks and awful play-calling were at the crux of an attack that produced a franchise-low 20 touchdowns and often left a bottom-feeding defense stranded - even after good defensive efforts. With the Bills likely to hand their starting quarterback slot to second-year man Trent Edwards, the feeling is that head coach Dick Jauron made this promotion based on the fact that similar offensive terminology - not scheming - will help Edwards continue to develop as he enters his first full year as a starter.

But there is, most assuredly, a lot of pressure on Schonert from the outset. With no play-calling experience at the NFL level, Schonert's first task next season will be to prove that his offensive philosophies both play to the talents of Buffalo's current offensive talent and starkly contrasts with the conservative approach Fairchild often took. Another key to keep an eye on his how much say Schonert has in game-planning; Jauron is a conservative coach by nature, and if Schonert's offense struggles to produce early in the '08 season, it's likely he'll be placed on a very short leash.

The biggest pressure Schonert may face, however, comes directly from Buffalo's fan base. Dick Jauron faces this pressure as well. The Bills make this promotion with several prominent, experienced coordinators on the market, including former head coaches such as Cam Cameron, Jim Fassel and Mike Tice. If the offense struggles again in '08, it may be Schonert's first - and only - season on the job. The Bills have not fielded even an average offensive attack since the 2002 season; if that doesn't change, well, something will.

Pressure's on, coach.

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Not Suprising

given the complete lack of search activity or news of any interviews. I wonder if they even made any inquiries outside the organization?

by Zumone on Jan 16, 2008 9:34 AM EST 0 recs

Wonderful

I'm sure this will make everyone very happy. I guess I'll have to give Turk the benefit of the doubt, and assume that Jauron hired the best guy for the job.

After the poor showing from the offense last year, I really got the feeling that a change needed to be made. A change bigger than this. Like I said I'll give Turk some time to prove himself before I get to displeased by this move, But I think I would have liked to see a little outside influence for this team, either in the front office or on the sidelines, and we get neither.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 16, 2008 9:34 AM EST 0 recs

I'm with you here

I, too, expected outside influence in one of the areas - and truthfully, I really expected it to be here. But I, too, am also willing to give Schonert some time. It's not like he's a bad coach - he's been in the league for 12 years - but he's most definitely got a lot to prove. As I said above, pressure's on.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Jan 16, 2008 9:38 AM EST up 0 recs

Concur

I am disappointed that they didn't get someone outside to bring in a fresh perspective. But I too am going to hold off judgment of Turk until he has time to show his abilities. Who knows, maybe he does have a fresh perspective and will energize this offense.

One thing I do like though is Van Pelt moving up to QBs' coach. I am really high on him and think in a few years, with a little more seasoning and experience, he will make a great OC.

by fletcherjd on Jan 16, 2008 11:06 AM EST up 0 recs

The thing is he is well liked

Bring a guy like tice or cameron in and you have the potential of butting heads with Jauron. Thats not what Dick wants. He wants someone that can run his offense effectivly. Use the pieces we currently have and make them score. Fairchild sucked when he was here and Im not sure what that college sees in him. He made bad calls on crucial plays.

I like how we are keeping it "in the family" And if they don't succeed then you redeux it all over again. It's a vicious cycle but its the truth. I like Dick(once again the coach you sickos) and feel he is a great head coach who is very defensive minded. If he felt someone other then Turk could turn this offense around he would have picked them. He knows if he doesn't have the right coaches he isn't gonna succeed. Trust the Dick! Oh yeah I said it.

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Jan 16, 2008 10:47 AM EST 0 recs

Hmmm...

Just a few thoughts:

I am not sure what Jauron meant when he said significant change was likely to be made on offense.

In general, I think football is more about the players than it is the coaches. Great players make great plays. Great plays do not make great players. However, the coaches do dictate the schemes and therefore the types of players on the roster.

While I am not impatiently starving for only the playoffs, the last time the Bills were in the playoffs their offensive coordinator was Joe Pendry (the name does not exactly blow you away).

In defense of Fairchild, I believe that his conservative playcalling in 2007 was related to having a rookie at quarterback. Was it Fairchild's decision to start the rookie? With consistency and Losman at quarterback in 2006, it seems like Fairchild was a better playcaller in 2006. The grass isn't always greener...

This move for Schonert may be the final nail in the coffin for Losman's future in Buffalo. My last hope for Losman in Buffalo was a new offensive coordinator that favored an aggressive, vertical passing game and that the Bills would have an open quarterback competition this offseason (again, Jauron did say significant change was likely to be made on offense). With Schonert, I do not see this happening (Schonert's background and roots are in the West Coast offense). Furthermore, while Edwards displayed some positive things for a rookie, Schonert is also a member of the Bill Walsh-Stanford-biased-Trent Edwards fan club. I did not want to accept it, but this move all but confirms that the Bills are completely hitching their wagon to Edwards and parting ways with Losman. Good luck, J.P. Edwards better be something special.

With the Schonert/Edwards combination, I would not be surprised if the Bills incorporated some West Coast concepts/plays into their offense because they tailor to Edwards' strengths. If successful, they may make the complete conversion to the West Coast offense in the future.

While the West Coast offense has certainly proven to be successful in the NFL (several Super Bowl-winning teams), I have always preferred the vertical passing game. Rather than go horizontally, I want to go vertically down the field in the direction of the endzone because that's where the points are. Just my preference.

As always, anything can happen and we'll see what happens. Go Bills!

by Fort Worth on Jan 16, 2008 11:13 AM EST 0 recs

significant change will come

when we have a better number 1 reciever and a better TE that can be explosive on pass plays. At that point Turk, being a players coach, should be able to motivate this offense to be great. We are only missing two pieces to being a great offense(TE and WR) and that will be or should be the focal point this offseason. Don't get me wrong, Edwards still has to prove he isn't a rookie with the sophmore blues but he is pretty damn good. I saw it last season. If he can continue with his personal improvments and we get him two dependable passing targets he and this offense will produce results.

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Jan 16, 2008 11:48 AM EST up 0 recs

it's a misconception to imply that

a vertical passing game and "west-coast" offense are inconsistent with each other.

philly, san-fran, gb, patsies etc. just approached getting to the vertical pass from a different direction. there are plenty of deep throws to be had, and maybe, here and there, a friggin quick slant.

by sri on Jan 16, 2008 2:27 PM EST up 0 recs

Interesting quotes from Schonert

now up on the official Bills website. I'll leave it to Brian to highlight these things - I should be working.

by Zumone on Jan 16, 2008 11:25 AM EST 0 recs

Even we do tank

Can we expect changes next offseason?

I mean, it couldn't, quite literally, get any worse, and with all the turnover, this was the prime opportunity to get an established OC. So assuming we even just slightly improve, but still flat out suck, can we really expect Wilson to make legitimate changes? I'm thinking not. Schonny may be a little more secure than you think.

by Kumario! on Jan 16, 2008 11:26 AM EST 0 recs

Actually I am warming up to it...

Schonert was not my first choice, but after hearing his interview on bb.com, I am more excited. He seems like a guy who has an arrogance and I think that is important as a coordinator, to have that cocky confidence. He knows change is needed and opening up the offense is crucial. I think he is a PLAYERS coach, which will be huge. Just like DJ and Fewell are player's coaches, I think Schonert is like that too. So, we'll see. If the players are more excited and more confident that can only bode well for the offense.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 16, 2008 11:31 AM EST 0 recs

I don't mind Schonert

He seems to really want to fix our problems from last year. I have no problem keeping the same plays/terminology as long as the playcalling and gameplan improves.

Schonert can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk? (eww, I need a chemical shower to get the Jimmy Johnson words off me) I just hope he can improve our offense to where it's at least mediocre. We were so bad last year that I miss the Drew Bledsoe days...

by Kurupt on Jan 16, 2008 12:58 PM EST 0 recs

offense

Yeah, after training camp, I thought the offense was supposed to be the strength of this team. Instead I'm not really sure what the strength was. i think this team could have done worse, Turk seems like a good fit, but only time will tell.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 16, 2008 1:12 PM EST up 0 recs

my problem with this...

is not Schonert. He deserves a fair chance and the benefit of the doubt and I will give him that.

What I do have a problem with is the process and lack of effort by management (Wilson, front office guys, Jauron) to want to get better.

Who did the Bills interview for this job?

Schonert and appearantly RB coach Eric Studesville were the only candidates (interesting that in the buffalobills.com article, they had one line about Studesville being a candidate, but now that line is no longer there. Interesting).

Why limit your search when there are many other established candidates out there? Why not even interview any of them?

Cam Cameron
Al Saunders
Hue Jackson
Norm Chow
Brian Billick
Mike Shula
Chan Gailey

That's as good of a list as you will ever see in an off-season. And if you don't buy into that and say they are all failures for one reason or another then I guess you and the Bills are the only one on that side of the issue with organizations like San Franisco, St. Louis, Baltimore, KC, Tennessee, Miami, Atlanta, Washington on the other side of the issue. Even Denver (who said if Mike Heimerdinger goes to Tennessee, they would go after Chan Gailey) and Dallas (if garrett leaves, you know they would go after the most proven talen to replace him) have made stronger tries for established coordinators then Buffalo - and they aren't even in the market for one!!

If that's not enough, Garrett has indicated that his OC will be Cam Cameron if he gets a head coaching job. Now ask yourself this: If Garratt, a young up and coming, red-hot offensive assistant knows the important of getting the BEST OC possibile (even though he, himself, is more then qualified to handle the offense on his own) what does that tell you about the importance of having someone with prior success/experience calling the plays?

the evidence is overwhelming. If you want to win, you be aggressive and go after when you need to make that happens. The Bills had an amazing opportunity this off-season to change the face of their offense for the better, instead they tried to "play-it-safe" in the name of continuity.

Lastly, lets talk continuity for a minute. Continuity is only a good thing when there is something good to protect. I highly doubt that ANY sain person would be able to say that Buffalo had a good thing to perserve on offense that they didn't want to disturb. All this continuity talk is just a mask, a disguise. It's smokes and mirrors for what's really going on. An owner who is penny-pinching and afraid of anyone outside his "circle-of-trust" and a head coach that is completely content with a mediocore/safe offense.

This is a team, and I am afraid more so, a fan base that has become content with mediocrity.

I hope Turk works out. I hope the Bills find a diamond in the rough. Diamonds are rare though, and often, it is more advantageous to go to the store and buy one that is already cut and polished for you in the store (and may be a little more money), then going out and hoping you find one in the rough.

For all of our sakes, lets hope Buffalo stumbled on a diamond.

John I.

by jri111 on Jan 16, 2008 1:39 PM EST 0 recs

A Team Content

I agree 100% on the frustration of seeing this important decision come and go and watching Jauron refuse to even interview anyone from outside the organization. It didn't even have to be "name" interviews (although there were several prominent names available); there are up and coming assistants all over the league with fresh ideas and Jauron didn't even deem it worth his time to see what was out there. If Schonert would've won the job against a diverse group of candidates, that's one thing, but basing this hire strictly on his spotty resume is where Buffalo needs to be criticized. There is definitely a problem with unwarrented content surrounding this organization from the owner to the coaching staff to the players to the fans. Just think back to the Giants game this season after Edwards completed 2 of his last 18 passes with 3 interceptions, Jauron was quoted as saying he thought the QB played "pretty well". Nobody demands anything out of this team and that's how QB coaches get promoted uncontested after a record breaking season in offensive futility.

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Jan 16, 2008 2:31 PM EST up 0 recs

I'm worried about your blood pressure

I do agree that I would have liked to see some interviews. And I will agree that I would feel happier right now if someone like Greg Olsen, Hue Jackson, or even Cam Cameron had gotten the job. But I can't get to upset until I've seen Turk at work. Lets not forget that the Bills still have two openings left on their staff. Assistant O-Line, and Quality Control. Those two spots can filled by young guys who have some fresh ideas also. You don't hear a lot about an assistant O-line coach making a huge difference with a team, but he is involved. It seems like the wrong move now, but remember the right move isn't always the most popular.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 16, 2008 2:41 PM EST up 0 recs

Asst O-Line/ Quality Control

...I'm sure Jauron has a ball boy and water boy hanging around the team he can just promote to these positions without interviewing anyone else. I bet these two individuals are just the "maximum effort", "high character types" that Jauron craves and if hiring them saves Wilson some cash in the process, it's a win-win situation.

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Jan 16, 2008 2:55 PM EST up 0 recs

Asst O-Line/ Quality Control

Actually I hear that Alex VanPelt's 10 year old son is going to be the quality control guy. Ralph is going to pay him in i-tunes.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 16, 2008 3:07 PM EST up 0 recs

Re:

He better not pay him with too many i-tunes; you can't have an assistant making more than the head coach.

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Jan 16, 2008 3:11 PM EST up 0 recs

RE:

Got that covered, as part of the restructuring, Dick now gets paid a bonus of PEZ for every win.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 16, 2008 3:17 PM EST up 0 recs

Re:

That's 7 PEZ per year for Dick Jauron. I think he's now properly compensated.

Nick (Bensalem, PA)

by Nick BensalemPA on Jan 16, 2008 3:23 PM EST up 0 recs

Turk

Although I too wished the Bills would have gone outside the organization for a fresh set of eyes, I won't complain about Turk.

I wonder if "his" offense will be remotely similiar to the offense he ran in Cincinati, behind Ken Anderson and Boomer. If so, that was a nice offense.

Most important, is this, stolen from way up above:

to prove that his offensive philosophies both play to the talents of Buffalo's current offensive talent and...

Please Turk, put the square pegs in the square holes, and the round pegs in the round holes. The puzzle just works better like that.

by krytime on Jan 16, 2008 3:49 PM EST 0 recs

i gotta admit...

I've liked what I heard from Turk today. If he does have the things he says, and does them well, then he may just work out.

As I said, I have nothing against the guy and will withhold judgement, my major problem has been the hiring process, and not just this time but for the last 8 seasons. It's OKAY to go out and get someone that has had some past success.

Here's a list of things I heard today:

He wants more rollouts and play-action passes
a more balance offense - improving pass offense number one priority
moving lee around more
getting the ball in the play-makers hands more (and not just on reverses). He signled out Parrish, Lynch and Freddy
Using Lynch much more and third down and in passing situations

Said all the right things, pretty much everything we have all been talking about all season. Go get em' Turk!

John I.

by jri111 on Jan 16, 2008 11:17 PM EST 0 recs