Who is this guy? Certainly the Colts WR do a great job (some of it is Manning). Do we have any idea of the process that the 9ers are going to use? I would hope they would interview all the guys on the list and make a decision. I don't want them to make a snap judgement and fall in love with someone right away.

Matt, did you see this coming ?
A WR Coach for Sings Smash Mouth Football ?
Does this make any sense ?

P. Shurmur or Gailey as OC... Shurmur is untested, so I think Gailey may get the nod... If not flip a coin on Linehan and Chudzinski. Clyde Christensen is quite the dark horse, but he does fit the description of experience and job continuity.

Chan Gailey over Linehan or Chudzinski? Really? Don't get me wrong, Gailey is a quality coordinator, but not quite as quality as the other two. And there's no way Linehan gets a head coaching gig any time soon.

Hi Matt,

Is there any truth to the report after the National Championship game last night by Mark Ibanez and Joe Fonzi that Matt Cavanaugh was in the mix for the 9ers OC?

What in the world?? I have never heard of this guy. Matt, do you know what style of plays he ran when he was an OC?

Did'nt see that one coming. Next week looks to be decision time.

When it comes to receivers coaches, he's good. I hope they give Ray Sherman an interview.

I had thought they'd get a position coach over a current OC because of the whole "I want to be a head coach now" thing that current OC's get caught up in. I'd take him over Chudzinski or Gailey or Linehan. But Linehan is my top choice of recent coordinators.

Question: Is there any truth to the report after the National Championship game last night by Mark Ibanez and Joe Fonzi that Matt Cavanaugh was in the mix for the 9ers OC?

My response: Cavanaugh is under fire at Pitt after the Panthers were shut out in their bowl game against Oregon State. Cavanaugh put together some stodgy offenses with the Bears (1997-98) and Ravens (1999-2004), so that seems to be the style Singletary prefers.

Chan Gailey is the Chiefs' offensive coordinator. I haven't heard anything about him being let go, so to my knowledge he is unavailable. --Matt M.

Interesting candidate... The 2001 Bucs had a decent offense without much in the way of playmakers. Alstott slowly ran up 10 TDs.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2001.htm

Matt,

A little off the subject, but is there any possiblity that the niners are loocking to add TJ Housh to the mix of recievers next year?

I love what this guy has done with Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne. They're obviously playing well towards the peak of their abilities and Christensen deserves a lot of credit for it. Could be interesting to see what he does with Josh Morgan, Jason Hill and Ziegler...

I don't think I'll be unhappy with any coordinator they hire until I see negative results on the playing field. Just don't feel that I can critique any of the guys I've seen so far as they all have such strong resumes...

Matt,

What about Eagles QB Coach Pat Shurmur? I think he could be a possible candidate. He is a WCO guy. Check out his background...What do you think?

The book Next Man Up, a dairy of the Ravens of a few years back, is less than flattering in its descripton of Cavanaugh. I'd see him as a less than interesting OC prospect.

Mike Maser of Miami....formerly of the Panthers.....formerly of the Ravens. I.e. offensive line mastermind. Who better to run an offense based on the run?

Chudzinski is not a run first OC based on stats and play-calling. Check Gailey's resume, he fits the bill... He runs first and passes second. Every team he was an OC for in the NFL made the playoffs, excluding the Chiefs this year! Can you say this about Chudzinski or Linehan? This is a what have you done for me lately league. Look what he did with absolute garbage in KC this year. He's done more this year with less than Chudzinski or Linehan. Plus he is less likely to move on than Linehan. Linehan is a quality coach who I wouldn't mine seeing on our sideline, but if he came in and had a good year he would fit the bill of a good OC that has experience and may be given another chance in a year or two. There is no way Chan Gailey gets the same oportunity! So yes I would take Gailey over Chud or Linehan... I would love to see a WCO guy come in here instead, but we have to wait and see. Of course we have to wait and see what happens with the GM position in KC. If he cleans house then I think MS will jump on it.

Indiana Jim- I would like to see Ray Sherman get an interview too, but he's getting opportunities as Linehan/Haslett's replacement. If he came in here and did well he may fly the coop too!!!

Well, I think that's the difference. I don't like that it's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, that too much blame rests on two few people when things go wrong.

My preference is Linehan. He's done good things in the ground game with less talented players, especially in Minnesota, and he'll have a solid D backing him up. Plus there's no conceivable change he leaves for a head coaching gig anytime soon which, if you ask me, is qualification number 1.

The Buc's offense back then was much like what most people imagine the Raven's offense the year before. That is, the offense just makes sure they don't screw up the game. The offense threw nearly 600 passes that season which was ranked 2nd in the NFL, while Johnson only threw 13 ints. Pretty nice stats, but you'd think their passing yards would be high, which they weren't. They were basically dinking and dunking. Th sign of a good OC would be that the offense can move the football. The '01 Bucs were a fluke much like the Ravens of '00. Besides, 2nd in the NFL in passes thrown, I thought we wanted to run the ball. I'm all for signing this guy to be our WRs coach, but he's been in the league for years and has nothing to show for it.

Perhaps this interview was a favor between friends to get the guys name out there. I can't imagine this guy has a shot in hell to be the OC for the 9ers.

j-jerk-n-em24 - Do you have information that we don't or are you assuming he is going to get fired from his OC job with the chiefs? Otherwise, he is on a coaching staff with a contract. He's untouchable.

Gents - Its called leverage. The niners now have a candidate that would take a low OC salary to get the job. Its good business and I like that they are brining in other candidates even if they have a #1 guy they want 100%.

Again I'll repeat since you used selective reading...

"Of course we have to wait and see what happens with the GM position in KC. If he cleans house then I think MS will jump on it."

Wasn't this guy the OC of those Tampa teams that got Dungy replaced by Jon Gruden? If that's the case, I hope he does not get the job here in SF.

Sounds like a warm up session for the real interviews to start this weekend. BTW I think as good as Chudzinski sounds (I really like his heavy usage of the TE the total opposite of Martz) because he could be a hot HC candidate he should be passed ASAP. Just hearing the possibility of an 8th consecutive OC, which has to be a record, makes me sick to my stomach. Really, that would be ridiculous. We've got to pass on that one.

Well I don't like Schottenhimer or Mangini getting canned for decent records but it happens... As for doing more with less, Linehan had Culpeper and Moss at their peak in Minnesota! Then followed with the greatest show on turf in 2005! Faulk retired and then he had luxury of giving the load to Jackson... Hardly a lack of talent... Don't get me wrong I like Linehan and wouldn't mind seeing him on the sideline, I'm just responding because you tried to call me out about Chan Gailey!

P.S.- No one can say if Linehan gets another HC job because no one realisically thought Norv Turner would get an opportunity again! We don't know if he'd jump ship and leave for the college ranks either. If that is truly priority #1 then you would have to look at a position coach w/ or w/o OC experience.

Like Hostler?

No, someone like Ray Sherman or Pat Shurmur. The point I was trying to make is we have to take a risk on an experienced guy and hope the chips fall our way... No one knows what a person's motivation to stay or leave will be. Just hope MS gets a guy that can groom someone (Rathman) to step in if he steps away in a couple of years.

Hey Matt, can you look at the highlight of the last interception in the Oklahoma Florida game and tell me if the ball slipped out of the Florida defenders hand and hit the ground. From what I saw it did, which means it would be incomplete right?

While you're doing that, Matt, could you pick up a loaf of bread and a six-pack for me? Thanks.

Question: Matt, can you look at the highlight of the last interception in the Oklahoma Florida game and tell me if the ball slipped out of the Florida defenders hand and hit the ground. From what I saw it did, which means it would be incomplete right?

My response: After further review, the play stands as called. Interception! --Matt M.

This is great, the Niners obviously have been intense in their search. The way this process is going feels real right. Kinda seems like guys are lined up to interview for this position.