Matt, are we the only ones that have an interest in Dan Reeves?

Question: are we the only ones that have an interest in Dan Reeves?

My response: To my knowledge, yes. --Matt M.

I'm not concerned about the Chargers signing Chud since it was clear to me he was not a fit for Singletary. Ditto for Christensen. And, if a day or two more pass without naming Jags, Jackson or Reeves I think the same for them. Singletary has moved swiftly when he wanted to - see Tom Rathman, the firing of Martz. So, unless one of these three is named by Wednesday, I think the Niners are still shopping. Where, I don't know. Although, I would still like to see Norm Chow in the mix.

Matt, is there anyone on the Steelers coaching staff that you could guess Sing might have an interest in?

Matt: Any probability of interest in Russ Grimm?

I totally agree with everything you said. You bring up an excellent point about Coach Singletary moving fast when he wants to. Matt, have you overheard Norm Chow's name at all over the last month?

After some research I'm liking more and more what I'm hearing/reading about Hue Jackson. If he does get the job start the clock on the Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmanzadeh to the 49ers rumor. They both love playing for Hue. Thanks to Linehan, we won't hear about an offer to Hue until he signs. You heard it here first: Hue Jackson 49ers 2009 OC (Its a huntch)

Don't know about your hunch, bit i think you are absolutely correct about what we will hear: A big fat nuthin until there's a done deal. I agree with Drew--they're still shopping, probably until after the SB.

Matt, when does it get to the point where the candidates who currently have jobs are going to be denied the ability to get out of their contracts in order to take our offensive coordinator spot? I know we got burned big time when Norv Turner left, could it happen again?

Interesting...the Chargers are setting themselves up to do as the Niners did. If/when they decide to throw Turner overboard in a year or two, they'll have an assistant head coach ready to take over on an interim basis (and an option to keep). Wonder if that's in a side agreement with Chud...

Looks like Singletary is succeeding at one (more) thing - plugging up the media leaks ;)

When Mike met with Jed and Scot to discuss his offensive vision, what the did they talk about? It looks like they just discussed in general Mike's vision. I would have thought they would want specific names that Mike could bring in and would accept the job. Mike should have never fired Martz without knowing that the OC he wanted would come to the 49ers.

They are waiting for Al Davis to not hire Tom Cable and will offer the job to him.
I am kidding. But you never know.

Yes, the loose lips on the ship have been sealed. My guess is that they belonged to one of the late departed assistants.

Matt, do you think Dan Reeves has experience with the offensive systems(other than the Martz system) that the 49ers have learned since Alex Smith has been with the team such as the WCO or the digit system? If he is hired, will they be starting with something brand new to the players who have been there for the last couple years? Is it more important to Singletary to find a previous play caller, or is it possible that he can bring in someone who will be calling plays for the first time? The reason I ask is because I recall Singletary stating that he isn't planning on running the ball every play, he just wants to know that he can. So, would it be reasonable to guess that no matter what the next system is he just wants to be able to ask the OC to call run plays whenever he would like?

Do you wait to break up with a bad girlfriend in a relationship that you just know isn't going to work until you find her replacement? If Mike Singletary knew Mike Martz was just not going to fit with what he had in mind for the offense (He IS the head coach, you know) why wouldn't he fire him? I share your misgivings about the process that's going on right now. However, I have faith that Coach Singletary is sweating this a lot more than I am, and I trust he will not rush anything and that in the end he will hire a good man for the job.

Excellent point my fellow Fresnan!

Agreed in principle. What bothers me is that when Linehan, a experienced offensive mind whom Sing obviously respected and felt comfortable with after 2 interviews, said NO, he almost had to have been saying 'There is something wrong here. ' Despite the general willingness to discount Linehan as a snake, Singletary obviously was blind-sided, and no matter how one looks at it, this spells trouble.

Matt, have you heard any buzz at all about Ken Anderson of the Steelers? What are your thoughts abut his qualifications, and do you think he fits into what Singletary might want?

What started out looking like a prudent search for an OC has now taken on the appearance of "paralasis by analyasis."

Fresnans- Let me state a different opinion. If you decide your car is the wrong color, do you sell it and walk until you replace it? Maybe the key word in your comment was "bad" girlfriend. The Singletary-Martz combination was 5-3 over the last 8 games. That ain't bad! I hope this all turns out well, but you can't tell me this circus is what Singletary had in mind in December.

Ken Anderson was the Bengal's OC from 1996 - 2000 (and was then demoted to QB coach). 96-2000 was the prime Corey Dillon, Carl Pickens years. So I'm guessing that was a classic run focused offense?

Hue Jackson UOP Tiger! Sounds like the choice to me!

Perhaps, but it was obvious that Martz didn't want to dummy his game down and Sing didn't want to take as many risks. It would not have worked long term(my opinion). Plus Martz would have left after 09 if there was more success. Sing's just looking for long term. That was what he said the day he fired him. "After an evaluation period, I felt it was best to go in a different direction," Singletary said. "This was not an easy decision because I appreciate Mike Martz, and I enjoyed working with him. He is a true professional, and I wish him the best in the future. I do recognize the need for a long-term solution on the offensive side of the ball."

Mark, we'll look forward to seeing you in the next summer Olympics. Your exceptional ability to leap to conclusions should enable you to set new world records in the long and high jumps. Of course you will face stiff competition in just making the team from some others on this blog.
From your post it is clear that you have had no experience whatsoever in conducting multiple interviews for a senior position or any position for that matter), in any business. Let me tell you, it ain't like going down to local labor hiring corner to get someone to clean out the gutters.
It neither spells trouble or represents "paralasis (sic) by analyasis (sic)" - the latter, of course was not your sentiments but those of another of our Mensa members.

Sometimes taking your time spells confidence and competence. So just wait, the adults will make it all worth your while.

Anderson was the Bengal's OC from 1996 - 2000 (and was then demoted to QB coach). 96-2000 was the prime Corey Dillon, Carl Pickens years. So I'm guessing that was a classic run focused offense?

I think at this stage if Singletary was sold on someone he'd have already hired him. This leads me to believe that either he has another interview scheduled but not leaked yet, or his is waiting to interview Russ Grimm. Not sure if Arizona would let him go to a division rival but he's the only coach still in the playoffs that I believe we could be waiting on.

Green 6:11 says

Denny Green ohhh where art thou we need thee and thou shall leadest this people unto the land of promise.

The trouble with asserting that all will be well, as you and some others seem to keep doing, is that you have no evidence to support your assertions. The known facts are that Sing was rejected by the only candidate he has made an offer to, the candidate that many including Sing thought was the best fit for the job, and that Sing is on record-- in December-- as saying he wanted this position filled "yesterday."

Perhaps instead of attacking those of us who register concern at a process that obviously has not gone as he expected, you could offer some rational basis for an optimism that sounds a whole lot like blind faith.

We are waiting. But then it may be hard to think rationally with your head in the sand.

--(signed) your "inexperienced, juvenile Olympic leaper"

I am glad they are doing thing behind closed doors, it makes it less embarrassing when we're turned down. I hope they sign someone soon, there's a lot to do. Also, I am now of the opinion that if the 9ers are so successful that the OC is hired away, we'll deal with it then. By all accounts Martz was successful and he is looking for a job. Let's get someone hired and if he is a candidate for a HC job, let's pay him Garrett money. It doesn't count against the cap. It's like my aunt, what would I do if I won the lottery, think of all the taxes and stuff. You know what, borrow trouble somewhere else.

Since this seems like a pretty wide open search, I was wondering where I could possibly apply for the OC position. I believe in the running game. I watch a lot of football. Sometimes I predict the next play, usually when it is a good outcome. I saw the look in the eye when I was shaving this morning. I may be about 12,000 miles away from SF, but I could relocate. It seems I have as good a shot as anyone, so why not?

Hey, do us a big favor. When you get the offer, DON'T think it over for two days, then say no because you don't want to relocate your family, then interview and accept a job with the Raiders.

Thanks.

Take the list down to three:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3863021

Saw that on the ESPN scroll. Looks like Reeves is going to take consultant role with the Cowboys. I can see this. He still has very strong ties to the Cowboys.

As for Chudzinski, it does say somesthing that no one else hired him as their OC. Norv obviously thinks highly of him if he is going to make him assistant head coach. I thought to myself all along that McSing should have just called Norv and said "who do we hire?" and make that person their top priority.

At this point I think they need to give the job to Jagodzinski. He is the only one with even partial qualifications. There is some question about his loyalty after the fiasco at BC, but that may be just enough to keep him here for a few years. And he has a pretty proven record with Matt Ryan and he is a WCO/Run first type of coach.

The only other candidates I can think to consider are Zampese and Chan Gailey (if he doesn't stay in KC). I doubt it was their plan from the beginning, but through the process of elimination they have left themselves with a very short list to choose from.

ouch son-in-law trumps pupil.

Increasing the likelihood that someone on a SB team is a target?

dcsham -- you could very well be right. I was just wondering about Maurice Carthon, but doggone if I don't think you might be right on the money. It has got to be that Singletary wants to at least interview one of the AZ or Pitt assistants. Anderson makes the most sense of the Pittsburghers, and Carthon makes most sense in AZ. There is no other explanation for Singletary's desire to hire someone "yesterday" but no hiring since he tried to get Linehan.

Yes. To make sense out of all this, doesn't SOMEONE in AZ or Pittsburgh have to be on the "get to" list? And what about the concern that AZ would be reluctant to let someone go to a div rival?

Matt,
ESPN is reporting that Reeves has informed the Niners that he is going to accept a position with the Cowboys as a consultant. Thank God!! I hope that Singletary comes to his senses and hires an OC with creativity and can attack when necessary. Not just a run-run mentality.

Mark W.

Love that post when you replied to RMagnus. It's been something I've been wanting to say, but have tried to steer clear from confrontation.

I share the same sentiments.

Ah yes, the confrontation issue. Sometimes I avoid. And sometimes I just get fed up :) Thanks.

Open Question for the many who know more than I do (and even those who just think they do):

Is there a chance that Tom Rathman is a fall-back option that gives Sing the leisure of continuing to look, without a lot of pressure?

It has occurred to me that if he were, then every candidate would have to pass the "better than Woody" test or be eliminated, and no hurry.

I know Rathman said he was not thinking OC when he was hired, but that could have changed. Might he have sufficient experience/smarts to serve if called upon?

(I expect many informed and insightful responses by the time I tune in tomorrow.)

Faith in your head coach doesn't have to be blind...it's simply...faith. Singletary's done nothing for me to lose faith in him. The Linehan fiasco wasn't his fault...most asst coaches who accept a 2nd interview don't bail. Since he did wuss out, it was a setback in the OC search. I think we're all anxious to find out who he picks...but, I trust his ability to judge who'll fit what he wants to do. McCloughan has some experience hiring OC's, too. They're partners in this exercise...and I believe when all's said and done, they'll hire the right guy. Call it whatever you want...I simply call it faith.

It's also very possible that people (Reeves) shopping for jobs know where to get exposure.
Thanks Dan, Jerry wants whatever we want first so, have a good time in Big D.
There's plenty of drama to go around.
Let's also keep in mind that agents are in business to make money. If we play possum we don't necessarily look weak, just businesslike.
Jagz was a concern for Sing as a flight risk and justifiably so.
One thing Sing impresses me with is his ability to communicate. If he's got reservations about someone now, move on. I'm sure he's well aware of the magnitude of this hire, so why rush it like NoPlan did.

The same Chad Johnson who allegedly threw a punch at Hue Jackson, which prompted Jackson to leave for Baltimore??
And you think they'll be happy to be reunited?

Mark W -- Rathman said before he was hired that he does not want an OC position at this time and wants to continue focusing on RBs. Him being a fallback is unlikely.

The waiting only really makes sense if Singletary at the least is not sold on any of the known candidates.

What are you talking about. You know nothing. Nothing except which is reported in the media and blogs like these, most of which is rumor and conjecture. You know nothing of what is going on behind closed doors and in private conversations.

Of course Singletary would have liked to haved someone in place "yesterday". That's just stating the obvious. He could hire someone today if the only goal was to untie the knots in the knickers of ninnies who have nothing better to do than wait for news, hovering hour after hour like nervous husbands outside a maternity ward.

They could hire somebody by lunchtime. The wrong person. Singletary's smart. He'll end up with somebody he wants. But ........ no matter who it is, it won't satisfy 80% of the doofii in here who will know instinctively that they could have got someone much, much better.

I'll give you an old saying that you need put in your mental ditty bag; 'the work of the world is done by those criticised, not by the critics'

Anyone can criticise, its easy. And the dumber you are, the easier it is. Have faith. Blind faith is better than blind stupidity.