Who is Joe Philbin?

by SD Klepto 6 on Dec 1, 2011 9:22 AM PST

He might just be what Philip Rivers needs...

Philbin was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in 2007 and helped Brett Favre turn around a two-year skid in which Favre was as impressive as Matt Moore. After two years in which Favre finished with QB Ratings of 70.9 and 72.7, Favre finished with a QB Rating of 95.7, the highest rated season in a decade for Favre. Favre finished his only season in Philbin's offense 4,155 yards, 28 TDs, and 15 INTs. Favre was also sacked a career low 15 times. The Packers' offense ranked 2nd in the NFL, their highest rating since 1983. The Packers finished with 5,931 net yards and 435 points, both ranking fourth highest in franchise history.

In 2008, Aaron Rodgers took over from Favre and passed for 4,038 yards, making it the first time in NFL history two QBs have passed for over 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Rodgers again surpassed 4,000 yards in 2009 and Ryan Grant rushed for over 1,200 yards while both Donald Drive and Greg Jennings surpassed 1,000 yards in 2008 and 2009. This marked the first time in NFL history a team has had a QB throw for over 4,000 yards, a RB rush for over 1,200 yards, and two WRs surpass 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. The 2009 offense set a franchise record for points (461) and set their third highest mark in yards (6,065). They also turned the ball over only 16 times, a franchise record, in 2009.

During Philbin's four years as Offensive Coordinator, not including this season, Green Bay has scored 1,703 points and turned the ball over only 83 times, both franchise records for a four year period. The 83 giveaways are 2nd in the NFL to New England over that time period. The Packers have also set franchise records for postseason points scored in three of Philbin's years as Coordinator, with 42 against Seattle in 2007, 45 at Arizona in 2009, and 48 against Atlanta in 2010. Green Bay has ranked top ten in points scored and yards in every season under Philbin.

Much of Philbin's success can be attributed to Favre and Rodgers, but he's done a solid job of getting production from young players who have overachieved at positions such as WR, RB, and OL. His expertise is the offensive line, which would make many Dolphin fans cringe thanks to Tony Sparano. Unlike Sparano, Philbin often prefers a zone blocking scheme and has experience as an Offensive Coordinator.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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One of Regis' illegitimate children?

by Lenny Suckerpunch on Dec 1, 2011 10:02 AM PST reply actions

But seriously, I don’t know if this would work for anything other than the offense (as they say, defense wins championships). I am unsure how Mr. Philbin will address this glaring problem, compared to a previous HC whom we have a knowledge of their defensive scheme, or a DC where we definitely will know what will be “the plan” on that side of the ball.

There’s a lot of things missing here in this argument which would keep me awake at night.

by TheFan09 on Dec 1, 2011 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

That would rely upon who he would bring in as DC

To be honest I don’t know what he would do there. He’s been on the staff during the Packers 4-3 and 3-4 days. I don’t know if he would want to bring one of the guys from the Pack’s current staff. My guess though is that he would run things similar to the way McCarthy has where he would have his finger prints on the offense and then hire a strong DC to have free reign on that side of the ball.

by PackApologist on Dec 1, 2011 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

Things to keep in mind with Philbin

1. He’s a WCO guy. Last time I checked the Chargers aren’t that system of offense, more from the Air Coryell school.

2. Philbin has had a great run as OC of the Packers, but in that time he wasn’t the play caller. McCarthy has always handled the playcalling responsibilities in his time as coach of the Packers and has always had a hands on approach to the way the offense is run.

3. It’s very hard to simply point to Philbin’s presence as what has the magic touch with QB’s. McCarthy himself was a QB coach and QB whisperer as an OC. It was McCarthy that brought in the QB college to develop the younger QB’s. Clements the QB coach has also had an active role during the time Philbin was OC in bringing these players around.

by PackApologist on Dec 1, 2011 8:48 PM PST reply actions

Check this out...

I like what I’m hearing but,

1) How much did the 49ers defense win the Super Bowl when they smoked us in 1995?
2) There are plenty of good DC’s out there that would do 1000% better then our DC that half the time I cannot remember his name.
3) Please tell me how many super bowl’s an Air Coryell team has won and how many a WCO has won…
4) McCarthy was the OC with the SF 49ers with a defensive head coached named Mike Nolan and we know how that turned out.
5) Who do you think puts the offensive game plan together with McCarthy?
6) If you worked for someone who has a great business model, when given your own business would you vary much?

Guys, in 51 years "OUR" team has gone to the big game 1 time. When Bobby Ross came here he changed everything, basically running WCO (i.e. Ronnie Harmon). Evolve or become extinct! Our team is on the verge of becoming extinct. Shoot, if he isn’t the answer then let’s push for David Shaw right now! We’ve seen what his former boss has done and know he is capable of taking the keys to a Ferrari and driving it like it should be. Unlike Norv, who totaled it!

by SD Klepto 6 on Dec 2, 2011 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

My bet is that there are an equal number of Coryell and WCO SB winners

The 90s Cowboys were Air Coryell teams as well as the Greatest Show on Turf.

The WCO has many NFC teams signed on there with the Niners, Packers, Eagles, and I believe Saints (under Peyton) as the some of the notable teams there. My bet is if we go through team by team it would be pretty even.

Really the bigger concern is the switch in personnel and relearning an offense that would need to happen with the players on the team. Just like switching between a 3-4 and 4-3 defense.

Now I’m a Packer fan so I don’t know all the team history that you brought back out, but I can tell you that Philbin is a good coach. The offense has done pretty well, although in most Packer fan circles see that more a function of MM than Philbin. That said, there has been development of some good young players and would probably be a good hire…..like I said, it’s tough to get a good gauge of an OC who is working for an offensive minded HC.

by PackApologist on Dec 2, 2011 6:03 PM PST up reply actions

While I can agree with your arguments for the WCO

I do not think that you can blame the Air Coryell system for our seemingly routine failures. Our offense (minus the sub-par play of our offensive line – which would also hinder an WCO) is not and has not been our biggest issue. Our defense however…… WCO our Air Coryell doesn’t do squat to help our our defense. Our defense is our weakest link and what has caused us to fall short repeatedly….. along with the like of quality personnel moves (free agency or draft – take your pick).

by MacDeezul on Dec 3, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions

Agree

This would be a great hire…also like Pete Carmichael in NO. Cowher is a dinosaur who loves to punt on 4th down and establish the running game. The clear play for the Chargers is to use their best asset (only 1 year ago Rivers was historically great) and build an elite passing O (like the Saints, Packers, New England & formerly Indy).

It is a crime AJ let the passing game deteriorate like this. He has ignored drafting O-line depth and wasted valuable resources on the awful Cleary. The Chargers WRs are old, injury prone and lack depth (compare Crayton & Walters/Goodman to Jordy & James Jones or Antonio Brown & Emmanuel Sanders).

Build an elite passing O and luckball a defense….easiest way for a sustained run. The Saints & Indy win titles when they had a D that was “on” for a year and created turnovers.

by DKNJ on Dec 2, 2011 11:05 AM PST reply actions