Two interviews for Carolina Panthers look to fill OL and QB coach vacancies.

by James Dator on Jan 20, 2011 8:45 AM EST

The Carolina Panthers are poised to interview former Baltimore Ravens OL coach John Matsko and Jacksonville Jaguars QB coach Mike Shula, per reports from Yahoo Sports and Darin Gantt respectively.

The two coaching positions represent the most important position coaching vacancies remaining to be filled, and on the surface Matsko looks like a serious concern. After all, he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens for in part for coaching a line that allowed 40 sacks in 2010, 8th worst in the NFL... but before Weinke graces the comment section step away from the ledge, it's not as bad as it looks.

Meanwhile, former University of Alabama head coach Mike Shula (yes, he's A Shula) is set to interview for 'an offensive position' and while that's not necessarily QB coach, it's more than likely he would fill this role. Again, after the jump we'll look at what Shula has done in the past with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tip of the hat to jamiedk for finding the Matsko interview information.

Let's begin with Matsko... yes, the Ravens allowed 40 sacks this year, yes the Ravens were 28th in the NFL in YPC. While it looks bad, last year the Ravens were 20th in the NFL in sacks allowed, and 4th in the NFL in YPC. In part, the sacks are attributed to Joe Flacco's play style. Like Ben Roethlisberger he's a big QB who extends the play as long as possible, as such the Steelers always sit around the bottom of the league in sacks allowed. Thus, while looking over the stats makes it look like Baltimore's OL is horrid, in reality they're not as bad as the numbers suggest.

In 2010 the Ravens OL were as bad as the numbers suggest. A 3.8 YPC is atrocious, however, again I have justification. Cast an eye to the Ravens IR and you'll see what happened to their offensive line: Starting LT Jared Gaither didn't play at all in 2010, and backup T Ramon Harewood was on IR also, the result of this was 22 negative runs to the left side of the line, the highest in the NFL. Clearly, the loss of Gaither was a major blow to their run game.

If you cast an eye across Matsko's bio it's a bevy of NFL success:

2009: O-line helped Ravens total the top three offensive total yards games (548 vs. Det., 501 vs. KC and 479 vs. Cle.) in franchise history...Ravens set team marks with 47 total TDs and 22 rushing TDs...Rookie T Michael Oher made the All-Rookie Team.

2008: Matsko's solid unit helped the Ravens' running game rank fourth (148.5 ypg) in the NFL...Ravens were the only NFL team to have a player with over 450 (Ray Rice), 650 (Willis McGahee) and 900 (Le'Ron McClain) rushing yards...Team permitted only 33 sacks, second fewest in team history...Provided leadership for the NFL's youngest starting O-line to begin the season and dealt with injuries that eventually broke up the opening day lineup.2006-07: (with Kansas City) 2007: Spent his second season as offensive line coach.

2006: The O-line helped pave the way for a KC rushing attack that ranked fifth in the AFC, averaging 133.9 rushing yards per game...Injuries forced the Chiefs to utilize five different starting combinations on the offensive front, but Chiefs linemen still opened plenty of holes for Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson...Johnson established a franchise single-season record with 1,789 rushing yards and set an NFL single-season record with 416 carries...Also established a team record with 11 100-yard rushing performances...Under Matsko, G Will Shields earned his 12th Pro Bowl berth, while G Brian Waters was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad for a third consecutive year

1999-2005: (with St. Louis) St. Louis led the NFL in total offense for the first three seasons of Matsko's tenure with the club, while producing three NFL MVPs in the process - QB Kurt Warner (1999, 2001) and RB Marshall Faulk (2000)...John was instrumental in the development of seven-time Pro Bowl T Orlando Pace and two-time Pro Bowl honoree G Adam Timmerman.

From where I sit, Matsko isn't neccesarily a 'fall guy' in the same vein as Sean McDermott, but given key injuries he hardly seems like the sole reason for the Ravens failures.

Mike Shula from the legendary Shula family has been the QB coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the last two seasons. In this capacity he's helped develop David Garrard from a bottom-third QB, to a top 15 passer each of the last two seasons. From 2000-2001 Shula helped improve Jay Fiedler's QB rating by five points from 75 to over 80, and then in 2002 Fiedler improved another 5 points to over 85.

He left the NFL for an unsuccessful tenure at the University of Alabama, but in his time as an NFL QB coach he has had success improving players under his guidance.

Honestly, I see both as potentially good hires. They don't look very impressive on paper, but these guys have been part of winning organizations. What do you think?

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I'd be happy with both...

Shula has done what he can with what can be deemed as “un-traditional” QB talents (give me hope that he will fix what ails JC), and has been quite good at it. Being around ravens fans constantly, they always attribute injuries on the line (and Flacco’s statuesque playing style) to poor performances more than anything. These would be good hires in my book….

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 8:59 AM EST reply actions

Kinda meh on these two...

While neither of them look great, neither look particularly terrible either.

by aceofsween on Jan 20, 2011 9:01 AM EST reply actions

I'd prefer to hire Shula and find a better option than Matsko.

But, at the same time, it could be a lot worse: we could bring back Davidson as OL coach.

"I think that fits right along with what my vision is, and that is to help build this team into a Super Bowl caliber team, win, and sustain that for a period of time." ~Ron Rivera

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by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 9:12 AM EST reply actions

You can't help but wonder about people that just got canned

How many are truly fall guys and how many deserved it? I’m not saying either way for these two but I always wonder. Good news is these are lower positions. On the flip side dudes that just got fired are always motivated to prove they belong and to make their previous employer look like an idiot (don’t ask me how I know that).

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by Jaxon on Jan 20, 2011 9:13 AM EST reply actions

There could be one another reason

You might be looking to shake things up so that you get a fresh perspective or it might be a matter of chemistry with players or some of the other coaches possibly.

by pieterzen on Jan 20, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions

Not happy.

by SerbianPanther on Jan 20, 2011 9:27 AM EST reply actions

I guess the really successful ones aren't going to be available.

Any thoughts on who you would like better?

by panthersnbraves on Jan 20, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

Ravens are my favorite AFC team, so i’ve watched quite a few games this year. Their line with solid talent played awful. Pass protection slightly better then ours but run blocking was far worse.

by SerbianPanther on Jan 20, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Don't know too much about them...

But the more I read about them, I’m not all that impressed. Matsko seems like a decent O line coach, however the high number of sacks last year really worry me, especially with how bad our O line was this past year. While Shula might also be a good coach, I’m honestly much more intrigued by Jay Gruden at QB coach than Shula. Meh on these candidates

by jkp1516 on Jan 20, 2011 9:35 AM EST reply actions

Honestly...

A better value for tracking Oline competency would be the average amount of time they give the QB on passing plays, instead of just sacks. If James is correct about Flacco, then it would show with a fairly high protection-time rating, which would in turn give better insight into Matsko’s unit.

by aceofsween on Jan 20, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Good thought

Where would one find that stat?

by The Duke Dude on Jan 20, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not even sure it exists.

by aceofsween on Jan 20, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

You gotta re-watch some games.

Get a feel for the O-line play. I know that many Baltimore fans thought the O-line was the biggest problem on offense.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 20, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions

Schula looks like a decent hire, not interested in Matsko

The #1 thing you notice when watching the Ravens this season was their inability to do anything at the o-line, whether it be pass protect or run block. It was almost the exact same as the 2010 Panthers, except they had a more capable QB. I don’t want to hear about injuries – good coaches produce a solid product, regardless of injuries. I don’t want a coach who can only put up decent stats in a picture perfect season, because there is no such thing. Some of it falls on the OC not adjusting to the OL deficiencies, but the Ravens got burned more than three times in four weeks by the same damn play that lost them the back-half regular season Steelers game. That’s unnaceptable.

by ppalm on Jan 20, 2011 9:40 AM EST reply actions

+1

I’ve had lots of Ravens games shown on television and I was never impressed by their offensive line. The site I posted below shows that they did have better line yards than us but I think that comes down to Flacco v Clausen with the obvious edge to Clausen. Offensive line injuries happen as seen in both our team and Baltimore. When we are performing just a notch lower and we have better talent I believe when healthy, I think he will just inherit something good. When you play the Steelers though and can see no improvement in game strategy on the OL, that worries me.

by GMallory on Jan 20, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

+1

I second both ppalm & GMallory motions / posts, we need to find a better OL coach then Matsko from the Ravens b.c. ever with all that talent their Oline has never been anything but average, secondly the only reason that people are thinking that Shula looks like a decent hire is b.c. he is in the same family as Don Shula; and that means little to me. Goes back to the old saying just b.c. your dad or uncle or whomever was a great player or coach doesn’t mean you will be.

Here again I guess name value can get you anything similar to Jay Gruden almost being brought here as a QB coach or OC or whatever.

Not to high on either of these two opts I hope we are not starting to go cheap now that we have some of the best young coaches in the league already under contract which would be very typical of the Panthers.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jan 20, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

Jay gruden isn't living on name; he's got merit to his work

I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten an nfl job yet

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts specifically on Matsko

BAL ranked #9 on this website compared to #27 for our beloved Panthers.

In these stats, I notice that we did had better success in the trenches especially with powering over the defensive line. We have lots of power and will be able to rush the ball maybe more effectively with Matsko, but I think he would just be inheriting a good hand. We beat out BAL with 2nd level yards and open field yards. We do have good linemen and we know that, except for the depth but most teams are like that, but I am disappointed with Matsko especially when when they have given him the chance with draft picks for the OL like Michael Oher, who looks lost so often. I see the back of his jersey so often on television because he always gets beat.

I do think that we can learn something from a new coach but I do not think that he will be that coach that shows up and suddenly the OL has dramatic improvements when we should have a squad that should be looking the same if Kalil comes back. I’d rather look towards other OL coaches that can especially help us out dramatically in the passing game, which the website also confirms that Baltimore was right up there with us in terms of sacks allowed. I am a firm believer of improving the passing game will help us run easier. I just do not think Matsko is the right fit when we need to improve the pass defense and can try to be more efficient with the run, which we already have the edge in.

by GMallory on Jan 20, 2011 10:00 AM EST reply actions

Did not link to the website, hopefully this should work.

by GMallory on Jan 20, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

by GMallory on Jan 20, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nice reference

by adamwanderer on Jan 20, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

These look like very marginal improvements to me, with lots of passing the buck excuses to justify Matsco, especially.

An OL coach is supposed to compensate for injuries (they happen to almost every team) by instilling proper techniques for replacements.

I’d hope we could find someone who could show our OLmen how to better use their feet and hands to block better. It’s not just all body weight.

I guess what I’m saying is, if we’re going to use most recent performance to judge and evaluate our players, we should use the same yardstick for coaches. Maybe Matsco’s relatively better numbers in years past were just due to better personnel, and not to his teaching.

A big ho-hum on these two guys.

by bigdavis on Jan 20, 2011 10:24 AM EST reply actions

You gotta think

The reason we’re interviewing these guys is because of lateral coaching moves or other coaches still being locked up in the playoffs. Problem is that the playoff-bound coaches probably aren’t going to be fired and still won’t be able to make a lateral move.

by aceofsween on Jan 20, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

These are two of the more important positional hires

I hope they insist on interviewing more than one candidate, unless that one candidate is Lombardi reincarnate.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 20, 2011 10:36 AM EST reply actions

I've never heard of these guys

But they sound like solid dudes and will be an asset to the team. I am trying to go with a positive attitude and give them a cahnce before I start to criticize. Besides, we were the worst offense in the league, you can’t get any worse and when you hit the bottom there’s only one way to go. I think this will be an improvement but we just don’t know how much yet.

IT AIN'T SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG

by BlackCatFan on Jan 20, 2011 10:45 AM EST reply actions

AND

At least they aren’t a Chargers retread as I spoke about in other posts

IT AIN'T SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG

by BlackCatFan on Jan 20, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

The Chargers had the #1 ranked offense and defense.

Poaching their coaches isn’t a bad idea.

Follow me on Twitter at @jakehbravesfan

by Jake Humphrey on Jan 20, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Shula comes from a great coaching family. Legendary in fact he isn’t Don but the apple dont fall far as they say. I don’t see how that offensive mind wouldn’t be a positive. As far as Matsko he had some great years with the Rams and while he has had a rough patch with Baltimore i think we could do much worse. They may not be “sexy” hires but sexy rarely works or is even available. Neither guy is scrapping bottom of the barrel. they have had success of some form in the NFL

"Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails To Work Hard" - Kevin Durant

by MMA_PITBULL on Jan 20, 2011 10:53 AM EST reply actions

And Shula is a former HC

for the Alabama Crimson Tide…for what that’s worth.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 20, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

Y’all didn’t know he was a virgin til he was 28 and now… Roll Tide!

"Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails To Work Hard" - Kevin Durant

by MMA_PITBULL on Jan 20, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

Roll Tide

by GMallory on Jan 20, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

Roolllll tiddde

by Alex Helms on Jan 20, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Roll tide my friend.

"Sometimes the journey is better than the destiny."-John Fox

"Ever noticed that you can say "it is what it is" after anything? It’s the perfect cop-out. Sorry man, I didn’t mean to hit on your girl… But it is what it is!"-Southtunnel (previously El Bacon)

by Flowing Willow on Jan 20, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Ahh yes...the "sexy" issue

which is why no one is gonna give a shit about us possibly hiring shula, but when Jim Mora Junior goes to interview for a DC job it’s “STOP THE PRESSES!!!”, despite his defenses never finishing above what, 17th?

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions

Jim Mora Jr. and Lane Kiffin are the two most overated coaches on the planet...........

but someone keeps hiring them. Go figure.

by magicman56 on Jan 20, 2011 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

fuck lane....

I hope he has to have a layover in tennessee one day…he won’t make it back out :)

although both of their dads are cool as shit

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder

if Vinny Testeverde would ne interested in becoming a QB coach. I bet he’d make a good one

Who better to be a QB coach than a successful NFL QB. I’m gonna email JR right now! LOL!

IT AIN'T SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG

by BlackCatFan on Jan 20, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions

I have nobody in mind, but I'd like to see a QB coach from the college ranks, with no NFL experience, who's taught some outstanding college QB (s) in a pro-style offense.

Maybe there is no such animal, and asking too much.

Maybe Shula’s the guy, but I’ve always thought of Garrard as stiff and mechanical. Although he has improved dramatically, so I guess that’s to Shula’s credit.

So on further replay, under the hood, I’ve overruled my call on the field, and given my seal of ignorant approval to that one. (Matsko not so much.)

by bigdavis on Jan 20, 2011 10:57 AM EST reply actions

If he can turn Jay Fiedler into a consistent QB

he’s got my seal of approval :p

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

I like the idea of Shula. Good coach.

by bwalsh18 on Jan 20, 2011 10:59 AM EST reply actions

Question

can anyone tell me what happened to Jay Gruden who was rumored to be our new hire QB coach? it seemed like a deal had been done and they were just waiting on the formal announcement.

by MP55214 on Jan 20, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions

I think he was expecting an offer at OC

and we told him that we weren’t going to be hiring him for that position

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

thank

that makes sense

by MP55214 on Jan 20, 2011 11:20 AM EST reply actions

Hey.... it could be worse.

Vikings just hired Jeff Davidson as OL coach

Follow me on Twitter! @James_Dator

by James Dator on Jan 20, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions

I guess we should get a countdown going of how long it takes before Adrian Peterson is asking to be traded.

"I think that fits right along with what my vision is, and that is to help build this team into a Super Bowl caliber team, win, and sustain that for a period of time." ~Ron Rivera

Follow me on Twitter

by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

I think they just want to use him to patch the holes in the Metrodome—Ohh (jersey style)!!!

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 20, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

FYI

Cam Newton was just awarded the Manning Trophy for best QB of the year ! Interesting reading as to what Archie Manning had to say about him. Oh yeah, Luck was on the list for consideration.
Stats:
1473 yds rushing 20 TDS
2854 yds passing 30 TDS
Caught a pass for a TD

Jim

by goofygolfer on Jan 20, 2011 12:25 PM EST reply actions

And Tebow won it in 2009....

combine is gonna be the last place for him to improve his stock

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

And FYI, the previous winners...

2009 – Colt McCoy
2008 – Tim Tebow
2007 – Matt Ryan
2006 – JaMarcus Russell
2005 – Vince Young
2004 – Matt Leinart

So, it’s not a good barometer of NFL success, considering the fact that only two of them has really done anything other than fail when provided the opportunity to play in the NFL (Ryan and Young) and only one of those (Ryan) has really been a success. McCoy and Tebow get a pass for now, because they were rookies, but still….don’t use this award as part of your “we must draft Cam Newton” parade.

"I think that fits right along with what my vision is, and that is to help build this team into a Super Bowl caliber team, win, and sustain that for a period of time." ~Ron Rivera

Follow me on Twitter

by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

OK

I won’t “rain on your parade” if you don’t rain on mine.. LOL

Jim

by goofygolfer on Jan 20, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sure we'll have hundreds more posts from here to April 26th to debate the matter lol

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not raining on anyone's parade...

I’m just making sure that you have the information to make your case. :-)

"I think that fits right along with what my vision is, and that is to help build this team into a Super Bowl caliber team, win, and sustain that for a period of time." ~Ron Rivera

Follow me on Twitter

by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

All I have to say is...

by aceofsween on Jan 20, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

This SSUUCCKKSS!!!!!!!

I’m looking forward to next season already. Why can’t the NFL be Like the MLB or NBA and play almost all year. and the playoffs suck if you don’t have a team in it. I still had some hope because my wife is an eagles fan and my stepdad a patriots fan but now I can’t even mooch off of their teams. I almost don’t have any reason to watch at all, but I will!!

IT AIN'T SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT BUT THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG

by BlackCatFan on Jan 20, 2011 3:36 PM EST reply actions

Anyone who likes football at all should be stoked for this weekend...

Jets/Steelers and Bears/Packers is the best possible scenario these playoffs could have had, unless you’re a fan of one of the other teams that made the playoffs.

Jets/Steelers is going to be a dog fight with great defense, and will probably be a very low scoring game. Well, I say that now, but the Steelers will probably win 49-48 with a last second TD pass, lol.

Bears/Packers is a great division rivalry game and should be exciting to watch, as long as the Bears lose so Peppers doesn’t get a chance at a SB ring, lol.

"I think that fits right along with what my vision is, and that is to help build this team into a Super Bowl caliber team, win, and sustain that for a period of time." ~Ron Rivera

Follow me on Twitter

by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

Seeing Pep’s goofy grin holding that Lombardi trophy would be quite the kick in the dick.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 20, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Shula gets my seal of approval.

Matsko I do not want.

"Sometimes the journey is better than the destiny."-John Fox

by Flowing Willow on Jan 20, 2011 5:02 PM EST reply actions

by BW Smith on Jan 20, 2011 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

He'd love to have a united Korea.

Just not one that would be friendly to most other countries.

Follow me on Twitter at @jakehbravesfan

by Jake Humphrey on Jan 20, 2011 9:27 PM EST up reply actions

his starving troops will need a little more than luck to accomplish that...

those south koreans are fucking INSANE!

by Tomthehomer on Jan 20, 2011 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

Ohhhh...

herrrooo!

by boywonderncsu on Jan 21, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Sooo Roooooooonnrrreeeeeyyyyy….

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 21, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Please NO Matsko we can do alot better.. Ok with the Shula but would rather have Jim Zorn.

Coach Rivera, may we please have one of these FA Nnamdi Asomugha,Jonathan Joseph or Champ Bailey

by Lazy Dog on Jan 20, 2011 6:44 PM EST reply actions

Matsko hired today....

Darin Gantt
Offensive line coach John Matsko not out of a job long. Fired by Baltimore, he was hired by Panthers Thursday.

Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line

by John Chilton on Jan 20, 2011 7:24 PM EST reply actions

Ravens fans seems to imply Cam was the issue

more so than Matsko’s line for their offensive struggles:

The team, determined to protect Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron, decided to place the blame on the shoulders of Offensive Line Coach, John Matsko, relieving him of his duties as announced yesterday.

Scapegoat. The coaching wasnt necessarily the problem on the OL. Its the fact that 60% of it was playing out of position – Oher @ LT, Yanda @ RT, Chester @ RG are all worse than where they were playing last year. Matsko getting fired is just the FO trying to show that the poor offense wasnt acceptable without firing the cause of the poor offense – Cam

courtesy of baltimorebeatdown

Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line

by John Chilton on Jan 20, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Great to know

As fast as they moved they liked the guy. I love getting guys who are scapegoats and getting more talent because of it. He’ll likely want to prove that made a mistake in during him too.

I like our ’ motley crew ’ seems to fit the character of this team

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by James Dator on Jan 20, 2011 7:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions