Al Saunders To Join Ravens?

[theFRANCHISE]

Per The Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider blog:

[quote]Al Saunders, a former head coach of the San Diego Chargers and recently a high-priced offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, is at the Ravens' team hotel and has been sitting in meetings.

It's not official that he's been hired, but he is expected to be added to the staff soon. His title is unknown. He could serve as an offensive consultant.
[/quote]
Link: [url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/07/former_head_coach_al_saunders_is_here.html"]The Baltimore Sun[/url] (entry probably to be updated soon)

I'm actually thrilled to hear this news. Saunders' time in Washington may have been criticized, mainly for having had such a thick playbook (800 pages!), but his success in Kansas City from 2001-2005 is unquestioned. He revived Trent Green's career and turned him into a Pro Bowl QB, and he was the mastermind behind an offense that ranked first in the league during his entire stay with the Chiefs. Additionally, he was an assistant head coach in St. Louis while serving as WR coach during their Super Bowl run as the "Greatest Show on Turf;" during that short tenure, Saunders coached Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce into Pro Bowl WRs.

I'd think that, based on those credentials alone, Al Saunders knows a thing or two about offense. Let's hope that, if he's hired as a consultant, he can help this young receiving corps along and possibly replicate his success with the Chiefs.

[J-man]

I like Saunders a lot as a coach. I know this isnt as important as being an offensive coordinator, but hey, it works.

[Alexir]

confused why we would bring him in. Kind of disrespectful to Cam Cameron.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Alexir' date='31 July 2009 - 06:54 PM' timestamp='1249080868' post='213803']
confused why we would bring him in. Kind of disrespectful to Cam Cameron.
[/quote]
I don't see it as disrespectful; the more offensive minds put together, the better the offense can get. Not only that, but in the coaching fraternity that is the NFL, they're probably all branched from the same coaching tree or have mutual coaching friends. Plus, Saunders is from the Air Coryell coaching tree (the high-powered Chargers offense of the '80s), so he [i]definitely[/i] knows how to improve a vertical passing attack.

[kze]

This actually get me excited. Hope he joins our staff

[F1stRaven]

[quote name='kze' date='31 July 2009 - 06:09 PM' timestamp='1249081772' post='213807']
This actually get me excited. Hope he joins our staff
[/quote]

I am excited about this as well. Haveing someone like Saunders on board can be nothing but a plus for our Ravens.

[MagicianCamille]

[quote name='Alexir' date='31 July 2009 - 06:54 PM' timestamp='1249080868' post='213803']
confused why we would bring him in. Kind of disrespectful to Cam Cameron.
[/quote]

How is it disrespectful to Cam Cameron? I don't think they're looking to hire a new OC.

[BmoreRav]

You guys need to follow Aaron Wilson on Twitter!!

8 hours ago: Ravens are in process of officially hiring veteran NFL offensive coordinator Al Saunders as a consultant.

[JEEPercreepermd]

I agree, this is a great move to bring Saunders in! The more gifted Offensive minds the better IMO i'm sure that he and Cam can come up with some nasty stuff if they put their heads together

[neepo13]

[quote name='Alexir' date='31 July 2009 - 06:54 PM' timestamp='1249080868' post='213803']
confused why we would bring him in. Kind of disrespectful to Cam Cameron.
[/quote]

Cam isnt that type of guy. It was probably Cam's idea to bring him here.

[berad]

[i]Yeah, that's great and all but what is his 40 time?[/i]

Anywho, Al Saunders has proven himself to be a great offensive mind in the NFL over a number of years. His presence on the team can do nothing but improve it.

[justifythegame]

Wow. I am a huge Al Saunders fan. He helped the greatest show on turf become what it was and then went over to KC and created one of my fav offenses of all time. Trent Green was my fav QB in the NFL back then throwing 4000 yards consecutively without even trying. He also had Priest Holmes and Tony Gonzalez, all dominating at their positions for years. When Al Saunders wasn't hired as KC's HC and that loser Herman Edwards was hired just because he was best friends with the owner, i was furious. The Chiefs became a joke after that. I really thought the skins would then become of the top offenses in the NFL, but they weren't willing to put in the time break in Al's system, plus their whole team was just a buncha FAs from other teams with a terrible QB. Todd Collins made that offense look good though, when he got a chance to play due to the injury of Campbell. Collins had been in Saunders system for years and knew what he was doing. Plus he helped with Cooley's breakout season - maybe he is just great with TEs.

Anyways... thats the end of my rant. I was confused why Saunders hasn't been hired by anyone because imo he is a top 5 OC. But getting Saunders in bmore to work with Cam Cameron sounds AMAZING. Almost like a fantasy. Hope this is true.

[F1stRaven]

I am looking forward to this if it happens. Will be excited to see what this brings for our offense.

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='berad' date='31 July 2009 - 09:57 PM' timestamp='1249091824' post='213841']
[i]Yeah, that's great and all but what is his 40 time?[/i]

[/quote]

dude SERIOUSLY, its not about his 40 time.................


[size="1"]he needs hands too[/size]

[ravens27]

I think this is a good idea.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Alexir' date='31 July 2009 - 06:54 PM' timestamp='1249080868' post='213803']
confused why we would bring him in. Kind of disrespectful to Cam Cameron.
[/quote]
not entirely for all we know cam could have requested help with the WRs and asked harbs and ozzie to bring him in as an assistant coach cam has more pull and prolly has a big part in why he is there

[RavensFanInCA]

Just saw this [url="http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2009/9/14/1029742/al-saunders-is-in-baltimore"]Article[/url]. I guess it's official now?

[RavensClaw52]

The way Cam is, I doubt he would take it as disrespect, it is still his offense. I;m sure he would love some extra input from a guy like AL.

[dethdude420]

So we have two offensive coordinators?

[bossman419]

[quote name='dethdude420' date='14 September 2009 - 05:24 PM' timestamp='1252963460' post='234944']
So we have two offensive coordinators?
[/quote]
Hes a CONSULTANT.

[dethdude420]

that's awesome!

[Camcamthecoachingman]

Cam is a thinking box. Hes pooling all his resources to put the offense in front of the defense on this squad and make it so we are unstoppable. If you put NO, or IND Offense together with the Ravens D we could have swept every superbowl since 98. They're just doiung everything they can to improve the offense and utilize the talent we have here. I wouldn't be suprised if Cams fishing for ways to use Ray rice like the rams used Faulk.

[Purple Punishment]

The Dynasty is falling into place people!

[Purple Punishment]

The Dynasty is falling into place people!

[flynismo]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='15 September 2009 - 01:31 PM' timestamp='1253035916' post='235414']
The Dynasty is falling into place people!
[/quote]

As long as we reload on defense in the draft next year, I think you just may be right about that.