The Mike Singletary Offense

"I am in the mode of more of a traditional style of offense, very much like the style that used to be here when Coach Bill Walsh was here, but in a different mindset. I want to know I have the ability to know that I can run the ball. I want to have the ability to know that I can impose my will on the defense. I want to know that in the fourth quarter, I can run the football. I want to know that when they put eight people in the box, I can still run the football, if I want to." - Mike Singletary, Head Coach

Mike Singletary's offensive philosophy is simple: give the ball to the runningback and pound the defense into submission. No matter what the circumstances, the offense should always be able to run the ball. And why not? What do today's four most successful teams--Giants, Panthers, Steelers, and Titans--have in common? The answer is a stellar defense and a powerful running game. No, it's not flashy nor exciting, but it is proven and effective, and it gives the team the best chance to win. An offense's ability to run the ball at will comes with its benefits:

1. It increases ball security. The less the ball is in the air, the less chance there is that it will be picked off. It also keeps the quarterback safe from constant pressure.

2. It controls the pace of the game. The more the team runs, the longer they will be able to sustain drives, thus keeping the opponent's offense off the field, which in turn keeps the defensive squad fresh.

3. It keeps defenses honest and protects the quarterback. When opposing defenses respect the run, it opens up the passing game. At that point, play action plays become more effective and the QB has more room to throw.

4. It wears down the defense. Imagine having a 230 lb runningback running into you over and over and over again. The best way to neutralize an opponent's pass rush is to pound them with the run until the defensive line is too fatigued to be effective.

Mike Singletary's first step in establishing his offensive philosophy is to hire an offensive coordinator with the mind set of emphasizing the run game. Of course, innovation is crucial in today's league, but above all else, the new offensive coordinator must prioritize a traditional approach and the offense's ability to run. The list of potential candidates vary, but I believe the guy that makes the most sense would be former Rams head coach, Scott Linehan.

Scott Linehan has over ten years of experience as an offensive coordinator and has been exceptional in each of his tenures at the position. His vast experience would greatly benefit Singletary in what will be Singletary's first full season as an NFL head coach. Linehan's most notable contributions have been returning the run games of his past thre teams, the Vikings [12th to 1st], the Dolphins [31st to 12th], and the Rams [346 rushing attempts in 2004], back to respectability. Furthermore, Linehan sucked ass as the head coach for the Rams. With him at the helm, there would be no worries of another team stealing him away after the season and disrupting the continuity yet again. Of course, finding the coordinator is only a piece of the puzzle...

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