Okay… aside from Jerrod Johnson and Jeff Nixon, it looks like we’ve got two more OC candidates.

Thad Lewis:

• He was a journeyman QB in the NFL, with stints on nine different teams (including the Texans).
• He’s been coaching for the Bucs since 2020, as an offensive assistant, WR coach, and QB coach.
• Some have given him credit for the resurgence of Baker Mayfield.
• In 2024, Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards, 41 TDs, 16 INTs, and a rating of 106.8.

Nick Caley:

• From 2015-2022, he served as the tight ends coach for the Patriots (“Gronk smash!”).
• After joining the Rams, he added the title of passing game coordinator in 2024.
• His entire NFL coaching career has been under Bill Belichick and Sean McVay.
• In 2024, Matthew Stafford threw for 3,762 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INTs, and a rating of 93.7.

Neither one has ever been an OC before. I’m more enthusiastic about Jeff Nixon than these guys.

With a new hat in the ring for the OC position, let’s learn a bit about Jeff Nixon!

• As the OC for Syracuse in 2024, his offense averaged 34 points and 370 passing yards per game.
• They had a 10-3 record this season and defeated Washington State 52-35 in the Holiday Bowl.
• Syracuse ranked #1 in the nation in passing offense and #7 in total offense.
• Not much of a rushing attack, but when you’re putting up 370 pass yards per game, I guess you don’t really need it.
• Nixon reportedly ran a “creative, versatile, pro-style offense” at Syracuse.
• Six different receivers finished with double digit catches, over 100 yards receiving, and at least one TD catch.
• When asked who influenced his style of offense, Nixon named Andy Reid (who he coached under in Philly), Chip Kelly (from his single season with the 49ers), and his mentor Rocky Rees, the winningest football coach at Shippensburg University.

This is all I wanna see at the Super Bowl next week…

Today is 1-2-3, sooooo… here’s this!

Today is the birthday of soldier/statesman Walter Raleigh, philosopher Francis Bacon, and metaphysical poet John Donne.

The first domino fell yesterday. If/when anything major happens, I’ll make a “Breaking News” thread.