Titans Hire OC Palmer

Interesting. I recall Palmer from his days as a old AFCN divisional opponent with The Browns.
My insider sources tell me Mike Munchak is very pleased with this hire and sans the availability of Callahan this is the guy Mike wanted all along.

Vin

Titans Hire Ex-Browns Head Coach Palmer

Written by

John Glennon

• FILED UNDER
• Sports
• Sports Tennessee Titans

Just more than a year after announcing his retirement from the NFL, Chris Palmer returned to accept quite a challenge.

He was named offensive coordinator of the Titans on Tuesday and will face the daunting task of improving an offense that ranked 27th in the league last season overall — 29th in first downs per game and last in time of possession.

Just for good measure, the Titans don't know who will start at quarterback. They are preparing to part ways with Vince Young, and backup Kerry Collins is not under contract.

Still, the 61-year-old Palmer, who has 20 years of NFL coaching experience, sounded optimistic after watching film of the season-ending loss at Indianapolis.

"Any time you start out the season 5-2, there is some talent," said Palmer, who last year was head coach of the United Football League's Hartford Colonials. "I was impressed with the offensive line. I think there is some speed at the wide receiver spots. And I thought there were some tight ends to work with. I was encouraged by what I saw … I don't think we're that far off."

Titans Coach Mike Munchak certainly hopes Palmer is correct, after choosing the New York native over what he said were a number of other candidates. Munchak said he brought a couple of interested individuals to Nashville for interviews, and the Titans also were denied permission to interview at least a couple of other candidates — Jets offensive line coach/assistant head coach Bill Callahan and Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice.

Munchak said Palmer represented a near-perfect fit, particularly because the offensive staff has so little experience. Munchak is a rookie head coach; Dowell Loggains has just one year under his belt as quarterbacks coach; and Bruce Matthews is entering his first season as offensive line coach.

Palmer has had stints with the Giants, Cowboys, Texans, Browns, Patriots, Jaguars and Oilers. He was head coach of the expansion version of the Browns, posting a 5-27 record in 1999 and 2000. Palmer served as offensive coordinator for the Jaguars in 1997-98 and Texans from 2001-05.

"We needed experience as much as anything," Munchak said. "We needed some veteran leadership. … The fact he's been a head coach is helpful to me."

Palmer has worked with a number of young quarterbacks, including Eli Manning, Tony Romo and David Carr among others.

His most recent NFL work was with the Giants as quarterbacks coach from 2007-09, earning a Super Bowl ring when the Giants defeated the Patriots.

"I really wanted to have someone strong in that (quarterback development) area because that's been a problem here a little bit," Munchak said. "I knew it might come down to really developing a young quarterback. I felt he's been around a lot of quarterbacks in this league, and when he's been there with them, they've played very well."

Palmer said he's uncertain who will start at quarterback for the Titans, but he did say he thought Collins did a nice job in the lone game film he's watched so far, that loss to the Colts.

Palmer has been a part of plenty of different offensive styles over the years, even working with the run-and-shoot two decades ago as Oilers wide receivers coach.

He also helped quarterback Mark Brunell earn a Pro Bowl berth in 1997, when the Jaguar threw for nearly 3,300 yards and 18 touchdowns while posting a career-best passer rating of 91.2.

But based on the quarterback uncertainties for the Titans, as well as their current personnel, it's probably not fair to expect them to throw the ball all over the field next season.

"It's our job as coaches to identify what talent is available and to give them the chance to perform," Palmer said. "Our running back is a good player, and our offensive line blocked the run game very well … They're one of the better groups as far as the league is concerned.

"Basically we're going to run the ball and get into the play-action type thing, and we're going to be as physical as we possibly can."

The new defensive coordinator, Jerry Gray, said Palmer's offenses impressed him whenever the two coaches found themselves on opposite sides of the field.

"He's going to keep you off base," Gray said.

"He makes you play the whole field. If they play eight-in-the-box, he's going to hit you with the wideouts. Put seven in the box, and they're going to run the ball down your throat."