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Al Saunders: A Look at the Stats

We've all heard the buildup of optimism about Al Saunders, so I think it would be beneficial to take a closer look at exactly how his coaching has influenced his teams.

I'm going to spend the most time on his stint with the Chiefs; I think it is the best sample of his abilities. I'll explain below.

Saunders was first seen in St. Louis in the legendary 1999 season, where he served as the WR coach. As I'm sure you all know, that team possessed one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history:

Record Total Yards Points Per game Offensive Rank Rush Yards Pass Yards
13-3 6412 32.9 1st 2059 4353

After the '99 season, Martz was promoted to HC, and Saunders acquired the position of Assistant HC. In 2000, the offense was even better than in '99, and the Greatest Show proceeded to demolish the league once again:

Record Total Yards Points Per game Offensive Rank Rush Yards Pass Yards
10-6 7075 33.8 1st 1843 5232

In those two years, the offense scored a cumulative 1066 points. Now that was definitely Mad Mike's offense, but the presence of Saunders should not be overlooked. He is still respected among the veterans here for his work during those years.

Saunders' first stint as an OC came in Kansas City in 2001, when Dick Vermeil came back from retirement to be the head coach of the Chiefs. Here are the offense's numbers for his tenure with them: (note that 2000 was before his arrival; it's included for comparison)

Record Total Yards Points Per game Offensive Rank Rush Yards Pass Yards
2000 7-9 5614 22.2 9th 1465 4149
2001 6-10 5673 20 16th 2008 3665
2002 8-8 6000 29.2 1st 2378 3622
2003 13-3 5910 30.2 1st 1929 3981
2004 7-9 6695 30.2 2nd 2289 4406
2005 10-6 6192 25.2 6th 2382 3810

In 2001, the new regime took control and production suffered, but that's not unexpected; the team had entirely new coaches, systems, and players. That year Elvis Grbac gave way to Trent Green at QB, and Tony Richardson to Priest Holmes at RB.

The period 0f 2002-2005 was exemplary; the Chiefs were the No. 1 offense in the NFL during that span. The four years preceding 2000, the offensive ranks in PPG were 8th('99), 14th('98), 5th('97), and 24th('96). The Chiefs' average offensive rank during the 5 year span before Saunders' arrival was 12th; their average rank during Saunders' 5 year term was 5th.

Needless to say, the offense was better under Saunders than under the previous leadership. Saunders definitely benefited from having a great group of core players, including Trent Green, Priest Holmes, and Larry Johnson in their primes; however, it does take a great offensive mind to make a team operate at that level for a sustained amount of time.

I also took note of the better balance between passing and rushing yards. Saunders is known to prefer a very balanced attack, with a timing-based passing system and a versatile, "three-dimensional" back to round it out. Sounds like a tight fit for Bulger and Jackson, if only Jackson could get that third dimension by learning how to block effectively.

After his time in Kansas City, Saunders migrated to the Washington Redskins, as the OC under Joe Gibbs. His time there was not nearly as prolific as his earlier ventures. In fact, the numbers for his two years there are quite pedestrian:

Record Total Yards Points Per game Offensive Rank Rush Yards Pass Yards
2006 5-11 5243 19.2 20th 2216 3027
2007 9-7 5334 20.9 18th 1871 3463

In this case, however, I don't think the numbers tell the whole story. In Kansas City, Saunders was given latitude to build the offense to his specifications. In Washington, however, there have been rumors that Gibbs exerted more influence over the offense than Saunders would have liked. It also seems that the personnel that Saunders had to work with did not fit his offensive philosophy, i.e. an accurate, timing-based QB and a versatile RB. Hopefully, these two years will prove to be a blip on an otherwise outstanding offensive career.

I am very excited about this hiring; I believe it brings some much needed credibility back to the offense. Saunders has a pedigree that few can match, and given his past experience with the Rams, the fit is perfect.

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Awesome post
Saunders will do some neat stuff with the weapons we have.  He might even get Drew Bennett to play well.  That would be some COACHING.

by AmpLee on Jan 31, 2008 11:44 PM CST reply actions  

Stat man
Stats are a necessary part of any analysis. Thanks for the info. Mr. Saunders looks like he has maintained credibility.
one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 @ Turf Show Times on Feb 1, 2008 4:05 AM CST reply actions  

Rumors
You mention that in Washington there were rumors that Gibbs exerted more influence over the offense than Vermeil did in KC. Since his days as Rams coach I have thought of Vermeil as a really good coach in that he let his coordinators earn their paycheck and he stuck to the head coaching duties.

However, Linehan has not shown the same ability. He consistently has tried to take over the offense to the detriment of the team, imho. Only when gave up some of the play calling duties did the team as a whole do well.

I guess my question is, will Linehan be willing to stick only to being a head coach and not try and exert his influence over the offense. Thereby, decreasing Saunders's influence.

by sccardsfan on Feb 1, 2008 8:15 AM CST reply actions  

I don't think he has a choice
I believe Saunders is a Shaw hire ala Mike Martz in '99 (and I don't care what Linehan says).  This has happened before with Shaw and it produced a SuperBowl Championship.  It's like he allows things to go on until it's almost too late and then he steps in and forces change.

I'm not saying the Rams will win the SuperBowl next year, but I do believe right now that they will contend for the Division Championship and that's a hell of an accomplishment.

by Big Red on Feb 1, 2008 11:44 AM CST up reply actions  

also
I think Linehan sees the writing on the wall. he knows for the sake of his career that he can't continue doing business the way he has been. Surely he knows that...hell, we know that.

this is a killer post Viper. nice.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 1, 2008 12:04 PM CST up reply actions  

I honestly dont think that
Linehan is going to interfere with Saunders. Despite what he says, I definitely think that Shaw forced Linehan's hand here; Shaw isn't stupid...he knew we needed fresh blood on the offense. Supposedly Saunders has gotten flat assurances that this will be his offense completely.

Oh and thanks for the compliments guys, I appreciate it.

by ViperLjs on Feb 1, 2008 2:56 PM CST reply actions  

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