This is the second of a three-part series on Razorbacks Offensive Coordinator David Lee.
So I guess it’s turned into ‘David Lee Week’ here on the Network. After Sunshine posted on Monday about Lee’s record as a college assistant, it seemed like the next logical step to look at his recent foray into the NFL.
After leaving Arkansas the last time, Lee held the title of “Offensive Assistant / Quality Control” from 2003-06 for the Dallas Cowboys. If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered what that heck that really means.
As the title suggests, there are usually two QC coaches on a NFL team: offensive and defensive. And interestingly, it’s former Cowboys coach Tom Landry who is credited with creating the job title during the 1970s.
Although the job descriptions can vary from team to team, the common theme for all QC coaches is film study. Basically…the QC coach lives in the film room. It’s his job to look ahead and study film of the opposing teams. However, while the other members of the coaching staff are spending their time preparing for this Sunday, the QC coach has typically already moved on and is getting ready for the next Sunday and beyond.
And as you might expect, the QC coach also spends a lot of time studying film of his own team — breaking down their strengths and weaknesses and communicating that information to both the players and coaches during the week, and from the press box on game day.
Perhaps surprisingly, however, the job of quality control coach in the NFL is often filled by young, inexperienced coaches. In fact, for the National Football League, it’s as close to an entry-level coaching job as you’ll find. Future NFL head coaches Jon Gruden, Steve Mariucci and Eric Mangini all basically started their professional careers as QC coaches.
Case in point…anyone know who replaced Lee as the new Offensive QC coach for the Cowboys? Uh…that would be 27-year-old Wesley Phillips, son of Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips, who coached quarterbacks for one year at Baylor before going to work for his dad.
(So apparently there are no anti-nepotism laws in Texas. And if you look at the Cowboys senior executive list, you’ll definitely see that’s true. All “non-Joneses” need not apply.)
So why did Lee, then a 49-year-old man with over 25 years of college coaching experience, have to take an entry-level job in the pros? Simply put…in the NFL, everyone has to pay their dues. All that experience — while certainly helpful — didn’t buy Lee any ‘street cred’ in the League. And as Steve Spurrier and Lou Holtz have shown, it doesn’t matter how much you’ve coached in college…the NFL is a different animal altogether.
Of course, the question many Razorback fans now have is did this four year pilgrimage to professional football really help transform Lee — a self-described former ‘inside veer‘ guy — into a changed man in his offensive philosophy? Or was he just a behind the scenes guy in Dallas who spent most of his time in a dimly lit room watching game tapes and writing scouting reports?
We’ll attempt to address — but, of course, not answer — those questions in the final post of this series on Friday.
This is an excellent series Tipster. You are addressing, not answering, many of the detail questions that I had all along about the Lee hype.
It is also good to get the 2007 soap opera debate started. It will clearly be the storyline that holds all the other storylines together for 07. Can they get off to a fast start? Can they keep it going? Can they fill all of the holes? Can they use their talent to it's potential? Are the Kids focused on Atlanta or distracted by the soap opera hype?
It should be quite a year.
Or, a typical Houston Nutt, close by no cigar, lots of excitement with no climax, we were so close, wait until next year.
So, basically, they had to run Lee off so Frank got Jerry to give him a kid's job in the NFL.
Now we bring him back at big OC money. Not bad.
Blinddhog, that is totally absurd. Bill Parcells does not hire people for a favor. You don't become a hall of fame coach and win multiple super bowls doing things such as that. You continually amaze me with your "Hogville or should I say Hateville" mentality.
I think the takeaway I have after delving into this a bit is that some would have you believe that Lee was an integral part of developing and shaping the Cowboys offense. That Lee was instrumental in the development of young Cowboy QB Tony Romo. Most say “Wow, he coached in the NFL with Parcells.” But when you discover the duties that most of these entry level, Quality Control coaches have, it makes you wonder a bit.
My hope is, that the ‘ole dog’ learned some ‘new tricks’ down in Dallas, and that our offense this year benefits from that. Like they say in Missouri…"Show me." We'll see in a bit.
It's not me Bluff. Just read the facts. It was an entry level job watching tape, not QB coach.
There is really no point in me answering your irrational objections. I don't hate anyone or anything except lies and deception. I love the Hogs and long for the day when we can have class and character at the top again.
I'm sorry you need the fantasy so badly.
I really feel sorry for Frank and Houston and White. When you become a legend in your own mind you become committed to the legend instead of the mission. And it is really not their fault so much as people like you who want to keep them on a pedestal rather than see the truth.
50 years of myth building has made the razorback nation pretty dysfunctional.
Don't just rage and accuse Bluff. Make an argument if you have one. Use facts if you have any.
Like I said before the "walking in sunshine & blindhogs of the world are posting on local internet (football expert wannabes), while Lee was hired & coaching in the NFL with a coach that won multiple Super Bowls. Enough said!!!!
"Quote From London Crawford"
How does this offense differ ?
“ Coach Lee’s offense is more broken down all the way where everything is right, ” Crawford said. “ Everything is for everybody. Coach Lee’s offense is more advanced than the offense we had last year was. A lot more advanced. Coach Lee, he knows his stuff. ”
Having Wood’s full-time attention as a position coach makes a difference, Crawford said.
“ Coach Wood is on us, ” Crawford said. “ Every wrong step you make, he’s on you. Every dropped ball you make, he’s on you. It makes you get better when he’s on you. He’s not on just one person. He’s on everybody. Believe me, everybody. ”
Yeah, I saw that too.
Don't you remember last year when they showed all that footage of the offensive line running stairs to get in shape for the no-huddle. Don't you remember all the articles about the new offense all the way through fall practice. Even by mid season when the no huddle was no where to be found we were told, "we are practicing it so we will have it when we need it."
If Dale wins the national title he will still be damaged goods. You don't recruit the number one QB recruit in the nation by making his HS coach the OC and then run them off less than a year later without a permanent scar. Administrator's, future assistants and recruits, and the fans will not forget a move that stupid.
Enough said.
I don't even know what I said that got you going so. Which of the facts from the last two articles do you disagree with? The guys career is as a journeyman QB coach, mostly for run oriented teams and a pretty dismal stint as a head coach at a tiny college.
NO, he has never been to the Superbowl. Did his scouting reports win a single playoff game?
These are just the facts. I'm sorry that is upsetting too you.
If Arkansas wins the national championship (not just HDN), I'll support the program, just as I do now.
I remember the preperation for the passing offense. But, I also remember that our receivers were unprepared (Marcus Monk the only exception). Position coach "gus malazhan". Maybe he should have spent more time effectiively doing his job and less time stirring the pot with his former players/families behind the scenes.
All anyone had to do is watch the Army All-Star game that mm played in and it was easy to see that he was not the #1 QB coming out of highschool that year. He wasn't even close to the best Qb on the field that day.
I'm never upset by facts, but it amazes me how some people can put forth so much effort to twist the facts to fit their agenda.
The only facts that I ever quoted is;
Bill Parcells is a Multiple Super Bowl winning coach.
&
Bill Parcells hired David Lee.
Bluff and Blind, I have to admit, I laugh out loud reading some of your posts. It's like listening to 2 brothers that never agree on anything. I agree and disagree with both of you at times, because Bluff, at times, puts too much blind faith on his side, and Blind, at times, puts too much negativaty into his posts, from having no faith at all. I'm not putting you guy's down or anything, I just get a kick out of it sometimes. GO HOGS!!!
Bluff, I don't know what the hang up is with you and Bill Parcels. Maybe you are a Cowboys, Patriots, or Giants fan, but it really appears that you think anything Parcells touches turns to gold.
He was anything but golden at the helm for the Cowboys as evidenced by his 34-32 record and zero playoff wins.
He had some nice years in NY and New England, but he was not able to bring that magic to Dallas. I don't see the rationale of defending David Lee solely because he was hired by Bill Parcels. Surely you can bring more to the table than that.
I think the point Bluff tries to make is that Parcells has always surrounded himself w/quality assistants like Belichick, Coughlin, Weis, and Sean Payton at Dallas. If Parcells thought enough of Lee to hire him, even for an entry level position, that's a pretty good endorsement.
The question is, as someone alluded to earlier, did Parcells or Jones hire Lee? In the end, who really cares as long as we can get away from being a one dimensional offense that's in trouble when it's 3rd and 6.
There is one thing that I'm sure Lee can help improve…the wildcat. I waited all year last year for DMac to pitch the ball to Felix on the option.
Look at Blind's 3:54 p.m., July 11, 2007 post for it appears to tell one that there is something strange in Blind's thinking. Thanks for this post Blind because it revealed all. Blind just proved Rick S. correct when Rick stated that even if the Razorbacks win everything there is a miniscule group of people who will still hate Houston Nutt even if they win the West or the entire thing. For analytical sake, just take "Blind" to mean what the word means "blind"! That answers it all.
Could Blind's real name be one and the same as the one who writes caustic opinion in the Dem-Zet since their posts follow the same type of hate for our honorable Coach Nutt?
Quote from Bluff – "I’m never upset by facts, but it amazes me how some people can put forth so much effort to twist the facts to fit their agenda."
Hello Pot….
It amazes me how people rationalize now that Mustain is gone and that he "really wasn't that good". And you base that on an All Star game? Wow. Let's see. They bring five offensive lineman together for about 4 days, most of which don't even pass block in their high school offenses very much, along with one of those OL being a guy who everyone around here was not at all upset he went to Notre Dame and was surprised he even made the all star team. We talk every year about how we hope the OL will gel and how chemistry takes time. So, 4 days is enough? If it is then I am even more upset about past years' performances because that's all we usually hear for the first 5 games of the season from HDN and his mouthpieces is that "that chemistry takes time on the offensive line and we're getting better… we're reaaaaal close". If you really watched the all star game you will see where Mustain was running for his life and got hit pretty good a couple of times. If I remember correctly the other QB's on his team did better, but not by much. Maybe they did, I don't know. But, to place your judgment on an all star game is crazy. Put these 5 17 yr old kids who've never met each other against a great all star DL who had at least two guys who the announcers were talking about starting as freshman in college (they didn't say that about any of the OL) and you get what you saw in the All Star game.
Now that you put the game in that context it doesn't sound as bad as "All anyone had to do is watch the Army All-Star game that mm played in and it was easy to see that he was not the #1 QB coming out of highschool that year. He wasn’t even close to the best Qb on the field that day."
And if you want to say Mustain wasn't that good based on his freshman season that is fine if you want to have that opinion. But, tt seems we usually have low expectations for freshman (even if they are studs out of high school) and if you look at the actual stats that freshman was about the same as that sophomore-now-junior starting for us except for one key stat…. what would that be…. yeah, W's. Fact is Mustain never lost a game he started and never got a chance to win the game against LSU or Florida and barely a chance against Wisconsin.
Well, fiddlesticks, I told myself I wasn't going to talk about last year anymore, but dadgum, you people get me fired up.
Bluff, I once was like you. I really was. I used to believe in HDN and couldn't wait to hear what he had to say next and oh how I loved that helmet and was on the edge of my seat before every game. Now, I don't hate the guy, but I don't believe in him anymore, especially after you run off the #1 recruit in the nation the previous year. And don't give me the argument he was a baby and a whiner and he needed to go. First of all, that's false. Second of all, even if he was, do you know how many of those studs that come in here out of high school get caudled. More than you would think. Zero to minimal communication on a week-to-week basis from the head coach to your starting QB is not "normal".
You have your opinion (and sometimes decent points) and I have mine and they're more than likely not going to change… but let's not start throwing rocks in a glass house.
We all love our Razorbacks. It can become very emotional. Bluff may be a little more emotional than most and his anger comes out before his logic. That's really fine.
I don't think it is logical that Parcells worked for 30 years in the NFL and then when he came to Dallas he decided he needed a 45 year old college QB coach in an entry level slot instead of all of the contacts he must have had in the NFL but, its possible. It is just an interesting coincidence that he picked the one who had spent half of his career working for Frank and Kenny but Jerry was not involved.
I do think we need to stick to facts and reasonable arguments as much as possible. The season will play out and tell the tale. There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed.
Defense, I don't hate Nutt. I think I made my position clear on that. I feel sorry for Houston and anyone who is so insecure that they have to lie to protect their position. It must be a terribly uncomfortable way to live.
I do believe that Rick is right about a couple of groups. There are those who want to see the Hogs lose so they can be rid of Dale. I do not count myself among that group. I want the hogs and Dale to accomplish as much as they are capable of accomplishing. But, yes, until Dale says something that makes sense about the mess with Gus and Mitch that is not just a big lie, then I agree there is a group that will not be satisfied with just winning. As I said, I don't think that group will be limited to fans.
I think that through his words and actions Dale has provided a very clear example of the kind of man he is.
I don't think Rick escaped this untouched either. Loyalty has tainted Rick's actions as well. Randy, M.E., and others have remained positive without being completely unreasonable. But, Rick and Chuck, Rick positively and Chuck negatively have shown that they will say anything to protect their position and their perks.
People do forget over time or at least let things go. But this is now forever part of Razorback history and Frank and Dale's resumes. It just is.
But, what about that passing game? Does old quick trigger have the nerve? Can Casey make his mark? They couldn't have an easier schedule or a better running game to take a shot. Lee can make a name for himself and earn that David Cutcliffe money. It should be exciting.
HogBaller, I don't have anything but respect for Parcells as a Coach. You are right and he himself stated that he was disappionted in the results he compiled at Dallas, but if you listen to the personnel that analyze Pro Football, they will tell you the main thing that he accomplished in Dallas is raising the talent level. They are projected (Dallas & Phily)as the frontrunner to win their division. That is the only point I've tried to make with the Parcell posts. He has the ability to recognize talent and surrounds himself with quality personnel (Players & Coaches).
10k hog. I still believe that mm was partially a product of the system and was obviously not as good a originally projected. Given time he has the God given talent, but needs to settle down (or his mother settle down) and spend time with a quality teacher such as David Lee. And yes I believe his shortcomings were partially revealed in the Army All-Star Game. Tebo worked under the same circumstances in the game as mm and made him look like a jr. high player.
Besides this post in the beginning had nothing to do with mm or Coach Nutt, until others before me brougt it into the discussion. Coach Lee is the topic and I only stated that to some everything is conspiracy, good ole boy, you scracth my back and I'll scratch yours. Successful people like Bill Parcells did not get to the position of a "Hall of Fame", "Multiple Super Bowl Winning Coach" by playing that type of game.
Blindhog, my post have nothing to do with anger!!! Frustration maybe, but not anger.
Did it ever occur to some of you that you have gotten way off the subject? While I bet David Lee learned a lot in Dallas and have no doubt he was very helpful with Romo, he did have a job breaking down film and being somewhat on the outside looking in. No doubt he was there because of Jerry Jones and the Arkansas connection, not because Parcells hired him. That isn't meant to speak ill of David Lee, it just appears to me to be the situation.
Now he is back with a richer playbook and view of offense and defense. That is a good thing. However, the phrase comes to mind, 'it is not what you have, it is what you do with it.' Even if he has learned a lot, he is not road tested in any way with whatever he's learned.
You throw it out as obvious knowledge that he was hired because of Jerry Jones. A pretty profound statement for you to throw it so easy. I still don't think Parcells let anyone hire his staff or even allow someone to be on his staff that did not have his full support and trust.
Speaking of coaches for the cowboys… whatever happened to that Razorback D-Line coach that went down there? Rogers was name maybe… I can't remember… the one before Rocker.
Oh God I'm tired of this crap! I'm going into self imposed exile from all of this mess. At a time when there is so much to be excited about, people still find so much to complain about. Its almost stopped being fun to be a Razorback fan! See you next month when there is actually football to talk about and not just pot stirring and drama.
I' m not sure how much Jerry Jones had to do with hiring David Lee, but it wouldn't suprise me if he was involved. Joneses ego is the only one I can think of that is up to par with Frank Broyles. One thing I remember about Jones is he is going to let you, and everyone else around you know that he is in complete control. It is amazing to me that Bill Parcells would even remotely be interested in coaching for Jones, after the Jimmy Johnson fiasco in '94. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall, listening to that deal being negotiated. Possibly Parcells opinion was asked about David Lee. Something tells me though, Lee's job wasn't the most important assistants job that he had to worry with. There are a ton of guys that could have filed that position, and pretty much done the same thing, and been just as effective. This doesn't mean David Lee won't be a good offensive Co., but it doesn't automatically mean he'll be a good one either. Everybody get's thier shot sooner or later, if thier persistant enough. As far as play calling is concerned, he still has to prove himself. As far as QB fundamentals is concerned, I do believe he'll have our QB's heads screwed on better than last year. I believe he is good at preparing a QB to be prepared to take the field and make better decisions.
Nutt inherited Stoerner who was already man enough to audible out of the bad plays sent in, and win games with his leadership and skill. Since then several decorated offensive minds were brought in, then one by one neutered by Nutt and not allowed to add much. Houston has always insisted on being the big '"shot-calla" and history doesn't lie as to the results – our passing game has been a joke.
Joe Ferguson was run off, David Lee was a flop – I do wish him better this time, Roy Wittke was run off, and Gus Malzahn (the Rivals national OC of the year) was run off.
All were driven to distraction by one Houston Nutt.
The undesputable results of all this are the UA has not had one QB that could effectively throw a pass since we graduated Stoerner. Tavaris Jackson is now in the NFL, but he very strangely couldn't do squat at Arkansas… we should be asking why? Matt Jones was a lousy passer, but we can't deny he had God-given ability to run.
Could the constant OC and QB coach shuffle and the intervention (meddling I would call it) of HDN be the problem here?
As this is about David Lee, he didn't do a thing worth praising at Arkansas just af ew years ago. But there is the remote possibility that he will do better now, and maybe Hooten will allow his new guy (it would be a first) to do his job. History makes me doubt that this year's promises are but the same song, 9th verse from an egomaniacal, meddlesome, narcisistic, lying, twisted sack of flesh that I used to admire in my youthful ignorance. Head Coaches come and go, and Arkansas will eventually have a HC that we can all be proud of. I feel that day is nearer than most may know, so I have hope.
The fact is plainly that NO one has been able to do well teaching QBs at Arkansas or developing any semblance of a passing game under the hand of Nutt. And it may not matter if it is David Lee or (insert any new name here).
number54, I have to disagree just a little. You hit about 90% of it right on the head, but lets give credit where it is due. We all know Tavarus Jackson couldn't do squat at the UofA, but most red-shirt fresh. usually don't. Plus you have to consider he was playing in the SEC. Look at the competition he was playing against at Alabama St. Put Casey Dick in that same situation for 3 years, and he would be a stud before he graduated. Also, Matt Jones should have never been a QB at the college level, but he was the best option Nutt had since he had never been able to recruit a big time passer to the UofA until Mitch Mustain. Jones was never a great passer, but did become a decent passer, and pretty good decision maker by his Sr. year. Guess who his tutor was? None other than David Lee. The same guy who worked with Mitch through the summer, before his Sr. year at Springdale.
To answer 10KHog's question above….Kacy Rodgers is still the defensive line coach for the Cowboys.
http://lb.dallascowboys.com/team_coach_bios.cfm?n…
Number54, I must say you sound bitter, which seems to could your vision of what's really taking place on the hill. With that said, I disagree with you opinion.
Bluff,
I can't believe you let 54 with such a mild rebuke. You usually jump down my throat for much less.
I think 54 has got it just right. I don' t think it is bitterness. I do think many who stuck with Dale and believed the lies and excuses are bitterly disappointed in Frank, Dale, and themselves for buying into the lies.
Thank you 54 for being willing to lay it all out so clearly and so well. The truth is never heard clearly or often enough.
Blindhog, You are reading my posts as if I'm screaming. That's not the case. I simply try to make my point with as much passion for my opinion as possible. Don't take it personal, I'm just a avid fan of the program.
"Nothing Personal"
"Totally absurd", "Hateville mentality", even whispered it sounds a little more passionate than "I disagree with your opinion."
Maybe more passionate, but not jumping down your throat.
And as far as the truth is concerned. According to the recent poll taken, there seems to be many more that faith in direction our program is heading than not.
I believe the range of 63% satisfied to somewhat.
28% Unsatisfied to somewhat
8% No Opinion
Another 10-2 or 11-1 regular season and the satisfied group will only grow larger.
Go Hogs.