Bombers tap new coaching talent

[bluto]

Gary Crowton takes over the spot at OC that Jamie Barresi held until the Bombers didn't renew his contract.

http://www.cfl.ca/article/lapolice-n...ve-coordinator

WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hired Gary Crowton as their new offensive coordinator Monday.

Crowton takes over for Jamie Barresi, who was fired following the Blue Bombers' 34-23 loss to the B.C. Lions in the Grey Cup.

"Crowton's) experiences in the spread offence are very similar to type of offences that are prevalent in the CFL,'' Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said in a statement. "He will be a great teacher for our players and his expertise at the NCAA level will be especially valuable for our younger roster.''

The 54-year-old Crowton spent last season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Maryland. He joined the Terrapins after four seasons as the offensive coordinator at LSU, helping the school capture the 2007 NCAA title.

Crowton has no previous CFL coaching experience but did serve as the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator in 1999-2000.

Good for Winnipeg for bringing in new talent to the CFL coaching ranks... let's hope that their new OC has as much good fortune as Jamie Elizondo had

You'd have to suppose that since he has no experience with the CFL's particular foibles, that coach Paul Lapolice is still the architect of their offence and Crowton is just running it for him (at least until he becomes more familiar with it)

He'll have challenges too with an oft-injured starting QB, no clear featured HB and an O-Line that was average and may be losing it's best NI to Saskatchewan on the 16th...

[Area 51]

Wow, you'd think this was the best Winnipeg could come up with? A proven failure with no CFL knowledge or experience - - way to go Winnipeg!

Usually he manages to stick around for a few years before the team has no choice but to fire him, but this time he got run after just one year of futility at Maryland.

[zontar]

Reaction from WPG fans pouring in......
Awesome hire. Mack is awesome and is an awesome genius. Mack is the best. I wish Mack was my father.....

[argolio]

Crowton's rep is a guy who has a bright offensive mind but who quickly wears out his welcome. And as with any other coach with no CFL experience, let's see if he can adjust to the league.

[bluto]

universally lauded on Ourbombers as a great hire who will (according to a tweet from Kirk Penton) be in charge of the whole offence right away...

plummeting may not be the best word to describe what i fell about the Bombers hopes, but it is the first one that comes to mind.

they're basing their optimism on hiring a guy who has no track record or experience in our league taking over a stagnant offence than has no feature back and may lose important pieces to free agency in 2 weeks if Mack doesn't finally find a crowbar big enough to open his seized-shut wallet? okayfine.

[bluto]

holy s___ this is funny. Winnipeg Sun Bomber columnist Paul Friesen has an interesting viewpoint on the new Coordinator in town.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/31...ressive-resume

the guy was a major failure last season (10th offence in conference, 111th nationally) and on a big contract ($1.5M for 3 years) and he went searching around for head coaching opportunities (specifically Colorado State). his current employer (Maryland) was understandably unimpressed by this and to their good fortune found that he forgot to sign his contract with them. so they were able to switch him to an administrative position in December for much less money ($125k) that expires in March.

so for legal reasons now obvious to us, he spent most of his "Welcome to Winterpeg" conference call explaining that he is grateful to have such a great opportunity available to him on March 14th... since he technically can't take a new job until then or else he'd lose his money from Maryland.

he also made it clear that he has always called his own plays and will do so when "he and Coach Lapolice feels he's ready."

i just spent some time perusing press clippings and internet ramblings about Maryland's season this past year...
...not sure how a guy who was known for that many 2 and outs will expect to get by with one less down

[argolio]

they're basing their optimism on hiring a guy who has no track record or experience in our league taking over a stagnant offence than has no feature back and may lose important pieces to free agency in 2 weeks if Mack doesn't finally find a crowbar big enough to open his seized-shut wallet? okayfine.

Speaking of that wallet, I suppose one of following should be revealed soon:

1) the Bombers are on top of things and will announce the signing of a bunch of their free agents (perhaps at one press conference) before the deadline, or

2) the Bombers are in huge disarray

[bluto]

Speaking of that wallet, I suppose one of following should be revealed soon:

1) the Bombers are on top of things and will announce the signing of a bunch of their free agents (perhaps at one press conference) before the deadline, or

2) the Bombers are in huge disarray

Bomber beat writer Kirk Penton tweeted that they are close on deals with QB Elliot (not Buck or Brink?) and WR Carr (curses!)... but that leaves lots of work for Mack to get done in 14 days.
Here's hoping Brink and Oramasionwu are up for grabs (for us) and that Labatte heads home to Saskatchewan... that would be a pretty huge fail by Mack to lose 2 key NIs and maybe their most promising QB talent.