Kevin O’Connell: A Creative, Smart Hire as Browns QB Coach
The Cleveland Browns have reportedly hired the most important position left on their coaching staff. Kevin O’Connell has been hired according to Alex Marvez:
Source tells @NFLonFOX that Kevin O'Connell is @Browns new QBs coach; Kurt Roper hired as senior offensive assistant
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 31, 2015
As everything this off-season this was first noted by Lane Adkins of the Orange and Brown report. You can follow him @LaneAdkins and highly recommend paying to get their Insider content.
O’Connell (KOC) is a very creative hire. KOC is a 29 year old former 3rd round pick of the New England Patriots. He did some work as a pre-draft QB tutor and worked with Browns QB Johnny Manziel before the 2014 NFL Draft. KOC had this to say about Manziel before the draft, according to NFL.com:
"“What I did say was ‘Johnny Manziel is able to do things on a football field that very few people can do, whether they’re mentally ahead of other players at the position or not,’ ” O’Connell said, per The Plain Dealer. “… If he can find a way to match that with his football knowledge and growing as a veteran in the NFL — and it’s going to take him some time — but if he can find a way to do it, the sky is the limit.”"
Some have taken KOC’s comments about Manziel out of context as a Manziel cheerleader. The end of his quote is telling. He basically called out Manziel that if he is not successful it is because of his effort/preparation. It could be helpful that the two have a relationship, especially if KOC has Manziel’s respect, in getting him to where he needs to be. If not, Manziel, not KOC, will be gone.
KOC is a smart hire for nothing related to Manziel. Instead he experience in the NFL, worked with Tom Brady and is young developing coach. The best part of KOC is actually his work with quarterbacks at the academy level. Instead of former NFL coaches, who tend to coach certain types of QBs, KOC has some experience working with a variety of players.
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That will be huge to help him fit with Offensive Coordinator John Defilippo. Coach Flip has experience from his time with the Oakland Raiders coaching Terrelle Pryor, a run around QB, Carson Palmer, a pocket statue, and Derek Carr, a young QB with a little bit of both.
Flip and KOC are more likely to coach to the best talents of their QBs instead of trying to square peg/round hole. They also won’t begrudgingly coach “against” how they feel QBs should play.
This hire should encourage Browns fans. The team did a deep, detailed search for both their OC and QB coach and brought in their guys. They brought in two guys in Flip and KOC who will be able to try to get the best out of Johnny Manziel but will have the skills to work with a variety of QBs. Unlike other offensive guys, the Browns have guys who are set up to succeed with different skilled QBs.
What do you think about the Kevin O’Connell hire?