How Many Years For Van Pelt?

February 1st, 2010

Joe’s first reaction to the hiring of Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach is one of excitement and concern.

Van Pelt played the position in the modern NFL, plus he has coaching experience at this level and is clearly dedicated to the profession. All good things.

However, Van Pelt is coming off being the Bills’ offensive coordinator. So Joe would be flabbergasted if Van Pelt wants to be Josh Freeman’s quarterbacks coach for a significant amount time. The guy has had a taste of power already. Odds are he wants it again.

And that’s not necessarily a good thing if Van Pelt spends 2010 in Freeman’s ear only to take off after a season.

Did Mark Dominik and Team Glazer ink Van Pelt to more than a one-year deal?

Joe would be stunned, given the looming work stoppage in 2011 — whether you believe it will really happen or not. The Glazers are not the only owners avoiding having guaranteed coaching payroll on the books for 2011, just in case the games are cancelled.

If the Bucs found a way to lock up Van Pelt for a couple of years, or longer, then kudos to them.

Joe’s just hoping Van Pelt can truly improve every aspect of Freeman’s game. And Joe hopes Greg Olson is on board with the hire and doesn’t see Van Pelt as his replacment breathing down his neck.

14 Responses to “How Many Years For Van Pelt?”

  1. YearOBucsfan Says:

    Hopefully, they play nice, and act like adults.

  2. Al Says:

    This guy was a interim OC just like Olson and I doubt he wanted to be a OC just yet if he came for the QB job.

  3. RastaMon Says:

    sounds to me like Freemen is being lobotomized as an NFL QB
    the guy showed up on time for camp last summer
    how much “change in leadership”
    can one man stand….
    this time next year
    a new Head Coach
    and coaching staff
    to be announced
    later

  4. Louie Says:

    Advice to Van Pelt: rent, don’t buy.

  5. JDouble Says:

    Let’s see…Van Pelt sucked as a player, Trent Edwards was horrible when coached by him, and the Bills offense sucked with him as OC, even with T.O., Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, and Fred Jackson.

    I’m so freakin excited to have him aboard!

  6. Eric S Says:

    I still remember him from college. I bet a lot of money on Pitt against BC in ’91. Van Pelt sucked in that game and I lost my shirt. Still recall that day almost 20 years later.

  7. Radio Mushmouth Says:

    Jdouble:

    in fairness to Van Pelt , the offense was never good but it did get a little better once he took over.

    …and it doesn’t matter how many talented skill players you have if your offensive line SUCKS.

    on and P.S. = not even the ghost of Bill walsh could make Edwards a good QB….

  8. Pruritis Ani Says:

    I m not quite as optimistic about the guy as you are Joe. Can’t we for once take a coach that is not from a losing organization?

  9. Chuck Says:

    Winning coaches do not take lateral moves, they go up. This guy will surprise you. Besides, can you even name 10 QB coaches in the league? I can not.

  10. Chuck Says:

    One more thing to add…

    Edwards QB rating in 2007 – 70.4
    Under Van Petl in 2008 85.4

    I would say he was moving in the right direction before Van Pelt was thrust into the OC job. You guys need to cut people some slack and try to look at things more closely.

  11. RastaMon Says:

    hopefully he will follow the other coaches that were fired early…..like tomorrow….hell Steve Deberg on nine beers would be better !

  12. Radio Mushmouth Says:

    No one ever won or lost a superbowl because of the QB coach anyways…relax people….

  13. Pete Says:

    Good hire. Here is a QB coach who actually played the position. Not the most talented guy, but quite often these are the people who make the best coaches, because they had to work on the fundamentals themselves when they were players. I’m originally from Buffalo and my family is still there. The word I get is he is a good coach.

  14. Sgt Mike Says:

    Did anyone ever hear of Olson ever playing in the NFL? Nope, didn’t think so. I like having former players as skill position coaches. It’s like they have something to prove and give there best effort.