Under The Hood Of Greg Roman

January 2nd, 2015
49ers OC Greg Roman's resume seems to fit Lovie Smith's philosophy.

49ers OC Greg Roman’s resume seems to fit Lovie Smith’s philosophy.

Joe first wrote about the possibility of the Bucs and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman back in November 2013. Then, Joe tossed out the idea of Roman replacing then-Bucs commander Greg Schiano, if Team Glazer wanted to make a change.

Joe is still intrigued by Roman. Doing a bit of research, Roman’s numbers won’t win over the fantasy football-types.

Roman, based on yards, is up and down. He’s had some good offenses, and offenses that, while the team wins — the only stat that really matters — his offenses have been, well, underwhelming for the score-50-points-a-game crowd.

This past season, the 49ers finished 20th in the NFL on offense as quarterback Colin Kaepernick regressed with his passing (yet he was still better than Josh McCown). In 2013, the 49ers, guided by Kaepernick, finished 24th. That laregly could be blamed on Michael Crabtree, Kaepernick’s favorite target, was out most of the year with an injury.

In 2012, the 49ers began the season with Alex Smith as quarterback and later shifted to Kaepernick and the 49ers had their best offensive season under Roman finishing 11th in the NFL in offense and a trip to the Super Bowl

In 2011, losing in overtime to the Giants in the NFC title game, also winning a thrilling shootout with the Saints in the divisional playoff game round, the 49ers finished 26th in the NFL in yards. That playoff win over New Orleans showed Joe that when needed, Roman was comfortable and adept at crafting a pass-happy gameplan.

Part of the reasons the 49ers under Roman had mixed results on offense are that San Francisco was largely a ground-and-pound team. Roman, a former offensive line coach with the Crows, also had good offensive line play in his tenure.

And Roman resurrected Smith’s career from the dumpster and developed Kaepernic as a rookie.

The more Joe looks at Roman, he sure seems to fit Lovie Smith’s mentality of run-first. Unlike Jeff Tedford and ill-suited Marcus Arroyo, Roman has a track record of getting solid quarterback play from his pupils in the NFL, and has groomed a rookie quarterback for a conference champion.

Remember: Roman is still under contract with the 49ers.

34 Responses to “Under The Hood Of Greg Roman”

  1. Erik with Clean Athletics Says:

    No matter who we hire for an OC, there is a 0% chance that we draft Winston over Mariota. Only a fool would do so.

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    One of the good things about our OC search is that we are able to ask many very experenced OCs their opinion of the QB choices….that would include their opinion of Glennon.
    I am sure that will have to make an impact on who we draft and the trade prospects of Glennon.
    It should be easier for fans to accept the decision.

    I just hope fans come together and support the choice because there will certainly be decent.

  3. Zam Says:

    Seems a little like taking home the fat girl when it’s only 10PM.

  4. lurker Says:

    only a fool would say that…

  5. JonBuc Says:

    I guess if they hire Scott Frost, we’ll have a good idea where the Bucs are leaning @ QB.

  6. Erik with Clean Athletics Says:

    Lurker…. Ok, maybe a 1% chance, but highly unlikely.

  7. DaYucks Says:

    i wonder if tedford was ok with developing glennon which Lovie would be all for. it would allow him to spend top picks on defense. Now that tedford is gone, the only way to lure your OC is to draft the QB he also wants…

  8. gatrbuc17 Says:

    I know and have asked alot of SF fans about Greg Roman and they say if he leaves it will be Good Riddance.

  9. OB Says:

    Unless the Glazers tell Lovie what to do with the OC, it just will not work regardless of who is the OC. Lovie played too many mistakes all year because he chose them not because they were any good. He didn’t even get a new OC during the year.

    He is the mistake and it needs to be changed.

  10. Architek Says:

    We won’t be able to attract top tier candidates.

  11. SAMCRO Says:

    Roman has a track record of getting solid quarterback play from his pupils in the NFL, and has groomed a rookie quarterback for a conference champion.
    ______________________________________

    And with that being said, there are those Mariota, Kaepernick comparisons you can’t overlook either.

  12. canadian bucsfan Says:

    Roman and Marriota runing the pistol in Tampa could be interesting.

  13. todd Says:

    this would mean mariota!

  14. Erik with Clean Athletics Says:

    @ Joe
    I’m assuming that you read my comment above that is still ‘awaiting moderation’ about Winston’s decision to symbolically announce to the world yesterday that he likes to ‘party’ so to speak….. Do you have any response about that? And do you honestly want a QB who likes to ‘party’?

  15. Erik with Clean Athletics Says:

    And fyi, I would never slander anyone or accuse Winston of something that is unwarranted. He’s the idiot who made the symbolic hand gesture to the world referencing a certain questionable lifestyle choice that he apparently likes to make…

  16. JFat Says:

    @Architek Could you explain your reasoning for that other than Lovie hate?

    #1 Pick is a solid attraction. ROY candidate at WR1, veteran WR1b. Solid RB stable. O-line is the main concern and a good coach can probably fix that up, or at least make it respectable, without a ton of investment outside of the draft.

    The Bucs are set up better for improvement than all but 2 of the teams who are looking for new coaches (SF and ATL). Yes, call me crazy, but I think working for the Bucs would be better than the Jets, Raiders, Bills, Bears or Jags.

  17. bucrightoff Says:

    Roman led bottom third of the league offenses in 3 of his 4 years in San Fran. Lovie has had them 9 of his 10 seasons as a coach. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

  18. bucrightoff Says:

    Also, the Bills are a QB away from Super Bowl contenders. Best pass rush in the league, top 3 secondary. They are miles ahead of the Bucs, it’s insulting to say the Bucs are better set up than them.

  19. Howard Cosell Says:

    I don’t know much about him.
    Seems like a West-coast offense from watching the 49ers.
    I’d much rather have Trestman working with only checks and
    balances from Lovie (not under Lovie).

  20. mac Says:

    After re watching the Rose Bowl I believe the Bucs should draft Mariota and hire Roman to run the offense… I think Winston has some great skills but I just do not want to risk the future ona player that everyone dreams a “head case”… Give him $20 million and see what happens… I would pick Mariota and hire Roman to run the same offense the 49ers have run the past four years… I think it fits Lovie’s style… Run heavy and take care of the football… Mariota only threw 2 ints all year… Winston 17…

    Like I said I have been in favor of drafting Winston all year… But I have changed my mind…

  21. Pelbuc Says:

    All I know is that this no. 1 pick should be based on correcting L&L’s past player evaluation screw ups. Translation, if they really want Mariota, the Glaezers should overrule them and pick Winston, and vice versa. All the OCs mentioned should do a good job with either QB, just make sure Winston doesn’t play baseball.

  22. dan Says:

    that was a puckering to the blind eye symbol (kiss my A$$ bassically he put his lips inside the circle)… not a weed smoking symbol. assumptions assumptions nice try though erik.

  23. bucrightoff Says:

    The Chip Kelly divide in Philly might be real. God if it is we need to fire Lovie and find a way to get Chip. Chip coaching Mariota will be the most exciting thing to happen to this fanbase….ever.

  24. Erik with Clean Athletics Says:

    Dan, thank u for clearing that up. I was wondering how he could be so idiotic by making that gesture….. I still want Mariota bcuz he’s the best player in the nation and seems to have the intelligence and work ethic to be successful and thrive in the NFL over the longrun.

  25. BirdDoggers Says:

    Roman was part of a team that used the tried and true formula of running the ball and playing great defense. The formula works more often than not but there is one major factor to consider. Roman had a good offensive line to work with.

  26. joe$sucsfan Says:

    someone deny that we would not have been better off we Mariota as QB THIS year instead of what we had even though he would have a a rookie.

  27. Joe Says:

    ’m assuming that you read my comment above that is still ‘awaiting moderation’ about Winston’s decision to symbolically announce to the world yesterday that he likes to ‘party’ so to speak….. Do you have any response about that? And do you honestly want a QB who likes to ‘party’?

    Have no clue what you are referring to, sorry.

  28. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    mac Says
    “I would pick Mariota and hire Roman to run the same offense the 49ers have run the past four years… I think it fits Lovie’s style… Run heavy and take care of the football…”

    And really, it’s easier to build a run first offensive line. With Mariota, since he is mobile, I could see this happening. The problem is that even though Greg Roman fits the qb, his offense isn’t all that great.

    It IS the type of offense that works in Tampa though, when the oline is in shape.

  29. White Tiger Says:

    Always have liked Greg Roman, even more than Chudz….

  30. DB55 Says:

    Will he be bring frank gore and the miners oline with him?

  31. Another J Says:

    I think Chudz would be a nice fit with the Bucs.

  32. Ray Rice Says:

    Winston fits Romans style of smash mouth more than Mariota.

  33. jfat Says:

    @bucrightoff – Miles ahead right…that’s why their HC just walked away from the team. They gave up their first rounder this year in the Watkins trade, Orton retired, Spiller and Jackson are always hurt. They will be dumpster diving for a QB or they will be stuck with EJ Manuel next season. Not to mention they will have to beat NE to win their division…good luck new OC/HC.

  34. Imma Buc Bassturd Says:

    If we get Roman I hope he brings Alex Boone with him!