Los Angeles Rams Should Hire Pat Shurmur

Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles interim head coach Pat Shurmur looks on against the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles interim head coach Pat Shurmur looks on against the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Eagles won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is no question that after the conclusion of the 2015 NFL season the Los Angeles Rams needed to make a change on the offensive side of the ball. Whether it be new coaches, new players, or new scheme, something different needed to happen.

After Jeff Fisher hired Frank Cignetti, the offense was a total disaster failing to convert 25% of their third down tries. They also had an offense that ranked second to last in the league. As Rams fans all know, Cignetti didnt make it through the entire season and for the final stretch of games it was tight ends coach, Rob Boras, who took over as the play caller.

Boras wasn’t much better, but the Rams did win four of their last five and the offense certainly didnt look any worse, although the bar wasn’t set very high.

After the season, Fisher fired five assistant coaches and is in the process of finding somebody else to help make the offense at the very least, average. There is little doubt that with even an average offense the Rams could be playoff caliber with the talent that they have on the defensive side of the ball.

As of now, Fisher has interviewed Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who is no longer available as the Philadelphia Eagles hired him to be their quarterbacks coach, and former Rams and Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

Shurmur was the offensive coordinator with the Rams during Steve Spagnuolo’s tenure in 2o09 and helped lead Bradford to rookie of the year status. He then went to Cleveland to be the team’s head coach and then on to Philadelphia to be the offensive coordinator.

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With the firing of Chip Kelly, the Eagles have new coordinators on both sides of the ball leaving Shurmur without and job. And with Kelly hiring Curtis Modkins to be his offensive coordinator in San Francisco, it doesn’t look like Shurmur will be following him there either.

If Shurmur were to join the Rams it would not necessarily be as an offensive coordinator in L.A. as Jeff Fisher wouldnt want to hurt Boras’ feelings by hiring somebody who was more qualified. But instead, Fisher did interview Shurmur to be the team’s passing game coordinator.

What makes this move intriguing other than the fact it is for being a passing game coordinator(what is that exactly?) is that Shurmur coached quarterback Nick Foles in Philadelphia during his 27 touchdowns and two interception run.

The Rams need better play from the quarterback position and it would make the most sense if it came from the player that they traded for and extended last offseason. Foles has proven success under Shurmur as he threw for 40 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions with the offensive coordinator, not mention he looked like a suitable starting quarterback.

Fisher needs to figure out this offense if he wants to succeed as a head coach with the Rams. While slightly more talented with offensive playmakers like Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley, somehow the production has found a way to get worse.

Since interviewing with the Rams, Shurmur has interviewed in Minnesota to be a running backs coach which could just mean he is exploring his options. However, if Fisher wants to make a big move that will significantly help the offense, he should add Shurmur to the staff if not to at least be a fall back if Boras fails.

Next: Rams' Aaron Donald Named Pro Bowl Captain