Ravens O-coordinator Fassel fired, Billick to call plays

[Bearcat729]

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick has fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and will take over the play-calling for the Ravens offense. Offensive Content
How the Ravens' offense compares to the rest of the NFL:

• Points per game: 18th (18.3)
• Yards per game: 28th (271.7)
• Yards per play: T29th (4.4)
• Third-down efficiency: 22nd (33 of 90)


Billick said it was difficult for him to let Fassel go, saying he has been "a valuable and loyal coach to me." However, he added, "clearly, in order for us to expand on our 4-2 start we have to have more offensive productivity."


"There was no single incident, no single episode, nothing specific that brought about this change," Billick said. "Something dramatic needed to be done."

But he would not go into what finally sparked the decision.

"It serves no purpose to go back and revist any particular reason why this has been brought about so I'm not gonna do it," Billick said.

Fassel was in his second year as the Ravens' offensive coordinator after serving a season with the team as a senior consultant to the offense.



He previously served as head coach of the New York Giants from 1997 to 2003, guiding the Giants to two NFC East titles, a conference championship, an appearance in the Super Bowl and a wild-card playoff berth.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

[st.cronin]

Miami, maybe? hmmmmmmm

[rkmsuf]

Printed on Billick's business card:

BRIAN BILLICK - OFFENSIVE SUUUPER GENIUS

[Kodos]

Remember when Billick was looked at as an offensive guru?

[stevew]

The end for Billick is soon. Hopefully they let him go after this year so they can bring in Dennis Green.

[Swaggs]

Billick needs to win a playoff game to keep his job, I suspect.

[rkmsuf]

I'm fascinated as to what will be done differently on offense with that collection of talent. What more Musa Smith is the answer?

[wade moore]

Didn't Fassell come in because Billick couldn't run the offense for crap?

[rkmsuf]

Didn't Fassell come in because Billick couldn't run the offense for crap?

Shhhh. That wasn't mentioned in the press conference.

[albionmoonlight]

I just hope that Billick starts wearing an academic gown on the sideline and answering only to "Professor Awesome."

[wade moore]

I just hope that Billick starts wearing an academic gown on the sideline and answering only to "Professor Awesome."

It had better have a Nike (or whatever) logo.

[stevew]

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/ddisciullo/Billick/BrianBillick2.jpg

[Subby]

Didn't Fassell come in because Billick couldn't run the offense for crap?No, he was actually brought in solely to tutor Kyle Boller. When Matt Cavanaugh was fired, Fassell took over as offensive coordinator.

[wade moore]

No, he was actually brought in solely to tutor Kyle Boller. When Matt Cavanaugh was fired, Fassell took over as offensive coordinator.

Ah, yes.

Either way, it seems somehow Billick is never the problem.. hrmm...

[Butter]

I was shocked...SHOCKED... that Steve McNair was forced out of last week's game due to injury. It's just the beginning. Now they get to enjoy some more Boller magic.

[ISiddiqui]

Wait a sec... Fassel was brought in to tutor Boller... and they thought he did a well enough job with that to gain a promotion?! :eek:

[stevew]

Well, it's not like Billick is the first member of the Ravens to stab someone in the back.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Until Sunday, I had no idea that Kyle Boller was still on an NFL roster. I thought he was probably hanging out with Tim Couch and Giovanni Carmazzi. What's next? We're gonna find out that Chris Redman is still in the NFL somewhere?

[gottimd]

Chris Redman and Gino Torretta have co-authored a book called "How to successfully fail at quarterback in the NFL".

[Pumpy Tudors]

Chris Redman and Gino Torretta have co-authored a book called "How to successfully fail at quarterback in the NFL".
I hope they at least got a foreword out of Todd Marinovich.

[Subby]

I think Boller can still be good, but they really made a miscalculation by having him start right out of the gate...

[Izulde]

Ryan Leaf wrote the classic on NFL Quarterback Failure.

Everything else is just filler.

[CraigSca]

If Baltimore could bring back Mike Pagel they'd have a shot.

[Cap Ologist]

Aren't Billick and Fassel best friends supposedly? I thought that was an overhyped angle to the Super Bowl they coached against each other in.

[Fidatelo]

Aren't Billick and Fassel best friends supposedly? I thought that was an overhyped angle to the Super Bowl they coached against each other in.

Maybe Fassel fell on the bomb to give Billick more time?

[jcwean]

Maybe...

When is the last time the Ravens had a WR that could stretch the field? Qadry Ismail. They should've gone out and traded for Randy Moss.

Since Billick arrived in BMore (1999), the Ravens have averaged 17th ranked in pts scored and 22nd ranked in yards.

Fassel is really nice guy. Reminds me of an offensive version of Pete Carroll. I think if he lands a college job, he could have a decent amount of success.

As a fan, I'd love to see him wind-up in Denver under Shannahan. I'm not sold on Mike Heimerdinger

[Pumpy Tudors]

When is the last time the Ravens had a WR that could stretch the field? Qadry Ismail.
It's funny because it's true.