The Worst Play-Callers in the NFL

Quarterbacks and head coaches take a lot of heat when their team is underperforming, but I think the guys actually calling the plays deserve a lot more heat.

You might look at this list and go "yeah, that team's offense sucks," but have no idea who their offensive coordinators are.

Well, I'm calling them out. I'm shining a bright light onto the guys who predictably run it up the middle on third and short. The guys who try three QB sneaks at the goal line to no avail. The guys who call five-yard outs on 3rd and 10.

The Worst Play Callers in the NFL

Josh McDaniels, St. Louis

Yards per game: 279.5

How far and how quickly Josh McDaniels has fallen. He went from being the wunderkind protege of Bill Belichick for the Broncos to getting quickly shipped out and now failing as the Rams OC.

Yes, the Rams have suffered their share of injuries, but McDaniels has taken a promising young QB in Sam Bradford and made him a non-factor with his play calling. 

St. Louis is the only team in the NFL averaging less than 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing per game. Ouch.

Mike McCoy, Denver

Yards per game: 303.6

Hey, at least Mike McCoy has got Tebow. Now that Timmy is starting, his job gets a lot easier.

If the Broncos do well, it's going to be because of Tebow. If they fail, it's going to be because of Tebow. Who is this McCoy guy anyway?

Well, in my eyes, it's not like Orton was blowing it up, but he didn't have a lot to work with in terms of play calling. When Willis McGahee is the bright spot of your offense at this point, you know you're doing something wrong.

Dirk Koetter, Jacksonville

Yards per game: 270.6

Getting rid of David Garrard did little to help Jacksonville's offense, but I doubt that even with him things would be much different.

The Jags went from 15th in the league last year in YPG with 341 to dead last with 270. Gabbert is doing his best and MJD is giving it all he's got, but Koetter's uninspired play calling is a huge reason Jacksonville was sitting at 1-4 coming in to this week.

It's also the reason they'll finish at 1-5 even though they had a chance to come back against Pittsburgh. The bad rushing calls killed them down the stretch.

Pat Shurmur, Cleveland

Yards per game: 321

Pat Shurmur gets the rare distinction of being the only head coach on this list. The Browns don't even have an offensive coordinator. Shurmur trusts himself more. Not sure that was a good decision.

When you're throwing the ball on 63 percent of your plays, you should probably be completing more than 58 percent of your passes. That's just bad math right there.

With Peyton Hillis, one of the breakout players of last year, Shurmur has used him in the most unimaginative way possible. That's a big reason the Browns are one of the worst rushing teams in the league.

Kyle Shanahan, Washington

Yards per game: 356

Washington has got some inflated stats, due to Rex Grossman having huge games against crappy defenses, but the fact that Kyle Shanahan is a terrible play caller is no secret in this league.

He was almost singlehandedly responsible for the McNabb era failing in Washington, and is pretty universally hated by Redskins fans as somebody who only has his job because of his dad.

In today's game against a reeling Eagles team, the Skins only managed 42 rushing yards and their passing game was so terrible that they had to yank Grossman in favor of John Beck.

Yikes.

Clyde Christensen, Colts

Yards per game: 287

See, this is what happens when Peyton Manning isn't calling your plays. Or, you know, playing those plays, but you get the point.

Even with Curtis Painter under center, the Colts should still be able to do more than they've done so far. Their star WR, Reggie Wayne, has been kept out of the action since a great first game and even Joseph Addai can't get loose. The Colts are averaging a second worst 82 rushing YPG.

In general Christensen's play calling has left Indy fans wishing they would just hand the headset over to Peyton on the sidelines. Doesn't seem too far fetched.

Brian Schottenheimer, Jets

Yards per game: 297.4

There may not be a more maligned OC in the NFL. The Jets' expectations are sky-high this season, but they have been nothing but disappointing on offense so far far.

It's not just Mark Sanchez, either. The plays called for the young QB haven't been the most inspired, and Jets fans are left wondering if they should get rid of Schottey and bring in somebody who can get more out of this talented group of players.