Could Pat Shurmur Replace Bill Musgrave In Minnesota?

Dec 16, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur on the side line in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

More rumblings that Bill Musgrave is on his way out in Minnesota regardless of what happens with the Vikings’ playoff run. And now there is rumbling about who might be in line to replace Musgrave after he is let go. Jason La Canfora says current Browns head coach Pat Shurmur will be a candidate for the Vikings’ OC job after Musgrave departs. Shurmur is expected to be fired as part of a major house-cleaning by the Browns on Monday. And La Canfora seems sure Musgrave will be gone after the season.

What do we think of Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator? Well keep this in mind. Browns fans have complained recently about Shurmur under-utilizing running back Trent Richardson. Would a Shurmur-led offense go more to the passing game and take the ball away from Adrian Peterson? And would this necessarily be a bad thing?

It makes you wonder about the Vikings’ overall philosophy going forward. Sure they’ve gotten to nine wins and the cusp of a playoff berth handing the ball off to AD. But can they expect to survive in today’s NFL with so much load on the running back’s shoulders? And if a more effective passing attack is what they believe they need, is Bill Musgrave the man to get the job done? And what about Christian Ponder? Would Shurmur necessarily be good for Ponder? Would a move to Shurmur mean the Vikings would also be in the market for a new QB at least as a back-up option?

Lots to speculate about. But first thing’s first. Let’s get this win and go to the postseason.

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