Hard to tell who's really pushing for Al Saunders' hire at Rams Park. I read that it's Scott Linehan which it may be but I also think John Shaw is the guy who wants Saunders now that he's available.

Here are the Saunders positives: He has a lot of play calling experience and had success in Kansas City with Trent Green and Mike Martz' offense. He basically took Martz' playbook to K-C. But, he ran the ball a lot more than Martz did because he didn't have the receivers and he had Priest Holmes in the backfield. This is a similiar situation with Steven Jackson the dominant talent on offense and a good but aging receiving core. He also is a high energy guy with a forceful personality which is what another offensive coordinator candidate, Ken Zampese, isn't. Scott Linehan's strength is not motivational speaking. Pairing him with a passive personality running the offense may be a concern.

The negative on Saunders is he's got the reputation as a guy who politics, behind the scenes and, more subtly, with the media. He's a very willing interview and a good sound bite---a very polished guy. With his hire, Linehan will have two high profile big name coordinators. Is that a concern? Maybe immediate to long term but give Linehan credit for knowing he can't afford to think beyond 2008. He has to win and win now. I know this--Scott Linehan isn't dumb. He does see the big picture.

I know this about Saunders. Dick Vermeil loved him and Mike Martz hated him. I cannot stress the word "hate" enough. If I ever convince Martz to write a book, he'll do an entire chapter on Saunders alone. To be fair, Saunders may have enough to do a chapter on Martz. Let's hope that Saunders is even half as successful in 2008 as Martz was in 1999. Notice, I said "half"---the Rams don't have the talent for a 1999 type turnaround.

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