FanHouse Hue Jackson

I typically don't follow the 49ers all that closely during the offseason, but I thought it was surprising that they would interview former Broncos and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves for the offensive coordinator job. Partly because he just turned 65 but also because he last coached in the NFL in 2003. (The last time a Bay Area team hired a coach who had been away from the game for some time the results were comically disastrous.)

That San Francisco interviewed Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson for the same job is less surprising; he has experience as a coordinator and played a big role in Joe Flacco's progress this season.

Another day, another new favorite in the Race to Win the Ravens Starting Quarterback job. Good times. Earlier this week, word on the street was that the Baltimore locker room was quietly lobbying for second-year player Troy Smith, but this afternoon, the Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston writes that the job has pretty much been determined.

Kind of.

None of the quarterbacks separated himself from the others in training camp, but if the Ravens had to choose a quarterback from what happened in camp, Kyle Boller clearly was the winner. A lot of the players prefer Troy Smith, but Boller was more consistent and made less mistakes.

So, basically, once again, Boller wins the war of attrition. That certainly speaks to his survival skills, but it also says a lot about the historically sorry state of the Ravens' quarterback situation.

There's no reason to think Joe Flacco would be ready by September (the last time the Ravens tried that -- with Boller in '03 -- it blew up in their faces), although there is a case that Smith should have a shot at the gig.

Whoever prevails in '08, it'll be a short-term stint, but wide receiver help could be on the way. At least according to SI.com's Jim Trotter. Assuming the Bengals were joking about reconsidering their stance on Chris Henry, Trotter writes that "another team that may be interested in Henry's services is Baltimore, where former Bengals wide receivers coach Hue Jackson is now an assistant." (Ah, yes, good ol' Hue.)

Because that would obviously solve the Ravens' myriad offensive issues. Somebody needs to make this happen.

One of the pitfalls of becoming a solid NFL franchise is that your position coaches and coordinators will eventually leave when offered promotions with other teams. That's apparently happened to the Bengals this year, as Hue Jackson is reportedly going to be the Atlanta Falcons new offensive coordinator.

Jackson has been the Bengals wide receivers coach since 2004, and has presided over some incredible years for Bengals receivers. Both Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh broke 1,000 yards this past season, and Chris Henry is one of the best number three guys in the league.

I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't the last guy the Bengals lose this offseason. Ken Zampese's name has come up in coordinator searches in previous years, and Bob Bratkowski is always a potential head coaching candidate.

More: Jackson likely Falcons next offensive coordinator - Mark Curnutte's Blog
T.J.: Hue Jackson going to Falcons - Mark Curnutte's Blog