News that the Cleveland Browns were talking to Todd Haley about becoming the offensive coordinator put a little life into a search that had gone quietly.
Hue Jackson has talked to candidates, but he's not going to hire a coordinator unless he feels he has the right fit.
New quarterbacks coach Ed Zampese worked with Jackson in Cincinnati and knows his offense, so he can contribute if a coordinator is not hired. That hasn't stopped the search, though, and three of the four contacted have head coaching experience.
To date the team has interviewed or shown interest in Houston quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan, former Giants coach Ben McAdoo, former Titans coach Mike Mularkey and Haley, last of the Steelers.
How play-calling will be handled might depend on the hire. Jackson might give up that duty if an experienced guy like Haley or McAdoo were hired, but word from Houston was that Ryan would not immediately take over calling plays.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the Browns' interest in Haley on Sunday. Haley is obviously intriguing. He had a successful six seasons with the Steelers, but was not retained after this season even though the Steelers scored 42 points in their playoff loss to Jacksonville. The Steelers were in the top 10 in scoring in each of the past four seasons.
Haley would not be bringing Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell to Cleveland, but he also was the offensive coordinator in Arizona when the Cardinals and Kurt Warner went to the Super Bowl and he coached the Chiefs from 2009-2011. He's experienced, strong-minded and brings instant credibility.
Haley would be an interesting mix on the staff. It's tough to see Jackson giving up his playbook, so Haley would have to at a minimum use that as a foundation. Gregg Williams has complete control of the defense. Would Haley take this job with an offensive coach in charge? If he does, it would say a little something about how the Browns are viewed around the league.
McAdoo interviewed last week with Jackson, and like Haley has the resume to be given play-calling duties. However, McAdoo also has been linked to the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator job, which will be open when (former Browns coach and good guy) Pat Shurmur leaves to become coach of the Giants.
The Browns were in contact with Mularkey shortly after he parted ways with Tennessee (after he reached the playoffs and won a game). Jackson has a good relationship with him, but it doesn't seem that talks progressed too far. Mularkey has options around the league and is assessing.
Ryan was the first to interview, but was not offered the job. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Ryan wanted to call plays and that was why he was given permission to interview, but cleveland.com reported that Jackson would not immediately give Ryan play-calling duties. Ryan is expected to stay with the Texans.