Unofficial and Uninformed Defensive Coordinator Speculation

[pbmax]

I remember at this year's beginning there was talk of new blitzing schemes and packages that would pressure the QB more; I don't think anybody would try to argue they worked

I just want new blood in there from the outside; I'm not sure I'll be that fussy if it occurs

They did more blitzing this year and they had to. They even got better at it towards the end, unless it was the level of competition that helped. But it wasn't enough, I agree. And since we seem to play zone like clowns in a Volkswagon, it didn't help that if we failed to get home there were two people wide open.

[The Shadow]

I would love Gregg Williams but it wont happen ...

I think there is a reason he is unemployed. His style has not been as successful recently as it was early in his career. What I need to know about him, is he adaptable?

Remember that every defensive coordinator ever hired has been touted as being more aggressive and they all promise to get after the Quarterback. I prefer success to any specific philosophy.

I remember at this year's beginning there was talk of new blitzing schemes and packages that would pressure the QB more; I don't think anybody would try to argue they worked

I just want new blood in there from the outside; I'm not sure I'll be that fussy if it occurs

That was a major part of the defensive failings - outside of the Woodson corner blitz, there was nothing effective there at all.
Love to see an outsider brought in with a few new ideas.

[pbmax]

2008 - 27 sacks, 8 by non-lineman (29.6%)

2007 - 36 sacks, 4.5 by non-lineman (12.5%)

[Joemailman]

{ilr]3]

Bring back Bates!

What the hell is that guy doing these days anyway?

I thought he was with the Denver Bronco's as a assistant HC and SloWITT was the DC.

If Shanahan got canned - and Bates was working for Denver - doesn't that mean he's available? Can anyone confirm Bates employment?

With Shanahan being fired, does that mean Slowik is available?

[Packers4Ever]

We need somebody who is beyond criticism by the know-nothings who are out to get Sanders. The only name I saw mentioned like that is Fritz Shurmur.

I've left Fritz a message but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

I'm sorry, Swede, but I believe he never will. To my recollection, Fritz went out
to Seattle with Holmgren (in about '98?) for about a year, became ill and passed away from cancer. He was a much-loved DL coach and is still missed by many here.

[swede]

We need somebody who is beyond criticism by the know-nothings who are out to get Sanders. The only name I saw mentioned like that is Fritz Shurmur.

I've left Fritz a message but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

I'm sorry, Swede, but I believe he never will. To my recollection, Fritz went out
to Seattle with Holmgren (in about '98?) for about a year, became ill and passed away from cancer. He was a much-loved DL coach and is still missed by many here.

Bless your heart. Your kind and gentle style make me sorry to behave so badly in here. I did of course love Fritz and his cerebral yet down-to-earth way. And I am fully aware of his too-early demise.

My comment was a sarcastic tweak.

Have a pleasant evening.

[Sparkey]

2008 - 27 sacks, 8 by non-lineman (29.6%)

2007 - 36 sacks, 4.5 by non-lineman (12.5%)

So 19 sacks by the 08 Dline (Kampman had 9.5 alone) and 31.5 by the 07 Dline. That is a huge drop-off from the line and it doesn't even take into account the decrease in hurries and qb hits that are not a sack.

Plus, as much as everyone wants more blitzing, every blitzer means one less guy in coverage. Blitz on a play when they run a quick 3 step slant and you have zero chance of getting the qb but a damn good shot at giving up a big play.

I really believe the drop in production is entirely on the line and the lack of pressure. Regardless of who's responsible, it is an area that needs to be addressed. If not 09 will be a repeat of 08.

[cpk1994]

We need somebody who is beyond criticism by the know-nothings who are out to get Sanders. The only name I saw mentioned like that is Fritz Shurmur.

I've left Fritz a message but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

I'm sorry, Swede, but I believe he never will. To my recollection, Fritz went out
to Seattle with Holmgren (in about '98?) for about a year, became ill and passed away from cancer. He was a much-loved DL coach and is still missed by many here.

I to miss him. But its ironic thaat as people mention him as being more aggressive and creative, at one point in GB, he was derieded for not being agressive enough and being labeled "No Blitz" Fritz.

[Fritz]

For my own sake, I just want a mean, nasty-looking guy who will stare down some ding-dong defensive lineman who just jumped offside on third and five, or will get up into a guy's face and scream at him after his stupid personal foul penalty.

That's all I want. A screamer. A mean bastard.

So his defense will play the same way. Mean.

[cpk1994]

For my own sake, I just want a mean, nasty-looking guy who will stare down some ding-dong defensive lineman who just jumped offside on third and five, or will get up into a guy's face and scream at him after his stupid personal foul penalty.

That's all I want. A screamer. A mean bastard.

So his defense will play the same way. Mean.

Too bad Wayne Simmons is no longer living.

[Fritz]

Exactly.

And really, I'm not sure there's any evidence that a mean, screaming coach is any more effective than a quiet one. But it makes me feel like he's doing a good job.

[SkinBasket]

I'm with frutz.

[SkinBasket]

I mean fritz.

[pbmax]

Possibly available from Tampa Bay, not that anyone has advocated for the Tampa scheme (via PFT):

Larry Coyer and Casey 'Gus' Bradley

Coyer, who came to Tampa Bay in 2007 after being fired as the Denver Broncos’ defensive coordinator, spent one year as the Buccaneers’ defensive line coach before being shifted to a new role under coach Jon Gruden prior to this season.

Coyer’s contract was scheduled to expire in the next few weeks, an iffy status shared by tight ends coach Bob Casullo and linebackers coach Casey “Gus” Bradley, according to the Tribune.

[vince]

Here's a list of up-and-comers with a lot of potential. I know nothing about any of these guys, but Sean McDermott sticks out to me... Chuck Cecil is interesting just because of his human assassin persona among Packer fans...

http://www.packerupdate.com/pu/2009/01/top-10-coordinatorsinwaiting.html

TOP 10 COORDINATORS-IN-WAITING
If Bob Sanders is relieved of his duties, the Packers will be in the market for a new defensive coordinator. While names like former head coaches Mike Nolan, Gregg Williams and Jim Haslett are sure to be bandied about, we asked a scout for another team to give us the names of currently employed position coaches who appear ready to take the next step. Here are one man’s list of the league's top 10 potential defensive coordinators:

THE TOP 5

1) TODD BOWLES (DBs/Miami) - "Bowles, 45, is a former NFL player who has coached for Bill Parcells in both Dallas and Miami. He is regarded as a hard worker and a good teacher. The thing I really like about him is that he's not wedded to one specific system. He can coach either the 4-3 or the 3-4. He also has ties to the Green Bay organization. He worked in the personnel department under Ron Wolf (and alongside Ted Thompson) in the mid-90s.”

2) SEAN MCDERMOTT (DBs/Philadelphia) - "McDermott, 34, is the perfect choice if you're looking to find the next [Giants DC] Steve Spagnuolo. He's worked under Jim Johnson for 10 years. I also like the fact that he's coached multiple positions. His resume is very similar to those of Spagnuolo and [Ravens HC] John Harbaugh. That's a good selling point.”

3) SAL SUNSERI (DL/Carolina) - "Sunseri, 49, has been flying under the radar in Carolina, but he does an excellent job year after year. He's a fiery-type of coach who gets the most out of his players. He worked with Mike McCarthy at Pitt in the late 80s. I'm not sure if the two are still friendly, but that prior relationship can't hurt."

4) CHUCK CECIL (DBs/Tennessee) - "Cecil, 44, would make a lot of sense. He played for the Packers from ‘88 to ‘92 and he'd get a strong recommendation from Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt, who happens to be very close with Thompson. Cecil is an extremely intense coach who would give any defense an instant identity. His only real negative is a reckless driving incident from earlier in the year."

5) ALAN WILLIAMS (DBs/Indy) - “Tony Dungy thinks the world of this young man, and that’s good enough for me. Williams, 39, is soft-spoken, but he works hard and relates extremely well to his players. Does that sound familiar? I’m not sure what McCarthy thinks of the Cover-2 scheme, but it’s something to think about considering that Charles Woodson and Al Harris won’t be around forever.”

THE NEXT 5

6) KEITH BUTLER (LBs/Pittsburgh) - “Butler, 52, has worked under Dick LeBeau for the past six years, so he’s 3-4 all the way. That’s probably one of the reasons why he hasn’t gotten hired as a coordinator yet. He’s a terrific position coach who's more than ready for the next challenge."

7) DARREN PERRY (DBs/Oakland) - “Perry, 40, has been an excellent defensive backs coach for years. What I like about him is his varied resume. He worked under LeBeau in Pittsburgh and under Rob Ryan in Oakland. Talk about learning two totally different schemes from two totally different teachers.”

8) PEPPER JOHNSON (DL/New England) - “Johnson, 44, played linebacker under Bill Belichick with the Giants and has coached defense under him for the past eight years in New England. He’s done an equally impressive job of developing youngsters and improving veterans. Like Butler, his biggest drawback is his background in the 3-4.”

9) JOE WOODS (DBs/Minnesota) - "Woods, 38, has done a nice job with the Vikings after coming over from Tampa Bay in 2006. He reminds me of [Steelers HC] Mike Tomlin. He may need a little more experience, but he's going to be at or near the top of every team's wish list in a year or two."

10) BILL SHERIDAN (LBs/Giants) - "Sheridan, 49, has only been in the NFL for four years, but he's already earned a solid reputation around the league. His unit continues to perform at a pretty high level despite suffering a number of key injuries and free agent defections over the past few seasons."

Winston Moss, 42, the Packers' current assistant head coach/linebackers, didn't make the list. "Moss certainly has the potential to be a quality coordinator," said the scout. "He knows the game and he's a good motivator. But I don't think his resume is quite as strong as some of the other position coaches. Working directly under Ron Zook, Rick Venturi and Sanders doesn't overly excite me. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Moss get the job in Green Bay, but in my opinion, there are a number of better candidates."