Best defensive coordinator looking for a head coach job?

by N Colter on Jan 15, 2008 7:55 PM EST

I know some of you will cry apostasy, but I'd prefer to close the Dungy/Meeks era and start over. BBS, your moods fluctuate wildly, but I think you're now more on the mark when you say Meeks (and I include Dungy) are far from geniuses.

Yes, they're classy guys, but perennial plodders and losers; if Manning hadn't had his to-date career game during last year's AFC Championship, the Colts would still be the poster boys for choking. Remember, up to the beginning of the second half of that game, the defense had once more bit the big one. Also remember that when Kravitz later asked Meeks what turned the defense around during the postseason, he said he wasn't sure. And we really lucked out by facing worthless Rex Grossman in the Super Bowl. BTW, I agree with BBS that blaming Manning for this last debacle is ridiculous. Assign the blame to whom it belongs--Meeks and Dungy.

With all due respect and gratitude for SB 2006, screw "Do What We Do." I'd like to see some ambitious bright guy take over, but this may be pie-in-the-sky on my part.

Or is there someone out there who qualifies?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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quoting myself

"Speaking about the defense though. I would really, really really really really really REALLY love to see Ron Meeks start designing a more agressive defense for the earlier parts of games. The defense's whole motto is keep it close in the first half, don't give up the big play, figure out what they are wanting to do on offense, then in the second half come out and stop them. That works I guess, but it pisses me off when our defense spots a team a td or two just to "figure out" what they are trying to achieve on offense. I cannot count how many times the defense has spotted teams points when they could have had a few shutouts this year. Considering they play zone defense all of the time, why not take some ideas from Dick LeBau and use that solid cover 2 zone defense, and try some zone blitzes? Be more agressive in the first half, keep them on their heels, keep them guessing. Everyone and their mother knows what type of defense we play, so all they have to do is make simple adjustments and start running pass routes into the soft part of the zone and just make plays with larger receivers (like vincent jackson). Ron Meeks needs to make a name for himself, otherwise he is just completely useless. I'd just rather have Dungy run the defense then."

ya, that's right, I said that

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 15, 2008 8:10 PM EST reply actions

Touche, KingRichard

But if Meeks and Dungy need you to spell workable strategies out for them, how good are they really?

Again, I'm with you in that I'd like to escape "Do What We Do." But you can't expect non-innovators to suddenly become wildly creative. That's why I'm calling for new blood.

by N Colter on Jan 15, 2008 8:31 PM EST reply actions

foaojjagoj

Technically Dungy is an innovator. Problem is he doesn't like to stray away from what he knows best, which I can't really blame him I guess. But you just can't be one dimensional in the NFL which everyone with half a brain knows.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 15, 2008 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Oh come on ...

Tampa Bay won a SB with Tony's team. He's a proven quantity. There just AREN'T many coaches in the league of his caliber. Who you going to replace him with?

by PaytonMenning on Jan 15, 2008 10:15 PM EST reply actions

Perfect metaphor for Dungy

PaytonMenning:

To me, Dungy's NOT proven. He did win in 2006, but I attribute that success primarily to a masterful postseason by your namesake.

Historically Dungy is Charlie Brown trying to kick the football held by Lucy only to fall flat on his ass when she pulls the ball away; stretching the metaphor further, Lucy morphs from year to year into New England, Pittsburgh, and now San Diego.

Does Charlie Brown ever learn? No, he foolishly keep trying to kick the goddamn football and never wises up. "Do What We Do."

Or to put my frustration another way: asking Dungy to change his failed approach or to innovate is like asking Belichick to be ethical. Truly futile.

My sense of urgency about Dungy is that folks, Manning isn't going to be around forever. We're squandering the team's precious resource of having the greatest quarterback of this era, primarily because his head coach can't get his act together.

But as you point out, all my blather may be moot; nobody has yet (certainly not me)come up with a suitable replacement.

by N Colter on Jan 15, 2008 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

I still disagree with you ...

I think the league is tougher than you give credit for.

We had the #1 scoring defense in the NFL last season. #1!!! Do you know how long all I heard was, "if only someone would get Manning a defense..." ....

Well, now we have one. Thanks to Dungy. And now, because of these last playoffs, everyone wants to have him canned.

Heard the term fair weather fan?

by PaytonMenning on Jan 16, 2008 1:30 AM EST up reply actions

Ahem...

I only need two words to counter your argument: Billy Volek.

All due to to Dungy, Meeks, and his #1 scoring defense. How to make Sorgi play like a champ? Let him play against the Colts.

Make more excuses. Keep hoping Charlie Brown will kick the football.

Heard the term delusional homer?

No disrespect intended to you, of course. I guess I'm just more impatient, and I don't see anything changing under Dungy's tenure. But as I admit, I don't have a suitable replacement in mind either.

by N Colter on Jan 16, 2008 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

That so misguided ...

did you watch the game?

I have a few names for you too.

Marlin Jackson. As in the guy who facemasked Chris Chambers on a 3rd and 15 that would have forced a punt. Dungy's fault? I think not.

Michael Turner. He's a backup, but he's a beast. Take a look at the game log for Turner when LT doesn't play. You'll be surprised.

Volek is no Manning or Rivers, but he ain't Dilfer either.

by PaytonMenning on Jan 17, 2008 1:53 AM EST up reply actions

Volek

He was the heir to Steve McNair in Tennessee before he pissed of the coaches.

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com/

by shake n bake on Jan 17, 2008 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

Truth

The truth is that for as much as we may have a problem with Dungy's coaching style, how may other teams in the league would kill to have him?

Look at the active coaches that have been part of a Super Bowl winning team:

Belichick. (HC for Pats)
Dungy. (HC for Colts)
Gruden. (HC for Bucs)
Holmgren. (HC for Packers)
Coughlin (ass't for Giants)
Wisenhunt (off. cord. for Steelers)
Turner (off. cord. for Cowboys)
Tomlin (d.backs coach for Bucs)
Mangini (d.backs coach for Pats)
Del Rio (linebackers coach for Ravens)
Kubiak (qb coach for 49ers, off. cord for Broncos)
Shanahan (off. cord for 49ers, HC for Broncos)
Crennel (ass't for Giants, def. cord for Pats)
Lewis (def. cord for Ravens)

So, out of the current coaching list, 14 have rings. Some have multiple rings. But as a head coach, only Belichick, Dungy, Gruden, Holmgren, and Shanahan have won a Super Bowl. The rest are coordinators and coaches that went to new teams and haven't won one since.

So, if everyone is so hot to replace Dungy, find someone to replace him. They'd be walking into the sweetest job in the league. But I can say with near certainty that you're not going to see a major improvement with anyone else.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 16, 2008 12:05 AM EST reply actions

Point taken, but remember...

MonkeyBusiness:

If Dungy does retire, we're all going to be agonizing over and rehashing this very topic anyway.

I hope there're some good ambitious defensive coordinators out there looking to move up. Anyone know of one?

BTW, is Caldwell any good? Why is he considered the primary candidate if Dungy quits? What makes a QB coach so special other than he's already with the organization?

Thanks for your analysis.

by N Colter on Jan 16, 2008 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

I would like

for Dungy to remain the head coach. if he retires though, i say make a serious offer to cowher. possibly singletary?? otherwise we could just try to play some martyball

by biosBSOD on Jan 16, 2008 10:28 AM EST reply actions

gtjaijg

Am I the only one who cannot stand Bill Cowher? I think he is a horrible coach and would not be a good fit with the Colts. And for Mike Singletary? No thanks.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 16, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions