So, who is running our team's defense?

by Brad Wells on Jan 26, 2009 1:24 PM EST in Colts Analysis

As of today (1/26/2009), the Colts still do not have a special team coach or a defensive coordinator. While WISH-TV News 8 did break the news the Colts have talked with Larry Coyer, the fact is no announcement has been made. Why? Don't know. Rumors said the Colts were waiting for Kansas City to hire Herm Edwards. Friday, they did that, but Herm stated (rather clearly) he does not want to be anyone's DC. He could come back to coaching as a DB coach, but that is up in the air.

There are lots of scenarios possible, and all of them seem to depend on certain things falling into place:

Coyer hired as defensive coordinator and Edwards as secondary coach. This means current secondary coach Alan Williams (who is reportedly well liked by the players) is fired.
Coyer hired as defensive coordinator. Williams retains his title and Herm Edwards is brought in as a defensive consultant ala Leslie Frazier in 2004. Either Herm or Coyer are the assistant head coach (likely Herm).
Alan Williams is promoted to defensive coordinator. Herm Edwards is hired as secondary coach and assistant head coach (like he was in Tampa Bay under Tony Dungy). Coyer is not hired.

I'm now pretty convinced that the reason there has been no announcement on the open DC position is because of Herm Edwards. Herm has likely made up his mind by now, taking the weekend to discuss options with his family. In a perfect world, having all three coaches here in Indy only adds to the quality of the product on the field. Coyer and Edwards are well-respected teachers. Players play hard for them. Williams is a young assistant who may be ready for more responsibility.

It all hangs upon what Herm wants to do.

The special teams position is another open position that has only one candidate that we know of: Ray Rychleski. But, like Coyer, Rychleski has received no offer. And no announcement has been made. Are the Colts dangling special teams coach in front of Herm, or perhaps assistant head coach and special teams coordinator? Again, we've heard Herm's name far too much in rumor circles for it not to be at least an option for Indy.

Right now, Herm is the reason these two positions are not filled. Either today or tomorrow, we should see some movement on these fronts.

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Yea for sure....

Polian addressed a while back that any coaching change would be solved within a 10 period or so…well that period I believe is today if not, already has passed.

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jan 26, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions

What I don't get...

What I don’t get is what all the love is with Herm. Sure his teams play to win the game, but outside of a few years with the Jets and his first year in KC his teams haven’t done a damn thing! I guess this just means that he can’t be a head coach, so maybe he would be a better assistant coach.

Maybe I’ve just talked myself into Herm!

by BleedCubs&ColtsBlue on Jan 26, 2009 1:56 PM EST reply actions

Herm

He is an outstanding motivator and players like him. He works hard and has a stronger knowledge of defense, in particular the Tampa-2 style. He was a huge reason why Tampa Bay transformed from a garbage org to an elite one. Players like Ronde Barber and John Lynch owe their careers to Herm, and they know it.

Herm’s weaknesses are he is not able to manage all the elements that come with the HC position. He is not learned when it comes to offense, and his clock management is as bad as it gets in this league.

As a coach though, he is excellent. He can develop young talent and coach veterans with great results.

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by Brad Wells on Jan 26, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Herm..

They might offer him Caldwell’s old position as Associate Head Coach. Indy might be starting a trend that future teams will pick up on. It’d definitely cause quite a bit less chaos when teams transitioned. So maybe:

1) Coyer hired as D.C.
2) Alan Williams retained as D backs coach
3) Herm hired as associate head coach (this would also circumvent the Rooney rule if he replaces Caldwell in the future)

I’d like to have Herm, but if the dude doesn’t want to be a coordinator, I don’t want Irsay/Polian/Caldwell convincing him he wants to.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Jan 26, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions

"if he replaces Caldwell in the future)"

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Herm's not going to replace Caldwell

Caldwell is officially the head coach of the Colts. They have been preparing him for this position ever since Tony Dungy’s son died.

Pats R 18* and DONE without CHEATING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They will never win another playoff game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

seriously man

READ.

“if he replaces Caldwell in the future)”

IN THE FUTURE

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

note In the Future

meaning he could be an insurance policy for Caldwell.

Pats R 18* and DONE without CHEATING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They will never win another playoff game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

huh

again, I either don’t know what you mean or how what you are saying is different.

I want no part of Herm as head coach down the line. If the assistant/associate head coach title comes with a expectation or promise he will succeed Caldwell as head coach then they shouldn’t do it.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

All I'm saying

is that the word on Caldwell will be the Colts head coach. And the team is trying to get Herm as his assistant coach. And the Colts may also fall back on Herm as an insurance policy for Jim Caldwell at the head coaching position.

Pats R 18* and DONE without CHEATING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They will never win another playoff game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

s that the word on Caldwell will be the Colts head coach.

No shit

And the team is trying to get Herm as his assistant coach

No shit

And the Colts may also fall back on Herm as an insurance policy for Jim Caldwell at the head coaching position.

This is what I don’t know what you mean about? Like when Caldwell retires? Or they will fire Caldwell and promote Herm if things go badly? What?

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

From now on

I think it’s best we be on non speaking terms

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

just tell me what you meant

I didn’t understand what you were going for

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

What I meant was

Lets say (Even though it’s doubtful) Caldwel is a bad coach. Well then the Colts would hire Herman Edwards to be their new coach. And that’s what a meant by insurance policy.

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 27, 2009 9:02 AM EST up reply actions

ok, I didn't understand because it didn't really have to do with what I had been talking about

I was assuming there was a reason you were bringing it up in reply to my comments.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 27, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

if what you’ve been doing for the past 2 weeks isn’t ‘non-speaking’, i don’t know what is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmGdAPjcgaM&eurl=http://www.only17points.com/&feature=player_embedded

by Nideak on Jan 26, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

That would be my reaction...

If they did it and made him a HC in the next 3 years. But I agree with BBS “He is an outstanding motivator and players like him.” " Herm’s weaknesses are he is not able to manage all the elements that come with the HC position. He is not learned when it comes to offense, and his clock management is as bad as it gets in this league."

But I think if he sat in a booth like Caldwell did, and Caldwell turns out to be a great coach, he could figure some of those elements of the game out. Herm’s an awesome motivator, I really dig him. But I agree, he sucks at the behind the scenes part of being a HC.

If anyone has any recollection of Roman history, Dungy was like the Octavius of coaches. Quiet, not alot of people knew what he was thinking, but was a mastermind. Marc Antony was an AMAZING leader, but wasn’t a strategic mastermind. And Octavius obliterated Antony. But if you could combine the two, you’d have awesome. Herm definitely SHOULD be a HC at SOME point. Maybe just a college one, but leadership is one of the traits that if you’re not born with it, it’s very difficult to learn. He wasn’t ready for it when they offered it to him, but copycat leagues tend to force the issues on some things expecting things from people who aren’t ready yet. He’s definitely a natural leader.

I’m not even saying I’d want him as our HC…ever. But if he doesn’t want to be a coordinator, and we don’t want to fire Williams or promote him to DC, the only way I could see him as coming would be as Caldwell’s old position. Besides, the stipulation that Caldwell would become HC was a stipulation granted to Dungy, Caldwell hasn’t earned the ability to add stipulations yet. All I’m saying is I’d like to have him, but I seriously doubt we’ll be seeing “Herm Edwards, former HC of NYJ and KC, now special teams coach for the Indianapolis Colts.”

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Jan 26, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

Munch Scream

Agreed, Homer.
I don’t see assoc HC for Herm unless everyone sees it as a way to utilize his strengths for a year or so, succeed, and launch him to a new HC gig elsewhere…. Could be win-win, but if he takes over as HC in Indy some day down the road…. well… who am I kidding, I supported Frank Kush and all the crap coaches in the 80’s and 90s, I’ll root for the quotable one as well.

Bobman

by Bobman on Jan 27, 2009 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

I like this idea

OK, best case Scenario

1.Herman Edwards is hired as either the Colts special teams head coach or assistant D-backs coach.

2.Alan Williams stays put

3.Larry Coyer is hired as the new DC.

And if Herman Edwards wants to be A D-Backs coach and only A D-backs coach. Then the Colts should let him be a D-Backs coach and promote Alan Williams to DC leaving Larry Coyer (unless he has some experience in special teams) out of the picture.

Pats R 18* and DONE without CHEATING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They will never win another playoff game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone else getting this feeling

Polian wants to talk Herm Edwards into being the Colts new Special teams head coach so he can keep Alan Williams where he’s at and hire Larry Coyer as the new DC. Since on this site the official word is that Ray Rychleski is not the Colts new special teams head coach.

Pats R 18* and DONE without CHEATING FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They will never win another playoff game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Jan 26, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions

i was already sold into the whole “coyer as our coordinator” idea. he looks like the kind of coordinator we need, a veteran, battle tested warhorse. with a proven track record at resurrecting the broncos run defense and creating an aggressive defense with a knack for blitzing. on the other hand, both other possibilities (herm and williams) would probably keep the system exactly as is, and neither one of them has coyer’s track record as a coordinator in the NFL.

by ColtfanIL on Jan 26, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions

what happened to coyer as our D coordinator

by coltsfan21 on Jan 26, 2009 8:56 PM EST reply actions

still hasn't been offically announced

so the report that said it was a done deal might be wrong.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Jan 26, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

I believe that the Colts are waiting after the Super Bowl

to make the announcement.

by KMR24 on Jan 26, 2009 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

They are waiting till we collectively lose our minds

…to announce the surprise DC: Tony Dungy!

I really don’t buy the waiting another week concept: If Coyer is on the market then others will interview him. If he says “no thanks, not interested” to anybody, the secret is out. No?

I suppose they have things mostly lined up but not yet finalized and announcable.

It’s just killing me. Good thing I have a lot of work to do, and three kids, to distract me from the important stuff.

Bobman

by Bobman on Jan 27, 2009 1:05 AM EST reply actions

There really is no need to wait here.

I haven’t been the same since that July surgery. Just call me the resident wackadoo. :S

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Jan 27, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

No HERM!

I am gonna stay on this site voicing my displeasure at the idea tha Herm Edwards is a good fit here in Indy. His track record speaks for itself. He has been a failure in all of his stops….John Lynch is a joke.. doesn’t he hold the record for SPEARING? Or most fines by the NFL for low hits….I would never consider that Lynch is an example of anything and I ma shocked that it has been suggested that his success is atributed to Herm. Great mentorship there……

Herm is a reactionary, too emotional, not enough of a strategist…..furthermore, I doubt he will be able to check his ego at the door. NO HERM EDWARDS now of ever.!

by peterbones on Jan 27, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions