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Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 09:43
by APB
For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume Joe Barry is gone after this season.
We've been hitting on potential replacement candidates in several threads but it requires some searching. I'd like to consolidate those conversations and candidate mentions in one convenient thread. Let's hear some names and insights.
I'll offer this to begin:
https://atozsports.com/green-bay/packer ... rdinators/
The link above contains a brief description of each candidate listed below. For convenience and brevity, here are the candidates by name only:
Head coaches who were/could get fired
Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints head coach
Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears head coach
Brandon Staley, former Los Angeles Chargers head coach
Leslie Frazier, former Minnesota Vikings head coach
Mike Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings head coach
Current DCs who could get fired
Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
Ryan Nielsen, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator
Patrick Graham, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator
Gus Bradley, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator
Ascending position coaches
Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots linebackers coach
Marquand Manuel, New York Jets defensive backs/safeties coach
Chris Hewitt, Baltimore Ravens pass game coordinator/secondary coach
Ben Bloom, Cleveland Browns defensive line coach
Al Harris, Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach
Mike Smith, Minnesota Vikings outside linebackers coach/pass rush specialist
Eric Henderson, Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach/run game coordinator
Aubrey Pleasant, Los Angeles Rams defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator
Johnny Holland, San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach
College coaches
Jim Leonhard, Illinois senior football analyst
Jesse Minter, Michigan defensive coordinator
A couple names I'd add to the list:
- Phil Snow, curent senior defensive analyst for the Bears and former DC for Carolina during the brief Matt Rhule era (2020-2022).
- Dave Aranda, current HC at Baylor University, former Badgers DC
Anybody else worth mentioning?
A lot of names to consider. Potential availability and "fit" with the Packer organization and/or players and desired scheme?
Who is your guy? Conversely, who would be a poor fit/choice?
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 10:15
by BF004
3 former Packers players on that list.
And two former packers coaches?
Kind of crazy
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 10:35
by Yoop
Good idea APB, keeping all this DC info in one place
tough choices, I'am looking for a well rounded defensive coach, one who knows enough about both front and back 7 scheme designs, looking for a coach that can disguise pass rush as well as coverage in the mold of what McDonalds has accomplished with Baltimore, or Martindale, but I'am just getting started myself, time consuming to read up on all the candidates, this article gives us a place to start.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 10:51
by lupedafiasco
I would interview Zach Orr in Baltimore and see if he’s ready. He’s never called plays from the side line but as a player he wore the green dot during his playing days on occasion.
He’s elevated the players he’s coached everywhere he’s gone. He’s a former LB and it’s hard to play that position if you aren’t a natural leader.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 11:33
by Cdragon
You could add Ron Rivera and Del Rio.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 11:44
by LombardiTime
Cdragon wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:33
You could add Ron Rivera and Del Rio.
Oh God, please no, no, no.
The game passed Ron & Jack by years ago.
I know GB has favored older Defensive Coordinators (without much success), but Rivera and Del Rio are both over 60 and have not coached good defenses in a long time.
Again, please no.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 11:49
by Cdragon
LombardiTime wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:44
Cdragon wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:33
You could add Ron Rivera and Del Rio.
Oh God, please no, no, no.
The game passed Ron & Jack by years ago.
I know GB has favored older Defensive Coordinators (without much success), but Rivera and Del Rio are both over 60 and have not coached good defenses in a long time.
Again, please no.
Fine by me they are just names that might be considered by the org.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 11:53
by lupedafiasco
I would rather sit at a dinner table with 23 than have Del Rio or Rivera for DCs.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 12:11
by NCF
Zimmer, Hewitt, Pleasant and Leonhard is where I would start.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 12:12
by NCF
Small chance, but I would also consider Saleh, if fired.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 12:16
by lupedafiasco
i dont have much interest in Leonhard. Hes only coached at the college level and had success with a school thats a pipeline for the upper midwest. Id rather pull from the pro level. Im curious if other fan bases view Leonhard as a DC like we do.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 13:29
by Drj820
lupedafiasco wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 12:16
i dont have much interest in Leonhard. Hes only coached at the college level and had success with a school thats a pipeline for the upper midwest. Id rather pull from the pro level. Im curious if other fan bases view Leonhard as a DC like we do.
They don’t. Leonhard would have no clue what to do with the speed that’s in the NFL
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 13:30
by Drj820
I like mike Zimmer or Al Harris. Or Selah if he becomes available, but I think the jets are gonna give him a mulligan and run it back
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 14:22
by Papa John
LombardiTime wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:44
Cdragon wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:33
You could add Ron Rivera and Del Rio.
Oh God, please no, no, no.
The game passed Ron & Jack by years ago.
I know GB has favored older Defensive Coordinators (without much success), but Rivera and Del Rio are both over 60 and have not coached good defenses in a long time.
Again, please no.
I've never been a fan of Ron Rivera. Like you said, the game has passed him by and I also think he has an anger problem. But maybe an anger problem is just what the doctor needs to order for this defense.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 14:54
by Trudge
Mike Smith...God, such a dull name. Can we even get him back in GB?
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 14:58
by wallyuwl
Kind if a silly thread, based on not giving Barry a new deal (his contract is up), when they just suspended Jaire so he can't defend Jefferson because he criticized Barry.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 15:04
by williewasgreat
Drj820 wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 13:29
lupedafiasco wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 12:16
i dont have much interest in Leonhard. Hes only coached at the college level and had success with a school thats a pipeline for the upper midwest. Id rather pull from the pro level. Im curious if other fan bases view Leonhard as a DC like we do.
They don’t. Leonhard would have no clue what to do with the speed that’s in the NFL
Leonhard played safety for 10 years in the NFL. I think he knows a little about it.
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 15:28
by APB
wallyuwl wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 14:58
Kind if a silly thread, based on not giving Barry a new deal (his contract is up), when they just suspended Jaire so he can't defend Jefferson because he criticized Barry.
Missed on multiple points, and even with that, none of them address the topic.
Thanks for the contribution, though...I guess?
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 27 Dec 2023 18:57
by RingoCStarrQB
lupedafiasco wrote: ↑27 Dec 2023 11:53
I would rather sit at a dinner table with 23 than have Del Rio or Rivera for DCs.
Which 23?
Just wondering.......
Re: Defensive Coordinator Potential Candidates
Posted: 28 Dec 2023 07:38
by TheSkeptic
I want a coach who is instinctively aggressive. I also want a coach who played in the modern NFL.
Al Harris fits both qualifications.