assistants on the defensive side of the ball

[festivus]

Who are Rex Ryan's assistants? If he leaves, are we likely to be promoting one of them from within? Given his success, I'd think so, but if not, who is out there?

If we go deep into the playoffs obviously Rex will be late to the head coach interviewing process, which may hurt his chances. . .

[deuce]

Id hate to see Rex go. Dont know too much about the assistants backgrounds on the defensive side but here is a link to the coaching staff...
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/includes/personnel.jsp?area=7200&personType=0

[Fletchterps]

ESPN Classic was playing a Rose Bowl marathon yesterday. It was cool to see Dennis Thurman playing for USC.

[UKRavenStockers]

Not a current assistant but a former one for if Rex goes (I don't think he will, there's hotter HC candidates in my opinion), I'd love to see us go and get Donnie Henderson back in here. Our DBs haven't reached the level they played at with him, he's knows our philosophy, he's a top coach and players love to play for him. Factor in that he's having to coach in the cover 2 in Detroit with far inferior talent and I think he'd be a good candidate if we had to go out and get a new DC, though I don't think we will.

[PurpleRulz]

Aaron speculates that Vic Mangio, Clarence Brooks, or Jeff Fitzgerald would be the next man up.

I would want us to attempt to get Donnie Henderson and offer a DC/assistant HC job.

[skaybaltimore]

I would want us to attempt to get Donnie Henderson and offer a DC/assistant HC job.Just out of curiosity, why? (I know nothing whatsoever about Donnie Henderson.) Why would you not want to promote from within, with someone who is already familiar with our system, which seems to work very well, rather than bring in someone new?

GO RAVENS!!!

[PurpleRulz]

Just out of curiosity, why? (I know nothing whatsoever about Donnie Henderson.) Why would you not want to promote from within, with someone who is already familiar with our system, which seems to work very well, rather than bring in someone new?

GO RAVENS!!!


Donnie Henderson is a our former secondary coach and he is greatly respected amongst our defensive player much in the way Rex Ryan is currently respected. Henderson also kept CMAC in check while he was here. Had Henderson not left, he would probably be our current DC. He is currently the Lions DC, but he has a desire to be a HC one day. Our DC position seems to be a hotseat for those that want to be a HC. It is like the California Governor's job being a great precursor for the US Presidency.

It seems that Ryan may get shutout of HC jobs this season, because these teams are looking to make quick hires. Ryan may be here for one more season.

[skaybaltimore]

Thanks PR. That it explains it very clearly.

GO RAVENS!!!

[sailorsam]

I suspect DHen will go to San Fran; Nolan just dumped his DC. (I'm not sure Nolan and DHen worked together here?) He'll would be a great hire wherever he ends up. the Lyons habitually hire people for a year or two and dump them (while keeping the upper brain trust that's really the problem).
I think it's too early for RexR to be a HC. I just hope he doesn't go to Arizona or Oakland, which are both football graveyards these days.

[highwater]

I suspect DHen will go to San Fran; Nolan just dumped his DC. (I'm not sure Nolan and DHen worked together here?)

Yes, Henderson and Nolan did work together here. And since Henderson is available and the 49ers have an opening, it seems like a good fit.

A Lions fan I know at work tells me Henderson did a poor job in Detroit because he apparently didn't have a clue how to run the cover 2 defense, which they insisted on running. But that wouldn't be an issue in San Fran (or here).

[festivus]

Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com this morning on WNST said Nolan and Henderson do not have a history of getting along, though he also said if they got over that otherwise the move makes sense.

[sailorsam]

Leave it to the Lyons to hire a coordinator and force him to use a system he doesn't like. these guys have a history of using up good people and dumping them (Bobby Ross, Gary Moeller) and blaming them for the team's failures. I know the Cardinals have only won 1 playoff game since 1950; have the Lions won any playoff games since 1960?
I'd love to see DHen return here; I'm sure he'll be fine.

[festivus]

Since I first asked the question I've come to the opinion that Ryan is not leaving. I hope he has enough sense not to go to OAK or ARI as I've said, and I also think ATL would be a similar 'trap' situation for a new HC.

PIT does appear to be hiring from within, as guessed earlier, which leaves only MIA.

That search process is already underway and with all the qualified candidates whose season has already ended, I would be surprised if they waited for the availability of Ryan, who will be unable to participate in the process until after the Ravens win the SuperBowl.

[deuce]

I agree with you festivus as far as the spots open now. However I still think the Giants & Browns position could still open up and see those as the 2 most likely places he could go. Hopefully he stays though.

[festivus]

I would have thought the Browns would have acted already, so they could get interviews in with the top candidates willing to interview with the lousy franchises. I don't envy those guys. . .

I wonder if the Giants will fire Coughlin if they win a game or two. I'm not sure I would want my first HC job to be in NYC, but now I might be starting to wear those purple eyeglasses. You're probably right about NYC being the most likely destination.

[festivus]

From http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm :

POSTED 10:47 p.m. EST, January 5, 2007

FIVE VACANCIES, FIVE PREDICTIONS

With the Steelers, Falcons, Dolphins, Raiders, and Cardinals looking for new head coaches, here's our initial attempt at guessing who'll get which gig.

Steelers: Offensive line coach Russ Grimm is the in-house favorite, and his Pittsburgh roots make him an ever stronger candidate. Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt could be undermined by the fact that two of his predecessors under Bill Cowher -- Mike Mularkey and Chan Gailey -- flamed out as NFL head coaches.

Falcons: What's the best way to use Mike Vick? Maybe the answer is giving him a dominant defense. That's why Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin is our prediction. The fact that Tomlin is from the same neck of the woods as running back Mike Vick is a big plus. Bill Cowher is also a possibility, since he was able to win with Kordell Stewart. (Kudos to Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press for pointing out these factors earlier in the week.)

Dolphins: Coach Chin. We can feel it coming. (And a big plus for Cowher's move to Miami would be that the climate isn't conducive to the ugly-ass sweater he wore on Friday to announce his resignation.)

Raiders: Denny Green wants the job that no one else does.

Cardinals: How about Jim Mora Jr? He can be paid less money, since Falcons owner Arthur Blank is on the hook for the difference between what Mora will earn in football and what he was scheduled to make in Atlanta. For the next three years. That's a big plus for the penny-squeezing Bidwills, who also are less likely to realize the serious judgment flaw that Mora's much-publicized radio comments revealed. And Mora's desire to get back on the horse will make him more likely to accept whatever terms the Bidwills impose, including having seven of Denny Green's assistant coaches foisted on him.

POSTED 10:17 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:25 p.m. EST, January 5, 2007

COUGHLIN DONE IF HE LOSES

In a move that will surprise no one, the consensus in league circles is that Giants coach Tom Coughlin will be out of a job if his team loses on Sunday at Philly.

If the Giants win, the chances of Coughlin returning are 50-50 at best.

We've previously heard that Coughlin is done no matter what happens in the postseason, but that's not realistic. If they win (as we think they can) against the Eagles and if they prevail (as we think they might) over the Bears, Coughlin will have made a compelling argument in support of sticking around.

But will it be enough to get an extension? Absent a Super Bowl appearance, we think it's more likely that Coughlin would be brought back as a lame duck in the final year of his deal, like Mike Tice in Minnesota two seasons ago.