Defensive Coordinator Search

[cincygrad]

Where is everyone at on this? All we've heard so far is interviews with Patrick Graham (Raiders) and Demarcus Covington (Patriots). James Rapien has reported that the Bengals will not interview Saleh or Allen. If Al Golden is a serious candidate, we won't know more about it for another 10 or 11 days given Notre Dame's win last night.

At this point, I'm concerned they will go cheap. They are apparently still paying Lou's contract next season and if next season fails and they need to get rid of Taylor, they'll presumably be stuck with 3 more years of a DC for whatever they pay here (I've heard it mentioned that most coordinators will want 4 years guaranteed). Saleh is likely due to make more as a coordinator than Zac does as a HC so that isn't in play.

Prepare to be underwhelmed - Good chance we hire someone with less promise/credentials than the guy we fired. We'll see.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Where is everyone at on this? All we've heard so far is interviews with Patrick Graham (Raiders) and Demarcus Covington (Patriots). James Rapien has reported that the Bengals will not interview Saleh or Allen. If Al Golden is a serious candidate, we won't know more about it for another 10 or 11 days given Notre Dame's win last night.

At this point, I'm concerned they will go cheap. They are apparently still paying Lou's contract next season and if next season fails and they need to get rid of Taylor, they'll presumably be stuck with 3 more years of a DC for whatever they pay here (I've heard it mentioned that most coordinators will want 4 years guaranteed). Saleh is likely due to make more as a coordinator than Zac does as a HC so that isn't in play.

Prepare to be underwhelmed - Good chance we hire someone with less promise/credentials than the guy we fired. We'll see.

I think it's silly not to interview Saleh or Allen - but there also may be some known items (i.e. maybe they already know Saleh isn't interested). I think also, if you are looking at a guy you might want to find a guy that is more likely to stick around for at least 2-3 years before jumping into the HC search/situation. Saleh may want to land at a place that is going to be a 1 year deal because he wants to be a HC - heck, he might be interviewing for HC spots now...who knows. But - regardless, coming right out and saying that you won't interview him isn't really a great look...that's something you keep internal and a bad look for the Bengals who always seem to struggle with PR type stuff like this. Dumb move on their part to come right out and say that.

Covington was on the original list when Taylor got hired, and NO blocked him from interviewing. If not, he could have landed here instead of Lou, who was like the 7th choice at that time. Graham has as pretty solid history. Ignore this year, and go back and look at his bio, and his defense largely have done very well. This isn't really a huge item, IMO - and what I mean is - the Bengals don't need someone to come in and make this defense #1 or #3 or even #8 in the NFL...They need someone who can come in and make this defense just a top 18...top 15 (middle of the road)...with Burrow you are going to get a bump to a good defense - because the more you can get him the ball, the more they can score, the more they can score, the more pressure this defense can put on other teams...this is one of the biggest complaints I had with Lou's "bend but don't break" approach...it allowed long(er) drives, and kept Burrow off the field too often. This team is 100% centered on the offense, so it has to find ways to get the ball back in his hands...I felt like Lou, and this scheme, didn't really embrace that. He was OK with 7-9 play drives if they didn't score, or only gave up 3pts...in many instances, they gave up 2 or 3 3rd downs or 2nd and super longs - to keep Burrow off the field.

I think the list is going to be solid of who reaches out, and we may not even get all of the names - but while the names themselves may be underwhelming, let's not forget that guys like Saleh were 1 year removed from being a LB coaching before busting through in his 1st year as a DC and parlaying that into a HC shot...it's more about fit and meshing a guys' approach with the current, and soon to be future, roster of guys on this defense. I do believe there is talent there, but this group needs an overhaul in scheme and technique to help them grow. Specifically the DB's and DL.