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.

 

[DanBengalfan]

it may not matter if zac taylor is in charge. another slow start and starting 2025 0-4 and we will see what the real problem is.

it isn't so much about finding a guru to save our sorry asses, it's about Lou getting replaced because no one can take him seriously as an expert after getting owned so badly several times.

 

[cincygrad]

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.

I'm not particularly interested in Saleh - I do think he's gunning for a head coaching job and he'll likely get one again soon. It's easy to write off his issues in New York with the dysfunction of that organization. He also shouldn't really receive blame for the Zach Wilson pick or the Aaron Rodgers fiasco. And the team regressed when he left. He deserves another job and he'll get one.

I do have issues with not approaching Dennis Allen or even a Brandon Staley. Nobody is going to line up to hire either of these guys in the near future. In the case of Allen, he has had two chances as a HC and it didn't work. He's going to have to settle in at DC if he wants to keep a presence in the NFL and he's been an effective DC in the past. I also think Staley would be an intersting candidate. His failures as a HC had to do with situational decision making..... It would be comical if Taylor asked his opinion on time management or short yardage situations.... But seriously, if he is just left to run the D, he has good experience on that side of the ball and was mentored by Fangio for years.

 

[cincygrad]

One player says the hire has been made..... But, he also might just be an idiot.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

One player says the hire has been made..... But, he also might just be an idiot.

LMFAO. Maybe this is is verbal version of a late defensive pass interference play.

 

[cincygrad]

LMFAO. Maybe this is is verbal version of a late defensive pass interference play.

LOL. Anthony's contributions in his rookie season. 1) Blow a win for us against the eventual #1 seed in the AFC. 2) Create online drama about a hire that hasn't happened yet. 3) See points 1 and 2.

 

[Cincyfan78]

It's Marvin.

 

[Cincyfan78]

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Let's also assume for just a brief second that Anthony is right, that they have basically made their decision.....we have only interviewed two guys, both black. Nothing wrong with that as they are very good candidates. That gets through the Rooney Rule. Now with that said, if it is not one of those guys and this hire turns out to be a white dude, they were just giving Covington and Graham a courtesy interview to get the guy they want.

So you have to assume it is Covington or Graham right? Why hire someone you have not even interviewed? So how is that going to be a surprise?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Oh Gosh. Mike couldn't live without his boo huh? As your sign says, find someone who loves you as much as Mike Brown loves Marvin Lewis. hahaha That would indeed be a surprise, but I would not be totally opposed to that!