DC Candidate Thread

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

That’s a lot of candidates. I like it. Mixture of nice going candidates with some little older ones.

[richard pallo]

We will know by the end of the week.

[Barry Sears]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/01/colts-to-interview-three-more-dc-candidates

[RollerColt]

Looks like we could possibly know by the end of this week. 

[Shive]

I know Gus Bradley is a big name and has a solid reputation as a DC, but since it's been raised as an issue by some on here, he also rarely blitzes. In 2021 the Raiders had the lowest blitz % in the league. They ended up with 2 more sacks than us and a much higher pressure rate, but I'm not sure if that's more of a difference in front 4 talent or just scheming your 4 man rush well.

[jbaron04]

Gus  Bradley 

[Scott Pennock]

Schwartz runs a 4-3 cover 2 with the wide 9 alignment but also was a defensive coach under Belichik

 

Joe Whitt runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

Gus Bradley runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties 

 

Kris Richard runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

I see a pattern developing here.......makes me think Ed Dodds may not be leaving as he has experience scouting/drafting players for those schemes.

[Hawkeyecolt]

It’s Frank’s hire but Ballard has been on record saying that he likes the cover-3 and said the Colts played better when they were doing more off man coverages.  We are seeing that in the candidates. 

[chad72]

12 minutes ago, Scott Pennock said:

Schwartz runs a 4-3 cover 2 with the wide 9 alignment but also was a defensive coach under Belichik

 

Joe Whitt runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

Gus Bradley runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties 

 

Kris Richard runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

I see a pattern developing here.......makes me think Ed Dodds may not be leaving as he has experience scouting/drafting players for those schemes.

 

Yep, I would not mind Gus Bradley or Kris Richards at all. I thought the Raiders' D came along well, not Gus Bradley's fault. I wouldn't mind the fresh infusion of ideas though with Kris Richards. It would be like Brandon Staley with the Rams before he became HC, and I do think secondary is Kris Richards' specialty. 

[Scott Pennock]

7 minutes ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

It’s Frank’s hire but Ballard has been on record saying that he likes the cover-3 and said the Colts played better when they were doing more off man coverages.  We are seeing that in the candidates. 

True, Ballard has input and probably lined up most of the candidates for Frank....but ultimately I think it will be a joint decision based on the interviews

[Scott Pennock]

1 minute ago, chad72 said:

 

Yep, I would not mind Gus Bradley or Kris Richards at all. I thought the Raiders' D came along well, not Gus Bradley's fault. I wouldn't mind the fresh infusion of ideas though with Kris Richards. It would be like Brandon Staley with the Rams before he became HC, and I do think secondary is Kris Richards' specialty. 

Yessir! Kris Richard also is known to like the 4-2-5 alignment - wich in our case puts the two best linebackers on the field most of the time with an extra safety (which we don't currently have). the traditional cover 3 does put 3 linebackers on the field which could be Speed's chance to ball out

[twfish]

4 minutes ago, Scott Pennock said:

Yessir! Kris Richard also is known to like the 4-2-5 alignment - wich in our case puts the two best linebackers on the field most of the time with an extra safety (which we don't currently have). the traditional cover 3 does put 3 linebackers on the field which could be Speed's chance to ball out

I did really like what I saw out of Speed in his limited action

[chad72]

18 minutes ago, Scott Pennock said:

Yessir! Kris Richard also is known to like the 4-2-5 alignment - wich in our case puts the two best linebackers on the field most of the time with an extra safety (which we don't currently have). the traditional cover 3 does put 3 linebackers on the field which could be Speed's chance to ball out

 

We just need to get more guys like Adrian Phillips of the Patriots. If I were Ballard, I would sign Haason Reddick from the Panthers, who balled out on a 1 year $6 mil. deal and get him for 2 or 3 years and use him as a hybrid safety/LB, and add Devin McCourty for a 2 year deal as well. That should give our secondary and back end the pieces we need. That, I am certain, will take our D to the next level because we could buy 2 pieces for the back end over 1 elite pass rusher for the DL, plus we give Paye and Dayo the time to shine.

 

If our DL even makes a slight improvement in pass rush, which I am optimistic with Paye and Dayo over any other draft picks we have had so far, our secondary can hold up just long enough for the DL to get there enough times. 

[Moosejawcolt]

35 minutes ago, chad72 said:

 

Yep, I would not mind Gus Bradley or Kris Richards at all. I thought the Raiders' D came along well, not Gus Bradley's fault. I wouldn't mind the fresh infusion of ideas though with Kris Richards. It would be like Brandon Staley with the Rams before he became HC, and I do think secondary is Kris Richards' specialty. 

God  no!!!!

[AustexColt]

Flores is heading to a HC job. I will select Schwartz. He has been a HC and DC when Reich was OC. Take him away from the Titans Defense brain trust who improved alot this year.

[Shive]

14 minutes ago, Moosejawcolt said:

God  no!!!!

Care to elaborate?

[GoColts8818]

2 hours ago, Shive said:

I know Gus Bradley is a big name and has a solid reputation as a DC, but since it's been raised as an issue by some on here, he also rarely blitzes. In 2021 the Raiders had the lowest blitz % in the league. They ended up with 2 more sacks than us and a much higher pressure rate, but I'm not sure if that's more of a difference in front 4 talent or just scheming your 4 man rush well.

I am not a big believer in blitzing.  Yes it’s good in spots but more and more the NFL is showing you have to be able to get pressure with your front four.  If you have to depend on blitzing to get to the QB good QBs are going to kill you.  It’s like depending on deep shots on offense yeah you are going to hit some but more times than not you will miss.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

JMV said he was told Swartz is the favorite. I can’t wait until we hire some one and we get a zoom presser with them.

[BProland85]

49 minutes ago, AustexColt said:

Flores is heading to a HC job. I will select Schwartz. He has been a HC and DC when Reich was OC. Take him away from the Titans Defense brain trust who improved alot this year.

Agreed. Signing him will dramatically help the pass rush, but also hurt the Titans. Then get a top DL coach, and top cover 3 scheme DB coach. 

[Shive]

19 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

I am not a big believer in blitzing.  Yes it’s good in spots but more and more the NFL is showing you have to be able to get pressure with your front four.  If you have to depend on blitzing to get to the QB good QBs are going to kill you.  It’s like depending on deep shots on offense yeah you are going to hit some but more times than not you will miss.

I believe in it, but I don't think we need to be one of the highest blitzing teams in the league, just more than we did under Flus. I agree that getting pressure with your front 4 is extremely important and blitzing should just compliment that 4 man rush to add unexpected wrinkles here and there.

 

Here's a piece I came across from when Bradley was hired as DC for the Raiders that I thought was a bit interesting:

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2021/7/14/22576283/raiders-gus-bradley-defensive-coordinator-scheme

[Scott Pennock]

1 hour ago, chad72 said:

 

We just need to get more guys like Adrian Phillips of the Patriots. If I were Ballard, I would sign Haason Reddick from the Panthers, who balled out on a 1 year $6 mil. deal and get him for 2 or 3 years and use him as a hybrid safety/LB, and add Devin McCourty for a 2 year deal as well. That should give our secondary and back end the pieces we need. That, I am certain, will take our D to the next level because we could buy 2 pieces for the back end over 1 elite pass rusher for the DL, plus we give Paye and Dayo the time to shine.

 

If our DL even makes a slight improvement in pass rush, which I am optimistic with Paye and Dayo over any other draft picks we have had so far, our secondary can hold up just long enough for the DL to get there enough times. 

If I am not mistaken the Seattle DLine weren't all track stars - they used one DE and one OLB as pass rush specialists and had three 280+ defensive lineman up front. So our current front 4 would be fine, but that pass rushing OLB could be Banogu? Turay - unless Flus signs him with the Bears? Speed - but I like him in a rotation with Leonard and Okereke? Or a TBD Free Agent? There are about 7-8 guys out there this year (including the second contract guys that are up and coming) that could fill that role!

 

I would be down with that!

[ChuggaBeer]

2 hours ago, Scott Pennock said:

Schwartz runs a 4-3 cover 2 with the wide 9 alignment but also was a defensive coach under Belichik

 

Joe Whitt runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

Gus Bradley runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties 

 

Kris Richard runs a 4-3 cover 3 - Seattle ties

 

I see a pattern developing here.......makes me think Ed Dodds may not be leaving as he has experience scouting/drafting players for those schemes.

From what I remember.   This has been the plan since Ballard got here.   He wants to build the Seattle D.  I have been saying this for weeks so either I completely mis read them a few years back or this has always been the plan.  Which is why I thought Richards would be the guy   after I learned Wink was a 3-4 guy. 

[ChuggaBeer]

1 hour ago, TaylorTheStudMuffin said:

JMV said he was told Swartz is the favorite. I can’t wait until we hire some one and we get a zoom presser with them.

Well he's the favorite so far but they haven't really interviewed anyone that they were seriously considering  IMO.  

 

We shall see after this weeks interviews. 

[chad72]

45 minutes ago, Shive said:

I believe in it, but I don't think we need to be one of the highest blitzing teams in the league, just more than we did under Flus. I agree that getting pressure with your front 4 is extremely important and blitzing should just compliment that 4 man rush to add unexpected wrinkles here and there.

 

Here's a piece I came across from when Bradley was hired as DC for the Raiders that I thought was a bit interesting:

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2021/7/14/22576283/raiders-gus-bradley-defensive-coordinator-scheme

 

Just like Flus did, they blitzed Wagner or K J Wright and the slot CB every now and then, just that they did it more than Flus did as a frequency. They had Sherman, Maxwell, Browner, Jeremy Lane, all excellent man CBs to help with that plus the stellar safety tandem of Chancellor and Thomas. I am hoping Kenny Moore's late season downward performance is not a sign of things to come and that we get another man CB in the draft to go with a free safety like McCourty in free agency to complete the secondary.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

2 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:

Well he's the favorite so far but they haven't really interviewed anyone that they were seriously considering  IMO.  

 

We shall see after this weeks interviews. 

Huh?

[ChuggaBeer]

5 minutes ago, TaylorTheStudMuffin said:

Huh?

You said JMV was told Schwartz was the favorite.     So he may be right now.   But the interviews are't complete.  I have a feeling Richards is going to get a lot of consideration. 

 

 

Although Frank will probably get his guy.    Not because he's better but because of history 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Just now, ChuggaBeer said:

You said JMV was told Schwartz was the favorite.     So he may be right now.   But the interviews are't complete.  I have a feeling Richards is going to get a lot of consideration. 

 

 

Although Frank will probably get his guy.    Not because he's better but because of history 

I am sure they had a favorite before intreviews even started. But yes you never know someone else could blow them away and change that.

[Scott Pennock]

18 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:

From what I remember.   This has been the plan since Ballard got here.   He wants to build the Seattle D.  I have been saying this for weeks so either I completely mis read them a few years back or this has always been the plan.  Which is why I thought Richards would be the guy   after I learned Wink was a 3-4 guy. 

I think he favors it, yes. He did hire Flus because that is who Josh McDaniels wanted soooooo now that the loyalty was shared and he honored the hire until Flus moved on, he can now do what he wants!

 

All three of Gus, Schwartz and Kris have been successful in their stops as DC's so I am perfectly fine with any of the three honestly!

[Hawkeyecolt]

As Jim Mora would say I don’t think JMV knows diddly poo. When the first three guys named are Cullen, Harris, and Schwartz it’s easy to say he thinks Schwartz is the favorite.   He might just get the job too, but now there are three guys with Cover-3 Seattle ties coming for interviews. Now it’s a much more interesting group of candidates.  With All-Star games coming up I’m sure Ballard and Reich would like to get this done ASAP. 

[richard pallo]

2 minutes ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

As Jim Mora would say I don’t think JMV knows diddly poo. When the first three guys named are Cullen, Harris, and Schwartz it’s easy to say he thinks Schwartz is the favorite.   He might just get the job too, but now there are three guys with Cover-3 Seattle ties coming for interviews. Now it’s a much more interesting group of candidates.  With All-Star games coming up I’m sure Ballard and Reich would like to get this done ASAP. 

The quicker the better.  They need to pull their staffs together.  Could be a lot of competition out there.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

14 minutes ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

As Jim Mora would say I don’t think JMV knows diddly poo. When the first three guys named are Cullen, Harris, and Schwartz it’s easy to say he thinks Schwartz is the favorite.   He might just get the job too, but now there are three guys with Cover-3 Seattle ties coming for interviews. Now it’s a much more interesting group of candidates.  With All-Star games coming up I’m sure Ballard and Reich would like to get this done ASAP. 

Lol. He said this today. Late afternoon. He knows there were other candidates named this morning. He talked about all 6. 

[GoColts8818]

46 minutes ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

As Jim Mora would say I don’t think JMV knows diddly poo. When the first three guys named are Cullen, Harris, and Schwartz it’s easy to say he thinks Schwartz is the favorite.   He might just get the job too, but now there are three guys with Cover-3 Seattle ties coming for interviews. Now it’s a much more interesting group of candidates.  With All-Star games coming up I’m sure Ballard and Reich would like to get this done ASAP. 

He’s got good sources he’s the one who broke the Manning second neck surgery story.  

[EastStreet]

So just catching up....

 

So interviews happened, or are happening with the following.

 

Digging deeper and showing some data on their last season, or last season with most control... 

 

• Schwartz (4-3) 
  • Eagles 2020 (DC 4th year)
    • 19th in total yards
    • 20th in total points allowed
    • 23rd in rushing yards allowed
    • 15th in passing yards allowed
    • 28th in blitz %
    • 3rd in sacks
    • 29th in INTs
  • Aside from sacks, pretty meh in his last season....
• Gus Bradley
  • Raiders 2021 (DC, first year)
    • 14th in total yards
    • 26th in total points allowed
    • 19th in rushing yards allowed
    • 13th in passing yards allowed
    • Dead last in blitz %
    • 21st in sacks
    • Dead last in INTs
  • while the stats are very meh, they were much improved over last season (this was his first year)
• Joe Whitt Jr
  • Cowboys 2021 (Secondary coach, 1st year)
    • 20th in passing yards allowed
    • 2nd in passer rating allowed
    • Tied 7th in passing TDs allowed
    • 1st in INTs
  • Big improvement over last year. If not DC, would be interested in bringing him in for DBs
• Kris Richard
  • Seahawks DC 2017 (3rd year), currently NO's DB coach... Will use Seahawks 2017 D stats below (last year of full DC control)
    • 11th in total yards
    • 13th in total points allowed
    • 19th in rushing yards allowed
    •  6th in passing yards allowed
    •  12th in INT%
    • 13th in sack %
    •  6th in passer rating allowed
  • Good numbers
• Chris Harris 
  • WFT DB Coach (2nd year)
    • 29th in passing yards allowed
    • 28th in passer rating allowed
    • 32nd in passing TDs allowed
    • 23rd in INTs
  • Nope
• Joe Cullen
  • Jags DC (1st year)
    • 20th in total yards
    • 28th in total points allowed
    • 24th in rushing yards allowed
    • 17th in passing yards allowed
    • 29th in passer rating allowed
    • 5th in blitz %
    •  27th in sacks
    •  30th in INTs
  • So hard to judge given the talent or lack of, and 1st year. They whooped us... 

[Hawkeyecolt]

5 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

He’s got good sources he’s the one who broke the Manning second neck surgery story.  

I’ve met him a few times over the years. He used to post on the Colt Power board briefly.  I used to listen to his shows. No one likes to listen to JMV more than JMV. 

[aReggie7]

 

If the Colts end up hiring Chris Harris it will surprise me. I have anticipated someone with previous NFL DC experience. Also, I believe the Colts still have interviews Tuesday. Not sure how accurate Aaron Wilson has been with inside info in the past either.

[Zoltan]

1 hour ago, ar7 said:

 

If the Colts end up hiring Chris Harris it will surprise me. I have anticipated someone with previous NFL DC experience. Also, I believe the Colts still have interviews Tuesday. Not sure how accurate Aaron Wilson has been with inside info in the past either.

 

On the surface I really don't like the hire, as I was hoping they would go with someone who has previous DC experience specifically I was hoping for Schwartz. Although Ballard and Reich have forgotten more about football than I will ever know and just have to hope they are making the best hire.

[Yoshinator]

2 hours ago, ar7 said:

 

If the Colts end up hiring Chris Harris it will surprise me. I have anticipated someone with previous NFL DC experience. Also, I believe the Colts still have interviews Tuesday. Not sure how accurate Aaron Wilson has been with inside info in the past either.

Horrible hire if it turns out to be true. I always hear people say that things could always be worse. Looks like it's heading that way. I could see us losing double-digit games next year depending on if we do the the same old type of offseason. If this hire happens, our coaching staff is officially crippled after losing Sirianni and Eberflus + position coaches in two years.

[BProland85]

6 hours ago, ar7 said:

 

If the Colts end up hiring Chris Harris it will surprise me. I have anticipated someone with previous NFL DC experience. Also, I believe the Colts still have interviews Tuesday. Not sure how accurate Aaron Wilson has been with inside info in the past either.

Leave it to the Colts to hire a guy with no DC experience before hiring a better qualified DC like Schwartz. 

[Shive]

45 minutes ago, BProland85 said:

Leave it to the Colts to hire a guy with no DC experience before hiring a better qualified DC like Schwartz. 

To be fair, Eberflus has no DC experience when we brought him in either. That said, I don't exactly love the idea of bringing in Harris as our DC, but he's also one of the guys it seems we know the least about.

[BProland85]

13 minutes ago, Shive said:

To be fair, Eberflus has no DC experience when we brought him in either. That said, I don't exactly love the idea of bringing in Harris as our DC, but he's also one of the guys it seems we know the least about.

I feel like we could almost snatch him away as our DBs coach though. Why not try that option first while also getting a proven commodity at DC?