Ben Johnson's Defensive Coordinator & Leader of Men

[remydat]

Ok for anyone not in denial, there are obvious concerns about Ben Johnson's ability to lead. There is also the question of who can he bring in as DC given the bulk of his history is with Dan Campbell.

So is there a path here to kill two birds with one stone where they find a leader of men type to be the DC? Someone who may not have previous history with Ben but who they can throw a **** ton of money at and give them some autonomy to run the D as they see fit?

For me that guy would be none other than Pete Carroll. Let's assume he doesn't get a HC gig. What better way for him to show he has gas left in the tank than to be Assistant HC and DC of the Bears. He can help mentor Ben on the finer points of being a HC as well as be that leader of men figure to help keep the team in check. It is also rumored that he had a good QB development plan as part of his interview.

This would allow the Bears to hire the hotshot OC while still being comfortable that the team will be run like a professional organization and smooth over any first time HC growing pains.

So who would you pick? For the poll I tried to list guys that currently aren't employed as DCs at the NFL level and have head coach experience or plenty of DC experience. They hopefully are leader of men types as well.

 

[MakeMyDay]

I was thinking Ron Rivera would make a good DC

 

[Anytime23]

I vote Antonia Pierce because he’s experienced as an interim HC and they’ll need that when Caleb gets Johnson fired in 3 seasons.

 

[Rise]

Well as you can see they have plenty of unemployed options for a leader of men defensive specialist. Can’t say the same for expert offensive developer and play caller.

 

[remydat]

I was thinking Ron Rivera would make a good DC

Forgot about him. Good choice.

 

[remydat]

Well as you can see they have plenty of unemployed options for a leader of men defensive specialist. Can’t say the same for expert offensive developer and play caller.

Yes the problem is most of them have no known relationship to Johnson so the struggle is convincing one to come here. Saleh for example has Shanny, LaFleur and Vrabel all potentially interested.

 

[Butkus34]

I thought early on in the talks on here it was pointed out that Ben Johnson and Robert Saleh either worked together or have a connection through coaching and such.

 

[Zvbxrpl]

Pete Carroll isn’t coming here to be a DC.

If we’re going full preference, not reality—My preference is to do what the packers did, find an experienced, aggressive playcaller from college. They took Jeff Hafley from BC, my pick for DC is former Florida State DC Adam Fuller.

Known for top 20 college defenses and developing multiple highly drafted talents, like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske the DT and Jarron Jones this past draft alone (along with Asante Samuel Jr. and 6 other drafted defensive players after round 3 between 2020-2024) moves back to a 3-4 scheme, which is leaving the 1990s behind and stops playing Gervon Dexter out of position, and changes the defensive identity back to aggression, because that’s what you need in a 3-4. You don’t run the scheme like Chuckles Pagano did, like bend/don’t break, because that’s how it looks shitty like at the end of the Pace days.

From the list provided, I pick Dennis Allen. Known for having great 3-4 schemes and units. Again, modernization of the game is happening at the HS and college levels and it’s here in The NFL. The ways of old and what was once “prototypical sized” has completely changed. It’s be nice if a team long known for defense could prove they can change/adapt with the times, but now I’m being naive.

Poles is still here, so they’re probably staying with a 4-3 cover who—so….I expect a complete lukewarm hire where many of us have to constantly convince ourselves he’s not THAT bad. Can totally see Mike Zimmer being hired to do what OP sees Pete Carroll doing.

 

[Rise]

Yes the problem is most of them have no known relationship to Johnson so the struggle is convincing one to come here. Saleh for example has Shanny, LaFleur and Vrabel all potentially interested.

Yeah it’s a concern he hopefully has answers for. He does have connections with Lou Anarumo as you pointed out. End of the day I think it won’t be hard to find a willing DC to come here to work with Johnson. It’s the entire staff I’m more worried about.

 

[Anytime23]

I heard the Patriots board is accepting new fans. Please do us a favor and check it out

 

[PrideisBears]

I was thinking Ron Rivera would make a good DC

Lol yeah that outdated scheme is perfect

 

[discplayer]

Well as you can see they have plenty of unemployed options for a leader of men defensive specialist. Can’t say the same for expert offensive developer and play caller.

Love it, Rise!

 

[Runruffshod75]

Jeff Zgonina. Assuming they stay with a 1 Gap 4-3 zone defense, or 4-2 for the sticklers, they run a defense where everything is predicated on pressure up front.

They have a talented secondary across the board. They have 2 VET LBs to be the brains of your defense. Get a guy that will get the most out of the front 4 and the rest will come alot easier.

If they switch to a 3-4 then I like Gregg Manusky

 

[msadows]

Pete Carroll isn’t coming here to be a DC.

If we’re going full preference, not reality—My preference is to do what the packers did, find an experienced, aggressive playcaller from college. They took Jeff Hafley from BC, my pick for DC is former Florida State DC Adam Fuller.

Known for top 20 college defenses and developing multiple highly drafted talents, like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske the DT and Jarron Jones this past draft alone (along with Asante Samuel Jr. and 6 other drafted defensive players after round 3 between 2020-2024) moves back to a 3-4 scheme, which is leaving the 1990s behind and stops playing Gervon Dexter out of position, and changes the defensive identity back to aggression, because that’s what you need in a 3-4. You don’t run the scheme like Chuckles Pagano did, like bend/don’t break, because that’s how it looks shitty like at the end of the Pace days.

From the list provided, I pick Dennis Allen. Known for having great 3-4 schemes and units. Again, modernization of the game is happening at the HS and college levels and it’s here in The NFL. The ways of old and what was once “prototypical sized” has completely changed. It’s be nice if a team long known for defense could prove they can change/adapt with the times, but now I’m being naive.

Poles is still here, so they’re probably staying with a 4-3 cover who—so….I expect a complete lukewarm hire where many of us have to constantly convince ourselves he’s not THAT bad. Can totally see Mike Zimmer being hired to do what OP sees Pete Carroll doing.

Doubtful too, but if he wants to coach again its not likely he will get another HC job at 73 unless he goes to one of the shit situation teams that are desperate (Jets, Saints).

 

[zabavka]

Ben Johnson will coach the Raiders.

 

[msadows]

I thought early on in the talks on here it was pointed out that Ben Johnson and Robert Saleh either worked together or have a connection through coaching and such.

The 9ers just fired their DC. One would assume saleh is pretty much claimed at this point.

 

[msadows]

Ben Johnson will coach the Raiders.

Every sports book says otherwise.

The jaguars should be the team to look out for. Why would ben johnson want to go to the raiders to coach?

Do you really think he's going to potentially risk his only chance to be a HC because of a minority owner in tom brady?

This is a QB driven league and they have no QB. Unless you think ben johnson is going to make justin fields a star(I know you dont).

 

[Enasic]

Carroll has too much pride to be DC IMO. He wants to be the captain.

Saleh likely goes back to the 9ers

Am I the only one who thinks Rex Ryan would be interesting? I think the most realistic option though is anarumo due to the connection

 

[Canth]

I forgot about Dennis Allen. I think that could actually also be a good match for DC and bring some HC experience and help on that front.

Saleh would be the other one of interest, but I just don't think that is at all likely. If he is going to be a DC, my bet would be that he returns to the 49ers.

 

[dabears70]

I thought early on in the talks on here it was pointed out that Ben Johnson and Robert Saleh either worked together or have a connection through coaching and such.

Sounds like he's going to end up back in San Fran.