“The NFC South Is Where Defensive Coordinators Go To Perish”
April 14th, 2017
Joe picked up a great quote at the NFL Owners Meetings last month in Phoenix, and it was an ironic and telling one, too.
Chatting with new Bills head coach Sean McDermott, the longtime Panthers defensive coordinator who interviewed for the Tampa Bay HC gig in 2016, Joe was fishing for his take on preparing against the Bucs’ offensive line.
McDermott wouldn’t go there, but he did serve up his perspective on the division.
“The NFC South is where defensive coordinators go to perish over the years. It’s like graveyard, you know,” McDermott said. “Some good coaches have gone through there. It’s because of the talent on the offensive side of the ball in that division; Tampa Bay is one of them, now with signing DeSean [Jackson], as well, and what Dirk [Koetter] has done with that offense and that system. He runs a great system. They’re primed for success for many years to come.”
First, this was ironic because McDermott didn’t “perish” at all. He thrived and got a head coaching job.
But his take did illustrate how the Saints, Bucs and Falcons have burned through renowned defensive minds through this decade. Lovie Smith and Leslie Frazier arrived in the NFC South has defensive masterminds and left as outcasts. Frazier was re-hired by McDermott in Buffalo.
After one year of success each in the NFC South, Rob Ryan and Mike Nolan got brutalized by division foes in a hurry, and there were other examples.
Joe relayed McDermott’s comments to Koetter, and Koetter laughed and talked about how happy he was that McDermott is now out of the division. He talked about so many years squaring up against McDermott’s well prepared defenses.
Change at defensive coordinator in Carolina and New Orleans could benefit the Bucs, who are a surprising new model of coaching consistency in the division. Team Glazer throwing bags of cash to lock down Mike Smith for two more seasons was a huge, huge move.
Joe doesn’t think Smith is going to “perish” anytime soon.
April 14th, 2017 at 11:52 am
As long as the MF in the picture doesn’t come coach for TB I’m good.
April 14th, 2017 at 11:54 am
im glad he’s out of the division too….him and kyle….go riddance!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 14th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Interesting. When you look at the past 15 years, NFC south is usually repped by some good D but great O! Maybe thats why things are looking up for us.
But I still want DE Barnett!
April 14th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Rex Ryan in the NFC South? I don’t recall.
April 14th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
I’m glad he’s not in Carolina anymore
April 14th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
NFCS- Hardest division in football, hands down.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Rob not Rex
April 14th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Yea, when you look at the division, there is so much variety and competency in those offenses. How do you defend Cam? Julio? Brees will just carve you to pieces! And it’s not as though these teams have one or two guys that can beat you. They go deep.
Imagine being one of those teams looking at our roster now. Mike Evans is a top 5 WR who will now be coupled with speedy DJax and other weapons. It’s crazy. I think defensive dominance in this division is out the window. It’s more of who can outlast the other team’s offense.
April 14th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Draft badass d lineman and you succeed.
It’s that simple.
April 14th, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Its Lovie feasting time again!
April 14th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Joe, all week long, before the Bucs play in Buffalo this year, you should publish article after article spinning everthing you can about McDermott’s words….you know, about Mike Smith going to perish (I guess that’s PC wording), ummmm going to die with the Tampa Bay Defense in the NFC South. And let’s then let the Bucs defense roll into the underperforming NY town and show them who is going to “perish.”
April 14th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
So based off of what Sean McDermott said, it seems as if you’re in the NFC South, your defense will be at best a middle of the road defense.
April 14th, 2017 at 3:38 pm
And to think of that performance our defense had at home against the Saints last year. And that Atlanta defense was dominating Tom Brady for three quarters. Dont think Jason Licht doesn’t know the importance of great defense. Everyone is expecting RBs, WRs and TEs this draft but font be shocked if they provide Smith with some great young talent. This team didn’t start winning until the defense caught fire.
April 14th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
I think his message wasnt that defenses will be middle of the road
I think he was saying, that NFCs offenses will make good defense look bad
That will be our mission.