Rating our high 4 candidates for the Panthers’ DC job
Now that the Carolina Panthers have landed their head coach in Frank Reich, it’s time to begin scooping up his workers. And one of many largest, if not the most important gap sits on the defensive coordinator place.
So, let’s kind our high contenders earlier than the Panthers, in fact, finally do this for us.
Marquand Manuel
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports activities
Given the abysmal performance of Carolina’s secondary when Jaycee Horn isn’t on the sector, notably again in Week 17 towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, maybe it could make sense for the group to lean in direction of somebody with expertise in teaching up defensive backs.
Manuel matches that invoice—not solely having performed as a defensive again within the NFL for eight years, but additionally serving as a secondary coach for almost all of his profession on the sidelines. He additionally has a run as a defensive coordinator, when he pieced collectively a quietly stable Atlanta Falcons unit in 2017.
Gus Bradley
AP Photograph/Gary McCullough
With the theme of expertise ever-present throughout the hiring Reich, the Panthers could lean that approach as soon as extra with Bradley.
Bradley, presently below contract because the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, has been on the NFL sidelines for the previous 16 years. He was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks throughout their dominant run from 2009 to 2012, and was key in serving to develop the likes of Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Richard Sherman.
He would deliver a “been there, completed that” kind of really feel to a younger Panthers group that wants that one further push to essentially solidify themselves.
Kris Richard
AP Photograph/Tyler Kaufman
One other former participant who turned his position as a defensive again into success on the sidelines, Richard has been some of the adorned secondary coaches within the NFL. Like Bradley, he performed a component in Seattle’s defensive dominance—serving as an assistant, secondary coach and defensive coordinator there from 2011 to 2017.
Richard has had a hand in creating a number of the most gifted corners and safeties within the league, and is extremely thought to be a coach by staffs and gamers alike.
Vic Fangio
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Talking of expertise, it doesn’t get far more skilled than Fangio—who has served as a NFL coach in some capability for nearly 40 years. Heck, he was the very first defensive coordinator for the Panthers again in 1995—a group that additionally rostered Reich. (The NFL simply form of works like that typically.)
Fangio is among the most well-respected and competent defensive minds in all of soccer. And wherever he goes, a top-ranked protection follows—even throughout his transient three-year stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos.
A Fangio hire would deliver safety and self-discipline to an already loaded bunch, and will flip the unit into one of many premier defenses within the league subsequent season. He could possibly be key in sustaining development throughout the already tethered unit and assist push the Panthers into the playoffs.
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