DC Candidates Thread.

[stirs]

The reason I mentioned LeBeau is that the Big Cat wanted us to get more physical like Pittsburgh. We addressed the O last draft and we only gave the D coaches one year contracts signaling that we might address the D in a big way this season. We have not hired anyone, but they steadily went away knowing the writing was on the wall. The contract thing could have been a courtesy to Turgo for leverage at the Senior Bowl for a new job.

Since we have not done anything yet, it would lead me to believe that our candidate is in the middle of Super Bowl preps.

Or not.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

I nominate myself... I would do an awesome job...

[mountainpantherfan]

I nominate myself... I would do an awesome job...

Sorry SLJ but if its going to be a celeberty DC than you have to go with Chuck Norris. Not only is he a fan but when the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

[stirs]

Here is a candidate we might want to look at from Pittsburgh.

Keith Butler

TITLE Linebackers Coach

NFL EXP: 8 years

Coaching Highlights:Keith Butler enters his sixth year on the Steelers’ coaching staff after joining the staff prior to the 2003 season. He remained on staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

Butler and Tomlin previously worked together at Memphis in 1996, where Butler was the linebackers/defensive ends/special teams coach and Tomlin served as the Tigers defensive backs coach.

Butler was named the Steelers’ linebackers coach Jan. 28, 2003, after serving the previous four seasons in a similar capacity with the Cleveland Browns (1999-02).

Butler has been instrumental in the development of the Steelers’ highly regarded linebacking corps. The unit includes two Pro Bowl players, James Farrior and James Harrison. Under Butler’s tutelage, Farrior has led the Steelers’ defense in tackles for the past two seasons. Butler has also helped groom one of the team’s defensive surprises of 2007 in Harrison, who was elected as a Pro Bowl starter after the 2007 season. Harrison was originally a rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2000 that re-signed with the team just before training camp in 2004 after a year’s absence.

In 2006, Butler’s linebacking crew helped the Steelers rank second in the AFC and third in the NFL in rushing defense. The unit allowed just 88.3 rushing yards per game and helped the defense to not allow a 100-yard rusher the entire season.

In 2005, Butler’s linebackers helped the Steelers lead the AFC and rank fourth in the NFL in total defense. The sack tandem of Joey Porter (10.5) and Clark Haggans (9.0) ranked as the best for a linebacker duo in the entire NFL.

Prior to joining the Browns’ staff, Butler spent nine years coaching in the college ranks, beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Memphis, where he coached linebackers from 1990-97 and also coached defensive ends and special teams (1995-97). He then served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arkansas State in 1998.

Butler, 51, was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft and played linebacker for 10 seasons (1978-87) with Seattle. He started 132-of-146 games in his career and still ranks second on the club’s all-time tackles list with 813.

A three-year starter at inside linebacker for Memphis, Butler led the school in tackles his junior and senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 384 tackles and seven interceptions. He was named a 1977 Associated Press All-American and played in the 1977 Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star Game.

Butler was born May 16, 1956, in Anniston, Ala. He and his wife Janet have three sons—Blake (25), Brandon (23) and Brett (21).

[joemac]

They should just go ahead and let Fox run the defense, along with being the head coach.....if I remember, he was a pretty damn good DC when he was with NY.

[FrostyOne]

I would say Herm Edwards.

Heck, he might be able to convince Peppers to stay!

[Pimpdaddy]

Edwards has some bad mojo going on. He kinda jacked up the jets and then went to the cheifs and jacked them up... Not sure of the circumstances on those teams, maybe the only place to go was down. Hes just on a lose. prolly a nice guy but no experience would mean Fox running the D...

[mountainpantherfan]

McGinnis would be the only canidate mentioned with a lot of experience as a DC. But like others have said a young up and comer would be the way I like to see them go.

[Zaximus]

Brenston Buckner

[megadeth078]

Edwards has some bad mojo going on. He kinda jacked up the jets and then went to the cheifs and jacked them up... Not sure of the circumstances on those teams, maybe the only place to go was down. Hes just on a lose. prolly a nice guy but no experience would mean Fox running the D...

We're not asking him to be the head coach.

[niblet]

Herm. He's not a good head coach, but I think he would be a competent DC for us. I also think our defense would really like playing for him.

[dimbee]

At least Gunther Cunningham is off the market. How that dude stays employed as a DC is beyond me.

[Panfan]

how about Strong from Florida?

[Jangler]

GARY GIBBS! GARY GIBBS! GARY GIBBS!

^^^That's Odo From DS9.