Good call #TeamJackDelRio

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Here’s my entry from January 5, 2018 about Jack Del Rio:

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Everyone who knows me knows I’m a YUGE fan of what Jack Del Rio has done in his career as a defensive coordinator and as a linebacker coach. Does the name Ray Lewis ring a bell? He might be the best linebacker I ever saw* and Jack was his position coach in Baltimore under the best defensive coordinator I ever saw: Marvin Lewis. As defensive coordinator Jack turned both the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos into defensive powerhouses. We also know Marvin and Jack have been friends for decades and I can slam-dunk guarantee you those two have been texting and talking ever since the Son of Al unceremoniously fired Jack.

Here’s the thing: Jack Del Rio sees himself as a head coach. That’s both good and bad. Jack, however, isn’t an effective head coach and I say that with respect. Yes, he had some good years in Jacksonville and a stellar 12-4 season in Oakland in 2016 but he’s actually won less than Marvin as a head coach. Jack is a defensive coordinator, period...

...which means Mike Brown will have to open his wallet and make Jack an offer he can’t refuse. Marvin will have to sweeten the pot a little by guaranteeing Jack hiring power over defensive free agents, a seat at the table for the draft with significant input, and maybe even offer him the “assistant head coach” position now that Paul Alexander is, ahem, finally poop-canned.

Jack Del Rio is waiting for the phone to ring for head coach interviews. I don’t think they will materialize.

Finally, Mike and Marvin need to convince Jack that the defensive coordinator job in Cincinnati is a great job. Look at all the talent the Bengals have on defense! Jack could mold Vontaze Burfict into a non-homicidal version of Ray Lewis. He could turn George Iloka into a gigantic twice as mean version of Ed Reed. Who wouldn’t want to have the chance to develop great players like Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, and the soon to have his own “island,” William Jackson III?





*Vontaze Burfict might turn out to be better. We’ll see.