Cincy should turn to Rex
Perfect choice for Bengal DC
Stop me if this sounds familiar: There are some weird things going on with the Cincinnati Bengals. The team’s seemingly neverending search for a defensive coordinator hit another snag Wednesday night when University of Florida coordinator Todd Granthan passed on the gig, prompting this nobrainer: Why don’t they just hire Rex Ryan?
New head coach Zac Taylor, who knows Sean McVay in case you were unaware, has now been rejected by at least three people. Veteran defensive coordinators Jack Del Rio and Dom Capers said no thanks before Grantham, the supposed top choice (yeah, sure), did the same.
The 35-year-old Taylor evidently is now considering a few more guys with a fraction of Ryan’s experience: Texas A&M coordinator Mike Elko, former Falcons coordinator Marquand Manuel, Rams defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant and Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn.
Truth be told, Ryan is the answer to Taylor’s problems. The former Jets and Bills head coach has the experience and track record to provide the firsttime head coach with exactly what he needs. Ryan has been an ESPN analyst since the Bills fired him in 2016, but there’s little doubt that he wants to coach again.
Ryan has the football acumen to straighten out the league’s worst defense from last season and the personality to take heat off an inexperienced head coach.
His bravado overshadows that he’s a brilliant defensive mind.
Consider the facts: Ryan’s units have finished in the Top 6 in total defense in eight of 12 seasons as a coordinator and/or head coach. He’s finished in the Top 6 in points allowed four times. He also orchestrated two defenses that led the league in fewest yards and points allowed twice.
Translation: Rex can flat-out coach defense.
New Jets head coach Adam Gase recently called Gregg Williams the “head coach of the defense.” Wade Phillips has that de facto title for McVay’s reigning NFC champs. Ryan, who has plenty of NFL head coaching and coordinator experience, would offer the same for Taylor.
The Bengals, who haven’t won a playoff game in the last 28 seasons, typically operate in unusual ways.
Word on the street was that they initially wanted to hire Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy before pivoting to Taylor, whose arrival was delayed thanks to the Rams Super Bowl run.
It makes all the sense in the world to pair Taylor with an experienced tactician on defense.
Rex Ryan is the easy and smart choice.