Duffner eagerly embraces new role as Buccaneers’ DC SAM FARMER’S THURSDAY NIGHT PICK
Mark Duffner is about as much of a hands-on coach as there is in the NFL.
“Oh, yeah, everybody gets the hug,” linebacker Devante Bond said.
It’s not just his embrace, a warm long-lasting squeeze that can come without warning to any player on the team. It’s his energy at age 65, making him the seventh-oldest defensive coordinator in the NFL.
But nobody has told Duffner to look at a calendar. He does more than many younger coaches would attempt to do, like participating in the conditioning run at the start of training camp alongside the offensive linemen.
“His 40 [-yard dash] time might be forever, but his heart goes a long way,” linebacker Cameron Lynch said. “But we all feel it and we all see it on the field.
“And he got out there with the O-linemen and did the [conditioning] test. Stuff like that, I said, ‘I can’t wait to play for this guy.’ So seeing that early on and seeing the position he’s in now, I’m very excited for him and can’t wait to what he’s going to bring to the table.”
The position Duffner is in now is not one he asked for, but like so many of his players, he’s eager to embrace it.
The Bucs linebackers coach has been picked to take over as defensive coordinator after Mike Smith was dismissed from that position by head coach Dirk Koetter on Monday.
“Well, you know in this business things happen and as a coach, no matter what capacity you’re in, you’ve got to be ready to assume responsibility and that’s what I’m doing,” Duffner said Wednesday. “I’m just doing my job as directed and doing it to the best of my ability.
“I think every coach has aspirations to take on more responsibility. I’ve been a defensive coordinator in the NFL before and I’ve been a college head coach, so is this something I was dying to do? I just love coaching, I like working with young men and trying to help them get better.”
The Bucs need to get better. Fast. They have allowed 34.6 points per game, the most in the NFL. They also have given up the most passing yards (355.6) per game and are 31st in total defense (439.8 avg.). They also have done it quickly. In the last three games, teams have scored an average of 30.7 points, all losses.
Duffner was only a defensive coordinator once in the NFL. He worked in that capacity for Bengals coach Broncos (2-4) at Cardinals (1-5)
8:20 p.m. | Fox, NFL Network Broncos by 2 (O/U 42) Broncos 24, Cardinals 13
Dick LeBeau from 2001-02. Before his NFL coaching career began in Cincinnati as a linebackers coach in ‘97, he was a Hall of Fame head coach at Holy Cross and then at Maryland.
How Duffner got into coaching is a good story. When his career ended as a standout defensive lineman ended at William and Mary, he sent out 100 resumes to colleges seeking a position as a graduate assistant.
“I got 96 nos and yesses,” Duffner said. four
Mack day to day: Bears coach Matt Nagy announced that two-time AllPro linebacker Khalil Mack is day to day because of an ankle injury.
Mack suffered the injury early in last weekend’s overtime loss to the Dolphins. He returned to the game, but his streak of at least one sack and one forced fumble in each game this season ended.
“We’re just going to keep an eye on it ... we’re more cautious than anything,” Nagy said. “... I think it’s important to go that route.”
Mack hasn’t missed a game since the Raiders drafted him with the No. 5 overall pick in 2014.
The Bears host the Patriots on Sunday.
Bills call on Anderson: Coach Sean McDermott announced that Derek Anderson will start at quarterback for the Bills against the Colts on Sunday.
ESPN reported that rookie starter Josh Allen, the No. 7 overall pick in the draft, will miss multiple weeks with an elbow sprain.
McDermott’s decision to start Anderson comes after Nathan Peterman threw two interceptions in relief of Allen late in the team’s 47-3 Week 6 loss to the Ravens.
Extra points: Colts WR T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) practiced ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bills. He missed the last two games . ... Rams WR Cooper Kupp (knee) will miss Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times contributed.