Top Picks To Lead Packers Defense » Brats & Beer

January 17, 2006
posted under: coaching carousel, Jim Bates, Packers

Some interesting names are being bandied about as a possible replacement for Jim Bates as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. The Journal Sentinel devotes quite a bit of ink today to former Texans head coach Dom Capers, who was DC at Pittsburgh from 1992-94 and then went to Jacksonville for two seasons in 1999. Sure, he was a flame out as a head coach in Houston but his defenses have usually been pretty good, and it might be interesting to see a 3-4 scheme deployed at Lambeau Field. (Paging AJ Hawk, Mr. Hawk you have a phone call.) Plus, you might get a little mentoring for young McCarthy along the lines of “these are the mistakes I made, kid.” Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis is also a possible candidate, though his resume as a defensive guru isn’t nearly as impressive (if that’s the word) as Capers. The Press-Gazette, though, seems to be favoring current defensive line coach Bob Sanders, who has worked under Bates for the past five seasons. Continuity, baby, continuity.

Some other names floating around include NY Jets coordinator Donnie Henderson, Jerry Gray from Buffalo, and Rick Venturi from the Saints. Both papers also mention Ted Cottrell from Minnesota, which might be interesting as far as letting him stick it to the Vikings twice a year, and Dick Juron. For the sake of journalistic integrity and just plain common sense, I hope Juron’s name came up in the articles just as a joke.