The Tennessee Titans currently have both coordinator positions open. After the 2020 Titans fielded the 29th ranked defense, it’s clear that the Shane Bowen experiment didn’t work as planned. Hey, shit happens – sometimes, you try something and it just doesn’t work out. But, considering how bad, and how inconsistent, that defense was, I’d make that DC spot my top priority if I were in charge of the Titans. I’d also institute LenDale White Day once a year – free wings and Patrón for all season ticket holders. Anyway, I’m straying from my point – the point is….if you want this Titans writer’s opinion, New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is at the top of the DC wish list.
The Titans have already interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Teryl Austin, but I’m not sure how much that’s moving the needle for Titans fans. Austin had some good defenses in Detroit, but his last stint as DC ended prematurely, as Cincinnati canned his ass halfway through the 2018 season. If I’m the Titans, I want fresh, young, and new. You know? As much as I’d want Wade Phillips to be my grandpa, I don’t know that I want him as my team’s DC in 2021. And, I’m not entirely sure the Shane Bowen Experiment (trademark pending) is over!
But, that’s precisely the reason I’m high on Mayo. Mayo is the future! Even when he was playing, people talked about how smart he was. Coming out of the University of Tennessee, the dude was practically a coach that also happened to be a starting linebacker. He represents a changing of the guard – a bright new perspective with fresh ideas.
Mayo has coached the linebackers for the last two seasons in New England – that 2019 defense was phenomenal, and the linebackers played well in it. The 2020 team was hamstrung by an anemic offense, but the defense was again a solid unit. New England didn’t have a true defensive coordinator (an example of when NOT having a DC can actually work…), so it’s hard to assign credit. But, the fact that Mayo was basically told he was going to be the linebackers coach speaks volumes of what Bill Belichick thinks of the guy.
And, aside from all of that, Mayo is the quintessential ‘leader of men.’ Even back in his playing days, he was seen as a leader on the field. Now, he’s a leader on the sideline that guys want to play for. The Titans need a communicator and a leader on defense right now. Somewhere, somehow, Kevin Byard is still sitting there talking about communication issues. It’s just programmed in him now. Guys, did you know the Titans had communication issues on defense this year?
There are some drawbacks to hiring a coaching prodigy, and yes – I’m willing to slap that label on Mayo right fucking now. He’s already drawn interest in the HEAD COACHING position with the Philadelphia Eagles. Vol Nation is practically begging for the guy to come to Knoxville to coach the Vols. He definitely doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s going to come here and stick around for awhile. He’s on the upswing, and that could mean another Matt LaFleur situation.
But, to that, I say “fuck it.” You have an offense that has its core still intact…it’s an offense that can clearly win you a Super Bowl. You go all in to fix that defense and get your ass a Lombardi Trophy. That’s the mission. That’s the goal.
This reminds me of the famous quote from Patrick Henry – “give me Jerod Mayo, or give me death!” Okay, that was dramatic, and I apologize sacrificing my journalistic integrity to actually type that out.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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