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Could Larry Coyer be a piece in the Texans defensive coordinator puzzle?
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Larry Coyer (Denver Broncos)
Note to readers: Consider this a preview to "Texans defensive coordinator search: Part IV" where we will look at Frank Bush in detail.
It was reported yesterday that Buccaneers assistant head coach Larry Coyer is leaving Tampa to "pursue other things."
Some of you might say, so what?
Others might say, who's Larry Coyer?
Don't worry, it won't take you long to figure this one out.
Coyer was the Broncos defensive coordinator from 2003-06. [You can't see me but I'm ducking because I know you're trying to throw things at me through your computer screen]
Okay, before everyone starts going bananas over the Denver South stuff again, bear with me and let me try to lay out a scenario.
I don't know squat about Larry Coyer except for what I've read on the internet over the past 30 minutes. And that body of knowledge would be this:
- He's 65 years old
- He was Denver's defensive coordinator from 2003-06 and during those four years his units never finished worse than 9th in total points allowed.
- In 2005, Kubiak's last season in Denver, Coyer's defense gave up the 3rd fewest points in the league and the Broncos made it to the AFC Championship game.
- He was fired by Denver after a late season collapse by the defense in 2006 when the Broncos lost 5 of their last 7 games and gave up a ton of points doing so.
- He worked with Kubiak, Rick Smith, Frank Bush and Ray Rhodes while at Denver (are you seeing where I'm going with this?)
- He's been at Tampa for the past two seasons working with the defensive line among other things.
- He's been called a pipe-smoking vagabond.... in a playful kind of way.
No, I'm not suggesting that Larry Coyer is a candidate for the vacant Texans defensive coordinator position, but I think he could be a piece of the puzzle that helps Frank Bush get the job.
Here's where we get into reading tea leaves and pure speculation:
I have no clue what Coyer's comments about 'pursuing other things' means. Maybe it means fly fishing near his home in Aurora, Colorado, or maybe it's sipping Mai Tai's on a beach in Bimini.
Or maybe it means he's coming to Houston to help his former co-worker Frank Bush run the Texans defense as assistant head coach-defense, or senior defensive assistant, or defensive line coach or whatever title you want to give him.
Gregg Williams and Jerry Gray don't need a guy like Coyer. Bush probably does.
Williams and Gray have their 26 piece sets all boxed up and ready to sell. What's exactly is in that box that Bush is selling? Hopefully not Richard Smith's leftovers.
I think the Texans would prefer Coyer in a Bush-assistant role instead of considering him for the defensive coordinator position.
Kubiak and Rick Smith think a lot of Bush and by their own words, they are seriously considering him for the coordinator job. Coyer, like Alex Gibbs, could be a perfect fit as the 'wise old sage' mentor type who helps guide the younger, less experienced guy - in this case Bush.
Go about it that way and you can have a Bush - Coyer combo. Give the job to Coyer (or anyone else) and you lose Bush and whatever good continuity that Bush brought to the table and had established.
Can you see this playing right into the 'Bush for DC' campaign?
And for those who will misinterpret what I'm saying here, just because I think something is possible doesn't mean I think it's a good thing.
One thing we don't know is the type of relationship Coyer had with Smith, Kubiak, and Bush. If Bush is indeed named DC, he will justifiably want to bring in some of 'his guys' - whoever they are - and not have them picked for him. If Bush is already a Coyer guy, and vice versa, then something could already be in the works.
I know Kubiak and the Texans think a lot of Frank Bush. I also know that even though he's been a 'senior defensive assistant' for a few years, he has no experience as defensive coordinator or calling games. He needs experienced help in order to be successful.
And Coyer could be just the guy to give him the help that he needs.
I know there's some Denver folks out there who can weigh in on this. Steve? If this is the dumbest thing you've ever read, just tell me, I can take it.
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