Dan Quinn.
I keep seeing a few narratives dominating the conversation, and I hate them all. I want to discuss that and hopefully you become as optimistic as I am. I could be wrong, but I think we got one here, guys.
Let's talk Quinn's history with Atlanta.
You cannot judge someone's capacity to be a coordinator in the NFL by his head coach history. This doesn't make sense, and there are many examples of people succeeding in one capacity but failing in another. He will be free to do so much more good work on the defense when all he is responsible for is the defense. That said, if you want to have a comparison, here's one.
Quinn was NFC Champion after 2016. Dallas hasn't won a conference title since January 1996. In 5 years, Quinn made it to the playoffs twice, with two losses, just like Dallas. He won 3. We won 1. Yes, Dan Quinn was embarrassed in the Super Bowl against Belichek and Brady. There's been a lot of very good coaches and players that lost, sometimes embarrassingly, to those two.
Atlanta at Dallas. Do you believe that you the HC should have to micromanage making sure that his ST unit knew the rules of onside kicks? Would you trust that your ST coaching staff made sure this was covered at some point? Are you going to judge his potential as a DC because one time as an HC his team looked awful on ST?
Some people are good coordinators, they take the next step, they never get it done. Quinn is one, and he still got farther than we ever do. These dumb things being brought up about Quinn's misteps as a HC in random comeback losses are just noise, generally inapplicable, and often ancient history at this point.
Now Seattle.
So what it if Quinn went to Seattle and was handed a good situation with good players all around. So what? You want to fault him for making the most of that opportunity? And let's be clear, that was a generational defense -- he made the most of that opportunity. Do you think anyone could have done that? Do you believe that all these guys in the Legion of Boom, they all just hit the ground that great and Quinn's schemes and coaching had nothing to do with it?
Give me a break. Under Quinn, they lived up to their potential. That is what you want to say about your coach.
Finally, the conversation revolving around that Legion of Boom and Dan Quinn bringing it here.
If you want to fantasize about this, feel free. But that was a generational defense. Say "Legion" to any NFL fan of the last decade and they know who. That roster likely had multiple hall of famers. It's not only unfair to make this an expectation of Quinn, but it's disrespectful to the LoB. I feel good about DLaw, Diggs, Gregory, and Gallimore. See the issue?
Beyond that, due to the offense, I don't think we can afford a Legion of Boom, or need one at all for that matter. Dak was on pace for a season from Madden last year. If Quinn can give this team a defense that's 16th in most categories, we will make noise. Quinn can do that.
I love the Quinn hire. Acknowledge the situation he is inheriting. Set reasonable expectations. Let the man do his job.
Das, out.
