BTB Vela: Dan Reeves = Football Guy... Dallas waiting on a DC?

[WoodysGirl]

by Rafael Vela on Jan 27, 2009 11:28 PM CST

To all those clamoring for Jerry Jones to "bring in a football guy," here you go. The team is apparently negotiating with Dan Reeves to serve as a consultant.

What role will a consultant have? Whatever the team feels necessary. Reeves served in an advisory capacity to Texans owner Bob McNair after the Texans fell to 2-14 during the '05 campaign. Reeves was recruited in December of '05 and observed the team, broke down film, met with then HC Dom Capers and GM Charlie Casserly and reported to McNair.

It's not clear what Reeves told McNair, but the team fired Capers immediately after the season and replaced Casserley after the next April's draft. Reeves had a hand in hiring current HC Gary Kubiak.

Reeves' breadth and depth of experience means he could be utilized in a number of ways. He might evaluate the team's personnel, and give another opinion heading into the off-season. This would not be a novel practice for the Cowboys. Bill Parcells used to invite former Packers GM Ron Wolf to visit training camp every August and give an independent assessment of the roster. He also brought in former coach Chuck Fairbanks and asked him to do the same. Parcells wanted personnel eyes he trusted to ensure he was not fooling himself about his teams' strengths and weaknesses. Reeves might perform a similar task this year.

Reeves could also perform assessments of the team's game plans and preparation methods, meaning he could offer feedback to Jason Garrett and to long time friend Wade Phillips. This relationship makes the hire appealing. Phillips served as Reeves' DC in both Denver and Atlanta, and provides the least threatening, and yet valued voice the team could hire.

Is Dallas Waiting on a DC?
I talked to Dave over the weekend about the Cowboys' easy-going search for Brian Stewart's replacement. We both wondered if there is a coach on either the Cardinals or the Steelers staff whom the Cowboys might approach for the spot?

A quick review of defensive position coaches shows two names who might fit the bill. Cardinals LB coach Bill Davis worked with Wade Phillips in Atlanta and helped him set up the 3-4 scheme for Dan Reeves. I don't know if the multi-year vet is coordinator material but he's as good a guess as any.

The Steelers DB coach Ray Horton has Cowboys ties. He was Dallas' starting free safety on Jimmy Johnson's first teams. He's had a long career coaching secondaries in Washington, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. He can take credit for developing Troy Polamalu, which speaks well of his coaching skills.

Again, I'm doing nothing but thinking out loud, but with no news on this hire, I encourage you to offer other candidates.

Trivia: The Cardinals' staff could be Tuna West. Todd Haley (OC) Freddie Kitchens (TEs) and Maurice Carthon (RBs) all worked for Bill Parcells in Dallas. Add Clancy Pendergast, who served for Dave Campo, and you have a heavily Cowboys' flavor to that sideline.

 

[cowboyjoe]

cool, maybe we can get a good defensive coordinator

 

[dannyboy]

maybe Keith Butler LB coach from Pitt

Keith Butler enters his sixth year on the Steelers’ coaching staff after joining the staff prior to the 2003 season. He remained on staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

Butler and Tomlin previously worked together at Memphis in 1996, where Butler was the linebackers/defensive ends/special teams coach and Tomlin served as the Tigers defensive backs coach.

Butler was named the Steelers’ linebackers coach Jan. 28, 2003, after serving the previous four seasons in a similar capacity with the Cleveland Browns (1999-02).

Butler has been instrumental in the development of the Steelers’ highly regarded linebacking corps. The unit includes two Pro Bowl players, James Farrior and James Harrison. Under Butler’s tutelage, Farrior has led the Steelers’ defense in tackles for the past two seasons. Butler has also helped groom one of the team’s defensive surprises of 2007 in Harrison, who was elected as a Pro Bowl starter after the 2007 season. Harrison was originally a rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2000 that re-signed with the team just before training camp in 2004 after a year’s absence.

In 2006, Butler’s linebacking crew helped the Steelers rank second in the AFC and third in the NFL in rushing defense. The unit allowed just 88.3 rushing yards per game and helped the defense to not allow a 100-yard rusher the entire season.

In 2005, Butler’s linebackers helped the Steelers lead the AFC and rank fourth in the NFL in total defense. The sack tandem of Joey Porter (10.5) and Clark Haggans (9.0) ranked as the best for a linebacker duo in the entire NFL.

Prior to joining the Browns’ staff, Butler spent nine years coaching in the college ranks, beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Memphis, where he coached linebackers from 1990-97 and also coached defensive ends and special teams (1995-97). He then served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arkansas State in 1998.

Butler, 51, was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft and played linebacker for 10 seasons (1978-87) with Seattle. He started 132-of-146 games in his career and still ranks second on the club’s all-time tackles list with 813.

A three-year starter at inside linebacker for Memphis, Butler led the school in tackles his junior and senior seasons. He finished his collegiate career with 384 tackles and seven interceptions. He was named a 1977 Associated Press All-American and played in the 1977 Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray All-Star Game.

 

[Sandman52]

But did Butler just utiliize the talent and/or run the system that was in place by LeBeau? What did he do in Cleveland? Who did he develop there?

 

[dannyboy]

I guess I look to his experience with the 3-4 not only working under LeBeau but also the number of years. Also a DB coach wouldn't normally have "experience" with a 3-4 has its been stated that the DBs act the same whether 4-3 or 3-4. Also, in a 3-4, LBs are the key to the Defense and Pitt LBS have been great over the years.