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INDIANAPOLIS – The Dallas Cowboys defense is in good hands with Rod Marinelli calling the shots.
So said one of his biggest fans: Lovie Smith, who was head coach of the
Chicago Bears while Marinelli was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2010 through 2012.
“First off, there is no better man than Rod,” said Smith, now head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I’ve never been around a better leader of men than Rod Marinelli, and that’s what they are going to get. He’s consistent with everything that he does. He’s as detail-oriented as you can get. And the players just believe in him. He’s honest. There is no B.S. to him. It’s in black and white. There’s clarity. Again, there is no greater guy to lead the comeback (of that defense) than Rod.”
Smith said he took note of the job Marinelli did last season in holding together a defensive line in Dallas filled with free agents off the street following a rash of injuries.
“Whoever he’s got, he’s going to bring out the best in them,” Smith said. “Whatever talent level you have, whatever your potential is, he can help you reach it. I think that’s the ultimate compliment you can give a coach. Whoever you are, he’s going to bring out the best in you.
After the demotion of Monte Kiffin following in the end of the season, Marinelli inherits a defense that was the third worst in NFL history last season. Marinelli’s Bears defenses ranked ninth, 17th and fifth in the league, respectively. In 2012, Chicago led the NFL in takeaways with 44, including a league-best 24 interceptions.
With that in mind, Smith wouldn’t be surprised to see instant improvement in Dallas.
“As long as Rod has some guys to work with, and when he gets them to their max, (the Cowboys) are going to have some success,” he said.
Smith turned philosophical when asked about Marinelli not being available to join his staff in Tampa.
“Rod’s a brother for life,” Marinelli told DallasCowboys.com. “Sometimes you can’t be with family members always. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
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So said one of his biggest fans: Lovie Smith, who was head coach of the
Chicago Bears while Marinelli was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2010 through 2012.
“First off, there is no better man than Rod,” said Smith, now head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I’ve never been around a better leader of men than Rod Marinelli, and that’s what they are going to get. He’s consistent with everything that he does. He’s as detail-oriented as you can get. And the players just believe in him. He’s honest. There is no B.S. to him. It’s in black and white. There’s clarity. Again, there is no greater guy to lead the comeback (of that defense) than Rod.”
Smith said he took note of the job Marinelli did last season in holding together a defensive line in Dallas filled with free agents off the street following a rash of injuries.
“Whoever he’s got, he’s going to bring out the best in them,” Smith said. “Whatever talent level you have, whatever your potential is, he can help you reach it. I think that’s the ultimate compliment you can give a coach. Whoever you are, he’s going to bring out the best in you.
After the demotion of Monte Kiffin following in the end of the season, Marinelli inherits a defense that was the third worst in NFL history last season. Marinelli’s Bears defenses ranked ninth, 17th and fifth in the league, respectively. In 2012, Chicago led the NFL in takeaways with 44, including a league-best 24 interceptions.
With that in mind, Smith wouldn’t be surprised to see instant improvement in Dallas.
“As long as Rod has some guys to work with, and when he gets them to their max, (the Cowboys) are going to have some success,” he said.
Smith turned philosophical when asked about Marinelli not being available to join his staff in Tampa.
“Rod’s a brother for life,” Marinelli told DallasCowboys.com. “Sometimes you can’t be with family members always. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
Continue reading...