There is resounding hope in Dick LeBeau

It dawned on me talking about Marvin Lewis that there's one experienced DC out there that I'd overlooked.

He's fiery, he's smart, he's a little brash, he's certainly not conventional, and he piloted some good defenses in a horrible black hole bottomless pit cespool of a franchise.

I've been reading about Dick LeBeau for about ten minutes and, while of course biographies will be flattering, it's interesting to hear him talk about his team, football in general, pro prospects. He's the best out there, but I'd put him over a lot of guys out there that aren't available too.

At least to me, it makes JDR's possible abscence more palatable.

 

If Jack leaves, I'd love to get LeBeau. Tough DB with the Lions when I was a kid.

He did great with Pittsburgh - but my relatives up north keep telling me he's going to Buffalo.

Any known connections between him & Fox? I'd come to the Panthers - we have more D already, and he'd just have to keep that level. Blitzmeister.

 

see that's the deal. Jack had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Whoever comes in now has everything to lose and not much to gain.

 

buffalo nees a DC about 1,000 times more than the panthers.

 

I'll agree that they need it worse. Did they release their DC?

They also need to move London Fletcher outside and get someone inside who'll actually stuff it up.

There's no link between LeBeau and Fox directly. But he's certainly the best available, incl. Ray Rhodes.
The more I read, the more I like what I hear of what he's been doing and how it fits with Fox. benches unproductive guys, talks to his players to see what can be done to succeed. Ballsy, charismatic.

Only problem: he's 65. You have to keep someone in mind to groom to replace him. But that worked great with Philly with Rod Dowhower being old and Brad Childress replacing him.

 

This Dick guy sounds like an OK guy. But the only problem... a big problem - 65. I'd have to hear the guy speak in an interview before I would pass judgement, but with his age and experience in the NFL, he "may" have the propensity to conflict with FOX.

Its a stereotype for sure, but typically "older" folks with a ton of experience tend to be more set in their ways. I think Dick's philiosphy on defense would almost have to be an exact match for it to work out.

I'd also have to see him on the sidelines, but obviously, one of the many traits Del had going for him was his fire and animation, get in your face on the sidelines work eithic. I think the players identified with him more and I think thats what we'll need to keep our defense going. Dick could do this... maybe. I'd have to see it to make that call. I say don't take the risk, stay with the youth movement.

 

Why not Mills?

 

I mentioned that yesterday. I'd like to see it if he is qualified. Only the staff knows if he is ready... you know, how good he is at teaching the X's and O's. If he's ready, I'd say its a no brainer. I think he has the teams respect and the experience being a winner as a player, going through tuff times as an assistant coach and then a great year helping Del out. Wonder how much Del involved him in the nitty gritty stuff?

 

Mills got improvements outta Brian Allen... Will Witherspoon... Hannibal Navies had one of his best years... Mark Fields finally lived up to expectations he had on him when he was drafted by the Saints... and you never know what Dan Morgan would have done had he stayed healthy... so SOMETHING is going right with those LBers

 

Yep... like I said, if the powers that be think he can take the next step, I'm all for it... not to take away from him.. don't forget Del's pet puppy was LB too...