Rod Marinelli
Title: Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach
NFL Experience: 10
Years with Buccaneers: 10

Rod Marinelli returns for his 10th season as Tampa Bay’s assistant head coach/defensive line coach. One of the game’s most innovative instructors on the finer points of technique, leverage and balance, Marinelli has been the premier defensive line coach in the NFL for nearly a decade. The Buccaneers defensive line has consistently been one of the most respected units in the NFL as perennial All-Pros, DT Warren Sapp and DE Simeon Rice, became two of the most dominating pass rushers in the modern era under Marinelli.

Marinelli, who has coached on the collegiate and pro level for the last 29 seasons, has directed one of the most productive defensive lines in the NFL. Tampa Bay has racked up 236 sacks over the last six NFL seasons (1999-2004) and Marinelli’s unit helped set an NFL record as the Buccaneers defense posted a sack in 69 consecutive games from 1999-2003. During Marinelli’s nine-year tenure in Tampa Bay, a Buccaneer defensive lineman has ranked in the top 15 in sacks in the NFL on seven occasions and in the top 10 five times.

Marinelli’s line was again up to the task last season, pacing a defense that finished fifth in the NFL in total defense and first in pass defense. The Buccaneers 2004 season sack total of 45 ranked tied for second in the NFL and was the second highest total in team history behind the 55 sacks recorded by the Buccaneers defense in 2000. Most impressively, the Buccaneers led the NFL in sacks per pass play, recording one sack every 10.7 pass plays in 2004. The dominance of Marinelli’s defensive line is illustrated by the fact that the top six sack totals in Buccaneers history have all occurred during his tenure.

In Marinelli’s nine years on the job, the Buccaneers have recorded 380 sacks, with 303.5 coming courtesy of his defensive line. The following is a breakdown of total sacks and sacks by the defensive line the past nine seasons.

The 303.5 sacks registered by Marinelli’s line rank first in the NFL among all defensive lines the past nine seasons (1996-2004). Additionally, the Bucs defensive front four have ranked in the top five in the NFL in sacks in six of the nine seasons under Marinelli.

DE Simeon Rice led the Buccaneers in sacks for the fourth consecutive season in 2004, totaling 12 sacks to rank tied for fifth in the NFL. Since joining forces with Marinelli in 2001, Rice has been arguably the most dominating pass rusher in the NFL. Rice’s 42.5 sacks the past three seasons (2002-2004) are tops in the NFL, while also leading all active players with 30 career multi-sack games, with 15 coming as a member of the Bucs. This past season, he became only the 22nd player in NFL history to reach the 100-sack plateau and his 105 career sacks rank second among active players. Rice’s 53.5 sacks under the direction of Marinelli already rank third on the Bucs all-time sack list.

While Rice may be considered by most to be Marinelli’s star pupil, DE Greg Spires was no less impressive in 2004 as he had his greatest season as a professional and received strong Pro Bowl consideration. Starting opposite of Rice on the left side for 13 games and at DT for three games, Spires recorded a career-high 86 tackles to lead all Bucs defensive linemen while chipping in a career-high eight sacks to rank second on the team.

The Bucs 2004 sack total is all the more impressive considering the team’s best inside pass rusher, DT Anthony McFarland, missed half of the season because of a triceps injury. Starting in the first eight games before being sidelined, McFarland totaled three sacks and 28 tackles. In his place, the trio of Spires, DE/DT Dewayne White and DT Chidi Ahanotu provided a persistent pass rush throughout the season. In his second season, White started three games at LDE in addition to his role at DT, recording a career-high six sacks to rank third on the team while adding 29 tackles. Additionally, White tied a team record by posting at least 0.5 a sack in six consecutive games in 2004. Ahanotu returned for his second stint with the Bucs in November to appear in eight games with five starts, finishing with 3.5 sacks. Rounding out the Buccaneers defensive line in 2004 was fourth-year veteran DT Chartric Darby, who started all 16 games and notched 56 tackles and one fumble recovery.

The 2003 season saw the Bucs total 36 sacks to rank tied for 13th in the NFL as the defensive line corralled opposing quarterbacks for 31 of those sacks. Rice earned his third career and second consecutive Pro Bowl selection while totaling 15 sacks to rank tied for second in the NFL. His 15 sacks were the third-most sacks in a single season in Bucs history and the third highest single-season total in his career. Rice’s four-sack effort in Week 6 at Washington earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors while also tying the franchise single-game sack record.

As one of the game’s all-time great DTs, Warren Sapp anchored the interior of Marinelli’s defensive line for the final time in 2003. Marinelli was instrumental in the development of Sapp, who set a Bucs single-season mark with 16.5 sacks in 2000. Sapp earned his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl nomination in 2003 and along with LB Derrick Brooks, broke Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon’s team record for total appearances and consecutive appearances. His five sacks ranked second on the team, marking the eighth consecutive year under Marinelli that Sapp either led or ranked second on the team in sacks. In fact, Sapp averaged 9.3 sacks per season during his eight seasons under Marinelli and his 74 sacks ranks tied for fifth in the NFL during that time and second among DTs. McFarland manned the other DT position for Marinelli in 2003, starting all 16 games for the second time in his career. McFarland recorded his first career INT in 2003 and also chipped in 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and three passes defensed.

Rice and Sapp were vital in the Bucs success in 2002 as both garnered AP All-Pro first-team honors. Marinelli was part of his first Super Bowl title as his dominating front four helped to secure the Buccaneers first-ever championship in Super Bowl XXXVII. The Bucs defense posted 43 sacks in 2002, tied for sixth in the NFL, with the defensive line responsible for 36 of the sacks. The line’s strong 2002 campaign culminated with an unparalleled performance in the Super Bowl as Raiders QB Rich Gannon was pressured into throwing a record five interceptions. The defensive line finished the Super Bowl with five sacks, four passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Under Marinelli, Rice had arguably his most productive season as a professional as he was named to his second Pro Bowl and first as a Buccaneer in 2002. He finished the season first in the NFC and second in the NFL with 15.5 sacks. Rice also set a NFL single-season record by posting two or more sacks in five consecutive games and finished 2002 with a team-leading six forced fumbles. Rice led all defensive linemen with 11 passes defensed and ranked second with 75 tackles. In Super Bowl XXXVII, Rice notched two sacks and five tackles while also dropping Rich Gannon behind the line of scrimmage to thwart a Raiders two-point conversion attempt. Sapp was named to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl in 2002 (tying the club record for total appearances and consecutive appearances) while starting all 16 games. Sapp finished with 7.5 sacks, good for second on the team and tied for first in the NFC among DTs. Sapp was first among defensive linemen with 78 tackles, while also notching a career-high two INTs, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three passes defensed. One of the game’s top instructors, Marinelli weathered the loss of talented DT Anthony McFarland by filling his spot with a duo of then second-year players in Ellis Wyms (5.5 sacks) and Darby (1.5 sacks).

In 2001, his unit was spearheaded by the efforts of Rice, who had signed with the Buccaneers in the offseason. Despite the transition into a new defense, Rice led the team with 11.0 sacks in 2001. The Buccaneers’ defensive line continued to wreak havoc in opposing backfields during the 2000 season, yet another nod to Marinelli. His troops finished tied for second in the NFL after racking up a single-season record 55 sacks, 45.5 of which came courtesy of the team’s front four. Sapp posted 16.5 sacks in 2000, breaking Lee Roy Selmon’s single season mark of 13 established in 1978. Sapp added a career-high 76 tackles, easing the transition for second-year McFarland, who posted 6.5 sacks. Marinelli also oversaw the development of DE Marcus Jones, who ripped through opposing defensive lines to record a career-high 13 sacks.

Sapp collected a then career-high 12.5 sacks in 1999, earning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press and his third Pro Bowl berth. He became the first Buccaneer since Selmon (1979) to win the AP honor. But Sapp’s linemates also turned in outstanding seasons. DT Brad Culpepper paced the line with 72 tackles and added six sacks, while first-year starter Steve White emerged as a force during Tampa Bay’s playoff run. And Jones, who moved from tackle to end, collected 36 tackles and seven sacks after posting just 32 stops and one sack in his three previous seasons. Marinelli also saw flashes of brilliance from rookie McFarland, the Buccaneers’ first-round pick.

In 1998, Marinelli’s unit collected 37 sacks and ranked eighth in the league against the run. In 1997, Tampa Bay’s defensive line racked up a club single-season record 44 sacks. That season, Sapp emerged as a bonafide star as the Buccaneers made their first playoff appearance in 15 years.

A veteran of 20 seasons as a college assistant coach, Marinelli came to Tampa Bay after spending the 1995 season as the defensive line coach at Southern Cal under John Robinson. From 1992-94, Marinelli was the assistant head coach/defensive line coach for head coach Bruce Snyder at Arizona State. In 1993, three of his starting linemen earned All-Pac- 10 honors. Shante Carver was an All-America pick and was also a finalist for the Outland and Lombardi trophies before being selected in the first round of the draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

From 1983-1991, Marinelli coached the defensive line at California, adding assistant head coach to his title for his final two Golden Bear seasons. Snyder became the school’s head coach in 1987 and retained Marinelli. While at California, Marinelli coached several future NFLers including Ahanotu, Rhett Hall and Natu Tuatagaloa.

Marinelli’s first coaching job came in 1976 from Snyder, who was then the head coach at Utah State. From 1976-81, Marinelli oversaw the Aggies’ defensive line before becoming USU’s offensive line/special teams coach for the 1982 campaign. In six seasons as the defensive line coach for Utah State, three of his players (Rulon Jones, Mike Perko, Shawn Miller) won conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Marinelli began his coaching career at his alma mater, Rosemead High School in San Gabriel Valley, California, from 1973-75.

Marinelli played offensive and defensive tackle at Utah in 1968 before serving a one-year stint in Vietnam. He returned from the service and attended California Lutheran from 1970-72, earning NAIA All-America honors as an offensive tackle in ‘72. Marinelli earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in history from CLC.

Marinelli joined several other Buccaneers coaches to host the High School Coaching Academy during the 2004 offseason in conjunction with the National Football Foundation. The academy is a one day, hands-on clinic designed to elevate the quality of football coaching at the high school level. During the 2002 season, Marinelli lent his coaching knowledge to “NFL 101,” a program that educates women on the terminology, formations, strategy and basics of football.

Born in Rosemead, California, Rod and his wife, Barbara, reside in Tampa. The family includes daughters Chris and Gina. Chris is married to Joe Barry, Tampa Bay’s linebackers coach. Marinelli also has two granddaughters and two grandsons.

MARINELLI AT A GLANCE

# 1968…University of Utah, player
# 1970-72…California Lutheran, player
# 1973-75…Rosemead (Cal.) High School, Assistant Coach
# 1976-81…Utah State, Defensive Line Coach
# 1982…Utah State, Offensive Line/Special Teams Coach
# 1983-89…University of California-Berkeley, Defensive Line Coach
# 1990-91…University of California-Berkeley, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
# 1992-94…Arizona State, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line
# 1995…Southern Cal, Defensive Line Coach
# 1996-01…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Line Coach
# 2002-05…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach

Coaching Prospect: Rod Marinelli

Rod Marinelli is among the lesser known members of the potential candidates to apply for the Lions head coaching position. But that certainly does not mean he is the least qualified. The Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive line coach is one of the leagues elite at training a 4-3 defense to be effective in all facets of the game.

Rod Marinelli is known for teaching the critical details of the defensive line. By installing the fundamentals power, speed, and leverage against bigger offensive lineman, Marinelli has created one of the most effective defensive lines in the NFL. Right end Simeon Rice is a perennial All Pro while left end Greg Spires and defensive tackles Chris Hovan and Anthony McFarland, round out this stellar group.

Former Buccaneer Warren Sapp was one of the leagues most feared defensive tackles playing under Marinelli and the anchor of the defense that lead Tampa to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII over the Raiders with a final score of 48 to 21. It was Marinelli's first season under the additional title of assistant head coach under former Raider's head coach John Gruden. It was a game in which the Bucs scored 34 unanswered points after Oakland opened the scoring with a field goal. Tampa's defense was impressive with five interceptions, five sacks, and three touchdowns themselves.

Of Marinelli's 30 years coaching, the past ten years have been as Tampa's defensive line coach. During his tenure, the Bucs have had at least one defensive lineman in the league's top ten in sacks five times. In 2005, Simeon Rice finished third overall with 14 sacks, just two behind the league leader (Derrick Burgess - Oakland). Perhaps most impressive, Marinelli's line was the major reason Tampa set an NFL record by posting a sack in 69 straight games between 1999 and 2003.

This season the Buccaneers were the number one ranked defensive unit in the league allowing a mere 277.8 yards-per-game. Tampa allowed an average of 17.1 points per game, eight in the league. The defensive line was effective against the run, ranking seventh, allowing opponents an average of under 95 yards per game, just 3.5 yards-per carry, with only ten rushing touchdowns. His unit did not give up big plays, giving up only 3 runs of 20 or more yards, tops in the NFL. The Bucs ranked seventh in the league in third-down percentage (35%).

Rod's philosophy is the ten commandments for the defensive line:

1. Thou must show up. It makes no sense to have commandments if you don't show up.

2. Thou shall be ready. It's one thing to show up, but you have to be ready to work. There are a lot of people who show up, but aren't ready to work. That means, wherever you're at, be there.

3. Thou must have passion. I look for people with tremendous love. You have to have that passion for the position because it's so demanding. The way we play, we run as much as any other positions in football and we take a pounding. We may have to rush the passer and then turn and run 15, 20 yards downfield to chase a screen and you're expected to make a play. That's passion.

4. Thou must stay mentally tough. You've got to be strong mentally, as much as anything, to take the abuse.

5. Honor every single snap. You have to take it one snap at a time. It's (a cliche) but it fits together.

6. Keep thee tremendous discipline. I want tremendous discipline. Either you are or you're not. There's no gray area. We're a one-gap defense and you have to be accountable for your gap. If you're not and the ball hits there, we've got problems. It's a discipline defense. Four men, working as one.

7. Thou must get off the ball. Our whole game is moving ahead. Whatever moves up front we make, we have to go. We're a vertical, penetrating defense and we have to be that way. We're going upfield.

8. Thou shall hustle. That becomes contagious. When we do it, it sends a message to your opponent about how the game is going to be played and, more important, how you're going to play.

9. Know thee what must be done. It's important to know what to do and how to do it.

10. Thou must finish. Always finish.

In Marinelli’s ten years on the job, the Buccaneers have recorded 416 sacks, with less than 100 of those coming from Tampa's linebackers and secondary. The 328.5 sacks registered by Marinelli’s line rank first in the NFL among all defensive lines the past ten seasons (1996-2005). Additionally, the Bucs defensive front four have ranked in the top five in the NFL in sacks in six of the ten seasons under Marinelli's stewardship.

Prior to jumping to the NFL, Marinelli spent 20 years coaching at the collegiate level. The year before moving to Tampa, Marinelli served in the same role at USC under legendary coach John Robinson. He had held the position at Arizona State (1992-94) under Bruce Snyder. Marinelli also coached the defensive line for nine seasons at California, a place where former Lions coach Steve Mariucci honed his coaching skills on the other side of the ball. He adding the title of assistant head coach in 1989 at Cal. Marinelli's first foray into coaching occurred in 1976 at Utah, the school he had played both offensive and defensive tackle at, as the defensive line coach. Bruce Snyder, who he later followed to Arizona State, was the first man to hire him. The only real deviation from working almost exclusively with the defensive line came in his final season at Utah (1982), when he oversaw the offensive line and special teams.

The Vietnam veteran is a late entry into the lions Head coaching sweepstakes, but certainly understands the fundamentals of football. He is a well organized and well respected coach in this league. If he doesn't get the head coach job in Detroit, maybe Millen could promote the line coach from Tampa to the defensive coordinator position in Detroit. The Texans are interested in elevating him to the same position in Houston. Marinelli also interviewed with the Oakland Raiders on Monday about their head coaching vacancy. A year ago, Tampa denied the New York Jets permission to talk to Marinelli about becoming their defensive coordinator. Marinelli is considered one of the three current favorites to take over the reins in Detroit, along with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line/assistant head coach Russ Grimm and former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett.

Marinelli, recognized as 'innovative' in defensive strategy and a disciplinarian, has coached the Buccaneers' defensive line for the past ten seasons. In the last six years, the Bucs' have tallied a league best 236 sacks. Throughout his tenure, at least one Tampa Bay defensive lineman has ranked in the top 15 in league sacks on seven occasions and in the top 10 five different times.

He is also credited with helping produce the dominant front four -- which included All Pro's Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp -- that helped lead Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl in 2002. In that Super Bowl, the Buccaneers forced five interceptions, and made life miserable for Raiders' quarterback Rich Gannon en route to a 48-21 blowout.

Although it's understandable that former NFL linebacker and current Lions' GM Matt Millen preferred a defensive-minded coach, the hiring is odd considering Marinelli has never been a head coach.

Throughout his extensive collegiate coaching career, the most prominent title he ever achieved was assistant head coach.

Nice work, H1Man.

I like what I read.

The facts.

Marinelli is 56
He's never even been a defensive coordinator in the NFL let alone a coach.
The genius behind the Bucs success is Kiffin who is the highest paid defensive coordinator.

I don't know how anyone can like this pick. A 56 year old lifetime position coach is now in charge of the Lions.

I wish the Lions would have hired a younger coach who is currently a coordinator or someone with experience. I'm not excited about this BUT I really don't care much about the Lions anymore.

The facts.

Marinelli is 56
He's never even been a defensive coordinator in the NFL let alone a coach.
The genius behind the Bucs success is Kiffin who is the highest paid defensive coordinator.

I don't know how anyone can like this pick. A 56 year old lifetime position coach is now in charge of the Lions.

I wish the Lions would have hired a younger coach who is currently a coordinator or someone with experience. I'm not excited about this BUT I really don't care much about the Lions anymore.

You do realize that he has been in the NFL for only 10 years. That's relatively young in NFL terms.

I'd much rather sign this guy and see what he has as opposed to a retread such as Haslett who was the other main option.

Signing the coach of a team that had even less win than the lions is not a smart move.

Call me stupid but if I were Millen I would have avoided hiring another coach with the last name starting with M.

Doesn't the constant M &M jokes bug him?

I swear Millen's rolodex is missing the other 25 letters.

Maybe he is trying to re-create the campbell soup label MMMM Bad.

The facts.

Marinelli is 56
He's never even been a defensive coordinator in the NFL let alone a coach.
The genius behind the Bucs success is Kiffin who is the highest paid defensive coordinator.

I don't know how anyone can like this pick. A 56 year old lifetime position coach is now in charge of the Lions.

I wish the Lions would have hired a younger coach who is currently a coordinator or someone with experience. I'm not excited about this BUT I really don't care much about the Lions anymore.

You do realize that he has been in the NFL for only 10 years. That's relatively young in NFL terms.

That doesn't change the fact that Millen just hired a 56 year old position coach.

Umm you are wrong. He would have been a DC back in 2002 if the Bucs would have let him go and interview for the jobs. They had him under contract and would not let him interview, thus him being a position coach for 10 years. I have read a lot of stuff from TB boards and they are generally upset about losing them. They think we got a guy who had leadership skills and is a hardass. Very few have anything bad to say about him, unlike Haslett and Grimm.

BTW you do know that Andy Reid and Herm Edwards were both only "position" coaches. I would take either of them over retreads and any OC or DC out there.


Art

I like the hire, I just hope he gets an OC that has called plays in the past.

I like Hue Jackson WR coach from Cincy. He was the OC at USC when Palmer first got there.

He really helped their WR out. I also think he favors a vertical attack.


Art

I don't care much either way, b/c I'm apathetic about the Lions...

But hiring coaches who were offensive coordinators, "gurus" on offense, and "quarterback groomers" did nothing for the offense or the rest of the team the last five years. In fact, in these five years of having offensive geniuses with no defensive experience at head coach, the defense has always been better than the offense.

And if you're going to hire a coach that's an offensive coordinator - but who leaves the play calling to an offensive coordinator, and who doesn't know much about defense and leaves defense to a defensive coordinator, what's so different about hiring a position coach? (I hope I said that right.)

In other words, I think Millen is viewing the head coach's main responsibility as instilling discipline, a winning attitude, personal responsibility, etc., throughout the team, and then letting the coordinators on both sides of the ball handle the minute details.

The facts.

Marinelli is 56
He's never even been a defensive coordinator in the NFL let alone a coach.
The genius behind the Bucs success is Kiffin who is the highest paid defensive coordinator.

I don't know how anyone can like this pick. A 56 year old lifetime position coach is now in charge of the Lions.

I wish the Lions would have hired a younger coach who is currently a coordinator or someone with experience. I'm not excited about this BUT I really don't care much about the Lions anymore.

Cliffy. Grab a plate of cornbread. It seems everyone else in the town has been pigging out on it.


I won't be fooled this time. This guy might be a great NFL mind, but he just handed in his death certificate. He'll never coach in the NFL again after the Lions are done with him.

1st rumor I've heard says the OC could possibly be Mike Mularkey...who was the OC with Pittsburgh and that's the type of offense that Marinelli would be interested in. I got that from Milve btw..

Rod Marinelli, Detroit Lions

What he has going for him: He did one of the best jobs in putting a staff together. He has Mike Martz on offense and Donnie Henderson on defense. That's a good start. Because he's going from defensive line coach to head coach, it will help having an experienced hand such as Martz to lean on for advice. Marinelli relates well to players because he's clear in his instructions and he's honest. Players like that. President Matt Millen likes his stern attitude because it could mean a more disciplined, efficient team.

The biggest issue: He takes over one of the wackiest groups in the league. He inherits a quarterback (Joey Harrington), who isn't much of a leader and three former No. 1 receivers who aren't great followers. The offensive line is highly paid and underachieving. The offense has been unproductive for years. He'll also have to overcome the tough transition into the head coaching job. As a former military man, Marinelli can preach discipline, but he also has to make sure his words turn into action and his speeches don't lose the players' attention, which can happen under the best communicators.
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New NFC coaches lack experience

Historically, the NFC is the NFL's senior circuit. But it hasn't acted that way lately.

The conference has lost five of the past six Super Bowls to AFC teams. Eight of the league's top-10 rated quarterbacks from last season were in the AFC. The NFC still has the bigger television markets, but it has taken a junior position as the seasons progress.

Which brings us to a strange quirk in the mad scramble for head coaches this offseason. Ten of the NFL's 32 teams made changes, five in each conference. The trend between the two conferences was strikingly different. The AFC continues to go "retro," leaning toward experienced head coaches. Though Eric Mangini of the Jets and Gary Kubiak of the Texans are first-time head coaches, Art Shell returned to the Raiders for a second go-around, Dick Jauron got his second head coaching chance with the Buffalo Bills and Herman Edwards was essentially traded from the Jets to the Chiefs despite three playoff seasons in five years in New York.

The NFC became the conference for first-time coaches. Scott Linehan (St. Louis), Rod Marinelli (Detroit), Mike McCarthy (Green Bay), Sean Payton (New Orleans) and Brad Childress (Minnesota) are all rookie head coaches. It's interesting, because the second-time-around trend has worked well for the AFC teams. Tony Dungy (Colts), Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Mike Shanahan (Broncos) are all with their second teams and have built perennial playoff teams. Plus, the entire NFC East has turned around with established second-time coaches: Joe Gibbs (Redskins), Bill Parcells (Cowboys) and Tom Coughlin (Giants).

"I think a lot of it is coincidence, I think it's a cycle," Payton said. "A few years back, there were three, four or five coaches who were hired again, guys like Joe Gibbs or Bill Parcells who have been veteran coaches hired for a second or third go-around. It's hard to put a handle on it."

Coincidence or not, the NFC seems to be seeking a new identity.

It goes beyond the economics of only having to pay a first-time coach $2 million a year or less. NFC teams are trying to find new ways to catch up to AFC teams. Although there was a nine-game improvement by the NFC in head-to-head matchups with AFC teams last season (from 20-44 in 2004 to 29-35 in 2005), the AFC holds an edge in big games because it has the best quarterbacks.

By no accident, the NFC teams that were searching for new coaches leaned heavily toward offense when they made their picks. Four of the five new NFC coaches were offensive coordinators. The only one who wasn't an offensive coordinator was Marinelli. Matt Millen twice tried to go with offensive-minded coaches (Marty Mornhinweg and Steve Mariucci) and failed both times. This time he wanted discipline, and even though Marinelli was a defensive line coach, not a coordinator, Millen felt he was a good fit.

Of course, it didn't hurt that Marinelli ended up with Mike Martz, one of the NFL's best offensive minds, as his offensive coordinator. Despite the transition in quarterbacking from Joey Harrington to Jon Kitna, Marinelli expects his offense will be ready to surprise people.

"We're going to explode," Marinelli said. "That's one thing I'm really excited about Mike [Martz]. I was in [the personnel office] one day and I could see the talent we had on offense, the young receivers. Seeing them, I had to get the best guy in football. I said I wanted to get these guys excited. I want to be daring."

Coaches in the NFC probably need to be daring because of the evolution of the defenses. The AFC is evolving into a conference of tough, run-stopping 3-4 defenses because of the success of Belichick and the Steelers' Bill Cowher. The NFC is a zone conference. Most teams have copied the success of the Buccaneers' Cover 2 zone defense, where the defense sits back and waits for the opposing offense to make mistakes.

To beat the Cover 2, offenses have to be aggressive.

"In our division, the NFC North, everybody is playing it," Childress said. "We brought in Mike Tomlin from Tampa Bay for our defense. Lovie Smith in Chicago comes from Tampa Bay. Rod Marinelli comes from the Cover 2 in Tampa. Green Bay has it. What better way to prepare against those people than play against your own defense every day?"

The original plan for the Rams was to hire a defensive coach. Ron Rivera of the Bears and Jim Haslett of the Saints were two of the favorites. But the search expanded and Linehan won over Rams management.

"I think the NFC probably is making a statement in going a different way," Linehan said. "When you hire a first-time coach, you think you are getting a pretty good idea of what you are getting, but the proof will come out over time. Maybe the NFC isn't as worried by going for first-time coaches. Maybe it's a little by chance, but the NFC is trying to change the face of the teams a little bit. The Rams were going to hire defensive, but they didn't."

The Packers picked McCarthy over defensive coordinator Jim Bates because general manager Ted Thompson was looking for a fresh approach after a horrible 4-12 season. McCarthy fit a lot of areas. He was an offensive coach who could maintain the West Coast offense, possibly convincing Brett Favre to return for another season. McCarthy had been with the Packers as a quarterbacks coach and was a good teacher. Thompson felt he fit.

"I think a lot of times in our business things happen in bunches," McCarthy said. "I don't think there is a reason five NFC coaches are first-time head coaches. I think at one time all the defensive coaches were getting the jobs. I think it's a trend. I think this business is big on fits. From an organizational standpoint, I think the guy has to fit with the people around him."

McCarthy could know by Saturday whether Favre is coming back or not. Though Favre is leaning toward returning, he hasn't made any announcement about his future. Though McCarthy is optimistic Favre will return, he wants to make sure the veteran quarterback is back so he could take more time to develop Aaron Rodgers as his replacement.

Of course, the key to the ultimate success will be how these five new coaches do in developing better quarterback play. Linehan has the least challenging task. Marc Bulger is established as one of the NFL's most accurate passers and is efficient running the Rams' offense. Linehan doesn't plan to screw that up. Other than cutting down the massive Rams' playbook, Linehan plans to install some of the no-huddle that worked with Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota and Gus Frerotte in Miami.

Payton is banking on Drew Brees coming off shoulder surgery to be his franchise quarterback. If Brees is healthy he should be an upgrade for the Saints.

Childress is gambling that Brad Johnson can take over as the full-time starter for Culpepper. Marinelli has the toughest task, breaking in two new quarterbacks: Kitna and Josh McCown.

"The owners are looking to go a different direction," Childress said. "I guess history will tell how it works."
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