DL Coach Pepper Johnson Getting Interest?

[PatsFans.com Article]

Ian's Daily Blog - Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald reports that Patriots DL coach Pepper Johnson says his phone has been ringing more and more recently.** Johnson, who heads into a season with Bill*Belichick where the team is technically without an offensive or defensive coordinator,*had some interesting comments in a recent Sirius radio interview regarding the fact he’s [...]

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[BennyBledsoe]

It would have been nice if the Patriots themselves had given him the DC title.

Even if it was just a title.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Why?

You earn the title.

In my opinion, he is competing with Matt Patricia to get the job next year.

And Bill O'Brien would be the OC this year, but things didn't go entirely to plan last year. And with the positives coming out about Chad O'Shea from parts of the media, it wouldn't shock me if O'Shea made a push vs O'Brien for OC.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think when he says recently he means in the last couple of seasons. It can't be ringing with actual job offers while he's under contract here unless it's being routed through Bill's extension. He can't talk to other clubs without permission unless they are offering him a HC gig. Coordinator titles don't count as anything more than assistant coaches according to the rules, making it a lateral move. I think this was a case of Pepper looking to get the word out both to this FO and anyone elses that he's interested in becoming somebody's DC... I don't think Bill will be pushed into doing something based on that interest alone, and I also don't think Bill would stand in his way if someone else actually did call because that has never been his MO with his staffers.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think when he says recently he means in the last couple of seasons. It can't be ringing with actual job offers while he's under contract here unless it's being routed through Bill's extension. He can't talk to other clubs without permission unless they are offering him a HC gig. Coordinator titles don't count as anything more than assistant coaches according to the rules, making it a lateral move. I think this was a case of Pepper looking to get the word out both to this FO and anyone elses that he's interested in becoming somebody's DC... I don't think Bill will be pushed into doing something based on that interest alone, and I also don't think Bill would stand in his way if someone else actually did call because that has never been his MO with his staffers.

Didn't Weis say a while back that he was getting calls from "other teams" during a playoff run? He said something to the effect of representatives who aren't DIRECTLY employed by other teams, but who are doing their bidding (sort of a contracted "employee" I guess you could say), are the ones to make contact with potential head coaches of interest during the season.

 

[larryo]

He was on Sirius NFL this morning but I was unable to listen. Maybe someone heard the interview and could let us know what was said. The guys are great on Sirius NFL and I would love to know how it went down today.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Didn't Weis say a while back that he was getting calls from "other teams" during a playoff run? He said something to the effect of representatives who aren't DIRECTLY employed by other teams, but who are doing their bidding (sort of a contracted "employee" I guess you could say), are the ones to make contact with potential head coaches of interest during the season.

I believe what Charlie said was that he was informed by people who had connections to the Buffalo FO of the level of interest in him I after he initially interviewed. He was told he was the front runner, however if his team continued on in the playoffs they would move on to another candidate because they weren't willing to wait to make their changes. That was in 2003 I believe...we continued on into February... It's different for HC gigs anyway. Teams don't need permission to talk to you although they can still only do so during prescribed periods (until your team is officially done with it's season). Coaches interested in coordinator positions on the other hand are in a different predicament since they cannot be contacted while under contract unless permission is granted by their present team. Coordinator is considered a lateral coaching move despite the increased profile and salary. So if anyone was actually contacting Pepper on behalf of a team to gauge his interest, they would be tampering. Any contact with him would have to go through Bill who could OK it or deny it. Knowing Bill I doubt he would deny permission under normal circumstances (end of season or time between end of season and contract expiration/renewal). If someone were to contact him at some other time he might deny permission simply because it would be too inconvenient for him to facilitate a replacement. Most of this stuff happens in January-February anyway.

 

[DarrylS]

He was on Sirius NFL this morning but I was unable to listen. Maybe someone heard the interview and could let us know what was said. The guys are great on Sirius NFL and I would love to know how it went down today.

Fulfilling your need for love.. on a serious note, would like to see Pepper take the reigns, but is he the best qualified?? Patricia and him are neck and neck. BB likes to take all the pressure and responsibility, protecting his protege's....

Why the Pats have 17 starters on 'D' - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Johnson is known by many for his passion and energy. This discussion highlighted his football intelligence.

For those who enjoy football philosophy, and hearing from hard-working coaches behind the scenes, it was an enjoyable discussion.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i think BB is the best DC to run he's system and IMO pepper would be better off as the DC of some outher team in a year or two so he can make he's own name

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Me. I love the guy. Read his book "Won for All" this off season.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Pepper had a great playing career and I hear lots of positive things about his work with the DL. But does anyone know if he's good with the Xs and Os? My personal guess is that Patricia is the favourite for the DC title, but neither have been a coordinator at this level so it's hard to judge how effective either would be.

And if Patricia does get the gig, I could see Pepper leaving to be DC somewhere else.