NFL: The Best and Worst Coordinators of 2008

Dick LeBeau, Defensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers

This guy can do it with anyone.  Year-in and year-out, it seems like the Steeler organization lets a piece or two of LeBeau’s defense go to another team. Yet, LeBeau puts it all back together at a high level every time.

Working with almost all homegrown Steeler talent, LeBeau does a masterful job of coaching his defensive players on how to do their individual jobs within his defensive scheme so that they function as a well-oiled machine.

LeBeau has made superstars out of many players in this league and the latest batch includes James Harrison and Troy Polamalu.  LeBeau typically likes to draft defensive players, have them study the game for a few years under him while playing sparingly, and then, when LeBeau feels the time is right for the player, he moves them into his defense permanently as a starter. 

And, typically, LeBeau creates another superstar.

LeBeau is amazing and I hope that he remains a coordinator forever, ala Monte Kiffin, because his defenses are a thing of beauty to watch when they’re clicking.

Doug Marrone, Offensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints

Their running game is no longer very good since McAllister lost a step.  However, what Doug Marrone is doing with the offensive passing attack is keeping the Saints competitive.

With no one to run the ball, no wide receivers that anyone has ever heard of before they went to New Orleans, and an offensive-line full of no-name lunch pail guys, Marrone has created a passing attack that takes advantage of Drew Brees’ abilities to read coverages and spread the ball around.

Ten different New Orleans Saints already have double digit catches on the season, which is best in the NFL.  The difference between what Marrone must do in New Orleans versus other pass-happy teams like, say, Arizona? 

In Arizona, they possibly have the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to call plays to be thrown to their receivers.  Marrone is coming up with game-plans and play-calling that allows Brees to use his skills and find the open man.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?