What Chuck Pagano's Departure Means for Baltimore Ravens' Future

Six days ago, Chuck Pagano left the Ravens to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. It was something that was bound to happen.

Since 2003, when Marvin Lewis left the Ravens and became the Bengals' head coach, a total of seven Ravens defensive coaches have gone on to become head coaches in the NFL.

Pagano was well-liked by his players, especially free safety Ed Reed, whom Pagano coached in college at Miami.

But the Ravens are a seasoned group. They know the NFL is a business, and although they like Pagano, they are happy to have Dean Pees as their new defensive coordinator.

Not only that, but history has shown this group of Ravens players have experience performing well despite constant turnover of defensive coordinators.

Since 2008, the Ravens have had three different defensive coordinators. Only once in those four years was the Ravens' total defense ranked outside the top three in the league (tenth in 2010).

So, while Pagano produced very good results during his time with Baltimore, Pees has proven to be just as good of a defensive coordinator.

While the defensive coordinator in New England, Pees led the Patriots defense to overall rankings of sixth, fourth, tenth and 11th from 2006 to 2009.

In 2008, the year the Patriots lost Tom Brady for the season in the first quarter of Week 1, Pees did an incredible job. He had to use 22 different defensive starters that season.

Furthermore, although Pagano has more NFL experience (11 years) than Pees (seven years), Pees has more overall coaching experience (38 years) than Pagano (27 years).

Assisting Pees will be defensive line coach Clarence Brooks and outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino. Brooks was rumored to have also been considered for the defensive coordinator position, as he's been the main influence behind All-Pro defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.

Other than tight ends coach Wade Harman, Brooks is the longest-tenured Ravens coach (since 2005).

Like Pagano taught Reed and as Brooks taught Ngata, Monachino has taught All-Pro outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. Monachino helped Suggs (14.0 sacks) lead a Ravens pass rush that ranked third in the league in 2011 (48 sacks).

Monachino's history with Suggs goes back further, though, as he coached Suggs at Arizona State. In 2002, Suggs recorded 24.0 sacks and 31.5 tackles for losses under the tutelage of Monachino.

Between Pees, Brooks and Monachino, they have a combined 94 years of coaching experience. In other words, there are many contingency plans in place for the Ravens in case they continue to lose defensive coordinators to the head coaching ranks.

As good as their defensive coaching and personnel is, the Ravens are where they are due in large part to Ozzie Newsome.

Even if Pees, Lewis and Reed leave the Ravens after 2012, as long as the Ravens retain Newsome, they'll be in excellent shape.

Since the Ravens came into the league in 1996, Newsome has directed the staff that has drafted 13 players who were eventually named to the first or second All-Pro team.

No other team has drafted more All-Pro players in that 16-year span. In fact, the league average for the number of All-Pro players drafted since 1996 is just under six (5.875).

Put differently, the Ravens have drafted more All-Pro players since 1996 than Cleveland, Detroit, Miami and New Orleans combined.

Yes, losing Pagano to the Colts may result in him convincing current Ravens free agents or coaches to come with him. Although that's common for new head coaches, it's still to be determined who, if anyone, Pagano will bring with him to Indianapolis.

But by promoting Pees to defensive coordinator, the Ravens will not miss a beat.

Besides, as long as the Ravens' core infrastructure remains intact (Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, Newsome and John Harbaugh), Baltimore fans will have nothing to worry about.