Gregg Williams Hire Not a Head-scratcher

There was lots of speculation about the Jacksonville Jaguars' hiring of Gregg Williams.  Most of all, some people just didn't understand it.

But why?  It makes perfect sense.

While Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio specializes in defense, he's shown that he's not afraid to delegate responsibility.  After Mike Smith left to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Del Rio moved quickly to secure Williams' services.

The decision demonstrates that Del Rio is plenty comfortable with his current situation, something of a rarity in the NFL.  He has no job security issues, which is why he's willing to hire a former NFL head coach—and one who nearly took over the Washington Redskins after Joe Gibbs' sudden retirement, at that.

As for Williams, the job makes sense, too.  He was guaranteed $2 million for next season, so he might as well find some work and make Redskins owner Daniel Snyder pay the difference.  

But more importantly, he likes what he sees in the Jaguars—this is most definitely not a rebuilding job, but a fine-tuning one.  Besides, a great year or two with the Jaguars and then another head coaching job will be out there for him.

Williams will have much more autonomy to call defensive plays, more than Smith did.  While Smith was liked by the players, he wasn't necessarily all that respected.  In fact, several current and former Jaguars wondered aloud how Smith managed to get the Atlanta head coaching job.

That won't be the case with Williams.

He will be universally respected, if not liked.  He has a beefy resume and a reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.  

Williams helped the Tennessee Titans reach the Super Bowl after the 1998 season.  He was the head coach at Buffalo for three years, and for the past four seasons he had just about complete control running the Redskins' defense.

While under Smith (and also Del Rio), the Jaguars played a much more conservative defensive scheme; that'll change under Williams.  Known as one of the most aggressive play callers in the NFL, Williams will dial up blitz upon blitz and put opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks under extreme duress.

That's a big deal for Jacksonville.  The Jaguars feel they're pretty close to dethroning the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.  And beating the Colts will require putting Peyton Manning on his back with increasing frequency.

So Del Rio went after, and got, Williams.  It's a win-win proposition.  Especially because somebody else is paying part of the bill...what's not to like?