Quote:I don't get why this is such an uninspiring hire.

 

He was defensive coordinator over the most dominant defenses in team history.

 

He went to Atlanta and became the best coach in terms of W-L-T record in team history.  I could see if he absolutely bombed in Atlanta.  But he didn't.

 

Unless you want an offensive coach to help ensure Bortles' development, I don't get the complete aversion to Smith.

 

Agreed. He had five straight winning seasons when he arrived in ATL. He had two bad seasons back-to-back that I still think were hindered by key injuries on both sides of the football. 

 

The key will be who he hires as an OC for his staff though. He had Mularkey there for those five years and now he's an HC for the tacks. And his last two losing seasons there he had Koetter as his OC who is now coaching the Bucs. 

 

So Mike's at least in part responsible for getting some of these guys back up into the HC circle. 

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