The Atlanta Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake last weekend, canning the first-time NFL coordinator after the team’s defensive collapse played a major role in their missed opportunity to make the playoffs and embarrassing loss to the Panthers to ensure another losing record.
Raheem Morris was expected to look for a more experienced candidate and go with one he was familiar with, which instantly made interim Jets head coach (and former Falcons interim defensive coordinator) Jeff Ulbrich and longtime NFL defensive coordinator and summer practice visitor Steve Wilks obvious favorites. As expected, the team has interviewed both candidates, but they’ve cast a wider net that includes coaches Morris hasn’t worked directly with (Wink Martindale, Lou Anarumo) and less experienced options that we didn’t expect (Derrick Ansley, Grady Brown).