Remember how earlier today, I posted about how the Ravens might have some changes on the coaching staff because of Hue Jackson picking through the coaches?
Something happened that came completely out of left field, and it didn’t involve Jackson at all.
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has left the Ravens, and is the new DC at the University of Michigan under Brady Hoke. This happened really quickly, and it seemed like as soon as the rumor began, it was finalized and set in stone.
Mattison’s replacement is defensive backs coach Chuck Pagano. Pagano was last a coordinator in 2007 with UNC under Butch Davis. His D finished 35th in the nation that year. The Ravens defensive backs that Pagano coached this season apparently love him and are really happy with the move.
If you look at the performance of the Ravens d-backs, it’s a mixed bag. Fabian Washington was bad, Chris Carr was adequate, and Josh Wilson and Lardarius Webb were pretty good. The safeties were great, with Ed Reed being an absolute nightmare for opposing QBs after missing the first six games of the season.
The Ravens lose a lot with Mattison, but I think Pagano will do just fine. Or at least, I hope he’ll do just fine. He becomes the fifth defensive coordinator in Ravens team history. Three of the four that preceded him are current or former NFL coaches (Mike Nolan, Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan). I’d wager that the team knows what they’re doing with Pagano.
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