Tag: Dean Pees

Falcons working out deal with DBs coach Jerry Gray, per report

The #Falcons are working on a deal with Packers DB coach Jerry Gray to join DC Ryan Nielsen’s staff, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo

The Atlanta Falcons hired Ryan Nielsen as defensive coordinator on Friday and let go of three assistant coaches shortly after. According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Falcons are working out a contract with Packers passing game coordinator Jerry Gray to join Nielsen’s staff.

Gray, 60,  previously worked with head coach Arthur Smith in Washington from 2007-2008, and again with the Tennessee Titans. Gray spent three years as the Titans defensive coordinator (2011-13), before serving six years as the defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings.

Gray took the same position on the Packers coaching staff in 2021, and was promoted to passing game coordinator in 2022.

Green Bay’s defense allowed 197 passing yards per game in 2022. For comparison, Atlanta allowed 231.9 passing yards per contest this season.

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Cordarrelle Patterson likes idea of Falcons hiring Brian Flores

Cordarrelle Patterson is in support of the #Falcons potentially hiring Brian Flores as defensive coordinator

The Falcons have an opening at defensive coordinator following Dean Pees‘ retirement and the team has already requested a handful of interviews in search of a replacement.

Brian Flores, Al Holcomb and Ryan Nielsen are among those Atlanta has shown interest in thus far. Flores, the former Dolphins head coach and current Steelers senior defensive assistant, is the popular choice of the fans, and at least one player.

Running back Cordarrelle Patterson tweeted his support for the Falcons potentially hiring Flores as Pees’ successor on Monday.

Five Falcons interview requests have been reported thus far, however, the team’s request to speak with Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was denied by Denver.

At head coach Arthur Smith’s end-of-the-season press conference, he stated that the team intends to take its time finding the right coach. So don’t expect the Falcons to hire anyone right away.

As for Patterson, he was named to the NFLPA Players’ All-Pro Team as the starting kick returner after setting a new career record for kick return touchdowns in 2022.

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Arthur Smith on finding a new DC: ‘We’re going to take our time’

Falcons coach Arthur Smith on hiring a new defensive coordinator: “We’ve cast a really wide net, we’re going to take our time.”

After two years of serving as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Dean Pees retired from coaching on Monday. The team must now hire someone new to call plays on defense, but head coach Arthur Smith isn’t in a rush to name Pees’ successor.

On Wednesday, Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot held a joint press conference to address a number of offseason topics. Among them was the search for a new defensive coordinator.

“We’ve cast a really wide net, said Smith. “We’re going to take our time.”

There are some interesting names available, including former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz (complete with ties to the Titans), and interior candidates such as Falcons linebackers coach Frank Bush.

Replacing someone as charismatic and experienced as Pees won’t be easy. Smith knows that, and won’t rush into any decision regarding the future of this football team.

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Watch: Falcons DC Dean Pees announces retirement

Watch: #Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees addresses his future with the team

The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up their 2022 campaign with a victory over the Buccaneers, but the big news on Monday morning was defensive coordinator Dean Pees reportedly stepping down from his role with the team.

Pees informed his players that he would not return next season, and is holding a press conference to address his future. Watch Pees speak to the media below, as shared by ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

Pees served two years as the Falcons defensive coordinator under head coach Arthur Smith. Atlanta will officially be the last stop for the 73-year-old, who has spent five full decades coaching football. Pees had another year left on his contract but said he wants to spend more time with his family.

The current favorite to replace him as defensive coordinator is Falcons inside linebackers coach Frank Bush.

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Ex-Titans DC Dean Pees announces retirement from NFL

Ex-Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees is retiring from the NFL after spending the last two seasons with the Falcons.

Former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees is once again retiring from the NFL, leaving his post as the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons.

The team announced the move on Monday morning, which marks the end of the 73-year-old’s incredible coaching career.

On top of being the defensive coordinators in Atlanta and Tennessee, Pees called the defenses of the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. He also coached at the collegiate level.

Pees spent two seasons with the Titans before his initial retirement. He oversaw the 2019 defense that helped lead Tennessee to the AFC Championship Game.

After sitting out all of 2020, Pees returned to the sideline in 2021 to take the defensive coordinator job under Arthur Smith, the former Titans offensive coordinator who went to be the head coach of the Falcons.

“You appreciate all the work and the sacrifice,” Smith said of Pees. “We all get paid to do this and we’re lucky as hell, but there are sacrifices you have to make. Dean’s a guy who has coached at every level and had success. He has impacted a lot of lives and he has impacted the game.”

Under Pees, the Falcons finished with the No. 29 scoring defense in 2021, and then saw a slight improvement to No. 23 in 2022.

We wish Pees, who is a great coach and man, all the best in retirement.

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Falcons DC Dean Pees informs players that he’s retiring

#Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees has informed the players that he is retiring

When Arthur Smith took over as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, the first move he made was convincing veteran defensive coordinator Dean Pees to come out retirement and join his coaching staff.

Pees served two seasons as the team’s defensive play-caller, but the 73-year-old is officially calling it a career. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Pees has informed the players that he will not be returning in 2023.

Pees previously worked with Smith in Tennessee, and said he only came out of retirement to be on Smith’s staff. After an accident in pregame warmups against the Saints, Pees was hospitalized and had to spend the game in the hospital.

Pees returned for the final two games of the season, but it appears his long coaching run is over after five decades. The defensive coach’s tenure in Atlanta was highlighted by his ability to connect with his players.

As for a replacement, look for the Falcons to consider inside linebackers coach Frank Bush, who filled in for Pees when he was injured in pregame warmups.

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Falcons DC Dean Pees taken to hospital after colliding with player

#Falcons DC Dean Pees was taken to the hospital after colliding with a player during pregame warmups

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Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees has been taken to a local hospital in New Orleans after colliding with a player during pregame warmups on Sunday afternoon.

The Falcons released the following statement regarding the incident on their team website:

“Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees was involved in an on-field pregame collision. He was stable, alert and responsive and has been transported to University Medical Center New Orleans for medical testing. Frank Bush will serve as interim defensive play caller for today’s game.”

As said in the statement, Atlanta will look to inside linebackers coach Frank Bush to step in as defensive coordinator while Pees recovers.

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Falcons DC Dean Pees injured in pregame collision with Saints player during warmups

Falcons DC Dean Pees was carted off with a neck injury after a Saints player collided with him during pregame warmups. Here’s hoping he’ll be okay:

This is the last thing you want to see. Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees was injured in a collision with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed during warmups at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday morning. Shaheed lost sight of Pees while fielding punts and ran into him, knocking him down.

It was a tough scene. Pees received attention from team medical staff on the field before having his his neck stabilized on a stretcher and moving to a trainers’ cart. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, owner Arthur Blank, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and coaches from both sidelines hurried over, as did Shaheed.

Pees, 73, is one of the most-respected defensive coaches around the NFL with a resume including stops with the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, and the Falcons. It’s his second year with Atlanta. The Falcons have not announced who will fulfill his duties during this game if he’s unable to return. Hopefully he’s going to be okay. We’ll wish him the best.

Update: The Falcons released a statement saying Pees has been taken to University Medical Center New Orleans for testing and that he is stable, alert, and responsible. Linebackers coach Frank Bush has been named interim defensive play caller in his absence. The Falcons later announced that Pees was treated and released at the hospital and will return to join the team for their flight back to Atlanta.

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Dean Pees must see Isaiah Oliver at full speed before determining role

#Falcons DC Dean Pees said he needs to see Isaiah Oliver play at full speed before determining what his role will be this season.

The Atlanta Falcons appeared to make it through the first four weeks of the season without any major injuries, but then the team placed running back Cordarrelle Patterson on injured reserve Monday.

While Patterson’s loss is a big one for Atlanta, the team got some good injury news on Wednesday. Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season, was back at practice and has been designated to return.

Oliver has a 21-day practice window in which he can be activated by the Falcons. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said he wants to see Oliver play at full speed before determining what the former second-round pick’s role will be this season, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

Oliver entered the league in 2018 but had little success over his first three seasons under former head coach Dan Quinn.

When Pees took over the defense in 2021, Oliver flourished as the team’s starting nickel corner until tearing his ACL in Week 4.  The Falcons were encouraged by what they saw, and brought Oliver back on a one-year deal in 2022.

It will be interesting to see if or when Oliver reclaims his job. Thus far, Atlanta has had some success with Dee Alford and Mike Ford playing in the slot.

Buccaneers WR Russell Gage will see his former team on Sunday when Atlanta travels to Tampa Bay. Gage talked about going up against Pees in Week 5, saying he expects the Falcons to mix up coverages, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Falcons could be without a key offensive player on Sunday as tight end Kyle Pitts doesn’t appear to be at practice for a second consecutive day.

The team listed Pitts out with a hamstring injury on Wednesday, and according to multiple Falcons beat reporters, Pitts is nowhere to be seen thus far at Thursday’s practice.

Make sure to check our Week 5 injury report for Pitts’ official Thursday status.

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Falcons’ Dean Pees: ‘I don’t know why’ Titans let Rashaan Evans walk

Falcons DC Dean Pees isn’t sure why the Titans let Rashaan Evans walk, but he’s happy they did.

When the Tennessee Titans declined to pick up the fifth-year option of their 2018 first-round pick, Rashaan Evans, the writing was on the wall that he wasn’t long for Nashville.

The decision came after two very different seasons for Evans. In 2019, he looked to be on the rise as one of the better young linebackers in the NFL. However, Evans was very disappointing in 2020 and took a step back.

In a make-or-break year in 2021, not only did Evans not perform, he was also surpassed on the depth chart, as both he and his former starting mate, Jayon Brown, lost their roles to David Long and Zach Cunningham.

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who oversaw Tennessee’s defense in 2019 when Evans was on the come up, was surprised the Titans allowed Evans to leave in free agency, but is glad they did.

“I don’t know why Tennessee let [Evans] go and quite frankly I don’t care, but I’m glad they did,” Pees said, via Maria Martin of 11AliveNews.

Some might take this as a shot at the Titans, but what did you expect Pees to say? That Evans was a first-round bust who didn’t deserve to remain in the two-tone blue?

Nevertheless, we would point Pees to the second and third paragraphs of this article for an explanation.

Pees saw a very different version of Evans in 2019 than the one we saw in the year after he “retired” from coaching. Perhaps a reunion with Pees is exactly what Evans needs to reignite his career.

Whatever the case may be, whether it’s because of his lackluster play and/or the Titans having better options, Tennessee was fully justified in not keeping Evans around for the long haul.

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