Tag: Dean Pees

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey discusses what Dean Pees brings to team

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey discussed what coach Dean Pees brings to the team

The Baltimore Ravens have seen struggles with their defense over the course of the 2024 season. While the unit has been a top rushing defense, their passing defense ranks at or near the bottom in multiple different categories.

In response to the struggles, Baltimore brought in long-time veteran coach Dean Pees to help with his experience, particularly as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator during their Super Bowl season in 2012-2013. When Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey was asked about Pees, he said that he brings an extra set of eyes and ears, also saying that it’s helped them out in multiple ways.

“[Dean Pees] has just brought an extra set of eyes, an extra set of ears. He’s pulled guys to the side. It’s a real, surreal moment for me. I remember when I was a rookie, Pees pulled me up to the office. He was like, ‘Look at everybody else on the defense and then look at you.’ It wasn’t too good, so it’s been a surreal moment for me, just [seeing] how far I’ve come [and] how I’ve kind of been doing this job for a long time, but I think Pees coming in has been a really good help for us. The knowledge he has there, and then being that Zach [Orr] was already communicating with him throughout the season, it’s been really good [to] just give it a fresh set of eyes on some of the things he’s said. He’s doing this for the love of the game. That’s what I really like, so I think it’s only helped us. I really felt like the past week or so, he’s really kind of started to help out a little bit more.”

While not everything has been solved in regards to the Ravens’ defensive unit, there was promise following their 10-point showing agains the Denver Broncos. Baltimore needs their defense to hit on all cylinders, and hopefully Pees can contribute to that.

Veteran NFL defensive coordinator returning to Ravens as an advisor to Zach Orr

Zach Orr hired Dean Peas as an advisor for Baltimore Ravens defense

Zach Orr is a first-year defensive coordinator who has seen his secondary get shredded in the first five games.

With Baltimore at 3-2 and operating efficiently on offense, Orr has hired a veteran defensive coordinator and former Ravens assistant coach, Dean Pees, to serve as an advisor, according to Jeff Zrebiec.

Pees was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore from 2012 to 2017, and Orr was a star linebacker during that run.

Pees announced his retirement after the 2018 season. He then spent two seasons under Mike Vrabel with the Titans. In 2021, he unretired again to become the Falcons’ defensive coordinator. He retired again in January 2023.

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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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