After firing head coach Mike Smith early on Monday, the Atlanta Falcons' search for a new head coach has already started. According to NFL.Com analyst Ian Rapoport, they have already asked for permission to discuss the vacancy with Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. Rapoport has also reported that the Falcons have asked for permission to speak with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, but they appear to be long shots. Quinn and Gase appear to be on the top of the Falcons' list.
Gase is only 36 years of age and is considered one of the brightest young coaching talents in football today. He has been with the Broncos two years now as an offensive coordinator. In his first year running the offense in Denver, they scored an NFL record 606 points. This year, especially in more recent weeks they have introduced a more power running style of game, and still ranked second in points scored with 481, averaging 30.1 points per game.
This isn’t the first time Gase has been approached for a head coach capacity, having been approached by the Cleveland Browns last season, only to reject them because the Broncos were in the middle of a serious playoff run. He would suit the Falcons current offense with their pocket passing franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan who has a similar style of play to Peyton Manning. Not only that but the receiving options of White, Jones and Douglas is exactly what Gase would thrive off much like he did with the Broncos, having multiple receivers running a variety of routes to stretch defenses. Plus to some degree the Falcons receiving core contrasts well with the Broncos receiving core. Thomas and Jones both being strong and fast receivers capable of the deep route, Welker and White both being expert route runners and Douglas compared to Saunders for their mix of athletic ability and reliable hands. It is a potential offensive dream for Adam Gase. However, it must be argued that is he truly an offensive scheming genius? Or does the unreal talents of Peyton Manning make him appear so much better than he really is, especially with Manning calling a large number of plays himself.
Quinn, on the other hand, is a defensive line specialist who is currently the coordinator of the seemingly unstoppable Seattle Seahawks' defense. He took over the defensive coordinator position in 2013, after Gus Bradley was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his first season as defensive coordinator the Seattle defense led the league in points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways. The first defensive unit since the 1985 Bears to do so.
Quinn is one of the hottest names on the coaching circuit, and is expected to land a head job somewhere very soon. He could the ideal man for the Falcons, their offense is good enough to compete with most teams, but their defense is a shambles. The only positives to their defense is the two very talented and young cornerbacks in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, and the strong side line-backer Paul Worrilow who has made over 111 tackles in two seasons.
Quinn would be the perfect coach to help fix the front seven of the Falcons, so they can finally stop the run, something they’ve struggled with for several seasons. Quinn has also shown the ability to turn late defensive draft picks into top players within just a couple of seasons, case point Richard Sherman who is arguably the best cornerback in the league by some distance. He was not drafted until the 5th round in 2011, yet has become such an unstoppable defensive player recording 24 interceptions and 64 passes defended. Sherman is just one example of many under-looked players who Quinn has helped develop quickly.
Both Gase and Quinn appear to be great for the Falcons' head coaching job for different reasons. In this writer's opinion, Quinn would be the better fit, as the Falcons desperately need help on the defensive side of the ball.