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Dean Pees hired by Titans, retirement did not last long

By Chris Schisler

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Bolden #38 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Bolden #38 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Dean Pees is officially the new defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

The retirement of Dean Pees was possibly the shortest retirement we have seen. After his defense allowed Andy Dalton and company to score a season finale winning touchdown (on a 4th & 12) Pees retired. When the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel, called Pees accepted the job.

It has to make you wonder if Pees was on his way out in Baltimore. Maybe retirement was the nicest way to let a very nice person leave. It’s not a crazy theory. Pees saw his defense give up numerous game ending drives over the years. Don “Wink” Martindale is replacing Pees and evidently he’s supposed to be more aggressive.

I know I got tired of a three-man rush and a soft cover 3 when the game was on the line. That is ultimately the legacy of Pees. Its Antonio Brown ruining Christmas, it’s 4th & 12 being the end of the season. The Bengals knew what was coming and that’s why they called that play. They knew to attack the seams and it worked.

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Let me make it clear the Titans are not getting a bum. They’re getting a defensive coordinator who has had some good defenses. A Pees coached defense doesn’t give up a ton of points and holds teams to field goals in most red zone situations.

The Bottom Line:

Pees is far from the worst defensive coordinator in the NFL but the Ravens could certainly improve in his absence. Pees understands run defense. His focus is keeping things in front of him. It never was something that the Ravens Flock got used to. It was vanilla and the Ravens were used to the organized chaos of guys like Rex Ryan, Mike Nolan and Chuck Pagano. Pees is experienced, and the wisdom he has picked up along the way is very valued.

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Something about this story does not feel right. Just like that, Pees is back into a defensive coordinator position. The Titans defense will improve under Pees provided they give him the talent to succeed. At some point, they’ll have the same frustrations that were so built up in Baltimore.

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