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Coyer quietly gets the job done

Posted Feb 3, 2010 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Feb 3, 2010 at 02:14 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—Larry Coyer is one of the good guys.

In his two years on Jon Gruden’s staff in Tampa, Coyer never tried to promote himself at the expense of the Bucs. He always deferred credit to Gruden as the 2007 club closed in on an NFC South title as Coyer did a nice job coaching up the defensive line.

A year later, Coyer’s role with the Bucs changed as Gruden switched him to quality control on both sides of the ball. Coyer couldn’t have been happy with the move, but he kept smoking that trademark pipe and never complained.

The Colts were smart enough to hire Coyer as defensive coordinator in 2009 and he has a game plan in place to handle Drew Brees of the Saints, the NFL’s top-rated passer. Under Coyer, Indy has veered away from some of the traditional Tampa 2 principles the defense has utilized during Tony Dungy’s seven seasons on the sidelines.

Dungy’s successor, Jim Caldwell, has given Coyer the freedom to implement a more aggressive scheme featuring more blitzing and man coverage.

The results have been impressive as Coyer’s unit overcame the loss of perennial Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders. Even if Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney (ankle) is unable to play in Sunday’s Super Bowl, look for Indy’s ultra-quick defense to keep the league’s No. 1 attack in check.

If the Colts earn their second Super Bowl trophy in four years, look for Coyer to be enjoying a quiet moment amid the post-game bedlam. That black pipe will be working overtime as one of the NFL’s better assistant coaches soaks it all in with a bemused expression.