Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday was a busy day in Valley Ranch as Monte Kiffin, and the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement with a defensive backs coach.
That coach is none other than Jerome Henderson, who also served as the Cowboys’ defensive backs coach under Rob Ryan. The Cowboys value Henderson, and rightfully so – he has helped a few of the game’s best cornerbacks flourish.
During his two-year tenure with the New York Jets, he was instrumental in the development of Darrelle Revis. During his time with the Cleveland Browns, he helped develop the pair of T.J. Ward and rising star Joe Haden. So, the fact that the Cowboys want him around to develop Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne is not a coincidence.
The retention of Henderson should put to sleep any rumors that the Cowboys were, or are, actively seeking the services of former Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator Ray Horton. If you recall, Horton was my choice for replacing Ryan and had been previously pursued by Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
According to some reports, the Cowboys may also be interested in reuniting Rod Marinelli and Kiffin once again. Marinelli and former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith were Kiffin’s defensive line and linebackers coaches, respectively, in Tampa Bay. During his time in Tampa Bay, Marinelli was crucial to the success of that defensive, and to the development of Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp.
In 2012, while in Chicago, Marinelli helped developed Corey Wootton who turned in seven sacks, Israel Idonije who turned in seven and a-half sacks, Henry Melton who turned in six sacks, and a guy named Julius Peppers who turned in 11 and a-half sacks.
Given his success in developing defensive linemen for the Tampa Cover 2 defense, the Cowboys should be doing everything and anything possible to reunite Marinelli with his one-time mentor, in Kiffin.
Jesus Flores is a Dallas Cowboys writer for www.RantSports.com Follow him on Twitter @SSgtFlo1
