Fansided

5 replacements for Rex Ryan with Buffalo Bills

By John Buhler

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan reacts during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan reacts during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Smith. 1. player. 48. . Defensive Coordinator. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best reach candidate the Bills need to strive for is Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Whomever hires Smith as its head football coach in 2017 probably wins the NFL coaching carousel.

Smith spent seven years as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons (2008-14). He guided Atlanta to the NFC Playoffs four times and saw his 2012 Falcons team reach the NFC Championship. Smith took a year off from coaching before joining Dirk Koetter’s staff in Tampa Bay this season.

It took a little while, but Smith has the Buccaneers playing at a ridiculously high level defensively. Keep in mind that he comes from the Brian Billick coaching tree in Baltimore, who happens to be his brother-in-law. Smith was an elite defensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars before arriving in Atlanta.

Buffalo will have to claw tooth and nail to not let Smith go to Jacksonville. Smith is not just a great defensive schemer, he is an elite players’ coach and locker room motivator. What makes him the best coaching candidate nobody is talking about is that he usually aligns himself with great offensive coaches. In Atlanta, Bill Musgrave, Mike Mularkey, Terry Robiskie, and Koetter all served under him.

Next: Best QB/Head Coach Combos in NFL History

If the Bills land Smith, then they have a chance to orchestrate a deep playoff run in the AFC. The problem is that Smith may choose a better job over Buffalo this offseason. Buffalo would be third for Smith behind Jacksonville and Los Angeles, in all honesty.

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