Did He Just Decide to Move On?

Dean Pees will be leaving the Pats after six seasons with the team, four as defensive coordinator. His contract expires at the end of January. He has indicated that he wanted to move on to a new challenge.

Is he being forced out because of the problems faced on the defensive side of the ball this season? Is he losing his job because of the retirements of Tedi Bruschi and Rodney Harrison and the trading of Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour? Is it because he is coaching a young defense with a lack of leaders? Was it that bad that they needed to sign 40 year old linebacker Junior Seau?

These are difficult questions to answer. As with anything with the Pats, the truth may never come out. It's always a good idea to leave on good terms and not burn your bridges on the way out the door. Pees indicated that he did not wish to renew his contract.

The fact is that Pees suffered from number of physical ailments this year including surgery for prostate cancer and later a resulting blood clot in his leg. He also was stricken during the Houston game with chest pains that were later diagnosed as bronchial asthma.

By leaving now, he is giving the Pats plenty of time to find a replacement before the annual shuffling of coaches around the league. This puts Pepper Johnson, the defensive line coach, in a prime position to assume the role of coordinator.

The Pats need to act quickly as Johnson has been contacted by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants for the defensive coordinator position with their team.