Yesterday we unveiled the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic football team's offensive starters. Some interesting choices indeed. Today we unveil the defensive starters and coaches. Let's assume they will play a base 3-4 defense.
Defensive Line
DE - JaDeveon Clowney (University of South Carolina)
DT - Ndamukong Suh (Detroit Lions)
DT - BJ Raji (Green Bay Packers)
DE - Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings)
OK, first off lets clarify a couple of things. We will assume Jason Pierre-Paul is going to play for whatever African nation he's actually from and Haloti Ngata with whatever small island in the pacific he's from.
Whatever team is lucky enough to draft JaDeveon Clowney in the 2014 draft is going to be quite happy. This kid is an absolute animal, he could've played in the league straight out of high school. He's going to have a Julius Peppers type of career, probably better.
Suh and Raji will be so dominate on the inside pass rush. Could be a little vulnerable to the run game but they could definitely make the adjustment.
Jared Allen is the definition of American hick so he has to be on this team. He would be 34 by 2016 but I believe he could definitely start opposite of Clowney, rather than a guy like Peppers who would be 36.
Linebackers
OLB - Aldon Smith (San Francisco 49ers)
MLB - Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)
OLB - Von Miller (Denver Broncos)
This one was pretty simple. The rookie sensations Smith and Miller will book end the future Hall of Famer Willis.
Again Smith and Miller could be a tad susceptible to the run game, but they will get after the QB on blitzes and the flats will be completely covered with their speed.
Willis will have to shoulder a lot of whats lacking in the run game but he'll be more than ready for that challenge as the QB of the defense.
Secondary
CB - Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals)
SS - Eric Berry (Kansas City Chiefs)
FS - Earl Thomas (Seattle Seahawks)
CB - Tyrann Mathieu (LSU Tigers)
Ok, Jet fans before you freak out. Cornerback is kind of like the running back of defense with it's career expectancy.
Darrelle Revis would be 31 by 2016 and probably still a more than serviceable corner much like Champ Bailey or Charles Woodson is right now. However, by 2016 Peterson and future NFL star Mathieu will be the cream of the cornerback crop much like Revis is right now.
And for the Cowboy fans. Morris Claiborne wasn't even the best corner on his LSU team last year, Mathieu was.
The safeties were a simple choice because Berry and Thomas are young studs while Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed will be near the end of their careers (more likely done) by 2016.
Assuming Berry can recover from his ACL injury last year he should be on track for 2016, while at age 27 Thomas will be entering the prime of his possible Hall of Fame career.
Special Teams
K - Mason Crosby (Green Bay Packers)
P - Steve Weatherford (New York Giants)
Kicker was easy. Crosby has an absolute stone foot and can make any kick from almost anywhere on the field.
Punter was a tad tougher. There are a lot of choices and age doesn't really play a factor with the punter. So you could go a number of ways here. You could take a then 39 year old Shane Lechler, a young guy like Matt Bosher, or seasoned vets Andy Lee/Weatherford.
I went with Weatherford because he has the postseason experience. He was absolutely huge for the Giants, not just during the season, in the playoffs as well.
and finally for the moment you've all been waiting for... Who will be the coaches???
Coaching Staff
Special Teams - Mike Westhoff (New York Jets)
Defensive Coordinator - Rex Ryan (New York Jets)
Offensive Coordinator - Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints)
Head Coach - Tony Dungy
Ok, so I included head coaches as coordinators. Rex would be a perfect guy for the defense because for 2-3 weeks the players would enjoy his brash style.
Payton, bounty scandal or not, is an offensive king. He will absolutely unleash hell with Rodgers and those receivers.
Westhoff kind of lives off his reputation but it's a good rep to have. His brashness will also serve well for the short tourney.
Bill Belichick will be 64 in 2016, he could still conceivably coach this team but I wouldn't count on it. Coughlin will be retired and it would be hard to see one of the Harbaugh's be the HC with people like Ryan, and Payton already on the staff. So that's why I like Dungy here, he would jump at this opportunity and all he really needs to be is the manager.
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