How Anthony Campanile Has Jaguars Defense Playoff Ready

Anthony Campanile deserves his flowers

Anthony Campanile has been just as good a hire for the Jacksonville Jaguars as James Gladstone, Tony Boselli, Grant Udinski, and even Liam Coen himself. In one year, he turned a defense that ranked in the bottom four in both average yards and points allowed last season into a unit that's giving up the 11th-fewest yards and 10th-fewest points per game.

Sure, the Jaguars aren't forcing turnovers at the pace they were to begin the season, but that start was no fluke. It's a product of Campanile's aggressive scheme designed to create chaos and put playmakers into position to capitalize on mistakes from the opposition. With just four games left, Jacksonville is tied for second in takeaways with 23. Recent trade acquisition Greg Newsome II spoke on what stands out about his new defensive coordinator:

"Yeah, I think he does a great job of putting guys in positions for them to be successful. Every guy has a unique talent. Every guy does things well, some more well than others, and I think he does a great job at putting us in positions to succeed. Since I've been here, obviously, just learning the system, obviously, I'm coming from a press, man-all-the-time defense to now playing a little bit more different things, but I think he's done a great job of adjusting and allowing me to get up there and challenge a little bit more. So, I think Camp is a hell of a coach, and I really enjoy playing for him.”

Like Coen, Campanile has shown a knack for getting the most out of the talent available to him, coaxing career years out of players like Jarrian Jones, Devin Lloyd, and Josh Hines-Allen. There's no telling what heights this defense can reach the more time he has with them.