If and when the Ravens’ Eric DeCosta calls Sean Payton on Vance Joseph — or Giants GM Joe Schoen, or Raiders GM John Spytek, or one of six organizations pursuing the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for a head-coaching gig — Payton will tell them of a man who has a presence, now.
He will tell them that they’re looking for a leader, and that the 53-year-old Joseph has a command. A gravitas, important in this age, earned with time. Many in this business don’t get it right on the first go-around, and Joseph certainly didn’t in his two-year run in 2017 and ’18; instead, he built this runway back to a head coach job by returning to the scene of his failure and crafting one of the best defenses in the NFL.