There is no denying the impact on the coaching world that Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells have had. The hard evidence is apparent again as the NFL playoffs begin.All 12 of the coaches have some sort of tie-in to either three-time Super Bowl champion Walsh or two-time winner Parcells. Yes Maxx Crosby Jersey , all 12.Some are direct: New England’s Bill Belichick, New Orleans’ Sean Payton and the Chargers’Anthony Lynn were assistants under Parcells.Other affiliations on the coaching tree go out on a bit of a limb. The Colts’ Frank Reich worked for Doug Pederson, who coached under Andy Reid, who worked for Mike Holmgren, who was a Walsh protege.It all gets a bit complicated, but as Bob Glauber, the NFL columnist at Newsday points out, all the connections are legitimate.Indeed, Glauber’s recent book, “Guts And Genius,” is all about not only Walsh and Parcells, but Washington’s Joe Gibbs. The subtitle of the book tells it all: The story of three unlikely coaches who came to dominate the NFL in the ’80s.“As I was researching the book, I discovered how those two coaches really concentrated on helping other coaches,” says Glauber Hakeem Butler Jersey , the current president of the Pro Football Writers of America. “Parcells learned from his high school basketball coach, Mickey Corcoran, that he had to give back and help other coaches, and he always lived by that rule.“Walsh was so upset he was passed over as Bengals head coach by Paul Brown (in 1976) that he promised himself that if he ever did get a head coaching job, he would make it a point to help develop other coaches. He started what I think is the most productive coaching tree in pro sports history, not just in the NFL.”Consider that such Walsh disciples as George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and Pederson have won Super Bowls.“He knew how to train coaches and he concentrated on it and it meant a lot to him to see them become successful coaches,” Glauber says.“It is not coincidental that for Walsh and Parcells, their lifeblood runs through these playoffs this year.And previous ones.Glauber points out that since 1981, 30 of the 37 Super Bowls have been won by a coach with ties to either of Walsh or Parcells. After the big game in Atlanta, 18 of the last 19 champions will have some affiliation with those two Bills.Here’s the breakdown on the other head coaches in this year’s playoffs, which begin this weekend with the wild-card round.Seattle’s Pete Carroll: coached with 49ers under George Seifert, who was Walsh’s defensive guru and Walsh’s replacement as head coach in San FranciscoDallas’ Jason Garrett: worked for Nick Saban Chris Lindstrom Jersey , who coached under Belichick.Baltimore’s John Harbaugh: was special teams coach under Reid.Los Angeles Rams‘ Sean McVay: was on Shanahan’s staff.Chicago’s Matt Nagy: served as offensive coordinator for Reid.Houston’s Bill O’Brien: worked for Belichick.Philadelphia’s Pederson: was assistant coach under Reid.Interestingly, while Walsh was the master of the West Coast offense, some of his disciples have a defensive bent (Carroll, Harbaugh). And several of defensive mastermind Parcells’ guys — Payton, Belichick — win with offense. Of course, Payton has Drew Brees and Belichick has Tom Brady. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Defense looked to be a rising strength for the Atlanta Falcons in their 2016 Super Bowl season and especially in their return to the playoffs in 2017.A wave of devastating injuries that began with the opening game of 2018 crushed that momentum.Now that the injured players are healing, linebacker Deion Jones said the Falcons’ defense has to prove itself again.“That chip is on our shoulders and we can’t wait to get back” and show everyone, Jones said Wednesday after the second day of the mandatory three-day minicamp.Jones was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken right foot in the Falcons’ loss to Philadelphia to open the 2018 season. Another key starter, safety Keanu Neal, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the same game. The Falcons’ other starting safety, Ricardo Allen, also was lost for the season before the first month was over.Jones returned for the final five games , but it was too late to save the depleted Falcons from a 7-9 finish.The Falcons are being cautious with some key players in the offseason. Jones and Allen have been observers in the minicamp but are expected to be cleared for next month’s training camp. Of the defensive starters returning from injuries http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/kaleb-mcgary-jersey , only Neal has participated in the minicamp, and coaches have limited his snaps.Jones’ path to full health has been unusual. He had surgery following the injury before making his return late last season and then moving back into a rehab schedule.“I’m feeling real good,” Jones said. “I just can’t wait to get back out there with my boys and run around.”Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett also has been an observer in the minicamp after he skipped organized team activities (OTAs).Coach Dan Quinn has taken over the defense this season. He is looking forward to having the full unit healthy for the first time in almost a year.“I think we’ve had really good practices, the nine OTAs and into the minicamp and I would imagine it would get that much better,” Quinn said. “Already some really good practices that will be even better adding Grady and Deion and Ricardo and Keanu back into it in a full-time swing.”Perhaps no player is more important to Atlanta’s hopes of a defensive resurgence than Jones, the signal-caller for the unit whose speed provides big-play potential. He tied for fourth in the league with 138 tackles in 2017.At 6-foot-1, 222 pounds, Jones ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at his pro day at LSU in 2016. It was good news for Jones and the Falcons when he returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown in a win over Arizona after returning late last season.“Still working on it,” said Jones of his rehab. “But yeah, for sure, the speed is still there.”NOTES: Quinn said CBs Jayson Stanley and Rashard Causey, rookie OT Kaleb McGary and RB Ito Smith were players who stood out in the practice. “I’ve been pleased with the attitude and the intensity and the learning that is taking place,” Quinn said. … Quinn said WR Russell Gage has been an offseason surprise. Gage’s value is boosted by his ability to play multiple spots and his role on special teams.