An In-Depth Look At The Three New Denver Broncos’ Coaches

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen went in crazy mode this offseason. He fired head coach Mike Shanahan, and hired former New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace the two-time Super Bowl winner.

With Shanahan gone, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik was asked to find another place to coach. Slowik would be replaced by former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan.

And last but not least, Rick Dennison, the former offensive coordinator, was demoted to the Broncos’ offensive line coach. Mike McCoy was hired in Dennison’s place.

So now we know how they got here, let’s take a look at who they are, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

 

Josh McDaniels – Head Coach (33)

McDaniels was at one point the fifth-youngest NFL head coach ever. McDaniels has been called Bill Belichick’s protégé, and will look to lead the Broncos back to the playoffs.

McDaniels spent most of his coaching career with the New England Patriots. At the beginning of his career he was a graduate assistant at Michigan State, but other than that McDaniels has spent the rest of his career under Belichick. 

McDaniels spent the 2001 season as a personal assistant for the Patriots. Not much, but he got his name out there. For the next two seasons, he was a defensive coaching assistant. For the next five years, he was the Patriots’ quarterbacks coach. And for the last three years, McDaniels was the offensive coordinator under Belichick.

All of that coaching experience for the world champion Patriots proved to be important in the Broncos’ hiring process, as McDaniels was named the newest Broncos head coach on January 11.

One thing I really like about McDaniels is how good he is with working with quarterbacks. Matt Cassel is who he is today because of McDaniels’ coaching. Without McDaniels, Cassel probably would’ve broken under the insane amount of pressure that was given to him when Tom Brady went out in the first week of the 2008 season.

Now I know a lot of Bronco fans don’t like McDaniels. He is the reason why Jay Cutler is in the Windy City right now. However, I think he was just doing what he thought was best for the team. He knew how good Cassel was, and that’s why he went out and tried to acquire him from New England before the draft. Subsequently, that angered Cutler, and Jay was driven out of Denver.

McDaniels has made a lot of bold moves this offseason. Along with Cutler, McDaniels decided to go with Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno with the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. While most experts thought the Broncos needed to go defense in the first round, McDaniels ignored those expectations and drafted the stud Bulldog.

 

Mike McCoy – Offensive Coordinator (36)

Mike McCoy was also brought into the Denver Broncos’ youth movement. McCoy, who was formerly the Carolina Panthers’ quarterbacks coach, will look to improve upon the Broncos’ offense this season.

McCoy, like McDaniels, spent all of his coaching career with just one team, the Carolina Panthers. McCoy was an offensive assistant to then Carolina Panthers’ head coach George Seifert in 2000. The next year, McCoy was promoted to the Panthers’ wide receivers coach, the same year Steve Smith came into the league.

The next season, with Seifert out as head coach, John Fox was hired as the new Panthers’ head coach.  McCoy was an offensive assistant to the team again. From 2003 through 2008, McCoy jumped around from jobs such as offensive assistant, to quarterbacks coach, to wide receivers coach. 

McCoy was hired as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator on January 19, just a little over a week after McDaniels was hired.

I like a few things about McCoy. He was one of Steve Smith’s main lifelines as his coach. Smith is one of the top 10 receivers in the league, and Broncos’ wide receiver Eddie Royal looks like he could be just as successful as Smith. Royal and other Broncos’ receiver Brandon Marshall should thrive with McCoy’s experience with All-Pro receivers.

I also like that, like McDaniels, McCoy came in from just one team, and can take his experience to Denver. He’s still young, so he has a great learning curve, and I really believe McCoy will contribute to the Broncos’ offense.

 

Mike Nolan – Defensive Coordinator (50)

Unlike the two coaches above him, Nolan has bounced around to pretty much every team imaginable. Nolan has coached everywhere from the west coast (Stanford Cardinals) to the east coast (Baltimore Ravens), and from the north (Oregon Ducks) to the south (LSU Tigers). Simply put, he’s been on the road more than you have.

Nolan has a ton of coaching experience. Starting in 1981, Nolan has more experience than McDaniels and McCoy have combined. Though his most recent job with the 49ers was his first head coaching job at any level, Nolan should be extremely versatile for the Broncos.

Nolan started the most recent season with the 49ers 2-5, before being fired midway though the season. During his time in San Francisco, Nolan went 18-37, and never finished above third in the NFC West standings. It doesn’t seem like head coaching is Mike Nolan’s gig.

Nolan will be making one big change in Denver, and that is implementing the 3-4 defensive scheme. Denver, who usually plays the 4-3, didn’t have much success in 2008, as they allowed 28 points per game, which was 30th in the league. They also finished in the bottom half of most of the key defensive categories, including yards allowed, passing yards allowed and rushing yards allowed.

This will be Nolan’s 10th defensive-related coaching job, and his fifth different NFL team he was a defensive coordinator for.  Nolan has coached 10 different teams in his career.

Overall I’m pretty excited for this upcoming season. I think owner Pat Bowlen did a great job hiring great coaches for the Broncos. Only time will tell for the success factor each coach brings to the table.

10 Questions I Would Ask Denver Broncos’ Running Back Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno, the 12th overall pick in the draft, is likely going to be the starting running back for the Denver Broncos this season. If I had the once in a lifetime chance to sit down with him, I would ask him the following questions:

 

1. How do you think playing football in the SEC will help you transit into the NFL?
2. Was it a surprise to hear your name get called to the Denver Broncos?  Was there anything that only you knew that helped you predict this?
3. What was the first thing you’re going to do with the signing bonus of your contract?
4. What do you like about new head coach Josh McDaniels?
5. How much of an impact do you think the team will lack without Jay Cutler?
6. To fans of the Broncos who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your running style?
7. What are your realistic individual goals for this upcoming season?
8. What do you think the team can do, in terms of record?
9. How do you think Broncos’ fans will react to you wearing number 27?
10. What do you think you need to improve upon most, as a running back?

Denver Strikes Gold Again: Recapping Three Lucky Calls in Denver Sports

After watching the Nuggets—Mavericks game yesterday, and seeing the call that shouldn’t have been, I had to do a write up.

This will be an article in chronological order of the three controversial calls that Denver sports fans have received in the last two and a half years.  Each covering the three “main” sports, except for hockey.

10/01/07, Colorado Rockies—If you live in Denver, you know the significance of this date. The first date in Rocktober for Rockies’ fans, and the first NL Wild Card Tiebreaker since 1999.

The Rockies, who at the time had won 13 of their last 14 games, would be up against the 2007 Cy Young winner Jake Peavy. On the mound for the Rockies was the “Dragon Slayer” Josh Fogg.  

How would Fogg earn such a nickname?  

When you beat the likes of Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Brandon Webb, Mike Mussina, and Roy Oswalt all in one year, that’s how you get such a nickname.  

The game, which was held in Denver by way of a coin toss, was the greatest game ever played at Coors Field, hands down. The Rockies would score three runs in the first and second innings, only to have the Padres explode in the third, with an Adrian Gonzalez grand slam.  

The Padres scored five runs in the third. The Rockies would go on scoring runs in every inning through the sixth, excluding the fourth inning.  

With the Rockies up 6-5 going into the eighth inning, Matt Holliday misjudged a linedrive to left, and with the ball soaring over his head, Brian Giles would drive in a run.

The game would go into the 13th inning.  

Thanks to a Scott Hairston two-run home run, the Padres were up by two, and Rockies’ fans were disheartened. With one of baseball’s best closers Trevor Hoffman on the mound for the Padres, the season looked to be over as the future Hall of Famer would look to end the Rockies’ season.

However, the Rockies didn’t get the memo that they were supposed to lose.  

Stringing off three consecutive extra base hits by Kaz Matsui, Troy Tulowitzki, and a triple by Matt Holliday, the Rockies had tied the game up. With no outs, the Padres intentionally walked slugger Todd Helton.  

It was up to Jamey Carroll.

Striking a line drive to right fielder Brian Giles, the Rockies’ Holliday looked to tag up. Hustling as fast as he could to home plate, there was a play at the plate which would decide the season for the Rockies. After hesitation, umpire Tim McClelland slowly ruled Holliday safe.  

The Rockies instantly gathered around Carroll as the game’s hero, but Holliday was on the ground, with a nasty road rash on his chin. Hoffman would earn his fifth loss of the season, and the Rockies would be playing more games in October.

However, this call didn’t come without controversy. Coming into home, did Holliday touch the plate?  

Sliding to the right of the plate, Holliday extended his left hand and appeared to swipe the plate. However, no cameras could clearly overturn the call, and still today it remains a mystery as to whether or not Holliday touched home plate or not. As a Rockies’ fan, I obviously believe McClelland made the right call, but to anyone who’s a Padres’ fan, it would be tough to base a decision around such disputable evidence that could go either way.

 

9/14/08, Denver Broncos—It’s time for the Broncos’ turn.

The infamous Ed Hochuli call.

Coming off a division win against the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers headed into Denver to play their week two game.  

Scoring 31 points in the first half, and 24 in the second quarter, the Broncos looked well into starting the season off 2-0. However, the Chargers would surge, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half.

Down by seven points, the Broncos capped off an, at the time, 79 yard drive. With 1:17 left in the game, quarterback Jay Cutler looked to have fumbled the ball. Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins recovered the fumble, and it looked as if the Bronco’s would lose the game.  

However, referee Ed Hochuli blew the whistle dead as the ball came out of Cutler’s grasp. Hochuli thought Cutler’s fumble was an incompletion. The game, which should’ve been over, due to San Diego’s recovered fumble, would still be in reach for the Broncos as they received their luckiest break of the season. After a third down draw play, Jay Cutler threw a strike to wide receiver Eddie Royal, to put the Broncos down by one on fourth down.

Not satisfied with the call either, Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan went for a two-point conversion. He felt like if the Broncos were to get such a call, they should deserve the win by going for two, instead of taking it into a potential overtime.  

With the same call that the Broncos used to score the touchdown, Denver used that same play on the conversion. An exact replica, Eddie Royal caught the ball in the end zone, and the Broncos would take the game, 39-38. As you can imagine, San Diego Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner was unhappy.

“Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection – I failed miserably,” Ed Hochuli said.

Official Ed Hochuli admitted his wrong doing on the play, but couldn’t turn possession over to San Diego, since he blew the play dead. Hochuli received criticism from everyone around the league, and Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones was fined $25 thousand dollars for criticism given to Hochuli.

 

5/09/09, Denver Nuggets—This is the most recent of the calls. The Denver Nuggets were up 2-0 in their series against the Dallas Mavericks.

Game 3 was a tough, physical game where 61 fouls were called against both of the teams. There were more free throws made than field goals. There was an average of 1.5 free throws made per minute.

So, it was a non-call that would make this list.

Fast forward to five seconds left in the fourth quarter. Up by two, the Mavericks had a foul to give. They knew what was going to come if they didn’t foul, a three pointer. Carmelo Anthony, who was being guarded by Antoine Wright, received the inbound pass. Wright appeared to bump Anthony twice, but no foul was called. Anthony pulled up a three pointer, and sunk it with one second left in the game.  

Down by one the Mavericks had a desperation three by Dirk Nowitzki that fell short, and the Nuggets’ bench would storm the court as if they had won the NBA Championship.

The Mavericks, who fell to 0-7 against the Nuggets this season, were displeased. Owner Mark Cuban was instantly on the court, whining to the officials about how there should’ve been an intentional foul, which would’ve sent Anthony to the free throw line for two shots.

Dirk Nowitzki said it was one of the toughest losses he’s ever played in in his entire 11 year NBA career.

Antoine Wright made comments toward the officiating that would normally get him either fined, or suspended, but the NBA agreed with him.

Just two hours after the game ended, the NBA issued a statement that said that there should’ve been an intentional foul called on Wright on the second to last play of the game.

Jason Kidd was quoted saying, “The game didn’t come down to the last play, you’ve got to make plays down the stretch, and we just didn’t do that.”

The Nuggets, who have won two games on the road in the playoffs this year, had won just two games on the road in the playoffs in the last five years before this, a very encouraging stat. 

Meet The Second Piece Of Denver Broncos’ Next Corner Tandem, Alphonso Smith

Pictured above is all-pro corner back Champ Bailey on the left, and aspiring rookie Alphonso Smith.

Smith, taken with the fifth overall pick in the second round in the NFL Draft three weeks ago, came out of Wake Forest. Smith holds the ACC record for most interceptions in a career, with 21. 

Coincidentally, Smith broke the record of former Broncos’ corner back Dre Bly.

Alphonso Smith was on the 2007 All-ACC team, and a third-team 2007 All-American.

The Broncos traded their first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to get Smith. 

Originally, when I saw this trade go down, I thought the Broncos were going to pick up USC linebacker Rey Maualuga for sure. I, like many others, was surprised when we saw this scenario not happen.

Alphonso Smith is 5’9″, and weighs 193 pounds. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash time, which was just .05 seconds off of the best corner in the draft’s best time.

What Smith lacks in size, he gains in athletic ability. With his 21 interceptions and 174 tackles in his NCAA career, Smith is likely the most underrated corner back in the draft.

With 15 of his 21 interceptions coming in his junior and senior football seasons, Smith has shown his potential as an NFL corner back. 

Smith also scored three touchdowns in his junior season, and has forced four fumbles in his career.

A tandem of Champ Bailey and Alphonso Smith could be very dangerous in years to come. With Champ’s raw, aggressive covering style and Smith’s pure athletic ability covering up wide receivers, I see no reason why these two can’t match up with the likes of the Patriots’ or Colts’ receivers.

Alphonso Smith will likely be competing for a starting cornerback job when training camps open later this summer.

Willie Tuitama: Why Coach Josh McDaniels Needs To Give This Kid a Shot

Willie Tuitama against Kyle Orton, what’s going in Tuitama’s favor?  

Tuitama, a senior out of the University of Arizona, has never taken an NFL snap. However, Tuitama, who is five years younger than Orton, has the potential to be a decent starter in the NFL, and great value for being an unsigned, undrafted free agent.

Tuitama stayed all four years at Arizona, and passed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. The Stockton, California native has thrown for 51 touchdowns in his last two years, compared to just 20 interceptions. He also threw for over 3000 yards in the PAC-10 twice, Tuitama seems to have a great arm and great pocket poise.

Tuitama, who was fifth in passing efficiency while trailing after halftime with a 132.5 rating, Tuitama trailed only Graham Harrell, Chase Daniels, Andre Woodson, and some guy named Matthew Stafford. He remains calm under pressure, and performs in the clutch better than he does when he has a lead.

While being a starter in his freshman year at Arizona, Tuitama posted a passer efficiency rating of 137. 

In Arizona’s first game this season against Idaho, Tuitama was 17 for 21, 179 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Against the USC Trojan tough defense however, Tuitama was just 14 for 30, 88 yards, and an interception. Inconsistent at times, but he showed what he’s capable of doing against the Vandals.

Tuitama, who has a nice frame at six-foot-three, and weighing about 220 pounds, has great inside accuracy. He isn’t the fastest quarterback available (4.78 40 yard dash time), and can sometimes be inaccurate and have mistimed throws.

Even though the Broncos drafted Tom Brandstater out of Fresno State, I believe the Broncos should at least give Tuitama a spot on the roster, since thus far they haven’t even signed an undrafted free agent at the quarterback position yet.

Overall, throwing for 9,216 yards and 67 touchdowns for his career at Arizona isn’t bad, and I really think the Broncos should take a chance on him. Though he may take some time to work out his flaws in his mechanics, I would much rather give him a chance than have Orton the outright starter, with no decent backup behind him when he throws 20 interceptions by December.

Analyzing The Denver Broncos First Day of the 2009 NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos shocked the NFL world today by selecting Knowshon Moreno with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft today.

Moreno, a former sophomore running back out of the University of Georgia, rushed for over 1000 yards in each of his two seasons against the tough SEC defenses, and scored 33 touchdowns in 26 games at the collegiate level.  Even though he’s under six feet tall, he weighs 207 pounds, and is a very explosive runner.

In a win against Florida in 2007 as a freshman, Moreno rushed for 188 yards, and three touchdowns against the Gators.  With that game, Moreno shows he can perform under pressure, and against good defenses, like that of the Gators. 

If Moreno can transfer the explosiveness that he possessed in college into the NFL, he should have a very successful career.

Broncos fans wanted Moreno, but thought he would be a long shot selection, since the Broncos are mainly going for defense in this year’s draft. 

Moreno was a Heisman Trophy candidate entering his sophomore season, and won the Georgia Bulldogs’ Offensive MVP, finished second in the Doak Walker award voting, which is college football’s award for the best running back, and was All-SEC for the second time in two years.

I really like the pick of Knowshon Moreno.  With the Broncos finishing the year 8-8, and having seven running backs finish the year on the injured reserve, we needed a durable running back to get the job done. 

Moreno, who hasn’t missed a game in his college career, seems to be the guy who can carry the work force for the Broncos.

Entering the season, other than Moreno, the starting running back position could’ve been up for grabs.  With many “average” running backs, anyone could’ve won the job.  However I think Moreno will sweep up the Broncos’ running back mess, and could star under the Broncos’ running system.

Our second pick of the day, and 18th overall in the draft, was Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers.

Ayers, who played in the SEC with Moreno, has had 112 tackles in his collegiate career.  Even though he’s never forced a fumble, Ayers has recorded nine sacks, despite barely playing in his freshman year.

Ayers, a senior, weighs 272 pounds, but Denver Broncos’ head coach Josh McDaniels likes the fact he can perform just as well if he weighed 292 pounds, which means the Broncos might try to bulk up the defensive end. 

Ayers’ best game probably came in his second to last game of his career, against Kentucky.  He recorded six tackles, and two sacks, en route to a 20-10 win over the Wildcats.

The Broncos also selected corner back Alphonso Smith out of Wake Forest, and safety Darcel McBath out of Texas Tech.  Picking up two hard hitters out of two conferences should really help the Broncos’ secondary this year.  And with the last pick of the day, the Broncos picked up tight end Richard Quinn out of North Carolina.

Overall we picked up two players from the SEC, two from the ACC, and one from the Big 12 conference.  All big conferences that know how to play football and should offer a little more experience than other conferences.

Overall, I really like what the Denver Broncos did with the 12th and 18th overall picks in the draft.  Even though I would’ve rather had the Broncos pick Southern California inside linebacker Rey Muauluga instead of Robert Ayers, I can’t be complaining.  They picked up the big defensive end that they needed, without having to trade up for Boston College end B.J. Raji.

Denver Broncos First Day Draft Grade:  B+

Brian Dawkins: The Broncos Best Offseason Move of the Year

Right now, everyone in the NFL is talking about draft day.  People are talking about how the Broncos lack a defensive presence on the field.  They say we need a defensive end, a nose tackle, and an outside linebacker, just to name a few.

One thing experts can agree on, though, is right now the free safety position is locked up.

Brian Dawkins, a 35-year-old free safety out of Clemson, is just what the Denver Broncos needed.

Dawkins brings many skills to the table.  His vast repertoire includes a being safety who can drop back into coverage, run up to stop the run, and the most important thing, intensity. 

Dawkins’ intensity can be measured up on the same scale as Bob Sanders, Albert Haynesworth, and Ray Lewis.  Dawkins brings the win-or-die-trying attitude, and won’t ever give up.

On Feb. 28, the Broncos signed the seven-time Pro Bowler to a five-year, $17 million deal.  The 13-year veteran has helped lead his Eagles team to five NFC Championship game appearances and one Super Bowl.

The bone crushing Dawkins will be entering his 14th season in the league, and his first with a team located outside of Philadelphia.  Dawkins will be the replacer of former Bronco John Lynch, another hard hitter.

Dawkins, along with Champ Bailey, should provide one of the best defensive back combos in the entire league.  A tandem that won’t let the receiver grab the ball, and if he does, the other will lay on a huge hit on the receiver.

Dawkins was awarded the 2009 Byron “Whizzer” White award for his time spent with the community during his tenure in Philadelphia.  Dawkins also served as the regional spokesman for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation while in Philly.

Another thing Dawkins will provide is a consistent veteran who flies around the field. Dawkins accumulated 75 tackles, and six forced fumbles last year on the Eagles.  In his career Dawkins has nearly 900 tackles, 21 sacks, and 34 interceptions.  With his locker room presence, Dawkins will certainly provide the help the Denver Broncos’ secondary needs.

Why The Denver Broncos Should Select Mark Sanchez

There are many holes the Denver Broncos should try to fill on draft day.  Even though most people believe the Broncos should fill out their defensive line, I think the Broncos should go for a quarterback with their 12th overall pick.

Why do I think this?  The city of Denver is blood thirsty for a quarterback who can win playoff games.  Since the end of the John Elway era, the Broncos have only made the playoffs four times, three of those being wildcard births.  Of those four playoff births, the Broncos have only won a single game, versus the Patriots in 2005.

Fans thought Jay Cutler would be the answer.  After a promising start to a career, the city icon wanted out, and the Broncos traded him and a fifth- round pick for the 18th overall pick in this year’s draft, a third-round draft pick, and Kyle Orton.

Now I really don’t think Orton will be the answer to our quarterback woes.  He’s thrown 30 touchdowns versus 27 interceptions, which really isn’t bad when you play in the Windy City.   But in 2005, after starting the year 1-3 with the Bears, and having a quarterback rating of 59.7, lowest in the NFL, Orton got benched.

Since then, Orton had been struggling to stay a consistent starter in Chicago. Competing with Rex Grossman for a starting position really doesn’t leave me convinced that Orton is ready to play under center for the Broncos.

So, when April 25 comes around, I think that the Denver Broncos should take Mark Sanchez, a junior quarterback out of USC with their 12th overall pick.

Sanchez, one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks coming out of Mission Viejo High School in California, has only played one full season as a starter at USC.

However, in that season, and only 16 games overall, Sanchez has dazzled.  Sanchez has thrown for just under 4,000 yards, has 41 touchdowns at USC, and has only lost two games.

He’s also shown he can play in the clutch.  Sanchez, in his first Bowl game starting opportunity, showed how good he was in the Rose Bowl against Penn State, as he threw for 413 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Penn State cornerback Lydell Sargeant said after the game, “I think that a 4-foot-10 guy could catch some of the passes that Mark was throwing.”

Sanchez played under one of the best college coaches in the game, Pete Carroll.  Carroll once said, “Mark [Sanchez] really has the eyes for getting the ball down the field.”

Sanchez is used to playing under pressure, too.  Something that he’ll have to play with when playing with Denver.  Playing college football in the City of Angels is tough, but when you have the pressure of leading a team to a National Championship and undefeated season on your shoulders, it gets even tougher.

I think Sanchez is a great prospect for Denver.  Even though Carroll thought he should play one more year of college football, he seems ready for the job at hand.  He already has an NFL-ready arm, and can pick up blitzes very well.  For his size, 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Sanchez is very mobile, which will help when Denver runs their play action.

Even though Sanchez has played just six games out of the state of California, posting a record of 4-2, Sanchez appears to be NFL-ready.

Sanchez has the competitive blood that Denver fans want.  He also has the attitude, but not cockiness, that Jay Cutler possessed.  When asked if Sanchez thinks he should go before Stafford in the draft, Sanchez shook his head and said, “Absolutely. I’d better think that. And I think he should think that, too. That’s what we’ve got to think. As a competitor, that’s all I want to do is be the best that I can be. And the best you can do in this draft is be No. 1.”

Sanchez seems like the guy knows the limit between being confident, and being arrogant.  Maybe he could teach Jay Cutler a thing or two?

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