Coaches Corner: Broncos Staff to Feature Mix of Old, New, and Family

Josh McDaniels seems to have it all, but can’t do it all.

Can he?

Even the most decorated, experienced coaches in professional sports have help: assistants, scouts, a secretary.  Someone to hold the headset cord on the sideline.  Perhaps a designated staffer with the Gatorade bucket, ready to be poured over said coach’s head after the big win.  Or poured over the official after a bad call costs the team the big win.

Whatever the job, NFL head coaches all have their help.  McDaniels, the new man in charge in Denver, is no different.  Hired at age 32, he replaces Mike Shanahan, a quarter century his senior, and for 14 years, the man who on the surface, seemed to do it all.

He didn’t.  He had help.  So does the new guy.

McDaniels arrives from New England with an offense-heavy resume.  His Patriot teams, whether it was with Tom Brady or Matt Cassel under center, racked up the points.  The Broncos racked up points a year ago—as did their opponents.

To get the Bronco defense back to at least somewhat-Orange Crush standards, McDaniels has brought in Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator.  Nolan comes off an uninspired four-year run as Niners head coach, but he knows defense.  It was his stint as the Ravens defensive coordinator that largely contributed to his getting the Niners job, and Nolan will be implementing a 3-4 scheme. 

This is Nolan’s second tour with Denver; he previously coached special teams and linebackers from 1987-92.  The Broncos went to two Super Bowls during his first go-round, and getting back there will require patience as the team slowly brings in personnel to fit Nolan’s system.  He also gives McDaniels someone with head coaching experience to look to as he begins his own career as the man in charge.

Nolan is joined on his staff by another former Bronco staffer, secondary coach Ed Donatell, who comes over from the University of Washington.  Donatell served under Shanahan in the same capacity during the club’s Super Bowl years. 

The Broncos went on an AFC West hiring spree in the offseason, plucking one coach from each of its divisional foes.  Don Martindale was hired away from Oakland to coach the linebackers, and Wayne Nunnely comes over from San Diego to coach the defensive line. Special teams will be handled by Mike Priefer, who arrives from Kansas City.  McDaniels hopes all three can give his club an edge during the West wars of ’09.

McDaniels is converting the Broncos long standing West Coast offense to his Patriot style of play.  To assist, McDaniels has added Mike McCoy as his offensive coordinator/QB coach.  McCoy served in that capacity the last few years in Carolina,  and helped mold Jake Delhomme into a Pro Bowl QB. 

McCoy comes full circle, as he competed for a spot as John Elway’s backup in 1995.  Kyle Orton takes over at QB amidst much controversy after being acquired for Jay Cutler.  McCoy’s task, should he choose to accept it (and we assume he has): establish a relationship with Orton and teach him the ways of McDaniels’ offense.

It’s not all new in Denver.  McDaniels is well aware of the success of the Broncos running game over the years.  To that end, RB coach Bobby Turner remains from Shanahan’s staff.  Turner will be charged with shaping Knowshon Moreno into the next Bronco franchise back.  The former Georgia star was selected in the first round, ending the Denver tradition of unearthing a star RB in the later rounds.

Whatever name McDaniels calls his offense, it requires the QB to be upright. The offensive line allowed only 12 sacks in ’08.  The Broncos will continue to employ their zone blocking scheme.  Rick Dennison was the line coach.  He stays, enough said.

The head coach won’t be the only bright-eyed, youthful McDaniels on the sidelines.  Ben McDaniels joins his older brother’s staff as an offensive assistant, after a couple years as a graduate assistant with the University of Minnesota.  Both McDaniels boys were sent on the coaching path by their father Thom, one of Ohio’s most celebrated high school coaches.

On the pro level, Bronco fans hope it will be a case of “like father, like son.”

With a little help, of course.

West Coast Away, McDaniels Brings the Patriot Way

If it aint broke, don’t fix it.

Even upon being fired, former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he was leaving his successor a plethora of talent that produced the No.2 ranked offense in the NFL.  A parting gift after 14 years as the head man in Denver.

Of course, Shanahan was, in fact, fired, so new coach Josh McDaniels had every right to mark that gift, “return to sender.”  And he did, with Chicago as a forwarding address.

Jay Cutler bristled at the notion that whomever took over as Broncos coach would want to change anything on the offensive side of the ball.  Tweak the defense, and let’s get to work.  That was Shanahan’s plan the last few years, and his eventual downfall.

The departure of Shanahan, along with QB coach Jeremy Bates set off a chain of events that would land Cutler and McDaniels in each others doghouses.  McDaniels considered the notion of trading for Matt Cassel, who put up big numbers in New England under McDaniels’ tutelage.  Cutler was furious.

Several failed meetings and unreturned calls later, Cutler was a Bear, Kyle Orton was a Bronco, and McDaniels could finally get to work installing his offense.  His way.  The Patriot way, no questions asked.

Well, here’s one: How could the Broncos have finished second in yards, but only 16th in points?  It’s a question McDaniels surely has been focused on, and he hopes his answer will show he is the right man in Denver.

He’ll start with trying to live up to his billing as a first rate QB coach.  Tom Brady, Cassel, and now Orton.  Orton brings a steady, if unspectacular resume from Chicago.  He threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 18 TD surrounded by average offensive talent. 

The numbers pale in comparison to Cutler’s (over 4,500 yards, 25 TD), but much like the Broncos overall offensive stats, there’s more to the story.

Cutler threw 18 interceptions, occasionally short-circuiting drives in Shanahan’s West Coast offense, which calls for short and intermediate throws to set up the big run or pass later on.  McDaniels hopes what Orton lacks in arm strength (and make no mistake, Cutler has a cannon), he can make up for in accuracy, and red zone efficiency.

Further proof the Bronco offense wasn’t all it was cracked up to be? Week 16 vs. Buffalo.  Denver outgained the Bills 532-275 in total yards, and won the time of possession battle.  And lost, 30-23.  The Broncos were only 2 of 6 in the red zone.

Orton amassed a higher completion percentage, TD/INT ratio, and red zone rating than Cutler.  McDaniels will gladly trade gaudy offensive numbers from his QB in favor of gaudy numbers in the “TD’s scored” column in the stat book. 

McDaniels doesn’t have a name for his offense, though it was sometimes referred to as ‘amoeba,’ adapting to the situation at hand.  Receivers in his system are always on the move; spread out, bunched together, you name it. 

In New England he had Randy Moss and Wes Welker.  There’s little drop off, if any, in Denver.  Orton will have Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal starting, backed up by Brandon Stokley and Jabar Gaffney, himself coming over from the Pats.

A major change could be in how the tight ends on the roster are utilized.  Used as downfield receivers in the West Coast,  they are used more as blockers under McDaniels.  Tony Scheffler was a frequent target of Cutler,  and McDaniels has said he wants to take advantage of Scheffler’s pass catching skills. 

Of course, he also said Cutler was his QB, days before he was traded.  The presence of Daniel Graham, who played under McDaniels in New England, and rookie Richard Quinn, considered the best blocking TE in the draft, will continue to raise questions on Scheffler’s long term future in Denver.

Like the offense he runs, McDaniels appears to be willing to adapt to at least some of what he’s been given in Denver.  The team will continue to employ a zone blocking scheme to open holes for the run game. RB coach Bobby Turner and line coach Rick Dennison remain from Shanahan’s staff.  One cut, and go; that’s what they teach their backs in Denver.

Making those cuts will be Knowshon Moreno. McDaniels surprised everyone by making the Georgia RB his first ever draft pick, and following in the tradition of another Bulldog RB, Terrell Davis, McDaniels is hopeful he’s found his franchise back for years to come.

McDaniels has also found there’s no need to revamp an offensive line which gave up a mere 12 sacks all season, tied for first in the league.  All five starters from ’08 remain, led by bookend tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris. 

With more weapons than he’s ever been given, and improved protection, Orton has no more excuses if he wishes to be known as a top QB rather than simply “good in the huddle.”  His head coach simply wishes to be known as more than a “Bill Belichick disciple.”

Josh McDaniels is going to do things his way.  He hopes “The Patriot Way” will soon be known as, “The Bronco Way.”  A new offense arrives in Denver.  Along with his three Super Bowl rings.

That’s one thing McDaniels hopes will never change.

 

 

 

Rick’s Royal Interview: My Future Chat With the Bronco WR

As I maneuver my way up the Bleacher Report rankings, I assume that when the time comes to conduct an interview, I will get to talk to the person I have questions for.  That is for Journalism 101 tough, let’s call this Journalism 100.

Questions now, answers later.

Eddie Royal had a stellar rookie campaign for the Broncos in 2008. The second round pick from Virginia Tech caught 91 balls for 980 yards and five touchdowns. A lot has changed in Denver since last season, and I caught up with the WR to discuss the upheaval in the Mile High city.

You entered into what had been one of the most stable franchises in the NFL. A lot has changed in Denver, what are your thoughts on the overall roller coaster that has been the Bronco offseason?

Mike Shanahan was there for 14 years, he drafted you, and you only got to play for him for one season. What did you learn from the time you spent with him?

Josh McDaniels is taking over as coach, give me your impression of him so far, and what he’s told you about your role in his offense.

Are there any key differences in this system opposed to the West Coast offense you were a part of last year under Shanahan?

How about being coached by someone, well, a lot closer to your age than your first coach, what is that like?

Along with the change at coach, comes a change at QB. Jay Cutler is now a Chicago Bear, did you reach out to him while everything was going on? What’s your view on the whole situation that led to his being traded?

As a player with just one year under his belt, at any time did you feel compelled to speak with your new coach or even your owner to give your opinions on the matter?

It appears you’ll be catching passes from either Kyle Orton or Chris Simms this season, how are you getting along on and off the field with the two new QB’s?

You and Brandon Marshall were an outstanding duo at WR last year. Marshall is facing possible league sanction due to another offseason incident. How important is his presence to what your offense is trying to accomplish, and what adjustments would you have to make should he miss significant time?

Overall, did anything in particular stand out in the adjustment from the college game to the pros?  Do you think there’s room for improvement in your game, even with the numbers you put up?

Even without the changes at coach and QB, it shaped up to be a long offseason for the Broncos, especially with the way last year ended. How anxious are you to put that behind you and get going in ’09?  What are your expectations for the club this season?

Well, that’s half the battle.  Now I wait for the chance to meet Eddie Royal to get the answers and that is part of Patience 101.

Orangins: Becoming a Bronco Fan in New York

It happens at an early age.

Your first words, your first steps, your first day of school.  Childhood milestones to be sure.

But come on, we’re talking about something more important than speaking, walking, and early education (after all, I’m typing this on a laptop while sitting down—and I am pretty sure I didn’t learn Microsoft Word in kindergarten.)

What I am referring to is becoming a fan of your favorite team.  In my case, it’s being a Denver Bronco fan while growing up in New York.

How does that happen, you may ask?  I should be a Jets or Giants fan, right? Or in the very least, a fan of one of those ‘national following’ teams: Cowboys, Steelers…

In a New York word: No. (expletives deleted)

Since 1977, I have bled orange and blue.  It’s more blue than orange these days, but the Bronco blood continues to flow through me, and always will.  And it all started in a place so not Denver, so not the Mountain time zone—the beach.

As a child, my family would spend a lot of summers at Jones Beach on Long Island.  I couldn’t swim yet, so I built sand castles and basically complained it was too hot. 

“I’m thirsty,” was my catchphrase.  Still is, spoken more to my bartender than my mother these days.

My grandfather would take me to the snack bar.  Quite a walk from his cabana, and my feet still bear the scars of scorching sand and being stuck with every sharp object ever imagined sticking up from it. 

The reward for this trek would turn out to be a refreshing drink, and lifelong loyalty.

Orange Crush.

Bright orange, served in bright orange cups.  A stark contrast from brown colas in plain styrofoam.  It was different than the norm, and that’s what I wanted to drink.

Fast forward to football season.  In the pre-Sunday Ticket/ESPN/Internet days, it was Jets and Giants games on Sundays in New York.  The thrill of Richard Todd throwing picks at Shea Stadium.  Joe Pisarcik fumbling away a win in the Meadowlands.

Are you kidding me?

Like those days at the snack bar, I would soon be in for an orange-tinged treat.  During halftime highlights, I saw them. Bright, alive, appealing to a three-year-old. 

The jerseys worn by the Broncos.  Not blue, green, or black.  Orange—different than the norm.

“Wow, who are they?” I asked.  I was told about the ‘D’ on the helmet standing for Denver.  The Broncos having their first successful season.  And the Orange Crush.

Wait a minute, I drank that at the beach, I said.  They call their defense, “Orange Crush,” was the reply.  I didn’t know what a defense was (apparently, neither did Mike Shanahan the last few years), or where Denver was.  All I knew was I loved Orange Crush, and now I loved the Broncos.  The connection was made.

Oh sure, starting almost immediately, there were attempts to dissuade me.  My dad taking me to Jets games.  My mom buying me a Cowboys shirt.  And my elementary classmates had a few choice words for me, suffice to say.

No matter, I was hooked.  Hooked for life.

It has been an orange-addled addiction with highs and lows, from stealing John Elway from Baltimore, to Super Bowl humiliations in the 80’s.  But I’ve persevered.  And it all started that day at the Jones Beach snack bar.

It took another 20 years before the Broncos won a Super Bowl.  They did so after ditching their orange jerseys for blue.  No longer different than the norm, but we were world champions.

And they still make Orange Crush.

Rocky Mountain of Change: New QB, New Coach Mean New Start in Denver

When previewing the Denver Broncos for 2009, it’s tempting to dig into the archives for standard points to build a story around:

Head coach/leader of the franchise Mike Shanahan.

Strong armed QB Jay Cutler.

Unknown QB that could surprise.

A stout, dominating defense.

On second thought, scratch that last one.  Hasn’t applied for several years.  As a matter of fact, you may as well hit ‘delete’ for all of them.

The NFL is a league of change, year in, year out. Up until now the Broncos were the exception to the rule.  Think Wrigley Field in a world of new ballparks.  The Simpsons still going strong while other shows come and go.  Manny Ramirez still slugging, with no performance enhancing asterisks attached…again, scratch that last one off.

After a late season collapse that kept the Broncos out of the playoffs for the third consecutive year, owner Pat Bowlen did what everyone, himself included, thought he’d never do.  He fired Shanahan and decided a fresh start was needed.  Bowlen’s choice to take the Bronco reigns: 32 year old Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels, who ran the explosive New England offense the last few years, is the latest Bill Belichick disciple to be plucked from the Patriot system.  The hope is that a bit of Patriot magic can rub off in the Mile High City.

Judging by McDaniels’ first few months on the job, you may as well call it black magic.  How else to explain the disappearance of a 25 year old franchise QB?

When the opportunity arose to acquire Matt Cassel, his prized pupil of a year ago, McDaniels didn’t say no.  That set off a chain reaction of trade requests, backtracking, clarifying, and missed phone calls, as Cutler steamed at the notion his new coach didn’t want him around. 

After one missed phone call too many, Bowlen had enough, and ordered Cutler to be dealt.  He was, to Chicago, for a bounty of draft picks and QB Kyle Orton.

The trade set off a flurry of shock and anger, with a small dose of “good riddance” thrown in.  Bronco fans and the media passionately debated the trade, asking who was to blame, and wondering if the new coach was in over his head.

Welcome to Denver, coach.  How do you like it so far?

What is clear is that McDaniels is in Denver, and Cutler is not.  The trade was the capper on an offseason of turnover for the Broncos, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since Shanahan arrived in 1995.  ‘The Mastermind’ made wholesale changes and went on to win a couple of Super Bowls. 

If McDaniels hopes to start the next wave of Denver dominance now, he must live up to his billing as a QB guru from his time in New England, where he coached Tom Brady and Cassel to aerial brilliance.

Orton has the inside track to start at QB.  In Chicago, he was asked simply not to screw up, and he did post a 21—12 record as a starter.  Orton will be surrounded by more talent than he has ever had, and will be asked to air it out to a talented group of wideouts, and not just on 3rd-and-long.

In Denver, Orton will have Brandon Marshall (104 catches, 1265 yards), Eddie Royal (91, 180), Brandon Stokley (49, 528) and New England transfer Jabar Gaffney (38, 468).  Tony Scheffler (40, 645) and Daniel Graham (32, 389) man the TE position.

In Chicago, Orton had return-man-turned-receiver Devin Hester, and…?

How can Orton throw if he’s on his back, you may ask?  Well, the Broncos only allowed 12 sacks all year.  Ryan Clady, a standout as a rookie in ’08, and Ryan Harris give the team stout, bookend tackles, so Orton should have ample time to show that he can be more than a “game manager.”

Shanahan’s very first draft in Denver produced Terrell Davis in the sixth round out of Georgia.  A Super Bowl MVP award and one 2,000 yard season later, and the Bronco way of unearthing 1,000-yard backs in later rounds was off and running.  McDaniels first draft?  A RB from Georgia—in the first round.

The new regime is counting on Knowshon Moreno to be the next franchise back in Denver.  Moreno had a stellar collegiate career, amassing over 2,700 yards in two years. 

The Broncos ended last year with seven backs on injured reserve, so McDaniels brought in veterans J.J. Arrington, Correll Buckhalter, and LaMont Jordan to compete as well.  Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis remain too, but there’s no doubt the team is hitching its backfield wagon to Moreno.

Drafting Moreno shows all one needs to know about the team’s new direction.  With every Bronco fan yelling “DEFENSE,” McDaniels went against the grain to pick a RB.  But even the offense-minded coach knows his defense must step up if he hopes to return Denver to the playoffs. 

The Broncos finished 30th in total defense in ’08, a weak pass rush (25 sacks) and lack of big plays (a mere six INT’s) its undoing.

Former 49ers coach Mike Nolan becomes the team’s fourth defensive coordinator in as many years, and will look to install a 3-4 system.  The Broncos used their other first rounder on DE/LB Robert Ayers of Tennessee. 

The club hopes his presence, along with DE turned LB Elvis Dumervil can rush the QB, and take pressure off a revamped secondary.

All-world CB Champ Bailey missed seven games with an injured groin, and his return can only help.  Following in the tradition of Steve Atwater and John Lynch, the Broncos added former Eagles S Brian Dawkins as the jewel of their free agent class.  The hope is he can add leadership, toughness, and, well…talent to the Bronco defense.

No matter how many RB’s you have, or how many points you score, McDaniels knows you must stop the other team when it counts.  Go to YouTube and type in “David Tyree/Super Bowl” if you need a reminder (McDaniels doesn’t).

The Broncos finished 8-8 last year, a humiliating 52-21 loss to the Chargers in week 17 costing them a division title, and starting the roller coaster that has become the 2009 Denver offseason. 

It will probably take more than eight wins to nail down a playoff berth (it usually does), and the fact that the rebuilding Chiefs and always-rebuilding Raiders reside in the AFC West is a plus, but Denver is not in San Diego’s class at this point.

If Orton makes use of the talent around him, and the newcomers on defense can register a sack or an interception (or a tackle) on occasion, the Broncos could find themselves in the wild card mix.  Realistically, with all the upheaval in Denver, 8-8 and home in January sounds about right once again.

Time to write a new Bronco list to refer back to down the road.  Josh McDaniels is hoping he can keep his name on it for years to come.

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