Woody Paige Article. Spagnuolo best for Denver

[Medford Bronco]

Not sure if this has been posted.
Great article IMHO:salute:

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_11368810

Shanahan was the man.

Spagnuolo is the guy.

In 1995 the Broncos needed a certified, creative, experienced, professional, offensive specialist who had won a Super Bowl. They got Mike Shanahan.

In 2009 the Broncos need a certified, creative, experienced, professional, defensive specialist who has won a Super Bowl. They should get Steve Spagnuolo.

Shanahan was the right choice then, Spagnuolo the right choice now.

S.'O.S.

Last January at Super Bowl Media Day, Steve Julio Spagnuolo, the Giants' defensive coordinator, explained his philosophy to a group of us: "I guess I've always felt that the best way to play defense is to stay on the offensive and be aggressive."

Spagnuolo's varied schemes include unusual alignments and assignments ("Oddball looks," Brett Favre says), constant pressure and blitzes (42 sacks this season) and a solid 4-3 base defense (fifth overall). (Said retired defensive end Michael Strahan, "We were always well-prepared and had the other team confused.") The Broncos had a total of 41 interceptions, sacks and fumble recoveries. The Giants had 74 combined. Last year the Giants sacked Donovan McNabb 12 times in a game, sacked Tom Brady five times in the Super Bowl and held New England to a season-low 14 points.

During the pre-Super Bowl session in Arizona, Spagnuolo also said: "I think when you get into this business, you have two dreams. One is to win a Super Bowl, and the other is to be a head coach."

Spagnuolo has fulfilled one dream. He will live the other within a month — in Denver or elsewhere.

The Broncos' owner, who interviewed Spagnuolo on Saturday night in New York, had to be very impressed. Everyone else inside and outside football is. Washington offered him the head coaching job last year. Three other teams have interviewed Spagnuolo in the last week.

Spagnuolo is a virtual mirror image of Shanahan, not only in physical stature but in creativity, attitude, wisdom, reputation and background realities. But, Spagnuolo is on the reverse side of the looking glass — defense staring at offense.

Spagnuolo isn't the perfect "10" Pat Bowlen is searching for, but Shanahan wasn't, either. (Shanahan wasn't a defensive expert, and Spagnuolo has not been a coach on offense). Shana- han won two Super Bowls in Denver. Spagnuolo could, too.

When Shanahan was a quarterback at Eastern Illinois, he nearly died with a ruptured kidney, which was removed. He turned to coaching.

When Spagnuolo was a wide receiver at Springfield (Mass.) College, and home for the summer, he was going out with three friends to a bar to watch the baseball All-Star Game. His mother Carol, divorced and raising three boys and two girls, persuaded Steve to stay in and watch the game with his visiting grandfather. Spagnuolo's three friends were killed in a car accident that night. He would turn to coaching.

Shanahan was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma in 1975, then was an assistant and an offensive coordinator with four more schools before being hired by the Broncos as quarterbacks coach in 1984. Spagnuolo was a graduate assistant with Massachusetts in 1982 and worked in five more college programs as an assistant and a defensive coordinator (and twice was with pro teams in Europe) before being hired by the Eagles as a defensive assistant in 1999.

Shanahan went to three Super Bowls with Denver, Spagnuolo one with Philadelphia. Shanahan was the offensive coordinator when the 49ers shattered

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the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator when the Giants upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Shanahan and Spagnuolo are steadfast, smart, self-assured men with strong, supportive partners. Peggy Shanahan had her own successful business in Denver when Mike was an assistant. Maria Spagnuolo, a Philadelphia hairstylist, talked her husband out of signing a contract to remain with the Eagles as linebackers coach in 2007, and the following day he received an offer from the Giants to become defensive coordinator.

There's no guarantee that Spagnu- olo will come to Colorado. He has spent most of his life in, and loves, the East. Other franchises (Jets, Browns) will try to lure him with more money and power. The Giants may attempt to keep Spagnuolo by naming him the future head coach when Tom Coughlin retires. Will Spagnuolo agree, as he should, to retain the Broncos' offensive assistants?

But the Broncos give Spagnuolo the best chance to win the Super Bowl, and he gives the Broncos their best chance to win the Super Bowl.

The Broncos must have a guy to do for the Broncos' defense what the man did for the Broncos' offense.

Spagnuolo should succeed Shananahan and will succeed.

[Shazam!]

So funny. I just finished reading this on the DP site and now it's here.

[Broncolingus]

So funny. I just finished reading this on the DP site and now it's here.

Its, like...magic!

[Medford Bronco]

So funny. I just finished reading this on the DP site and now it's here.

lol I am a mind reader:D:cool: :laugh:

[broncofaninfla]

I have to agree. I think Spags is the best fit for us. One note of intrest though. I heard the Jets were more impressed with him before the interview than they were after the interview, made it sound like he had a less than impressive interview. Makes me wonder how his interview went with Denver?

[OB]

i was teasing my brother and son last night that we were gonna steal him - they got all pissy with me :lol:

[G_Money]

I hate it when Woody agrees with me - it makes me look like an idiot. :tsk:

~G

[Lonestar]

FROM CBS4 DENVER
By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer
DENVER (AP) ―
Click to enlarge


Pat Bowlen wants to get back to the Super Bowl after a decade's drought, and he thinks last year's participants might just hold the key.

A day after interviewing Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in New York, the owner of the Denver Broncos met Sunday with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in the Boston area.

Bowlen is searching for a replacement for Mike Shanahan, whom he fired last week after 14 seasons. Shanahan won back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s, but just one playoff game in the 10 years since John Elway retired.

CBS4's Gary Miller reports Bowlen will interview Raheem Morris on Monday and then visit with Rick Dennison and Jason Garrett on Tuesday.

McDaniels is a 32-year-old rising star who worked his way up from graduate assistant to offensive coordinator for Bill Belichick. Under his tutelage, Tom Brady threw for a record 50 touchdowns last season and the Patriots came within a whisker of the first 19-0 season in NFL history.

McDaniels' reputation grew ever larger this year when Brady was lost with a knee injury in the opener and Matt Cassel, who hadn't started a game since high school, led the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

Spagnuolo, 49, who spurned the Washington Redskins last year, is the architect of the pass rush that stymied Brady in last season's Super Bowl stunner. His credentials also were burnished this season when the Giants earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs despite the retirement of seven-time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan and the loss of fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora to a knee injury in the preseason.

The Broncos' brain trust of Bowlen, chief operating officer Joe Ellis and personnel chief Jim Goodman will take a breather Monday before interviewing three more head coaching candidates at team headquarters: Dallas's Jason Garrett, Tampa Bay's Raheem Morris and Denver's Rick Dennison (they brain dead dennison is a skell).
Garrett comes in Tuesday. He spurned offers from Baltimore and Atlanta last offseason after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones upped his salary to about $3 million and pledged to make him head coach Wade Phillips' eventual successor.

Morris and Dennison both will interview on Wednesday. Morris, 32, recently was promoted from secondary coach to coordinator following the departure of Monte Kiffin to join his son Lane at Tennessee.

Dennison, 50, who played linebacker for the Broncos from 1982-90, joined Shanahan's staff in 1995 and coached special teams and the offensive line before being elevated to offensive coordinator three years ago. IMHO a LOSER and hopefully just a courtesy interview..

McDaniels also interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' coaching vacancy on Friday.

Bowlen met Saturday night with Spagnuolo, who is also coveted by the Browns, Lions and Jets.

The Broncos need lots of help on defense, where they ranked 30th in points allowed this season, went through six free safeties and a half-dozen linebackers, and couldn't stop the run under Bob Slowik, their third defensive coordinator in three seasons.

Although the Broncos haven't reached the playoffs since losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC title game in 2005, it's hardly been the offense's fault. Behind Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler, Ryan Clady and Eddie Royal, the Broncos ranked second in the league in yards this season, but were done in by a dreadful defense that ranked 29th.

When Bowlen fired Shanahan last week with three years and more than $20 million left on his contract, he said he wanted a replacement who would immediately put the Broncos back among the league's elite.

The Broncos also put out feelers to gauge the interest of University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, who is preparing for his fourth shot at a national championship when the Sooners face Florida in the BCS title game Thursday night.

Bowlen is an Oklahoma graduate.

On Saturday, however, Stoops dismissed the notion he was ready to leave the college ranks for Denver: "There's no story," Stoops said. "I'm not a candidate."

Bowlen doesn't want his new coach to have full control of the team as Shanahan did, so after he hires a coach, he'll set out to hire a general manager. One intriguing possibility is Scott Pioli, the Patriots' vice president of football operations.

The Broncos are 24-24 in the last three seasons and are mired in a three-year postseason drought for the first time since 1982.

They led the AFC West by three games with three weeks to go, then became the first team in league history to blow such a lead when they were trounced 52-21 by San Diego last week to finish 8-8.

Shanahan, 146-91 in 14 seasons in Denver, was fired 48 hours later.

It appears Shanahan will sit out the 2009 season and look to land a prime NFL coaching job in 2010, when fellow free agents Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren might also be rejoining the coaching ranks.

Shanahan told the NFL Network in an interview that aired Sunday that if he does take a year off from coaching, he'll take computer courses and spend some time learning how to send e-mails and text messages.

He'll be sticking around Denver, where crews are putting the finishes touches on his 35,000-square foot mansion and where he recently broke ground on a steakhouse. He'll also get an up-close view of the rebuilding job his successor tackles with the Broncos.

[Medford Bronco]

I have to agree. I think Spags is the best fit for us. One note of intrest though. I heard the Jets were more impressed with him before the interview than they were after the interview, made it sound like he had a less than impressive interview. Makes me wonder how his interview went with Denver?

Who cares what the Jets think. They thought that Mangini was a great fit.

The rat did a bad job, esp this season.

I just hope Denver brings in a defensive type guy and not Josh McDaniels. He would only be okay if he brought Pioli with him and that is not going to happen.

[broncofaninfla]

I'm hoping for a defensive coach as well.:beer:

[OB]

NOT Dennison - nooooooooooooooooo

[DenBronx]

NOT Dennison - nooooooooooooooooo

i think by law they have to interview someone in house before they hire anyone.

[LRtagger]

Woody is an idiot most times, but he seems to almost always be right in his Broncos predictions. I remember in 05 he predicted us to be the AFC Champs before the season started. No one else even had us getting close to the SB.

Hope he is right here.

[tomjonesrocks]

With Cowher's name out of the hat if it was ever in it--I couldn't agree more--particularly after seeing the other names up for consideration.

Spagnuolo would seem to really be the *only* choice. I am worried though Bowlen's going to throw a curve and make this multi-faceted nightmare season worse...

[Lonestar]

i think by law they have to interview someone in house before they hire anyone.


no law just common decency.. Lets hope it is a brief one.. like at the water cooler.. or perhaps at the urinal during a break..

[broncofaninfla]

The McDaniel rumor seems to getting some steam on some news sites today. Sounds like he is very much in teh running as well.

[Lonestar]

I'm hoping that if they bring in a offensive minded coach he will hire a first rate DC to mind that store..

We certainly do not need more O and no D.. AGAIN

[CoachChaz]

Baltimore once hired Brian Billick for his offensive prowess and he helped create a pretty good defense. Dungy was a defensive guy and put together a pretty nice offense in Indy. Point is...it really doesnt matter what side of the ball a guy is from as long as he has the right personel working with him and for him.

[Lonestar]

Baltimore once hired Brian Billick for his offensive prowess and he helped create a pretty good defense. Dungy was a defensive guy and put together a pretty nice offense in Indy. Point is...it really doesnt matter what side of the ball a guy is from as long as he has the right personel working with him and for him.

I totally agree here Coach just hope that whomever is smarter about it than mikey was.. I do not need a top 5 Defense to go with a a top five Offense while I'd like to dominate on both sides of the LOS. Just being able to keep the opponent under 20 points would be a HUGE starting point.

[CoachChaz]

I totally agree here Coach just hope that whomever is smarter about it than mikey was.. I do not need a top 5 Defense to go with a a top five Offense while I'd like to dominate on both sides of the LOS. Just being able to keep the opponent under 20 points would be a HUGE starting point.

I think the problems you see around the league with under achievement begin with systems run under total control. Denver should not have failed as miserably as they have in recent years...niether should Dallas. but but organizations are pretty much run by one guy and it eliminates the opportunity for someone else to add positive insight.

[Lonestar]

I think the problems you see around the league with under achievement begin with systems run under total control. Denver should not have failed as miserably as they have in recent years...niether should Dallas. but but organizations are pretty much run by one guy and it eliminates the opportunity for someone else to add positive insight.


Hit this one out of the park.. :salute:


Lets hope Pat will keep his Eye on the ball and not allow another HC to run amok..

[ambiguous]

no law just common decency.. Lets hope it is a brief one.. like at the water cooler.. or perhaps at the urinal during a break..

No, it's the Rooney rule. They have to interview a minority, or they get fined. The Lions were fined $200,000 a few years back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooney_Rule

[Lonestar]

No, it's the Rooney rule. They have to interview a minority, or they get fined. The Lions were fined $200,000 a few years back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooney_Rule


dennison is not a minority IIRC..

[Ziggy]

dennison is not a minority IIRC..

No, he's not. The Morris kid from Tampa that they are interviewing today is.

[Broncolingus]

I think most of us are right on target - the major 'issues' with Denver were with the GM part, NOT the coaching part - at least in the long run.

I too hope for a 'two-person' setup (GM and Coach) working together but separate and distinct.

Both are certainly important and I don't think one is more or less important than the other, but I'd like to see the GM set first, then the coach.

Pioli would be great, but looks Browns or KC-bound...

I'm NOT a fan of KC picking him up...

[JONtheBRONCO]

Notes From Lombardi
By Michael Lombardi:

FIVE THINGS I HEAR….

1. I hear the Cowboys are not sweating the notion of losing Jason Garrett to another team as a head coach. They are actually hoping this might happen.

2. I hear the Broncos were not enamored or impressed with Steve Spagnuolo and he does not seem to be the frontrunner. However, they were very impressed with Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, and he might be the favorite now. The Broncos might be on a fast track to hire a coach this week. Moving up the Raheem Morris interview means they might want to move quickly.

3. I hear — and keep hearing — it is Eric Mangini’s job in Cleveland, and he is already assembling a staff.

4. I hear Winston Moss, the Packers’ linebackers coach, might be the team’s new defensive coordinator.

5. I hear there are several teams interested in Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and now that he’s out of the playoffs, his interview process can speed along. I hear the Rams and the Lions are major players interested in his services and I would not be surprised if he got one of those jobs.



FIVE THINGS I KNOW….

1. That Jim Harbaugh of Stanford University will be a great head coach, and the Jets’, Rams’ and Lions’ interest in him is not surprising at all.

2. The Broncos have a better young offensive coach on their staff in Jeremy Bates than the Cowboys have in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The NFL is all about perception, and very few watch tape to learn the real story. What did Garrett do this year to deserve an interview?

3. The Chargers are going to be better off without LT in their game against the Steelers. To beat the Steelers, you must have quickness and explosive movement, and right now, based on his injury, LT has neither.

4. The Eagles will have to bring Donovan McNabb back, and this is not even up for discussion. They have too many other needs, especially at tackle, to make a move at quarterback.

5. No one will ever get control of the Raiders at any point in the next 3 to 5 years. The Raiders’ future does not include the family giving away controlling interest. I do know the Raiders would like to sell another 10 percent of the team, but not their controlling interest. I have no idea who would be interested in buying 10 percent with no say and no control.

[Broncolingus]

Nice post above, JON...

[LRtagger]

I think the problems you see around the league with under achievement begin with systems run under total control. Denver should not have failed as miserably as they have in recent years...niether should Dallas. but but organizations are pretty much run by one guy and it eliminates the opportunity for someone else to add positive insight.

That is the main reason I think Mike's firing was needed and will help turn he franchise around for the better.

[Medford Bronco]

Notes From Lombardi
By Michael Lombardi:

FIVE THINGS I HEAR….

.

2. I hear the Broncos were not enamored or impressed with Steve Spagnuolo and he does not seem to be the frontrunner. However, they were very impressed with Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, and he might be the favorite now. The Broncos might be on a fast track to hire a coach this week. Moving up the Raheem Morris interview means they might want to move quickly.

.


What is so great about Josh McDaniels over Shanahan, if you were going to fire him then why bring in another offensive guy?

If he is hired, he better bring in a great D coordinator as one is needed. The defense is pathetic right now and bringing in an offensive first coach is puzzling.

I hope that Pioli is being considered.

[JONtheBRONCO]

What is so great about Josh McDaniels over Shanahan, if you were going to fire him then why bring in another offensive guy?

If he is hired, he better bring in a great D coordinator as one is needed. The defense is pathetic right now and bringing in an offensive first coach is puzzling.

I hope that Pioli is being considered.

I asked myself the same thing...

The difference is power. McDaniels is a young offensive mind who has done great work with the Patriots. He won't command full authority over almost the entire organization - like Mike.

[TXBRONC]

What is so great about Josh McDaniels over Shanahan, if you were going to fire him then why bring in another offensive guy?

If he is hired, he better bring in a great D coordinator as one is needed. The defense is pathetic right now and bringing in an offensive first coach is puzzling.

I hope that Pioli is being considered.

Maybe one of the things that makes McDaniel more appealing is that it could help used entice Pioli to Denver as the GM. I know it's a stretch but it's also not out of the realm of possibility in my opinion.

[TXBRONC]

Notes From Lombardi
By Michael Lombardi:

FIVE THINGS I HEAR….

1. I hear the Cowboys are not sweating the notion of losing Jason Garrett to another team as a head coach. They are actually hoping this might happen.

2. I hear the Broncos were not enamored or impressed with Steve Spagnuolo and he does not seem to be the frontrunner. However, they were very impressed with Josh McDaniels of the Patriots, and he might be the favorite now. The Broncos might be on a fast track to hire a coach this week. Moving up the Raheem Morris interview means they might want to move quickly.

3. I hear — and keep hearing — it is Eric Mangini’s job in Cleveland, and he is already assembling a staff.

4. I hear Winston Moss, the Packers’ linebackers coach, might be the team’s new defensive coordinator.

5. I hear there are several teams interested in Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and now that he’s out of the playoffs, his interview process can speed along. I hear the Rams and the Lions are major players interested in his services and I would not be surprised if he got one of those jobs.



FIVE THINGS I KNOW….

1. That Jim Harbaugh of Stanford University will be a great head coach, and the Jets’, Rams’ and Lions’ interest in him is not surprising at all.

2. The Broncos have a better young offensive coach on their staff in Jeremy Bates than the Cowboys have in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The NFL is all about perception, and very few watch tape to learn the real story. What did Garrett do this year to deserve an interview?

3. The Chargers are going to be better off without LT in their game against the Steelers. To beat the Steelers, you must have quickness and explosive movement, and right now, based on his injury, LT has neither.

4. The Eagles will have to bring Donovan McNabb back, and this is not even up for discussion. They have too many other needs, especially at tackle, to make a move at quarterback.

5. No one will ever get control of the Raiders at any point in the next 3 to 5 years. The Raiders’ future does not include the family giving away controlling interest. I do know the Raiders would like to sell another 10 percent of the team, but not their controlling interest. I have no idea who would be interested in buying 10 percent with no say and no control.

I wonder where Lombardi hears that McDaniel is the favorite and that they were not impressed with Spagnuolo.

[lex]

Maybe one of the things that makes McDaniel more appealing is that it could help used entice Pioli to Denver as the GM. I know it's a stretch but it's also not out of the realm of possibility in my opinion.

With all the power Pioli is expecting to have, do you honestly see him coming to Denver if he isnt even the one picking the coach and with the Goodmans entrenched in personnel?

[ktrain]

What is so great about Josh McDaniels over Shanahan, if you were going to fire him then why bring in another offensive guy?

If he is hired, he better bring in a great D coordinator as one is needed. The defense is pathetic right now and bringing in an offensive first coach is puzzling.

I hope that Pioli is being considered.

Better than Shanahan the offensive coach....not even close. Better than Shanny the GM -yes, by the fact that we will get a real GM and it won't be the same person as the coach. Better than Shanny the boss, because he won't have slowICKKKY as his d coordinator

[Shazam!]

I wonder where Lombardi hears that McDaniel is the favorite and that they were not impressed with Spagnuolo.

I don't know about that but the word here around NY was the same words I just read, the NY Jets interviewed Spagnuolo and the words were, ironically, exactly the same...

"They weren't impressed."

We will soon see.

[Simple Jaded]

They flew to NY to interview Spagnuolo while he is preparing for a playoff game, did they expect him to have his shit together days after the end of the regular season?

I'm thinking Bill Belichick doesn't give the most riveting interviews either.......Tom Coughlin has the personality of a wet mop. Does that mean they can't coach?

Fixing the defense is the most important issue, if McDaniels was able to charm the pants off of Bowlen and Ellis at a time like this, then I'm afraid Shanahan's poor decision making has rubbed off on them.......

[fcspikeit]

Of the 5 candidates I would rather have Spagnuolo but I wouldn't be upset with McDaniels, he has worked with the defense and I don't see any reason why he couldn't bring in a good DC to run our defense? Maybe Morris could be assistant head coach of the defense... That way we could pull him away from Tampa. From the sounds of it, he is supposed to be a good defensive guy?

Even if we don't get Morris as our DC, I'm sure we could get someone a hell of a lot better then Slowic... I think Josh McDaniels could be our guy, if we got him I wouldn't be to upset... There would have to be a reason for Spags to not get the job. Maybe he doesn't know squat about offense? Who knows...

I would rather have McDaniels over Garret and the other 2, that's for sure.

[muse]

I don't know about that but the word here around NY was the same words I just read, the NY Jets interviewed Spagnuolo and the words were, ironically, exactly the same...

"They weren't impressed."

We will soon see.

I know the Jets weren't impressed - that was reported from the horse's mouth. I think Lombardi may have just extrapolated this story as it were and applied it to Denver. As far as I know, Schefter reported that the Broncos were very impressed with Spags over dinner. I would be more inclined to believe Schefter over Lombardi in any case...and factor in that the Broncos interview was pretty informal, I don't think they would've gotten right down to business. So if they're impressed with Spags' personality, look for them to give him a second interview sometime. I don't think the other main candidates are in danger of being snapped up anyway, what with Mangini a lock to go to Cleveland - and they were the main rivals for Maccy D.

[TXBRONC]

They flew to NY to interview Spagnuolo while he is preparing for a playoff game, did they expect him to have his shit together days after the end of the regular season?

I'm thinking Bill Belichick doesn't give the most riveting interviews either.......Tom Coughlin has the personality of a wet mop. Does that mean they can't coach?

Fixing the defense is the most important issue, if McDaniels was able to charm the pants off of Bowlen and Ellis at a time like this, then I'm afraid Shanahan's poor decision making has rubbed off on them.......

You mean Belicheat talks he doesn't leave mesmerized? Weird. :D

[Den21vsBal19]

NOT Dennison - nooooooooooooooooo
To be honest, I might have agreed with you completely last year, but after a couple of years of living off Alex Gibbs legacy, I've gotta say the job he's done with a completely revamped line this season has impressed me.................

Not that I'm saying he should replace Shanny, but my opinion of his coaching acumen has gone up........

[TXBRONC]

To be honest, I might have agreed with you completely last year, but after a couple of years of living off Alex Gibbs legacy, I've gotta say the job he's done with a completely revamped line this season has impressed me.................

Not that I'm saying he should replace Shanny, but my opinion of his coaching acumen has gone up........

He had a lot better talent to work with this year. It also helped that they were all relativity healthy all year.

[lex]

I would be disappointed if its not Spags. Whatever on the interview. His handiwork is on the field. Thats what I care about most. Im guessing Slowik probably interviews well. And if they take McDaniels, its not about putting the team in the right direction as much as its about trying to replace Shanahan. Bowlen should be more worried about righting the ship and not merely replacing Shanahan due to some falling out.

[Den21vsBal19]

He had a lot better talent to work with this year. It also helped that they were all relativity healthy all year.
Oh, I agree, but at the same time he had 4 new starters and we got one of the best pass protection lines in the league............and most of the problems in the running game can probably be put down to lack of continuity at RB.

Like I say, I'm definitely not saying he should replace Shanny, but I have a lot more respect for his coaching than I had this time last year................

[Lonestar]

Oh, I agree, but at the same time he had 4 new starters and we got one of the best pass protection lines in the league............and most of the problems in the running game can probably be put down to lack of continuity at RB.

Like I say, I'm definitely not saying he should replace Shanny, but I have a lot more respect for his coaching than I had this time last year................


not so sure it was the number of RBs that was the problem but the quality Pitts and Hillis seemed to be good runners behind the OLINE getting good yardage, but the rest well........

[CoachChaz]

I'm not prepared to say Spags is a better choice than McDaniels and I dont know that McDaniels is merely a "replacement" for Shanahan. IMO, it comes down to what is best for the organization and the candidate that can lead everything as a whole in the right direction is my preference. Maybe Spags can come in and fix the defense, but the offesne takes a step backwards...maybe the whole team is top 5 on both sides. On the other hand, maybe McDaniels turns the offense into a juggernaut and brings in someone to make the defense at least respectable.

No matter who we hire out of the current crop of candidates, I think we'll be in pretty good shape.

[Dean]

Reggie River is throwing his weight behind the broncos picking up a defensive coach.





Rivers: Bowlen Must Hire A Defensive Coach

When I lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling wondering what the Broncos are going to do, I pray that Pat Bowlen will not hire another offensive guru as head coach. Obviously, Bowlen wants to hire the best prospect available regardless of his area of specialization, but the Broncos defensive problems are so acute, that fixing that side of the ball must be Bowlen's first priority.

Early reports suggest that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the front runner for the job, and Bowlen has interviews this week with Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.

All three of these men are fine coaches, and I'm sure that each of them will be a fine NFL head coach for someone, but I believe that Bowlen would be making a huge mistake if he hires an offensive-minded coach to fix a team that is riddled with defensive problems.

Denver needs a head coach with previous experience as a defensive coordinator.

Denver needs a head coach who can pull out the tapes from the 2008 season and identify the problems and come up with solutions.

Denver needs a coach who will arrive with a clearly defined defensive philosophy that has proven successful for other teams.

Denver needs a coach who can look at the Broncos current defensive roster and figure out how to use the talented players already on this team to create a unit that can actually stop opponents on the field.

Denver needs a defense.

The offensive arsenal is already well stocked, and the new defensive-minded head coach would be wise to retain some of the offensive coaches from Shanahan's regime.

The offense has quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receivers Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and Brandon Stokley, tight ends Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler, offensive tackles Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady, and a boat-load of quality running backs all coming off injured reserve.

Despite not having a running game, despite having little defensive support and despite persistent red zone sputters, this offense was still the 2nd best in the league and has the potential to be the top unit next season.

That's why Bowlen must hire a defensive coach. The offense needs minor tweaking; the defense needs an overhaul.

In 2008, the defense was soft against the run, soft against the pass and too generous in the red zone. The "D" finished the season ranked 29th in the league, and dragged the Broncos to three straight defeats to end the season just short of the playoffs. That's the primary reason that Mike Shanahan was fired.

Yes, I've heard the rumors that Shanahan was fired, because Bowlen didn't feel that he could communicate with the head coach any more. But the only thing I can imagine that Bowlen would have wanted to talk about was the defense.

Bowlen is a hands-on owner who is very hands-off about everyday decisions. He's in his office every day; he's very active on NFL committees; he's very involved with the non-football operations side of the Broncos business; he keeps a very loose grip on the purse strings so that his personnel department can reach in whenever they need cash to bring in high-priced free agents and coaches, and he's absolutely committed to winning. Pat Bowlen embodies most of the qualities you would want in an ideal owner.

He does not interfere with football operations. He's not like Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban. He doesn't get involved in personnel decisions. He doesn't debate the efficacy of this offense or that defense. He doesn't evaluate players or assistant coaches. Bowlen delegates all of those decisions to his head coach, and then he gets out of the way.

The only exception to that rule is that if things are not going well on the field Bowlen might try to talk to his head coach about the problem. The defense has become progressively worse during the past three seasons, and if Bowlen tried to talk to Shanahan about it and couldn't, then the communication gap might have compelled him to fire the coach, but the underlying problem was the defense.

That underlying problem will continue to rot the legs out from under this franchise unless Bowlen deals with it during this coaching search.

He needs to hire a defensive coach.

[Medford Bronco]

Reggie River is throwing his weight behind the broncos picking up a defensive coach.

I guess this is one Rivers we like :lol: At least I do.