Lonestar
08-05-2009, 12:17 PM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) ―
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was given a simple mission just after becoming Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels' first hire.
"Help him win," Nolan said Monday night.
Nolan has been going about that since late January, shuffling around personnel and implementing a new 3-4 scheme as he tries to shore up a dismal defense. The Broncos surrendered an average of 28 points and 375 yards a game last season while missing the playoffs for a third straight year.
That led to the firing of Mike Shanahan and sweeping changes to the coaching staff. McDaniels was brought in and he quickly added Nolan, who became Denver's fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
Nolan is keeping his expectations modest as he retools the defense.
"Just to get better," said Nolan, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. "That's the best I can say, just to get better and better each week. That's where we start and if we do that I think we'll end in a good place."
Lately, Nolan has been seen but not heard. He's been sequestered since he was hired 195 days ago, talking to reporters for the first time Monday. He likes the progress he's seen on the defensive side of the ball. He received another piece to his defensive unit Monday as rookie defensive end/linebacker Robert Ayers signed a five-year deal and reported to camp.
"The energy has been good," Nolan said. "The guys have worked hard. They have a lot to learn, too."
Nolan is attempting to build a defense that can hold up its end on game day.
"Obviously, in hiring me he (McDaniels) had a vision that he wanted the defense to look like and hopefully we're giving him that vision," he said.
Nolan, who's in his second stint with Denver after serving previously as an assistant under Dan Reeves, admitted that change won't happen overnight.
"We do have a long way to go," Nolan said. "That's the natural thing to say, but it's also the truth."
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was given a simple mission just after becoming Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels' first hire.
"Help him win," Nolan said Monday night.
Nolan has been going about that since late January, shuffling around personnel and implementing a new 3-4 scheme as he tries to shore up a dismal defense. The Broncos surrendered an average of 28 points and 375 yards a game last season while missing the playoffs for a third straight year.
That led to the firing of Mike Shanahan and sweeping changes to the coaching staff. McDaniels was brought in and he quickly added Nolan, who became Denver's fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
Nolan is keeping his expectations modest as he retools the defense.
"Just to get better," said Nolan, the former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. "That's the best I can say, just to get better and better each week. That's where we start and if we do that I think we'll end in a good place."
Lately, Nolan has been seen but not heard. He's been sequestered since he was hired 195 days ago, talking to reporters for the first time Monday. He likes the progress he's seen on the defensive side of the ball. He received another piece to his defensive unit Monday as rookie defensive end/linebacker Robert Ayers signed a five-year deal and reported to camp.
"The energy has been good," Nolan said. "The guys have worked hard. They have a lot to learn, too."
Nolan is attempting to build a defense that can hold up its end on game day.
"Obviously, in hiring me he (McDaniels) had a vision that he wanted the defense to look like and hopefully we're giving him that vision," he said.
Nolan, who's in his second stint with Denver after serving previously as an assistant under Dan Reeves, admitted that change won't happen overnight.
"We do have a long way to go," Nolan said. "That's the natural thing to say, but it's also the truth."