Jack Del Rio? Let Him Go. Broncos Are Okay Without Him

[BSN Denver]

Jack Del Rio seemed to have worked wonders last year in his first year as defensive coordinator of the Broncos, this year however hasn’t been so hot. Del Rio was fired in his first ever head coaching gig by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2011 season, having held the job for eight and a half seasons. In that time frame, the Jaguars only saw the playoffs twice, and a regular season win/loss record of 68-71.

In 2012 in the first season under Del Rio the Broncos defense excelled due to the dynamic tandem of superstar linebacker Von Miller and all-pro defensive end Elvis Dumervil who combined for almost 30 sacks total. Along with forcing 30 turnovers on 16 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries, Del Rio’s defense supported Mike McCoy’s offense all the way to home field advantage throughout the playoffs that culminated in a dramatic double overtime loss to Baltimore.

In 2013 the production of Del Rio’s defense dropped dramatically due to the loss of Elvis Dumervil via the Mile High Fax Fiasco, and Von Miller for six games due to the Mile “High” suspension. Del Rio and the Broncos have posted 41 sacks this season which accounts for the loss of all of Elvis Dumervil’s sack production from the 2012 season. However the interceptions and fumble recoveries are up with totals of 17 interceptions and 18 fumble recoveries. The Broncos are an even 0 in the turnover differential category.

Jack Del Rio even took over the Broncos head coaching duties during John Fox’s illness, and lead them to a 3-1 record that should have been 4-0.

In 2013, the Broncos as a defense rank 27th in the pass and 8th against the rush.

After the University of Southern California fired head coach Lane Kiffin, speculation started to run rampant that Jack Del Rio would get consideration after the regular season for the position. Although that position has since been filled, Del Rio has been linked as a potential candidate in a few open head coaching vacancies in the National Football League.

After the production drop due to the complete loss of defensive leader Elvis Dumervil and the production drop off from another defensive leader and captain in Wesley Woodyard, one wonders would losing Del Rio hurt this defense all that much? After all John Fox is a defensive specialist himself and there are other good coordinators that are available that...CONTINUE READING (http://www.brandonspano.com/headlines.html?entry=jack-del-rio-let-him)

[CoachChaz]

It would be okay with me.

[tripp]

Only reason I'd keep him is for continuity purposes only. But I guess what is the point of that when your defense is as poor as it is.

[artie_dale]

I don't know... The first 6 games, the defense showed flashes without Von. And when Von returned, it seemed the D got worse. I would like to keep him because if he can get back to what they were last season and possibly improve upon that, that'd be stupendous. But, then you do have to weigh in what he's done this season so I wouldn't blame anyone for wanting him gone. But, I always thought 1-2 seasons for a coach was too short.

[jhildebrand]

PO's are where he will earn his keep. Let's talk after the PO's.

[WARHORSE]

I like Del Rio.

Id rather see Fox retire than Del Rio go.


We've taken some serious injury hits on the defensive side of the ball this year.


And I for one happen to think the D is going to play really well during these playoffs if we can stay healthy.

[tomjonesrocks]

If Denver loses this weekend these guys might even get fired. So, yeah.

Agreed though-- the luster on JDR has faded tremendously from last season.

[Dapper Dan]

We should keep getting new DCs. That works so well. Who cares about stability?

[tripp]

We should keep getting new DCs. That works so well. Who cares about stability?

Does anyone really expect a high profile coach such as JDR to stay in Denver long term as a DC while there are teams out there calling his name? Don't ask me why they're calling his name, but they are.

Does anyone honestly expect Ken Whisenhunt to stay as the OC in SD? Probably not.

[CoachChaz]

I like Del Rio.

Id rather see Fox retire than Del Rio go.


We've taken some serious injury hits on the defensive side of the ball this year.


And I for one happen to think the D is going to play really well during these playoffs if we can stay healthy.

No Miller, no Moore, no Vickerson, no Wolfe. I think the staying healthy part has been eliminated from the equation

[weazel]

I wouldnt be opposed to let JDR take a coaching job elsewhere.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

No Miller, no Moore, no Vickerson, no Wolfe. I think the staying healthy part has been eliminated from the equation

That's alot for any coach to compensate for.

[Dapper Dan]

Does anyone really expect a high profile coach such as JDR to stay in Denver long term as a DC while there are teams out there calling his name? Don't ask me why they're calling his name, but they are.

Does anyone honestly expect Ken Whisenhunt to stay as the OC in SD? Probably not.

I never said he would never leave. That's nowhere near my point. I just think it's insane how everyone's opinions change. People complain about not having a stable DC. Then no one cares if we lose our DC. People need to pick one or the other and stick with it. I'm not even sure what the fans are wanting right now.

[pulse]

Denver had some attrition this year. Shit happens and I'm not faulting JDR for it. He's a damn good coach and I'd rather him stay. The defense should be back to its dominating self next year. If he leaves and we have a new guy and new philosophy, continuity is out the window. We'll need to rely on an improved defense next season. You can't just assume the offense will continue to put up otherworldly numbers even with Peyton returning. You can't just expect to keep winning shootouts. That's why I hope the defense can step up these next three more games and help us get that NFL championship.

[tripp]

I never said he would never leave. That's nowhere near my point. I just think it's insane how everyone's opinions change. People complain about not having a stable DC. Then no one cares if we lose our DC. People need to pick one or the other and stick with it. I'm not even sure what the fans are wanting right now.

Lol that's how fans work though. Fans in general are fickle. I really liked him coming in as our DC at the beginning of last year, I thought because of the fact that we were in a win now state of mind, bringing in a coach who has a lot of experience in the NFL was great. Looked good last year. I'm only upset with him is because I feel like he hasn't made the adjustments week in and week out. But that's my 2 cents, that's why I'm a fan not a coach or an analyst. Just my observation.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

That's alot for any coach to compensate for.

Exactly - that should be common sense

[topscribe]

Denver had some attrition this year. Shit happens and I'm not faulting JDR for it. He's a damn good coach and I'd rather him stay. The defense should be back to its dominating self next year. If he leaves and we have a new guy and new philosophy, continuity is out the window. We'll need to rely on an improved defense next season. You can't just assume the offense will continue to put up otherworldly numbers even with Peyton returning. You can't just expect to keep winning shootouts. That's why I hope the defense can step up these next three more games and help us get that NFL championship.
I never want JDR as a HC, but I feel just the opposite about him as a DC.
At that position, I hope he stays . . .
.

[GEM]

If he isn't in demand and he wants to stay, I'd be ok with just keeping him. After 6 DC's in as many years, having one for more than a couple seasons has done us some good.

[DenBronx]

If he isn't in demand and he wants to stay, I'd be ok with just keeping him. After 6 DC's in as many years, having one for more than a couple seasons has done us some good.


My thoughts exactlly. By him not taking the USC job and our D struggling at times I have to think the demand for him isnt as good as it was earlier. We had a never ending revolving door of DCs over the last 10 years and I just want to have the same guy for 5 years or more so. I don't think our woes on D is Jack Del Rio, the injuries have really hurt the defense more than anything.


The demand for him could change though depending on how good we do in the playoffs.



Gase is one guy I would hate to lose.

[silkamilkamonico]

I'd prefer to keep Del Rio. Gave us a great defense this year and the side was demolished with inuries. I also didn't read the article, but if he insinuating firing Del Rio he's an idiot.

Gase I don't understand the infatuation with. Pretty easy to run an offense with the players he has on offense, and I still think Manning is the one calling the shots there.

[Hawgdriver]

I'd prefer to keep Del Rio. Gave us a great defense this year and the side was demolished with inuries. I also didn't read the article, but if he insinuating firing Del Rio he's an idiot.

Gase I don't understand the infatuation with. Pretty easy to run an offense with the players he has on offense, and I still think Manning is the one calling the shots there.

My gut feeling is that there is good chemistry between Manning and Gase. I don't think it's 100% Manning, but I do think it's north of 50%.

Gase is a baller OC with Manning, I have no doubt.

[silkamilkamonico]

My gut feeling is that there is good chemistry between Manning and Gase. I don't think it's 100% Manning, but I do think it's north of 50%.

Gase is a baller OC with Manning, I have no doubt.


I'm not even so sure about that. Would be curious to know how it works exactly. How many times is Manning running the specific play(s) Gase calls, as opposed to Manning audibling to one of his own? A lot of good insight in knowledge of offense all across the league with most any offensive coaches.

I don't know, just my opinion. It's not so much that I don't think Gase hasn't shown me anything, it's more my feeling you could put joe average with Peyton Manning who might offer a cent or 2 and Manning is still going to have a great offense.

[Hawgdriver]

No clue. Manning makes a lot of calls. But he has to work with certain personnel groupings, and they all have to be on the same sheet of music. Gase is accountable for that sheet of music.

[DenBronx]

Gase is aggressive, McCoy was not. That is the difference and which is why you won't see us let off the gas come Sunday.

[Timmy!]

If it happens, zero tears shed.....but **** that noise, the man has a job to do for a month....I hope

[DenBronx]

Brandon Spano is a Chiefs fan.


I suspect part of him hopes Del Rio actually leaves.