Thread: No surviving: Vance Joseph new Defensive Coordinator

Who all did VJ interview with this cycle? I know he get a second interview with the Eagles and their media was saying he was a favorite for it... obviously not now... Just curious how the league viewed his body of work and how far along in the process he was at other sites, etc.

Originally Posted by Davii

Who all did VJ interview with this cycle? I know he get a second interview with the Eagles and their media was saying he was a favorite for it... obviously not now... Just curious how the league viewed his body of work and how far along in the process he was at other sites, etc.

I believe it was just Denver and Philly.

Just out of curiosity I looked at where the AZ Defense has ranked the last 4 years:

2022: 31st points, 21st yards
2021: 11th points, 11th yards
2020: 12th points, 13th yards
2019: 28th points, 32nd yards

So two really bad years, and two decent years. Not the most inspiring resume ever, but at least they did show competent play for a couple of years.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

Just out of curiosity I looked at where the AZ Defense has ranked the last 4 years:

2022: 31st points, 21st yards
2021: 11th points, 11th yards
2020: 12th points, 13th yards
2019: 28th points, 32nd yards

So two really bad years, and two decent years. Not the most inspiring resume ever, but at least they did show competent play for a couple of years.

Any context on 2019 and 2022? I could dig into it but I'm lazy and want you to do my analysis for me.

Originally Posted by Davii

Any context on 2019 and 2022? I could dig into it but I'm lazy and want you to do my analysis for me.

2019 you could probably just write it off as him taking over a bad defense and needing to get his guys in there. No clue on 2022. Seems like a bad sign that it regressed that badly after two decent years, but I can't pretend like I followed the Cardinals all that closely.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

2019 you could probably just write it off as him taking over a bad defense and needing to get his guys in there. No clue on 2022. Seems like a bad sign that it regressed that badly after two decent years, but I can't pretend like I followed the Cardinals all that closely.

From local Arizona media very early in this past season:

"Even the most optimistic Arizona fans should’ve known that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t have the horses to compete. How a 10th-year GM like Keim didn’t know is anybody’s guess."

"Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has assembled a defensive unit that could potentially be one of the NFL’s worst."

"Many Arizona Cardinals draft selections are failing to get it done in the NFL"

Originally Posted by Davii

From local Arizona media very early in this past season:

"Even the most optimistic Arizona fans should’ve known that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t have the horses to compete. How a 10th-year GM like Keim didn’t know is anybody’s guess."

"Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has assembled a defensive unit that could potentially be one of the NFL’s worst."

"Many Arizona Cardinals draft selections are failing to get it done in the NFL"

I mean, that last point you could arguably tie to how they were developed by their coaches, but if the GM was letting stars go and failing to replace them, that would be a fair point.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

I mean, that last point you could arguably tie to how they were developed by their coaches, but if the GM was letting stars go and failing to replace them, that would be a fair point.

That last quote was across the board, all phases. The few legit stars they did have had injury issues or were well past their prime (JJ Watt)

Originally Posted by Davii

That last quote was across the board, all phases. The few legit stars they did have had injury issues or were well past their prime (JJ Watt)

In any case, defensive talent certainly won't be an excuse for him here. He has the horses now to put up a solid defense.

I read a spicy conspiracy theory that I liked: The Broncos knew for a while VJ was their target, so they interviewed Patricia so that VJ wouldn't look as bad in comparison. It really is hard to believe Patricia was a legitimate candidate.

Don't like the move at all. In fact, I ******* hate it.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

In any case, defensive talent certainly won't be an excuse for him here. He has the horses now to put up a solid defense.

There are no excuses across the board over the next three years. Offense better improve (OL might be a longer term fix than one year, but it better improve), and Defense better be good.

I hate everything about this move. VJ doesn't bring a strong philosophy or identity, he's already lost the confidence of Broncos fans, and his track record as a DC sucks. Given all the interviews and the timing - it reeks of a desperation hire, the least bad coach laying around in the scrap heap.