With new coordinator coming in, Denver will start over on defense — again. Matt Bowen
I don’t like the idea of Mike Nolan leaving the Broncos.
Yes, we can sit here and speculate all we want about the comments from both Nolan and head coach Josh McDaniels, call it a “mutual agreement” and all the other nonsense that comes along when someone gets fired under the table — or leaves because of a better opportunity.
But, the bottom line here is that Denver just lost a very good defensive coordinator, only to be replaced by — shockingly — another Bill Belichick disciple from New England, as reports are that Dean Pees is on his way to Denver.
The Broncos made a huge jump this season with some veteran additions that played well in Nolan’s scheme. I understand that the Denver defense did contribute to the club’s 2-8 finish after the 6-0 start, but the point here is that you have to have some sense of structure and stability as a football team.
And now, those defensive players who are returning have to start over with a new coach and a new scheme. It doesn’t matter what type of front Pees runs, because the terminology will be different, as will the meetings, the techniques and the way this team practices and prepares for Sundays.
It will all change, and the Broncos will start over again.
Is this what McDaniels wants, or is this a sign of a young coach who might be in a little over his head? Again, this is just speculation. But when you have the type of collapse the Broncos did after the hot start — with multiple bouquets being thrown your way — followed by the news of Nolan leaving town, it is hard not to wonder what is going on out there in Denver.
Nolan’s unit finished 7th in total defense this season. Veterans Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey had excellent seasons in his scheme, from my perspective, and Elvis Dumervil produced big numbers. They were plus-7 in turnover ratio and were on the right track to installing a defense that could work hand-in-hand with McDaniels' offensive system.
Yes, the run defense was porous — especially in December — but that can be corrected over the course of an offseason, especially when the players know what to expect from their defensive coordinator going into mini-camps and OTAs.
Players want structure and good teams have that solid structure on both sides of the ball. But, that has been removed in Denver.
Time to hand new playbooks out in Denver for the defense — again.
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I have read that there was mutual tension between McGenius and Nolan. Nolan wanted total control over defense and mini-Hoodie wanted his hands in everything. And so when an interview request was sent to Nolan they decided it would be fine if Nolan left. Which is a bummer because I thought Nolan was a great DC.
As for Pees not excited about him. Maybe something will change and he wont be the hire. I read that a few players want Don Martindale at DC (the LB coach). Then again there were players that wanted Slowik as DC...
Mc loser is so in over his head.....good to see his arrogance paying off
Oy. Tell me again why the Broncos fired Shanahan? Because they were concerned about the late season collapses? Because he couldn't hang on to a defensive coordinator for more than one season?
You know what is more disconcerting to me than the actual parting of ways with Nolan? It's the apparent lack of involvement in the decision by Xanders. Wasn't one of the reasons for Shanahan's departure the desire to move the team towards a more diversified power structure? Yet here again, McDaniels seems to be calling all the shots. Broncos fans didn't sign up to put the entire future of the franchise in this guy's hands. He doesn't have the experience for that. But it appears he is functionally making all of the personnel decisions and all of the coaching staff decisions.
The lights are going out Broncos fans. Get ready for a long, cold winter of discontent. This will end badly.
McDaniels isn't making Happy Meals in how he treats coworkers. It could be said the coach is drinking a bit too much of his own kool-aid. The front office is swimming in it, Michael Phelps style. This doesn't end happily for fans at a Denver Subway shop either.
Get ready for that cold winter, on a diet of cold Pees soup. Pass the kool-aid while you're at it.
Has anyone said how this would affect Brandon Marshall's status with the team? The Rockies bandwagon might become a cannibal frenzy if things get stuck. Not like a backstabbing coach would inadvertantly develop a carnivore culture, horse is on the McMenu.
First the attempt to get Cassell and now this? Who will McDufus try to pilfer from N.E. next. Aren't there any more QBs he can wrest away to replace the mediocre Kyle Orton? Pat Bowlen, what have you done to a once proud franchise? Wear it, Bowlen, wear it.
Scot,
Denver fired Shanny b/c he was one of the worst GM's in the NFL. He wouldn't take a demotion to just 'coach'. He couldn't evaluate talent (draft or free agent) on the defensive side of the ball and his personnel and scouting structure was terribly (embarassingliy) antiquated. He also won 1 playoff game in a full decade of coaching. That's not good enough for almost any team.
Mike's a great coach, but an awful GM.
Give McDaniels a few years to see what he has.
Losing Mike Nolan hurts because, once agian, there's ZERO continuity within the defensive coaching staff, but KEEP IN MIND that Denver's defense improved partially because they added Hill, Goodman, Dawkins, Ty Law, Vonnie Holliday, and Andre Davis. Last year, those positions were filled by Marclon McCree, Dre Bly, Marquand Manuel, Jack Williams, John Engelberger, and Jamie Winborn. Denver's 2008 defense went mostly unemployed in 2009.
So the hiring Mike Nolan was a good hire, but was it more important than upgrading at almost every position on defense? Hard to say.
They went 6-0, in large part because of a great defense -- then, when somebody figured out how to attack the D, it became very porous in the last half of the season and put much more pressure on offense to score quickly. Not much of a mystery that Nolan is gone.
Thanks for your input fellow posters, but I think Denver will be fine. People all over looked for who or what to blame for the collapse, and those who really know why know it wasn't McD, Orton, the RB's, or the LB's and secondary. The collapse was due to decreased line play on both sides of the ball.
I wasn't surprised the DL's play decreased, but the OL's surley did. The fact is, in those last 10 games, our OL, in the interior, and on the RT (where we had a back up) was pourous. It was so bad that Orton had little time, and the RB's had to break at least 1 tackle to get back to the line. You can all spew out your hatred for McD (like I've never heard it), but the fact is, he got a lot of production out of a team that is not overly talented, and was not good on the DL. I think with a new starter or 2 on each line the Broncos will be much better.
And as for Nolan leaving, there I have heard it was mutual, and it was actually more of Nolan wanting to leave than anything. If you look at his resume, other than San Fran, hes an East Coast guy, and he wanted to leave for a job there, and Miami was his number 1 destination. And besides, a Woody Paige article at the DP said that McD has more control of the D than most believe, and although Nolan deserves credit for the D's turnaround, McD deserved more
And for those of you who are clever enough to come up with witty disses put at the end of Mc, Denver fans heard you all last year, and we also heard how without Cutler, we'd go 0-16, and we would suck, and blah blah blah.
Do you guys get tired of being wrong about McD, cuz I am.
Scot,
Denver fired Shanny b/c he was one of the worst GM's in the NFL. He wouldn't take a demotion to just 'coach'. He couldn't evaluate talent (draft or free agent) on the defensive side of the ball and his personnel and scouting structure was terribly (embarassingliy) antiquated. He also won 1 playoff game in a full decade of coaching. That's not good enough for almost any team.
Mike's a great coach, but an awful GM.
Give McDaniels a few years to see what he has.
Losing Mike Nolan hurts because, once agian, there's ZERO continuity within the defensive coaching staff, but KEEP IN MIND that Denver's defense improved partially because they added Hill, Goodman, Dawkins, Ty Law, Vonnie Holliday, and Andre Davis. Last year, those positions were filled by Marclon McCree, Dre Bly, Marquand Manuel, Jack Williams, John Engelberger, and Jamie Winborn. Denver's 2008 defense went mostly unemployed in 2009.
So the hiring Mike Nolan was a good hire, but was it more important than upgrading at almost every position on defense? Hard to say.
Scot,
Denver fired Shanny b/c he was one of the worst GM's in the NFL. He wouldn't take a demotion to just 'coach'. He couldn't evaluate talent (draft or free agent) on the defensive side of the ball and his personnel and scouting structure was terribly (embarassingliy) antiquated. He also won 1 playoff game in a full decade of coaching. That's not good enough for almost any team.
Mike's a great coach, but an awful GM.
Give McDaniels a few years to see what he has.
Losing Mike Nolan hurts because, once agian, there's ZERO continuity within the defensive coaching staff, but KEEP IN MIND that Denver's defense improved partially because they added Hill, Goodman, Dawkins, Ty Law, Vonnie Holliday, and Andre Davis. Last year, those positions were filled by Marclon McCree, Dre Bly, Marquand Manuel, Jack Williams, John Engelberger, and Jamie Winborn. Denver's 2008 defense went mostly unemployed in 2009.
So the hiring Mike Nolan was a good hire, but was it more important than upgrading at almost every position on defense? Hard to say.
Hey Super7, are you kidding with this - "Give McDaniels a few years to see what he has."
A few years is an eternity in a league that stands for Not For Long.
And Ryan, you can wear it too. What you got out of Neckbeard Orton is the best you'll ever see. Gee, I wonder how much they're going to offer him to be The Franchise. There's a reason why Elway gasped when he heard Cutler was gone. Jay may need to have his head pulled out of his behind, but that will happen. Just remember: an eagle may fly low to the ground but a chicken will NEVER soar. So wear Orton too.
I agree with what Super 7 said
Bob K (Bears fan I am guessing?), IMO it is highly unrealistic to expect a coach to come in and completely change the schemes on both sides of the ball, along with the culture of the team, and have instant success. Most franchises who hire new HCs are not in good shape talent wise (Exception...HI SAN DIEGO & DALLAS) and I think HCs deserve at least 4 full yeas to try to implement the plan they laid out to ownership. If no significant progress is made after that, then can him. If you had told Broncos fans before the year they would have been 8-8 at the end of the year I bet a lot of them would have been pleasantly surprised with all the offseason turmoil they had.
What if mcD loses Marshall too? How many guys is he going to shred by the time 2 years is over with lol. Nolan did a great job, especially with 2nd half adjustments, and he's gone... after how bad they were?! Then they bring in a guy from the pats. Wonder how that D did this year
CK, you make some good points. And if you want an eternity to turn around a team, you need to get hired by the Bears. The McCasket family is loyal to a fault. Which is why I never believe the pundits when they say who would want to coach in Chitown. Who wouldn't? It's guaranteed job security. You get five plus years no matter how bad a job you do.
So.... according to the article.... the 6-0 start is all thanks to Mike Nolan and the 2-8 finish is all thanks to Josh McDaniels......
You know cause if you don't adjust your defense midseason, when opposing teams figure it out, it's fine, after you lose 8 games you can work on it in the offseason.....
I want to tell you all to go eff yourselves, but even for this Broncs fan, it's hard to keep trusting what's going on. Cuter, Marshall, Sheffler, Nolan - that's a lot of good talent gone by the wayside to be replaced by Orton, Who knows, Who cares and Pees (a guy just fired in NE).
Damn - at least with Shanny, we knew the offense would be good and our D would suck. Now I don't know what to think.
Now matter how it is sliced, Denver loses in the Nolan for Pees swap and jettisoning Nolan after one season should outrage Broncos fans and provide top management more than enough evidence to support the conclusion that McDaniels is not fit to lead an NFL team and should be fired!
Visit www.joshmcdanielssucks.com, a Denver Broncos online community advocating for the swift termination of Josh McDaniels, or at the very least ensuring McDaniels knows that Denver Broncos fans deserve better than Kyle Orton! The website offers a detailed timeline of McDaniels' disastrous first year, photo gallery of "McDumb Faces," Broncos news and insights, and a petition to fire McDaniels that has been signed by 3000+ individuals in 10 days!
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Jan 19, 2010
11:59 AM
Trust me Denver fans, Pees is not an upgrade... I've seen Pees in action and was glad he left NE...
....and yes Matt, the boy wonder IS over his head....little man's disease....