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Notes From Lombardi: Broncos Breakdown

Michael Lombardi

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FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF DENVER’S MOVES...

The Broncos have been busy this offseason as they attempt to rebuild and reconstruct their team.  One thing that has become very apparent in the first week of free agency is that head coach Josh McDaniels is firmly in charge. Just ask Jay Cutler.  In spite of his youthful appearance, McDaniels has a plan, and part of that plan is to change things -- dramatically.  I compared all the Denver moves earlier to a college team that hires a new coach and raids the junior college programs to increase its core talent level in hopes of winning as it rebuilds.  I see the “Year One” part of the plan is to increase the Broncos’ talent and character level along with getting everyone to understand the new method of operations on and off the field.  The word “compete” is the focus each time the players enter the building.  However, one question still hasn’t been answered: Where do all the pieces fit? 

First, the key component of the McDaniels plan is to increase the level of competition in practice.  Read the book by Jim Collins, “Good to Great,” and you realize that everything we must do to achieve our goals comes in gradual steps of progress.  McDaniels seems willing to invest money in players who are not significantly better than what he may or may not have, but he’s willing to make this move in order to increase the level of competition at each practice.  Churchill once said, “Fear does the work of reason.” When there is competition, players are fearful of losing their jobs, so they work harder, practice harder and pay attention harder.  As George Young, the late GM of the Giants, used to say, “The hungry solider is the best solider.”  McDaniels is trying to lay a foundation of competitiveness and professionalism.  There’s a plan here. 

We know the Broncos are going to a 3-4 hybrid defense, and since they were one of the worst team in the NFL in terms of defensive talent, this move shouldn’t be hard to make.  Any move here means instant starter and instant help, regardless of how small the improvement might be.  Switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4 requires finding some base ends who can handle the tackles in the league and play with power.  It also requires a nose tackle who can play the run and is physical inside.  All parts were not in stock when McDaniels and Mike Nolan took over this defense, so it will be a work in progress.  Patience is a virtue in Denver.  Playing sound, fundamental defense and not being as scheme creative as they were in the past should help the Broncos cut down on all the big plays allowed on defense. 

Here are their transactions so far:

OFFENSE

Chris Simms, QB: He’s a good leader and very hungry for a starting job. Joining McDaniels will rejuvenate his career.  He’ll keep the pressure on and always competes. 

                   

LaMont Jordan, RB: A big back who cannot be the starter. But he can wear down teams and is a very good short yardage runner. 

J.J. Arrington, RB: Kickoff return specialist and a jack-of-all-trades. The Kevin Faulk of the Rockies. 

Correll Buckhalter, RB: Another back who cannot be the main man, but he and Jordan might be able to complement each other. Between the two of them, the Broncos might have one back. 

Jabar Gaffney, WR: McDaniels needed someone who can show the other wideouts what the offense is about and someone he can trust to prepare and play the game the right way.  This signing will help on the field, but more off the field. 

DEFENSE

Kenny Peterson, DT: He has played well for the Broncos and might be the best defensive lineman from the old regime.  He is best when he’s on the move and might be best suited to an inside nickel tackle role. 

Darrell Reid, DT: Comes from the one-gap scheme of the Colts and is best suited to be on the move. Plays a little bigger than his size, however, he’s not a zero technique nose and will need to be on the move. 

           

Ronald Fields, DT: Will significantly help the defense in terms of power and technique.  He is strong and can hold the line of scrimmage.  My favorite signing of the Broncos. 

Andra Davis, LB: Not very fast, will struggle in pass coverage and struggle to make space plays.  He’s very limited, and I doubt he can hold the starting job all year.  They might be able to draft over him. 

Andre' Goodman, CB: Smart and tough and coming off his best season.  He might not have great speed, but he has balance and can make plays. 

Renaldo Hill, CB/FS: He’s a football player – smart and aware of the game -- but he’s limited in some areas of athletic talent.  He can play inside slot, and as long as everyone knows his speed limitations, he will be able to make plays. 

           

Brian Dawkins, S: Like Gaffney, he was signed for his off-the-field talents as much as his on-field talent. 

Lonnie Paxton, C: He helps McDaniels set up his kicking game.  Not sure I would have spent the money on a replaceable position. 

Even after all this, there is still much work to do.  The Broncos must find a pass rushing outside backer, and it appears to me they will focus on defensive players in the draft.  Improving the core special teams players and defensive talent is the first order of business in the draft.  This free agent class will never make a splash, but the Broncos have to get good before they get great.  Great players need to come from the draft. 

Competition is the Golden Rule, and McDaniels is the boss. We’ve learned this in the last week. 

Comments

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Richard Hamilton
Mar 05, 2009
05:11 PM

Why all of the signing of RBs? Seems to me that the Broncos had several good backs last year, unfortunately, every single one of them got hurt! I'm not sure of the status of those RBs from last year, but it sure seems like there is going to be a LOT of competition at the RB position.

scott
Mar 05, 2009
05:46 PM

+ dawkins will bring some stuff to an unsolid D. Strong move.

Andrew N
Mar 05, 2009
06:03 PM

What I keep hearing is that the Broncos are going to try Darrell Reid at OLB. Which I am a fan of because the dude can flat out run on special teams. There is a pretty good youtube video of it.

As far as ILB goes I think the Broncos are solid there with DJ Williams with maybe Woodyard playing WILB and Williams as SILB or Williams at WILB with Larsen/Davis SILB. So I would not agree with using a first on ILB.

I take it that you don't think Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil will not cut it as pass rushing OLBs?

mark F
Mar 05, 2009
06:06 PM

Patriots liked to rotate their backs. They use the term “game plan specific”, so they want different styles available to attack each individual defense in different ways.

My feel for McDaniels is that he likes big backs, or at least one big back. Prefers to run between the tackles. I bet he brings in another hammer type back to push Lamont Jordan if there isn’t one already on the roster.

It irks me when people lump McDaniels in with Mangini. McDaniels accomplished much more as the OC of the Patriots than Mangini ever did. In his one year as DC; Mangini was average, and really cashed in on being a hot name for a great team at it's peak. I've always felt that way about Mangini. Not a spygate opinion.

McDaniels worked his butt off and mastered the offense over a number of years, as well as earning the respect of some of the games highest profile players. He was just so smooth and in control with his play calling. McDaniels is the goods and I predict him big success. He will be missed.

Andrew N
Mar 05, 2009
06:08 PM

D-Line still needs help. Fields will have to play NT. At DE right now all the Broncos have are Marcus Thomas and Kenny Peterson maybe Tim Crowder too. I was hoping they would bring in Olshansky for a look.

As for DBs the Broncos need a future and I think that is where their early picks should be spent.

JayR
Mar 05, 2009
06:20 PM

Thanks Mike for shedding light on what seems to be a bit of a hap-hazard FA period for the Broncos. From the outside looking in, it’s difficult to see a cohesive plan.

I think the Shanahan Broncos were guilty of un-due loyalty and un-due commitment to players that can’t help you win. 2008 Starters like Dre Bly, John Engleburger, and Nate Webster should have never been on the roster to start the season. And, I think the willingness to make changes, none of which is a dramatic financial risk, is to be applauded.

Yet, it remains to be seen if Pat Bowlen got rid of too many guys with gray hair in the building and the young GM and Coach, neither with previous experience, are going to be doing more on the job learning than you would hope that they would. Getting rid of long snapper Mike Leach appears to be an unnecessary throwing out the baby with the bath water type of move. Signing three veteran RBs looks to be overkill, particularly when two of them are really the exact same type of player. They (the GM and Coach) have gone on record that they value multi-dimensional players that can play more than one position and can contribute in several roles. A third down back (Arrington) who flat out can’t block, A power back (Jordan) who is an inconsistent blocker and situational player at best don’t seem to fit the mold.

In addition, lost in the whole failed attempt for Matt Cassel to replace Jay Cutler maneuver is that they were ready to do a deal (verified by several news sources) with Tampa for a first round pick and a third round pick for Cutler, which would seem to be less than half of what the compensation for a third year QB coming off a Pro-Bowl birth is worth on the open market.

Watching their draft will give us all more clues as to whether this GM-Coach combo is ready for prime time. For now, I would say that jury is still very much out on this Bronco administration.

As an aside The Denver Post reporter Mike Klis reported today “Darrell Reid, is a tackle the Broncos plan to convert to outside linebacker” which sounds very odd.

Eric Green
Mar 05, 2009
06:55 PM

Michael,
Good to Great is one of the best books I have read. Glad you liked it too.

John Myers
Mar 05, 2009
07:36 PM

Hi Michael,

This article is very good and also very informative.

Also unless they make some serious changes on the Defense they are not going to win very many games that is for sure.

JoeDonLooney
Mar 05, 2009
10:07 PM

Tomlin came up in the Tampa 2 but, when he got the HC job in PITT, did not try foist that onto the Steelers. Instead, he partnered with LeBeau and year 2 won it all.

The Broncos have 2 primary building blocks: Cutler and Clady (their WR are good but one has character issues and, in general, WR are fungible). Anyway: a month or two into the job, McDaniels hacks off Cutler, preferring Cassel, a 1 year wonder, but one who has been in his system, over a bona fide Pro Bowl QB. Cutler is very clearly the best in his draft class and, very clearly, has the ability to transcend system.

Smells like disaster. McDaniels seems intent on transplanting the one scheme he knows, regardless of the pieces in place. It is very true the Broncos have nothing on defense; no change could be worse than the epically awful D they played in 2008. That is not so on the other side; within range, that was a quality unit. However, it's there McDaniels is swinging his big stick. Unwisely, imo, tho time will tell.

On the plus side: there is room for character players, wherever. Fields was a good pickup for them.

Bill
Mar 05, 2009
10:31 PM

I like what I've seen - and I hate the Broncos going back to Morton & Co.

McDaniels isn't impressed with the team he inherited, so he's going to make the players earn it. Cutler has gotten off to a bad start. What, exactly, does he think he's entitled to?

I love the Lombardi effort, but calling JJ Arrington "The Kevin Faulk of the Rockies" is hyperbole. Kevin Faulk is one of top 10 Patriots of all time: reliable, game-changing, unrelenting. If Arrington gets that level, he's made it.

Drew T.
Mar 05, 2009
11:07 PM

Thanks for this. It all makes more sense now.

I hope MacDaniels is flexible enough to find Peyton Hillis a role. I think his running stats were inflated by all the quick trap draws Denver ran out of third and long-- so I don't see him as a feature RB-- but the dude is a baller with serious hands and a knack for making the play that needs to be made. He converted some crucial third downs, and none of them were routine or easy. The team feeds off him, too.

dan
Mar 06, 2009
02:51 AM

Great article and great comments. Nice work, guys. I feel like I just read two or three good articles!

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