Living in Colorado, I watch every Broncos game and am very familiar with the team. They have a remarkable offense, led by by quarterback Jay Cutler, with plenty of weapons for him such as wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Their offense ranked 2nd in the league this year. However, their defense couldn't prevent your Grandma from getting into the end zone, ranking 29th in the league and looking much worse than that on occasion.
Mike Shanahan was fired by owner Pat Bowlen with the main reason being Shanahan wouldn't fire their defensive coordinator Bob Slowik. So Bowlen's going to solve these defensive problems by bringing in a defensive-minded coach such as Rex Ryan for example right? Wrong. Let's get that offense up a spot to #1 in the league!
Chris Mortensen reports that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be the new Broncos coach, according to Pro Football Talk. McDaniels is considered an offensive genius, and if you've watched the Patriots' games anytime recently, you know why. He made Matt Cassel look like Joe Montana in no time.
Still, I don't get this at all. Your offense is going to be outstanding no matter who is in there, simply due to the talent level of your quarterback and the skill players around him. However, it doesn't matter how good that offense is if you don't make some significant changes with the defense. You can win some 42-41 games in the regular season, but you can't play such football in the postseason. If it's me in charge of that organization, 75% of the moves I'm making this offseason are on the defensive side of the ball, and I want the head coach to have a defensive mindset. If you get an even mediocre defense on this team with the offense they already have, they'd be very dangerous.
The Broncos Bring In An Offensive Genius To Be Head Coach... Why?
Posted by Matt Clapp | 1/11/2009 07:42:00 PM | Bob Slowki, Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, Matt Cassel, New England Patriots, Pat Bowlen | 3 comments »
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Bowlen said from the outset of his head coaching search that he would hire the best candidate and not hire simply based on the need for help on defense. Only time can tell if Daniels was the best for the job.
The fact that Dom Capers appears to be the DC would seem to be a good sign as he is both an experienced NFL coach but also a veteran who can help Daniels with the transition.
It remains to be seen how it all plays out.
Mike Nolan's the DC apparently. I like him. Still, the head coach sets the identity of the team. I think they would've been better off bringing in a guy that believes in tough, physical football. That offense is going to put up points no matter who calls the plays and how it's arranged. I mean now it can be a very special one, but still, if their defense doesn't have some significant changes it won't matter. Just mediocrity on defense with the offense they already have and it's a Super Bowl contender.
The coordinator position is more critical to the success of a particular unit. The head coach's specialty before becoming head coach is less important than you think.
Look at these examples:
Tony Dungy - defensive coach - average to below average defense in Indy.
Andy Reid - offensive coach - average offense in philly with dominating defense
Marvin Lewis - defensive coach - terrible defense in Cincy
Romeo Crennel - defensive coach - terrible defense in Clev
Sure some times it would work out...Mike Tomlin (def in Pitt) but more often than not it isn't the head coach that makes a unit its the players and the system the coordinators run.