I didn’t get a response to this tweet, didn’t expect one… but I did make myself laugh
The coaching staff (and talent pool) keeps getting leaner in Denver under Josh McDaniels' Napaleonic regime.
Mike Nolan is leaving the Broncos after one (fairly) successful season for reasons that remain unclear. What IS clear is that its can't be good news for Broncos' fans.
I know I’ve already made the point that I don’t really agree with many of the choices a single decision Josh McDaniels has made since setting up shop in Denver, so I won’t go too far into that.
I’ll just say that I’m shocked that Mike Nolan won’t be back with this team next year. I don’t know the details, as of time of press, I don’t think anyone knows, but whether he was encouraged to leave or asked for a way out (it’s one or the other, no one’s buying the mutually decided to part ways bullshit, there’s a reason for a coach to depart after 1 year on staff) I’m just surprised he won’t be back with the team next year. The quote “I can’t say anything other than Josh and I mutually agreed to part ways,” from Nolan doesn’t exactly suggest that there isn’t more to the story.
The defense shares some of the blame for the team’s struggles down the stretch (particularly during a 120+ points allowed 4 game stretch to close the season) but the unit made VAST improvements under Nolan’s tutelage (from bottom 5 to top 7 in one year) and the team could use his services next year as it hopes to improve on an 8-8 campaign.
Considering that next year the offense may struggle to an even greater extent with the possible departure of Brandon Marshall its hard to believe that the Broncos want to get worse on defense. Especially considering the number of teams that are looking for help on the defensive side of the ball – there is a shortage of quality defensive coaching available this offseason. Most consider Pees and McDaniels likely to reunite, which solves that problem, but if not it leaves a big hole on the Denver sideline.
Regardless, Nolan will land on his feet and should have a new defensive coaching position within the week. I’ll make no such guarantees about the Broncos landing safely next season.
Update: Still no significant news, but its nice to see that Doug Farrar over at Shutdown Corner (whose name I realize mine sounds a lot alike each time I type it) agrees with me. This is yet another in a long line of missteps in Denver. Somebody get Napoleon under control.
Though Nolan was new, its apparent with the imminent signing of Pees (formerly with McD in New England) that McDaniels is seeking to build a powerbase in Denver and establish a regime full of ‘his guys’. The problem is, a lot of the old guard that he has/is running out of town wasn’t what was wrong with this team.
Elvis Dumervil of the Denver Broncos has 10 sacks through 6 weeks.
Warren Sapp just said on Gameday Morning that he thinks Dumervil has a shot at the single season sack record. Dumervil logged a ton of sacks in a single game, so 10 through 6 is a bit skewed, but he might just have a shot on this rejuvenated Broncos D.
The Broncos don’t have the Vikings on the slate this year, so he won’t get any help from Brett Favre, but that shouldn’t hinder his chances at a (baker’s) dozen in his next 10 games.