Broncos coach search

[notorious98]

Been hearing pretty much the same thing. It makes complete sense. Elway and Kubiak are really good friends and my guess is they have discussed many times what it takes to build a championship caliber team. Heck they have both been a part of one.

I also like that combination with Dennison and Joseph. I keep reading lots of good things about Joseph especially and Dennison already has a great background as an OC. Heck under Kubiak and Dennison they had Jake Plummer have his best season as a pro in 2005 with the Broncos then Schaub was a 2-time pro bowl quarterback who can't even hardly find work now without him. I'm very interested to see what they can do with a guy like Osweiler.

Schaub was also a pick six throwing bum who lost his job to Case Keenum under them.

 

[randymon]

My daughter sent this to me. Thought you guys might find interesting Former Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen endorses Gary Kubiak

This is interesting in how he compares Kubiak and Fox. In case it looks as boring as I thought at first to you guys

 

[cdumler7]

The more I am hearing about Kubiak and listening to many of his old players speak about him I am actually getting very excited about the idea of him being our next head coach. He fits the bill of a Championship caliber coach who works hard to inspire his players and a big one in players playing with a real sense of purpose.

Honestly listening to Dreessen speak a lot of what he said you could see on the field. With Fox running long drawn out practices with players walking around I saw that quite a bit this year. There just never seemed to be a sense of urgency about them at any point. Heck even our offense in the hurry up looked really slow at least compared to last year.

I would also say that you saw the team just played like every game was just the same. It was just the next game on the schedule. This team just never quite seemed to show up for the big games. I think I read something about how in games where the Broncos were actually underdogs we never once actually won a game other than during the Tebow years with coach Fox. With Manning at the helm the team just could not come through in those games.

All that to say I'm getting pretty darn excited as I think Monday we will see Kubiak announced as the next Broncos Head Coach.

 

[Broncosballer32]

This is the best case scenario with Kubiak. I do not think Manning will be able to run the stretch run offense, which is almost entirely dependent on a QB that runs bootlegs. It is that necessary to hold off backside pursuit that creates multiple running lanes. The infamous "cut back" if you will. I certainly think CJ Anderson has that skill. I also think Montee Ball could run that style of offense. Platoon backs is rather crucial if a team wants to have a RB stick around for more than 5 years.

The other aspect that is crucial is the QBs ability to stretch the field vertically. Personally, I think Elway has had this plan for a while now. I believe that was why he drafted OZ, and I think that was why he drafted Montee Ball (who has very similar running style and virtually identical body type of Terrell Davis and you can trust Elway noticed it) along with the fact he hired Alex Gibbs. I think when Gibbs left, the writing was on the wall for Fox. It is was apparent that Fox was not on board with what Elway was envisioning. Hence, the reason he said he had different thoughts to get to the next level.


I also think the super bowl performance pissed off Elway in ways that we do not know. We all thought the days of Super Bowl embarrassments were over. I mean really, the score was worse than the Redskins SB and anyone that watched that SB (old like me) know that is totally and completely unacceptable. Especially with the roster (granted much of the defense was injured).


Anyway, I think this has been a plan for a while and it probably began when he started drafting for the team's future when he drafted OZ. Fox does not have that vision and he was never a "west coast offense" guy.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

All signs are pointing to Kubiak. Gase is interviewing in Jax for the OC position and he needs the Broncos permission, 1+1. If Kubiak is the man and if Manning comes back they won't be running boots. If Kubiak is worth his salt he won't try to turn a Rolls into a Ferrari. I would imagine the O-Line personnel and scheme will drastically change but the passing plays won't. Manning will run some stretch plays in this offense and he's capable of that in fact he has done it this season. The best coaches adapt to their players strengths and I would imagine that Kubiak would relish the opportunity to coach Manning for a season or two. I think we had a coach in Denver who illustrates this perfectly, Mike McCoy. IMO he was vilified when he was very successful putting in two completely different systems with two QB's that couldn't be any different.

The more I think about it, I really like Kubiak.

 

[TDs3nOut]

With hiring Kubiak seemingly imminent, I keep wondering whether Manning will decide to keep playing or retire. Like I posted above, I can't imagine Elway telling Manning that he's not welcome to return. Makes me wonder whether hiring Kubiak might also send a signal to Manning that the team prefers he not return.

On the other hand, as others have suggested, perhaps Kubiak can adjust the offense to accommodate PM's limited mobility. Jake Plummer thinks so.

Gary Kubiak appears to be 'the guy' for Broncos, but concerns remain - The Denver Post

Excerpt:
"Good coaches can coach anybody," Plummer said. "Manning was highly successful running it for most of his career. If Manning can do some of it — he doesn't have to do all of it. You don't have him boot left six times a game and throw 25-yard comebacks. Let's be realistic. But he can play-fake, boot out, turn his shoulders and throw a flat route to the fullback or tight end. They'll find a way to make it work."

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

With hiring Kubiak seemingly imminent, I keep wondering whether Manning will decide to keep playing or retire. Like I posted above, I can't imagine Elway telling Manning that he's not welcome to return. Makes me wonder whether hiring Kubiak might also send a signal to Manning that the team prefers he not return.

On the other hand, as others have suggested, perhaps Kubiak can adjust the offense to accommodate PM's limited mobility. Jake Plummer thinks so.

Gary Kubiak appears to be 'the guy' for Broncos, but concerns remain - The Denver Post

Excerpt:
"Good coaches can coach anybody," Plummer said. "Manning was highly successful running it for most of his career. If Manning can do some of it — he doesn't have to do all of it. You don't have him boot left six times a game and throw 25-yard comebacks. Let's be realistic. But he can play-fake, boot out, turn his shoulders and throw a flat route to the fullback or tight end. They'll find a way to make it work."

I'm not too worried about the Kubiak hire eliminating or sending a message to Manning. IMO I think this talk about Denver wanting Manning to take a long walk off a short pier is silly.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I'm not too worried about the Kubiak hire eliminating or sending a message to Manning. IMO I think this talk about Denver wanting Manning to take a long walk off a short pier is silly.

I tend to agree. Elway did reportedly tell PM that he wants him back, we have won a lot of games the past three years, and PM has obviously been very instrumental in that. At the same time, we have also come up short in the playoffs each year, Elway was dissatisfied enough to fire Fox, and he is apparently about to hire a coach who has traditionally run an offense that isn't ideally tailored to PM's strengths. Not really sure what to make of all of that.

 

[notorious98]

Another "take it for what you will" article.
Report: Ravens' Kubiak plans to become Broncos coach if offered : Fantasy News

 

[cdumler7]

Well looks like the offensive side of the coaching staff is really rounding into form...

Right now we have

HC: Gary Kubiak
OC: Rick Dennison
TE's Coach: Brian Pariani--Was the TE's coach for Baltimore this past season and with Kubiak in Houston
OL Coach: The Broncos are moving TE's coach Clancy Barone to the OL coach. He is very well versed in the ZBS as he taught it to the Falcons for 3 seasons.

The Broncos are also hoping to retain WR's coach Tyke Tolbert, bring in Alex Gibbs as an Offensive Consultant, and they are still hoping to keep Eric Studesville for RB's coach.

Now the coaches we have lost so far obviously then are Fox, Del Rio, and Gase. Others though are Jeff Rodgers went with Fox to Chicago. Greg Knapp might be in line to replace Kubiak as OC in Baltimore. Our DB's Coach joined the Eagles in the same position.

One guy that I am hoping they keep but he is receiving multiple offers across the NFL is that of Richard Smith. He is/was our Linebacker coach and honestly this past season with all the injuries yet the team still stayed pretty darn strong at linebacker with all the young guys. This guy deserves some major credit for that. Plus he does have experience with Kubiak as he was the DC for him from 2004-2006.

 

[Broncos6482]

Well I can't say I'm terribly crazy about all of the moves the Broncos have made this offseason.

First, on the parting of ways with Fox: I understand the criticisms but I'm not sure it was a smart move to let him go. When you look at what he accomplished in Denver, that's not easily replicated. Four division championships in four seasons, advancing to the second round of the playoffs all four seasons, a trip to the Super Bowl, and a 21-4 record against the division. Definitely the biggest knock against him was his lack of success in the playoffs. Still, I think back to the Nuggets firing George Karl due to his playoff failures, and the team hasn't been close to the playoffs since. I hope something similar doesn't happen to the Broncos.

On to Kubiak: I like him as a guy, I'm just not sure he's a great coach. I'm not too concerned with his losing record because he basically turned around a bad Texans franchise, but I haven't seen much from him that makes me think he's capable of winning a Super Bowl. I do think he'll make the running game much better (especially if defenses are still keyed on stopping Manning), and hopefully he can help turn the offensive line into a much better unit (which I think was the biggest weakness on the team this season). I am interested in seeing who they bring in as defensive coordinator, and hopefully he can get more out of the defense than del Rio was able to do.

All in all, while I hope the moves they've made will help the Broncos win the Super Bowl, I fear that all they've really done is make a lateral move (and I've never hoped to be more wrong in my life).

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'm sure as a Bronco Fan

Seeing NE trottle that team that really kind of handled the Broncos on their homefield the week before had to reinforce the thought that Elway made the right move getting rid of Fox.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Well I can't say I'm terribly crazy about all of the moves the Broncos have made this offseason.

First, on the parting of ways with Fox: I understand the criticisms but I'm not sure it was a smart move to let him go. When you look at what he accomplished in Denver, that's not easily replicated. Four division championships in four seasons, advancing to the second round of the playoffs all four seasons, a trip to the Super Bowl, and a 21-4 record against the division. Definitely the biggest knock against him was his lack of success in the playoffs. Still, I think back to the Nuggets firing George Karl due to his playoff failures, and the team hasn't been close to the playoffs since. I hope something similar doesn't happen to the Broncos.

On to Kubiak: I like him as a guy, I'm just not sure he's a great coach. I'm not too concerned with his losing record because he basically turned around a bad Texans franchise, but I haven't seen much from him that makes me think he's capable of winning a Super Bowl. I do think he'll make the running game much better (especially if defenses are still keyed on stopping Manning), and hopefully he can help turn the offensive line into a much better unit (which I think was the biggest weakness on the team this season). I am interested in seeing who they bring in as defensive coordinator, and hopefully he can get more out of the defense than del Rio was able to do.

All in all, while I hope the moves they've made will help the Broncos win the Super Bowl, I fear that all they've really done is make a lateral move (and I've never hoped to be more wrong in my life).

Of course no one can be sure about that. Definitely riskier than maintaining the status quo.

Your comparison to firing Karl is interesting and I certainly see a parallel. Perhaps one key difference, however, is that the Nuggets also lost a very talented GM after letting Karl go. With the Broncos, however, the risky move to fire Fox seems to have been made by a GM who is trying to send a signal that winning in the regular season is just not good enough.

Will the bold move pay off better for the Broncos than it did for the Nuggets? I don't know, of course, but I am fairly optimistic that it will.

Finally, to your point about Kubiak having never shown that "he's capable of winning a SB" ... no coach ever really can show that until he does it, right? I mean, was anybody saying that Shanahan looked capable of winning a SB when he was HC in Oakland?

 

[TDs3nOut]

Seeing NE trottle that team that really kind of handled the Broncos on their homefield the week before had to reinforce the thought that Elway made the right move getting rid of Fox.

I did interpret that as evidence that Elway probably made the right decision, particularly when added to the horrible Denver performance in last year's SB.

 

[Broncos6482]

Of course no one can be sure about that. Definitely riskier than maintaining the status quo.

Your comparison to firing Karl is interesting and I certainly see a parallel. Perhaps one key difference, however, is that the Nuggets also lost a very talented GM after letting Karl go. With the Broncos, however, the risky move to fire Fox seems to have been made by a GM who is trying to send a signal that winning in the regular season is just not good enough.

Will the bold move pay off better for the Broncos than it did for the Nuggets? I don't know, of course, but I am fairly optimistic that it will.

Finally, to your point about Kubiak having never shown that "he's capable of winning a SB" ... no coach ever really can show that until he does it, right? I mean, was anybody saying that Shanahan looked capable of winning a SB when he was HC in Oakland?

I think a coach can show that he's capable of winning a Super Bowl before he does. Kubiak has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. Isn't that the point we're at with Fox? That's why I said I fear it was a lateral move.

As for Shanahan, let's not discount the fact that he went to San Francisco and won a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator immediately before getting the Denver job. While Kubiak had a very good season in Baltimore, it doesn't really compare to the season Shanahan had with the 49ers in 94.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I think a coach can show that he's capable of winning a Super Bowl before he does. Kubiak has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. Isn't that the point we're at with Fox? That's why I said I fear it was a lateral move.

As for Shanahan, let's not discount the fact that he went to San Francisco and won a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator immediately before getting the Denver job. While Kubiak had a very good season in Baltimore, it doesn't really compare to the season Shanahan had with the 49ers in 94.

I find it odd that you would discount Kubiak's Super Bowl experience as Denver's OC. He also had a hand in that SB win that Shanny enjoyed in San Francisco. What makes those experiences less significant than what Shanny did in SF?

Also, you can't forget that Shanny had HOF QB's helping him get his SB rings. Kubiak had Matt Schaub.

 

[Broncos6482]

I find it odd that you would discount Kubiak's Super Bowl experience as Denver's OC. He also had a hand in that SB win that Shanny enjoyed in San Francisco. What makes those experiences less significant than what Shanny did in SF?

Also, you can't forget that Shanny had HOF QB's helping him get his SB rings. Kubiak had Matt Schaub.

Because Shanahan did it the year before he became a head coach. Like it or not, the NFL has changed a lot since Kubiak last won a Super Bowl. And Kubiak had a chance to bring a HOF qb to Houston, but decided he was good with Schaub.

Also, when the Broncos won their Super Bowls, Kubiak wasn't the one calling the plays, Shanahan was, just like Shanahan was calling the plays for the 49ers when they won in 94.

Again, I'm not saying Kubiak can't get it done, just that I'm skeptical. I would love nothing more than to be proven wrong on this.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I did interpret that as evidence that Elway probably made the right decision, particularly when added to the horrible Denver performance in last year's SB.

Yep...not saying he's bad HC...quite the opposite I think...Fox will most likely stabilize the Bears and turn them into a playoff caliber team. I just think when the chips are all on the table (SB) he's not going to be the guy to pickup all the chips.

 

[notorious98]

I think a coach can show that he's capable of winning a Super Bowl before he does. Kubiak has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. Isn't that the point we're at with Fox? That's why I said I fear it was a lateral move.

As for Shanahan, let's not discount the fact that he went to San Francisco and won a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator immediately before getting the Denver job. While Kubiak had a very good season in Baltimore, it doesn't really compare to the season Shanahan had with the 49ers in 94.

To be honest, doesn't EVERY coach typically show that he's capable of winning a Super Bowl, which is why he gets hired in the first place?

And, by all means, give me one example of a coach that was a certified Super Bowl caliber head coach before they were hired. All coaches who had already won Super Bowls as head coaches don't count.

 

[notorious98]

Yep...not saying he's bad HC...quite the opposite I think...Fox will most likely stabilize the Bears and turn them into a playoff caliber team. I just think when the chips are all on the table (SB) he's not going to be the guy to pickup all the chips.

Fox is a mediocre coach. Proof positive is the fact that he never finished with two winning seasons in a row in Carolina.