Barry Gutierrez - AP
John Elway joined 102.3 in Denver for The John Elway Show on Friday and spoke a little about his time at the Senior Bowl, but where the real interesting information came in was when he was asked about defensive coordinators.
Elway mentioned both Jack Del Rio and Richard Smith but stated that, "There are other [defensive coordinators] out there as well."
Elway mentioned Smith specifically about seven times during the two to three minutes that he was discussing the defensive coordinator. One point he did make immediately is that the Denver Broncos defense would not change much as head coach John Fox will remain the backbone of the defense.
One other interesting moment was Elway again insisting that Tim Tebow is the starter going into camp, paying mind to mention that there are only two quarterbacks currently on Denver's roster and that a team needs at least four to go into camp. He would not comment on whether or not the Broncos would draft a quarterback in April.
UPDATE:
Well, that explains why Elway was boasting Smith so much. Denver has just named Jack Del Rio their defensive coordinator.
0 recs | 67 comments
Richard Smith isn’t in the same league as Jack Del Rio. It isn’t even close. Hire Jack Del Rio.
Nick Cast - January 27, 2012
agreed. Del Rio is the best option.
Zac Man - January 27, 2012
+1
broncos7life - January 27, 2012
^ This
Zac Man - January 27, 2012
If we promote Wink...Ugh I mean Smith our defense will remain in the bottom half of the league.
Continuity isn’t always best if it means you are settling for less talent. We should grab the best DC out there and IMO that is Del Rio.
BroncoMath101 - January 27, 2012
Couldn't have said it any better myself.
broncos7life - January 27, 2012
I have faith and trust in Elway
that he will do the right thing, sorry I’m not more controversial or provocative, GO BRONCOS!!!
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
The organization is becoming to cheap. Del Rio would be a great defensive coordinator
Open up the pocket book and sign Del Rio, stop being so cheap
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
You think the Broncos are cheap, Scotty?
Romeo is handling both HC and DC over in KC and it sounds like they aren’t going to pay Haley for the rest of his contract. Now thats cheap! Glad I’m not a Chefs fan.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
That is cheap, but last offseason we signed our coaching staff rather cheaply, not saying it's a bad thing.
The cam free agency, they didnt spend much, just alot of cheaper contracts, and to “Big” signings were a almost 30 year old RB and a DT who’s injury prone and won’t be the same.
just seems to me that either Bowlen isnt willing to spend the money, or he just doesnt have it. If he does, open up the check book, bring Del Rio in. Don’t go the cheap route and promote within
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
I think with the FA issue
The front office was right on point, build through the draft. With coaches though, I say pony up and get the best. There are those that believe Del Rio might not be the best option though. I’m not one of them, but I am no expert either.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
I agree re build through the draft
but I honestly don’t think that is anything but words. If we were going to build through the draft, we would be drafting developmental guys at high value positions in the later rounds. Not developmental TE, S, LB
yibberat - January 27, 2012
Easy there
EFX has only had one draft with a bunch of holes to fill. Let’s see what happens in April and we’ll have a better idea if it’s a hollow statement or what they actually intend to do. Even then, it will probably still be too early to tell for certain.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Yeah i do agree with you a little on FA
have to spend a little. I agree build through the draft, but have to sign an impact FA or two.
Del Rio’s defense in carolina was the 2nd best in the league that year. Gave up under 20 points per game. His D’s in Jax always killed us it seemed. Always played tough.
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
He has fielded some impressive defenses
Del Rio has definitely got some credentials. I’d love to have him, if he’s willing to come
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Same!
hearing that he doesnt really want to move his family from jacksonville, so that could be a hold up.
But if he comes, his personality would be contagious to this D i think. Hopefully he would be to us, what Wade Phillips was to Houston
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
He has some intensity
That I have always admired. I think he could be a real asset to our LBs.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
EXACTLY.
Build through the draft, but that doesn’t mean ignore free agency! We need to sign a couple impact players, not just fillers to 1 year contracts.
broncos7life - January 27, 2012
I agree
I think we fill the SS position through free agency if Dawkins does indeed retire. Maintain a balance of youth and experience in every group.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
I just found a Del Rio clip
he could have picked off a pass and helped the Vikes beat the Redskins :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwfUrcrKq8&feature=related
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
I nominate McGeorge, if he'll take the job
I’d actually dig it if we hired Del Rio, but I am not sure if he’d take the job. Sounds like they are leaning towards Smith. Not a problem, it will still be Coach Zorro’s D.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
that's the spirit
and Romeo Crennell is just as fat as Sergeant Garcia!
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
Us large guys actually prefer the term "Rotund"
We all know what happens when a coach wheres too many hats, shady things start happening!
CH74 - January 27, 2012
absolutely
Crennel is a bit smarter than Sergeant Garcia, I’ll give him that
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
I've got some respect for Crennel, despite the coaching tree he fell from
It will be interesting to see what he can do with a better team. He might be better suited as a cordinator.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Crennel is the only
member of the Tuna tree that isn’t an a-hole, good for him!
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
I wonder if he puts that on his resume?
CH74 - January 27, 2012
if I were his agent (shudder)
I would!
the new Bradfather - January 27, 2012
Rotund???
Pickwickian is at the extreme of “rotund”. Not the image I would like to project. How about “big boned”?
frankencrank - January 27, 2012
Long Live Cartman!
Big boned is acceptable and it always makes me think of South Park.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
beef-CAKE!!
boanst - January 27, 2012
Would Del Rio provide some kind of continuity?
Trinidad Jack - January 27, 2012
That's the million dollar question, Jack
I think that no matter which way the Broncos go, Fox will provide continuity on defense. If Del Rio is willing to come to Denver as a cordinator, I say we bring him in!
CH74 - January 27, 2012
more than a hot DC with no previous HC experience (see Dennis Allen) and more than a Bad DC (see last prior 5 years).
How many mediocre HC have you seen get fired and then get a job offer the next year after going back to being a DC? Most people know what they will be getting as a HC and it might take a few more years proving themselves again as a DC before they get more interest.
I think Smith, even if the Defense is still Fox’s baby, will not make a great DC. He’s already only proved to be a mediocre DC in his last 2 stints.
Even if Fox is running the show a good DC will make a huge difference. For the year Del Rio was there, Carolina had the #2 defense. Then he left. They dropped to 7 the next year then like 19th the year after. It was still a Fox led D.
BroncoMath101 - January 27, 2012
Great points, BroncoMath
Having a good cordinator would free up Fox to do more with the rest of the team. I’m not sure how long it would take for Del Rio to start getting HC offers though. I think it is a possibility that it could happen sooner rather than later. Thats something we shouldn’t worry about though. Bring him in roll with him for as long as he’ll stay.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Del Rio was not a great HC in JAX
It will take some time before he is considered seriously again
si_ice - January 27, 2012
All it takes is one desperate team
How many hot seats are left out there? Seems like there shouldn’t be too many. Dennis Allen already?
CH74 - January 27, 2012
of all the coaching hires made this year how many were previous HCs?
Indy: Nope
Bucs: Nope
KC: Yep but Crennel had a prior relationship with Pioli in NE
Oakland: Nope
Miami: Nope
BroncoMath101 - January 28, 2012
If you already knew, why did you ask? :)
What is good for one team might not be good for another. I think 2012-13 is probably going to be a pretty stable year for HCs though. Seven teams just turned over their coaches. Of course there is still Dallas and Oakland out there doing their thing.
You forgot Jeff Fisher in St. Louis and Mike Mularkey in Jax. Both of those guys have HC experience. If you’re counting, that is nearly half of the new HCs with previous experience as a head coach.
CH74 - January 28, 2012
True but Mularky was a head coach years ago and Fisher wasn't mediocre by most standards.
BroncoMath101 - January 28, 2012
Semantics man!
You only asked how many coaches were hired with HC experience. Fisher was a good hire by the Rams. Mularkey with Jax, probably not so much. The big question is how many of those first timers flame out? Those teams could then do like we did, go after a proven coach with experience.
Stranger things have happened. Del Rio has nine years of experience with mixed results. That means he was good enough at one time to get another contract. Teams are going to look at both his experience and his results.
The bottom line is coaches come and go. The fans and team shouldn’t worry about crossing that bridge until we get to it. It would be great to have some continuity with the DC after all these years. I don’t know if Del Rio will give us that, but I know he will make a definite impact while he is here. I look forward to seeing that impact.
CH74 - January 28, 2012
lol semantics true. I see the perspective from both sides. In honesty though I think he'll be here for at least 2 years maybe 3 before getting another HC gig.
But I agree. I really am excited about Orange Crush coming back and I think Del Rio is the perfect DC to get us back to it.
BroncoMath101 - January 28, 2012
I agree and I love the hire
I think that Del Rio gives us the potential to field a top ten defensive unit in the not too distant future. The only stipulation is that EFX get him the talent to do it, which I think they are fully capable of and wanting to do. Excited might be an understatement for me.
CH74 - January 28, 2012
I'd rather spend more money on the new players for our Defense
than spending much with Del Rio, i know he’s better than Smith but as long as Fox as our HC, the Defensive playbook will be the same. Again, i will just spend much on the FA & Draft to beef up my Defensive unit.
GB2
BroncoinCA - January 27, 2012
Different salary pools.
BroncoMath101 - January 27, 2012
I'd rather spend more on position coaches and scouts
than on DC/OC
yibberat - January 27, 2012
Build a scouting Army
With the ability to rate all the college and free agent talent out there. As much as I hate the Patsies, I think that is how thye approach it.
CH74 - January 27, 2012
hence their crappy OC for the 2012 season :)
trumanj - January 27, 2012
^This
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Our scouting dept is actually not bad and our new director of player personnel is a former patriot scout.
BroncoMath101 - January 28, 2012
Exactly !
:)
BroncoinCA - January 27, 2012
Richard smith is wink martidale. Lazy hire and our d would regress.
McGeorge - January 27, 2012
Forgot to mention cheap hire. Smith is the dollar general hire. The one that says bowlen still has money issues in a bad way. If we hire smith, we follow it up with little UFa activity.
McGeorge - January 27, 2012
Yeah it's evident we're lacking money
Cheap free agent signings and cheap bargain hunting coaching hires.
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
It's almost hard to believe
We have the most popular player in professional sports and the fans are overwhelmingly excited about Bronco football again; how can they not be raking in money right now?
I was watching Last Man Standing for the first time a couple of nights ago and Tim Allen’s character mentioned John Elway and watching a Bronco game in the same episode. All of the publicity has to be paying off.
ElwayFanJ - January 27, 2012
Leave no stone unturned, find us a great cordinator, Please?!
Regressing is not allowed. We need another 10pt. jump in the rankings and I don’t think Smith is the guy to do that. Thats why I say McG for DC! :)
Maybe Romanowski still wants to coach? In all seriousness, I think Del Rio would work wonders with our Defense. Where are the billboard kids?
CH74 - January 27, 2012
Dollar Tree>>>Dollar General
aw heck, all family dollar stores suck, the candy costs as much as a shirt, what the heck?
the new Bradfather - January 29, 2012
Not necessarily
Who would be the best linebacker coach we could hire to replace Smith? IMO, that would be more important long-term than whoever is DC.
yibberat - January 27, 2012
to give just an example
Bill McGovern of Boston College. He’s the guy who turned Luke Kuechly from the #44 ranked LB out of HS into something a bit more than that
yibberat - January 27, 2012
Late puberty and hard work did that more than any coach.
Smith is a failed over the hill DC candidate. A never was.. He was a perfect McJedi hire. Bad for a real NFL team.
McGeorge - January 27, 2012
Nonsense
Some college position coaches regularly turn average HS players into golden NFL prospects. Others turn HS studs into nothing much. Others simply polish HS studs. And at the college level, the turnover is so high that statistically it is significant.
For McGovern the LB’s in the last five draft years are: Luke Kuechly, Mark Herzlich, Mike McLaughlin, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Robert Francois. Not one was projected as NFL caliber out of HS. All have been drafted by NFL teams. That is high caliber coaching
yibberat - January 27, 2012
Th
Then his next move is to college DC. Not nfl position coach.
McGeorge - January 27, 2012
Well he already is LB/DC
yibberat - January 27, 2012
Rebuilding teams
should look heavily to colleges for their position coaches. A whole slew of them to pick from. And for those teams position coaches are IMO more important than the DC/OC/HC jobs.
yibberat - January 27, 2012
I have no idea how smart he is
as far as calling defensive plays and I’m not looking for a cheap hire for Bowlen, but what about promoting Keith Burns to DC? He has been with the Broncos forever (16 years, 5 as a coach). I doubt he would leave us hanging like Allen did. Would he be a decent candidate though?
Digger24 - January 27, 2012
Denver hired Jack Del Rio as its defensive coordinator.
Per Schefter
Scotty Payne - January 27, 2012
I just saw Adam Schefter post this on FB
I haven’t found a link yet.
weazel - January 27, 2012 via iPhone app
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