Denver Broncos report: Changes for 2013?
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
The Denver Broncos juggernaut of a season continued with a 34-12 win over the Cleveland Browns at Mile-Hi Stadium. With periodic success in all three facets of the game and having yet to play a complete game, the Broncos are primed for the playoffs.
But will this team look the same in 2013? The answer to that is a resounding, “No!” You can be certain that there will be some major changes made. And those major changes will, most likely, include the coaching staff.
There are numerous teams who will be looking for new head coaches next year. The list includes the Philadelphia Eagles where Andy Reid has worn out his welcome with some very questionable coaching moves. Those moves helped to transform a Super Bowl favorite two years ago to a team that is lacking direction and enthusiasm.
The list also includes the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, where Norv Turner and Romeo Crennel’s days are numbered. Turner’s Chargers have steadily declined since he took over and this year has been a major disappointment as the Chargers are limping home with a below .500 record. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are one of the worst teams in the NFL even though they have one of the league’s most dynamic players in Jamal Charles. Fans in both cities are calling for a new direction.
So how does this affect the Broncos? Offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy and his defensive counterpart, Jack Del Rio, will be prime targets for teams in the search for a head coach once the season ends.
McCoy was already highly regarded last year and was a finalist for the Miami Dolphin job. He has shown that he is one of the more flexible coaches in the league. Last year, he re-invented the Bronco offense in mid-season when John Fox handed over the quarterback reigns to Tim Tebow. The highly successful, yet controversial offense managed to score just enough points to lead the team to the playoffs. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs capped the team’s season. This season Mc Coy revamped his offense yet again when Peyton Manning joined the team. Their success has been highly publicized as the Broncos have easily won their division and are on a pace to make a serious Super Bowl run.
McCoy has the ability to configure an offense around special players. He has the ability to rejuvenate Philip Rivers and to build an offense around the dynamic, yet woefully underused Jamal Charles. He would be a great fit for either team. My prediction is that he’ll wind up in Kansas City where he will build an offense around Charles and groom one of their quarterbacks. A side bet of mine, regardless of where Mc Coy winds up is that he could work wonders with the talents of Michael Vick.
Jack Del Rio has only been with the Broncos one season, yet he’s had a remarkable impact on the defense. The former Jacksonville Jaguar head coach has the Broncos ranked fourth in the league. He is a former all-pro linebacker whose defense is both smart and aggressive. He has reshaped this team into his type of personality. This defense is now physical and determined to stop the run, a much-needed improvement over last year’s unit.
With head coaching experience, Del Rio has the pedigree to lead a major-market team that needs a defensive overhaul. What better fit than the Philadelphia Eagles whose defense has been a major disappointment over the last two years. Talent is already there, a workable scheme is not. Del Rio will implement that scheme and immediately bring the Philadelphia Eagles back to football relevance. Should Del Rio land in Philadelphia, look for Michael Vick to regain his starting position and have a re-energized season next year.
The new challenge next year for John Fox will be to replace both of his assistants. But that’s how it works in the NFL, for every winner there’s a loser and for every failure there’s a success story. Mike Mc Coy and Jack Del Rio are two of this year’s success stories. They have the vision and acumen required to lead a team. The Broncos, as a result, will look different next year, as two new coordinators will lead the offense and defense.
Hans Benes is an NFL writer for TPF and can be contacted at HBenes@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.
I personally don’t think that Jack Del Rio will be going anywhere in 2013. Maybe 2014, sure, but 2013 is too close to that 2011 mid-season firing in Jacksonville for many NFL executives to forget. The Jaguars had an impressive defense in 2011 too, but lacked in offensive production under Del Rio.
We also know that many of these teams that will be needing new coaches will want to make the switch as soon as possible. With the Broncos not starting their playoffs until two weeks after the season finale (and quite likely to go further than the divisional round), McCoy and Del Rio will not be available to interview in a timetable that fits with these teams’ hiring desires. It will be telling if the Eagles, Chargers, Chiefs, Browns (and possibly Bills, Titans, Bears, or Jets) wait to make their new hiring announcements until the Broncos have been eliminated or (hopefully) after the Superbowl.
I think the Eagles will likely go with a new coach who can keep the offense there thrumming and who can bring along an actual defensive coordinator (not some offensive line coach) as well. Maybe Chip Kelly? The Chargers, being who they are, will likely take a long look at Andy Reid. The Chiefs likely will make a move for McCoy, though. I can see the Browns grabbing up McDaniels as soon as he is available, assuming they can’t convince Saban to give it another go in the pros (though I have no idea why they would be able to convince Saban to leave ‘Bama for any reason).
Still, it will be interesting to see how it shakes down for the Broncos, but I can foresee (and I hope) Del Rio sticking around for another year.
As a Bronco fan, I certainly hope that you’re right. But I don’t see it. There are too many teams with needs and coaches who have helped take their teams to the playoffs are always in high demand. Del Rio, with prior head coaching experience, will lead the list. It’s not as important for teams to sign a coach quickly as it is for teams to sign a capable one with proven leadership qualities.