Crystal Ball

by bcfunk on Dec 18, 2008 9:05 PM MST

So here I am watching a pretty darn good game between two teams that have caused our Broncos much pain in the past decade. As I watched the Jaguars, I couldn't help but think that Jack Del Rio could be fired following the season. AND...if that indeed did happen and 'ol Jack didn't get a head coaching gig (hard to believe, but it could happen), would we jump the gun, fire Slo and hire Jack? I'm not qualified to assess his "defensive coordinator" prowess (I know his defense coordinator abilities helped him get the job in Jax after serving as Carolina's D-Coord.), but I think I'd welcome his hard-nose attitude more. Anyway, here's a Thursday night poll for your consideration and enjoyment.

Disclaimer: This post is more for fun. I know many want to give Slowik another shot.

Poll

Assuming Bob Slowik gets "Old Yeller'ed" by Shanny after the season ends, what stud D-Coord do the Broncos hire?

Jack Del Rio (assuming he's fired)

13 votes

Raheem Morris (firery Bucs DB coach who could take over for Monte Kiffin if he leaves)

1 votes

Jim Johnson (assuming Eagles coaching staff is fired)

18 votes

Wade Phillips (he'll be fired soon. Homecoming for fatty)

6 votes

Marty "freakin" Schottenheimer (screw getting your heart re-broken w/da Browns! If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!)

3 votes

Hoosier Teacher (can't resist the $$$)

19 votes

Boss Bailey (figures Broncos sick leave policy is better for its coaches)

3 votes

63 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

Tweet Comment 45 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well Jax just lost....

so…Mr. Del Rio is becoming more of an option each passing day… :^)

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 18, 2008 9:07 PM MST reply actions

Del Rio isn't going anywhere

The Jags just signed him to a big extension and the ownership group has elected to give him more power over personnel than in the past, they got rid of their GM, so I think he will be there for at least 1 to 2 more years.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

If Jim Johnson were available

how could he not be the choice? What he does on defense perfectly complements what Shanny likes to do on offense Every game would be either a 1 point squeaker or a 53-13 blowout. Gotta get him some talent though, as a lot of what he does is predicated on having the greatest safety to ever play the game lining up for him…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 18, 2008 11:43 PM MST reply actions

That was my choice

I love his approach to defensive.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 6:40 AM MST up reply actions

I would agree with that pick

But I am sure regardless of what happens with Reid, that the Eagles will do whatever to keep Johnson there.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 11:33 AM MST up reply actions

if` he does come here

he could have the next 2-3 drafts to get his talent

by robbo650 on Dec 20, 2008 2:07 PM MST up reply actions

Wade Phillips

If they bring back Wade, it could be Deja Vu all over again. In 88, the Denver defense was awful. So, they let go long-time Defensive Mastermind Joe Collier and brought in Wade Phillips, who was in favor of a more aggressive defense. With Wade came many defensive upgrades, like #1 pick Steve Atwater, Alphonso Carreker, Ron Holmes, and the emergence of Tyrone Braxton, Michael Brooks, and Simon Fletcher. They also almost got Bruce Smith from the Bills that year as well, but they matched the offer sheet. The changes led to a defense that was #1 in scoring, although the end of the 89 season is not worth talking about. Now, in 09, Wade can come back, and we can draft a safety again in the first round (Mays, Moore) just like 20 years ago, and bring in other players and have others that we have step up to have the same kind of improvement. I don’t think the ending would be the same, however.

by PABroncofan on Dec 19, 2008 4:39 AM MST reply actions

When you put it that way...

I could see this scenario happening out. Wade won’t get another head coaching job (take that to the bank), is better suited as a coordinator, and could work quite well with Shanny…

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 6:42 AM MST up reply actions

I’d prefer us to hire someone in a consultant role who will help Slowik build on the scheme that’s in place already rather than someone new who’ll put in a completely new thing. The players like Slowik and getting rid of him may not be the best idea. Of course, this probably won’t happen but it’d be the best thing for the team at the moment IMO.

by Muse_Cubed on Dec 19, 2008 4:50 AM MST reply actions

Then let's hire the consultant!

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 6:43 AM MST up reply actions

I vote HT for consultant!

Victor Frankl:

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

by wyoeng on Dec 19, 2008 8:26 AM MST up reply actions

Wow!

I’m honored to be in the poll, and really honored to be in second place (at this point). It would be hard to turn down that kind of money! : )

Seriously though, as much as I (think I) know about football, I would be wayyyyy out of my league at the pro level as a DC. On the other hand, a consultant is less of a coordinator and more of an administrative “trouble shooter”. I think you could reasonably bring in a former HS DC (if he had good organizational skills) to audit a program. He isn’t “running” anything; he’s just someone who questions everything, tracks issues (injuries, play stats, etc) and gives an outsider’s assesment of things that the insiders may not be seeing (trapped in a paradigm of thinking).

For instance, he could start by using funds to research our rate of injuries proportionate to our conditioning program (bring in an outside sports medicine group or even a collegiate sports med program with grad students needing research). He could also bring in former pro and collegiate coordinators to asses the issues. He wouldn’t do the “hands on” work so much as he would be the one coordinationg the research that he invests in. Because he’s doing it, it gives cover to anyone inside the organization that doesn’t like being probed into (“Hey Slowik, it isn’t me that want’s it; it’s the consultant. And he works for Bowlen”).

Yes, I voted for me. For one, it’s all in fun. Two, Baby needs new shoes! lol

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 19, 2008 1:41 PM MST up reply actions

Sounds like

you have your cover letter already written!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"Superman wears Peyton Hillis pajamas" - FlaBronco

by DesertBroncoFan on Dec 19, 2008 1:54 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah.

The Denver front office needs a good laugh!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 19, 2008 2:34 PM MST up reply actions

Jim Johnson and Hoosier Teacher neck and neck...

If you end up on the short end, HT, look on the bright side: there will undoubtedly be other coordinator positions opening up. Maybe you’ll get the Raiders job!

"You're slow. You're not a running back, and you're not a running back for a reason."
The Shanahan

by Broncs Cheer on Dec 19, 2008 8:34 AM MST reply actions

Not for a million dollars.

No joking. Not even for a million.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 19, 2008 7:15 PM MST up reply actions

hell i'd do it for a million

i would run a 5-2 and see what happens

by robbo650 on Dec 20, 2008 2:12 PM MST up reply actions

I wouldn't.

First, the stress of being with an organization that is so dysfunctional would be rotten (not only on me, but my family). The negative publicity of going to such a terrible program would be horrific. And last, I like my current job.

The worst part would be the hate that would spew towards my family if the program wasn’t successful. They’re not very rational in Oakland (though the fan base finally seems to be coming around to the idea that Al Davis is the central problem).

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 20, 2008 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

well im 16 and be happy with a million dollar job

and i dont think it would affect my family because i could just live in san francisco

by robbo650 on Dec 21, 2008 8:09 AM MST up reply actions

Ah youth.

How slowly we learn where real happiness resides.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 21, 2008 10:51 AM MST up reply actions

I'm with the consensus.

How can we not hire Jim Johnson? Blitz every play… make the other QB’s life hell… Force all kinds of turnovers… mmmmmmmm…….

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 19, 2008 9:35 AM MST reply actions

It may be a stretch to see him fired...

but one has to wonder if the Eagles go in a different direction if they miss the playoffs. They could trade McNabb, fire the coaching staff and, perhaps, make a run at Cower. If Jim Johnson is becomes available then, I’d personally carry him to Denver from Philly.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 10:01 AM MST up reply actions

Del Rio

Would be owed 8 figures if he gets fired since he signed a contract extension in the off-season. He’s not going anywhere.

Jim Johnson isn’t getting fired either, and Andy Reid won’t be back only if he decides to walk away….

I think it might be time to give someone more than 1 year. Give him a draft where defense is the focus and lets see what happens…

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena on Dec 19, 2008 10:02 AM MST reply actions

Ah ha!

Guru didn’t shoot down Boss Bailey, HT, Marty, Wade or Morris! There’s still hope… :)

Again, this was more for fun than anything else. On a serious note, I know many want to give Slowik another draft/season. My question is thus, what do you think Shanny will do, not necessarily what we (as a team) should do. I think a lot depends on how we finish the season and how we perform during the playoffs. If we end strong (make the playoffs, win or at least compete in a playoff game), then I’d be shocked to see Slowik fired. However, if we tank and lose out, miss the playoffs, or back into the playoffs and get are asses handed to us, I wonder if Shanny would feel the pressure and hire another d-coord… Just wondering…(actually, Boss is wondering…)

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 11:10 AM MST up reply actions

I would say the following

Rick Dennison, he was a LB when we had a very good defense, he should know 3-4 schemes well, having grown up in Collier system, and he has studied other defenses from the offensive side of the ball.

Next on my list would be Gunther Cunningham, I love the way his guys play for him, give him talent and he will have a top flight defense nobody will want to play.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 11:35 AM MST reply actions

As far as Shottenheimer

Though I would like him to be a defensive coordinator, I really don’t think he will want to not be a HC, I am guessing that he will likely end up being a HC in the college ranks. He seems to have a great ability to teach, I don’t know if he can recruit, but he may have more success in the college ranks as a HC since he won’t have to worry about pissing guys off that make more money than he does.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 11:39 AM MST reply actions

I've always wondered that myself...

he wouldn’t need to recruit as long as he hired a stud recruiter/coach on his staff. I’d also think he’d enjoy teaching some classes while on campus too.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 11:50 AM MST up reply actions

I am tired of the one and done DC's

Lets give Slo another year and have more talent to work with and fewer injuries. He has lost 5 starters on defense this season due to injuries this year. How can anyone honestly fire the guy based of not have very much talent on defense. Look realistically at what he has done to keep Denver in most games, especially with no pass rush a suspect run defense and one that has not created many turnovers. yet this team is one win away from playing a home game in December. There needs to be continuity on defense. Changing DC’s every year will not do that. Look at Alex Smith at SF. he has had a new OC every single season he has been in the NFL. SF’s offense blows and nobody really knows if he has the tools or not (for the record I say he does not- but without continuity we may never know)

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Dec 19, 2008 12:31 PM MST reply actions

I would like to see Slowik stay

but I voted for Marty even though I doubt he would go for it (a little too much animosity built up over the years of getting beaten by us).

Besides, it would fun to thumb our noses at SD when our defense starts kicking butt all over them. Go ahead, try to steal a RB out from under us when yet another of our starters goes down, we’ll take your former head coach that got you to 14-2 before being unceremoniously dumped!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"Superman wears Peyton Hillis pajamas" - FlaBronco

by DesertBroncoFan on Dec 19, 2008 1:29 PM MST reply actions

It would be a coup d’état like no other

of course this all happens in Bizarro World. It would be the greatest of ironies… While we’re living in Bizarro World

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 2:18 PM MST up reply actions

Also, in Bizzaro World...

Boss Bailey stays healthy for 16 games!

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 2:18 PM MST up reply actions

And the Lions wouldn't stink

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 3:44 PM MST up reply actions

Might add that baseball would be watchable and there would be a playoffs system in college football

I guess also Raider fan wouldn’t think Al Davis is a god.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 3:46 PM MST up reply actions

Slowik needs to stay

But not as a DC.
he is a great teached but crappy game planner and has problems adjusting defenses when they need it. He was like this in Green Bay too.
I would not mind Mike Nolan too…Jimmie or Jack would be great!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Dec 19, 2008 2:30 PM MST reply actions

I think he would be best back running the DB

And though sometimes I think coaching gets overdone, it would be interesting to see them set up something similar to the offensive side of the ball, where you have a DC/Assistant HC, and one guy in charge of run defense, and one guy in charge of pass defense, and work with the various position coaches.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Dec 19, 2008 3:43 PM MST up reply actions

I like Slowik a lot

But I think we should upgrade if any of the big names are available or willing. Marty, Jimmie, Jack, Mike, WADE…I’d love one of them to come in…no unknowns though. No “here’s your chance to be big-time”…get someone who is proven and will work with the players we have.

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Dec 19, 2008 3:04 PM MST reply actions

Would you rather keep slowik or get one of these guys??

minus boss & Hoosier

by RiG on Dec 19, 2008 5:55 PM MST reply actions

I forgot about Nolan

and his suit

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 19, 2008 8:38 PM MST reply actions

I'm a coat and tie guy! Vote for me!

lol

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 20, 2008 12:38 PM MST up reply actions

I think Slowik did a pretty good job considering the injuries,

but I have to agree with boydy about his lack of ability to adjust. I work on Sundays and only get to see the second half of the games, but our lack of pressure is absurd. Have we recorded a sack from our secondary or linbackers? If so I missed it. The only blitzs I’ve seen were ill conceived, ill timed or just lame. If you can’t get pressure from your front four you must find another way! Thus, I would have to vote for any of the big names at DC, above retaining Slowik. This includes HT.

by danelama on Dec 20, 2008 6:12 PM MST reply actions

I'm flattered (but still dumbstruck) at the support I'm getting.

But really, why would anyone vote for Boss Bailey for DC? I’m not trying to run out my competition (lol), but Boss Bailey?

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 20, 2008 6:31 PM MST reply actions

U shouldn't be surprised HT

I think that Shanny has been reading your posts all year and is about ready to make the change!

by metalman5050 on Dec 20, 2008 6:41 PM MST up reply actions

Here's the plan.

The Broncos hire me as the defensive coordinator. The team gets a lot of PR for hiring a blog writer and former HS defensive coordinator to run the defense. But in reality, another individual is actually running the defense (and getting paid to do it). Everyone wins.

The press gets a feel good story, I get my fifteen minutes of fame (and a unique learning experience), the real coordinator is sheltered from criticism, and the team gets a huge PR lift (which can translate into marketing issues). You know someone would make a movie too.

The worst case scenario would be that they actually DID hire me. I’d be in over my head, would ruin the team for years to come, and even the friendly family I have at MHR would be calling (justifiably) for my head. Still, I can dream!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 21, 2008 5:18 AM MST up reply actions

HT - AKA, Coach "Cloaking Shield"

I love the cloaking shield notion to allude. I bet that would catch on quick. I sure bet Jason Garrett and Wade Phillips wish they had one after last night’s debacle (digression, note to Broncos defense, remember those two long TD runs when/if we play B-more in the playoffs).

We have a faith in you! How hard can it be? snicker snicker… :)

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Dec 21, 2008 11:07 AM MST up reply actions