The Usual Suspects--Getting To Know the Coaching Staff Incumbents--Defense
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 2:39 PM MST
in 2009 Off-Season
50 comments
While keeping some stability on the offensive side of the ball may seem likely in certain circumstances, there are few, if any circumstances where we can picture retaining any of the defensive coaching staff. Their crimes include surrendering over 400 points a year over the past two years, and taking a situation in 2007 that could only be described as "rock bottom" and bashing their heads against it until they broke through to defensive hell.
To continue the process of evaluating which coaches are free men, on parole, or sentenced to life, we'll next take a look at a rag-tag lineup of criminal minds and their accomplices, brought before the MHR jury by the crack team of MHR Special Investigators. They were on the run for two years before they got caught, but the "Great Heist of '08" proved to be their undoing, as they attempted to steal the last jewels of self-respect from a tradition that began with the Orange Crush.
Lets meet these Defensive Schemers.
Bob Slowik, Defensive Coordinator
 |
A former defensive back at University of Delaware, Slowik got his start with the Broncos by working with Shanny at Florida. He worked on the opposite side of the ball coaching the secondary, but a friendship would form that would start a common theme throughout Slowik's career: following his friends. He broke into the NFL by joining highschool teammate Dave Wannstedt on the Cowboys defensive coaching staff, acting as an assistant, and then followed the soon to be much maligned Wannstedt to Chicago where he was promoted all the way to defensive coordinator. |
Slowik spent a year in Cleveland as the Browns defensive coordinator, continuing a trend of defenses that were in the top half of the league versus the pass, but middling to poor vs the run.
In four seasons (2000-03) coaching Green Bay’s defensive backs, he developed one of the NFL’s most exciting and productive secondaries. Slowik, who also was the Packers’ assistant head coach from 2002-03, helped Green Bay record the highest takeaway total (116) in the NFL from 2001-03. The 2002 Packers defense produced 45 takeaways for the league’s best mark while the 2001 unit tied for the NFL’s second-highest takeaway total with 39.
His secondary led a 2003 defense that held opponents to a 69.0 passer rating for the fifth-best total in the NFL and tied for seventh in the NFL with four takeaways in the red zone. The Packers produced 21 interceptions (fourth best in the NFC) in 2003 thanks largely to the production of Slowik’s defensive backs.
|
Under Slowik’s guidance, Packers safety Darren Sharper developed into one of the premier defensive players in the NFL and earned two Pro Bowl and Associated Press All-Pro selections (2000 and ‘02). Sharper earned Pro Bowl honors and was named All-Pro in 2000 when he posted a career-best nine interceptions to lead the NFL and become the first Packer in 38 years to accomplish that feat. In the five
A 30 year coach with strong allegiances to friends, family and former assistants, Slowik spent his last two years being awful in every measurable defensive category. Broncos fans can only hope that he continues his trend of following his friends and former bosses out of town.
|
COACHING EXPERIENCE 17th NFL Season, 4th with Broncos TEAM Position Years Broncos....................Defensive Coordinator..............2008 .........DefensiveCoordinatorDBs.....................2007 .......DefensiveBacks..........................2005-2006 GreenBayPackers......DefensiveCoordinator...........2004 ....AssistantHC/DefensiveBacks...........2002-2003 ....Defensive Backs.......2000-2001 ClevelandBrowns...........DefensiveCoordinator.......1999 ChicagoBears................DefensiveCoordinator..... .1998 ...........DefensiveCoordinator/LBS..........1996-1997 ...........DefensiveCoordinator/Secondary.......1993-1995 ....Dallas Cowboys....Defensive Assistant....1992 ECU....................................Outside LBs......................1991 Rutgers..............................Seconday...................1984-1989 Drake University........................Secondary.................1983 University of Florida....Defensive Assistant......1979-1982 University of Delaware..Graduate Assistant....1978 |
Ronnie Bradford, Defensive Backs
 |
As a Broncos Player, Bradford saw only about a season and a half's worth of action after being drafted and cut by the Dolphins in 1993. He went on to start for Arizona, Atlanta and Minnesota, and may best be rememberd by Broncos fans for his Interception of John Elway in SuperBowl XXXIII. In his first year on Denver’s coaching staff as a special teams assistant in 2003, Bradford worked alongside Special Teams Coach Frank Bush and helped guide a unit that finished fifth in the AFC in both punt return average (11.3 yds.) and kickoff return average (22.1 yds.). The special teams were highlighted in Weeks 9 and 10 when Deltha O’Neal and Rod Smith scored on punt returns in successive weeks, marking the first time in NFL history that two different players from a team returned punts for touchdowns in consecutive games. Bradford’s 2004 unit featured an AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (KR Reuben Droughns) and two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week winners (Elam and P/K Micah Knorr) while playing a pivotal role in Denver’s second consecutive playoff berth. Droughns became the first kick returner in Broncos history to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Month after averaging 30.5 yards per kick return in September. He directed one of the NFL’s strongest special teams units in 2005, a year in which Denver went 13-3 en route to capturing the AFC West title and advancing to the conference championship game. The Broncos tied for the NFL lead in fewest opponent drives started past the 50-yard line (10) while ranking second in the league in opponent starting field position (27.9-yard line). |
|
Bradford’s special teams in 2006 limited opponents to a 6.9-yard average on punt returns, marking the fifth-lowest mark in the NFL and the best by the Broncos in 11 seasons. Paul Ernster, in his first full season handling punt and kickoff duties, had the second-highest touchback percentage (25.3) in the NFL while Elam set a franchise record for field goal accuracy (93.1%) to rank second in the league. For all intents and purposes, our Special Teams took a downgrade when Scott O'Brien arrived in town, and Bradford was transferred to Defensive Backs in 2007 with Slowik. As Slowik was also given the job of DC, Bradford probably handled the majority of the DB work, and then was made the sole DB coach after Slowik was promoted. Since his transfer, we have gotten less out of Special Teams and less out of our DBs, indicating that Bradford may have enjoyed continued success if he had been allowed to continue to head up the ST staff. Overall I would say the jury is out on his contributions, but unless he is pulled to the ST side of the ball, or someone like Champ speaks on his behalf, I would guess that a new coordinator would spell the end of Bradford's days in Denver. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 6th NFL Season, 6th with Broncos. TEAM Position Years Denver Broncos........................................DefensiveBacks......................2008 ........................Assistant Defensive Backs..................2007 ....................Special Teams..................2004-2006 ...............Special Teams Assistant...................2003
|
Jacob Burney, Defensive Line
 |
Burney spent five seasons (1994-98) with the Cleveland Browns / Baltimore Ravens franchise as its defensive line coach. He was hired by the Browns in 1994 and oversaw a defensive line that contributed to a defense that allowed only 204 points, nine rushing touchdowns and 3.6 yards per carry that season. During Burney’s tenure as defensive line coach in Carolina (1999-01), the Panthers showed a knack for creating turnovers with the defense posting 74 takeaways from 2000-01 that ranked as the fourth-highest total in the NFL during that period. In 2001, Burney coaxed a breakout season from third-year defensive end Mike Rucker, who posted a career-high and team-leading nine sacks. Under Burney’s tutelage, Rucker developed into a full-time starter and set a record for sacks by a Panthers defensive lineman. In 2003, Burney’s line was a major force on a defense that finished the season ranked among the NFL’s best in several categories. The defense only allowed 277.1 yards a game, which ranked fourth in the NFL,and set a franchise record for third-down defense (29.5%) to place third in the league for that statistic. Defensive end Bertrand Berry led the team with a career-high 11.5 sacks (52 yds.), and Pryce added 8.5 sacks (47 yds.). Burney’s line once again proved to be one of the NFL’s top units in 2004 as its play helped the Broncos’ defense rank fourth in the NFL for the second consecutive season. The |
|
In 2005, Denver’s defensive line was pivotal in the club posting a 13-3 record and capturing the AFC West title en route to advancing to the AFC Championship Game. As defensive line/ends coach, Burney instructed a group that helped Denver rank second in the NFL in run defense, allowing only 85.2 yards per game. Denver held two opponents to less than 20 rushing yards in a game, including its contest at Jacksonville (10/2/05) in which it allowed the second-fewest rushing yards (12) in a game in franchise history. Burney coached defensive ends for the Broncos in 2006, a year in which Denver was the only AFC team and one of just three clubs in the NFL to have three defensive ends post at least six sacks. Dumervil, in his first season, thrived under the veteran coach’s instruction with his team-high 8.5 sacks marking the third most by a rookie in Broncos history and the third-highest total among league rookies for the year. In 2007, Burney coached a Denver defensive line that led the AFC (T-2nd in the NFL) with nine takeaways as his group totaled seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Dumervil continued his improvement under Burney, tying for sixth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks (most by a Bronco in eight seasons) and tying for the league lead in takeaways (4) among defensive linemen. In my opinion he would be a loss if he gets caught up in the coaching purge. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 15th NFL Season, 7th with Broncos TEAM Position Years Broncos....Defensive Line...........2007-2008 .....Defensive Line/Ends...2005-2006 .....Defensive Line.....................2002-2004 CarolinaPanthers..........DefensiveLine.....1999-2001 Browns/Ravens.........DefensiveLine.......1994-1998 Univ. of Tenn....................Defensive Line............1993 UCLA.......................Defensive Line................1990-92 Univ. of Wis...................Defensive Line.............1989 Mississippi State......................Inside LBs........1988 Univ. of Tulsa...................Defensive Line............1987 Univ. of New Mexico.....Defensive Line..1982-1986 |
Charlie Jackson, Defensive Assistant
 |
Before entering the coaching arena, Jackson was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. He ascended to the rank of captain while being stationed for more than two years at Los Angeles Air Force Base after serving as a minority officer recruiter at Florida State University. Jackson joined the Packers after working as assistant defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, the United States Air Force Academy, in 2004. He was a volunteer assistant at UCLA from 2002-03, working with defenses that helped the Bruins to consecutive bowl appearances. As a defensive assistant for the Packers in 2005, Jackson helped Green Bay’s defense improve in nearly every defensive category from the previous year. He worked with a defense that improved from 25th to first in the NFL against the pass (167.5 ypg.) and a unit that ranked seventh in the league in overall defense (293.1 ypg.) after it also ranked 25th the previous season. Jackson joined the Broncos from Utah State University, where he spent 2006 as special assistant to the head coach. He was hired by the Aggies following a brief stint as defensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo of the Mid-American Conference.
|
2007 and 2008 were tough years for Charlie to make his second stab at the Pro coaching level. Denver's defense has never looked worse in its history, and Jackson is likely to be just another name that came and went in the storm of coming coaching overhaul that is expected on the Western front. From the looks of his resume it would appear that Jackson was looking to move into football management, rather than higher rungs of the coaching hierarchy, and for what it is worth, I hope that he will still have that shot, and that the ball and chain that is 07-08 won't drag down yet another young person. It has already doomed some pro-players, and a young guy like this shouldn't have it be his defining moment in his career. But I think a safe expectation will be that Jackson already has his resume circling the league and is trying to get on somewhere else. Don't look for him to stick around under any circumstances. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 3rdNFL Season, 2nd with Broncos TEAM Position Years Broncos...DefensiveAssistant.....2007-2008 Utah State...Spec.Assist.to HC..........2006 Univ.ofBuffalo...DefensiveCoordinator.......2006 GB Packers...Def.assist./QualityControl..2005 USAF..assist.DBsRecruitingcoordinator...2004 UCLA......volunteer assistant....2002-2003 |
Bill Johnson, Defensive Line
 |
Instructing the Falcons’ defensive line from 2001-06, Johnson helped the club post the seventh-highest sack total in the NFL (3rd in NFC) with 242 quarterback takedowns during that period. Atlanta twice ranked in the league’s top 10 in both fewest rushing yards per game and fewest rushing yards per carry allowed, doing so during the 2004 and 2006 campaigns.
|
|
Either Crowder was not the talent and physical specimen that the personnell department thought him to be, or Johnson isn't the coach that he was thought to be. I am afraid that only time will tell in this regard, though I would like to point out that Kerney went on to Seattle where he kept up his high level of play before the 'Hawks monumental collapse in 08. Bill johnson is a big guy on a small staff, and from the outside looking in he would appear to be taking up too much room. I say trim the fat and keep the player. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 8th NFL Season, 2ndwith Broncos TEAM Position Years DenverBroncos..............DefensiveLine......2007-2008 Atlanta Falcons...........Defenseive Line...2001-2006 Univ. of Ark......................DefensiveLine................2000 Texas A&M............Defensive Line..............1992-1999 Univ. of Ark.....................DefensiveLine......1990-1991 Louisiana Tech.......DefensiveLine...........1988-1989 Univ. of Miami...............Graduate Assistant.......1987 McNeese State...................Outside LBs..........1986 ...........Defensive Line................1985 Northwestern State.....Defensive Ends...1982-1984 ...........Graduate Assistant....1980-1981 |
Jim Ryan, Linebackers
 |
Before joining the Broncos, Ryan served as the head football coach at Regis Jesuit High School (5A) in Aurora, Colo., from 2002-04 after working as a volunteer assistant with the school from 2000-01. As head coach, Ryan led Regis to a 14-2 record in conference play, including a 5-0 mark in 2002. He was named the Denver Broncos High School Coach of the Week in October of 2002 after guiding Regis to four consecutive conference victories that clinched a playoff berth for the school. Ryan previously worked as president of the Denver Broncos Youth Foundation from 1992-95. In that position, he helped establish the Denver Broncos Academy as an alternative educational institution for troubled youth. Ryan also has been involved with sports broadcasting, hosting a sports talk show on KKFN-AM 950 and providing commentary for radio broadcasts of University of Colorado football and men’s basketball games. For the latter part of 2004, Ryan worked with a Broncos defense that finished the year ranked third in the AFC (4th in NFL) in surrendering an average of only 278.7 yards per game. He primarily assisted Defensive Coordinator Larry Coyer in coaching the team’s linebackers as the unit played an integral role in securing the franchise’s second consecutive playoff berth. In 2005, Ryan served as a defensive assistant on a Broncos team that went 13-3, captured the AFC West title and advanced to the AFC Championship Game. Denver’s defense was one of the strongest in the NFL against the run, ranking second in the league in that category (85.2 ypg.), and tied for third in the league in points allowed (16.1 ppg.). Ryan was a defensive assistant with a 2006 Broncos team that finished the season tied for eighth in the NFL in scoring defense (19.1 ppg.). Denver allowed the fewest touchdowns (2) through its first six games of any franchise since 1934 and was particularly stingy in the red zone, ranking seventh in the NFL (44.4%) in opponent touchdown percentage inside the 20-yard line. |
|
There is no doubt in my mind that Jim Ryan can speak to and get the attention of the LBs on our squad, especially the young ones, but also DJ. Ryan's experience with the organization, and at all four LB positions no doubt gives his voice the ring of credibility to DJ. Our young LBs this year were a lone defensive bright spot, and though they were rookies they came in prepared, enthusiastic, and ready to hit. So while Ryan may be a stretch of a promotion from HS coach, he seems to have the goods early on to live up to the duties expected of a LBs coach, and judging by the play of our rookies, he may even have what it takes to develop talent in this league. But no one is asking me, and a new DC will have his own people to consider promoting. Can Ryan compare to the apple of the new coach's eye? We can only wait and find out. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 4th NFL Season, 4th with Broncos TEAM Position Years Denver Broncos.........Linebackers..............2008 .....OffensiveAssistant..........2007 .....DefensiveAssistant......2005-2006 ....DefensiveAssistant.............1998 RegisJesuitHS(Colo).....HeadCoach....2002-2004 ...Volunteer Assistant....2000-2001 |
Ryan Slowik, Assistant Defensive Backs
 |
Not a whole lot that you can say about this kid, except to wonder if he minds his daddy getting him his job. Maybe I'm being harsh, but you are talking about someone who did nothing as a "student coach" for a tiny school, where he was coaching after he was injured as a single season starting safety. From there he payed his dues, worked hard to climb through the ranks, sweated, slaved....oh, wait. No he didn't. His dad got hired by his friend Mike Shanahan, and than gave the poor kid a call and next thing you know, Ryan Slowik is helping his dad coach up the Denver Defensive backs. After doing that for a while, the kid was set to test out his new wings by assisting Scott O'Brien on the special teams side of the ball in 07. Great. Do I need to remind any of you about that terriffic game in Chicago last year, you know the one... where the special teams that had "played a key role in sev-
Yeah. I didn't think so.
|
|
OK, maybe I'm being to harsh on someone and something that I don't know enough about. But I don't think so. No other situation on the staff symbolizes the dysfunction that was grinding the gears of the Broncos more than the "Slowik connection" both father and son. When Slowik the lesser was moved back to defensive backs assistant (You telling me that even Scottie 'O didn't want him? Sheeesh.) you have to ask yourself what that accomplished, as a future HOFer failed to reach the ProBowl, even on name recognition, because the secondary was playing at epically awful levels. And dare I bring up the safeties? I have never seen that kind of positional dysfunction on a "good" team before, and I hope I never do again. Goodbye Slowiks. |
COACHING EXPERIENCE 4th NFL Season, 4th with Broncos TEAM Position Years DenverBroncos..............Assist.DefensiveBacks..........2008 ....Special Teams Assistant.............2007 ...Defensive Assistant....2005-2006 U.ofWisconsinOshKosh..........StudentAssist.SecondaryCoach.............2004 |
4 recs |
50 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Won't miss any of them
While a few of the postitional coaches haven’t really failed, I don’t seen anything out of them that we wouldn’t get from someone else that fits our new coach. If the new guy decides a couple of these guys are good enough, I wouldn’t be apposed to that either.
Just please God fire the Slowik’s.
"If you don't know where your going you might find yourself somplace else."
by BroncoJoe87 on Jan 6, 2009 3:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i kind of feel the same way.
this post will gain value for the guys who are retained, but little else. If the whole staff is gone, there isn’t a name here that will linger in our minds or preempt our search for imformation on the new guys. Almost the opposite of the offense…
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 3:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I really liked Ryan though....he has done a great job for our young LB.
What did we expect him to do with the likes of Niko or Nate? :P God, I can’t believe that 8 months ago I had all my hopes and dreams tied up in the hype of one Niko the Greeko
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 3:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Here comes the axe....
and I too don’t mind if it falls on all of them. It’s time to sure up the defense. Good post styg. Another nepotism sighting with the Slowiks. Maybe “daddy” can go find another job and have his son tag along :) I kid. I won’t miss any of them if some or even all end up going.
by phantom818 on Jan 6, 2009 7:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
"If you don't have anything nice to say..."
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 6, 2009 3:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I almost left Ryan Slowik's section blank
but I figured it would look more like an operator error than a statement. But I think I was generally nice, and kept it from being too personal…:)
I mean, I could have gotten into what kind of a person accepts a situation like Ryan Slowik was offered, and what that says about his self esteem, or worse, I could have brought up how as bad or as mistaken as a son might be to do something like that, a father who would do that to his son is worse…
I think I kept it pretty clean…
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 3:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't refering to you're write up...
I thought that was VERY good.
More to the fact that I don’t have anything nice to say.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 6, 2009 3:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
of course...
that’s never kept me from “not saying anything at all”.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 6, 2009 3:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
lol.
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 3:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
?
While I understand the frustrations from a fan perspective, I don’t understand your statement “I mean, I could have gotten into what kind of a person accepts a situation like Ryan Slowik was offered, and what that says about his self esteem…”. If my dad is a coach in the NFL and he offers me a job, you bet your ass I’m taking it. I wouldn’t think twice. If it works out then I may be able to coach my way up the ranks, which means VERY high dollars and an awesome job that I love. And if it doesn’t work out and I get canned, well, how many bosses out there wouldn’t wanna hire the guy with “NFL Coach” on his resume?
Seems like a no-brainer to me and says nothing bad about his character. Taking the job shows he is not utterly dumb.
Check out the website listed below...
by EastCoastBronco on Jan 7, 2009 11:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
If you are really curious what I mean
I will email you my answer. I don’t think we need to to any more mudslinging on this post at this point. I just want Ryan Slowik and Bob Slowik gone from Denver.
I will say this: I didn’t make the comment lightly, and it is a very serious subject.
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 7, 2009 1:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hire Him!!!
Based off of Slowik’s resume…he should be our next head coach. I mean, all those takeaways in the Green Bay years are exactly what our team needs! And based off all the clamoring for a defensive guru to be our next head coach, I think he’s the man. After all, a resume seems to gaurantee success for us next year, right?
The point?…the best resume from the best coach will not fix our defense until we actually put some talented playmakers back on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t see that happening for a few years. It’ll take time to develop the players we draft, and that’s assuming we draft well!
by HACK10 on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
I agree...
It’s nearly impossible to have a good defense without a reasonable amount of talent; however, a great scheme and DC can take a modest amount of talent and make them into a pretty good defense.
My take on the past season is that an absolutely terrible scheme and DC made modest talent horrible.
I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!
by PosterNutbag on Jan 6, 2009 3:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I submit
that there was no scheme. Hoosierteacher labored in vain to identify what the heck was going on out there, I I suspect he would agree with me that there never really was a “scheme” to begin with.
How a coach could do that is beyond me though….
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 3:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
It's like some hair brained experiment gone terribly wrong but not discontinued for fear of losing funding....
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 3:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Continuity
I was extremely sceptical when we hired Slowik because of his resumé and was desperately hoping we’d hire another Assistant HC as the de facto DC. Unfortunately that never materialised…so I was going to give Slow a shot. And it looked promising in training camp…the guys seemed to be responding well and saying that they were confident in what they were doing etc. And after the Oakland game, I thought we weren’t doing too badly. I thought that after a few games we’d be able to take the safety out of the box, get a little more aggressive etc. And that’s when we broke out the 3-4 followed by a different scheme every game for the rest of the season and that was that.
I don’t know what Slowik was doing, much less what he was smoking to actually believe that what he was doing would work. The one theme underlying the entire season was play soft, play off, and don’t do anything risky. And to do that to your D when the one thing they needed at that time was an identity is appalling. It was like he’d taken the Defensive Coaching Bible, put it in a paper shredder, covered his wall in PVA, thrown the shreddings at the wall, drawn circles in 16 random places and then used one circle per week as a gameplan. EVERYTHING about the coaching on D this year was horrible. Whilst Slow is a guy the DBs responded to, it’s obvious that our front 7 don’t really take too well to the softly softly approach. And he never used our players to the best of their abilities – and considering he had no long term scheme, maybe he should have drawn one up based on that.
I really appreciate the work Slow’s done over the years with Champ, Dre, Domonique, Darrent (RIP), Lynch, Nick Ferguson and most recently the two Joshes, Barrett and Bell (when Bell wasn’t playing 12 yards off, I thought he did an excellent job). But he should never, ever have been let anywhere near a “coordinator” spot because he was doing well as a positional coach – and that’s obviously his ceiling – but also because in the process he created a D which made a fair few talented guys look really bad.
by Muse_Cubed on Jan 6, 2009 4:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 5:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
great point! And one not brought up very often.
rec’d
Check out the website listed below...
by EastCoastBronco on Jan 7, 2009 11:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Ahhh, the horror!
I turn to MHR and there is the face of Slowvik, my heart skipped a beat, I think this staff gets a grade D-, the only redeeming spot was the play of Woodyard, Larsen, and Williams prior to getting hurt. I think Ryan may have a future, but maybe for Karma sake it is best to can the lot of them.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 3:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think I would lose sleep over losing him
I will definitely be trying to do similar profiles for whoever is brought in though. We may be able to compare and contrast and decide if it was an upgrade or not… who knows…
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 3:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
My only fear is how Ryan was able to work with Slowik's non-scheme
and keep his guys up to the task of playing a different scheme each week. I never thought about what these “assistants” must have gone through under Slowik.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 3:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Slowik will write a book about what his actual intent was during this two year span.
I would even buy it just so I could get some closure. I know HT would like to know what the #$^& was going on these last two years. I am ashamed for every being glad to see Coyer go. uhg
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 3:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Well if it is any consolation, Coyer got let go in Tampa Bay
So at least two teams weren’t that happy with him.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 3:37 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but I at least give him a passing grade for work he did with the rookies
Too bad he couldn’t teach Webster how to take proper angles, maintain leverage, and tackle someone without losing his helmet.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 3:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Or to not celebrate after every single play he made....
annoying.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 3:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
True, I guess he taught that to Winborn also
Look at me, I made a tackle, something I am paid to do.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 4:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I just heard Walter's voice in my head saying what you just wrote. Classic!
Jeff Dunham’s Walter by the way. lol :)
“Look at me, I made a tackle!”
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 4:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Walter would follow it up with a
Whoop-de-doo and a hair-ball cough…
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"tough times don't last, tough people do" - Mike "The Mastermind" Shanahan
by DesertBroncoFan on Jan 6, 2009 4:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No Styg, tell us how you REALLY feel.
lol. I have to say I agree. This entire staff could go and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.
"WTF" By Zappa. 1/5/09
I can deal with bears....sharks on the other hand.......of course, I am not talking about if I were menstrual(I’m a guy so that isn’t it), but yeah. I can deal with bears if my arm or something was bleedin’, but sharks? I’ll pass on those. The worst feeling in the world is to be out in the surf and feel something very large brush up against your leg as you were alone waiting for your next wave. I don’t think I’ve gone out past waist deep in the ocean since. lol It was probably just a damn dolphin or something, but yeah. Screw sharks and the evolutionary train they rode in on!
by papigrande on Jan 6, 2009 3:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Hey it takes all kinds....
Wait…no, it doesn’t.
by TheMastermind on Jan 6, 2009 3:54 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I don't like this post at all, poor taste, no class
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
by monodono on Jan 6, 2009 4:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
As fans we sort of have a right to express our opinions openly even if it does offend.
Nothing said above was out of line, except maybe with Slowik the younger, but it is fact that few if any of the staff on the defensive side of the ball has earned the right to keep his job going into next year. It may not be classy to portray such sentiment, but it does not make it less true.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 4:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry you feel that way
what don’t you like? The photoshopped mugshots? The entry on Ryan Slowik? The photos are for fun, and not intended to be diparaging, while the entries are fair, in my opinion. I can see someone chaffing at Ryan’s entry, but perhaps they will take the time to question Ryan’s character alongside mine. That is all I could ask.
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 4:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
The fact that these men are still employed by the Broncos and not Mike Shanahan offends me, LOL.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 4:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree wholeheartedly.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 5:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
When I saw Slowik's mug shot on the front page
I thought (hoped) that maybe he went off on a bender thinking that his job was saved and got busted for DUI and was going to get thrown in the hoosegow. After that he would be suspended by Goodell for a year and would be out of coaching (if that’s what you call it) so no other team will have to go through what we went through the past two years.
But, alas, it was just a nicely done photo shop job and we’re still paying him…
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"tough times don't last, tough people do" - Mike "The Mastermind" Shanahan
by DesertBroncoFan on Jan 6, 2009 4:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
True, isn't there a way that DPD could charge them with neglect and willfull endangerment
Maybe also tack on a charge of gross incompetence.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
by Broncoman on Jan 6, 2009 5:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Think of all the angry drunk Bronco fans this year that may have been a danger on the roads or in their own homes....
He should be arrested for endangering the public so blatantly. :P
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 5:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Well put, but Burney has to go
… especially on the younger Slowik, whose resume is one of those that stand as damning evidence that connections, rather than qualifications, determined crucial hires in the Broncos organization, helping create the ongoing stagnation that has led to a .500 record the last three seasons and a 17-22 mark since the 7-2 start of 2006.
The fact that these coaches are still with the organization doesn’t irk me. It is fair to them as people to let the incoming coach make the call, while at the same time allowing these coaches to pursue other employment. It is the best of all worlds, and an ideal temporary solution.
It will disappoint me, however, if Burney keeps his job.
He is the longest-tenured defensive coach on the staff, having served under four coordinators. His ability to keep his position while others around him change is remiscent of J. Edgar Hoover or, for a football comparison, New England’s Dante Scarnecchia, whose Patriot employment dates back to the Snowplow Game in 1982.
But what has Burney done in recent years to keep his job? Is he at least partially culpable for the ongoing failures along the defensive line? The misses under his watch, whether they are rookies or free agents (Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, Luther Elliss, Raylee Johnson, Bryant McNeal, Nick Eason) have far outnumbered the hits (Elvis Dumervil, Bertrand Berry).
This isn’t like Bobby Turner, who must be kept because he is a wizard at his position and arguably the best in the league. This is a coach whose position has been consistently sub-par for the last three years, and whose young players are not improving.
Time for a change there, and, frankly, at all the spots on defense.
by Holden Caulfield on Jan 6, 2009 5:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I think all of them should go.
Ryan is probably the most deserving to stay, but I think a total overhaul is what should happen.. nice comment too btw.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 5:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent points on Burney
I have to admit I had a bad feeling about him as I was listing things out. I hadn’t stopped to actually tally up all the misses, and yes, they are damning.
I am seriously tempted to edit my post right now. I should have went with my gut on that one.
I’ll have to think about it.
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 5:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
oh no!
Son Of Slo is on this team? more family, yikes. he must go too, and the rest of them if it is deemed necessary. and anyone related to bates, too. but don’t mess with the o too much, please. amen
taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.
by davecheffy on Jan 6, 2009 5:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Nobody mentioned Jeremy and Jim Bates yet....
Jim Bates isn’t with the team anymore, but he was recently.
This is my GAP, there are many like it but this one is mine. Without my GAP I am useless, without me, they will run through my GAP. I will protect my GAP and have my brothers back on his. I will not be moved from my GAP, I am a crazed dog that patrols this area and will defeat all who entire it. I own this GAP, it is mine. I bought it with blood and sweat. I will not be pushed. I will not be moved. This Sunday I will make a stand and a statement.
by Tim Lynch on Jan 6, 2009 5:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
oops. jeremy stays. any other bates' or slo's or even o'briens can take a hike.
strength and conditioning, and the like, have to be looked at too. this could turn out to be a major overhaul, resulting from the firing of 1 man. slo has to go, but gm, hc, st?, oc?, position coaches, assistants, all up for grabs, really. hopefully some worthy coaches are retained, but very few are safe right now, though many should remain at least for the transition year. we begin anew, with an offense ready to roll. if the new guys in charge know how to make it roll, that is.
taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.
by davecheffy on Jan 6, 2009 8:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
ST and strength and conditioning are coming up next.
Imagine my surprise when I realized that the Greek isn’t part of the training staff. It makes sense really, he is part of the medical staff of four guys. He has nothing to do with their stretching and training routines…. though i’m sure if he has input they would welcome it.
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 6, 2009 8:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
if he's not, i quit.
you will never hear from me again. done.
taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.
by davecheffy on Jan 6, 2009 9:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
What happened to Frank Bush?
And where the %#@!* is O’Brien keeping our ST game?
I was shocked when he survived the offseason purge last year but after the horrible performances we got out of some decent players I didn’t care if he did the best powerpoint presentation on the planet – the players didn’t do a pretty straightforward job, and he has to go. At the risk of heresy, I’d rank that above canning Slowik.
Jim Goodman for Broncos GM!
by Emmett Smith on Jan 6, 2009 10:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Devil's advocate
I think I’ll take an opposite tack here simply because there’s a danger of reaching a consensus without actually going through the process examining the evidence.
What’s stuck in my craw is an unshakable belief that at the heart of the Broncos’ defensive woes was a drift within the organization away from developing talent internally. In part, it was the draft drought early in this decade, but it also was the ‘spare part’ philosophy of acquiring veteran talent from the outside in lieu of developing talent from within. Almost all of the coaches above experienced their share of coaching success, and some of it was here and recently, too. Something beyond a sudden decline in coaching ability happened here in the last two years.
Coaching V. Personnel dichotomy
Good coaching and good personnel go together more often than not. And there’s an added element, too. Successful teams also ‘grow’ their talent under conditions that are marked by organizational continuity. So, we could say that there are three requisite ingredients for success.
While pondering the Broncos’ situation, I was reminded of another dichotomy for growth that’s often used in psychology — nature V. nurture. And while nature V. nurture dichotomy is obviously analogous to the personnel V. coaching dichotomy, what’s problematic about nature V. nurture is that you never have one without the other. Moreover, arguing about personnel V. coaching misses the point if you never provide the continuity under which a team can gradually grow. It takes time, and there’s a synergy that develops between the players and between players and the coaches.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Here’s how many defensive players we’ve drafted that are currently on our team.
2004
LB D.J. Williams (1)
2005
CB Karl Paymah (3a)
2006
DE Elvis Dumervil (4b)
2007
DE Jarvis Moss (1)
DE Tim Crowder (2)
DT Marcus Thomas (4)
2008
CB Jack Williams (4b)
DT Carlton Powell (5b)
LB Spencer Larsen (6)
S Josh Barrett (7a)
LB Wesley Woodyard* (CFA)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
I’ve omitted the trades (Champ, Bly, EE, ‘berger’ and Roberson), and there are a number of FAs, too, but what’s remarkable is how few defensive players we’ve drafted. Moreover, it’s remarkable how recently we’ve drafted some, since we’re still waiting to get production from many of them. We can argue about the quality of the coaching, and I can hardly disagree, but is this what a healthy defense looks like?
We can talk about how few players there are or how few high draft picks there are but can anyone say that we’ve devoted substantial resources to the defense? Moreover, the 4 highest picks have produced exactly 1 starter, and the total for all draft picks is 3 starters (and that’s considering Dumervil as a fulltime starter). Also, 2 of our picks are at 1 position, so we’ve hardly distributed the ‘wealth’ evenly.
My point is that it’s hardly surprising that we’re having problems considering the amount of talent we’ve brought in. If anyone still regrets the firing of Shanahan then they need to meditate on our roster for a while, and without the Kool-aid. I hope they keep Ryan, and I have positive feelings for Bradford and Burney, but I rather doubt the new HC will retain much of the old defensive staff.
by Colinski on Jan 7, 2009 12:22 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
After this review.....
We all must thank Pat, for his decision for change!
We need coaches who are on the offensive, even if they are defensive coaches.
Not coaches who need to defend themselves for a really bad bad bad…….well, you get the police blotter picture here!!!!!!
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man.
by metalman5050 on Jan 7, 2009 12:27 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
The entire Defensive staff needs to be overhauled
Yes, this course of action runs the risk of throwing a few babies out with the bath water, but the perception of accepting anything less than excellence can not be allowed to tarnish the rebuilding process. Under normal circumstances I would be concerned about the lack of continuity, but the performance of the D and the ST the last two seasons was a travesty.
There is no way that anyone could claim that the Broncos had the 3rd worst level of talent in the NFL, although it is true that the acquisition of defensive talent through the draft was weak. The mismatch between the talent level of the D and the performance, or lack thereof, is directly a result of poor coaching.
I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.
by Arctic Bronco on Jan 8, 2009 6:08 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Report
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Getting Social With MHR
Next Game
Web Stuff
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
