The Dude Abides...Vonnie "The Real Professor" Holliday Drops Some Knowledge

Thanks and rep!

Any chance you get to hear a non-cliche answer is worth the time spent. Kudos to McD for bringing in yet another high-quality FA.

Rec’d if for no other reason than for the in-depth description of the strip sack.

Thanks for finding and sharing this. The interviewer asked good questions and Holliday gave thoughtful, intelligent answers. It’s really nice to have an insight into what goes on in the locker room and on the field. The keynote of this team seems to be communication. The coaches communicate well with each other and with the players in teaching them how to play, the players communicate on the field, and the coaches listen to the players rather than simply telling them what to do. That shows respect for the players’ intelligence, and they’re obviously responding to it. Our second half adjustments are becoming the stuff of legend, and a lot of that has been due to players having tacit but well-defined roles on the field involving both emotional and intellectual leadership. McDaniels has been a brilliant enabler and the result has been a level of teamwork that’s the polar opposite of last year’s squad.

Thanks for sharing.

lebo, thx, bro!!!

Awesome review man!

I am really digging listening to our players talk. Eddie Royal “with Cheese” was on Broncos Live this week and is one cool cat. They also had THE Bronco receiver of all time Rod Smith who had some great things to say about Eddie and our team. One thing I really liked…Rod was sporting his rings baby! One more small motivational piece for our guys. “See these big shiny things…you get those for being THE BEST. DO YOUR JOB and it will come.”

then what the hell was Shanny doing wrong last year when he switched from 4-3 to 3-4 for a game?

Wait a second, the Pats actually have a game plan, that’s the difference.

Brady breaks the huddle quickly and wants to force the defense to show its look very early pre-snap. Holliday indicated that one of the things the Broncos fixed at half time was not showing their formation too early pre-snap.

I noticed that the defense was often slow to get lined up. The offense was ready to snap the ball, and one or two guys was standing, or walking over somewhere. I kept telling my father-in-law, “They’re too well coached to be this slow”, but I couldn’t figure it out. After a few more plays, I realized that Brady wasn’t getting his reads.

I’m really surprised that a lot of pro DCs wouldn’t get input from their players at the half. I counted on input from my players to make halftime adjustments, and from my position coaches. I could see the overall strategic issues, but the fine tactical issues for each player is much clearer for the player himself ("I’m not as fast as that guy / I can’t block that guy / I think so-and-so on the other team is playing hurt / etc). How a pro DC let’s ego in his way really shocks me, and I’m glad that Nolan doesn’t have that problem. I only have two eyes; I REQUIRED more eyes from my players and assistants. Of course, sometimes the player isn’t right, or doesn’t see the big picture. In those cases, you have to encourage the input, but know when to reject it too.

And sometimes, you need more brains from the assistants (and courage) to tell you that your plan has flaws and needs to be tweaked. Our HC was good about this too. You could go to him and say, “Coach, let my defense do this. We have a better mis-match to exploit than what the game plan is calling for”.

You can’t run a team by committee, and the coach’s word is law. But a good coach gets all of his information before he makes the call. Nolan knows this.

that he stands that old pass rush pressure versus backfield coverage on its head when he states that we have such a good group in the secondary that the front seven knows they’re going to have time – all they need to do is get there. How many times have we heard over the past few years that we can’t count on our secondary because we’re not getting enough pass rush? How refreshing! And another feather in the McDaniels/Xanders cap when it came to offseason moves (Hill, Goodman, Dawkins) vs. . . . I just can’t type it.
Go Broncs!

Thanks for sharing! The insight into the halftime adjustments was awesome!

The first time I heard Vonnie on the radio I was VERY impressed with his intelligence and articulation. I’ll look forward to listening to this when I get home from work. Thanks dude!

I have been actually working the last full day and did not have time to look at these responses! Very good takes everyone!