Mile High Report - Broncos head coaching search 2022: News, Rumors & UpdatesBy Fans, For Fans....Your Source For Denver Broncos News and Commenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50905/mhr-fav.png2022-02-04T09:07:01-07:00http://www.milehighreport.com/rss/stream/226389742022-02-04T09:07:01-07:002022-02-04T09:07:01-07:00Fans overwhelmingly approve of the Denver Broncos hiring of Nathaniel Hackett
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<p>The optimism is out in full force in Broncos Country after the team settled on former Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach. <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFLReacts">Sign up to participate in our next survey</a>.</p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p id="82fLGH">When the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> hired Nathaniel Hackett it was clear they were looking to completely shift the culture within the building. Vic Fangio was a no nonsense grinder, which wasn’t a bad thing, but after three seasons lacking any kind of success a change to a more positive and affable leader seemed necessary. </p>
<p id="QCdXZu">In our latest SB Nation React survey we asked Broncos Country how they felt about the hire and the response was overwhelmingly positive. I’m not even sure I’ve ever seen such a lop-sided poll. A whopping 98% of Broncos fans liked the decision general manager George Paton made for the Broncos next head coach. </p>
<p id="fpr6SR">This shift in philosophy also has fans feeling more confident in the teams overall direction. During the season, confidence in the team hit lows in the single digits. However, the coaching changes have pushed that number up to 75%. </p>
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<p id="YyrV7s">I would suspect an Aaron Rodgers trade could push this number into the high 90s, but even without a Hall of Fame quarterback move we could see this number grow significantly if Paton backs up his first season with another solid free agency and draft class. In my opinion, there is a lot to be optimistic about with these Denver Broncos. </p>
<p id="cSqRxi">What do you think of these results?</p>
<p id="4NDaiM"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/d3pt?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D451588095%26wpcid%3D163864%26wpcn%3DSBNation%26wpscn%3DSocial%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DReacts&pcid=163864&psn=Vox&pcn=SBNation&pcrid=Reacts&pscn=Social"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em>sportsbook</em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/2/4/22917150/fans-approve-of-denver-broncos-nathaniel-hackettTim Lynch2022-01-28T20:17:36-07:002022-01-28T20:17:36-07:00Nathaniel Hackett plans to bring energy, analytics and victories to Broncos football
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<p>Yep. That will be fine.</p> <p id="KiqkAg">The 18th head coach of the Denver Broncos loves his job. </p>
<p id="6gGNJA">Like, <em>loves</em> it. Every single part of it. </p>
<p id="s9cmIQ">Not just the job of teaching football - though it’s clear how much he likes that.</p>
<p id="xWsjir">But he also is excited about even the menial tasks of running practice, about figuring out how to adapt an offense if guys are out and different talent is in, and about using analytics to confirm his decisions.</p>
<p id="FYNJln">And he’s even excited about doing press conferences.</p>
<p id="O6URaB">Nathaniel Hackett may just be the last NFL coach who seems to actually like talking to reporters. </p>
<p id="Pk3uFJ">“I’m excited to meet every person here ... just get to know every one of you guys because that’s what his is about,” he said at the close of his opening statement. “It’s about people. It’s about communication. It’s about talking with one another. It’s about all of us coming together and making something special here and really making Broncos Country proud because that’s what it’s all about. We’ve got to win some games.”</p>
<p id="5UgIb5">That was the winner. That was the one phrase reporters and Broncos Country really wanted to hear.</p>
<p id="WmE2jD">But there was more.</p>
<p id="AVuWSU">So much more to get even the most dejected fan base excited about what’s to come.</p>
<p id="vu5XmV">Practically running up to the podium and giving GM George Paton a bear hug after the introduction, Hackett leaned over to the mic, “How’s everybody doing today?” as if he were a standup comedian taking the stage as the headliner.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That Nathaniel Hackett press conference was something else, man.<br><br>He's going to bring a special level of energy to this building.<br><br>Game-changer for the Broncos.</p>— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) <a href="https://twitter.com/AricDiLalla/status/1487199495435792396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2022</a>
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<p id="o7lxLS">His energy is infectious, and he has every intention of bringing it to the practice field as well as to game day.</p>
<p id="PbQMsU">“I love practice. I absolutely love practice. There is no substitute for guys going out and playing football,” he said. “When it comes to that energy, you know music will be there and it’ll be the guys’ music. It’s about feeling that rhythm and having fun. And then it’s the demeanor of the coaches. If somebody makes a big play, you want to be excited. It’s not just going out to practice. It’s going out to compete, to play football and have fun.”</p>
<p id="WpsK9V">That will be a decided difference from the two previous regimes, but Hackett isn’t just about the “high energy.” </p>
<p id="lwaYAo">He’s also about winning, and he believes his background coaching special teams, defense and offense will be an advantage to fixing the Broncos’ woes.</p>
<p id="8BCdgz">“I think it’s about understanding those intricacies—understanding what a special teams coach really goes through, understanding what a defensive coach goes through. When it comes to complementary football, it’s about understanding what everybody is going through,” he said, “understanding that offense, in my opinion, controls the tempo of the game. It controls how aggressive you are, how you ball control, whether you want to take shots, whether you want to run the ball...”</p>
<p id="NiVVoF">And ultimately doing all three phases well means doing what players do best. </p>
<p id="7cXDAe">That has become a cliché among football coaches, but if Hackett can pull it off, he might the first in a long time in Denver to actually speak truth to power.</p>
<p id="ozBQGZ">“Whatever we can do to take advantage of the players—what they do the best and being able to execute and win the game as a team,” he said, noting sometimes it’s more defense, sometimes more offense. </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="CObOPN"><q>“I think the starting point is outside zone...and you want to base that off of play-pass. You want to make the defense cover the entire field. You want to take shots down the field.” - Nathaniel Hackett</q></aside></div>
<p id="ubB4BX">But he definitely considers “maneuverability” a key for an NFL offense.</p>
<p id="5wBoZC">“Any offense that you have has to be adjustable for whoever you have on your team. It’s about finding out what your guys do the best and being able to do that over and over again and taking advantage of their skillsets,” he said. “I think the starting point is outside zone. Outside zone on offense is what you want to do, and you want to base that off of play-pass. You want to make the defense cover the entire field. You want to take shots down the field.”</p>
<p id="zjgCnP">And although he saw himself as “Han Solo” when asked which character he would compare his personality to most, he pulled a Jedi Master move when he worked in a vintage-John-Elway-as-QB reference.</p>
<p id="guv0eZ">“Let’s all face it, that’s what the people in the stands love—they love those bombs down the field. I remember watching [former Broncos QB] John Elway throw the ball down the field to [former Broncos WR Ed] McCaffrey on all of those boot fakes,” he added. “That was unbelievable. This is really where this system evolved from and was created. You’re always looking for that, and mixing in that ‘West Coast’ principle of the drop-back game. That’s kind of a quick summary. So many fun things to talk about with the offense.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos Press Conference Etiquette 101:<br><br>Mention John Elway's deep bombs down the field back in the day...<br><br>Well-played, coach! <a href="https://t.co/NgzFzl5hqc">https://t.co/NgzFzl5hqc</a></p>— Doctor of Words (and tights) (@docllv) <a href="https://twitter.com/docllv/status/1487223902396891137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a>
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<p id="5VTziX">Hackett acknowledged that like his mentor the past few years in Green Bay, he plans to call plays while also running the show as head coach.</p>
<p id="1VloG9">“I’m so lucky,” he said about watching first-time head coach Matt LaFleur juggle being both a head football coach and calling plays. “I think it’s about being able to budget your time—understand what you need to get done so you have the ability to be great on game day because in the end, that’s the most important thing.”</p>
<p id="O0bqlL">Growing up a football coach’s son, Hackett spent his childhood in and out of football stadiums, locker rooms and practice fields. But even with some old school football in his blood, Hackett is not afraid of analytics. </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="yQCRb9"><q>“Analytics—I think they’re awesome. Numbers are amazing. ...When you look at game day, there’s so many things that can help guide you to make the best decision because every decision is very quick.” - Nathaniel Hackett</q></aside></div>
<p id="96dHRc">In fact, he embraces it.</p>
<p id="yBjLEi">“Analytics—I think they’re awesome. Numbers are amazing,” he said. “I think what they do, especially as a play-caller, is a great baseline. ...When you look at game day, there’s so many things that can help guide you to make the best decision because for anybody that’s on that field, every decision is very quick. I think the more that you have the analytical data to help you make a better decision, it’s going to help the whole team.”</p>
<p id="slKcU6">Neither Hackett nor Paton would - or could - speak to the likelihood Aaron Rodgers would be on his way to Denver to follow his former OC, but Hackett did point out how much Rodgers has helped his coaching development.</p>
<p id="3mzib1">“He’s been one of my biggest supporters and I love him,” Hackett said. “Coaching a man like that, the one thing I learned is, you better have an answer for every question because he’s going to ask every single question about every single thing that you’re going to do. I think that was something that was very valuable for me. ... It’s just allowed me to understand communicating and talking with everybody and knowing that you have to always have an answer to ‘Why?’”</p>
<p id="rUlx7T">What Denver does at quarterback is still a big question mark, but Hackett does have two criteria for what he considers the makeup of a great quarterback - intelligence and toughness. That’s probably why he likes John Elway so much. And why he literally asked for John’s jersey at his presser.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nathaniel Hackett: “John Elway, I really want your jesey please. I’m not joking.”<br><br> </p>— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanKoenigsberg/status/1487185505942917122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2022</a>
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<p id="aeqHAC">“It’s one of the hardest positions in all of football from that point [of toughness],” he said, noting the ability to take the hits and get back up to continue leading the team. “Then intelligence is so important to be able to do the different things you would like to do on offense.”</p>
<p id="z3Mhtn">His philosophy for developing a quarterback will have something for everyone in Broncos Country, no matter which Broncos quarterback for 2022 they support, whether it’s a QB from the draft, continuing with Drew Lock and/or Teddy Bridgewater or even if it’s the pipe dream of bringing over Rodgers.</p>
<p id="Xt7T2Z">“You need to be sure that you’re protecting [the quarterback] .... You do that with both protection with the offensive line and running the football. I think that’s kind of the best way to be able to always make sure that they’re having success and able to have clean pockets,” he said. “There are so many different things that can happen in one play for a quarterback so I think it’s always working with them, always teaching them, and letting them get a comfort level so they can go out there and play and have that ‘can’t stop me mentality’. I always talk about that. That’s what you want that quarterback to have when he gets out there.”</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="UWHiMe"><q>“Let’s make no mistake—it’s only fun when you win football games. We’ve got to win and that’s what we want to do.” - Nathaniel Hackett</q></aside></div>
<p id="PTASDJ">Coaching seems to be in Hackett’s blood - something he realized one day after a neurobiology lab as a student at UC Davis, where he was also assistant linebackers coach.</p>
<p id="HD8uTU">“I just remember being in that lab, and it was very quiet and very serious, and I might’ve tried to play a couple of practical jokes and I don’t think a lot of people liked the jokes—I thought they were really good jokes,” he said, adding that then he went to the practice field with “his brothers” and realized the power of team. “At that moment, I’m like ‘I really need to try this thing’.” </p>
<p id="NUxlL9">Nearly 20 years later - following college coaching stints at Stanford and Syracuse plus pro coaching positions at Buffalo, Jacksonville and Green Bay - he “trying this thing” as head coach of the Denver Broncos.</p>
<p id="oK3bj9">“Let’s make no mistake—it’s only fun when you win football games. We’ve got to win and that’s what we want to do. I’m so excited to work with this organization [and] with these players,” he said. “This is a young, hungry football team, and we’ve got to get over the hump. We’ve got to be excited about it and we all have to do this.”</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/28/22907370/nathaniel-hackett-plans-to-bring-energy-analytics-and-victories-to-broncos-footballLaurie Lattimore-Volkmann2022-01-27T16:20:00-07:002022-01-27T16:20:00-07:00What parts of the Packers offense will Nathaniel Hackett bring with him to the Broncos?
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<figcaption>Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How much change looms over the Broncos’ offense?</p> <div id="chfNa0"><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP5932441993&light=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<p id="aL9L5X">Now that the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> have hired Nathaniel Hackett to be the 17th full time head coach in franchise history, it’s time to start digging into what it means for the rest of the roster. While Hackett was not the primary offensive play caller with the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, there’s plenty of hints that he could be bringing a variant of the same system with him to his new job. </p>
<p id="Gtr6f1">To find out more about what that actually means, I reached out to Bobby Peters for today’s episode of Cover 2 Broncos. Peters is a civil engineer and author who wrote <em>The 2020 Green Bay Packers Complete Offensive Manual</em>, something I pored over last offseason to learn about Aaron Rodgers’ offense. What follows is a brief overview of the topics we discussed. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks Joe! Here is the link for anybody interested: The 2020 Green Bay Packers Complete Offensive Manual <a href="https://t.co/oRvUcZGJh4">https://t.co/oRvUcZGJh4</a></p>— Bobby Peters (@b_peters12) <a href="https://twitter.com/b_peters12/status/1486723548974510086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<ul>
<li id="9AJY3W">While both systems are originally from the same tree, one of the big differences between the Packers offense under Matt LaFleur and the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> offense under Kyle Shanahan is how Green Bay mad a concentrated effort to simplify their personnel and scheme. Is that something Hackett brings to the Broncos?</li>
<li id="xvYZLs">What are the benefits to a streamlined vs. multiple offense?</li>
<li id="tqEBHS">What are the drawbacks of this approach?</li>
</ul>
<p id="tepYZ7"><a href="https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html">The Packers offense have leaned heavily on 11/12 personnel since 2019</a>:</p>
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<p id="QWAq5L"><strong>2019: </strong></p>
<p id="7KjbNP">11: 60% of all snaps</p>
<p id="egmiD8">12: 20% of all snaps</p>
<p id="MG3Nz6">21: 12% of all snaps</p>
<p id="iKvH7H">22: 3% of all snaps</p>
<p id="LM7WCn">13: 3% of all snaps</p>
<p id="QPVjHU"><strong>2020:</strong></p>
<p id="V1xrdl">11: 55% of all snaps</p>
<p id="a5t6eN">12: 24% of all snaps</p>
<p id="a61rB4">21: 14% of all snaps</p>
<p id="XDwIc9">22: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="ZyOAIv">13: 4% of all snaps</p>
<p id="wSEIXf"><strong>2021:</strong></p>
<p id="eOqZqu">11: 60% of all snaps</p>
<p id="Mj6Q3p">12: 29% of all snaps</p>
<p id="tQgRdT">21: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="4vsZgl">13: 2% of all snaps</p>
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<ul>
<li id="ee9JKl">Like LaFleur and Hackett, Pat Shurmur’s offense in Denver played most of their snaps out of 11 and 12 personnel. </li>
<li id="XMPobS">During the two years Pat Shurmur was the Broncos’ offensive coordinator they ran a diverse run scheme that utilized both zone and gap blocking. Hackett’s been an offensive coordinator for three NFL teams: the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>, the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, and the Green Bay Packers. Throughout his stops as he’s favored a zone blocking scheme.</li>
</ul>
<aside id="WpLi1v"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What is the difference between Zone and Gap scheme runs? ","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/22451001/difference-between-zone-and-gap-scheme"}]}'></div></aside><p id="eOQYN0">The following data is pulled from <a href="http://thekneeldown.westus.cloudapp.azure.com/">The Kneel Down, </a>which takes Pro Football Focus’ charting data and presents it in graphical form. Worth noting that PFF charting dates back to 2014, so I’m still digging into the 2013 Buffalo Bills. </p>
<p id="grhuVg">First up is the 2020 and 2021 Broncos. Shurmur leaned on inside zone as a bread-and-butter concept for Melvin Gordon, who majored in it dating back to his time with the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a>. </p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4isw-8OlsXbypGXV-2rlKCPqq6M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197374/Broncosrun2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Broncos run concept usage in 2020</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6XXiRg7aHKasKgUYIIqWuOAOG5Q=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197377/Broncosrun1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Broncos run concept usage in 2021</figcaption>
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<p id="KK9U68">Like the 2021 Broncos, the Packers under Hackett and LaFleur also used inside zone more than any other concept. What’s notable is how they very rarely used any gap concept but duo. </p>
<p id="r1hHoQ">Duo is commonly referred to “power without a puller.” It utilizes gap blocking up front and <a href="https://www.schwartznfl.com/how-to-identify-if-a-run-play-is-inside-zone-or-duo/"><strong>can be hard to distinguish from inside zone.</strong></a> The difference lies with the offensive line. Unlike inside zone, the blockers don’t step in unison toward the same direction on duo. Instead, they step towards each other in an effort to create a double team on their assignment in order to create vertical displacement.</p>
<p id="2SjHJ3">Without understating the importance of the offensive line, it’s important to recognize the onus put on the ball carrier’s decision making to maximize duo. His initial aiming point is the outside leg of the play side guard, but where he winds up depends upon his read of the Mike linebacker. If the Mike leverages the inside gap, the back should look to cut towards space. If the Mike leverages the outside gap, the running back should accelerate to and through his initial aiming point.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RXkAQyuE02E50x_8TQuc67tGdO4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197381/GBR1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2021</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6oDJmX2Fta_ovyrD9hmU4_9pewc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197383/GBR2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2020</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1XoRt-VTW_rYaNUEmt7Su6zZRv0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197388/GBR3.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2019</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="KaEWJB">One thing that really stood out to me about Hackett’s time as the offensive coordinator of the Jaguars is how the offense deemphasized outside zone after Jacksonville drafted Leonard Fournette fourth overall in 2017. This wasn’t a coincidence. The 228 lb. Fournette left <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/leonard-fournette/3200464f-5556-4970-e13e-15f65e552496">as a phenomenal size/speed prospect who had questions about his vision</a>, which can become exacerbated in an outside zone scheme. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2021/5/20/22440879/javonte-williams-film-breakdown">Similar questions dogged the Broncos’ Javonte Williams when he left North Carolina.</a> </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Yuq5fmFMlCWWBo5auzQB1qjagcI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197391/JGRun1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2018</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z2bLLW0d6bSg4Ngr9WBEGgxuTdE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197392/JGRun2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2017</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zEydmbG_kY2blpQDfO17M1Lnyg0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197394/JGRun3.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2016</figcaption>
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<p id="841G6i">The 2014 Bills was a tough year in Buffalo due to injuries, but the data point is worth taking note of. C.J. Spiller fractured clavicle in October and missed most of the second half of the season, while Fred Jackson missed a month of the season after suffering a groin injury in October. The 33-year-old still finished as Buffalo’s leading rushing. Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown also saw significant snaps, and the Bills used inside zone more than four times as often as any other concept.</p>
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<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Bills run concept usage in 2014</figcaption>
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<li id="RrcaHv">Are there any noteworthy similarities between the two offenses? </li>
<li id="1KvAb7">In what ways is Hackett a departure from what the Broncos have done the last two years?</li>
<li id="xT3WT4">Peters noted in the introduction to his book that the Packers drop back passing game focused on isolating the WR1 and making him the first read in the quarterback’s progression. Over the last three years Davante Adams has been targeted 445 times in the regular season, which is more than triple what any of the Broncos’ leading receivers have received over the last three years. What could Hackett’s passing offense mean for Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Jerry Jeudy?</li>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22904836/what-parts-of-the-packers-offense-will-nathaniel-hackett-bring-with-him-to-the-broncosJust_JoRo2022-01-27T10:30:24-07:002022-01-27T10:30:24-07:00Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos head coach
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<p>The Denver Broncos have hired Nathaniel Hackett. Here is a breakdown we did on Hackett a few weeks back. </p> <p id="kTPm0r">The son of coach Paul Hackett, Nathaniel Hackett followed in his dad’s footsteps starting off as a coach for UC Davis. There, Hackett worked as an assistant linebackers coach for the Aggies. Hackett pivoted that job into a job as an assistant coach at Stanford under Buddy Teevens for 2003 and 2004. He was promoted to working as the specialists coach and recruiting coordinator in 2005 for the Cardinal. Jon Gruden, who worked with Paul Hackett at Pitt, hired both Paul and Nathaniel Hackett to be his quarterbacks coach and Offensive Quality Control coach respectively. </p>
<aside id="cwsxXp"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Nathaniel Hackett will reportedly be hired as head coach of the Broncos","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22902514/nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach-denver-broncos"},{"title":"Who will Nathaniel Hackett hire as his coordinators?","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22904612/who-will-nathaniel-hackett-hire-as-his-coordinators"}]}'></div></aside><p id="JGKg74">Hackett then took a similar job with the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> under Head Coach Dick Jauron from 2008 to 2009. In 2010, Doug Marrone hired Hackett to be his Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach/Tight Ends coach. The following year, Marrone promoted Hackett to Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach/Tight Ends coach. Reportedly, Hackett grew so frustrated with how his first offense looked over the summer that he scrapped it all and improvised, shifting to a Jim Kelly-esque K-Gun offense with two weeks before the start of the season. </p>
<p id="HdGo1X">It worked like a charm. Ryan Nassib, the quarterback at the time, set school records for completions and yards, and tied the school record for touchdowns in a season. Nassib finished fourth all-time in <a href="https://www.bigeastcoastbias.com">Big East</a> passing yardage. Syracuse featured a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver in 2012 for the first time in school history.</p>
<p id="tJKWyM">Hackett followed Marrone to the Bills in 2013 in the same capacity. Working with the likes of EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton, Hackett managed to improve the struggling Bills’ offense into a unit that helped the team finish 9-7 in 2014. The team finished 2nd in the NFL in rushing that year. </p>
<p id="u1uA7a">Hackett stuck with Marrone after Marrone opted out of his contract with Buffalo and followed him down to Jacksonville. Hackett was named quarterbacks coach under Gus Bradley, with Greg Olson calling plays as offensive coordinator. Hackett was tasked with trying to develop Blake Bortles into a viable passer. Easier said than done. Hackett was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Jaguars in 2017, and the offense woke up.</p>
<p id="N2i4xQ">Bortles’s best season in the NFL came with Hackett at the helm. Hackett did an excellent job of making things particularly easy on him and setting up his shots. What stands out to me when talking to folks in Jacksonville was that Hackett frequently adjusted his scheme in Jacksonville and tailored it to his players rather than try and force players to be something they aren’t. The Jaguars made the playoffs that year and were a late Brady touchdown pass away from making the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>. </p>
<p id="3gWjdN">The 2018 offense failed to replicate that success, falling from 16th in DVOA to 30th. The staff was fired at the end of the year, and Hackett found a new shot working under Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Hackett was named LaFleur’s offensive coordinator, working with LaFleur in game-planning. LaFleur also is in charge of Green Bay’s red-zone offense and planning. The <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> offense has finished top-10 in Red Zone DVOA every year under Hackett, including a first-place finish in 2020. </p>
<p id="2sMLKF">One of the hottest names on the coaching market, Hackett has become one of the more respected coaches in circles that I talk to for his energy and ability to connect to his players. Every person raves about his ability to motivate and how fun and charismatic he is. He sounds like he has the right temperament to be a really good CEO-style of coach. </p>
<p id="1Gdhx4">It’s notable that he has a widespread connection to many coaches in the league, through himself and through his dad. Reportedly, he’s close to McVay and LaFleur, who have both worked out pretty well in the NFL I’d say. LaFleur also worked with Denver’s Defensive Backs coach Christian Parker in Green Bay and Denver’s Defensive Line coach Bill Kollar in Buffalo, so he’s familiar with members of the staff already. Matt Sheldon, who is a Senior Analyst for the Broncos, was also on staff with Hackett in Buffalo. </p>
<p id="OEfBNP">Most importantly, Hackett is close with Aaron Rodgers, and if they were trying to entice Rodgers to come to Denver, he’d make a ton of sense. </p>
<p id="gCTrgl">Hackett would be at the very top of my shortlist for Denver.</p>
<p id="xZEVbm"><strong>Potential Offensive Coordinator hires:</strong> Alex van Pelt, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> Offensive Coordinator; Luke Getsy, Green Bay Packers Quarterbacks coach/Passing Game Coordinator; Kevin O’Connell, <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> Offensive Coordinator</p>
<p id="a7evhJ"><strong>Potential Defensive Coordinator hires:</strong> Ejiro Evero, Los Angeles Rams Secondary coach/Passing Game Coordinator; Christian Parker, <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> Defensive Backs coach; Marion Hobby, <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> Defensive Line coach</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/10/22876784/broncos-head-coach-candidate-nathaniel-hackettAJ Schulte2022-01-27T10:02:57-07:002022-01-27T10:02:57-07:00Who will Nathaniel Hackett hire as his coordinators?
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<figcaption>What would Ejiro Evero mean for the Broncos’ defense? | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams Ejiro Evero is considered the frontrunner for defensive coordinator. The Packers Adam Stenavich will interview to be offensive coordinator.</p> <p id="84hipB">Now that the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> have hired their 17th full-time head coach in franchise history, the next step in the process is filling out the coaching staff. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22902514/nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach-denver-broncos">Shortly after reports broke that Nathaniel Hackett will be George Paton’s hire as head coach,</a> NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>’ Ejiro Evero is the favorite to become defensive coordinator and the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>’ Adam Stenavich will interview to become offensive coordinator. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rams?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rams</a> still playing, this won’t be immediate. But the leading candidate for DC is Ejiro Evero. As for OC, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> will request OL coach and run game coordinator Adam Stenavich. <a href="https://t.co/s15ZfrdxtN">https://t.co/s15ZfrdxtN</a></p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1486692036262645762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<p id="BjEEup">The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala reported Evero and Hackett are best friends dating back to their playing days together at UC Davis. Evero got into coaching at his alma mater as an assistant coach. He made the jump to the NFL as one of Jon Gruden’s defensive quality control coaches with the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in 2007. He remained as a QC when Gruden was replaced by Raheem Morris in 2009, but left for the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> in 2010. </p>
<p id="p6IdFL">Evero stayed by the bay until 2015, working under Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh, and Jim Tomsula. During this time he worked as a quality control coach as well as an assistant coach for both the defense and offense. Following Tomsula’s one season as head coach, Evero was hired by Mike McCarthy to serve as a quality control coach with the Packers. </p>
<p id="NGCbJX">After one year in Wisconsin, Evero moved to Los Angeles to join Wade Phillips staff as a safeties coach. He retained his post after Phillips was fired in 2019, and worked under Brandon Staley during the 2020 season. When Staley left to become the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> head coach, Evero was promoted to secondary coach / pass game coordinator by Raheem Morris and Sean McVay. </p>
<p id="XkUBYn">It’s worth noting that Evero’s varied experience makes it a bit tricky to predict what changes are coming for the Broncos’ defense. Phillips defensive philosophy is quite different than what the Broncos have used under Vic Fangio the last three years, while L.A.’s system since has a lot of overlap. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ejiro Evero is Hackett's best friend. Played ta UC Davis together. Makes sense.<a href="https://t.co/QlTIJSrSpu">https://t.co/QlTIJSrSpu</a></p>— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1486692582285627398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<p id="LOgC74">Stenavich entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2006 after playing tackle for the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a>. He retired from playing in 2010 after wearing four NFL jerseys and playing a stint with the Amsterdam Admirals of the now defunct NFL Europe. </p>
<p id="lZ8UGy">Two years after Stenavich’s playing career came to an end he became a graduate assistant with the Wolverines. In 2013 he left Michigan to become Northern Arizona’s offensive line coach and stayed one season before moving on to the same position with San Jose State. Stenavich made the jump to the NFL in 2017 when he joined Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers as an assistant offensive line coach under offensive line coach John Benton. He left San Francisco to become the Packers offensive line coach in 2019. </p>
<p id="q0d1GG">One aspect that should help Nathaniel Hackett secure both his coordinators is the fact that they all share the same agent.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Broncos were looking at having Cowboys DC Dan Quinn in Denver today, going to LA to meet with Kevin O'Connell maybe Monday. But things escalated quick here.<br><br>As for Hackett's coordinators, he shares an agent with Packers OL coach Adam Stenavich and Rams DBs coach Ejiro Evero.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/1486700674352132097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22904612/who-will-nathaniel-hackett-hire-as-his-coordinatorsJust_JoRo2022-01-27T07:27:05-07:002022-01-27T07:27:05-07:00Nathaniel Hackett will reportedly be hired as head coach of the Broncos
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<img alt="NFL: AUG 30 Preseason - Jaguars at Buccaneers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vVh38CCfXgoVUTnmONsC0_-sH14=/0x99:4150x2866/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70438785/1026072112.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>George Paton’s hiring committee are reportedly deciding on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator as the 17th head coach in franchise history.</p> <p id="EA2N27">After an extensive search that led to interviewing 10 different candidates, George Paton and the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> are reportedly hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their next head coach.</p>
<p id="Acno1O">According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero the Broncos will hire their top choice for the job. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> are finalizing a deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Packers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Packers</a> OC Nathaniel Hackett to make him their new head coach, per sources.<br><br>Contract talks heated up Wednesday night. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jaguars</a> planned to interview Hackett again today. Instead, Denver lands its top choice.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1486668534788857861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<p id="aEKF3y">Hackett, 42, had two interviews with Paton, the only candidate to do so. His second interview lasted more than eight hours in Denver<strong>. </strong>The <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>’ offensive coordinator since 2019, he has 14 years of NFL experience and eight years as an NFL offensive coordinator. The Packers offense has finished the last two seasons among the league’s best, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has won back to back MVP’s. </p>
<p id="oxZwuH">There’s no way to ignore the Rodgers connection in the Hackett hire. Shortly before the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2021 NFL Draft</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31359453/aaron-rodgers-want-return-green-bay-packers-sources-say">ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the reigning MVP wanted to leave the only franchise he’d ever played for</a>. The Broncos loomed as the favorite to trade for Rodgers throughout the remainder of the 2021 offseason, but he ultimately returned to the Packers for his 17th season. Following a 13-4 regular season, Green Bay lost in the divisional round to the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. Afterwards Rodgers said, “I don’t want to be a part of a rebuild if I keep playing.”</p>
<aside id="QcW9nj"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Did the Packers’ loss open the door for Aaron Rodgers’ departure for the Broncos? ","url":"https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/22/22897204/did-the-packers-loss-open-the-door-for-aaron-rodgers-departure-for-the-broncos"}]}'></div></aside><p id="9edZua">Thanks to shrewd management by Paton, the Broncos are well positioned to win in the short-term if Rodgers follows Hackett to Denver. Hackett has the resume to suggest he’ll be a good coach even if the Broncos do not trade for the 38-year-old Rodgers, however. </p>
<p id="S4tqLy">Before he coached in Wisconsin, Hackett was the quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator for the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 4,428 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions during Hackett’s first season with the franchise. In 2017 with Hackett calling plays, the Jags finished the <a href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game?date=2018-02-05">season sixth in points per game</a> and <a href="https://rbsdm.com/stats/stats/">tenth in RBSDM’s Estimated Points Added per Play (EPA) metric</a> on their way to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> game. </p>
<p id="WAnUjj">Prior to his arrival in Florida, Hackett was the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> offensive coordinator for a pair of seasons. Four different quarterbacks earned starts over this time, the best being former Bronco Kyle Orton, who signed with the Bills after threatening to retire from the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> in 2014. With Hackett calling plays, Orton went on to complete 64.2% of his passes for 3018 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 12 games. </p>
<p id="OVzllq">According to<a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/27/report-ejiro-evero-adam-stenavich-coordinator-candidates-for-broncos/"> Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper,</a> the leading candidate to be Hackett’s defensive coordinator is Los Angeles Rams secondary coach/pass game coordinator Ejiro Evero. The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala reported that the two are best friends since they played together at UC Davis. Evero has never called plays before. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ejiro Evero is Hackett's best friend. Played ta UC Davis together. Makes sense.<a href="https://t.co/QlTIJSrSpu">https://t.co/QlTIJSrSpu</a></p>— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1486692582285627398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<p id="Xy9jWc">Alper also reports the Broncos <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/27/report-ejiro-evero-adam-stenavich-coordinator-candidates-for-broncos/">will request an interview</a> with the Packers’ offensive line coach/run game coordinator Adam Stenavich for their offensive coordinator position. Stenavich bounced around the NFL on the fridge of a few rosters before he got his start in coaching with the Michigan Wolverines in 2012. Since then he’s been an offensive line coach with Northern Arizona, San Jose State, and the Packers. It is worth noting that this could mark a dramatic shakeup with the offensive staff as Stenavich’s expertise overlaps with incumbent offensive line coach Mike Munchak. </p>
<p id="IPPqEN">Long considered the second choice to Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Hackett emerged as the favorite for the job after he was the first to travel to Denver to meet with Paton’s search committee. The initial interview turned into an eight hour chat that lasted well into the evening, and Quinn never came for his own second interview with Paton.</p>
<p id="0Jw7DM">At the end of the day, Paton’s thorough search led him to landing on Hackett as the replacement for Vic Fangio. </p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22902514/nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach-denver-broncosJust_JoRo2022-01-27T05:13:14-07:002022-01-27T05:13:14-07:00Report: Broncos are finalizing a deal to name Nathaniel Hackett the next head coach
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<p>Aaron Rodgers, come on down!</p> <p id="mUj7Q2">According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> are finalizing a deal to name now-former <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, the next Head Coach of the Denver Broncos. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Broncos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Broncos</a> are finalizing a deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Packers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Packers</a> OC Nathaniel Hackett to make him their new head coach, per sources.<br><br>Contract talks heated up Wednesday night. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jaguars</a> planned to interview Hackett again today. Instead, Denver lands its top choice.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1486668534788857861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a>
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<p id="86rMAf">Rise and shine Broncos fans, we have a new coach! Also, let the Aaron Rodgers rumors begin once again. With <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22902514/nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach-denver-broncos">Hackett in as the likely next head coach of the Broncos</a>, there has <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/27/report-ejiro-evero-adam-stenavich-coordinator-candidates-for-broncos/">already been coordinator rumors</a>. Hackett’s best friend is Ejiro Evero who would be a defensive coordinator candidate and Packers’ offensive line coach Adam Stenavich would be looked at for a possible offensive coordinator position. </p>
<p id="tWCN96">Evero and Hackett go <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/10/23/packers-nathaniel-hackett-coach/">back to college teammates</a>. Evero is reportedly an excellent teacher and talent developer as a member of the Rams coaching staff. He was also in the mix for the Packers defensive coordinator position last season. </p>
<p id="hvmzLb">We will have more on this story soon. What do you think of this hire, Broncos Country?</p>
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https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22904214/report-broncos-are-finalizing-a-deal-to-name-nathaniel-hackett-the-next-head-coachScotty Payne2022-01-27T04:15:00-07:002022-01-27T04:15:00-07:00What do the Broncos 3 finalists for head coach suggest about Paton’s plans for the roster?
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<p>Back to the future, again?</p> <div id="1XHBuH"><iframe frameborder="0" height="200" scrolling="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=VMP5665961667&light=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<p id="MzYpIo"><em>With the </em><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com"><em>Denver Broncos</em></a><em> search for their 17th head coach in franchise history stretching into a third week, I thought it time to do a preliminary dive into the three finalists. On this week’s episode of Cover 2 Broncos Tim Lynch and I discussed how their schemes and personnel usage appear to differ from what the Broncos have used the last three years under Vic Fangio to see if there’s any hints at the way George Paton will overhaul the roster this offseason. </em></p>
<p id="fzeLkX"><em>Keep in mind that some of this stuff could change if the finalist is hired and adapts to the personnel on hand. Also worth noting that I plan to dive into the system a lot more if they’re hired. </em></p>
<h2 id="UUmjHg"><strong>The Broncos three finalists:</strong></h2>
<blockquote>
<p id="4bihYV"><strong>Dan Quinn</strong> - <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> defensive coordinator / <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> former head coach</p>
<p id="vC4BsQ"><strong>Nathaniel Hackett</strong> - <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> offensive coordinator</p>
<p id="qsVJDj"><strong>Kevin O’Connell</strong> - <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> offensive coordinator</p>
</blockquote>
<h2 id="SVzwxV"><strong>Dan Quinn</strong></h2>
<ul><li id="irRjwc">Offensively Quinn is sort of a wildcard because he’s never been a coordinator.. But we know from his time in Atlanta that he favored a Shanahan OZ heavy offense. Part of this is that the Kyle Shanahan was so successful he tried to get the next OCs Steve Sarkisian to keep parts of it moving forward. Dirk Koetter diversified the run game and worked towards blending Shanahan with Air Coryell in the passing game. </li></ul>
<aside id="KPPPBz"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dirk Koetter feels caught up on calling Kyle Shanahan’s scheme ","url":"https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/dirk-koetter-feels-caught-up-on-calling-kyle-shanahans-scheme/RZZRVTMEUBC6VPYLBHNDETA6TM/"}]}'></div></aside><ul>
<li id="p9UJg7">We’ve already seen some discourse about the how a Quinn hire would mean a move from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3, but keep in mind that the <a href="https://twitter.com/JoRo_NFL/status/1484563683938344972?s=20">Cowboys used less than 100 snaps of base personnel last year. </a>
</li>
<li id="JtbRCf">The bigger changes up front will be the way Quinn’s defense used their DL compared to Fangios. Less gap and a half, more penetration. This could be really good for Dre’Mont Jones in my opinion. If the last 3 years of both are any indication, we will also see more bear fronts and a lot less light boxes. This could lead to some rather interesting decisions over the offseason. </li>
<li id="HWNcgF">Baron Browning would probably take a Micah Parsons’ role.</li>
<li id="b6ZyE8">Bradley Chubb looks like a good fit if healthy.</li>
<li id="dNN2lI">Jones and Harris may look better. </li>
<li id="pDIbio">Who is the second edge? Who is the third? This was a huge issue in Atlanta. Dallas had 3 strong edge rushers</li>
<li id="Zgpqcg">Who is the middle linebacker? Quinn’s had Bobby Wagner, Deion Jones, and Leighton Vander Esch </li>
<li id="Cjqtic">In coverage a Quinn hire would push the Broncos away from Cover 6 to more quarters on passing downs, and a lot more single high shells outside of obvious passing downs. This is the “Seattle style” so we’ll see a lot more three deep and variants off it with 3 match. On third+fourth downs it will look more like what we saw last year than the first two years of Fangio - a lot of man coverage with an extra rusher coming from the second level. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OTYATkhK6iW8zcGASD8kMe63QqA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197300/Broncoscov1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Broncos coverage usage under Vic Fangio in 2021</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D_SDeMerwK949n-sLhQ-5LqGTRg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197324/FalconCov1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>2018 Falcons coverage usage under Dan Quinn </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zEFhuk4iw1vzFxVBIjbkg7SiQNw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197330/FalconCov2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>2019 Falcons coverage usage under Dan Quinn </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3X8qYNHbizR8WLzf8d-C2Hr7qWg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197335/FalconCov3.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>2020 Falcons coverage usage under Dan Quinn. Quinn was fired after an 0-5 start, but the defense stuck maintained similar coverage usage over the remainder season. </figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iB7uMtmDrXHTTxyI756GGD5YFX0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197344/CowboysCov1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>2021 Cowboys coverage usage under Dan Quinn. A lot has been made about how Quinn’s defense changed in Dallas, but fundamentally he simply used more nickel personnel and mixed in more quarters with less C3. </figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="t5Pzxf"><strong>Nathaniel Hackett</strong></h2>
<p id="8M9qCb"><em>Hackett and O’Connell are complete wildcards as far as what they’ll do with the defense. I want to mention that, because it’s an area where George Paton will know a lot more than us. </em></p>
<p id="Zie9Ua"><strong>As for what we do know:</strong></p>
<p id="Mlz3SJ">The Packers offense is a variant off of Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay which means a west coast passing game and zone rushing attack with a good bit of pre-snap motion. Hackett worked under two pretty different head coaches with very different personnel in the NFL. Then when he was at Syracuse he was operating out of more spread, which makes sense given the way the game is played in college. It’s worth noting that 12 and 21 personnel can be used interchangeably if the second tight end or fullback is versatile enough. </p>
<p id="QWAq5L"><strong>2019: </strong></p>
<p id="7KjbNP">11: 60% of all snaps</p>
<p id="egmiD8">12: 20% of all snaps</p>
<p id="MG3Nz6">21: 12% of all snaps</p>
<p id="iKvH7H">22: 3% of all snaps</p>
<p id="LM7WCn">13: 3% of all snaps</p>
<p id="QPVjHU"><strong>2020:</strong></p>
<p id="V1xrdl">11: 55% of all snaps</p>
<p id="a5t6eN">12: 24% of all snaps</p>
<p id="a61rB4">21: 14% of all snaps</p>
<p id="XDwIc9">22: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="ZyOAIv">13: 4% of all snaps</p>
<p id="wSEIXf"><strong>2021:</strong></p>
<p id="eOqZqu">11: 60% of all snaps</p>
<p id="Mj6Q3p">12: 29% of all snaps</p>
<p id="tQgRdT">21: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="4vsZgl">13: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="nVArTD"><a href="https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html"><em><strong>**Public personnel data only goes back to 2018**</strong></em></a></p>
<p id="ee9JKl"><strong>The last two years under Pat Shurmur the Broncos used 11 personnel on about ⅔ of their snaps with 12 personnel the next most utilized. Everything else was situational. </strong></p>
<p id="XUsUsX">The most obvious shift Denver will go through if Hackett’s hired and implements what he’s used in Green Bay, Jacksonville, and Buffalo is that the Broncos will probably move away from gap scheme being a significant part of their run game. inside Zone, outside Zone, and duo were the key components of the Packers rushing attack. </p>
<ul>
<li id="nu4JRH">Changing the blocking scheme could create a noticeable adjustment period for the Broncos’ current offensive line and running backs. </li>
<li id="CKFMsB">Garett Bolles should thrive in an outside zone scheme as he has the mobility to excel in a system where stretching a defense horizontally is key. </li>
<li id="2HaFLO">A system with less pulling could impact how valuable Dalton Risner is, as he’s at his best working as a lead puller on gap runs. </li>
<li id="3nuddm">Quinn Meinerz is a tremendous athlete who originally looked like a strong fit for gap runs, but he looked very promising when the Broncos’ used zone concepts in 2021. </li>
<li id="j1Ec64">Javonte Williams’ biggest issue his rookie season stemmed from decision making and vision, and using outside zone as the base run concept would require he improve in this area.</li>
<li id="YzjGPc">During Mike Boone’s time with the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> he showed he is at his best on outside zone. He’s good at reading out the defense and making the right cuts to maximize his blocking. </li>
</ul>
<p id="eOQYN0">**<a href="http://thekneeldown.westus.cloudapp.azure.com/"><em><strong>The Kneel Down’s data goes back to 2014**</strong></em></a></p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4isw-8OlsXbypGXV-2rlKCPqq6M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197374/Broncosrun2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Broncos run concept usage in 2020</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6XXiRg7aHKasKgUYIIqWuOAOG5Q=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197377/Broncosrun1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Broncos run concept usage in 2021</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RXkAQyuE02E50x_8TQuc67tGdO4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197381/GBR1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2021</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6oDJmX2Fta_ovyrD9hmU4_9pewc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197383/GBR2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2020</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1XoRt-VTW_rYaNUEmt7Su6zZRv0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197388/GBR3.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Packers run concept usage in 2019</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Yuq5fmFMlCWWBo5auzQB1qjagcI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197391/JGRun1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2018</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z2bLLW0d6bSg4Ngr9WBEGgxuTdE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197392/JGRun2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2017</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zEydmbG_kY2blpQDfO17M1Lnyg0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197394/JGRun3.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Jaguars run concept usage in 2016</figcaption>
</figure>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/D_2_7PStRK4lY_stueKpi_jCrNc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197403/Bufrun1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Bills run concept usage in 2014</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="VvGjgi"><strong>Kevin O’Connell</strong></h2>
<p id="u5DfXu">Like Hackett, O’Connell’s plans for the defense are a complete mystery to us on the outside. As McVay’s offensive coordinator, O’Connell is not the play caller. It’s also worth noting that he was not officially the play caller in Washington under Jay Gruden that they also ran a variant of the same offensive system. With that in mind, O’Connell’s coaching experience suggests he’d bring a McVay system to his next stop. Boiling it way down - West Coast passing game, zone rushing attack mixed with duo, good bit of motion. </p>
<p id="GgV9uQ"><em><strong>**Personnel data only goes back to 2018*</strong></em></p>
<p id="OUhXQ9"><strong>2018:</strong></p>
<p id="6PA3zy">11: 71% of all snaps</p>
<p id="OXvwdm">12: 18% of all snaps</p>
<p id="nZDm5p">13: 7% of all snaps</p>
<p id="VOdmHT">22: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="eYoP1S">21: 1% of all snaps</p>
<p id="GutOFe"><strong>2019: </strong></p>
<p id="iu592K">11: 70% of all snaps</p>
<p id="77S8lD">12: 14% of all snaps</p>
<p id="Fm6sI5">10: 6% of all snaps</p>
<p id="oqpHrz">21: 5% of all snaps</p>
<p id="nrzrcN">22: 2% of all snaps</p>
<p id="M6plJT"><strong>2020:</strong></p>
<p id="2m9w96">11: 65% of all snaps</p>
<p id="yzsjhz">12: 29% of all snaps</p>
<p id="5JCGj3"><strong>2021:</strong></p>
<p id="qjHSDZ">11: 84% of all snaps</p>
<p id="M37QGt">12: 13% of all snaps</p>
<p id="7QuwiW">One thing that distinguishes the McVay system and its offshoots from Kyle Shanahan’s is the heavy use off 11 personnel, bunched sets and the threat of a WR on jet sweeps. The run game is also significantly different than what San Francisco uses: McVay’s offense leans heavily on outside zone, duo, and then restraint concepts. O’Connell’s time in Washington does hint that he may bring a more varied approach to the Broncos if hired. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cfIvgD8qRrWX5fUNmqM3oWieW08=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197435/LAR1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Rams run concept usage in 2021</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8RMZdUDg9dXHKQCNaI1vAxgkWFM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197437/LAR2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>The Rams run concept usage in 2020</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wnwK_u-ndX6fe2el8MohcWxIwN4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197439/WASr1.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>Washington’s run concept usage in 2019</figcaption>
</figure>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DzpB5KfbHxbvRAEaYGajpXdF2FQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23197440/WASr2.png">
<cite>Ryan Weisman / The Kneeldown</cite>
<figcaption>Washington’s run concept usage in 2018</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="WAzmPJ"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>
<p id="0aaH4z">If there’s one schematic trend to keep an eye on in Paton’s search for a head coach, it’s that the Broncos look like they’re moving back towards an offense that will remind fans of the Mike Shanahan and Gary Kubiak years. The offense will be a true system that builds off itself rather than a smattering of concepts that get thrown at a defense willy-nilly.</p>
<p id="sY133A">Two of the Broncos three finalists for head coach have either worked under Sean McVay himself or under a coach who utilizes an offshoot of his offense. The other candidate used Kyle Shanahan’s system long after he left to become a head coach. At this point there are significant differences between Shanahan’s offense and McVay’s, but they both lean heavily on outside zone as a key run game concept. </p>
<p id="J43b6j">While things could change once the head coach and his assistants are in place, I expect Paton to begin to tailor his roster for an outside zone run game this offseason. Mobility will be an important consideration for offensive linemen, and a back’s peripheral vision and decision making will receive greater scrutiny. </p>
https://www.milehighreport.com/2022/1/27/22903241/broncos-head-coach-philosophyJust_JoRo