McDaniels has spoken to Nolan about Broncos defense job

New 3-4 scheme could make for reshaped roster

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 12, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.

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Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Mike Nolan, above, and, Dom Capers, are strong possibilities to join the coaching staff. Nolan was the Broncos linebackers coach from 1987 to 1992 before serving as an assistant and then as coach in San Francisco.

Josh McDaniels tried to avoid segmenting the job he inherits in Denver and, instead, to espouse a big-picture view.

But, time after time, those nasty little words - the Broncos defense - kept coming up.

And his nascent views about how to fix the 29th-ranked unit seemed to be two-pronged - stability and malleability.

The aspect of permanence relates to philosophy, as in finding one and sticking to it.

The flexibility is knowing what the capabilities are now and working toward that long-range vision.

"There's going to have to be decisions made on what we can do in the near future and where we want to go in the long term. But we want to have a consistent scheme," the new Broncos coach said at his introductory news conference Monday.

"As somebody who's played against this team for quite a few years - five or six times in New England - the scheme and the system have changed quite a bit. I want to bring some consistency to that and make sure that we improve whatever that scheme and system is from Day 1 throughout."

There's a strong chance the new Broncos philosophy will include a 3-4 alignment with elements of a 4-3 mixed in, akin to what the Patriots have done in recent years.

"I think it's a good possibility," said Jim Goodman, the Broncos' vice president football operations/personnel.

McDaniels has spoken with Mike Nolan about the possibility of coordinating the defense, and the latter's background fits that mold. Denver previously has made only slight use of 3-4 looks and would have to adjust its personnel significantly, particularly up front, to play that style.

McDaniels said he and Nolan have had "some preliminary conversations." But Nolan has not been offered the job, said McDaniels, who admitted Nolan is "someone I'm very high on and we'll see where it goes. He's a great coach. I know that."

More talks are planned, McDaniels added.

Dom Capers, a 37-year coaching veteran who currently is a Patriots special assistant/secondary coach, also might be a possibility for the staff, but he hasn't yet been contacted.

For his part, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said he'd "be excited" about working again with Nolan, who started his NFL coaching career in Denver (1987 to 1992) as Dan Reeves' linebackers coach before spending 11 years as coordinator and 31/2 more as San Francisco's coach.

"Mike Nolan is somebody that's had an opportunity to work both in a 3-4, 4-3 system and his flexibility, I think, is very desirable," McDaniels said. "He's versatile as a coach. I've coached against him a number of times, and it's something that he can do.

"I don't know where we'll start (schematically). I'm not exactly sure where we're going to end because we're going to have a discussion about that once this thing gets going and we get a defensive coordinator in place. But it certainly is something where we may be able to do some of both, if that's what's most successful for him."

McDaniels is best known for his work with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Matt Cassel as coordinator of a Patriots offense that has scored 999 points during the past two seasons.

But he stressed defense is at his core - "That's where I learned my foundation," he said, and it was honed by working with Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini and under Patriots personnel guru Scott Pioli.

He'll need that expertise while inheriting a Broncos defense that ranked 24th or worse in 16 major categories.

"It's not just one side of the ball here," McDaniels said. "This is a team that won eight games, and any time you win eight games and fall short of your expectations, a lot of things have to be improved."

• January 13, 2009

  5:15 a.m.

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  FoolioJenkins writes:

  It remains to be seen what personnel moves McDaniels makes to the defensive unit, but there are a few key moves he should make that will prove he is off to the right start. This is my opinion but I find it hard to believe any Broncos fan could feel differently based on their performances.

  First, straight up cut, or trade(if thats even possible) Winborne and Webster. I would like to hear Shannahan explain what he saw in these 2 LB that warranted any game time. I dont think I can handle another season of poor reads and celebrations for what should be routine tackles.

  Second, find a way to get Woodyard on the field. This guy can tackle and read plays better than any LB that was on the field last year. Also, Larson should get another look as he was filling in nicely during the middle of the season. With the talk of a 3-4 scheme these two should get a great shot to prove again what they can do.

  Third, draft safeties who can play. I've seen enough missed tackles, wide open recievers, and ALWAYS being late to where the ball was thrown. Steve Atwater version 2.0 would be nice.

  Lastly, and this plays into having better safeties who can help the corners cover recievers, change the scheme so our corners dont always play so far off opposing recievers. 15 yard passes to the sideline without the reciever being touched and the corner just arriving as he steps out of bounds is unacceptable.

  Quickly on offense, I like the tandem of Hillis and Bell at RB. Bell proved that he has miraculously overcome his fumbling problem and is a good quick runner to offset Hillis' more pounding style.

• January 13, 2009

  6:30 a.m.

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  broncosfan38 writes:

  I completely agree with the previuos comment,but I will add also that they need some serious help up front on the D-line.Pressure helps the secondary and this group hardly generated any.

  Just my worthless opinion,GO MCDANIELS,GO BRONCOS!!!!!!

• January 13, 2009

  7:26 a.m.

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  gatengreen writes:

  One more suggestion about the defense. Teach our guys what back side defense is all about. How many times did you see reverses and change of direcion plays go for multiple yards when our outside containment guy had crashed down the line to shallow to be any factor? Another thing that seemed to be missing was any kind of gap responsibility. And yes, Winborn and Webster were terrible, Woodyard was always around the ball.

• January 13, 2009

  7:32 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  incognitoboy writes:

  i agree with foolio, too, except that i would add bly to the cut list, and i don't think we need to be continuing the reclamation project with regards to bell. when torain and alridge are back from rehab, that's a serious two-headed speed and power combo with hillis leading the way and catching passes out of the backfield a-la howard griffith/ td back in the day. bell can use his new skills to land a job on another team, or there's always cell phones.....

  does anybody suppose mickey-d will try to lure r. moss out here from boston?

• January 13, 2009

  7:59 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SB32_33 writes:

  I take it most people didn't watch how Winborn brought a spark to a line backing corp that lost all starters at one point in the season.Winborn did a stand up job for Boss.I can agree with Webster who I might add is a free agent,and will not be back.I agree Woodyard should be on the field in some fashion.My thoughts starts with....

  1)Decide on a defensive scheme and bring in potential FA's to complement the scheme.
  2)Draft the best possible defensive player @ pick #12(whether it be a line backer, a safety,or a DL
  3)As far as departures(Webster,Eckuban,Mcree,Manuel, and if we go to 3-4 defense then ponder Robertson who didn't want to play that scheme in NY"4 million$ roster bonus if we keep him")

• January 13, 2009

  8:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  RoloFan writes:

  Here is how teams fared after hiring Mike Nolan as Defensive Coordinator:

  Team Year Record
  NY Giants 1993 11-5
  NY Giants 1994 9-7
  NY Giants 1995 6-10
  NY Giants 1996 6-10
  Washington Redskins 1997 8-7-1
  Washington Redskins 1998 6-10
  Washington Redskins 1999 10-6
  New York Jets 2000 9-7
  Baltimore Ravens 2002 7-9
  Baltimore Ravens 2003 10-6
  Baltimore Ravens 2004 9-7

  We're headed for some lean years ahead. First-time coaches (especially at 32) don't fair too well. Shanahan came to this team as an ASSISTANT at 32, went to the Raiders, failed, came back, went to San Francisco (which had a reputation for producing successful head coaches, a la George Siefert, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, Jeff Fisher & Steve Mariuchi), came back as head coach at age 42. This guy is about 10 years short of that experience, and is coming from an organization that hasn't proven it can produce successful head coaches.

  His first decision is to bring in Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. Look at the teams that Mike Nolan served as defensive coordinator. The only team that had any defensive mettle was the Baltimore Ravens, and Nolan coached that defense AFTER they won the Super Bowl.

  Hope he makes good on his promise to bring a tough, smart, well-prepared team to the field. And that he cleans house on defense. Otherwise, it's MOTS for Bronco fans.

• January 13, 2009

  9:47 a.m.

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  ROO6894 writes:

  Well written Foolio, I liked what you had to say. Just a few add on points. If you would like to see Atwater version 2.0, move Wesley Woodyard to strong safety. He has safety speed, the man can TACKLE and he can lay those "where is that guy" hard strong licks to opposing receivers and runners. Put Spencer Larsen back in the line-up. (Is it just me, or did the middle of the Bronco's defense play "crazy" ball when the starters were all out?)
  I know the Sears Wish Book is long gone but it would be most fortuitous if USC's Rey Maualuga or Florida's Brandon Spikes were still on the board when the Bronco's first draft pick came up. Ironically, with all the talk of going to a 3-4 defense, the Bronco's don't have the up-front personnel to run that defense. That means the Bronco's would have to use precious first and second round picks to fill them which would preclude them from choosing top rated linebackers or safeties.
  UNLESS!!!!!----( and I say this with all respect, as I admire Mr. Pat Bowlen), unless Mr. Bowlen stops trying to emulate the INCREDIBLY and INSANELY cheap owners, the Monforts and ponies up some cash for a couple of high end free agents for the line like say...Albert Haynesworth and/or Julius Peppers. Wow...what a coup that would be. I'm "rootin" for the breakthrough and breakout Mr. Bowlen. GO BRONCOS!!

• January 13, 2009

  10:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigRedCelt writes:

  NO NO NO on luring Randy Moss. I can't even believe somebody mentioned that. No way, no how uh uh.

  There should be an outstanding safety at #12 Mays or the kid from Missouri.

  Torain, if he can stay healthy, will be a beast w/Hillis. Love that combo. It remains to be seen how much of a two back set we will see though.

  DRE BLY MUST GO!!!!!

• January 13, 2009

  11:12 a.m.

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  The_Real_Deal writes:

  RoloFan,
  I'm not sure you are looking at the whole picture. How did those defenses do by themselves? It was the offenses on all those teams that completely blew. Nolan's yards against and points against stats are really good. 1993 was Simm's last year and for good reason... Then who did the Giants have for offense? Quick name a recent Redskins QB. And those years the Ravens record was mediocre were after the superbowl while they were trying out boller.
  Nolan's defenses are aggresive and well schemed. He'd be a good pickup.

• January 13, 2009

  11:25 a.m.

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  Broncody writes:

  According to Pete Carrol Mays isn't going to declare for the draft. Sorry Big Red, it would have been nice.

• January 13, 2009

  11:34 a.m.

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  SteveC writes:

  I agree that Dre' "oops where did he go?" Bly must go. Also, Boss"Ow I hurt myself and have to go sit down for awhile"Bailey needs to go. I think Nolan would be a good addition to the Broncs, but like I said all year, bring in a strong DC, give him the players he needs to implement his scheme and give him TIME to make it work. Shanahans biggest blunder in the last several years was bringing in a new DC every year and getting frustrated because the new scheme with the old players didn't work.

• January 13, 2009

  12:10 p.m.

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  Bigg_Nuggets writes:

  It's official. Nolan's the new DC.

• January 13, 2009

  12:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncofan_in_Boston writes:

  Another NO vote on Moss. That guy is a part time player. No, I don't mean backup, I mean he plays part of the time. Anyone that has spent any time watching him, knows that if he's not gettin' the ball, he basically jogs through his routs. He's a good front runner. When things are going well and Brady is getting him the ball, he's great. But when it starts gettin' cold, and the other team is roughing him up with double teams and jams, and the team needs to run the ball a bit more, he's an unproductive player.

  On Winborn, other than his dancing on 1st down tackles, I thought he played pretty well. He's pretty versatile too. He's pretty cheap so why get rid of him? He wasn't supposed to start, he's more of a role player and good depth.

  On Hillis, I know this is not a popular opinion, but Hillis should not be and likely will not be the primary tailback. Not taking anything away from him, the offense was playing great with him in there. A guy like Torrain offers more as an every down back. Hillis isn't quite fast enough.

  Is he effective? Yes. But bruising backs don't have a long shelf life. They take too many hits. Look at how often Brandon Jacobs is hurt.

  Hillis offers so much as an all around player. He will get plenty of touches. Short yardage, good receiver out of the backfield, bad matchup for a linebacker... Shanny said he could be a Dallas Clark type... and he can block. At 250, he can probably pancake a blitzing safety or LB. He also will get some share of carries as a straight tailback.

  But you want someone who can take it to the house to get most of the carries. And think about a fresh Hillis coming in during the 4th quarter to pound out some first downs against a gassed defense.

  My guess is that he will be part of some 3 headed monster backfield, like NYG or Carolina. Each guy with a bit different strengths. A pounder. A quick guy. And a combo back.

• January 13, 2009

  12:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  greg684 writes:

  i disagree with Foolio about Winborn. what i didn't like about him was how he would appear to be trash talking to someone when he made a play and then turn around and then the offense on the other side would make a big play. i'm not saying it was on his side but i felt at times he played hard. i do agree that they need to get rid of Nate Webster. i felt the only thing going off with him was his helmet. also, i think DJ Williams is overrated. i think the biggest mistake Shanahan made was when he brought back Webster and Williams into the starting lineup after Spencer Larsen and Woodyard were playing better in the defense.

• January 13, 2009

  1:10 p.m.

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  liesandpropaganda08 writes:

  Do not depend on the draft for safety help.

  Mike Brown, Dawkins, Dawan Landry, Jermaine Philips, and Darren Sharper are FA's this year with Baltimore's Landry being the only restricted FA amongst that group. Nice group of experienced Safety help......OR we could get a ROOKIE. BTW, Mays is headed back to USC next year. And as far as Larsen....great story, but put the best players on the field. That might mean Larsen but don't get caught up in a "feel good" story when choosing the roster.

  Mike Nolan is the new DC

  I would like to see Denver pursue Suggs or Ray Lewis at LB. FA will be huge for us this year. Anyone that thinks that we will fix this team through the draft only is very patient because that will take 5 years.

• January 13, 2009

  1:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  5280FANatic writes:

  Denver needs to pick up a Rey Maualuga or a Taylor Mays. My guess is Denver will end up with DT like B.J. Raji from BC. He's a beast and I think the D-line needs beefing up before the secondary. Games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and if we don't have D-line that can apply pressure to the QB or stuff the run then it's our secondary who's getting eaten up all day. I don't care if you have a Champ Bailey at each corner with Troy Polamalu at strong safety the secondary will ALWAYS get eaten up if you give the QB enough time. I'm actually tired of the Secodary getting blamed for blown coverages. Try covering any receiver in the NFL for more than 5 seconds then come talk to me about blown coverage.

• January 13, 2009

  1:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  5280FANatic writes:

  Signing from the free agency is the BIGGEST MISTAKE Denver can do at LB, SS, CB, or any other defensive position for all that matters.

• January 13, 2009

  1:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BroncoBrad writes:

  People need to realize it will not take several years to fix the defense, even if it is done through the draft exclusively. Look at how many holes the offense had going into this offseason. We had WR issues, we had several spots in question on the O-Line, and we had a TE that couldn't stay healthy the past two years. Every one of those issues were addressed primarily through the draft, with a few coming through FA.

  We have a few players on defense that should stay, specifically, Champ, Elvis, Woodyard, D-Wil. Winborn is a better than adequate fill-in LB. He played pretty well when he was in the line-up. I have to agree with whoever said that the backup LB's played better than the starters. It can't be coincidence that when the backup LB's were on the field, the D played better with less missed assignments. Once D-will and Webster got back on the field, it was all downhill. Moss is a toss up. He has potential, we just need to see if it can be brought out. I don't think he is suited for a 3-4 because I think he needs help to beat defenders. He might be better suited as Shanny suggested at LB. Webster, Niko and Bly need to go. If we go 3-4, D-Rob will likely be gone as he doesn't fit in the 3-4, hence the reason he was jettisoned from NY. We need two good passrushers, two safeties, a corner, and another LB. We should be able to get most from the draft and perhaps a DL in FA. I'd love Peppers oposite Elvis, but I don't see Pat spending the money.

• January 13, 2009

  1:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  IAbronco writes:

  I have to agree, Bly must go! All he does is get out of position and get burned... Even though the majority of the time he is playing 20 yds off the receiver... HAHAHAHAHA!!

• January 13, 2009

  1:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigRedCelt writes:

  I had not heard that on Mays...that stinks. I think Vilma will be available because I don't think the Saints will re-sign him. The guy has been recovering from a knee injury and should be back to full strength this season. No to Darren Sharper, but would love to see Dawkins.

  Good point on Hillis and exactly what I have been saying. This guy is a great fullback. Great blocker and reciever and proven he can run the ball. Torain is the man though. When Denver was a dominating run team the TB was lead by a quality FB.

  All the D problems wont be solved through this years draft, but it certainly wont take 5 years. I'm very curious to see what a new attitude will do for present players. Defense is all about attitude. I feel in the last 8 years or so that some players have come to Denver for the country club atmosphere. No pads and such. Thinking it's time to kick back and get paid. That workd for guys like Alfred Williams and Niel Smith et al, bot not so much for the guys that really need a kick in the @$$. What will happen with Moss and Crowder is very interesting to me.

  DRE BLY MUST GO!!!!

• January 13, 2009

  1:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  liesandpropaganda08 writes:

  Agreed, we need to get pressure on the quarterback. That being said, our play at corner can't be defended....look at the salaries paid to these guys....."yeah, but if they can't get pressure on the QB then".....I know. Bottom line is these guys get burned if pressure IS on the QB. Been happening since Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson lit us up on MNF.

  If you LOVE our secondary and watch the games, I have a question.
  Have you ever seen any of our corners throw themselves down on the ground (ghost trip/ SUPERMAN tackle attempt) because they are getting beat? Be honest. We are paying these guys...as horvil would say, all kina mony guy.

  How will we bring in good help for the D line, tough LB's, and Safeties with some of the highest paid corners in the league? Oh, and re-sign Cutler and Co. to long term deals this year or next? We need to bring more Clady like talent to that line as well.

  Where will we get the money, and what will the NFL do to us when they find out our cap (I think they will get something done so a cap will be in place) is 50 mil above the one mandated?

• January 13, 2009

  2:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ArvadaMiner writes:

  This team really needs one thing - maturity. That can come a number of ways and I think it has started with the new coach. It can come through the draft as shown by Eddie Royal. Maturity does not mean "old" or even experienced, but taking a professional approach. Celebrating after routine tackles is immature (Webster). Jay Cutler needs to grow into a mature leader and I am excited about the opportunity he will have to do that with McDaniels as coach. Marshall could learn a lot from Eddie Royal's approach. Though the defense must improve, I hope McDaniels does a lot of improving to the 16th ranked scoring offense, particularly in their attitude.

  It is interesting to see how everyone still thinks Torain is the man at running back, though he was unable to stay healthy for even one game. He's shown absolutely nothing, yet, except that he is injury prone. I don't think our next solid tail back is on the roster, yet, but do agree that Hillis shows a lot of promise as a fullback.

• January 13, 2009

  2:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RedneckBronco writes:

  Broncos hire Nolan as defensive coordinator
  Posted: Adam Schefter | Adam Schefter | Tags: Denver Broncos, Mike Nolan

  Any questions about who would be Denver’s defensive coordinator now can be officially dismissed. The Broncos hired former 49ers coach Mike Nolan on Tuesday and gave him a two-year contract. Nolan returns to the Broncos franchise he worked for from 1987-1992.

• January 13, 2009

  2:38 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  liesandpropaganda08 writes:

  Finding good NFL players through the draft is tough. Woodyard was undrafted. Goodman had a great draft on the offensive side of the ball last year. IMO, the jury is still out on the defensive players other than Woodyard. Larsen showed up when needed and Bell stepped up a few times, but that does not make them starters. Can Goodman draft good defensive players in round 1? We shall see.

  If we use the draft exclusively....which is the comparison I was making....how will it take less than 5 drafts to fix our D? BE REALISTIC! Drafting players doesn't always work out, and we are supposed to get a starting NT (one of the HARDEST positions to draft an IMPACT player), 2 starting DE (read above), quality DL depth, 2 starting Safties, and a couple of beast LB's. Usually all highly sought after top picks. Talent CAN be found in later rounds and I hope Goodman has the right scouts in the right place, but it is foolish to think that will happen in a few years.

  We can have difference makers at those positions, through the draft, in 5 years. Maybe more.

• January 13, 2009

  3:31 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  liesandpropaganda08 writes:

  I would like to see what Mike Brown, Haynesworth, and Suggs could do for this defense? In addition to these "PROVEN, TESTED, and EXPENSIVE" players will be our draft picks. Won't have so many unknowns going into training camp with that group would we?

• January 13, 2009

  5:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  liesandpropaganda08 writes:

  Players that should be traded or cut:

  Niko Kootwhocares?
  Nate "The Errant Missile" Webster
  John Engelberger (sp?)
  Dewayne Robertson (scheme, pricetag, ineffective)
  Dre Bly
  Marquand Manuel

  Contracts that need to be renegotiated:

  Champ Bailey (won't happen....will want bigger deal soon)
  Boss Bailey
  DJ Williams

  We have alot of money in Champ. Great player that helped us get to a Championship game.....but we only have so much money. I throw myself to the wolves.....we can't afford him, trade Champ Bailey. When his current contract ends, IMO, he will rightfully want to be the highest paid corner. Not by just a little either. Remember the comments he made when Nate Clemens got that deal in San Fran? Which do you prefer: D Robertson and Bailey or Haynesworth and Josh Bell?

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