The Denver Broncos are stacked in terms of coaching experience.
Vic Fangio is a linebacker coaching genius, with 35 years of coaching experience under his belt as he enters his second season as the Broncos head man. Before landing in the Mile High City, Fangio’s Chicago Bears defense was the best in the NFL. They were No. 1 in points allowed (17.7 per game), turnovers (36), first downs (17.4 per game) and rushing yards, among others, in 2018.
The hope was, Fangio — and Ed Donatell, his current defensive coordinator — would be able to work with the immense talent in Denver and create a new powerhouse to follow the lineage of the Orange Crush and “No Fly Zone.”
But, in 2019, the Broncos defense looked lost to begin the year. Astonishingly, even with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the edges and other capable pass rushers all around the line of scrimmage, the team was unable to record a single sack in the first four weeks. Then, Chubb was injured and there were many other setbacks along the way.
But, about midway through the season, we started seeing the genius of Fangio and Donatell shine through. They seemingly discovered linebacker Alexander Johnson out of nowhere, and they also inserted tackle Mike Purcell into the rotation; both of them had a huge impact on the defense the rest of the season. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, Purcell was the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in the NFL last year. And Johnson seems to have just scratched the surface while totaling 93 tackles, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
Those talent discoveries midseason — and the changes at their positions — show just how keen an eye both Fangio and Donatell have for discovering talent. And, it’s a positive sign moving forward that the dynamic duo will continue to plug in the best players on their team, even if that means shaking up the depth chart in the middle of the season.
But what might be most exciting for Broncos fans is that this will be the second year in the system, meaning Denver’s defense could really take off this year.
“This history is our defenses—this is the third time we’ve neem it in together—usually spike in Year 2 because guys have a better understanding of everything that’s going on,” Donatell said on Sunday after practice. “This is a unique year. Vic has put a lot of hard work in the schedule and the challenge to players and staff. Our staff and coaches have responded in an extraordinary way. Just the way we work together—there’s just a lot of teamwork going on between the staff and the coaches. He’s challenged us. It’s hard work. It’s training camp. I really like the way everyone’s responded.”
That’s a ringing endorsement for the way Fangio has brought his staff together, which is a tall task for any team, but must be even more difficult with so many former head coaches on the roster.
Denver brought in Pat Shurmur to be the offensive coordinator this offseason, and he was formerly with the New York Giants as their head man. And on the offensive line, there’s Mike Munchak, the former Tennessee Titans head coach. Continue down the list and there are other notable names in Mike Shula (QBs coach) and John Pagano (LBs), each of whom have long histories in the league and both had fathers who were head coaches in the NFL.
After the debacle with the former coaching staff in Denver, it’s clear John Elway made a great choice with Fangio, who in turn brought in guys he likes and respects like Donatell and Munchak, who was in the running for the Broncos head coaching job.
Now, the Broncos are set up for success from the top-down, with intelligent, experienced leadership on the sidelines and we should start seeing positive results follow.
To wit, the team played much better in the second half of last season and finished 4-1 thanks to their defense leading the way. Look for that unit to take an even bigger leap this year.
