I don’t know how many games the Broncos will win this year, although next week I’ll offer a guess.
I don’t know what kind of season they’ll have.
But I know for certain I’m already a big fan of the man leading this football team.
John Fox is the right coach at the right time for the Denver Broncos.
I won’t pretend to know Coach Fox. But I really like what I see.
First off, I see a man who knows football. You simply cannot be as successful as he has been in the NFL, both as a head coach and as a defensive coordinator, by mistake. You don’t last in this league by being o.k. You last in the NFL by being really good. John Fox is a really good coach.
I also see a man who has an exceptional way of communicating with players. Against Dallas in the preseason opener, Coach Fox was the one patting Tim Tebow on the head and firmly yet enthusiastically getting a point across.
I see a man who isn’t afraid to put his arm around a player and love him up while also communicating a belief that the player can perform better.
I see players with more pep in their steps and more smiles on their faces. Feel free to chalk it up to the beginning of a new season. I’m not buying that. I think it goes deeper than that. I think it’s the freedom to have fun playing football. It’s there or it isn’t. It sure seems to be there for the Broncos.
I also sense the Broncos have a coach that people respect. No player, no reporter, no fan will like every decision any coach makes. Coach Fox seems to have a way of being likable even if you disagree with him.
People can talk about the quarterback situation all they want. They can talk about the return of Elvis Dumervil, the drafting of Von Miller or any other move the Broncos have made since last year. In my book, the Broncos’ hiring John Fox is hands down the number one story of this past offseason.
The amazing part is that it is such an easy move to overlook. Not one to be flashy or slick, Fox has simply rolled up his sleeves and set about earning the respect of a team that was in dire need of a leader who knows how to relate to them.
Apparently, many of the players like what they see in Coach Fox, too. One player told me in training camp that he treats them like men. There was both relief and sincere appreciation in his voice when he said it.
Coach Fox not only treats his players like men but he also expects them to perform like men on the field. That combination could make this season really interesting.
I know it’s easy to get excited in the preseason. I know it’s easy to be optimistic and think a team is better than it turns out to be. The Broncos will undoubtedly face more adversity than they already have. Their journey back to respectability and, hopefully, beyond likely won’t be complete overnight.
I believe, however, they are indeed on the right track. The conductor of the train is one of the big reasons why.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Excellent, Mike. You’ve captured what a lot of us broncos fans are feeling. Optimism for the future.
Thanks, Tag. I appreciate the kind words. Mike
Like tag said, u definitely captured what alot of us have been thinking. The most interesting thing about this is that He is a complete turn around from the last coach. Last coach, inexperience, fox experienced. Last coach can be remembered ripping apart players on the sideline (namely richard quinn) this coach, opposite, as u stated with the TT turn around. He is generally likable … last guy was not. He doesn’t use potty mouth on the sideline, or tell random teams players he owns them and even worse, not follow through. He is definitely what this team needed to restore stability. Dunno if he is the guy in the long run but he will restore stability, build a strong core that can defend and get it done on the ground. He seems like a motivator, a guy players wanna play for .. a players coach. His charisma defintiely won them over in his interview. Ill say one thing, when your players believe in you and wanna play for u … instead of just looking at it as a job and a pay check … u are more likely to get things done. He is definitely the right coach at the right time. TRB
McD has a place in the NFL obviously. However, he was never a personnel guy (Evidenced by 6 of his 9 draft picks from 2009 not being with the team, Hillis,Cutler, etc. You get the picture.). Fox obviously has a different approach. He’s not afraid to say someone is injured, he appears to be forthcoming with his approach to coaching. I think the fans generally are happy with the perceived stability Fox brings. Let’s hope it’s a long relationship! Good luck in AZ Bronco nation, I’ll miss the game.
Fox is the right man as well as McD was the wrong man all along, it would of been nice if more people in and around the organization had realized that sooner or simply had what it took to simply talk about it, here lies the real tragedy, the fact that we fell to the basement of the NFL while the folks in and around the organization let it happen without saying much a word about McD, just backing him up because he was our HC, and that was wrong. I’m not very proud about all that. But I’m happy Fox is on board to help dig us out of the hole people in and around the organization allowed us to fall into.
I know that’s a bit different than the “Fox is the right man for the job” thing but McD was the wrong man just as well and somehow no one in and around the organization was able to utter a word about it, even though Cooper vented his frustrations once or twice. Very sad to me, but water under the bridge, and may everyone learn a lesson from it.
I as a fan need to be told more just like it is by folks in and around the organization, not a fairy tale. I think I deserve that after 37 seasons of Bronco fan commitment.
Is this something we can get our hands on?:
The media guides arrived! This year it is a 664-page book that includes bios of every player, coach and front office executive; detailed year-by-year results and stats; franchise records; among other useful bits of info.
I would pay money for that.
Reminder:
The season record guessing game is open until Sept 10th, 33 bloggers have already made their predictions, don’t miss out so we can have the true pulse of the Bronco fans.
Attended the game last Saturday, Mike. The one thing that stood out to me was Coach Fox’s interaction with his players. Was impresssed by the Defense. There’s definitely a different “vibe” out on the field…lol.
Looking forward to the new season, new coach and new attitude!
Nice article Mike!
GO BRONCOS!!
bay, list me for 10-6 prediction please, Thx.
And why did some folks crucify John Clayton saying he was a total moron when I posted an article of his where he said that Fox wouldn’t announce a #2 and #3 QB for the regular season, that only made you look foolish because here it is from Fox’s mouth now:
Fox said Tuesday that when the first regular-season depth chart is released next week, both Quinn and Tebow will be designated in the No. 2 role. Teams don’t have to publicly name a backup QB now that three QBs can be active on game day.
Maybe Tebow and Quinn will be the “Dynamic Backup Duo.”
Injury report.
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (strained groin) and safety Brian Dawkins (pinched neck) were pulled from Tuesday’s practice because of injuries, Fox said.
Also sidelined were guard Chris Kuper (toe), defensive tackles Kevin Vickerson (ankle), Brodrick Bunkley (knee), Marcus Thomas (pectoral) and Ty Warren (triceps) and linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow).
All but Warren and Williams are expected to be questionable for the Sept. 12 opener against Oakland.
Questionable, all, for the Oakland game opener, except Williams and Warren, out, ouch.
Good thing none of the starters will play tomorrow…
That’s kind of depressing.
This just for TRB, to make his day:
It’s official – Brandon Marshall will not face any discipline from the NFL for his off-field incident this past April. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that since no charges were filed in the incident, Marshall is not subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
And this to ruin everyone’s day, lol:
Browns pondering new contract for Peyton Hillis, who says team, city ‘represent who I am’.
And I bet to him the city of Denver represents McD, haha.
I hope one day Hillis makes it to the HOF and then finds McD and punches him in the face. LOL!
I think every game he has a 100 yd game he punches McD in the mouth…
Haha…..yeah.
I was looking through the list of cuts and didn’t find too much. Have you had a chance to look through them yet and collect your thoughts baylinorcrush?
That’s the whole thing that got me going earlier this morning, I mean here people like CarnageBronc, TRB, sndvl and I were constantly on the blog reminding people of how insane it was to have McD as our coach as he was the biggest immature young punk HC on the planet on his way of destroying us and our image and all the articles of the blog kept telling us that McD was our HC so we just needed to chill and back him up, that was just plain wrong.
Cuts to 53 won’t take place until Saturday, or maybe Friday after tomorrow’s game, most of the ones released this past Monday to go to 80 were the ones really no one wants on their team, so we’ll have to wait.
At this point, more important than who we will be after is what position we need help at and to me we should be looking for:
DT
WLB
CB
OG
OT
And you can never have enough RBs.
Here’s a small excerpt from article over at espn on Elvis Dumervil. Glad to read Ayers held out that year….
“I had 8.5 sacks my first season and 12.5 in my second year, but they probably had some doubts after my third year,” said Dumervil, who did play as a 4-3 defensive end on passing downs under McDaniels. “I only had five sacks, and they decided to change the whole philosophy. I was sitting behind Ayers on the depth chart when training camp started that year. If he hadn’t held out, I might not have had the time to show what I could do.”
Those days are over for Dumervil. Although Ayers is still trying to find his way in the league, Dumervil is being hailed as the key to the Broncos’ hopes of turning around the league’s worst defense in 2010. Denver already has watched three defensive tackles — Ty Warren, Marcus Thomas and Brodrick Bunkley — suffer preseason injuries. And outside linebacker D.J. Williams could be sidelined for a month with a dislocated right elbow. If Dumervil isn’t ready to return to an elite level, the Broncos’ rebuilding effort will be moving at a disappointing pace.
Dumervil already has done his part by adding 15 pounds and impressing the Broncos’ coaches with his training camp efforts. That may have plenty to do with his appreciation for playing again, but other factors are at play as well. Dumervil finally has returned to a place in his career where size is merely an afterthought. As far as he’s concerned, the only thing that matters these days is how big he continues to play.
And taking care of his groin…
Breaking news out of Dove Valley: Jake Plummer is coming out of retirement to enter the Broncos quarterback race!………just kidding.
Why would you say something like that 3rdGeneration, that’s just plain mean. Getting my hopes up like that LOL!
Haha. I know I’m sorry. It was just a little dry on here this morning.
I missed the info on the cuts. Did we make more cuts since the Nate Jones batch?
Who needs Rich Eisen when you’ve got Baylinorcrush and this blog!
Whered everyone go?
3rdGeneration: I don’t think that we’ve had anymore cuts since then. A lot of other teams followed suit but as baylinorcrush said there really isn’t too much in the cuts.
Yeah, Monday’s cut was like a baby cut, the one coming up Saturday will involve 27 players, plus they will have to cut additionall players each time they want to bring someone in, so realistically from today’s roster well over 30 players will be gone when it’s said and done.
Heres a good read for yuh!
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700175118/Linebacker-Joe-Mays-a-trade-that-paid-off-for-Denver-Broncos.html
Yeah, saw that in the DP this morning (Legwold is a DP writer).
Vaughn, McCarthy and Mays, what do all these guys have in common?
They all worked harder than anyone else this off season.
Thanks DenverOranges. I have liked Mays ever since the first time I saw him clobber someone. Like I posted yesterday, I think that Mays will have a great season, and that he will be the reason that RBs won’t like trying to run up the middle. With Doom and Miller occupying blockers on the edges, it’ll leave Mays free to make runners fear him. I can’t wait ’till he stops McFadden in his tracks in the opener!
And what do Vaughn, McCarthy, and Mays also have in common? They were all brought in by Josh McDaniels. McDaniels did bring in some solid young talent. I realize to most fans, it’s overshadowed by many of his questionable and controversial moves, but one must be just as willing to give him credit for the good when blasting him for the bad.
The good? I know you are serious, I don’t know how to answer that, anyone who has two drafts and multiple trades would get at least a handful of guys out of it who will contribute eventually, even if I was in charge, LOL. Excuse me about not pointing out the good about McD, just the law of averages in that case.
And the bad from McD as far as trades and draft are concerned would be way to lenghty a discussion.
I’ve always thought the Mays deal with the eagles was a good move. Vaughn was fastest guy on the team last year. McCarthy, you can see his work ethic. Without wearing my optimism on my sleeve too much… Fox can draw out of this team (the 53 that make it) a really good collective effort. Remember Bronco fans, there is parity in this league. “Any given Sunday…” it’s true. We’ll compete. Like I posted last night, and to echo what bay was saying. Wrong guy for Denver, wrong responsibilities. BTW, that Peyton post just pissed me off again.
The Good:
Eric Decker
J.D. Walton
Zane Beadles
Cassius Vaughn (undrafted rookie gem)
Kyle McCarthy (solid undrafted rookie)
Syd’Quan Thompson (a find in the 7th round)
Joe Mays
Demariyus Thomas (if he can get healthy)
Kyle Orton
Tim Tebow
Robert Ayers (if he can stay healthy)
Knowshon Moreno (looking much improved)
Brian Dawkins (helping to mentor our young secondary)
Re-signing Elvis Dumervil to a long-term deal
Getting rid of team locker room cancers in Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall
Did you guys watch the interview in the locker room after the Seattle game? The reporter asking Mays what those things on the side of his neck were called. His reply was pretty sweet, he’s like, I don’t know, I’ve always had big traps, My dads pretty big, so I probably got it from him….
Furthermore, baylin, you are misconstruing what I said. Nowhere did I said that McDaniels didn’t have his share of boneheaded moves. What I am saying is he did do some good things here that he should get credit for. I am not saying that he did an overall good job here or that Broncos’ fans should disregard the amount of losses that piled up each week, but credit should be given for some promising talent he brought to Denver.
Wow, you must really miss McD.
I don’t give credit to someone who did his best to tarnish the face of the franchise, you are barking at the wrong tree, will never happen.
mcmc, I thought that was pretty funny. Especially because the guy interviews football players, who are pretty much universally built, but has the inclination to ask about a player’s traps. I just found it amusing.
I’ll argue the jury is still out on Ayers, Bay Bay… TT, Deck…. we haven’t seen these guys play, with live bullets. Remember, everyone looks good on paper. My fantasy team looked great last year. It wasn’t, just drafted again last night, it looks awesome again. Here’s another list…
Cutler
)
Marshall
A. Smith
T. Scheftler
Hillis
Quinn
Maroney
L. White
Mike Nolan (
etc….
I don’t have time for all the bad. Or energy. With our records and the number of draft picks… We should be light years…. light years ahead of where we are.
baylin, you aren’t even reading or attempting to understand anything I’ve contributed, so I am done trying to reason with you. Just because I point out a few positives of the McD era, you turn around with the strawman argument, equating that any showing of favor to McD means that I still want McDaniels as coach of the Broncos.
I am a Bronco fan first and foremost. I want to win games. To me, no player is greater than the team. To me, I could care less who the coach is as long as we win games–whether that is Red Miller, Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips, Mike Shanahan, Josh McDaniels, or John Fox.
mcmc,
I agree a lot of those moves were bad. Maroney was terrible. The Alphonso Smith draft pick was a disaster. The LenDale White move didn’t really cost us much–plus he was looking good until he blew out his achilles’ tendon. I think the worst decision by McDaniels was getting rid of Mike Nolan.
Do you really think the Broncos are worse off for having gotten rid of Cutler and Marshall? Marshall in particular is a ticking time bomb and our wide receiver corps is probably our strongest position. I think getting two second round picks for a guy as volatile as Marshall was good value.
I’d like to hear your take as to why the Cutler and Marshall moves have not actually benefitted the Broncos.
I just to hold to the believe that our team should also be made up of guys that outstanding people, as well as players. I’ve also found, that that is idealistic, and it’s icing on a cake. Cutler was annoying, Marshall has his issues, do you think though for a second, things wouldn’t have been different if McD didn’t piss them off, and sink the ship. He’s a young arrogant HC. It was bad from the beginning. I think Bowlen lost some of his marbles, and thankfully EFX found most of them.