The Broncos recent problems weren’t all Vance Joseph’s fault
May 21, 2019, 6:41 AM | Updated: 7:13 am
Listening to ex-Bronco Brandon Marshall skewer his old coaches while trying to suck up to his new employers and media in Oakland smacked of sour grapes. However, B-Marsh banked enough respect during his time here that I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Marshall says the Broncos’ defense lacked communication and wasn’t always on the same page last season. He believes it became a middle of the pack defense instead of a top-five unit because of poor coaching.
I don’t agree with that.
Like the entire Broncos roster, there has been a talent drain during the last several years in Denver. The secondary is a shell of their former “No Fly Zone” glory days. The linebackers are average at best. The defensive line has been weakened. Bradley Chubb is a promising player, but he was still a rookie. Von Miller apparently had seen enough better days that new head coach Vic Fangio touched down and immediately announced Miller needed to be better.
Despite all that, the Broncos’ defense was tied for 12th in the NFL in scoring defense in 2018. In total defense, they were down, however, finishing 22nd in the league. I’ve never been a fan of how they determine total defense, or offense. It’s based on yards. Who cares about yards? It’s about points, right?
Anyway, I digress.
Despite the talent drain and Marshall’s claims, this was a defense that still held high-powered offenses from Kansas City, Los Angeles (Chargers and Rams) and Pittsburgh all below their season averages. All this with no help from an incompetent offense.
However, here’s were the facts and well rounded observations like mine fall on deaf ears. This doesn’t fit with the new message. This doesn’t fit with the new agenda. Get with the program people. All together now:
THIS WAS ALL VANCE JOSEPH’S FAULT!
That’s the message coming out of Dove Valley and it’s eagerly being lapped up by the adoring throngs out there in Bronco Land. The 11-21 record the last two years? That’s VJ’s fault. Now that the coaching bogeyman has been vanquished, happy days are right around the corner. Fangio will fix everything. Mike Munchak will fix everything. Rich Scangarello will fix everything. A 10-6 playoff team is ready to blossom just because of better coaching.
I don’t believe that. I believe coaching matters, but players matter more. I believe there has been a talent drain around here that better explains the Broncos 16-28 record in their last 44 games (that’s right, Super Bowl winning coach Gary Kubiak went 5-7 in his last 12 games here).
The good thing is this season will settle the Great Debate. Once and for all, we’ll get the answer. Was it coaching or was it the roster put together by John Elway? If this team goes 6-10, 7-9 or 8-8, we all can’t just blame the coaches again, can we? At some point, the real culprit will be revealed, right?
It’s why this promises to be such a fascinating season. The debate that has raged for the last few years will be settled.
Which side are you on?
