The Denver Broncos defense just got a lot better. Nay, it now has the chance to become special.
With the hire of Wade Phillips, the Broncos defensive coordinator in the late 1980s and early ’90s is returning to the same position. Now, instead of Dan Reeves as his head coach, it’s Gary Kubiak. Ed Werder of ESPN was the first to report the news.
This is the best possible move for the Broncos and that defense. As I have stated numerous times over the last week or so, Phillips is a defensive genius. He’s one of the best defensive minds the NFL has seen the last quarter century.
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Wherever Phillips coaches defenses, they turn into one of the best in the NFL. Period. The most recent example of that was when he held the same position for the Houston Texans. In 2010, the Texans had the worst defense in the NFL. The very next season, according to Bucky Brooks at NFL.com, Phillips’ first as Houston’s defensive coordinator, the defense was ranked No. 2. He also did that with no Pro Bowlers.
Talent wise, Denver’s defense is better (much better) than that unit. Phillips brings with him one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL, Bill Kollar and linebackers coach Reggie Herring. One guy who is stoked Herring is with the Broncos is DeMarcus Ware. With Herring as his coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Ware led the league in sacks twice. Herring also will help Von Miller reach even higher and get even better.
Per Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Broncos also hired Joe Woods as their defensive backs coach. Woods was previously the DB coach for the Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Woods brings with him another sterling resume. As is the case with Kollar, Woods is viewed as one of the best in the NFL. This is Woods’ first time working with Phillips.
But the key in all of this is Phillips. I cannot state enough how much of a defensive genius he really is. He has his shortcomings as a head coach, and he would be the first to admit that. But he knows defense and how to make great defenses.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a 3-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter while pressured by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) during the NFL divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When you pair the talent on the Broncos roster, those coaches and Phillips … that’s a special defense in the making. With what he did in Houston, I have no doubt he will do the same in Denver.
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When the news hit on Tuesday that Perry Fewell will join the Washington football team as its defensive backs coach, some will say that’s why this move happened. It was widely believed the only way the Cincinnati Bengals would let Vance Joseph leave the Queen City is if Fewell took his spot as the defensive backs coach there. When that option vanished, so did Joseph’s chances of getting the job for the Broncos.
I don’t buy that. If Phillips didn’t know defense, this wouldn’t have happened. But it’s more than that. He knows how to create great defenses. Of the last seven defenses Phillips has fielded, six have ranked in the top 10. Kubiak will allow Phillips to work his magic, as he did for the Texans.
As with Kubiak, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, tights end coach Brian Pariani and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, Phillips is home.
Welcome home, coach. The Broncos and Broncos Country are stoked to have you back in the orange and blue.
The chances of the Denver defense becoming special just shot up and got really good.
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Dec 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on the sidelines against the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. The Patriots beat the Texans 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports