Wade Phillips Could Reignite The Orange Crush

Nov 3, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips walks off the field after the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Texans 27-24 at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Wade Phillips has been known as a defensive minded, aggressive coach who thrives on the thrill of the attack. With that in mind, the Denver Broncos defense might get even nastier in 2015.

The Broncos have agreed to terms with Wade Phillips to become the team’s new defensive coordinator. The job was previously held by Jack Del Rio, who decided to take a head coaching job in Oakland after the season ended. Wade Phillips was the Broncos alternative in the search for a new defensive coordinator, but seemed to be the front runner when the Cincinnati Bengals refused Vance Joesph to void out of the last year of his contract to obtain a promotion with the Broncos. In my mind, it did not look good on the Bengals organization to prevent a coach on their staff the opportunity to be promoted. But this is about Wade Phillips, so let us see what he can bring to the table.

For those who saw the Broncos in the 80s and early 90s, you would know that Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator for Dan Reeves. After Reeves was let go, Phillips became the 11^th head coach for the organization. However he was let go after the 1994 season after a 7-9 record. He would go on to be a head coach and coordinator for numerous years up to now. Now he makes his return to Denver as a coordinator or coach for the first time in over two decades.

He may not be great as a head coach, but Wade Phillips is a genius when it comes to coaching defense. He works under the 3-4 defensive scheme that focuses on being physical and attacking whomever has the football. This is great for players like Von Miller and Demarcus Ware, who are focused on getting to the quarterback. The Broncos definitely have the players to execute that defense. The team would be set if the front office can work on a deal with Terrence Knighton, who could be the team’s nose tackle. And having four linebackers on the field will be great especially with the emergence of Brandon Marshall the past couple seasons. Having him on the field with Danny Trevathan and Von Miller will be a force.

The Broncos showed signs of improvement on defense last season, especially when it came to the run game. Can you imagine how dangerous the Broncos will be now with Wade Phillips taking over a top ten defense? Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, and Aaron Rodgers better watch their backs in 2015.

I think this team has all the talent to even further return to the Orange Crush ways. All I can say is that I am pretty excited to see what Wade Phillips can bring to the Broncos organization for the 2015 season.