The biggest addition to the Denver Broncos coaching staff isn’t who you think.
Gary Kubiak is huge. Same with Rick Dennison. Wade Phillips. Bill Kollar (he did wrestle a bear). One stands above the rest, and Broncos Country got a great glimpse into the man during his news conference earlier this week.
Joe DeCamillis.
Think about it: the highlight of the Broncos special teams the last four years is Trindon Holiday getting blown up by a punter. That’s how atrocious the Denver special teams have been under quitter John Fox.
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I feel for fans of the Chicago Bears because good old “take a knee” Fox brought that stench with him to Halas Hall. The good news: The Broncos special teams will become one of the best units in the NFL this season.
I thoroughly enjoyed Phillips’ news conference. He was his typical self. And if you aren’t fired up about what he and his staff will do with the Denver defense there is something wrong with you. The man knows how to coach defense and create great defenses. The unit Phillips has now has the potential to be special.
I’m stoked to see what Dennison does with the Broncos’ offense. How a linebacker in the NFL (for Denver) became an offensive coordinator is a story unto itself. Paired with Kubiak, the two will bring balance and confidence that no matter the defense the Broncos face, they will have success.
But what DeCamillis brings to the special teams as the new coordinator is hands down the biggest. He will ensure all 11 guys are in the right spot, they’re fast, they have their assignments and they’re physical. The breakdowns by the Broncos the last four years have traveled east to Chicago.
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) reacts to a tackle in the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The poor coverage. The lack of coverage. The missed tackles. The mental lapses. The returners getting blown up by punters are over. DeCamillis may not move the needle to No. 1, but rest assured the Broncos special teams will improve.
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What makes all of this even better is DeCamillis, as with Dennison, is home. The veteran special teams coordinator grew up in Arvada. His parents and two brothers still live here. He got his coaching start in Denver with Dan Reeves, who just so happens to be his father in-law.
DeCamillis showed he’s a guy who is leveled, down to Earth and loves what he does at his news conference at Dove Valley. He knows what it means to be a member of the Broncos since he grew up rooting for them. He told the story of the Orange Crush and the first Super Bowl in Denver history. DeCamillis talked about how difficult it was seeing the Broncos win the second Super Bowl against him and the Atlanta Falcons.
That proves once again Broncos Country gets in your blood, even when you coach a different team in the NFL. You just cannot help it. It’s not a phrase or place, it’s a way of life.
Kubiak, Dennison, Phillips and all of the rest are huge additions for Denver. But none of them reach the level of DeCamillis.
At least now the Broncos can end up on the right side of blowing up a returner … maybe even with their punter.
Next: C.J. Anderson clearly gets Broncos Country
Next: Who does Mel Kiper Jr. have the Broncos taking in his mock draft?
Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman (left) and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports