Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Grading the team’s biggest moves of 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Vic Fangio
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos works along the sideline during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Hiring Vic Fangio

Grade: A

One of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL over the last 30 years, Vic Fangio had never been a head coach prior to coming to the Mile High City.

The Broncos gave him his first opportunity, and I think we all expected a few things from Fangio:

  • Brutal honesty
  • Excellent young player development defensively
  • A defensive scheme that enhances current personnel
  • Old-school discipline
  • Attention to detail
  • High expectations

Although Fangio faced a pretty big challenge of moving from the box to call defensive plays to moving to the sideline, I would say all-in-all, he did a solid job in his first year as a head coach.

You have to look at this from so many different perspectives, including the risks Fangio took throughout the year combined with his game management, which wasn’t always great. Even with 30 years of coaching experience, he was learning new things.

I gave Fangio an ‘A’ grade for a variety of reasons.

1. I’m a big fan of the staff he assembled.

The hiring of Mike Munchak was a phenomenal move, and unprecedented as far as I know considering Munchak was considered a favorite to land the head coaching job in Denver before he took the OL job.

I loved a lot of the play designs from first-time OC Rich Scangarello this year, even though he struggled at times calling plays.

The Broncos went 4-1 down the stretch this season, won games with three different quarterbacks, and the player development was notable.

Fangio’s defensive scheme also brought about career years for Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris, and Mike Purcell on the defensive line as well as Alexander Johnson at linebacker and both Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson at safety.

Fangio has a good hold on the locker room, the respect of his players, and has created a culture of discipline and attention to detail in Denver.

The Broncos finished 2nd place in the AFC West at 7-9 with a ton of injuries and a roster that is not fully formed in terms of being competitive playoffs-wise.

Kudos to Fangio for his excellent work in year one. He was a great hire, it appears.

Home/Broncos News