Nowhere to go but up for special-teams unit
EDITOR’S NOTE: One of a series looking at the position groups for the Broncos heading into training camp.
When Tom McMahon accepted the role as Broncos special-teams coordinator in January, the longtime NFL assistant coach inherited some less-than-impressive Denver game film from last season.
Eight missed Brandon McManus field goals (two blocked). Six Isaiah McKenzie muffed punts (two lost). Return touchdowns by the Chargers (punt) and Patriots (kickoff). Two Riley Dixon punts blocked. The list goes on and on.
So, why did it all go so wrong?
“I’m not going to go back and try to say what somebody should have done,” McMahon told reporters during organized team activities. “I’ve made plenty of my own mistakes.”
A forward-focused mentality would serve this beleaguered unit well.
Change arrives at punter as the addition of the always-charismatic Marquette King from the Raiders, who ranked third in the league for average net punting yardage last fall (42.7). Although McManus was inconsistent last season, he had been among the league’s best before 2017 and is now a team leader.
“I’ve been here five years now, so even though it’s still a young team, I’m one of the older guys here now,” McManus said. “I know that they respect me. They see me working hard in the weight room, running and competing with these guys. I’ll be able to speak up a little more this year than I have in the past.”
The most glaring question mark concerning Broncos special-teams play concerns the return game. McKenzie must work to regain the coaching staff’s trust on punts and has competition from wide receivers Jordan Taylor and DaeSean Hamilton, cornerback Brendan Langley, running back Phillip Lindsay and potentially others. Tailback Devontae Booker led the Broncos with 14 kickoff returns last fall, but the job is open until locked down by one of several speedy options on the roster.
“I think the returners look good,” McMahon said. “I think we have a stable of guys that can do it for us. It’s going to be interesting to see who pops and who separates themselves. You really can’t do that until you get into preseason games and it’s a live ball, it’s coming down the field.”