Double the coaching is fine for Broncos linebackers
Vic Fangio’s first NFL stop was 33 years ago as the New Orleans Saints’ linebackers coach.
Even as he advanced to become a defensive coordinator, Fangio imparted expertise on his team’s linebackers. He is doing the same with the Broncos.
That means inside linebacker Josey Jewell, for example, has his position coach (Reggie Herring) and his head coach in his ear.
“It’s awesome,” Jewell said. “It’s two linebackers coaches so whenwescrewupoutthereor do something good, (Fangio is) going to let you know and you’re getting double the coaching. Every time something happens, even if you played it so-so, he’ll tell you and so will Coach Herring.”
As the Broncos have installed their new defense, Jewell said Fangio has showed video clips of San Francisco and Chicago — his last two coordinator stops — as a visual example of what he’s trying to teach.
“We’ve seen some,” Jewell said. “We saw some of the 49ers film from a while ago and this past year with Chicago; it really relates his defense and his playbook for us.”
Draft Weekend worked out for Jewell because the Broncos passed on Michigan linebacker Devin Bush to trade down 10 spots and take tight end Noah Fant. And the first two weeks of organized team activities should be encouraging for him because the Broncos could be using more nickel (two linebackers) than last year (dime — one linebacker).
“I love this playbook,” Jewell said. “It’s a little bit like Iowa — stuff that I was familiar with.”
Around the Broncos
Harris situation. One school of thought circulating is that the Broncos should keep cornerback Chris Harris because he is bound to net the team a 2021 compensatory draft pick (maybe as high as a third-rounder).
Slow your roll, folks.
1. What if Fangio plans to use Harris in a different role than usual? That could impact his playing time, production and future contract value.
2. Because this is pro football and it’s a violent sport, what if Harris is nicked up and doesn’t play to the level of the previous years? Again, his next contract will be affected.
3. And, here’s the big one: To get a compensatory pick, the Broncos not only would need Harris to sign a huge deal elsewhere, but would need to stand relatively pat in free agency. Don’t ever think that will happen.
If the Broncos’ season doesn’t go well and general manager John Elway is committed to not re-signing him, Harris could be a valuable in-season trade chip — a very good player on an expiring contract.
Bowlen display. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced last week that 20 artifacts belonging to Broncos owner Pat Bowlen have been donated to the Hall ahead of his induction this summer. Among the items are his Super Bowl XXXII commemorative jacket from the Broncos’ win over Green Bay in January 1998, game balls presented to Bowlen after the Broncos’ three Super Bowl wins and his bronzed running shoes and photos from his participation in the Ironman Triathlon. Many of Bowlen’s artifacts will be showcased in the Class of 2019 Locker Exhibit that is scheduled to open later this summer.
Around the NFL
10,000-day drought. Nice work by the Detroit Free Press calculating that Thursday was the 10,000-day anniversary of the Lions’ last playoff win (Jan. 5, 1992 over Dallas). The Lions have lost their last nine postseason games. Only Cincinnati (Jan. 6, 1991) has a longer skid. The Bengals have lost their last seven playoff games.
Replacing Vic. When the Broncos searched for a new coach, their first interview was Chuck Pagano, and their last was Fangio. They hired Fangio, and Pagano replaced him as Chicago’s defensive coordinator. The Bears’ top-ranked defense replaced safety Adrian Amos (Green Bay) with Ha Ha ClintonDix and Bryce Callahan (Broncos) with Buster Skrine. How will the scheme look? “It would be foolish on my part not to have some carryover considering what they’ve done,” said Pagano, per the Chicago Tribune. “Vic and I were together at one point in Baltimore (2008-09), so there’s some common threads that run through both systems, and that’s a good thing for these (players) and myself.” Witten earns praise. Dallas tight end Jason Witten, 37, ended his one-year retirement this offseason. How has he looked so far? “You don’t see many players walking away and coming back,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “And for him to come back and just be in the shape that he’s been says a lot about who he is and what he’s been able to accomplish over the course of his career.” Witten will start the year fourth all time in receptions (1,152), behind Jerry Rice (1,549), Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and the still-active Larry Fitzgerald (1,303).
Utilizing Fitzpatrick. Dolphins coach Brian Flores comes from the New England Way of maximizing a player’s value by moving him around the field. His project in Miami is second-year defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. He was fourth on the team last year with 79 tackles. “He’ll play corner, he’ll play linebacker, he’ll play free safety, he’ll play strong safety — he’ll be all over the place,” Flores said. “In all those different roles, I think he’s done an OK job of learning.”
Smart business. The NFL’S decision last week to move the Sunday divisional round kickoff times to 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain time was overdue. Previously, the Sunday games started at 11 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. By moving the start times up to include prime-time East Coast coverage, the networks should expect a ratings increase boon.