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Inkana7

01-03-2009, 12:29 PM

Broncos coaching candidate Spagnuolo possesses 'vision'
Giants assistant, Broncos executives to sit down tonight
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

http://media.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/content/img/photos/2009/01/02/Giants_Spagnuolo_Football_t220.JPG
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will meet with Broncos executives tonight.

Osi Umenyiora recalled Friday his reaction the first time he met Steve Spagnuolo.

"He was intense," said Umenyiora, one of the New York Giants' stars on their march to the Super Bowl title last season, with Spagnuolo running the show on defense. "He came in, and you knew right away that this guy knew what he was talking about. He had a vision and a direction for his defense. It definitely was a good first impression."

Spagnuolo will try to duplicate that vibe tonight, when the Giants assistant coach is scheduled to have dinner in the New York area with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, executive vice president Joe Ellis and vice president of football operations/player personnel Jim Goodman in Phase 1 of their search for a new Broncos head coach.

The gathering will be one of four meetings with interested teams this week for Spagnuolo, after he reportedly interviewed with Cleveland and Detroit on Thursday and also is scheduled to sit down with the New York Jets today.

The condensed schedule for Spagnuolo owes itself to the Giants' bye weekend, which affords teams a narrow window to speak with coaches employed on postseason teams.

"Why wouldn't you go after him?" asked Umenyiora, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end who has missed the entire season after undergoing knee surgery. "You'd be a fool not to go after him. And I'm not just saying that because I played for him. Within the first couple weeks of meeting the guy, I thought he'd be a head coach in the NFL."

Spagnuolo, 49, was hired by the Giants on Jan. 22, 2007, after a 25th- place finish in total defense, including 28th against the pass.

Last year, his defense rose to seventh, the franchise's best ranking since 2000, while finishing in the top 10 in eight defensive categories.

Giants 'D' improves

The 2008 group improved to No. 5 overall, and despite losing defensive line standouts Umenyiora and Michael Strahan (retirement), they finished among the leaders in 13 of 16 major categories, including rushing yards (ninth), passing net (eighth), sacks (fifth) and points (fifth).

In stark contrast, Denver was near the bottom in almost all major defensive statistics. And given the Broncos' superior personnel on offense in comparison to its defense, it's not a stretch to believe the franchise might focus on someone with a defensive background to right the ship.

Before joining the Giants, Spagnuolo worked under well-respected Philadelphia Eagles coordinator Jim John- son as a quality-control assistant and secondary and linebackers coach. Johnson's defenses are known for their aggressive bent, and Spagnuolo's units possess those trademarks, too.

It's not read-and-react-oriented, but it's not completely blitz-happy, either.

A basic Spagnuolo philosophy: The defense will dictate what the offense does, not the other other way around, with pressure packages - as evidenced by the way the Giants exploited New England's pass protections in Super Bowl XLII.

"He's a smart coach and he pays attention to all the small details," said Ike Reese, a linebacker for the Eagles from 1998-2004. "The one thing I loved about him, as a player, was that he listened to his players. He knows how to relate to today's athletes. It sounds kind of elementary. But a lot of coaches get in trouble with that, where everything has to be his way or no way. With 'Spags,' he's firm but fair. All the guys I know who have played under him love him. He has a way of inspiring you to go out and play hard."

With the Broncos, the effort of the front office to rebuild the talent base defensively will be just as important. There are some building blocks, personnelwise, but overall, the group needs upgrading. And an identity is needed on that side of the ball.

"He'll find the guys that can make his defensive system work. And whether they're big-name guys or not, when you play a defense like he has, that defense can allow you to become a star and a name that's ringing out across the league," Reese said. "It's about having good speed on that side of the football and guys who are willing to sacrifice a little bit of publicity and notoriety for the betterment of the team - and the whole unit will get the glory they need."

Players appreciative

Most Giants players have resigned themselves to the fact Spagnuolo soon will be gone after New York's playoff run ends, but they believe he's ready for the next step.

"Obviously, the numbers and success speaks for itself," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "I don't think we won a Super Bowl before he got here. I feel as though he's been a huge part of the success we've had - not only defensively. This entire team is appreciative of the way he goes around here and goes about his business."

Umenyiora believes - with Denver defensive holdovers such as cornerbacks Dre Bly and Champ Bailey, defensive end Elvis Dumervil and linebacker D.J. Williams as a core - Spagnuolo would be a smart pick as head coach.

"My honest opinion - he'd be a great fit. He'd be great there," Umenyiora said. "But I don't want him to leave the Giants."

Staff writer Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/02/coaching-candidate-possesses-vision/

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 12:30 PM

I like him more and more every time I read about him.

Rohirrim

01-03-2009, 12:37 PM

In stark contrast, Denver was near the bottom in almost all major defensive statistics.

Ouch! That leaves a mark.

Dagmar

01-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Pleeeeeeeeeease hire him Pat.

Br0nc0Buster

01-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Engelberger wont like his style of defense.

All that pass rushing and what not.

We better be careful not to start a mutiny, we have been a pussy defense for the past couple years I dont know if our players want it any other way

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 12:43 PM

Engelberger won't be on the team if Spagnuolo is hired.

Another positive of this guy, is that I think he can make something of Jarvis Moss.

footstepsfrom#27

01-03-2009, 12:45 PM

DenverBrit

01-03-2009, 12:45 PM

This is the guy!! :thumbsup:

Dedhed

01-03-2009, 12:50 PM

Spags is definitely the guy that will give us the best results next year, but a guy like Morris may have more upside than over the next decade. That may or may not be true, and I'm not sure which is better anyway.

He seems like the perfect guy to get the defense turned around in a hurry. I think he's got the ability to form a defense around the personnel he has at the moment, and the ability to spot the type of talent he wants.

Dagmar

01-03-2009, 12:58 PM

It HAS to be Spags, if not I'd take Morris. The other candidates are not good enough.

Elway777

01-03-2009, 01:08 PM

Spags would be a solid choose but I would rather have McDaniel because this team is build for Cutler and the offence. Hire Nolan to take care of the Defence.

Broncos_OTM

01-03-2009, 01:10 PM

didnt tampas defense just not to be seem not that great this year. and even worse towareds the end of the year .. i dont think i want morriss

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 01:10 PM

didnt tampas defense just not to be seem not that great this year. and even worse towareds the end of the year .. i dont think i want morriss

They were great until Kiffin announced he was joining Junior at Tennessee. Then they kinda just gave up.

nickademus

01-03-2009, 01:13 PM

Engelberger won't be on the team if Spagnuolo is hired.

Another positive of this guy, is that I think he can make something of Jarvis Moss.

I would say that winborne and webster had better start looking in the classifieds the party after every play doesnt seem to fly with this guy.

Crushaholic

01-03-2009, 01:17 PM

Just in case he's hired, is it pronounced Spag-no-lo? I'm curious if the "u" is silent...

MechanicalBull

01-03-2009, 01:23 PM

I like what I hear, but I still want to know why less than one year ago he felt he wasn't ready for a head coaching job in the NFL. If something has changed, what is it? I'd like to hear him address that issue, not speculation by the fan base. Since that's the reason he gave for turning down the Skins job, he ought to tell us why he now thinks he is ready.

Some people in the NY media believe last year he was told that it is his team when Coughlin leaves/retire but there is nothing to back that up. If he is taking interviews and listening to offers I do not see that as being true.

I've wanted Spags from the beginning but I'm liking him more and more every day.

Steve Prefontaine

01-03-2009, 01:29 PM

Very good article. I have to admit that I will be disappointed if Denver went with anyone else.

Anaximines

01-03-2009, 01:47 PM

I would love it if he came in and turned Jarvis into a real player.

spdirty

01-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Just in case he's hired, is it pronounced Spag-no-lo? I'm curious if the "u" is silent...

spag-nu-o-lo. Just like it reads.

Jim Armstrong on the radio said that Spag is number 1 on our list. Im about 95% sure that this is our guy. And I am pretty damn happy about it, considering.

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 01:57 PM

spag-nu-o-lo. Just like it reads.

Jim Armstrong on the radio said the Spag is number 1 on our list. Im about 95% sure that this is our guy. And I am pretty damn happy about it, considering.

Spagnuolo would be a dream come true for me. I think he could be great for Denver.

SpringStein

01-03-2009, 02:00 PM

Interview should be starting soon.

All pray. ;)

BroncoMan4ever

01-03-2009, 02:01 PM

i love how intense this dude is. he can come in and immediately give our defense a nasty attitude that we have needed for years.

plus i love his approach about not necessarily needing big time stars to make his system work, just a bunch of hard working guys who play the game hard.

Don't **** this up Bowlen. This is the guy.

DenverBrit

01-03-2009, 02:02 PM

If he wants to be a head coach next season, it has to be Denver.

Other teams looking for a HC are third tier by comparison.

BroncoMan4ever

01-03-2009, 02:04 PM

Interview should be starting soon.

All pray. ;)

it can't be announced til Thursday at the soonest because we still need to interview one minority.

but, i thought that we couldn't officially hire him until after his current team is eliminated from the playoffs. this isn't college football.

i wouldn't be surprised if we had a verbal agreement with him, that as soon as he is finished with the Giants, but that he can't sign anything yet.

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 02:06 PM

He's a man of honor. He wouldn't agree to any under the table stuff until the Giants are done. Whether that be next week or next month.

We just have to be patient.

Bronx33

01-03-2009, 02:06 PM

Interview should be starting soon.

All pray. ;)

I want it to start off with the words( you're hired) ;D

Rock Chalk

01-03-2009, 02:27 PM

Engelberger won't be on the team if Spagnuolo is hired.

Another positive of this guy, is that I think he can make something of Jarvis Moss.

Moss AND Crowder.

Im positive that our so so so many "misses" on the D-line are more a result of coaching than talent or lack there of.

If he can turn Moss into a monster pass rusher and turn Crowder into a ****ing player, and let Marcus Thomas do what he does instead of having him just fill gaps (Thomas was supposed to be a Penetrating DT coming out of college), we might be on the verge of something awesome.

Jacob Burney's days are absolutely numbered here though and that is probably the best news this team will ever get.

SonOfLe-loLang

01-03-2009, 02:29 PM

BroncoFiend

01-03-2009, 02:43 PM

I like what I hear, but I still want to know why less than one year ago he felt he wasn't ready for a head coaching job in the NFL. If something has changed, what is it? I'd like to hear him address that issue, not speculation by the fan base. Since that's the reason he gave for turning down the Skins job, he ought to tell us why he now thinks he is ready.

Kinda funny, if I remember correctly, when Reeves was fired, Shanny was offered the HC job but turned it down saying he wasn't ready and stayed as OC of the 9ers.

Rulon Velvet Jones

01-03-2009, 02:45 PM

Anyone ever masturbate to news articles? I just did.

footstepsfrom#27

01-03-2009, 02:53 PM

Kinda funny, if I remember correctly, when Reeves was fired, Shanny was offered the HC job but turned it down saying he wasn't ready and stayed as OC of the 9ers.
I addressed this already. If he wan't ready why was he the HC of the Raiders 6 years earlier?

MagicHef

01-03-2009, 02:56 PM

spag-nu-o-lo. Just like it reads.

Not according to this:

"Spagnuolo (pronounced SPAG-no-low)"

http://www.giants.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=10

Hercules Rockefeller

01-03-2009, 02:57 PM

I addressed this already. If he wan't ready why was he the HC of the Raiders 6 years earlier?

You didn't address ****. Maybe, just maybe he thought he was ready when he took the Raiders job, only to realize when he actually was an NFL HC, that he wasn't ready?

I know, I know that's a huge stretch of a scenario. No one ever thinks they're ready for a position, only to realize that when they actually have it, they're in over their head at that point in their life.

Broncojef

01-03-2009, 03:00 PM

God I hope this is Pat's target. The guy is EXACTLY what we need and have for some time. Too bad it wasn't Shanahan 3 or 4 years ago hunting for a true Defensive coordinator with Spags skills instead of the crap we've had in here.

Punisher

01-03-2009, 03:11 PM

Interview should be starting soon.

All pray. ;)

:pray: Please bring the D back to Denver

skpac1001

01-03-2009, 03:17 PM

I like what I hear, but I still want to know why less than one year ago he felt he wasn't ready for a head coaching job in the NFL. If something has changed, what is it? I'd like to hear him address that issue, not speculation by the fan base. Since that's the reason he gave for turning down the Skins job, he ought to tell us why he now thinks he is ready.

I suppose what you think about Spag's ability influences what you believe. Personally, I think his statement that he doesn't want the Redskins job because he is not ready to be HC more likely to be BS then his "new" confidence in himself, although I really see no reason not to take him at his word in both instances.

lex

01-03-2009, 03:27 PM

Moss AND Crowder.

Im positive that our so so so many "misses" on the D-line are more a result of coaching than talent or lack there of.

If he can turn Moss into a monster pass rusher and turn Crowder into a ****ing player, and let Marcus Thomas do what he does instead of having him just fill gaps (Thomas was supposed to be a Penetrating DT coming out of college), we might be on the verge of something awesome.

Jacob Burney's days are absolutely numbered here though and that is probably the best news this team will ever get.

Like I said elsewhere, I think the team we were trying to pre-empt in moving up to get Moss was the Giants. The Goodmans could have been wrong about who the Giants were going to take but then when you consider that we were at least twice on the front end of two runs in the 08 draft (we were at the front of the run of OTs and WRs), it might lead one to think the Giants would have taken Moss.

lex

01-03-2009, 03:31 PM

I like what I hear, but I still want to know why less than one year ago he felt he wasn't ready for a head coaching job in the NFL. If something has changed, what is it? I'd like to hear him address that issue, not speculation by the fan base. Since that's the reason he gave for turning down the Skins job, he ought to tell us why he now thinks he is ready.

Do you know anything about Snyder? He sucks to work for. And I think last year, Snyder tried to line up his coordinators before he had his coach. "Im not ready" is a euphemism for "the Washington job is not right for me." He was being polite.

WolfpackGuy

01-03-2009, 03:35 PM

"Spag-no-la"

baja

01-03-2009, 04:05 PM

This is what I want to hear;

He's a smart coach and he pays attention to all the small details," said Ike Reese, a linebacker for the Eagles from 1998-2004. "The one thing I loved about him, as a player, was that he listened to his players. He knows how to relate to today's athletes. It sounds kind of elementary. But a lot of coaches get in trouble with that, where everything has to be his way or no way. With 'Spags,' he's firm but fair. All the guys I know who have played under him love him. He has a way of inspiring you to go out and play hard."

baja

01-03-2009, 04:10 PM

I like what I hear, but I still want to know why less than one year ago he felt he wasn't ready for a head coaching job in the NFL. If something has changed, what is it? I'd like to hear him address that issue, not speculation by the fan base. Since that's the reason he gave for turning down the Skins job, he ought to tell us why he now thinks he is ready.

You still on this I swear you are like a mindless pit bull on this, even W*GS is not this anal.

His 'Not ready' comment is a nice way of saying 'Snyder you mindless ego maniac meddling punk nerd I wouldn't work for you even if you got me Jesus Christ as my Trainer.

Play2win

01-03-2009, 04:24 PM

You still on this I swear you are like a mindless pit bull on this, even W*GS is not this anal.

His 'Not ready' comment is a nice way of saying 'Snyder you mindless ego maniac meddling punk nerd I wouldn't work for you even if you got me Jesus Christ as my Trainer.

Or I want my stock to rise. I want there to be more of a "BUZZ" about me... so I can get a real job...

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 04:38 PM

This is a really good article about Spagnuolo's Super Bowl performance:

Spagnuolo's schemes worked to perfection
By Pat Kirwan | NFL.com

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/s_spagnuolo_IA.jpg
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes a pressure defense, and he kept the pressure on Tom Brady all night.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With all due respect to a deserving Eli Manning, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLII was actually a coach.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo came to New York from the Eagles with a fire-zone scheme that asked the Giants players to attack the offense. It was a breath of fresh air for a bunch of very good athletes who were playing a non-aggressive package before his arrival. It's a very difficult defense to install -- it requires a lot of timing, a lot of precision, a lot of technique.

The Giants struggled with it early in the year, giving up 80 points in the first two games. Michael Strahan had not been at camp. Matthias Kiwanuka, the lynchpin of the package, got hurt early, and the team incurred injuries in the secondary. Just like his game plan Sunday night, Spagnuolo never turned back, never wavered, never got conservative.

When Spagnuolo showed the four-man rush and surprised the Patriots with a blitzer, the blitzer came clean almost every time. When he showed the blitz and dropped players out into coverage, the four-man front took over.

The best example of this was in the first half on a play in which it looked like Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson was going to be open. But defensive end Osi Umenyiora dropped into coverage to take it away. Tom Brady hesitated, and Strahan got the sack.

The Giants accomplished three things tonight:

>> They put Brady on the ground five times (and got another nine hits).

>> Even when there wasn't physical contact, Spagnuolo's defense got Brady off his launch point.

>> What really went unnoticed with the spectacular pass defense was how well the Giants played the run. New England's Laurence Maroney basically was neutralized, along with the rest of the running game. This was accomplished after the Giants made an adjustment after the Patriots' opening drive. The Giants started to move the front to their right side, the Pats' left side. That side had dominated the first possession for New England running the ball, but the next Patriots possession resulted in a three-and-out.

Brought to tears

The Giants' pass rush fizzled in New England's 12-play scoring drive that resulted in the go-ahead touchdown with less than three minutes to play. New York's defenders had to rush Brady 48 times in a warm, indoor stadium. And here's why I know Spagnuolo is on his way to greatness: When the defense came back on the field after the Giants had taken the lead and had to finish off the Patriots one last time, you did not see a conservative approach.

As the Patriots took the field for that last drive with 29 seconds left and Brady with three timeouts, Spagnuolo called a fire blitz! He didn't call a conservative coverage -- like 90 percent of coaches in the NFL would. I was so impressed with the call that I got choked up. That's what coaching is all about. You know what you want to do, and you stick to it -- even in the biggest moment of the game. Especially in the biggest moment of the game.

In my opinion, "Spags," as I like to call him, has taken Jim Johnson's Philadelphia defense to another level. A secondary coach by trade, he got great coverage -- sometimes in risky situations.

But Randy Moss didn't hurt them. Watson, who should have been a matchup nightmare for the Giants, never caught a pass.

In the third quarter, the Patriots adjusted by going to quick, bubble screens -- which was designed to scare the Giants out of their rush. It didn't change anything. The aggressive tackling by the Giants' corners and safeties ended that adjustment quickly. Keep in mind the Pats, the highest-scoring team in NFL history, were held to 14 points -- their lowest output of the season and well below their average.

For you Giants fans, I hope Spags' heart is bigger than his head and he stays with the Giants. But how can Redskins' owner Dan Snyder not do whatever it takes to get Spagnuolo as soon as he can?

Bronx33

01-03-2009, 04:40 PM

So Pat Kirwan is sensitive?

Inkana7

01-03-2009, 04:41 PM

Yes. But he's also right. That's ballsy. I love it.

jmz313

01-03-2009, 05:28 PM

Broncoman13

01-03-2009, 06:28 PM

DenverBrit

01-03-2009, 08:35 PM

Just in case he's hired, is it pronounced Spag-no-lo? I'm curious if the "u" is silent...

It's pronounced 'Broncos Head Coach' so yes, the "u" is silent. ;D

lookin' glass

01-03-2009, 08:59 PM

Someone on another board questioned his coaching by saying his job was easy because Tim Lewis drafted these great players. I think his ability to coach these players up is the key. Many of the same players weren't having success under Lewis.
My main concern with him is his ability to get the whole team going the right direction.

DeusExManning

01-03-2009, 09:09 PM

Borks147

01-03-2009, 10:01 PM

He is going to be our head coach not our defensive coordinator. Often what happens is that A DC focuses on everything else and the defense suffers, witness Wade Phillips years with the broncos, Rod Marinelli, the list goes on.

yeah in the Broncos case, however, the offensive staff is probably going to be retained and Bates is already the play caller.

Let Spags worry about his ****, I'm SURE he'll have more than his hands full

Requiem

01-03-2009, 10:25 PM

I'm glad our next coach ain't blind.

iforgotmypassword

01-03-2009, 11:29 PM

hopefully he brings in his D-line coach as D cordinator.... dang i hope we get him and then oh boy howdy dang i hope he brings in a very impressive staff.... shanaha as O cordinator :) jus joshin... kinda