The beat goes on...

[24champ]

The beat will go on, coaches will always come and go in our life. While not happy with how the Denver Broncos handled Josh McDaniels, wasn't afforded enough time, but the timing of firing McDaniels is perplexing. I feel like Brandon Lloyd, caught a little off guard. Anyways, best of luck to McDaniels, thanks for the Training Camp memories and allowing the players to engage with the fans after practice, as well as sparking the movement to bring back Orange jerseys.

So it's time to move on, and before hiring a new Head Coach and staff. I would like to see the Broncos do a little house cleaning upstairs. Ellis needs to go, be demoted. Whatever, he isn't to be involved on football matters. If Bowlen wasn't happy with McDaniels, then why let this clown hire another HC? Ellis is a great accountant for the Broncos and manages the finances of the club well, but he has no business being involved on football operations. Xanders can stay on as capologist, which is what he really is and of course good at ordering take out. We'll need to bring in Elway as Executive VP of football Operations, and hopefully a savvy General Manager.

Structure would look like this...

Executive VP of Football Operations- John Elway (He'll have Bowlen's ear)

General Manager- Eric Decosta (Ravens Director of Player Personnel), has an excellent resume.

Head Coach- Jon Gruden, excellent coach. Somebody everyone can get behind.


I would like for the Broncos to bring in someone with HC experience, and has been successful at it. My short list is...

1.) Jon Gruden
2.) Tony Dungy
3.) Jeff Fisher (if canned)
4.) Brian Schottemier (only if his Dad comes as GM)
5.) Bill Cowher

Not a lot of options out there for the Broncos to choose from, but clearly this franchise needs stability. An experienced HC along with a decent staff, would go a long way. This is something like the 5th or 6th straight off season of turmoil and uncertainty. The Organization and fellow fans have been through player deaths, firings, discarding Quarterbacks and drafting future Quarterbacks, annual Defensive Coordinator firings etc. Frankly, it is getting old, and I do hope the organization gets restructured and stabilized.

[24champ]

For those that don't know about Decosta...

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Staff/Player_Personnel/Eric_DeCosta.aspx

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/~/media/365468D94CFF40FB94F2AF2AFBA69351.ashx

Eric DeCosta has been a part of the Ravens’ organization since the beginning. A graduate of the Ravens’ “20/20 Club,” (see next page) DeCosta joined the franchise in an entry-level position in 1996. He moved up the personnel ranks, first as an area scout, then as director of college scouting, and was subsequently promoted to director of player personnel in 2009. DeCosta works with GM Ozzie Newsome to oversee both the college and pro scouting departments. The Taunton, MA native was honored in 2005 by The Sporting News as one of the top young stars in sports and was selected to both the 2008 Baltimore Business Journal and Baltimore Magazine “40 under 40” group. He also served on the eight-member committee to interview and select Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in 2008. During DeCosta’s tenure as scouting director, the Ravens drafted Pro Bowlers LB Terrell Suggs (’03), DT Haloti Ngata (’06), FB Le’Ron McClain (’07), and RB Ray Rice (‘08) and a number of other key contributors, including OLB Jarret Johnson (’03), WR Mark Clayton (’05), C Jason Brown (’05), G Ben Grubbs (’07), T Jared Gaither (’07 Supplemental Draft), and QB Joe Flacco (’08).

[The MVPlaya]

I'm not sure Bowlen can afford those HC's but I think Bowlen needs to hire someone who can hopefully run the same scheme. I'm not sure what happens to Wink here but we'll probably have a new d cord too, I think these two positions (OC/DC) are vital to what we do moving forward.

[SoCalBronco]

See this is what I'm afraid of with Elway. He's not ready to call the shots. If he comes in there in a big position like that, he's going to be the de facto GM. He's Bowlen's man, but that's not the right thing for us right now. We need a proven and experienced GM who knows how to scout, how to draft, how to manage situations, how to manage the cap and all that. I know people love Elway...and so do I, but this whole handing it over to him in nonsense. I don't trust Bowlen to ensure his role is properly limited and delineated...I just don't. This is a time for experience and proven leadership, not nostalgia.

Other than that, I like DeCosta's resume in scouting, that's a big deal to me and I would totally support Gruden as HC. I don't like the other names you mentioned at HC, but I could definitely support Gruden (and I would also strongly support Kubiak).

[24champ]

I'm not sure Bowlen can afford those HC's but I think Bowlen needs to hire someone who can hopefully run the same scheme. I'm not sure what happens to Wink here but we'll probably have a new d cord too, I think these two positions (OC/DC) are vital to what we do moving forward.

Depends, cost is a factor I am sure. Especially if you bring in a coach like Gruden, who will command big bucks and so will his staff. I would think Bowlen has or will consult with his investors on this issue.

And I don't know IF McDaniels will see the rest of what he is supposedly owed. Similiar to the Kiffin fiasco with the Raiders, Bowlen might not have to pay McDaniels.

[24champ]

See this is what I'm afraid of with Elway. He's not ready to call the shots. If he comes in there in a big position like that, he's going to be the de facto GM. He's Bowlen's man, but that's not the right thing for us right now. We need a proven and experienced GM who knows how to scout, how to draft, how to manage situations, how to manage the cap and all that. I know people love Elway...and so do I, but this whole handing it over to him in nonsense. I don't trust Bowlen to ensure his role is properly limited and delineated...I just don't. This is a time for experience and proven leadership, not nostalgia.

I don't think so, it's an upgrade over Ellis to tell you the truth. Bowlen needs a football guy in his ear, not some suit that does number crunching. Elway would simply just oversee operations on the football side. He's another football expert at the table, and knows a thing or two about winning and his father was a head coach for a long time. So I think he has plenty of football knowledge, and bringing in Decosta would shore up the issues you have with the scouting and cap management. Decosta has a great eye for talent, IMO.

Other than that, I like DeCosta's resume in scouting, that's a big deal to me and I would totally support Gruden as HC. I don't like the other names you mentioned at HC, but I could definitely support Gruden (and I would also strongly support Kubiak).

Yeah, lot of people say we need a new GM but nobody has put forth potential candidates or their ideal GM. I don't know why you want Kubiak as HC, when you just said this isn't a time for nostalgia. Shanny era is gone, McD era is done with...lets move on to a new era. Hopefully its a good one.

[SoCalBronco]

I don't think so, it's an upgrade over Ellis to tell you the truth.

Dude....Satan is an upgrade over Joe Ellis. That's not saying much.

Bowlen needs a football guy in his ear, not some suit that does number crunching. Elway would simply just oversee operations on the football side. He's another football expert at the table, and knows a thing or two about winning and his father was a head coach for a long time. So I think he has plenty of football knowledge, and bringing in Decosta would shore up the issues you have with the scouting and cap management. Decosta has a great eye for talent, IMO.

We don't need anyone else in Bowlen's ear. I don't want Bowlen getting involved in anything else. He does nothing but **** things up. I REALLY like your suggestion of DeCosta. I am impressed by his resume and it suggests he really has a great grasp in the scouting department which is absolutely vital. If you get Elway in there, its going to be tough for people to challenge him just based on who he is. It's going to create issues needlessly. He's NOT an expert at scouting, or the cap, or talent evaluation or administration. I would rather make DeCosta the ALL POWERFUL GM.

Yeah, lot of people say we need a new GM but nobody has put forth potential candidates or their ideal GM. I don't know why you want Kubiak as HC, when you just said this isn't a time for nostalgia. Shanny era is gone, McD era is done with...lets move on to a new era. Hopefully its a good one.

Kubiak took a team that was absolute trash and turned it into an 8-8/9-7 team with a Top 5 offense. He's obviously got a very good offensive mind. The only issue is the defense. You couple him with a strong defensive coordinator like Phillips or Nolan and it would be a good match. Between the two of them and a REAL personnel man like DeCosta, we'd be on our way to getting better.

[24champ]

Dude....Satan is an upgrade over Joe Ellis. That's not saying much.

We just canned "Satan" according to some people. But yeah lots of people are an upgrade over that suit that crunches numbers.

We don't need anyone else in Bowlen's ear. I don't want Bowlen getting involved in anything else. He does nothing but **** things up. I REALLY like your suggestion of DeCosta. I am impressed by his resume and it suggests he really has a great grasp in the scouting department which is absolutely vital. If you get Elway in there, its going to be tough for people to challenge him just based on who he is. It's going to create issues needlessly. He's NOT an expert at scouting, or the cap, or talent evaluation or administration. I would rather make DeCosta the ALL POWERFUL GM.

So...what would Decosta's title be? Executive Vice President of Football Operations/ General Manager? Then have Elway onboard as an special adviser to the Broncos or rather if he can afford it, part-owner? Similar to what Magic Johnson was to the Lakers. Sounds like a good idea.

By the way, theres a lot of good articles on Decosta if you google him. He seems really smart, a football guy through and through and obviously wants to emulate Ozzie Newsome.


"You have to make an honest evaluation of every player, regardless of need," DeCosta said. "And obviously, you'd be foolish to not consider need at some point. If you've got two players that are extremely close in ability, certainly you'd probably take the need-based pick. Where you get in trouble, in our experience, is where you over inflate a player's ability because he's a need. As the draft unfolds, you look at the strengths and weaknesses of your team, and try to improve. But we'll never be a team that drafts based on need. We just won't do it. I think when you do that, you set yourself up for failure. You start getting emotional based on your own team's needs, and that's a dangerous thing."

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/02/eric_decosta_on_the_ravens_combine_approach.html


Doesn't that sound like a breath of fresh air? It's the opposite of what the Broncos have been doing, and would be a complete opposite of the Shanny draft methods, McDaniels methods, and be nice to finally have a savvy GM that knows how to scout, handle draft day, sign free agents.

Reports are that Decosta and Jim Harbaugh are the dream scenario...I prefer an experienced head coach, but I can roll with those two.

[DBroncos4life]

Brian Billick wouldn't be that bad. Even better if Mike Singletary and Marvin Lewis were fired and could join his staff.

[bowtown]

Brian Billick wouldn't be that bad. Even better if Mike Singletary and Marvin Lewis were fired and could join his staff.

Fail.

[Rohirrim]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

[oubronco]

Decosta would be great but what makes everyone think he would want to leave Baltimore has he said anything as such

[24champ]

Brian Billick wouldn't be that bad. Even better if Mike Singletary and Marvin Lewis were fired and could join his staff.

Pass on Brian Billick, but Lewis as the Defensive Coordinator and Singletary as the Linebackers coach would be awesome to see. I'd like to keep the 3-4 around.

[oubronco]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

Wakeup and knock the dog off dude

[Rohirrim]

Decosta would be great but what makes everyone think he would want to leave Baltimore has he said anything as such

Ozzie Newsome is his boss. If he comes here, he's the boss.

[DBroncos4life]

Fail.

Sorry I don't agree. He is a offensive coach that will get the right defensive personal together.

[Rohirrim]

Wakeup and knock the dog off dude

A boy's gotta dream. ;D

[DrFate]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

I approve this message :)

[24champ]

Decosta would be great but what makes everyone think he would want to leave Baltimore has he said anything as such

It would be tough since he loves Ozzie and Ravens FO guys, but if he is the Dream Scenario..then I think the Broncos could entice him to come over to Denver.

He did turn down the Seahawks, because the Ravens were in the playoffs and they were leaning towards Pete Carroll. Lots of Raven fans like Decosta and beleive he is the heir apparent to Ozzie Newsome. Decosta is media friendly and would greatly educate the fans on how the drafting, free agency period works.


But in Baltimore, DeCosta, the Ravens' director of player personnel, is a rock star. He's the missing Jonas Brother. You can't flip on talk radio without hearing him. His face is on TV. His opinions grace the pages of national publications. That was DeCosta who explained the Ravens' evaluation process to The New York Times like this: "We even grade our lunches. If I say it's a 6.2 lunch - all the guys know what that means: pretty good, but not great. A 7.5 is like the Pro Bowl; if I say the soup is a 7.5 today, everybody runs to get the soup."

Around Baltimore, in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL draft, there's no duo with more juice in town than Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and DeCosta.

Newsome has groomed three proteges for GM-level jobs around the league: James Harris was vice president of player personnel in Jacksonville, Phil Savage was the general manager in Cleveland for four seasons and George Kokinis left the Ravens in January to take Savage's job in Cleveland.

But DeCosta is different. He was always closer to Newsome. The process was ingrained in him, and he ingrained himself in the Ravens' process. DeCosta studied Newsome more closely, listened to every word, soaked up everything. He's barely 38 years old, and he'll have a GM job of his own before long. This weekend, DeCosta will again try to show the NFL world why. Just as he did at last year's draft. And the one before that. And ...

He calls the draft a nine-month project, but it's really his yearlong obsession.

"I'm not sleeping as well as I'd like, waking up in the middle of the night thinking about all possibilities," he says.

Fans will like this guy, and not just because he is engaging but he is very smart in football matters.

[cutthemdown]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

LOL how do we get the number 1 pick. Trade Tebow and our number 1? doubt it would work out.

Best thing is to go with Orton/Tebow and draft Marcel Dareus. We will be sitting around pick 4 or 5 IMO so we should be in good position after the QB luck goes 1 or 2 etc etc.

Couple really good corners teams will also consider taking really high.

[Rohirrim]

LOL how do we get the number 1 pick. Trade Tebow and our number 1? doubt it would work out.

Best thing is to go with Orton/Tebow and draft Marcel Dareus. We will be sitting around pick 4 or 5 IMO so we should be in good position after the QB luck goes 1 or 2 etc etc.

Couple really good corners teams will also consider taking really high.

If you're going to dream, might as well go all the way. ;D

Old Irish saying: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

[24champ]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

Just curious, what happens with Tebow? Dump him off to Jacksonville?

[Rohirrim]

Just curious, what happens with Tebow? Dump him off to Jacksonville?

Works for me.

[cutthemdown]

We dump Tebow before ever seeing him play? Meh only way to get anything for him is for him to look promising in some games. I just don't see dumping him the smart move.

[scorpio]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

This matches my thoughts, except for drafting Luck.

[Kaylore]

Kubiak took a team that was absolute trash and turned it into an 8-8/9-7 team with a Top 5 offense. He's obviously got a very good offensive mind. The only issue is the defense. You couple him with a strong defensive coordinator like Phillips or Nolan and it would be a good match. Between the two of them and a REAL personnel man like DeCosta, we'd be on our way to getting better.

Totally disagree. Kubiak has one of the most talent laden offenses because they have one of the better GM's in Rick Smith. I'll give Kubiak credit for developing Schaub. However anyone could have a "great offense" with those players. You bring him in as an offensive coordinator, that's fine. Head coach? No. Absolutely not. Average at best.

Same goes for Gruden. Their both QB coaches with offensive pedigrees. Except that Gruden inherited a SB ready defense built by Tony Dungy and waltzed into the SB. Every year after that his teams got worse and worse.

We need new ideas. None of this old hat stuff that is irrelevant (Kubiak, Phillips Gruden). If we're going to get someone who's a "name" guy, why not a person who has had experience rebuilding teams like a Schottenheimer? At least he's got the resume to fit the circumstance.

[Crushaholic]

Bowlen won't be able to afford Gruden. People should just let that one go. Secondly, I don't get the love for Luck. Tebow was supposed to be "THE FUTURE"...

[cmhargrove]

We dump Tebow before ever seeing him play? Meh only way to get anything for him is for him to look promising in some games. I just don't see dumping him the smart move.

I'd hate to see that turn into a Brees / Rivers thing. We end up with a great QB, it's just that the other one wins a Superbowl.

I want to watch Tebow play, the kid just knows how to win.

[24champ]

Bowlen won't be able to afford Gruden. People should just let that one go. Secondly, I don't get the love for Luck. Tebow was supposed to be "THE FUTURE"...

I suppose anything can happen, and I don't think anyone is safe. After all the crap we've seen unfold in prior offseasons, I wouldn't be surprised or shocked to see Tebow get traded. Doesn't necessarily mean I agree with the move, but I'm used to seeing Quarterbacks coming and going for the Broncos since Elway retired.

[Rock Chalk]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

I am down with this for the sole purpose of witnessing an epic meltdown from teh Teblow lovers on this site.

[Rohirrim]

Bowlen won't be able to afford Gruden. People should just let that one go. Secondly, I don't get the love for Luck. Tebow was supposed to be "THE FUTURE"...

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-11-18/sports/24837692_1_andrew-luck-oliver-luck-john-elway

[ScottXray]

My ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces Ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

DeCosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim Harbaugh - Head coach.

Andrew Luck - First draft pick of the new franchise.

+1 on everything but the Luck pick.

He will proabably be the #1 pick ( assuming he comes out this year) and we NEED to invest our top 3 picks on Defensive needs (NT DE LB Safety)

[24champ]

+1 on everything but the Luck pick.

He will proabably be the #1 pick ( assuming he comes out this year) and we NEED to invest our top 3 picks on Defensive needs (NT DE LB Safety)

I am not making an argument for Luck, but if he is the BPA in the draft and is a considerably better QB than Tebow. Then it's an option to consider, Broncos will be in the neighborhood of where Luck is drafted anyway.

[colonelbeef]

I want Gruden. He will know what to do with Tebow, he is familiar with the AFC West, he appreciates the run game, and he hates the Raiders.

Perfect.

[rbackfactory80]

I love this site. The posters that were clinging to the past dreaming of Jay and Mike are now preaching to move forward and the McD lovers are broken-hearted dreaming of what could have been. Fair is fair however, the McD supporters deserve the rest of the season for grievance.

[worm]

Harbaughs name keeps coming up as a HC possibility. Which is quite the pipe dream as Stanford has already offered him a significant raise and he has verbally agreed to remain there for the foreseeable future.

I hope we go defense, defense and more defense. In the HC candidates. In the draft. In FA.

[Rohirrim]

Harbaughs name keeps coming up as a HC possibility. Which is quite the pipe dream as Stanford has already offered him a significant raise and he has verbally agreed to remain there for the foreseeable future.

I hope we go defense, defense and more defense. In the HC candidates. In the draft. In FA.

Like it or not, we're going to be riding the rumor maelstrom until a new coach is hired. That's just the way our 24/7 media world works.

[boppool]

my ultimate solution would be:

Elway replaces ellis' spot as marketing face of the franchise.

Decosta takes over the front office, scouting, draft, etc.

Jim harbaugh - head coach.

Andrew luck - first draft pick of the new franchise.

this!

[boppool]

Enough with the talks of Gruden, Cowher or Fisher.. The new coach would have limited role with the team.


"Chief operating officer Joe Ellis made that point during a news conference today to introduce Studesville. “We probably burdened Josh with too much responsibility,” Ellis said in remarks distributed by the team."


Those guys will want some type of GM responsibilities, if not total control.

I think Calhoun was their initial target, but if we make a move on Harbaugh, I'd be all for it.