The single biggest upgrade we can make: strength and conditioning coaches

[telluride]

ESPN has a very good breakdown of how Parcells managed the biggest turnaround in the NFL history. If we can accomplish even a fraction of these things, then the regime change will be well worth it. Some choices bits below:

Parcells, who won two Super Bowls as head coach of the New York Giants, was the architect. As he had done in coaching stints with the New England Patriots, the Jets and the Dallas Cowboys, he pulled off a stunning reversal. As soon as the 2007 Dolphins' debacle was over, he decisively began to execute his plan -- but this time as an executive.

The reaper's sickle swung in the form of phone calls to agents and thanks-for-trying handshakes. Fired. Waived. Contract terminated. Traded. See you later.

General manager Randy Mueller, gone. Cameron, gone. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and defensive coordinator Dom Capers, gone. The strength coaches, you better believe they were gone.

Parcells hired Jeff Ireland away from the Cowboys' scouting department to be his general manager. They named Cowboys offensive line assistant Tony Sparano the Dolphins' next head coach. Both were in their roles for the first time, beholden to Parcells.

Although Parcells has declined interview requests and insists he's a more passive adviser than superintendent, executives around the NFL insist Parcells is directing the operation.

A culture evolution was galvanized. An emphasis was placed on hard-core football fundamentals, the type of building blocks some buzz-cut drill sergeant with a whistle around his neck would yell about in the 1950s.

Power. Size. Commitment. Dedication. Consistency.

Nothing sexy about those attributes. Blocking, tackling and resourcefulness took precedence. Suffice to say the Dolphins' current regime would not have selected twinkle-toes receiver and return specialist Ted Ginn with the ninth overall draft pick in 2007.

Offseason conditioning was stressed, especially in the weight room, where Parcells would show up unannounced and prowl about. For those who don't know football, there was nothing formidable about the paunch, flabby chest or shorts hiked up over his bellybutton.

But his unspoken message intimidated the players: I'm watching you, and I won't hesitate to send you packing if you don't follow orders. Dolphins marveled at how difficult the program was. Many claimed it was the most difficult they'd been exposed to.

There was no room for excuses, whiners or prima donnas.

Injuries became unacceptable. Sparano, a true Parcells acolyte, rode any player who turned up in the trainer's room on a regular basis. A team that finished last season with 15 players on injured reserve suddenly didn't have many sprains or strains to report.

The captains were jettisoned. Quarterback Trent Green's contract was terminated. The outspoken Jay Feely was cut in training camp because the Dolphins' front office believes a kicker should be seen and not heard. Defensive and Jason Taylor and linebacker Zach Thomas were granted trades because they didn't want to go through a rebuilding process.

None of them reached the playoffs with their new teams.

The culture change also manifested itself in constant roster retooling. Even as they were winning, the Dolphins weren't afraid to work the bottom of their 53-man roster as ardently as they would the top. They have made 161 roster moves this year, not counting the practice squad.

Last year's Dolphins made 150 roster moves, 15 of which were necessary because of players landing on injured reserve. This year's team has only seven players on injured reserve, making the discrepancy in transactions even more remarkable.

Under Parcells' watch, the Dolphins aren't satisfied even when they're winning. Before he arrived, the Dolphins seemed less inclined to look for help when they were losing.

[Rohirrim]

I agree with this whole-heartedly. The first cut should be the entire strength and conditioning program and personnel. This is what Parcells did in Miami and Coughlin did in NY; Made their players tougher. The Broncos have been leading the league in injuries long enough.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I agree with this whole-heartedly. The first cut should be the entire strength and conditioning program and personnel. This is what Parcells did in Miami and Coughlin did in NY; Made their players tougher. The Broncos have been leading the league in injuries long enough.

Why ?? Tuten is well respected and the almost 100% participation there year. Just become there were injuries that doesn't mean fault of the off season condition program. I doubt think we need to make our players "tougher" when see guys like Kuper playing with broken hand, Clady on sprained ankle, Champ will torn groin.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by elsid13

Why ?? Tuten is well respected and the almost 100% participation there year. Just become there were injuries that doesn't mean fault of the off season condition program. I doubt think we need to make our players "tougher" when see guys like Kuper playing with broken hand, Clady on sprained ankle, Champ will torn groin.

Overall though the teams over the last 3 years have worn down over the season.

We just had a HOF coach let go "Just because". No one should be safe, if we are making changes they should be wholesale.

I would like to see Greek and his gang gone also.

Clean house now that pandora's box has been opened.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by elsid13

Why ?? Tuten is well respected and the almost 100% participation there year. Just become there were injuries that doesn't mean fault of the off season condition program. I doubt think we need to make our players "tougher" when see guys like Kuper playing with broken hand, Clady on sprained ankle, Champ will torn groin.

This team has been too injury prone for too long. Not just one season, but season after season. Not only that, the Broncos have become a team that fades in the fourth quarter - of games, and the season. Whatever Tuten's program is, it's not working.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

This team has been too injury prone for too long. Not just one season, but season after season. Not only that, the Broncos have become a team that fades in the fourth quarter - of games, and the season. Whatever Tuten's program is, it's not working.

The injuries are in line with rest of the teams in NFL. Denver is no move injury prone then any other franchises. It violate sport and bodies get hurt. That way people say it sport of attrition and luck. 95% of injuries are due to contact and not because of condition. And reason they have "faded" is because that unit was on field to much.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by elsid13

The injuries are in line with rest of the teams in NFL. Denver is no move injury prone then any other franchises. It violate sport and bodies get hurt. That way people say it sport of attrition and luck. 95% of injuries are due to contact and not because of condition. And reason they have "faded" is because that unit was on field to much.

Unfortunately, I can't find anybody that keeps stats on team injuries. Just based on experience, it definitely seems to me that the Broncos have been a lot more snakebit than other teams. You may not remember but one of the hallmarks of the Broncos in the 90s was that in the fourth quarter the opposition was fading and the Broncos were getting stronger. Now, the reverse seems to be true. Tuten has been here since '96. What gives? Losing your entire RB corps? I've never heard of that.

[DarkHorse30]

yeah, fire Tuten. The Broncos have had WAY too many injuries the last three years. Accountability from top to bottom.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Unfortunately, I can't find anybody that keeps stats on team injuries. Just based on experience, it definitely seems to me that the Broncos have been a lot more snakebit than other teams. You may not remember but one of the hallmarks of the Broncos in the 90s was that in the fourth quarter the opposition was fading and the Broncos were getting stronger. Now, the reverse seems to be true. Tuten has been here since '96. What gives? Losing your entire RB corps? I've never heard of that.

Living in DC area, I get to see both Baltimore and Skins and thier injuries are about the same as ours if not worse.

The opposition was fading because we had great offense line that punished them and running game to that ate up clock. Shanahan has brought in great next generation line,(something we haven't had since the 90s) which the next coach would be stupid to attempt to change. That line under ZBS could power the running game for the next 10 years.

[shakenbake]

I would like to see them go back to a traditional training camp program as well. The program where they get to live at home during camp isn't working. They need a good hard camp....

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by shakenbake

I would like to see them go back to a traditional training camp program as well. The program where they get to live at home during camp isn't working. They need a good hard camp....

Back to cowdung stinkin' Greeley, you mofos!

[telluride]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Back to cowdung stinkin' Greeley, you mofos!

Actually, I think that would help.

[Atwater His Ass]

Bowlen said in his presser that he didn't anticipate much if any of the coaching staff to be back next year. I woulnd't be surprised to see Tuten out next year either.

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I agree with this whole-heartedly. The first cut should be the entire strength and conditioning program and personnel. This is what Parcells did in Miami and Coughlin did in NY; Made their players tougher. The Broncos have been leading the league in injuries long enough.

I agree ... when all three starting linebackers and seven running backs all miss multiple starts, something is definitely haywire ... and there is evidence from this season that supports this point: Early this year Shanahan decided the team would wear pads and have full-contact practices during the week - something we hadn't done in years, and that change was credited with an improvement in on-field toughness.

[ShutDownPoster]

Originally Posted by Atwater His Ass

Bowlen said in his presser that he didn't anticipate much if any of the coaching staff to be back next year. I woulnd't be surprised to see Tuten out next year either.

Shanny will take his guys with him if he coaches next year, or the other wild card is Kubes will take them.

[baja]

Originally Posted by ShutDownPoster

Shanny will take his guys with him if he coaches next year, or the other wild card is Kubes will take them.

Not if Bates or Dennison gets promoted to OC/HC than they will keep the O coaches here hopefully.

[Play2win]

Bigger boys to start with + better Strength/Cond + better Training Staff = More power and physicality, better stamina late in games and in the season, and LESS INJURIES !!

[BroncoMan4ever]

our players have been year in and year out fading down the stretch. that is due to inproper conditioning. also in this league our players are finesse and speed and not particularly strong and that needs to change. we need to get back to the days of smash mouth football
.
also, injuries are becoming more and more of a problem and that also falls on bad conditioning.

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan4ever

our players have been year in and year out fading down the stretch. that is due to inproper conditioning. also in this league our players are finesse and speed and not particularly strong and that needs to change. we need to get back to the days of smash mouth football
.
also, injuries are becoming more and more of a problem and that also falls on bad conditioning.

Hell, yeah!! We need more Hillis's, Larsen's, Graham's, and Clady's on this team... Big Boys with the frame and backbone to play in this game...

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by DS49

Hell, yeah!! We need more Hillis's, Larsen's, Graham's, and Clady's on this team... Big Boys with the frame and backbone to play in this game...

not only big boys who can drop the hammer, but nasty mean mother****ers who can intimidate. this team needs a Romonowski, a Ray Lewis. we need passionate, fiery guys, who intimidate and pump up the rest of the defenses energy. a few guys like that, and a leader. this defense needs an emotional leader to get everything out of our players.

i really want a guy like Romo who's entire life revolved around football. i still remember the story of the entire team going out and partying before the super bowl and him staying behind and working out in the hotel pool, getting ready for the game.

[lookin' glass]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

Overall though the teams over the last 3 years have worn down over the season.

We just had a HOF coach let go "Just because". No one should be safe, if we are making changes they should be wholesale.

I would like to see Greek and his gang gone also.

Clean house now that pandora's box has been opened.

I would be and have been very surprised Greek and the boys are not gone.
The Al Wilson neck injury wasn't diagnosed properly or it was and trying to pass this off to the Giants stinks. They were unable to catch Cutlers beetus earlier. I've read or heard Jay didn't want to be bothered with the testing but the team docs should have been more assertive, no? Marshalls TC leg injury lingering on and on.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I don't know for sure that Denver's had more injuries than other teams, but what I do know is that they've melted down consistently in both the 2nd half of game and the 2nd half of seasons for several years. Even at home, where we should have the advantage of the altitude, I've consistently seen this team fold. That IS a factor of their conditioning. I've thought for several years that they need to examine what they're doing in the training room and the weight room, both during the season and in the off season.

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan4ever

not only big boys who can drop the hammer, but nasty mean mother****ers who can intimidate. this team needs a Romonowski, a Ray Lewis. we need passionate, fiery guys, who intimidate and pump up the rest of the defenses energy. a few guys like that, and a leader. this defense needs an emotional leader to get everything out of our players.

I agree completely.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

Overall though the teams over the last 3 years have worn down over the season.

We just had a HOF coach let go "Just because". No one should be safe, if we are making changes they should be wholesale.

I would like to see Greek and his gang gone also.

Clean house now that pandora's box has been opened.

wow Broncos trainers seem to do a good job. They hold players with head injuries out. We don't get staph infections so they are probably pretty clean and effecient. Tuten seems to get them working hard. I think the problem is Tuten can't make players bigger.

Broncos haven't had anythink botched when players get injured IMO. It's not the trainers fault guys got hurt. Football is a tough, brutal game and you can have a yr with a ton of injuries just from bad luck alone.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

I don't know for sure that Denver's had more injuries than other teams, but what I do know is that they've melted down consistently in both the 2nd half of game and the 2nd half of seasons for several years. Even at home, where we should have the advantage of the altitude, I've consistently seen this team fold. That IS a factor of their conditioning. I've thought for several years that they need to examine what they're doing in the training room and the weight room, both during the season and in the off season.

It's from being too small IMO not because they don't lift hard, run hard, train hard.