His homecoming remained central to Thursday’s outcome. How would he deal with all eyes on him and so many family and friends in attendance?
Wait, you thought this was about Sean Payton? I am talking about Vance Joseph. The Broncos defensive coordinator was born and raised in Marrero, La., roughly eight miles from New Orleans. He starred as a high school quarterback at Archbishop Shaw High School before signing with the University of Colorado.
His journey is rather remarkable. Fired as the Broncos head coach in 2018, Joseph returned last season as a defensive coordinator. Wade Phillips followed this path, but there was a 21-year gap between his stints.
While Payton has changed the culture, Joseph is the reason the Broncos could produce their first winning record since 2016. His defense travels — from Tampa Bay to West Virginia to New Jersey to New Orleans. Denver ranks top five in multiple categories, including blitz rate, points allowed (15.1) and sacks (28). By comparison, the 2015 Orange Rush Broncos had 29 sacks through seven games.
Can you imagine how good this defense would be if it was consistently given a lead? The statistics are a reflection of complete buy-in by players to Joseph’s scheme, not overwhelming talent (there is only one first-round pick in cornerback Pat Surtain II). Want to know how much the players respect Joseph? Watch how close many of them are to the ball on tackles. That effort speaks volumes.
If the Broncos finish strong, this might be Joseph’s last season in Denver. He will get interviews for a head coaching spot, perhaps even in New Orleans. He deserves another chance. He was undermined in Denver in his first go-around. He wasn’t permitted to pick his staff — leaving him backstabbed by a few coaches — didn’t have a quarterback and lacked consistent guidance from general manager John Elway.
This Broncos season is framed around the development of Bo Nix. But it will likely be remembered for Joseph’s defense, a unit so good that is proving he is ready for another opportunity at the top spot.
Avalanche of woes: Is it possible for the Avs to suffer through a worse start? They lost their first four games, allowing 25 goals. Waiting for Val Nichushkin and Gabe Landeskog to save them is misguided. They need a goalie who can save them. And I am not sure that player is currently on the roster.
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Stirring things up: Julian Strawther is making a case as the Nuggets’ X-factor this season. Denver desperately needs to take and make more 3s, and the second-year player continues to show signs he deserves an opportunity to fill the void. His ascent could ease the loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Cowboy up: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is becoming more defensive and sensitive to criticism with age. During his weekly radio appearance, the 82-year-old bullied the hosts over their fair questions about the team’s offseason inactivity. Jones’ go-to is to “I was smarter than everyone else when I bought the team and, remember, I won three titles.” Yeah, he had a heck of a run from 1992 to ’96. But the Cowboys have not reached a conference title game since. Jones is an amazing businessman but has long failed his team as the de facto GM.
Mail Time
“Bo Nix threw for 164 yards and ran for 75.” Are you suggesting the “single wing”? Nix has turned into a QB that can’t wait to run, not roll out and pass, but RUN. He ran for half of what he threw for, and that’s good?
Terry, email
It was good enough on Thursday night. Sometimes a pitcher can win with only a fastball. It is not sustainable. But for one game on a short week with no padded practice, it worked fine. Nix must improve as a passer, but his dual-threat traits should not be shelved as he continues to develop. He is an elite runner. There is no shame in making that part of his game.
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