John Fox to Denver

[WoodysGirl]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter

RT @johnelway: I am excited to announce that John Fox has agreed to terms to become the 14th head coach in Denver Broncos history.

John Fox has been trying to round up his assistant coaches all morning. Deal with Denver had been in works all day.

JasonLaCanfora Jason La Canfora
Jags have agreed to terms on a new contract with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. More ahead on NFL Network and NFL.com

 

[JustDezIt]

good for him, i always liked him and thought he was a good coach, glad to see the record wasnt holding him back

 

[Tricericon]

Why on Earth would Denver do that? I *like* the Broncos. Crud.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Why on Earth would Denver do that? I *like* the Broncos. Crud.

I wouldn't have been thrilled with him here, but I think Fox is a fine head coach who got a raw deal in Carolina.

 

[jgboys1]

good for him, i always liked him and thought he was a good coach, glad to see the record wasnt holding him back

I agree. I think he is a good coach also and will do a good job in Carolina.

 

[jblaze2004]

so will denver go back to a 4-3?
IF they do I'm sure they will welcome Bowers or a QB(unless they get a QB in FA).

 

[skinsscalper]

Just one less destination for Capers.

 

[jblaze2004]

the Raiders the only team looking for a HC now right. Hue jackson might get that job.

 

[WoodysGirl]

JasonLaCanfora Jason La Canfora

Two strong possibilities to join John Fox's staff - Jim Mora as defensive coordinator and Danny Smith (Commanders) as special teams coach...

Mora has head coaching experience and Fox has recently been in contact with him. Fox wanted to hire Smith last year and Skins blocked it...

But Smith did not sign an extension with the Skins and would be a free agent. Would be the makings of a strong staff

 

[Tricericon]

I wouldn't have been thrilled with him here, but I think Fox is a fine head coach who got a raw deal in Carolina.

I have no problem with Fox in the general case - he's an average head coach - but he is the wrong guy for Denver's situation. Wrong set of strengths and weaknesses. They have a very raw quarterback with a high ceiling - the priority needs to maximizing Tebow's development because that's an investment that will pay off for a decade or more - in the long term, that's far more important than trying to fix the defense immediately.

Fox's weakness is quarterbacks. This is the guy who held onto Delhomme way too long, went into a season with Matt Moore as, really, the only guy, and drafted Jimmy Clausen.

The situation could still work if it's a setup like Phillips/Garrett was here for years, with Fox keeping his hands off the offense and bringing in a quality QB coach to OC and work with Tebow.

However, I don't see that as very likely. Instead, what it looks to me like what Denver is doing is taking serious risks with the future of the offense in an attempt to get a short term (Fox is 65, which is another problem) fix for a train-wreck of a defense. Obviously, I can't categorically say this hire won't work, but it does not look like a good gamble from where I'm sitting.

 

[MrMom]

I have no problem with Fox in the general case - he's an average head coach - but he is the wrong guy for Denver's situation. Wrong set of strengths and weaknesses. They have a very raw quarterback with a high ceiling - the priority needs to maximizing Tebow's development because that's an investment that will pay off for a decade or more - in the long term, that's far more important than trying to fix the defense immediately.

Fox's weakness is quarterbacks. This is the guy who held onto Delhomme way too long, went into a season with Matt Moore as, really, the only guy, and drafted Jimmy Clausen.

The situation could still work if it's a setup like Phillips/Garrett was here for years, with Fox keeping his hands off the offense and bringing in a quality QB coach to OC and work with Tebow.

However, I don't see that as very likely. Instead, what it looks to me like what Denver is doing is taking serious risks with the future of the offense in an attempt to get a short term (Fox is 65, which is another problem) fix for a train-wreck of a defense. Obviously, I can't categorically say this hire won't work, but it does not look like a good gamble from where I'm sitting.

Fox is only 55. It sounds like he'll be keeping McCoy as OC. Paired with Mora and Smith and that's a solid group of coaches.

 

[Kangaroo]

I have no problem with Fox in the general case - he's an average head coach - but he is the wrong guy for Denver's situation. Wrong set of strengths and weaknesses. They have a very raw quarterback with a high ceiling - the priority needs to maximizing Tebow's development because that's an investment that will pay off for a decade or more - in the long term, that's far more important than trying to fix the defense immediately.

Fox's weakness is quarterbacks. This is the guy who held onto Delhomme way too long, went into a season with Matt Moore as, really, the only guy, and drafted Jimmy Clausen.

The situation could still work if it's a setup like Phillips/Garrett was here for years, with Fox keeping his hands off the offense and bringing in a quality QB coach to OC and work with Tebow.

However, I don't see that as very likely. Instead, what it looks to me like what Denver is doing is taking serious risks with the future of the offense in an attempt to get a short term (Fox is 65, which is another problem) fix for a train-wreck of a defense. Obviously, I can't categorically say this hire won't work, but it does not look like a good gamble from where I'm sitting.

Did he have a say in it or was that the GM that did that, last i looked GM draft QB's not the HC

 

[newlander]

VERY dumb on the Broncs part IMHO. By the way: I was DEAD wrong about him getting another HC gig. Probably the ONLY team that would've hired him in this capacity. Not a good hire.

 

[Aikmaniac]

So much for those thinking Urban Meyer was leaving UF to go coach "his boy".

 

[Tricericon]

Fox is only 55. It sounds like he'll be keeping McCoy as OC. Paired with Mora and Smith and that's a solid group of coaches.

You're right...I carried a number wrong. Teach me to do math while tired, huh?

Still older than I'd like, but not as bad as I thought in that department. My strengths and weaknesses concerns I still feel are valid.

 

[Tricericon]

Did he have a say in it or was that the GM that did that, last i looked GM draft QB's not the HC

You have to believe he had some say in it. He was a veteran HC at that point, it's not like they don't have any input at all.

Like I said, there's a lot I don't know, but what I do know about this I don't like much.

Sorry for DP, but it seemed necessary in order to reply to two different posts.

 

[KJJ]

The Broncos just hired a coach who led his last team to a worst record than the coach Denver fired.

I'm sorry but it makes no sense hiring a coach who just went 2-14 to try and turn around a 4-12 team.

It's what have you done lately Fox is just another aging retread.

The Panthers were 8-8 in 09 so I don't see how Bronco fans can be excited with this move.

 

[DallasEast]

I have no problem with Fox in the general case - he's an average head coach - but he is the wrong guy for Denver's situation. Wrong set of strengths and weaknesses. They have a very raw quarterback with a high ceiling - the priority needs to maximizing Tebow's development because that's an investment that will pay off for a decade or more - in the long term, that's far more important than trying to fix the defense immediately.

Fox's weakness is quarterbacks. This is the guy who held onto Delhomme way too long, went into a season with Matt Moore as, really, the only guy, and drafted Jimmy Clausen.

The situation could still work if it's a setup like Phillips/Garrett was here for years, with Fox keeping his hands off the offense and bringing in a quality QB coach to OC and work with Tebow.

However, I don't see that as very likely. Instead, what it looks to me like what Denver is doing is taking serious risks with the future of the offense in an attempt to get a short term (Fox is 65, which is another problem) fix for a train-wreck of a defense. Obviously, I can't categorically say this hire won't work, but it does not look like a good gamble from where I'm sitting.

Tim Tebow has a "high ceiling"? Sure, he is raw, but I'm not certain how much more development can be expected of him. With luck, they will be able to lift him up to a Brian Griese-like level. They should be greatly commended if they can get him up to Jake Plummer status.

 

[Bigdog]

Tim Tebow has a "high ceiling"? Sure, he is raw, but I'm not certain how much more development can be expected of him. With luck, they will be able to lift him up to a Brian Griese-like level. They should be greatly commended if they can get him up to Jake Plummer status.

ESPN was theorizing that the reason why so many coaches were turning the Broncos down for an interview was that the Broncos were sold on Tebow and that the coaches were not to big on him. They mention Greg Williams, Gruden, and someone that escapes me. Just FYI.

 

[Tricericon]

Tim Tebow has a "high ceiling"? Sure, he is raw, but I'm not certain how much more development can be expected of him. With luck, they will be able to lift him up to a Brian Griese-like level. They should be greatly commended if they can get him up to Jake Plummer status.

His college passing production was reminiscent of Roethlisberger and Eli Manning. In three starts this year he looked awkward but his efficiency numbers for those three games were comparable to Mike Vick's - that's a heck of a lot stronger resume than back-to-back 4,000 yard passer Matt Schaub had before going to Houston. There are positively no off field or work ethic concerns.

The counterargument is that the same scouts who had JaMarcus Russell pegged as the next Daryle Lamonica think he throws funny. How'd that work out for Marino and Rivers?

He ain't polished by any means, but the sky's the limit.

FWIW, Jake Plummer was an excellent quarterback during his stint in Denver (at least, until Kubiak left). Bronco fans would be thrilled to get 12 years of 2003-2005 Jake Plummer level quarterbacking. At least, I would.