Allow me to go off-topic momentarily, BT family. I hate doing it, but every once in awhile, circumstances require it, and this certainly falls under that category.

You may have noticed the content has been lacking at BT lately. This isn’t an indication of lack of dedication on my part, or any hint of tiredness or boredom. It’s a sign that my roof is caving in. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

With Dean Pees in Baltimore it was almost expected that now former linebackers coach Don Martindale has become the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. Let’s hope he can earn his keep and stay for more than one year. Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy ESPN

The Pro Bowl just holds so many amorous memories for Bronco fans. Clinton Portis’ last game as a Bronco, Rod Smith dirty hit by Roy Williams (even at the Pro Bowl Roy is still a dirty player), Mike Shanahan looking like a baseball glove, Jay Cutler playing like Peyton Manning destroyed the only insulin pump on the island, and of course Brandon Marshall dropped touchdown pass… oh the fond memories.

For several years now it’s been an honor to be voted to and play in the Pro Bowl. Despite television ratings, players have always loved to take a vacation down to Hawaii and play in a sort of touch football game with the best of the best. Now vacation is in Miami and nobody wants to party… well nobody who was voted that is. There has been a total of 30 replacements to this year’s Pro Bowl roster (14 for the AFC, 16 for the NFC), and it seems like more are being added every day.

Some of these additions are due to injuries and some are replacements for those playing in the Super Bowl the following week. It seems though that some players are just passing on this year’s “all-star” game. The Pro Bowl is losing whatever prestige it has left. It’s insane to hear that all three of the AFC quarterbacks playing this year’s Pro Bowl are all alternates. Not to take away anything from Matt Schuab who completely deserves this distinction, but David Garrard? Garrard wasn’t much of a pro-bowler at 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. One could even argue that Kyle Orton deserves a go instead. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

According to Pro Football Talk former Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees has taken a job in Baltimore as their linebackers coach. Pees was in contention for the Broncos defensive coordinator job after the depature of Mike Nolan, but now it’s pretty safe to say you can cross him off the list of candidates.

This only makes room for more speculation that current linebackers coach Don Martindale is lined up to take the job. The only question is why is Josh McDaniels waiting so long to name a defensive coordinator? I can’t speak for the rest of the Broncos nation but this lingering vacancy leaves me feeling a little uneasy. Waiting this long to name a coach must either mean the search is truly still on or McDaniels is still too hesitant about Martindale. Perhaps this is just to delicate of a situation, too important of a position to rush a hire, too paramount to leave empty for too long.

Who ever is next will become the fifth defensive coordinator in the past five years for the Broncos. Who can name them all really? Quirrell, Lockheart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge, Snape… Harry Potter joke… sorry.

What do you think Broncos nation? What the frick is going on in regards to the defensive coordinator position?

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An abbreviated breakdown of the playoff games this week, with picks as we look to improve on our 5-3 record. Your picks in the comments.

Indianapolis Colts (-8.5) at New York Jets — Like a broken record, I’ll mention how the Indianapolis Colts are a lot more than just Peyton Manning. Maybe that Jets’ top defense will make Peyton struggle, but they’re still going to have to put some points up against a swift and physical Colts D. I don’t like their chances, and see the Indy D forcing turnovers and even scoring some points to make the difference. Pick: 24-13, Indianapolis

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (-3.5) — I’m tempted to pick the Vikings based on the line of scrimmage. I like Minnesota’s offensive line against that Saints D, and I like the ability of their front seven to cause problems (not that the Saints are any slouches at the line of scrimmage). However, the Saints’ home field advantage and plethora of weapons on offense will neutralize that potential Vikings edge, especially with Drew Brees under center. And I just can’t count on Lord Favre in the clutch. Close game. Pick: 35-30, New Orleans

See below for the Denver Broncos‘ press release announcing changes to its offensive coaching staff.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Saturday announced several changes to their coaching staff, including the hiring of Bob Ligashesky as tight ends coach and Eric Studesville as running backs coach.

The club also moved Clancy Barone to offensive line coach and named Bob Wylie assistant offensive line coach. Ben McDaniels was promoted to quarterbacks coach, a position previously held by Mike McCoy, who will continue to serve as offensive coordinator.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Last week when Mike Nolan “parted ways” from Denver everyone felt assured that Dean Pees had the Broncos defensive coordinator job locked down. Well not anymore. According to several rumors the current Broncos linebackers coach Don Martindale is expected to get the job. According to the Denver Post the Broncos also considered the Patriots Linebackers coach Matt Patricia, who is expected to become the new Patriots defensive coordinator.

Vic Lombardi states:

VicLombardi I’m told Martindale is 90-percent likely to get the DC job. No confirmation from Broncos however.

The Denver Post reports:

Veteran assistant Dean Pees, like many in the league, initially believed he was the front-runner to replace Mike Nolan. But Broncos linebackers coach Don Martindale, 46, appears to be the choice after meeting with coach.

Martindale, whose nickname is Coach Wink, will be the fifth defensive coordinator Denver has seen in five years. Coach Wink, who is highly favored by the players, has never served as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

UPDATE: Broncos tight end Clancy Barone will split the duty of offensive line coach with Coach Wylie.

Since Rick Dennison left to take the offensive coordinator position of the Houston Texans the Broncos were left to fill his old position… so they went to Canada. According to the Denver Post the Broncos have hired Bob Wylie (Not be confused with Bill Murray’s character Bob Wiley from the hilarious movie What About Bob), a now former assistant coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Also according to the Denver Post below is his track record.

Wylie, who coached at Colorado State early in his career, has coached seven Pro Bowl offensive linemen in his previous NFL stops in Arizona, Tampa Bay and Chicago. He also coached tight ends for Cincinnati and spent two years as a Jets assistant.

In other words Coach Wylie is not totally without NFL experience. This means that in this past week the Broncos have hired a coach from Canada and another named Studesville. You at least have to admire the creativity of Josh McDaniels. If the offensive line play continues to decline next, we’ll just have to blame Canada.

Ryan Clady made a guest appearance on the NFL Network set this week to discuss the direction of the team, the changes under McDaniels, and to show off some blocking technique.

One-third of the Denver Broncos‘ assistant coach carousel appears to have stopped spinning. FOX 31’s Josina Anderson reports that former Buffalo Bills RB coach Eric Studesville, who interviewed with the Broncos this week, has agreed in principle to the same position here.

Studesville will arrive in Colorado soon and is expected to sign a contract in the next day or two, reports Anderson.

Bobby Turner, who served as Broncos running backs coach for 15 years in Denver, left Denver to rejoin Mike Shanahan in Washington last week.

Breaking: Bills’ Eric Studesville Agrees in Principle to be Broncos RB Coach [FOX 31]