It’s been a whirlwind few days for newly-minted Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. He interviewed on Tuesday, was hired on Wednesday and was introduced by the Broncos on Thursday. Still, he was able to find the time to stop by the Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro on Mile High Sports Radio on Thursday.
“If you do the right things in life and stay focused it comes back to you<” said Joseph, “and here we are.”
In his introductory press conference, Joseph touched on his plans on offense, stating that he wanted them to play with “swagger,” but he didn’t go into too much detail. On the Afternoon Drive however, he shared his recipe for offensive success.
“I think you win differently week-to-week; and I think players first, scheme second is the way we have to go. Whatever our players do best, that’s the way the system has to be built.”
That may be somewhat obvious, but the willingness to adapt and adjust is how the illustrious New England Patriots have been able to perform at such a high level. Joseph does realize that if the Broncos are to spark the offense next season, they will have to find success running the ball.
“As a defensive guy in this league for a long time, if the running game’s hurting you, now it forces you to adjust, close the middle and play more single-high coverage,” he said. “With our two receivers on the outside, if we can force teams to play single-high coverage to stop the run game, we can throw the ball outside and make big, big plays; but it does start with running the football.”
Joseph also touched on Wade Phillips, who many people speculated wouldn’t be welcomed back if Joseph was to become Broncos coach. He insists that isn’t the case.
“Absolutely, in the right circumstances, I would do that,” said Joseph when asked if he would try to convince Phillips to return. “The players enjoy playing for Wade. Obviously, they’ve been pretty good here on defense, so the more seamless we can go is the better way to go for me.”
Listen to the full interview with Vance Joseph, including what it takes to be successful on defense and him singing the University of Colorado fight song, in the podcast below.
https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/1-12-1-broncos-hc-vance-joseph-chat-with-eric-les-on-the-future-wade-phillips-the-cu-fight-song
Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro every weekday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.