Broncos Consider Firing Bates, Change at Defensive Coordinator

According to many sources around the league, the Denver Broncos (7-9 in 2007) are considering many changes to a team that was expected to challenge for the AFC West crown. One of the biggest shake-ups would be letting go of Jim Bates, an accomplished defensive coach and coordinator in both Miami and Green Bay, and someone who started installing his own defensive scheme this season.

The Bates scheme, which utilizes big, blocker-eating tackles along the line to free up small, aggressive linebackers and speedy pass-rushing ends to make tackles in the backfield, was unsuccessful this season, as Denver finished 31st in the NFL against the run, 16th in overall defense. The unit was hampered by injuries all season and was especially hurt by the departure of Gerard Warren, who Bates said did not fit with the new scheme. Warren was traded to arch-rival Oakland and had a terrific season as a starter for the Raiders.

Bates has had success in the past. In both Miami and Green Bay, his defenses struggled in the first year using the scheme, but became top-10 units in the years that followed, leading many Broncos fans to hope that he will be retained. Players seem to be on the fence about the system. Dominique Foxworth, a defensive back for the Broncos, was quoted as such early this week on ESPN.com. "I just don't think we had any consistency or any confidence at any point in ourselves as players or in the scheme that we were running," Foxworth said. "I think it's important that we build that into the next season, that we find something that we're good at and we stick with it from start to finish."

Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson disagreed, saying, "It was unfortunate it didn't work here because I like his system." Peterson was with Bates in Green Bay. "He has a good system, it's proven, it's tested."

So what will become of Jim Bates? At this point, nobody really seems to know. Coach Mike Shanahan, who has scheduled his end-of-the-season press conference for today, is remaining silent on the future of the coaches. However, firing Bates would only lead to more turmoil, as bringing in another new coach with another new scheme isn't likely to be the answer for a unit that lacked consistency all season.

With a top-12 draft pick and a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, the focus this off season, at least according to many fans, should be continued development for the youthful offense and keeping people healthy. Consistency is the key.

Firing Bates is not the answer.