Denver Broncos: 5 Key Off-Season Moves That Led To Super Bowl 50
By Erik Lambert
Many wondered if the Denver Broncos were getting too old to make another run at the Super Bowl. For a time it appeared that way, but they battled through and now have earned their second chance in three years to hoist the Lombardi. It wouldn’t have been done without some key moves in the off-season. Here are the five that proved the most successful.
Hiring Wade Phillips
Without question the singular most important off-season addition for the Broncos was that head coach Gary Kubiak was smart enough to bring in old friend Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. He remains one of the best at that job in the NFL and it was proven again as he took advantage of the strong personnel to mold them into the #1 defense in the league. Through his guidance, they carried the team through the playoffs and to the doorstep of the franchises’ third Lombardi trophy.
Signed Ryan Harris
The loss of Ryan Clady gave Denver problems up front from the beginning. That made their addition of Ryan Harris, fresh from his time with division rival Kansas City so key. While he hasn’t been lights out by any stretch, the veteran has done a good job helping to steady the line. He’s allowed just one sack since week 4 of the regular season and hasn’t permitted even a hit on Peyton Manning in the previous four games. Not a bad contribution at all considering how much they signed him for.
Signed Darian Stewart
On a defense filled with star power, it’s easy to overlook how great free safety Darian Stewart has been. A late addition to the roster under the new coaching staff, he was a favorite of Wade Phillips from the start and didn’t take long to acclimate to the system, becoming one of their bigger playmakers in the secondary. He’s allowed just three touchdowns the entire year with four pass breakups and two interceptions, including big one in the AFC championship that helped set the table for the Broncos win.
Signed Vance Walker
Another subtle but important addition to the second tier of talent on the Denver defense. Veteran defensive lineman Vance Walker has quietly become one of the best players on that unit against the run. In just 414 snaps, he has 25 stops for no or negative yards on the ground. He also has two sacks to add to that. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the little things that go into making a great defense. Walker is anything but little.
Traded for Brandon McManus
Special teams is just as vital to winning in the NFL (and the Super Bowl) as offense and defense. The trade the Broncos made for Brandon McManus was met with crickets a few months ago but since then fans have gained an appreciation for that move. He had 65 touchbacks on kickoffs over the course of the year and has gone 37-of-42 on field goals including a perfect 7-of-7 in the playoffs. Reminder: both postseason victories were by a touchdown or less.