Sources: Broncos to hire McDaniels

It didn't take him long to make his first big mistake.

I couldn't disagree more. Nolan is a good DC and I think in a good organization he'd be a good HC. If/when Blache retires I'd love to have Nolan back.

Cutler is going to put up some sick numbers in that system. He's already got a Moss-lite in Marshall, a Welker-lite in Royal and a decent OL. Now all they need to do is find a RB and they're going to light up the scoreboard out West.

Cutler is going to put up some sick numbers in that system. He's already got a Moss-lite in Marshall, a Welker-lite in Royal and a decent OL. Now all they need to do is find a RB and they're going to light up the scoreboard out West.

They also need a half-way decent defense.

They also need a half-way decent defense.

Well yeah, I was just talking about the offensive numbers. Their defense has sucked for years.

I like the hire for both sides. Young guy, good system. Proven winner.

I couldn't disagree more. Nolan is a good DC and I think in a good organization he'd be a good HC. If/when Blache retires I'd love to have Nolan back.

Let's not forget that a once disgraced defensive-oriented head coach from Buffalo came to town and turned our defense into a top 5 squad. I'm sure the Broncos would like to see Nolan pull a Gregg Williams.

I'm still not quite sure why Nolan got canned mid-season by the niners. They weren't a playoff team anyways and he had made major organizational changes trying to rebuild what the Yorks had run into the ground. I know he staked a lot on Smith but he had also put his ego and security aside when they figured out Smith wasn't the answer and benched him. I'd have given him another year.

McDaniels has worked in the NFL for eight seasons, all with New England. He joined the Patriots on March 1, 2001 as a personnel assistant in the scouting department and assisted the defensive coaching staff for three seasons. He began serving as the Patriots' quarterbacks coach in 2004 and was named offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach on Jan. 20, 2006.

guy moved up quickly

I don't think every head coach does a hands on approach with his specialty like Zorn does. It seemed like the Dallas defense became much more aggressive when Wade took over, so the same may happen here. Plus, McDaniels isn't going to have final say in who's making the personnel decisions like Shanahan, so if Denver gets a competent GM, I would expect their defense to improve.

I don't think Denver is hiring a GM. They're going to have a similar structure to the Redskins.

this hire doesn't make sense. they already have a proven offensive system in place. their problem is, and has been, on the defensive side of the ball. and Nolan is anything close to Greg Williams