So, Mike McCoy has resurfaced with the Denver Broncos as their offensive coordinator.
Solid move by longtime Chargers rival John Elway, the top Broncos boss, and solid for McCoy as well, but we’re about to find out a lot more about what McCoy can do with an offense.
The drop-off is steep from Philip Rivers to either of the Broncos quarterbacks McCoy will inherit, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, though it’s not beyond Elway to trade for the likes of Tony Romo.
McCoy would be the first to say Rivers made his job less difficult the past four years.
When the Spanoses and Tom Telesco hired him four years ago, McCoy said the chance to have Rivers on his side made the job more attractive.
The two started fast.
Thriving in the quick-pass offense that McCoy and aides installed, delivery on McCoy’s forecast of a 70-percent completion rate, Rivers led the Chargers to the playoffs and then, at Cincinnati, their first playoff victory in five years.
Too bad for both McCoy and Rivers, it was the last time in their shared tenure they reached the playoffs. Even with Rivers missing no significant snaps, the team went 9-23 over McCoy’s third and fourth seasons, costing him his job. And things got away from Rivers in the second half of the past season, when he became more prone to interceptions and grounding penalties.
Of course, McCoy has succeeded with other quarterbacks as well: Jake Delhomme developed under McCoy to lead Carolina to a Super Bowl, where he played well; and Tim Tebow, having more success than he would achieve under several other NFL coaches, led the 2011 Broncos to the AFC West title and a playoff victory.
So, counting also a two-year stint with Peyton Manning in Denver, McCoy has a lot going for him as an offensive coach.
This is the second time that Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback, has enlisted McCoy to oversee an offense.
How will he fare with either Siemian, a third-year player and seventh-round draftee who had a so-so debut season in 2016; or Lynch, an athletic but raw second-year player whom Elway moved up to draft 26th overall last April?
Siemian, aided by a stellar defense, posted an 8-6 record and an 84.6 passer rating last year.
Lynch, who ran a simplistic spread scheme at Memphis, appeared in three games and was 1-1 with a 79.2 rating.
I think McCoy a better coordinator than a head coach. The same applies to many head coaches, past and present. Game-planning may be what he does best. Example: the Bolts led the NFL in first-drive scores this past season.
McCoy will learn from his four years in San Diego. A 44, he has a good chance to return to head coaching.
His inside knowledge of Chargers players and coordinator Ken Whisenhunt’s system should be a perk for the Broncos.
However, he inherits a below-average blocking unit, lesser talent at tight end than he had at San Diego or his first time through in Denver and two QBs who have to improve to become NFL-average. The team’s best running back, C.J. Anderson, is coming off extensive knee surgery.
For all the challenges McCoy faced with Chargers offenses, this Denver job appears tougher.
From Day 1.
He has decided that Lynch and Siemian will compete for the job in spring practices and training camp.
Makes sense, but with the Chargers, the offense had the luxury of working full-time with Rivers in every practice. It’s a big help to have such continuity.
If Denver’s offense is C/C+ or better, McCoy will have added to his reputation as a good offensive coach. He had other job opportunities, so his decision to go to Denver reflects a belief in Elway and the organization, perhaps a stronger belief than in the offensive personnel he will inherit.
Tom.Krasovic@SDUnionTribune.com; Twitter: SDUTKrasovic
