Midweek Musings: Broncos Philosophy Isn’t The Problem

In recent days, there’s been plenty of discussion about what the Broncos need to do down the stretch and whether or not Gary Kubiak isn’t being flexible enough with his offensive schemes.

Some of this seems to go back to the thought process surrounding coaches who strongly believe in their schemes but didn’t have success in recent years and that this must mean that a “scheme trumps talent” mindset doesn’t work. Then we hear about coaches who “adjust their schemes to fit talent” and see them win and we think that’s the answer to the Broncos’ problems.

I know somebody brought up a couple of weeks ago an article that our good friend Ted Bartlett wrote about differences between coaching philosophies, with those who believe “talent trumps scheme” and those who believe “scheme trumps talent.” I know Bartlett used the former to describe John Fox and the latter to describe Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels. It’s easy to say that because the latter two did not succeed in their most recent years as head coaches that “talent trumps scheme” doesn’t work, but I don’t believe that was Bartlett’s point. If it was, the likes of Bill Belichick and Andy Reid wouldn’t be having success.

Now, I know what some will say about Belichick and Reid, but the truth is they do subscribe to the “scheme trumps talent” philosophy. They are willing to adapt, but not in the ways you think they do. In order to understand the two philosophies, you need to take a deeper look at what they are really about and what they really require.
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Darian Stewart’s Contract Details

OTC now has the goods:

The main points: Stewart gets a $7 million signing bonus and a $6 million fully guaranteed 2017 base salary. The 2018 base salary of $4.5 million is guaranteed for injury only. Also, per usual with the Broncos, the last year contains a team option that will allow them to part ways with Stewart in 2020 while also allowing him to qualify for the 2021 compensatory pick formula.

Generally speaking, this is a standard contract for someone valued on the upper edge of mid level starting talent.  Note that Stewart’s 2016 base salary remains unchanged, representing the notion that this extension does not start until 2017. However, for cap purposes it’s always shrewd to take care of some of the prorated signing bonus money right now while the cap dollars are available, and that’s what the Broncos gain by extending Stewart during the season.  It’s another reason why, in my opinion, the Broncos should stop expressing an aversion to doing deals during the season, since they’ve now proven on several instances that they’re open to doing it.