Broncos special teams coordinator McMahon: ‘I’m going to fix it’
Jan 24, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: 9:35 am
In his first run-in with the media as the Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Tom McMahon made two thing’s clear: He’s not going to dwell on the unit’s issues in the past, but he’s there to “fix it.”
McMahon, who filled one of two open coordinator position with the Broncos after a 5-11 season, takes over a special teams unit that ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories during the 2017 season.
But McMahon said he’s not someone who gets “into the past” and instead is a “big fix guy.”
“I’m going to fix it though, I guarantee that. I’m a fix guy. I’m going to go to the fix part of it and never ever be a fault guy,” McMahon said Tuesday following the team’s Senior Bowl practice. “I’ve got a job to do. I’m going to get those guys (right). If there is 12 on the field, that’s on me. We’re going to fix that, and it’s going to be right going forward.”
In 2017, the Broncos ranked 26th in field goal percentage (75 percent), 27th net punting average (40.8 yards), and 24th in punts inside the 20-yard line (24).
However, McMahon said he believes kicker Brandon McManus, punter Riley Dixon, and long snapper Casey Kreiter are “Pro Bowl quality players” and with that core, Denver can turn things around on special teams.
“I love the core,” McMahon said. “We’re going to be great on special teams, we have great specialists, and hopefully we’ll win the Super Bowl.”
Among those who believe McMahon can help the Broncos rebound in 2018 is his former pupil, ex-Indianapolis Colts punter turn Barstool Sports pundit Pat McAfee.
McAfee has been effusive in his praise of his former coach, telling “Schlereth and Evans” earlier this month, “I honestly believe that you guys will see a full 180 in the Denver Broncos special teams. And I think it’s something that the Denver Broncos fanbase will fall in love with because it’s a high football IQ fanbase.”
But, how will McMahon go about turning things around? A philosophy of half-court offense and full-court defense.
“Offensively, from a return standpoint, we want to give our offense a half court to work with,” McMahon said. “We want to give our defense a full court. In essence, what we’re really trying to do is field position.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
