Urban Meyer and Denver Broncos: 10 Reasons Meyer Will Be Another Steve Spurrier
Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer, widely considered one of the top coaches in college football, announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the University of Florida.
Who knows? He could be taking his talents to the Mile High City to coach the Denver Broncos.
It wasn't as hyped as LeBron James' "Decision" to take his talents to South Beach, but it still is a huge story in college football right now as the SEC will be losing one of its truly great coaches.
Meyer's "Decision" came on the heels of a disappointing 7-5 season for the Gators, who had been highly touted in the preseason.
But Meyer's move got us at Bleacher Report thinking about South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, naturally, as he was the Gators coach before a short stint in the NFL with the Washington Redskins from 2002-03.
It didn't quite work out for Spurrier in the NFL, despite his being a great college football coach.
Here are 10 reasons Meyer will be another Steve Spurrier.
10. Former Florida QB Won't Save Meyer's Team
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Steve Spurrier's two seasons with the Washington Redskins, in which the Skins went 12-20, were highlighted by him often benching quarterback Patrick Ramsey during bad games in favor of Florida alumni Danny Wuerffel and Shane Matthews.
The audibles to these two quarterbacks didn't really change matters. They still lost a lot.
Meyer will have Florida great Tim Tebow to play with down the line.
I see Tebow possibly being the Broncos starting QB in two years' time. Kyle Orton is still the presumed starter and has done a good job despite a bad team surrounding him.
I don't think the Denver Broncos will be good in two years' time. They've looked truly awful this season at 3-9, and they have a plethora of issues that need to be addressed.
Going to Tebow won't change this.
9. The Broncos Will Likely Get Outscored a Lot
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In Spurrier's last three games with Washington, the Skins were outscored, 85-31.
As mentioned before, I don't see the Broncos being very good for a while.
Their defense has given up over 27 points per game this season through 12 games, and they are second in passing touchdowns allowed, with 24.
There are certain situations that are very hard to overcome, even if Meyer becomes a solid NFL coach.
This is one of those situations.
8. The Broncos Give Up a Lot of Sacks
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In Meyer's highly acclaimed spread offense, the quarterback is in the shotgun a lot.
The shotgun hasn't exactly been QB Kyle Orton's friend this season. The Broncos have given up the sixth-most sacks in the NFL, with 33.
Orton could become even more of a target with Meyer at the helm.
Unless the Broncos shore up their protection, it doesn't look good.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Meyer's Health Issues
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On Dec. 6, 2009, Meyer was admitted to the hospital after suffering chest pains and dehydration.
Dec. 6, 2009 was the day the Gators lost the SEC Championship game.
Meyer took a leave of absence from the team but came back for the Gators win over Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Meyer is an intense coach. You almost have to be when you coach in the SEC.
But the NFL brings a far higher level of scrutiny and stress.
I could see his intensity affecting his health. When he took a leave of absence, Meyer said this: "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."
I worry about you, Urban.
6. The Broncos Don't Have a Running Game
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Former Broncos RB Clinton Portis takes leaves of absences himself.
Due to injury.
And the jury is still out on Ryan Torain, who hasn't played in enough games to merit full confidence yet.
I projected the Broncos to take Alabama star running back Mark Ingram in the 2011 NFL draft, but if they don't, I would worry about their run game.
It's hard to win football games just throwing the ball, as Orton and the Broncos have demonstrated this season.
5. The NFL Is a Different Game
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As so many great college coaches have found out, the pro level is an entirely different animal.
There is undoubtedly a learning curve, and it's astonishing how many great college coaches have fallen hard at the pro level.
This could be no different with Meyer, as he doesn't exactly come into the greatest situation possible.
He's going to have to be a game-changer for the Broncos to compete in the next couple of years.
I'm pulling for him, but I have seen this story far too many times.
4. Meyer Employs the Spread Option
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A form of the spread offense, the spread option has a similar setup, with multiple receivers spread out on the field, but it is a little different in that it requires a good running quarterback who has the "option" to use his legs to move the sticks.
Orton is not a good running quarterback and Tebow is likely at least a year away from assuming the starting gig.
Not to mention the spread option can be difficult for the offensive line, as it is hard to hold a blocking edge in such an unpredictable offense. The offensive line of the Broncos isn't exactly a world-beating unit.
The Broncos could have an ugly first year if Meyer employs the spread option. But with Tebow, in a couple years, it might look better.
3. Meyer's Win Percentage Will Drop
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On Sept. 25, 2010, Meyer became the sixth-fastest college football coach to win 100 games.
His collegiate record will go down as one of the best, with 103 wins and 23 losses.
But wins aren't going to come that easy in Denver.
And it might wear on Meyer. It certainly isn't easy going from being one of the winningest coaches to being just another NFL coach on a losing team.
I hope Meyer is preparing himself.
2. Meyer Will Miss Florida
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It doesn't take many losses for NFL head coaches to start going crazy.
The media blitz is incredible, there are a lot of players worried more about their contracts than their play (e.g., DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles) and if you don't have the team's undivided attention and respect, things can start going south in a hurry.
Meyer should have the team's attention and respect going into the season, but it only takes a few losses to get players grumbling again.
Meyer will yearn to coach the Florida Gators again.
1. The Denver Broncos Are Bad
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The Denver Broncos are bad.
That should put it simply enough for you.
The most wins coach Mike Shanahan managed with the team from 2006-08 was nine.
The Broncos are 3-9 as of this writing, and they look worse than they have in a long time.
A .500 team, hey, Meyer can deal with that.
But there are so many pieces this team needs. From the O-line to the running backs to the collective defense, it may take a good while for the Broncos to get back to being a good team.
As Spurrier decided when he resigned after two seasons with the Skins, the game may already have taken a toll on Meyer before the Broncos get all these pieces.
Good luck, Urban, I'm rooting for you.
So is Spurrier, who I think is wishing him luck in this picture.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
