FRIDAY FACEOFF: What's been Sean Payton's best move as Broncos coach?

Mar. 24—Friday Faceoff: What's been Sean Payton's best move as Broncos coach?

Paul Klee, Denver Gazette sports editor

Answer: His coaching staff.

A close second: Payton unplugging the video games from the players lounge. Video games rot your brains, kids. Go play outside.

My friend Chris makes solid points regarding the offensive line. When a $245 million investment is sacked 55 times, tops in the league, it's time to secure the health of Russell Wilson.

But I'll go a different direction — the coaching staff.

Start with Paul Kelly, assistant to the head coach. Kelly handled day-to-day operations for Mike Shanahan with the the-Redskins, which, considering Shanahan's obsession with detail, is like being the grocery shopper for Gordon Ramsey. Good luck forgetting the garlic.

The special teams operations show a combined 47 years between assistant head coach Mike Westhoff and coordinator Ben Kotwica. Plus, Kotwica flew Army choppers in Bosnia and Iraq.

Here's a nugget I reported a couple weeks ago: Payton asked defensive assistants Christian Parker and Marcus Dixon to attend the interview process for the new defensive coordinator. One, it provided first-hand experience for Parker and Dixon, who both track as future coordinators. Two, the coaches now have a personal investment in Vance Joseph's success.

Right, Vance Joseph. You got me there. Nothing about Joseph's first turn in Denver suggests a second turn is a good idea. We did not have the time of our life. They did not have great weeks of practice. They went 11-21 with an eight-game losing streak in Year 1. But the NFL is a league of second (and third and fourth) chances.

VJ will change the narrative or VJ will be gone.

Mr. Schmaedeke and I agree fixing the offensive line was priority No. 1. That's why hiring Zach Strief as offensive line coach has me optimistic for the men up front. Part coach, part brewery owner, Strief was a five-time team captain for Payton's Saints. He's drawn rave reviews so far.

The roster still isn't good enough to compete with the Chiefs and Chargers in the AFC West.