NFL

The Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills filled their head coaching vacancies on Wednesday, and neither opted for a retread. Both will try new ideas and people new to being at the top of the pyramid.

The Bills opted for Sean McDermott, defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers for the past six seasons, which includes their Super Bowl loss to the Broncos. While this past year was hardly the Panthers’ finest, McDermott had the team ranked in the top 10 defensively four times in his tenure.

He’ll switch the Bills back from that hybrid 3-4 of Rex Ryan’s to a straight 4-3. Pedigree: He coached under Ron Rivera in Carolina and worked with Jim Johnson at the Philadelphia Eagles – that’s good schoolin’.

Denver’s hire is quirkier. The Broncos, who interviewed Vance Joseph two years ago before choosing Gary Kubiak, this time gave the job to Joseph, who has one year in his pocket as a defensive coordinator (with the Miami Dolphins). Denver’s problem is hardly defense, so Joseph must have a great answer regarding a likely offensive coordinator.

Joseph is well-regarded, but Miami’s performance this year did not seem likely to boost his credentials. A highly-paid defensive line repeatedly got gashed and run over. The Dolphins were 29th in the league in total defense, 30th against the run and gave up 18 running plays of 20 yards or more, second-worst in the league.

Are these good hires? Time and games will tell. The Bills last made the playoffs in 1999 and were 7-9 the last two years. They’ve still got quite a way to go, stuck behind the New England Patriots and Dolphins in the AFC East. The Broncos? They’ve got a quarterback problem to solve and also face extreme competition from the vastly-improved Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The view from here: Denver’s is the superior organization, with clear lines of communication and responsibility. Buffalo needs that and more. Including interim head coaches, the Bills have had six since 2006 and 10 since their last playoff season. Ownership has also changed.

So split your well wishes 60-40 on these two new coaches. McDermott needs them more than Joseph.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman