Payton Gives Progress Report on Broncos QBs Coach Ahead of Game 2

The Denver Broncos' new ownership group had to embrace sweeping changes with urgency as it searched for an antidote to the toxic hangover Nathaniel Hackett left behind.

When you compare new Broncos head coach Sean Payton to Hackett, the fundamental differences in how they operate have been made evident this summer. Consequently, Broncos training camp has seen more of a focused and professional approach take root and bear some early fruit with regard to the way quarterback Russell Wilson is currently performing.

Payton has also brought a degree of boldness and swagger back to the Broncos, which were missing for too long. Following his instincts is key to how the veteran coach operates.

That was driven home on Thursday when Payton relayed the story of how the Broncos recruited youthful quarterback coach Davis Webb.

“I told this story after he finished his interview,” Payton said about recruiting Webb. “You get into this routine after an interview. You go, ‘Alright, let’s get him to the airport and the next one.’ I’m sitting and talking to [Broncos GM] George [Paton] and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why are we letting him leave? I know better.’ We called him up. I called the driver up and brought him back and hired him. I’m glad we did that.”

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Payton has left no illusions during training camp that he sits at the top of the Broncos' chain of command, but his desire to promote young and inexperienced coaches is notable. Alongside the 28-year-old Webb, former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief (39) now coaches the Broncos' O-line, and Payton also briefly referenced the job the 33-year-old Chris Banjo has been doing as an assistant special teams coach.

Even with all that valuable fresh input, given how well Wilson has been playing the last two weeks in training camp, the bold appointment of Webb appears to be paying early dividends.

“He’s been a great asset,” Payton said of Webb. “He’s smart and it’s unusual to get a player—we have two, he and Chris [Banjo]. [They] were literally playing a year ago and are now coaching. He’s prepared. I’m really impressed with his teaching ability and his style. He’s organized, and I think it’s invaluable for the quarterback. You have someone who actually understands it. We have a number of guys who are in the quarterback meetings, but on a daily basis, he’s been really good.”

Having the ability to climb inside the head of an elite signal-caller is rare, so it's understandable why Payton was so sold on the Webb hire. Part of the master plan has involved condensing things for Wilson — which has also seen the focus being put on establishing fast and effective lines of communication.

Firstly, the Broncos identified the impetus for the delay-of-game problems of getting the calls relayed into the huddle far too slowly. Now it’s been married with putting Wilson in the best possible position to play freely once the ball is snapped.

Credit must also go to short-lived interim Broncos head coach Jerry Rosburg for getting the ball rolling at the end of last season, but ever since the appointment of Payton as the permanent guy, the revolution has been fast-tracked.

The Broncos face a stern test against a genuine Super Bowl contender in the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, but the vibrant new coaching staff has got the team trending in the right direction.

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