Vance Joseph defensive scheme: How might Broncos defense line up under new DC?

The Denver Broncos have now signed former head coach Vance Joseph to run their defense in 2023 as Sean Payton's new-look coaching staff in Denver is starting to take shape.

While the Broncos' offense struggled under veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, its defense shone through in 2022. They'll now look to sustain that success under new DC Vance Joseph's defensive scheme.

Joseph, who formerly coached the Broncos, was also linked with the vacant DC role of the Eagles. But the allure of working with Sean Payton seems to have convinced him to head back to Denver.

The former HC is a highly regarded defensive coordinator in the NFL. He has served as the defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and most recently, the Arizona Cardinals. Joseph is known for his aggressive defensive scheme, which relies heavily on blitzing and man-to-man coverage.

The key principles of his defensive scheme are speed, aggression, and versatility. His defenses are designed to be fast and aggressive, constantly pressuring the opposing quarterback and disrupting the timing of the offense. This is achieved through a combination of blitzing, stunts, and creative play-calling.

Joseph's defenses also feature versatile players who can play multiple positions and adapt to different situations.

One of the hallmarks of his defensive scheme is his use of man-to-man coverage. His defenses are often designed to lock down individual receivers, allowing the rest of the defense to focus on stopping the run and rushing the quarterback.

Man-to-man coverage requires skilled defensive backs who can stick with their man and make plays on the ball. Joseph has a proven track record of developing talented cornerbacks and safeties.

Another key component of his defensive scheme is his use of multiple fronts and alignments. He is known for mixing up his defensive fronts and disguising his blitz packages, making it difficult for opposing offenses to predict what the defense will do. This element of unpredictability keeps offenses off-balance and allows the DC's defenses to dictate the pace of the game.

In addition to his aggressive approach, Joseph's defensive scheme also emphasizes discipline and sound fundamentals. He stresses the importance of gap control, tackling technique, and communication. This ensures that his defenses are fundamentally sound and can execute their assignments with precision.

During his tenure as Broncos HC, the defense was characterized by its aggressive pass rush, lockdown secondary, and disciplined run defense.

Overall, his defensive scheme is a fast, aggressive, and versatile approach to stopping opposing offenses. His defenses rely heavily on man-to-man coverage on multiple fronts and creative blitz packages. They are designed to disrupt the timing of the offense and dictate the pace of the game.

With a focus on discipline and sound fundamentals, his defenses have consistently been among the best in the NFL.

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Vance Joseph stats: How did Broncos fare under former HC?

Vance Joseph was hired as the Denver Broncos' head coach back in January 2017. He was signed on to a four-year contract after a successful stint as Miami Dolphins' DC in 2016.

While the Broncos got off to a winning start under him, the franchise ended the season with an underwhelming 5–11 record missing the playoffs. More of the same followed in 2018 as the team finished 6–10, resulting in them missing the postseason again.

This was also the first time since 1971 that the team endured back-to-back losing seasons. This led to the franchise ultimately firing him in December 2018.