Broncos

Offense

Not that it will make much of a difference. Head coach Mike Shanahan calls the shots in Denver and the GM handles the rest. Profootballtalk.com passes along a rumor that former Raiders personnel man Mike Lombardi could replace Sundquist as GM.

Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin presumably wanted Bates to run the Vols’ offense and Bates was reportedly “seriously” considering it, but Denver’s offer was too good. Bates also probably realized that Tennessee is far from guaranteed success in the SEC. Kiffin’s got a strong staff, but has an uphill battle for both recruits and wins against NFL-caliber players.

McCoy brings the Jags’ reported head-coaching targets up to five, and they’re all current offensive coordinators. Profootballtalk.com also names Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and interim coach Mel Tucker as possibilities for Jacksonville. Tucker doesn’t appear to be a realistic candidate. The Broncos are preparing for the Wild Card round, but McCoy could be interviewed if Denver loses or if Denver grants him permission after a win.

The team did the same with ex-Colts OC Tom Moore last offseason, and he helped install the Peyton Manning offense with Mike McCoy and Adam Gase. Gibbs will be around longer, working with OL coach Dave Magazu to increase Denver’s use of zone-run concepts. Gibbs is considered the Godfather of Zone Blocking, as his old Broncos lines paved the way for Terrell Davis and two Super Bowl wins. New Broncos feature back Montee Ball is an adept one-cut runner.

Unless he’s deliberately being deceptive, Shanahan has talked this week of all his plans with Jake Plummer in the years to come. It looks like the two will be back next year in Denver.

Gase, a 34-year-old with eight years of experience as an NFL assistant, lands the job ahead of more established names such as Ken Whisenhunt and Tom Moore. It’s a smart move by John Fox and the Broncos. Gase learned at the foot of departed OC Mike McCoy and spent “countless” hours with Peyton Manning this season. He’ll call the plays in 2013, ensuring continuity within an offense that ranked second in points per game and fourth in yards per game this season.

Teams likely won’t wait around for McCoy much longer than this week, so if he’s going to get a head-coaching job it would have to come at the expense of a Denver loss. La Canfora also said to look for ex-Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt to be the offensive coordinator for the Broncos should McCoy scoot out of town.

Gase, 34, is in his second season as quarterbacks coach with Denver and is younger than Peyton Manning. Whisenhunt will likely have plenty of options if he doesn’t get a head coach job of his own. Christensen called plays for the Colts in the Wild Card round last weekend while Bruce Arians was in the hospital, and he could be an option to reclaim the OC job in Indy should Arians leave.

LSU’s Nick Saban appears to be the front-runner. But if Denver goes for it’s sixth straight year without winning a playoff game, Denver and Shanahan may decide it’s a mutally agreeable split. “The little man” would bring exactly they offensive juice Miami is looking for.

La Canfora also confirms McCoy is scheduled to meet with Chicago and Arizona. He’s been connected to Jacksonville and Buffalo, as well. It seems unlikely McCoy will escape the hiring season without a new job.