Detroit – One fact has been clear for several days: Mike Heimerdinger will be joining the Broncos’ coaching staff to replace Gary Kubiak.
Heimerdinger soon will be officially announced as part of Denver’s staff. However, his title could be different than expected.
There are indications there could be title changes on the assistant coaching staff. For example, Heimerdinger – a former offensive coordinator with Tennessee and the New York Jets – could be named assistant head coach. Or an existing assistant, such as offensive line coach Rick Dennison, could be named the offensive coordinator or assistant head coach.
If head coach Mike Shanahan makes any job-title changes, it will essentially be a matter of semantics. Heimerdinger is coming aboard because Kubiak has taken the head coaching job with the Houston Texans.
Dennison was close to going to Houston with Kubiak but has remained with the Broncos. Dennison was integral in directing Denver’s run offense, along with renowned running backs coach Bobby Turner.
Heimerdinger was freed from his contract as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator Wednesday.
Heimerdinger and Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois and remained close. Heimerdinger was a receivers coach for Shanahan before going to Tennessee to become offensive coordinator (2000-04), then spent last season with the Jets.
Terrell taking notes
David Terrell caught 128 passes in his first four NFL seasons. In his fifth season, his first with the Broncos, Terrell didn’t catch a pass.
However, it’s the season he most cherished.
“It sounds strange, doesn’t it?” Terrell said Sunday night. “But it’s the truth. I learned so much this year. This has been the best year of my career, because I got better this year. I was stale all of those years in Chicago. I felt alone. Here in Denver, I felt like I became a NFL player, and I became a great player because I am here.”
While being inactive 14 of the 15 games he was on the roster, Terrell spent the season learning Denver’s system. He likely will get a chance to be the team’s No. 3 receiver next season.
He said he learned more this year than years past because of the presence of No. 1 receiver Rod Smith and Shanahan.
“I had a real coach and a real leader helping me,” said Terrell, who plans to work out with Smith this offseason. “This year was all worth it because of what these guys taught me.”
