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Link to audio of KOA 850 AM’s podcast with Rapoport; Rapoport explaining the Broncos are focusing on Sean Payton:
koacolorado.iheart.com
Discussion between 4:33 - 8:26 timestamps:
Host: “So with the names, and you reported that Jim Caldwell, Raheem Morris, David Shaw, Ejiro Evero were knocked out of contention. As we sit here tonight, what names are you hearing that the Broncos, in fact, may be, not only interested in talking to, but may, in fact, be interested in hiring?”
Rapoport: “They never told Sean Payton that they were going in a different direction. So, theoretically, he would still be in the mix. Most of the other candidates probably have been informed, in some form or fashion, like ‘hey we really like you, but we might be going somewhere else.’ Let me say this. I was not told that Payton was informed that [the Broncos] were going somewhere else [on Payton]. That’s kind of the only one that they never got fully wrapped up with. It does make you think it is still theoretically possible. I wouldn’t rule anything out. Especially when it comes to coaching searches, where it’s like, either you get The Guy or you don’t. And if you don’t have one, you still need one.”
Host: “Certainly. You even pointed out in your report saying it’s possible the Broncos look to expand the search. And maybe include Jonathan Gannon, who of course they can’t interview until after the Super Bowl now. Or maybe offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. So where we sit right now, as it relates to the Broncos and their search, it’s been pretty quiet. And yet, we see the Arizona Cardinals reaching out to all of these guys today, including Mike Kafka. So what does that mean, as far as it relates to how the Broncos are handling this, in your opinion?”
Rapoport: “It makes you think that, as of right now, either they don’t feel the urgency to go get someone or they’re focused on something else. The Cardinals are clearly focused on other candidates. They’re interviewing 3 of them over the course of the next week. As far as I know, and we’ll see, I don’t know that Denver is currently focused on… I do know which candidate that Denver is currently focused on. So maybe they’re focused on someone that they already have. Maybe they’re still trying to make it work. Usually you can sort of read the tea leaves on this thing. Either it goes quiet and you like ok, well, something is probably happening. But that’s why coaching searches are so maddening because there’s no immediate answers on anything.”
Host: “Every time we start talking about this, at the conclusion of all conversations, we’re left trying to figure out why not now, why is it taken so long. Do you have any inkling on why it really has taken so long? Is it just that we are just after Jim Harbaugh and that’s what’s taken so long? We’ve exhausted all avenues with Jim Harbaugh? We just can’t understand we had a two week head start on the rest of the coaching positions that were out there. It just doesn’t make much sense to us at this point.”
Rapoport: “I would agree. I wouldn’t disagree, I wouldn’t argue. I would say you had a head start. The problem is, Denver, specifically, was shooting big with 3 candidates who were top candidates for a lot of people. If you’re going to shoot big, if you’re going to swing big, if you’re going to try to get the top-top-top, you might not get them. A lot of people have probably tried to get Jim Harbaugh and didn’t get him, and he goes back to Michigan. Ok, well you’re back to square one. Dan Quinn pulled out from everyone, wasn’t just the Broncos. Or you can say alright we’ll just go through the pool of 10. We’ll interview 2 for a second interview and we’ll just pick one. Make it a little easier. Denver does appear to be focused on a big, big, big candidate and maybe that’s taking a little more time, regardless of the head start you had.”
Ian Rapoport with the Sports Zoo | KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM | KOA Sports
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport joined the Sports Zoo with Ryan Edwards, Dave Logan and Big Al to discuss the latest with the Broncos Coaching Search including tidbits on Jim Harbaugh and DeMeco Ryans.
Discussion between 4:33 - 8:26 timestamps:
Host: “So with the names, and you reported that Jim Caldwell, Raheem Morris, David Shaw, Ejiro Evero were knocked out of contention. As we sit here tonight, what names are you hearing that the Broncos, in fact, may be, not only interested in talking to, but may, in fact, be interested in hiring?”
Rapoport: “They never told Sean Payton that they were going in a different direction. So, theoretically, he would still be in the mix. Most of the other candidates probably have been informed, in some form or fashion, like ‘hey we really like you, but we might be going somewhere else.’ Let me say this. I was not told that Payton was informed that [the Broncos] were going somewhere else [on Payton]. That’s kind of the only one that they never got fully wrapped up with. It does make you think it is still theoretically possible. I wouldn’t rule anything out. Especially when it comes to coaching searches, where it’s like, either you get The Guy or you don’t. And if you don’t have one, you still need one.”
Host: “Certainly. You even pointed out in your report saying it’s possible the Broncos look to expand the search. And maybe include Jonathan Gannon, who of course they can’t interview until after the Super Bowl now. Or maybe offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. So where we sit right now, as it relates to the Broncos and their search, it’s been pretty quiet. And yet, we see the Arizona Cardinals reaching out to all of these guys today, including Mike Kafka. So what does that mean, as far as it relates to how the Broncos are handling this, in your opinion?”
Rapoport: “It makes you think that, as of right now, either they don’t feel the urgency to go get someone or they’re focused on something else. The Cardinals are clearly focused on other candidates. They’re interviewing 3 of them over the course of the next week. As far as I know, and we’ll see, I don’t know that Denver is currently focused on… I do know which candidate that Denver is currently focused on. So maybe they’re focused on someone that they already have. Maybe they’re still trying to make it work. Usually you can sort of read the tea leaves on this thing. Either it goes quiet and you like ok, well, something is probably happening. But that’s why coaching searches are so maddening because there’s no immediate answers on anything.”
Host: “Every time we start talking about this, at the conclusion of all conversations, we’re left trying to figure out why not now, why is it taken so long. Do you have any inkling on why it really has taken so long? Is it just that we are just after Jim Harbaugh and that’s what’s taken so long? We’ve exhausted all avenues with Jim Harbaugh? We just can’t understand we had a two week head start on the rest of the coaching positions that were out there. It just doesn’t make much sense to us at this point.”
Rapoport: “I would agree. I wouldn’t disagree, I wouldn’t argue. I would say you had a head start. The problem is, Denver, specifically, was shooting big with 3 candidates who were top candidates for a lot of people. If you’re going to shoot big, if you’re going to swing big, if you’re going to try to get the top-top-top, you might not get them. A lot of people have probably tried to get Jim Harbaugh and didn’t get him, and he goes back to Michigan. Ok, well you’re back to square one. Dan Quinn pulled out from everyone, wasn’t just the Broncos. Or you can say alright we’ll just go through the pool of 10. We’ll interview 2 for a second interview and we’ll just pick one. Make it a little easier. Denver does appear to be focused on a big, big, big candidate and maybe that’s taking a little more time, regardless of the head start you had.”
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