Given McDaniels' youth, do you think Nolan might be a bad hire? He seems to be a bit too political, and like he may try to undermine McDaniels in order to better position himself for coaching jobs in the future (ie, take more than his share of any future broncos success).

I would definitely take a Rick Dennison/ Jeremy Bates package deal.

Matt, is that a likely scenario? Seems to make sense, at least one of them would stay around for a few years.

Do you think Dennison would be a good hire as assistant OC/O-Line coach?

The zone blocking scheme has worked wonders in places like Denver, Washington, Indianapolis, Green Bay and more recently in Carolina and Arizona.

The Raiders ran it last year with Rathman's running backs. Gore should excel in such a system.

Dennison probably won't get another OC job right out of the gate, seeing as how he didn't call pass plays for the Broncos.

Which of our other prospective OC's (beside Christensen and Dennison) are familiar with a zone blocking scheme?

A Nolan/Winborn reunion. I wonder how that's gonna go.

Dennison was a solid and smart MLB player for the Broncs back in the day. Played 4 backer positions. Interesting that he decided to go offense in his coaching career path. But I give him full marks as a former player.

What's Hostler doing these days?

Dennison would be a nice addition if he brings his passing partner with him...
McDaniels is starting his HC career with a THUD!!!
NOWIN = NO D!! Is it a 4-3, 3-4, 5-2, 4-6, nobody knows, nobody cares...It's a NOWIN situation...
Any other fired coaches coming available after the weekends losses?

I wouldn't be surprised if SD tells Norv to kick rocks.

Question: What's Hostler doing these days?

My response: Jim Hostler's team has reached the final four. He is receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. --Matt M.

"Big-Sub", "Read-and-react", "Bend-but-don't break". Sure sux to be a Denver fan these days...

[Hostler cheap shot] I guess that explains why Derrick Mason is the only receiver on the team that can catch.

[Nolan cheap shot] Yeah, great hire. I'm sure the fact that the Niners defense improved immediately after his firing was a complete coincidence.

[Broncos cheap shot] That choice totally makes sense, especially after the success guys like Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini have had. And let's not forget Nick Saban's NFL career. Sterling resume for Belichick disciples.

[Actual Niners comment] It's still a no-lose situation no matter who Singletary picks as far as I'm concerned.

I forgot about Winborn being in Denver. Didn’t Nolan also get rid of Engleberger? That should be a very awkward very fun first meeting with their DC. Big Sub is going up to the Mile High City.

If Denver has hired Nolan I'll have to send my condolences to my brother who's a devout Bronco fan. Most of us will probably agree Nolan did some good things here but not with the Xs & Os on offense or defense. It's amazing how much better the D played after Manusky got to be the real DC.
Singletary is interviewing some interesting OC canidates. Sure hope he picks the best. It would be great to not have the offense be the weak link every game seemingly year after year!

Question: I forgot about Winborn being in Denver. Didn’t Nolan also get rid of Engleberger? That should be a very awkward very fun first meeting with their DC.

My response: It took Jamie Winborn a couple years to rebuild his reputation to the point that he is doing very well with the Broncos. This is really bad news for Winborn.

In Nolan's second year I did a story about his trades. I told him that I thought he made only one bad trade. He asked, "Which one was that?" And I said he made a mistake by trading Engelberger for Willie Middlebrooks. He agreed. So that leads me to believe he thinks Engelberger can play a little. He got rid of Engelberger in that first year because he did not see him as a fit in a 3-4 defense, and the 49ers needed more bodies at cornerback. --Matt M.

Ole Ted did the big save on McCarthy. Happy New Year my man, you got your Ace draw on that one!

I already feel sorry for Denver. Maybe the Vanilla won't melt that fast at Mile High when Bowlen gets around to putting it on Nolan's desk. You got Ray complaining in Baltimore, the owner with the Skins, the fans in SF....who's it gonna be in Denver?? (Besides Engelberger & Winborn from the get go) I can already hear what the Denver fan blogs will be sounding like. Start with the keywords in flip3's post for the frustrations. Should have done your homework Josh.

I don't see how the Shanahan/Dennison run syle fits for us since our new guards are big drive blockers. Our quick, mobile guard is now playing for Miami. Go Niners

I don't see how the Shanahan/Dennison run syle fits for us since our new guards are big drive blockers. Our quick, mobile guard is now playing for Miami. Go Niners

Matt - Do you have a read on if Nolan's reputation as a DC has taken a hit in NFL circles? This hiring suggests a resounding no. Josh McDaniels would have consulted with some of the higher ups in New England (like the mad Defensive Genius) and he seemed set on Nolan from day 1. I would have thought Romeo Crennel or a few others would get a long look before Nolan given the New England ties.

Matt or anyone else:

Since Singletary took over for Nolan as head coach did he promote anyone on the current staff to his old position of assistant head coach? If not will he be hiring someone he trusts to he his right hand person so to speak like Singletary was for Nolan?

Being the "Master Schemer" Belechic is, he probly reccomended NoWin for Enver. He knows Enver/McDaniels is now the competition...Notice I call them "Enver Broncos" THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE ANY -D- IN ENVER!