Tag: Mike Munchak

Steelers ex-OC Todd Haley sounds off on failing Pittsburgh offense

Todd Haley shares his take on the Steelers OL since Mike Munchak left for the Denver Broncos.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with an identity crisis on the offensive side of the ball. They are so unbelievably lost that they might not find themselves before the end of the 2020 season.

When Pro Football Focus released their preseason rankings of offensive line units, the Steelers were at the bottom of the heap — with only the New York Giants ranked below.

The line has never quite been the same since Mike Munchak departed Pittsburgh for the Denver Broncos after the 2018 season. During his four-year stint with the Steelers, his units were hailed as the best in the league. In Munchak’s final season, the cohesion of his players went unmatched around the NFL.

After Munchak moved on, the Steelers promoted his assistant Shawn Sarrett, and the line tanked. When Sarrett was canned, the Steelers promoted Sarrett’s assistant, Adrian Klemm, in February. From schemes to protections, Klemm has done nothing to improve the unit. They are, in his defense, a young group with little NFL experience.

Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said that coaches like Mike Munchak are very hard to come by and has concern for a unit that’s on its second coach in three seasons. “You don’t just learn how to coach a group of guys like an offensive line overnight. You better have experience,” Haley said on SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “The Opening Drive.”

“Right now, I just think you’re seeing all those things come together in a perfect storm of a new line, a new center, new coordinator, new line coach. It doesn’t usually spell success… No disrespect to [Adrian Klemm].

Haley said he means no disrespect to Klemm, but ‘Mike Munchaks just don’t fall off a tree.’ “He’s really, really good,” Haley said. “I think you’re seeing the benefits of him in Denver now.”

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Broncos fans shouldn’t forget Mike Munchak is coaching Garett Bolles

“The way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett,” Broncos guard Dalton Risner said.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has struggled to live up to his first-round draft status, averaging nearly one penalty per game in his career. Bolles finished last season well, though, and Denver coach Vic Fangio is optimistic that Bolles could take a step forward this season.

That might sound like wishful thinking to some Broncos fans but it’s important to remember that Bolles is being coached by Mike Munchak, who earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his playing days.

“I think something that people need to remember is Mike Munchak,” guard Dalton Risner said on Aug. 6. “That’s a factor that we need to remember. That guy is a Hall of Famer and he has a Gold Jacket. He’s probably going to have two Gold Jackets before he’s done with football.

“I truly believe with the way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett. He’s going to call Garrett out when he needs to be called out, he’s going to uplift Garrett when he needs uplifting and he’s going to teach Garrett. He knows how to teach the game because he’s done it. In fact, he’s got a Gold Jacket from doing it.” 

Munchak, a former head coach, helped several offensive linemen overachieve during his time with the Steelers and now that he has had a full year working with Bolles, there’s reason for optimism this season.

“I think Garrett has worked extremely hard and Garrett has a great work ethic,” Risner said. “He continues to work hard. He’s got a passion for the game, and I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for Garrett. I love that man, but I also think Mike Munchak helps him a ton.

“The more he gets time with Coach Munchak, the better player he’s going to be. You will probably see a whole new Garrett Bolles this year. A lot more of what you saw the last five games of the season.”

Bolles and Risner are expected to start next to each other on the left side of Denver’s offensive line this year.

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Broncos ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Garett Bolles at left tackle

Broncos coach Vic Fangio thinks left tackle Garett Bolles has shown improvement over the last few months.

Before Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season, the Broncos were planning to have Garett Bolles and Elijah Wilkinson compete at left tackle this summer. Bolles would have been the favorite but competition for his job likely would have been good for him.

Wilkinson is now set to start at right tackle in the place of James and Bolles won’t have much competition on the left side.

“Right now, to be honest with you, I would have to say it’s his [job] to lose,” coach Vic Fangio said during a Zoom conference call on Aug. 4.

Bolles has averaged almost one penalty per game in his career but he showed signs of improvement in Denver’s last five games last season. Fangio is hoping the 28-year-old tackle will build on that improvement.

“I think he took a step last year during the season,” Fangio said. “He played better the last half — the last third of the season — than he did in the early part of the season. I think he’s had his best offseason as far as where he’s at. He had a really productive offseason as it comes to physical workouts. I think he’s in a better place mentally and emotionally than he’s ever been in in this time of the year.”

Bolles will also be entering his second year playing under offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who has helped linemen overachieve in the past.

“I think we all sense that he’s in a better spot in all areas than he has been in his past,” Fangio said. “He’s gotten bigger. I think he’s gotten more knowledgeable. I think he’s ready. Can I guarantee it? No, we’ll all see when we start playing real games, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”

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Broncos OL Graham Glasgow eager to work with Mike Munchak

“I’ve heard through multiple countless sources that he’s an awesome coach,” Graham Glasgow said of offensive line coach Mike Munchak.

The Broncos have one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL (just ask Dalton Risner). So it’s no surprise that newly signed offensive lineman Graham Glasgow has only heard good things about the coach.

“I’ve heard about Mike Munchak for quite a while,” Glasgow said during a conference call with reporters on March 24. “I’ve heard through multiple countless sources that he’s an awesome coach.

“That’s something that I’m really looking forward to. I’m looking forward to somebody who can help me become the best player I can be. That’s something that is really important for me.”

Munchak was an offensive lineman for the Oilers from 1982-1993 and he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. One year after retiring, Munchak became a coach and he spent time with the Oilers/Titans and Steelers before joining Denver’s staff last year.

The Broncos’ offensive line showed signs of improvement in the second half of last season and after adding some pieces this offseason, Denver’s offensive line is poised to look even better under Munchak in 2020.

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Pat Shurmur excited to have ‘outstanding’ coaches Mike Shula, Mike Munchak in Denver

“He’s an outstanding coach,” Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said of quarterbacks coach Mike Shula.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio has built quite the coaching staff in Denver. Fangio, a defensive guru, has brought in plenty of offensive masterminds to give the team a balanced staff.

Last year, Denver hired former NFL head coach Mike Munchak to serve as the team’s offensive line coach. This year, the Broncos hired another former head coach, Pat Shurmur, to serve as their offensive coordinator.

Shurmur brought in former Giants offensive coordinator Mike Shula to serve as Denver’s new quarterbacks’ coach.

“Mike’s an outstanding coach . . . [and] an even better person,” Shurmur said during his introductory press conference last week. “I knew about Mike prior to going to the Giants. Then having worked with him now, I think the Broncos are really lucky that he was available and willing to come here.

“He’s an outstanding coach, does a great job not only with quarterbacks but also with the whole offense. He called plays in the Super Bowl. I think the players here are very lucky that he’s here.”

Shurmur also had good things to say about Munchak, who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

“He’s an outstanding coach and person,” Shurmur said. “He goes in that Mike Shula category for me. He’s had great success obviously first as a player, but he’s an outstanding person, outstanding coach.

“That had a little bit to do with me coming here. I think for an offensive coordinator being around a tremendous offensive line coach that’s huge.”

With such an impressive offensive coaching staff, it’s easy to imagine the Broncos’ offense taking a big step forward during the 2020 season.

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