Bo Nix’s calming effect on Sean Payton, Broncos offseason at owners meetings

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The stages of NFL life cycle are never in plainer view than when half the head coaches hold court simultaneously.

Such was the case for the AFC here Monday morning as part of the league’s spring meeting.

There’s first-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, just getting his feet on the ground. Pete Carroll back in the game but now coaching Las Vegas. Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor discussing megadeals for his star wide receivers. Tennessee’s Brian Callahan holding court and the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Contenders like Baltimore and Buffalo covering well-worn ground explaining how they might finally get past the big bad wolf in Kansas City.

Tucked in a corner of the makeshift media center, Broncos coach Sean Payton sounded settled in but unsatisfied. His program is firmly in place going into Year 3. The franchise’s playoff drought is over. Perhaps most pertinent: This spring Payton fielded no questions about quarterback uncertainty.

“I appreciate not being in that quarterback market,” Payton said. “… When you don’t have it right, it’s one of those positions that can kind of consume you as an organization.”

Having an apparent answer at that position, however, has the inverse impact. Focus can percolate to so many other areas.

It allows resources and attention to be deployed elsewhere. It makes your city all the rosier in the eyes of prospective free agents. It allows you to spend free agency checking off other roster needs rather than jetting around the country looking for Bo Nix.

It makes for a calmer offseason all around, even when a raft of assistant coaches and front office personnel leave for promotions.

“We’re a team players want to play for and certainly we’re a city that’s very appealing for athletes to want to live,” Payton said. “And I think a lot of that is a result of maybe some of the early success we had last year with a young quarterback.”

Here are a few other quick takeaways from Payton’s 36 minutes with reporters.

The Broncos are excited about their free agent haul

Here’s a snippet of what Payton said about each of the three major external free agent adds:

Safety Talanoa Hufanga: “There is a toughness about the way he plays. Sometimes you can be a second responder, sometimes a first responder. He appears first a lot on screen. There’s a style to how he plays. … He’s had a handful of injuries but there’s a toughness to his game and you guys will like him. There’s something about him when you meet him and visit with him. That was a big get.”

ILB Dre Greenlaw: “We thought he was going to be highly sought-after. I think the injuries played a little part in how he became a free agent. Otherwise, he doesn’t ever hit the free agent market. He’s someone whose contract is re-done. … It’s a little bit harder to say ‘we found our starting inside backer’ — whether it’s a ‘Mike’ or a ‘Will’ — it’s harder to say that about a rookie. There’s just certain positions.”

TE Evan Engram: “The vision is pretty clear. Obviously we feel like he’s someone who can run, gives us a passing threat on third down and in the red zone. He’s got good body control and I think he’s really good when he gets the ball in his hands. His run-after-catch numbers, statistically-wise, have been good.”

Payton also acknowledged that all three have had major injuries in recent seasons but thinks the Broncos are in position to benefit anyway.

“Quite honestly, there’s a couple of them that we would maybe have had a much more difficult time signing if they had not had a prior injury,” he said. “… We felt good coming out of it. We felt like our team got better.”

It’s a deep running back draft class

One position the Broncos haven’t addressed in free agency is running back. The Broncos believed that crop this spring was “pretty lean,” Payton said.

The draft? Just the opposite.

“There’s different types of runners. Sometimes we refer to a runner as a three-down player or a two-down player. Does this guy have receiving skills? Can he block pressure? As far as the physical characteristics, it’s the one position where height is really not discussed. Short or small is discussed and there’s a difference. They’ve got to have the lower body (strength). In this draft, I’ve seen a number of players that I feel are first- and second-down runners and I feel like I’ve seen a number of player that can potentially play on third down, which is what you’re looking for.”

Payton also reiterated that it’s important not to forget the returning group of Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson.

“Make no mistake about it: We’re wanting to see our group at home get these opportunities and I think this group will help,” he said.

Payton is an Evan Rothstein fan

Perhaps the most interesting addition to Denver’s coaching staff this offseason is Evan Rothstein, who was hired as an offensive line assistant but also the director of game management.

Payton said landing Rothstein has been years in the making.

“I tried to hire him when he was leaving Detroit and he ended up in New England,” Payton said. “I interviewed him in New Orleans. Every season I’ve always paid attention to what he’s doing. He’s real smart. He’s a football coach and he’s also someone who has got a great way about him both analytically and from a preparation standpoint. So finally that worked out.”

Payton didn’t get into what exactly Rothstein’s game management role will look like on game day. It was more about the talent.

This guy is something. … Having interviewed him, it was just, the minute I felt he was available, it was just ‘Where’s Evan at this year?” Payton said. “Kind of like the Russian hockey player that you’re not sure you can find in the draft. He finally came available.”

Denver will be in favor of the new kickoff and overtime proposals

Payton expressed support for a pair of proposed rule changes and said he’s against another.

He likes bringing the overtime rules for regular season games into alignment with the postseason format, where both teams get the ball regardless of whether the first team scores a touchdown.

He also is in favor of a proposed tweak to the kickoff rule moving a touchback out to the 35-yard line from the 30.

Payton, however, said he’s against a proposal that would see the NFL postseason re-seeded by record rather than strictly by divisional outcome.

“Winning the division is important,” Payton said. “I like how our postseason format is laid out, especially compared to any other sport.”

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