Former Buffalo Bills and Syracuse football coach Nathaniel Hackett has handed over play-calling duties to one of his assistants on the Denver Broncos.
Hackett, the Broncos head coach who was previously an offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bills and Syracuse University, put quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak in charge of calling plays to quarterback Russell Wilson after a disappointing 3-6 start to the season. But the move hasn’t helped much, as the Broncos dropped two more games, including a 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Hackett reportedly chose Kubiak because he called plays before as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings last year, but it meant not picking fellow Syracuse alumnus Justin Outten, Denver’s current offensive coach. Outten, a former Orange center who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Greg Robinson, is in his first year as offensive coordinator and has never called plays during an NFL game before.
“Through the whole process, Klint is a proven play-caller,” Outten told the Denver Post. “In our situation right now, you just can’t move forward with a guy in my position who’s not called the game. He’s got a great track record with what he did with the Vikings.”
According to the Post, Outten moved from the coaches’ box down to the sideline to talk with Wilson between offensive series and strategize with Kubiak and Hackett.
“Being on the sideline is just a little bit more exciting than being in the booth, as you can imagine. Just being around the guys, feeling the vibe on the sideline, connecting with each position and talking throughout the game and then being right next to Russell, I thought it worked out well,” Outten said.
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten takes part in drills at the NFL football team's headquarters Monday, June 6, 2022, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
It’s unclear if Hackett’s job will be in jeopardy as Denver is now 3-8 and in last place in the AFC West, six games behind the first-place Kansas City Chiefs. Outten was previously tight ends coach for three seasons on Green Bay’s staff with Hackett.
Here’s how football players with Syracuse and Central New York ties did during Week 12:
Chandler Jones, LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Jones, a Rochester native who played three seasons as a defensive end at Syracuse University, recovered a fumble after Seattle botched a handoff in the backfield.
Last game: Raiders 40, Seahawks 34
Next game: Chargers at Raiders, Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
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Zaire Franklin, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Former Syracuse linebacker Zaire Franklin, a team captain for Indy, leads the defense with 110 tackles this season, including 65 solo tackles.
Last game: Eagles 17, Colts 16
Next game: Steelers at Colts, Monday at 8:15 p.m.
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Riley Dixon, P, Los Angeles Rams
Syracuse University and Christian Brothers Academy alum Riley Dixon kicked four punts for an average of 45 yards, plus successfully completed a pass for six yards and a first down.
Last game: Chiefs 26, Rams 10
Next game: Seahawks at L.A. Rams, Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
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Latavius Murray, RB, Denver Broncos
The former Onondaga Central High School football star, who started the season with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, ran 13 times for 92 yards against Carolina.
Last game: Panthers 23, Broncos 10
Next game: Broncos at Ravens, Sunday at 1 p.m.
* * * * *
Andre Cisco, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ex-Orange football star Andre Cisco had seven tackles and two pass deflections against Baltimore.
Last game: Jaguars 28, Ravens 27
Next game: Jaguars at Lions, Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Kingsley Jonathan, DE, Buffalo Bills
Jonathan, a rookie defensive lineman out of Syracuse University, signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad this month after getting waived by the Chicago Bears halfway through the season.
Last game: Bills 28, Lions 25
Next game: Bills at Patriots, Thursday at 8:15 p.m.
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Justin Pugh, LG, Arizona Cardinals
Former Orange offensive lineman Justin Pugh is out for the season after suffering a knee injury. Pugh is the team’s 2022 Salute to Service Award nominee.
Last game: Chargers 25, Cardinals 24
Next game: Patriots at Cardinals, Dec. 12 at 8:15 p.m.
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Alton Robinson, DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Syracuse defensive end, who mixed it up on defense and special teams in his second NFL season last year, remains out with a knee injury.
Last game: Raiders 40, Seahawks 34
Next game: Seahawks at L.A. Rams, Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
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Ifeatu Melifonwu, S, Detroit Lions
The former SU cornerback, who moved to the safety position for his second NFL season, has been cleared to return from an ankle injury.
Last game: Bills 28, Lions 25
Next game: Jaguars at Lions, Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Syracuse University alumni on the sidelines include Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos offensive coach Justin Outten, New England Patriots offensive line coach Matt Patricia, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coach Teryl Austin, and New Orleans Saints offensive line coach Doug Marrone. Former SU head coach Paul Pasqualoni was fired by the Carolina Panthers as defensive line coach halfway through the 2022 season.