Collier Takes Shots at Colts and Chargers

Joe Collier, who was noncontroversial during his 20 years as defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, this week lashed out at other National Football League organizations and said he is being selective about job prospects.

Collier, 56, who was fired Sunday along with four other Denver defensive assistants, had harsh words for the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts and their coach, Ron Meyer, who has fired his defensive staff.

“What Meyer did to those six coaches shows you what a jerk he is,” Collier said. “No class and no brains.” He accused Meyer of “firing six coaches to take the pressure off himself.”

San Diego has fired Coach Al Saunders, leaving the status of defensive coordinator Ron Lynn in question. “No way would I be interested in (working in) San Diego,” Collier said. “Not under the present ownership (Alex Spanos) or that general manager (Steve Ortmayer). The owner in San Diego is, to say the least, a jerk. The general manager is in the same category.

“A lot of the new owners are egomaniacs and want to do the boogie-woogie with the cheerleaders on the sideline,” Collier said. “(Bronco owner Pat Bowlen) is probably the best new owner in the league.”

Collier, architect of the Orange Crush defense of the late 1970s, said he hasn’t yet been contacted by any NFL team.

“At my age, I’m rather selective about where I go,” Collier said. “Of course, at my age, I’m not sure how attractive I’d be to any teams, either.”