At 67, Wade Phillips can still evaluate talent.

“I was a lousy head coach. But I am a pretty good defensive coordinator,” he said to laughter during Tuesday’s introductory news conference.

The Broncos reunited with Phillips not to lead the team, but to create a more tenacious defense. Denver set a franchise record for rushing yards allowed per game, but ranked 21st in sack percentage, an indictment of a vanilla scheme that cost the Broncos in their playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Phillips promised to use to a 3-4 alignment with an edge.

“We will be aggressive. That doesn’t mean blitzing all the time. It’s pseudo blitzes, looking like it’s all out, but it’s not. Attacking is how players like to play,” Phillips said. “When you take that away, I think it hurts them.”

This job presents a unique challenge. Expectations remain enormous — the Broncos covet their first Super Bowl championship since the 1998 season — but Phillips inherits a defense that needs more cosmetic changes than a facelift.

“This is a way better situation than I have ever come into,” Phillips said. “And we are going to do better. We will improve. This city and these fans demand a lot. I think that helps us. And (Gary Kubiak) Kubes is a great head coach. I think he will end up one of the great head coaches in this league.”

Phillips hasn’t lost his sense his sense of humor. He tried to navigate two difficult seasons as the Broncos head coach with self-deprecation. He showed more confidence with a one-liner Tuesday when asked about being the Broncos’ fallback choice to Cincinnati assistant Vance Joseph.

“He’s a bright young star. I believe I am first magnitude myself,” Phillips said. “I am going to do great for this team.”

Before Phillips spoke, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison addressed the media. He remained coy about the Broncos’ pass-run balance and how Peyton Manning fits into the plans.

“I am not proceeding with any thought on Peyton. I am letting him take his time. He deserves that,” Dennison said. “We are going to see what we do best, see what our team ends up with. We are certainly in no rush. Peyton deserves to take his time and figure out what he wants to do. He’s a phenomenal player.”

Standards will be high and clear for the offense, Dennison explained. The Broncos’ offense, prolific the past two seasons, received criticism for its 13-point playoff performance. Receiver Demaryius Thomas admitted they overlooked the Colts.

“That’s part of the thing we consider that they are accountable for, playing hard,” Dennison said. “They will know that from day one.”

Footnote

Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis returned to Denver after learning his trade under former Broncos coach Dan Reeves. DeCamillis said the key to players buying in is the head coach and the organization emphasizing how important the phase is to the team’s success. He has a specific identity in mind for his special teams.

“We want to play faster than our opponents. And when you look at us on tape, I want us to be fundamentally sound,” DeCamillis said. “That fits into what Kube is asking for.”

Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck