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Broncos' season 'most disappointing' for Bowlen

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 11, 2008 at 3:44 p.m.
Updated January 11, 2008 at 4:54 p.m.

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Broncos owner Pat Bowlen called the coming months "probably one of the most important off seasons that I can remember — maybe the most important."

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. © The Rocky

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen called the coming months "probably one of the most important off seasons that I can remember — maybe the most important."

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ENGLEWOOD — Going beyond X's and O's and personnel shortcomings, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen today said chemistry issues and individualism were at the heart of a steep drop-off by his team in 2007.

He called the coming months "probably one of the most important off seasons that I can remember — maybe the most important."

And it all starts with a change in attitude to a more professional approach.

"I don't think it's daunting," Bowlen said of the task ahead during a 35-minute interview in his Dove Valley office. "I would be more excited about it than I would be anxiety-ridden about it. I think we've identified the enemy, and the enemy's us, to quote an old Pogo cartoon. We know what the problem is."

In his estimation, previous Broncos teams have had less talent and still won because of camaraderie, but the Broncos owner believes more leaders in the vein of Rod Smith and John Lynch are needed to inject professionalism into the mix, even if that leadership comes from younger players such as quarterback Jay Cutler.

"I can't remember a year where I was more disappointed, I suppose, in the team than this year," Bowlen said. "And I can only express that in a way where the espirit du corps, for a lack of a better expression, I don't know where it was. ... I just don't think we ever got together as a team."

Thursday, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan took blame for the most recent failings, saying with better coaching, this year's Denver team could have reached double-digit victories. Bowlen concurred on the potential for 10 wins, saying there were three to four games the team "gave away."

But Bowlen also was more up front, though not specific, about the shortcomings on the roster itself in trying to reach the level of the NFL's upper tier occupied by the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. And he seemed to be preaching patience more than a gung-ho offseason approach, though the team will be as aggressive as possible.

"Obviously we're a long way from being a Super Bowl team, judging on our performance this year," he said. "Can we turn that around in a year? I don't know we can necessarily expect that. I'll come out next season and say '19-0,' but from a realistic standpoint it would be hard for me to think we can build a team that would compete or could beat the New England Patriots as they are today.

"Who knows what they'll be next year. ... But you watch that with a great deal of interest and you hope to compete at that level."

In trying to bridge the gap, Bowlen noted he would like to see a mixture of 80 percent drafted players to 20 percent free agents moving forward on Denver's roster, building further off strong 2006-07 draft classes.

Since back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1997-98, the Broncos averaged a little more than nine victories and made the playoffs four times. But also interspersed have been two losing seasons, only one postseason victory and a 145-54 scoring deficit in the four playoff losses.

And this year's season marks the second straight year Denver has failed to make the playoffs after a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2005.

There will be no forthcoming bombshells in terms of the front office, despite the fall-off. He said general manager Ted Sundquist will remain in place. And as for some public calls for Shanahan's job, that won't happen, either.

"I'm of the opinion that we have one of the best head coaches in the league and we're going to have our good years and bad years, that's just the way the business works," he said. "But Mike's a very, very good coach and has quite a bit of time still left on his contract and is in his mid-50s. Mike's not going anywhere."

Shanahan and Bowlen started in the NFL together and 1984 and have since forged a close relationship. Still, Bowlen insisted he can still look at Shanahan's performance objectively and, despite charges to the contrary, "I don't think there's any such thing as a coach for life."

One area in which Bowlen might have even more influence moving forward is on off-the-field matters. The team has endured some negative headlines because of incidents involving several players, including Brandon Marshall, Travis Henry, Todd Sauerbrun, David Kircus and, the latest, Daniel Graham.

Bowlen indicated he might step in more when those missteps occur.

In the end, it all ties into the professional attitude Bowlen wants.

"I've never had a lot of tolerance for stuff like that, especially in this community because it really has a significant impact ... I don't like it at all," he said. "You have to realize when you come in here or as a rookie drafted out of college that's the environment here. I can understand young guys making mistakes, but once you're around long enough you should get a clue here and conduct your personal life in a way that's not going to end up on some police blotter somewhere."

Comments

  • January 11, 2008

    5:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Pigskin writes:

    Maybe the most disappointing thing about this story is the following: "(Bowlen) said general manager Ted Sundquist will remain in place."

  • January 11, 2008

    6:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncos4Life writes:

    When is Bowlen going to realize that he is not a "football guy"? He endorses players that are substandard to what he wants as citizens and as players. His endorsement is obvious, because he signs the checks that bring them here! He may not be the Head Coach or the GM, but the final decision is his.

  • January 11, 2008

    10:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bear writes:

    Broncos4Life

    How did you come to the conclussion that Bowlen thinks he's a football guy? Bowlen would be the first one to acknowledge that he is not a "football guy", nor has he ever acted like the meddling owner. Since day one Shanahan has had final say on all personal and staff decisions and Bowlen has not interfered. He could have forced Shanahan to offer Terrell Owens a contract like Jerry Jones forced Parcells to do in Dallas. He refrained because he trusted those he hired to make that decision, even if it meant not collecting on the increased revenue having a superstar media magnet would bring in.

    You complain that Bowlen endorses the bad apples by signing their checks, this is partly true but he is bound by contract and if you had finished reading the article you would know that it clearly bothers Bowlen as well. He said he will be more involved with the players in terms of making sure the character of the organization is reflective of the Colorado community.

    That's not an owner who's disillusional and thinks he's a football guy, that's a business owner commited to instilling a succesfull corporate culture.