Shanahan is hopeful moves will close gap on Chargers
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 1, 2008 at 9:56 a.m.
Photo by Steve Dykes / Getty Images/2007
The Broncos have a draft plan, but coach Mike Shanahan played it close to the vest Friday in a pre-draft press conference.
In an offseason that is sporting the bruise of a second consecutive playoff miss, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan emerged into the public eye Tuesday to offer a progress report.
And in a wide-ranging hour at the league's annual meetings, he said the San Diego Chargers are the team to beat in the AFC West and "we'll see if we've done what we need to do to close the gap."
That gap is evident in the Chargers' two successive division titles and four wins against the Broncos in the past two years by a combined score of 147-53.
"We know how good San Diego is; San Diego, player for player, is probably as good as anybody in the National Football League," Shanahan said. "Personnelwise, I'd say they're probably ranked No. 1 in the National Football League. I think a lot of them, they're a pretty good football team. . . .
"Hopefully we did close the gap. It won't be long and we'll find out."
On other topics . . .
Staff changes
Assistant head coach/offense Mike Heimerdinger left earlier in the offseason for an opportunity to have complete control over the Titans offense. Shanahan called the move "a no-brainer."
"I know (Titans coach) Jeff Fisher very well," Shanahan added. "Jeff needed a guy to come in and work with (quarterback) Vince (Young), and I thought it was the best thing for Mike to go back to Tennessee. Have a great year offensively, with a quarterback like Young, and he'll be a head coach in the National Football League. I really believe it was the best thing for Mike."
Assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates left after only one season when he lost his play-calling duties because of the Broncos' monumental struggles on run defense. He was offered a position coaching the team's linebackers but elected to leave.
Shanahan said he was "disappointed it didn't work out. . . . I just felt we needed to change our scheme closer to what we've done in the past."
And he said firing general manager Ted Sundquist, a longtime Broncos scout and personnel executive, only weeks before the draft was done "because it would give us the best chance to be a better football team."
"And with Ted, I don't make a decision like that very quickly. It was a very tough decision, but I thought it was one I needed to make," Shanahan said.
Defensive changes
Though he made his reputation as an offensive coach, Shanahan has made the Broncos run defense the priority in free agency after Denver surrendered 200 rushing yards or more in three of its first four games in 2007 and spent five weeks of the season as the league's 32nd-ranked run defense.
To that end, Shanahan said D.J. Williams will change positions for the fourth time in the past four seasons and return to weak-side linebacker, where he played in 2005, his first year as a starter.
Free-agent signee Niko Koutouvides will line up at middle linebacker and free-agent signee Boss Bailey will play on the strong side.
"We've been very consistent stopping the run since I've been here," Shanahan said. "(Last season) was really the first year we really weren't very good at stopping the run. That's always a priority. If you don't stop the run, you've got no chance to win."
Shanahan also said free-agent safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Manuel were signed to add a starter, depending on who wins the spot alongside John Lynch, and to add depth to the defensive mix.
Offensive line changes
With the draft and free agency still to go before training camp starts in July, Shanahan laid out how he expects the team's offensive line to look.
If the team lined up today to play a game, Tom Nalen would be at center, Ben Hamilton and Montrae Holland at left and right guards and Chris Kuper at left tackle and Erik Pears at right tackle.
"It will depend on how we go through (offseason workouts), but Kuper would probably get the nod over (Ryan) Harris because of how he played last year," Shanahan said.
Hamilton is coming back after missing all of the 2007 season recovering from a concussion suffered in training camp. Nalen, who will turn 37 in May, is coming back after missing 11 games last season with a torn right biceps.
Get it together
Shanahan singled out running back Travis Henry, defensive tackle Marcus
Thomas and receiver Brandon Marshall as players who need to be more reliable on and off the field.
Marshall, who led the team in receiving in 2007 with his first 1,000-yard season, recently suffered a severely injured right forearm while wrestling with family members that required surgery to repair three muscles, two tendons, a vein, an artery and a nerve.
It was the latest off-field travail for Marshall, whose tally includes a driving-under-the-influence arrest last year.
Shanahan said Marshall likely will be ready for training camp and that the injury was a "freak accident." But, the coach added, "there's a black cloud over him right now. And he's got to make sure he does everything he can possibly do to stay out of trouble and stay away from injury."
Henry had an injury-marred season and his own off-field troubles, including court-ordered child-support payments and the public revelation he has fathered nine children with nine women.
"Travis, No. 1, has got to stay healthy," Shanahan said. "He's got to have a great offseason program. He was leading the National Football League after four games; we want him to finish the way he started."
Thomas, who had been thrown off the University of Florida team in his final year of college football, was arrested last month on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. After the arrest, he quickly submitted to drug tests, which, Shanahan said, showed no "drugs in him."
"These young guys, they've got to be careful about who they hang around with because it's your reputation on the line," the coach said. "Hang around with the wrong guys, and you're going to pay the penalty sooner or later."
And one man's opinion . . .
Receiver Keary Colbert, who signed a three-year, $7.2 million free-agent deal with the Broncos, didn't catch a touchdown pass in his last two years with the Carolina Panthers.
No matter, Shanahan said. After looking at Colbert extensively, the coach said he would still tab him as the starter alongside Marshall right now.
Shanahan even compared Colbert with Ed McCaffrey in that McCaffrey's career didn't fully take off until he joined the Broncos.
"I can't speak for what he did (in Carolina)," Shanahan said. "All I can speak to about him is how we evaluated him: We saw a competitor play hard. Rod Smith was a free agent, Ed McCaffrey was cut, there are a lot of guys like that who make it when they get the opportunity to play. That's what we saw in him."
Colbert caught 47 passes for 754 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2004. In the three seasons since, he has 62 catches for 670 yards and two touchdowns combined.
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April 1, 2008
11:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
Randel writes:
"I thought D.J. was a more natural (weak-side) linebacker," Shanahan said
Thank you captain obvious....
April 1, 2008
11:17 a.m.
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strebman writes:
WOW Shanny, no wonder why the personnel decisions are completely in your hands. Maybe if Bowlen woke up and hired a real GM the team might improve.
April 1, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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broncsbuffshomer28 writes:
Shannys right the Chargers are the best "personel wise in the NFL" maybee the Broncs are no. 2 in the AFC west but only becouse the Chiefs are still in transition and the Raiders are young if they draft McFadden like many say they will and Kiffin can keep egos in check and Russel matures I hate to say it but the Raiders are probably more tallented than our beloved Broncs. Starting T. Henry, K. Colbert, C. Kuper, N. Koutouvides, M. McCree, A. McKinley. I am worried I cant remember when our season depended so much on finding players in the draft I hope the Goodmans are doing thier homework.
April 1, 2008
11:38 a.m.
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ShowMe writes:
Randel is right-on with his comment. Apparently Shanahan also "thought" that Dre Bly could cover someone.
April 1, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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kmeissner writes:
I just hope our DL actually learns how to tackle. Having Moss healthy is a plus.
If Colbert pans out maybe they'll actually get in the End Zone this year. We don't have Elam around to rely on anymore, although he wanted too much money.
Go Broncos!
April 1, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
Shanny is right on one thing, and that is players like Eddie Mac wins championships. You don't need all superstars like Randy Moss or TO. (how many rings do they have?) NONE If Colbert can be a player like that it will be one part of the missing puzzle. Shanny has been trying to find these type of players since the Superbowl days but they haven't worked out. It is hard to scout for heart. It's a crap shoot you don't know until it's to late. Niko Koutouvides sounds like another guy that could be like that. I hear he hits like a truck.
April 1, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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DenverDon writes:
Wow, can any Bronco fan out there remember coming into a new season the last decade or so with so many question marks? Lets see: Punter, PK, offensive left tackle, offensive right tackle, WR, Middle LB, strongside LB, safety, DT, DE, defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, and a big question on Mr. Bowlens cash situation. MULTIPLE poor drafts have caught up to us. I saw this coming, but I was a year or so off. We are going to struggle for a few years I am afraid.
April 1, 2008
12:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
It's comedy how people are saying DJ is a more will (weak side) LB and all, but the dude was 2nd in the league in tackles playing mike(middle LB) People are acting like he had two left feet playing mike. He seemed pretty comfortable and capable in the middle to me.
He and Champ were the only constants on that defense last year.
April 1, 2008
12:07 p.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
Dre Bly is a pretty good corner. Nobody is a complete shut-down corner. Everyone has passes that get by them sometimes. If our D-line was doing what it should, we wouldn't have to rely on the corners so much to defend a pass that never should have left the quarterbacks hand. That kind of play from our D-line is what we need on defense. It would also help to free up the corners and linebackers so that they could help tackle on obvious running plays.
April 1, 2008
12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
Bly is terrible. He has good athletic ability, but has NO discipline. Gets caught peeking into the backfield wayyyyyy too often, and gets constantly victimized because of it.
April 1, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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ShowMe writes:
DJ might have had a lot of tackles, but that's the nature of the position. He got taken out of two many plays...he is better suited for weak side. As far as Bly, I never expected him to be a shut down corner. But until he makes a few clutch plays, I'm not a believer.
April 1, 2008
12:41 p.m.
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bjjdenver writes:
The number of tackles is a bad statistic, it means little. Champ has a high number of tackles as well, all that means is guys were getting into the backfield. Yeah, that is great!!
DJ is a more natural fit outside. He wasn't terrible in the middle, and he was progressing, but this will make our D stronger.
Bly is not terrible. He just is what he is, and that is a big play corner. He will get burned and he will make big plays, that is what he has always been. That is fine, as long as Champ is on the other side shutting wr's down.
welcome to 8-8, and that is only because the Raiders and Chefs stink so bad.
April 1, 2008
12:45 p.m.
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rocketryder writes:
It's really not. There's middle linebackers that have been playing mike for years that have NEVER had as many tackles as DJ had last year. You CANNOT be the 2nd leading tackler in the league and be taken out of "too many" plays as you put it. The ONLY way you can have that many tackles is having a nose for, finding, and being around the football. His numbers dispute your theory. If he woulda been 15th or 20th in the league in tackles playing mike, you would have an excellent argument.
I'm not saying he's the best mike in the game, but his production shows that he definitely can play and excel at the position.
April 1, 2008
1:12 p.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
I wonder how DJ feels about the move?
April 1, 2008
1:25 p.m.
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rocketryder writes:
He's probably cool with it. Gets to run around a bit more, play in space, and get somewhat of a break. Playing the middle is absolutely murder on the body.
Just ask Al Wilson.
April 1, 2008
2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Randel writes:
number of tackles may have something to do with 30th ranked run defense. If the other team is running every play because you can't stop it guess who racks up the tackles? Does that make him good at the position, or product of quantity?
April 1, 2008
3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
Pigskin writes:
Chris Kuper at left tackle. Protecting your franchise's blind side.
Only in Denver ....
April 1, 2008
4:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoRick69 writes:
We may end up getting that left tackle that played with Cutler at Vanderbilt. Cant remember his name at the moment, but where he falls in the draft it's a definite possibility. Hes in the top 15. That would be really nice, and a good long term pick. Otherwise maybe we could trade up and get one of the premiere defensive ends that are available.
April 1, 2008
4:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
firstfan writes:
Pigskin - I don't think you watched the line play very closely last year. Every time opposing DE came after Cutler it was over the right side, Pears and Holland. That is why we had to keep Graham (and Scheffler and Mustard) in so often, to help block. Kuper did a hell of a job.
April 1, 2008
4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
cutlerscrew writes:
the high # of tackles is absolutely a result of teams running it down our throats,and dj was forced to make most of those tackles 4-7 yds downfield h,while when moved back to his natural spot hell only make 1/2 as many but for losses and no gainers....SWEET!
this defense is already way improved over last year with the experience and in many cases recovery of the young players.not to mention the return to bronco football and the elimination of "bates system"
cant wait for the season to start cutler will SHINE when he doesnt have a defense giving up 28 pts a game......GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!
April 1, 2008
5:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
HBBeough writes:
The heat was coming from everywhere last year. Lepsis was worse on the left than Pears was the year before and Graham was better off staying in and blocking with those rock hands.
April 1, 2008
5:14 p.m.
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UncleBuck writes:
Bly led the team in INT's last year and also had some great plays and played hurt yet some of you seasonal fans call him to the table. If you are going to do that, then you better throw Champ and the rest of the defense under the bus while you are at it but remember the passing game is not where they struggled. When a team can run it on 3rd and 9 and get the first down, it is hard to blame the corners.
As far as Kuper goes, I would not read too much into that. It only states that if they lined up today, that is the way it would look but the season is a long ways away and remember there is a draft coming up this month. Don't put your fist through the wall trying to hit the panic button.
April 1, 2008
6:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
cutlerscrew and Randel,
Regardless of the "reason" of DJ having so many tackles, the fact of the matter is that he still had to MAKE the tackle. He still had to make the play in those situations. Ya'll are acting like DJ stumbled on all those tackles and they were handed to him or something. Your job as a middle is to make tackles, and DJ made more than anyone other than Patrick "Bam Bam" Willis. DJ had a huge year last year in the middle, and the proof is in the work. DJ had a better year statistically than DeMeco Ryans of the Texans.
Ryans was the starting middle for the AFC in the Pro Bowl.
But DJ wasn't a good fit and didn't do the job in the middle right?
April 1, 2008
8:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spider writes:
I bet all the posters knocking DJ and Bly are the same ones who kept knocking K-mart when he was injured. He came back to make his critics eat crow and so will DJ and Bly.
April 1, 2008
10:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
aragornzxl writes:
Everyone is hatin on DJ because the Broncos sucked at running. Well guess what, hes the best LB we got now, and we are lucky we got him. If you guys watched any of the broncos game last season, you would have seen that DJ doesnt miss a lot of tackles. Bly missed alot of tackles (which is okay, because hes a CB), even Lynch couldnt wrap somebody up. Abdullah couldnt either and the d-line was getting pushed around. All that to say that DJ's tackle numbers last season were not pure coincidence. Whatever he could get his hands on, he hauled it down. What more do yall want?
April 2, 2008
4:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
AnToneB writes:
DJ has good speed. Having him at weak-side will do wonders. Trust me. Opposing QB's will have problems with that. Niko will be a Beast in the middle,mark my words BEAST. And finally Boss, well he will do exactly the same as DJ his speed will compliment Dre' Bly.. Our denfense will stop the run and rack up interceptions.
April 2, 2008
9:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
hoppman writes:
Keep in mind that one of the reason the corners got burned so many times was that they HAD to peek into the backfield to cheat on run defense. The Broncos were literally playing 11 in the box and they still couldn't stop the run. When you have to cheat and peek you will get burned.
DJ is much better on the weak side if Kuouti can play the middle.
Pears blows, he should be an emergency backup at best. Lepsis played the left side and wasn't at his best but he didn't get nearly the help that Pears got on the right. Graham dropped a few passes but so did many of the other receivers, if the Broncos could put him and Scheffler out in the pattern with the wideouts, that would be tough to cover. I am not convinced that the tackles we currently have on the team can do the job one on one.
April 2, 2008
10:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
Hoppman,
Nice try, but bad logic. The corners didn't HAVE to do that first of all, and peeking into the backfield is not done to "cheat" on run support. Your first and primary duty as a corner is coverage and the receiver, and as a corner, your first thoughts should be pass, not run. When you properly diagnose the play and determing that it is a run, THEN you come up for support.
Peeking into the backfield is done to try and see where the QB is trying to go with the ball by watching his eyes. When you do that, you tend to lose track of the man you are covering. At that point, the ball is usually delivered to that receiver who should be open. So it's bad irony. You peek to try to try to see where the ball is going, and it ends up going where you SHOULD have been.
Ask Dre Bly about that.
April 2, 2008
12:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
UncleBuck writes:
rocketryder you are wrong. Players read a qb to see where they are going with the ball. Players look, peak or whatever into the backfield to try to read the play as far as run, pass, left, right, middle, etc. and when a team is struggling with the run like Denver was last year they are more motivated to try and help the run defense than normal.
Ask Champ Bailey about that.
April 2, 2008
12:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
chartguy writes:
Shanny's living in fantasyland, if he thinks anything he's done has "closed the gap" with San Diego. Losing Elam widened the gap, a lot.
April 2, 2008
12:32 p.m.
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DJRMTNSPF writes:
Blah Blah Blah. All the complaining about Dre Bly and positive comments by Shanahan don't mean a thing without improvement on the defensive line. Getting a broke down Jet's defensive tackle is just another mistake waiting to happen. The defense can have all the bells and whistles (corners, LBs, and safetys) it wants but with out a solid foundation (DTs and ends), they will get run and passed on again this year.
April 2, 2008
3:53 p.m.
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kerrdawg writes:
Williams did have a lot of tackles last year, but anyone who watched the game could see he was not comfortable in the middle. The guy is a solid tackler and extremely athletic, but he just doesn't have the instincts to play in the middle. How many times did you see him meet the ball carrier in the whole? Not many. Moving back to his natural weakside position will allow him to dominate. We will see him in the pro bowl this year.
April 2, 2008
6:38 p.m.
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mkstep1 writes:
I've been a Broncos fan for 25 years , but have never lived in Denver. I just read The Rocky Mountain News online to keep up with my favorite team. I live in Nashville and see and hear Titans fans here that are completely supportive of their team in good times AND bad , and I've got to say that you so called fans in Denver that whine , cry , and bash your team every chance you get, are really pathetic.Fact is , the people that criticize Shanahan for the moves he makes are nothing but armchair quarterbacks and really don't know much about football. Ever wonder why the Packers have such a massive fan base?It's because they know how to truly support their team and they don't bash them just because they don't understand all the offseason moves their team makes. LIGHTEN UP!!! The reason our defense sucked last year is because Bates sucked and half of our defensive starters were out for the season! Now , Bates is gone and everybody's injuries have healed....and we've filled the holes we needed to fill. So kwitchyabitchin and show a little support. Otherwise go bitch about some other team. GO BRONCOS!!!!!
April 2, 2008
8:51 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Right on mkstep1. I live in Vegas (although I lived in Colorado Springs for over 25 years). I go to my Bronco bar ritually and I support my team. I am constantly reading from morons who either talk trash about the team they "supposedly" admire, or are Raider fans reading up on Denver because they're scared. These "glass-half-empty", idiots need to to either support their team or just shut the hell up, already!
April 2, 2008
9:06 p.m.
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NZBronco writes:
I know the run D wasn't pretty last season but I think it was more of a scheme problem...I also don't think the D-line is a bigger problem as its made out to be, especially DE. There are a lot of guys who can contribute there on different downs and Dumervil needs one more good season to establish himself as a legitimate speed rush guy in the NFL. Therefore I dont think we need to draft a DE high in the draft if at all. Could maybe use some help at DT though but I would wait until the 2nd round, maybe even the fourth. Priorities should be finding a franchise OT in the first round (Williams or Clady) or Mendenhall. Thereafter DT, OL, S, WR/KR, K. Just my 2 cents!!
Just out of interest...do the people who bag the Broncs on these boards hibernate when the team does well?
April 2, 2008
10:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
GridironFan writes:
It's funny to listen to some of you spout your knowledge of the game, especially about the corners responsibilty versus the run. Rocketryder - you have a great knowledge of basic DB responsibilities (for a pop warner team). At the higher levels of FB, the corners have run/pass responsibilites based on the coverage called. Since most pro teams run some version of a cover 6 (quarter-quarter-half), it is entirely possible that Dre' or Champ had some run-force responsibilities. Hang in there fans - we are working to get better!!! Go BRONCOS.
April 3, 2008
12:58 a.m.
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csloan999 writes:
I'm so sick of reading these message boards with all the downers and know-it-alls. If I didn't know any better, I'd think this was a Dolphins newspaper and that our team went 1-15 last year.
News Flash: The sky is not falling, the sun will rise, and we'll be fine. Like him or not, Shannahan has put together the best, most consistent franchise over the last 13 years. The other 100 coaches that have come and gone over this time can't even match up to Shannahan's success over his tenure...so how the heck can you?
In other words, shut up and make suggestions rather than snidy personal attacks that do nothing but make you look like a depressed maniac.
April 3, 2008
10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
Gridironfan,
I played corner/safety from pop warner to my senior year of college at a PAC 10 school. So my knowledge and understanding of the position is pretty detailed. I've probably played more downs of football in high school than you ever have.
I have two words for you and unclebuck. PLAY ACTION. Exposes a cheating, peeking corner every time. The game is too fast, receivers are too fast, QB's deliver the ball too quickly for corners to constantly peek into the backfield. All that is needed is a 1/2 second hesitation for a receiver to be open. Not sure if you've ever played corner in your life, but if you have, you would understand this.
The main knock on Bly is his penchant to "peek" or cheat. He got absolutely destroyed last season because he got caught "peeking" too often, and was easily suckered on play action and double moves. Offenses knew this, and took advantage of him. Bly is a great talent at corner, but his peeking and bad habits leave him exposed too often. The d-line couldn't get push on the pocket, and Nick Ferguson and Lynch ain't exactly the rangiest of safeties, so there was a lot of money to be made in the secondary.
There's two easier ways to tell wether the play is gonna be a run or a pass and they're called pre-snap, and downline keys. You learn how to read them correctly, and they're pretty accurate. Watch Champ closely. He rarely peeks into the backfield because he reads his keys so well. He ain't the best in the business entirely on his physical ability.
I know as a corner you provide run support, but that's exactly what it is. Support. Your primary duty as a corner is coverage, and you're taught to assume pass before run. Again. These are things that you understand if you've actually played the position. Just like a linebackers primary duty is stopping the run. Linebackers are taught to think run, then pass. That's why they are taught that their first step should always be forward at the snap.
So gridironfan, if you wanna chat about the game and my understanding of it, lemme know.
April 3, 2008
10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
rocketryder writes:
csloan999,
Newsflash. there are a lot of knowledgeable fans in here who know what they're talking about. There are a lot of people in here that have been lifelong Bronco fans. People in here know what success and a good Bronco team looks like thanks to Mike Shanahan. In the 90's he was good for putting together talented, solid football teams. People in here know a contender when they see one. They also know when they don't see success and a good football team. And right now, we don't see it. Yeah Shanahan was successful in the 90's with his approach, but he had a different formula then than he appears to have now. The Broncos have wayyyyyyyy too many question marks right now, and people are concerned.
Just because you appear to be delusional and in complete denial about the state of the team right now doesn't mean others in here should be as well.
April 3, 2008
6:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
6_is_the_new_7 writes:
The Broncos will be fine. Have faith. Stay true to them. If the Giants can win it all last year anything is possible. And I'm not being delusional, just optimistic. I don't agree with everything Shanahan does either, but I do think we will be very competitive again this as usual. With certain breaks here and there I have to think we have as good a shot at it all as the Giants had last year.
April 3, 2008
8:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
GridironFan writes:
Rocketryder -
I was unaware of your obvious prowess when it comes to the CB position. Were you the boundary corner or the field corner? When playing the pass, did you read drops or the stem? How about reading flow? Was your team a flow read or a key read? Probably both. Since you played in the Pac 10, did you guys match personnel or play with your base d most of the time? These are questions that I am trying to learn myself.
As far as Dre', you are right that the knock on him is that he "guesses" too often. You are equally as accurate when talking about the range of our safeties. (By the way, although not as much prestige as a Pac 10 school, I played strong safety in WAC, well what used to be the WAC, now the Mountain West)We should have some good discussions.
April 3, 2008
9:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
JSpicoli writes:
I am "hopeful" everyday is Christmas. Shanny is circling the drain.
April 4, 2008
1:25 a.m.
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tschlem writes:
Hi there,
Lifetime bronco fan, first time sports artical comment reader here. Wow! I'm glad I don't have any fans. I hate to point out the obvious but here it is. If anyone of us really knew better than Mike Shanahan about whats best for the Broncos, we wouldn't be here whinning about it. We would be too busy coaching. It probably wouldn't be in the NFL though. Only the few who have actually proven their coaching abilities, are given that privilidge.
Mike Shanahan is a shoe in for the hall of fame, after he retires. I remember the years before MS became the head coach. Most of the people around here, dreaded another trip to the superbowl. It was too painful to watch them get blown out again. That all changed because of MS. The broncos are widly reguarded around the league as having one of the best organizations in the NFL. That wasn't the case before MS came to town.
No team can have great seasons every year. You may be good for a few years, and if your lucky you can streach it into several years. But time catches up with us all, and sooner or later the time will come, when you need to rebuild your talent base. That takes time... no exceptions! Just ask the Chargers. You can't get to the top, without spending some time at the bottom.
It's always easy to punch holes into other peoples efforts. Anyone can do it. Usually the more ignorant the person, the better they are at it. If bitching about the shortfalls of the local sports collective is truley importaint to you, I suggest you GET A LIFE! Or worse become a sports beat writer... they may indeed actually have lives, but there's never been any intelligent proof of it, that I've ever seen.
There are more importaint things happening around the world than sports. Certinly there are better areas for focuse... an insane man who gets elected president and then starts a second war just to satisfy his own personal vendettas might be one such area. Or the poor troops who are reenlisted against their will, after bravely serving their original commintments might be another.
The mighty broncos might be fun to watch, but it dosn't really matter if they win their division or not. These are very young men, who have been pampered, and spoiled since they were in highschool, and are now paid an insaine and imoral amount of money to play a childs game for a living. We make heros and role models out of them anyway. Then we have the tamerity to tear them down, when they don't live up to the lofty task. Games should not be mistaken as heroic epics. The solders who fight our wars, even when they are denied proper equipment and protection; are the ones who have what it takes to become real heros. Lest we forget!
Don't bother sending a barbed reply to this. I won't be back. If I wanted more senseless bitching in my life; I'd get married again. See you ladies on the funny pages.
April 4, 2008
12:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
vvsignin writes:
Stop the bickering, it's pathetic.