Ax falls on Broncos GM
Sundquist's firing comes after spending 16-plus years with club
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
Ted Sundquist was “very disappointed” to lose his job as Broncos general manager after 16-plus seasons with the team.
What does the sudden departure of general manager Ted Sundquist say about the current state of the Broncos?
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
Ted Sundquist was “very disappointed” to lose his job as Broncos general manager after 16-plus seasons with the team.
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The shocking news of Ted Sundquist's "immediate" departure as general manager of the Broncos came via a terse three-paragraph release from the team Wednesday evening.
Even more stunning: Sundquist getting the word in similarly abrupt fashion from coach Mike Shanahan only about an hour earlier that he had been fired after six seasons in the job and more than 1 1/2 decades with the organization.
Director of player personnel Jim Goodman and assistant general manager Jeff Goodman will have expanded duties in football operations. Joe Ellis, the club's chief operating officer, will help on "operational and administrative issues related to football" in Sundquist's place.
No other new hires are expected.
"I'm very disappointed," Sundquist said when reached by phone. "I've been with the club for 16-plus seasons and loved every minute of it. I started at the bottom and worked my way up to become general manager of an NFL team and certainly have a great deal of love and admiration for the organization.
"I had envisioned myself being general manager of the Denver Broncos my entire working life and really thought that would happen. So for it to end this way, I'm very disappointed."
As Shanahan's right-hand man, Sundquist had wide-ranging power but still lacked final authority.
But Sundquist orchestrated a slew of moves in recent years, including trades for Champ Bailey and Dre Bly and draft maneuvering that landed quarterback Jay Cutler while working hard to improve the club's salary-cap health.
He was well-respected in the agent and player-evaluation communities, serving on the board of directors of National Football Scouting.
But it appears a disconnect between Shanahan and Sundquist became untenable from the side that mattered most.
"I'm proud of what I accomplished as general manager of this football team," Sundquist said.
Yet the Broncos' 7-9 finish - and two straight years out of the playoffs - appears to have made Shanahan agitated behind the scenes, which has been reflected in his offseason moves.
Defensive coordinator Jim Bates left instead of accepting a demotion. Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger bolted in essentially a lateral job move to Tennessee. And Mike Lombardi, brought into the personnel department to gauge the team's talent level, submitted his report and immediately wasn't retained.
Now, Sundquist is history, too.
"I'm very surprised," Sundquist said.
Owner Pat Bowlen, who promoted Sundquist to general manager instead of perhaps losing him to the Atlanta Falcons in January 2002, was unavailable for comment.
Ellis and Jim Goodman also did not return calls.
While saying he was "grateful" for Sundquist's contributions, Shanahan said in a statement, "Now is the time for our organization to move forward and look at new directions. We are prepared to do so, starting with our ongoing draft planning, and along with continuing preparations for our minicamps and training camp."
Sundquist, 45, had signed an extension through the 2008 season, with a joint option for 2009.
MYERS TO VISIT TEXANS: Center/guard Chris Myers, a restricted free agent whose versatility proved valuable last season as an NFL starter for the first time, will visit the Houston Texans today.
The Broncos offered Myers the low tender last month of $927,000, giving the club an opportunity to match any contract put forth by another club.
Houston would only owe a sixth-round pick if Myers is signed away, reflecting his original draft round.
Comments
Posted by Spidey on March 12, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good riddance to him! Lately, I'm not quite comfortable with his job performance especially his involvement with draft and free agency. Think fresh new and better GM will do Broncos some good.
Posted by joeblow on March 12, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmmmm. Yes, this guy needs to be held accountable for the last several years of dismal football. But, so too should the head coach. Seems like Mike Shanahan is more directly responsible for the team's success than the GM since Shanahan's the de facto GM, too.
It's always interesting that when a player is in a contract year or is in a position where he has no leverage his contract is negotiated down. When the coach, however, is responsible for mediocre results, nothing happens! I'd like to read just one time about Mike Shanahan losing money for his coaching.
Posted by GreeleyNugz on March 12, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would Mike Shanahan lose money?????????? Hes won two superbowls idiot!!!! Just because were going through some down years doesnt mean we have to fire our coach.... Shanahan is a Bronco figure getting rid of him would be like the Pakers getting rid of Favre when they sucked.. In case you didnt know it is possible for the broncos to have a couple bad years.....
Posted by queenjacyln on March 12, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think this is a bad move. Anything to help the Broncos I support. And out personnel decisions were definitely not on par last year.
But what concerns me is that the Broncos keep losing people and not adding anyone. We lose our offensive coordinator and replace him with nothing. Our defensive coordinator leaves and we just move some people around and call Slowik the D coordinator. We lose our GM and now we are not replacing him with anyone? How does that make sense? Was the problem with the Broncos too many chefs in the kitchen and these subtractions are actually additions? Or is this giving Shanny 100% control over the ship when he might be the problem? I really think if someone wrote an article about that it would be insightful.
Posted by Cutler6 on March 12, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
queenjacyln, maybe that is a good thing, you know what they say "too many cooks"... Maybe this way the communication is better and less coaches to have to run through to get things done.
Posted by joeblow on March 12, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yo, Greeleynugz,
A child born the year the Broncos/Shanahan last won the Super Bowl would now be ten years old! To quote another football coach, 'this ain't intermurals!'.
In professional sports you're paid to win. You aren't supposed to get blown out by the Lions!!!! You also are supposed to play respectably against the Chargers! Tell us, Greeley, what were those scores?
Greeleyboy, take a breather. Sit down, compose yourself and learn to spell Packers. It's not Pakers, you slug!
Posted by broncsbuffshomer28 on March 12, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow! didnt see this comming. dont worry queenjaclyn Im sure Krieger is writing a nice long article right now and Let me guess. shanny's playing the blame game, has to much power bla bla bla. I like that the broncs are hiring from within and change can only be for the best after last season.
Posted by Denver81 on March 12, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow joe, you must be a real item, to be telling someone else to "take a breather," I think you need to take your own advice. slug?! seriously?
Posted by DenverGold on March 12, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So Shanny has won two Superbowls...well...what have you done for Denver lately? That is the real question. All I see is upheaval and dismay...the team is losing personnel like rats abandoning a burning ship. It will be a long time before the Broncos ever see the Superbowl..maybe they should have built a covered-dome stadium so they can field one sooner.
Posted by am2fun4u on March 12, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As usaul, Wanna Be Shanny still doesn't want to be held accountable! Maybe he'll draft a couple more jail birds, drunks, women beaters and still have some excuses left!
Posted by Wizard_of_Id on March 12, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ted was the latest scapegoat of mikey. Bates went first, The Dinger could not wait to make a lateral move to get the hell out of DEN.
We all know that even if he knew what he was doing, mikey makes all the decisions. That is until this year when Pat Bowlen finally put his foot down and made it clear mikeys way of building a team was no longer the way it was going to be DONE..
Glad to see Ted go I hope they were stuck with your salary through 2009. Perhaps it will come out of mikeys year end bonus..
BTW do not hold your breath about getting a REAL GM mike has already farmed out teds job to more lackys under hs thumb..
Posted by dano on March 13, 2008 at 4:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ted brought us the worst defensive linemen, year after year. Good riddance and hope you stay in the AFC Worst with Oakland.
Posted by gwats on March 13, 2008 at 5:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When a fish starts to stink, it begins at the head. I see a a lot of dead meat here, but the dead meat that matters is still in the Pot. Shanahan's head should have been on the plate the day after the season ended @ 7-9 for the second no-playoff year. Ready for a third?
Here comes the new boss... same as the old boss....
Posted by Broncos4Life on March 13, 2008 at 6:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What are you saying that the Broncos are having "down years"? It's been 10 "down" years now. If they showed some improvement I could agree with that statement, but they got blown out several times this last year, the running game is non-existent, the O-line is too old at its core position(center), the rest of the line is a mystery of unknowns. The D-line can't pressure the QB, the linebackers are playing out of position, the defensive backfield is getting older. The biggest thing is there is NO DEPTH to buy some time while we're in a "down" year. Why? Because Shanahan brought in the lowly Browns defense instead of drafting for the future, drafted Maurice Clarett when no one else would touch him. These are just examples of his genius. His past success has given him a delusional thought that everything he does will turn to gold, so far all we've seen is lead! While Sundquist is partially responsible, it all comes back to Shanahan! Time to face the facts, John Elway is'nt coming back anytime soon, Bowlen needs to make a move at the top.
Posted by vudumom on March 13, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shanahan,has complete control over the team.Pat Bowlen gave him that.Shanahan has only himself to blame.
Posted by cj1030lee on March 13, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shanny has complete control, but he still relies on others to do their work. Our D sucked last year. So Bates got fired. Our passing game wasn't good. So Dinger left. We weren't getting good players for our system. So GM had to go. But... Shanny better make sure he has a good draft this year. His seat just got little warmer.
Posted by joeblow on March 13, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Den81,
Actually, I am a "real item." Aren't we all? And I will take a breather while you justify 'Bronco Football'. Is 7-9 'Bronco Football?' Is having the worst or one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Lions, blow you out 'Bronco Football?' Ten points in two games against the Chargers 'Bronco Football?'
Yeah, I'll take a breather while you show me and everyone else the silver lining and how Mike Shanahan is earning his pay. Incidentally, John Lynch (who's not my favorite player) earned his pay last season then took a pay cut. Where's Mr. Bronco Football on this point?
My 'breather' is starting now. I'm waiting.
Incidentally, I don't eat and breath Bronco football. Did you know you can get a great tee time when the Broncos play on Sunday?
Posted by BMat on March 13, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How does a head coach fire a GM anyway?
When Schotty got canned in SD it was the GM that did it.
Maybe the Bronco's and Shanny's recent failures are due to a dysfunctional family structure.
This team is set up to win w/ Elway, Davis and Sharpe. Problem is they're all long since retired.
Posted by Patriot on March 13, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey joeblow, it might not be as easy this year to get those t times, a lot of broncos followers have grown weary of watching Shanny Ball, he has no motivational skills what so ever, and was only a geniass, when Elway was here, no reason to believe this season will be any different than the last several, so I bought a new set of irons to keep me entertained this season. OH and for those who can't figure it out, geniass is purposely misspelled.
Posted by T1anda on March 13, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who should Bowlen replace Shanahan with?? Maybe Bobby Petrino??? Bwahahaha!!
Posted by xbfan on March 13, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since Shanahan has the final say in everything, he is the one that should be taking the blame for the Broncos flopping. Everyone else has been replaced numerous times. Bowlen needs to take control of the club he owns and get rid of the real problem, Shanahan.
Posted by mmurphypci on March 13, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One wonders why the Bronco's problems are always due to someone other than Bowlen and Shanahan. We had a 7-9 record and were rewarded with an incrase in ticket prices. When we, the public, paid for a new stadium many of us were rewarded with worse seat than we originally had in Mile High. Is it time for a change at the very top of the Broncos? You decide but I believe most of us fans who have been season ticket holders for more than 40 years think so.
Posted by Squatch on March 13, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem here is the Broncos needed to rebuild right after Elway retired but just like Bush wouldnt admit to it. It got put off and now 10 years later we are just finally doing it they have some pretty good pieces to do that.
Posted by afvx3 on March 13, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not surprising, Shanahan is just paving the way for himself to move out of coaching and into the front office. (Can you say Bill Parcells) The buck does stop with him and two disappointing seasons fall squarely on his shoulders. Once he's general manager he'll eternally have someone to blame.....head coaches! Something stinks in Bronco land.
Posted by dillard on March 13, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh reallly!Who cares!Gas appproaching $4 a gallon,home forclosures up,home equity down, food cost through the roof.
To most Americans a GM of a football team losing his job means nothing. On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a -5.
Posted by junglegymco on March 13, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shanahan needs to stop passing the buck and Bowlen needs to not let personal feeelings get the way of doing the right thing for the Broncos. Stop letting Shanahan off the hook and fire him.
Posted by Shaupeen on March 13, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
But you forget, dillard, this is Denver, and the broncos rule Denver. We could discover the cure for cancer, but if the Broncos make a roster move or win two in a row, THAT would get the front page of both papers--not the cancer cure.
Fortunately, there are a lot of good things about living in Denver that make it bearable. Until training camp starts. Then I recommend taking a looong vacation to somewhere else.
Posted by Spencer on March 13, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shanny is on probation. Produce this year or else.
Posted by Squatch on March 13, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I get the same feeling about Shanahan Spencer.
Posted by RustyWon on March 13, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is more than a little alarming that people are leaving the organization in droves recently. It wasn't that long ago that we were the "place to be". Shanahan is still well thought of by Broncos fans, but he needs to have a great draft and a great season (playoffs at least) or the mood will change.
Hey how about those Rockies!?
Posted by OrangeCrush_77 on March 13, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How many Coaches get to fire a GM? If you've got an IQ over 60, you should be smart enough to know that Shanny has every ounce of power in this organization. So, how can anyone possibly think that the last ten years of crappy drafts, rotten free-agency and mediocre play are anyone Else's fault.
The writing is on the wall and, although I will always love Shanny for helping us win Two Championships, at some point it has to become apparent that this is not working. From here on out, there can be no more scapegoating!!!
Posted by Big_D on March 13, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Bates was the main problem but as only a fan I don't see what happens off the field.
Posted by blackvetteman on March 13, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'M a true blue bronco fan,but this is getting crazy. How many more people can Shanhan fire before he must take a serious look at the man in the mirror.I truely believe he has lost his touch just as all the great coaches before him. Jimmy Johnson also won 2 superbowls and departed as did Bill Cowher after winning one. Bill Bellichick(sp)was fired after winning a championship which actually occured after the Broncos 2 victories. Time For Mike to move on and quit blaming everyone else.
Posted by d27will on March 13, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it that most of the people on here seem to think that Shannahan was the problem this season? Let's think about this logically here. I think that we Broncos fans have enough intelligence to do that, don't we? I think everyone will agree that the biggest problem we had this year was on defense, correct? They couldn't stop anyone, which kept the offense off of the field for too long, not allowing them to build any kind of rhythm. The defense played without emotion, which demonstates a lack of ON-FIELD leadership, not sideline leadership. John Lynch was supposed to be the main leader of this defense since Wilson left. So Ted goes on TV and starts talking about how much ablility Lynch has lost...Lynch, the guy that the coaching staff is counting on to lead that YOUNG defense! Come on, how can anyone expect the young guys to follow/listen to someone that has "lost a lot of his ability" due to age? Ted took the on-field leadership away from that defense. He deserves what he got. Shannahan is still a top five coach in the league when he's not undermined by someone that has no idea what is actually happening ON THE FIELD!
Posted by bronxs136 on March 13, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the title next to Mike Shanahan name: Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Head Coach. It seems to be that sunquist is taking the fall for Shanahan's position. When your the president that means your overall responsible for all players that are signed. You giving your blessing and your authority to make this happen. Its suppose to be in the best interest for the team. Well it goes to say that Shanahan isn't the great mastermind that everyone thinks he is. Another guy that is in power that doesn't think the rules apply to him. At least spizer came forward and admitted his guilt. All Shanahan does is hide behind Pat Bowlen's friendship and think that he's doing a great job. Last time that I checked the Bronco's went to the big dance 1998 and haven't done anything since Mr. Elway retired. Its time Bronco's Nation that Shanahan step up and be a man and say that he's made some huge gross mistakes in evaluating talent and signing a whole bunch of has-been players that were over the hill and most couldn't play in the league to begin with. Hey Shanahan do us all a favor and resign with some shred of dignity left.
Posted by Cutler6 on March 13, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Although I too am a bit sceptical with regards to Shanny's ability to run the show. What I do see as with any good coporation run by the top exec. , is maybe Shanny is saying since I am in charge and things have gotten a little stagnant, I am going to put people in the organization into spots that can better ustilize their talents and give us all a fresh perspective.
1. Sign a bunch of high profile free agents to turn things around the last 3 to 4 years(didn't work)
2.Team meeting and make a statement by letting go all these high profile players that were supposed to make a difference. (didnt' work)
3. Shake up the coaching staff (?)
4. Shake up the front office (?)
And yes step five may be letting go of the head coach, but any CEO good or bad is going to try and turn things around by any other means possible, before taking themselves out of the equation
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