Shanahan, ex-GM not on same page
By Lee Rasizer and Jeff Legwold
Published March 13, 2008 at 10:13 p.m.
Photo by Ed Andrieski/Associated Press/2001
Ted Sundquist, left, and coach Mike Shanahan worked on many drafts together, but apparently the pair had drifted apart on personnel issues in recent seasons.
ANALYSIS
Mike Shanahan said after the season that he took full responsibility for his team's failures and that getting back to a league power was "on him."
If it wasn't before, it is now.
The firing of general manager Ted Sundquist on Wednesday means there's no one to blame but the man in the mirror if the Broncos again fall short of expectations.
His defensive coordinator (again) is hand-picked.
His offensive coordinator is Mike Shanahan, for all intents and purposes.
And the palpable tension that apparently made life so dysfunctional that his second in command had to go has been removed, too.
The organization privately bristled Thursday at the notion of chaos reigning inside the walls of Dove Valley in the wake of such moves, even if no one would speak publicly at such a delicate time.
Owner Pat Bowlen was in Florida preparing for the upcoming owners meetings and was unavailable. Shanahan's policy is he doesn't comment from his season-ending news conference until those same meetings later this month.
Yet the feeling behind the scenes appeared to be things should be calmer, even if the timing of Sundquist's move just a few weeks into free agency and six weeks before the draft has left many in the NFL shaking their heads.
The plan moving forward calls for a team-oriented approach, with Shanahan again having final say.
Jim Goodman, starting his second decade with the Broncos as a talent evaluator after 22 years in the college coaching ranks, lacks the general manager title but will have his hands all over the pro and college scouting process.
His son, Jeff, whose remarkable rise from second-year area scout to 29-year-old assistant general manager is one of the biggest side stories this Broncos offseason, will help. The younger Goodman also will put his law degree to use in contract negotiations.
And Joe Ellis, who already oversees business matters, seems poised to take charge of the video, training and equipment staffs under the new power structure.
Mike Bluem will continue monitoring the salary cap.
Sundquist handled many of those duties previously. He met with agents, brokered deals, scrutinized tape of prospects and oversaw scouts.
But there was a disconnect ultimately with Shanahan that couldn't be bridged, building over years, not days - even if Sundquist appeared to be blindsided by the news when he was informed Wednesday evening.
On the surface, it would be simple to call it another power play by a coach who essentially has free rein, answering to no one but Bowlen, who rarely gives him the red light.
There might have been some elements of that scenario. The team brought personnel man Mike Lombardi into Sundquist's department without his say. The club then added Jeff Goodman.
It's possible Sundquist viewed those moves as encroaching on his territory. He already was in the position of running the show without final authority. Was it help or further interference?
The outgoing general manager declined to address that situation in an interview after his hasty departure, letting his comments about being "very disappointed" in the firing stand.
Clearly, though, from the club's view, the additions were meant to lighten the load. And, at the same time, Sundquist was seen as resistant of that change.
Instead of using his resources, its thinking went, he put an inordinate load on his own shoulders, dulling his ability to give full attention when he was spread so thin, and that status somehow got in the way of results.
Cracks, in particular, were palpable within the last week, insiders say, with Sundquist charged with indoctrinating the younger Goodman into the fold. The pair did work in concert during meetings with agents at the scouting combine with Sundquist running those meetings and Goodman offering input. Shanahan did not attend the scouting combine.
Still, the biggest rub of all might have been the decision- making process itself.
Shanahan and Sundquist were drifting apart on personnel. Their styles clashed.
Sundquist's personnel staff could offer their accumulated insights on various players in college and the pros, only to be shot down later by the coach (see Tatum Bell, Simeon Rice and Daryl Gardener in football reference books).
On the other hand, it appears Shanahan was frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of strong conviction by Sundquist. Pros and cons were laid out on various players, but strong opinions on whether they should be pursued aggressively weren't offered more and more as time passed.
One thing was clear in this personnel instance: The ultimate call regarding the new direction of the front office was Shanahan's alone.
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March 13, 2008
11:37 p.m.
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Spidey writes:
Makes sense... team players need to be on ONE page, and no need to have conflicts of difference
March 14, 2008
12:36 a.m.
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superchop7 writes:
It's a new day, looking in the rearview mirror gets you "nowhere".
March 14, 2008
1:03 a.m.
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csloan999 writes:
I'm starting to worry Mike's plate is getting too full as more people are shown the door. He's got the 3 biggest positions on the team -- Head Coach, GM, and Offensive Coordinator. I know he's probably the best man for each of those jobs individually, but once you start piling the work on it will begin to diminish. Even Bill Gates never took care of ALL the details at Microsoft, even though he clearly was the best man for any of the jobs there.. It's an analogous situation here. Division of labor has been proven effective for years now in the business world, and it's probably time for Mike to spread some of his duties to others...
March 14, 2008
1:14 a.m.
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rwlightburn writes:
Is Shanahan turning into a Dan Reeves? The coach who wanted all the power. The one who stifled Shanahan as a young coordinator. It is coming full circle for Shanahan. He better improve or move (on).
March 14, 2008
4:09 a.m.
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warrengfunk7 writes:
I'm sad that the broncos didn't use Javon Walker and Ian Gold to trade for a single upgrade player in return. Or a solid draft pick or something. they may have had off seasons, but Walker obviously had great value still and Gold is a better than average LB'er. There a lot of teams that would have given up something of value for both those players.
Denver could have thrown in it's 12th Overall pick with Walker and Gold and traded the package to a team for a top 5 Overall draft pick!
Something, there was something to be had out there and Denver released them to save like $150,000 against the salary cap. What's the cap? $50 or $60 million? $150,000 against that kind of cap is nothing.
What a waste, I would have fired the GM too!
March 14, 2008
5:52 a.m.
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sll writes:
Wow. Lee and Jeff, you guys had unprecedented access, and obviously Mike felt this needed to be outlined to the public.
The firing makes sense, as presented here...
March 14, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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incognitoboy writes:
"Sundquist's personnel staff could offer their accumulated insights on various players in college and the pros, only to be shot down later by the coach (see Tatum Bell, Simeon Rice and Daryl Gardener in football reference books)."
okay, so tell us exactly WHAT this means......that sunny's group recommended AGAINST these guys, only to see shanny hire them?
or;
sunny's group thought these guys would work out, and ultimately shanny let them go?
could you be more specific please?
btw, warrengfunk7 - tell me which team with a top 5 pick you think would have traded that pick for those 2 guys and the #12......i can't see which one would have been that gullible. all teams watch tape, y'know!
so which one,,,,miami? doubt it with parcells in charge
st, louis? nah....
atlanta? far bigger need at QB
oakland? maybe, but they got walker anyway and look how much they paid for him....BWAhahahaha!!!
kansas city?....maybe, but really, why would we want to strengthen one of our division rivals? those 2 additions would have only helped those sad ba$tards....
March 14, 2008
9:20 a.m.
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DougH writes:
Ted's decisions and recommendations were routinely shot down by Shanahan and now Mike says Ted lacked strong convictions.
The Mastermind is just looking for a fall guy for all of his bad drafting and poor judgment on free agents.
I am sure it is not easy for Mike to be the Supreme Ruler for Life when everyone around him keeps screwing up. Maybe some day Bowlen will figure it out.
March 14, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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myerda00 writes:
Here again some of these posts are 'fans' that see the 'glass half empty' and need to get facts correct. Shanahan is NOT GM, check Broncos web site under staff, he is EVP/HC. Now you GHE fans will say 'well he has final say, hum.
When Mike Lombardi was brought in, in 2006, the writing was on the wall. At that time the Post writers questioned if this could be the end of Sundquist.
March 14, 2008
10:25 a.m.
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gunner writes:
Where will all of you Shanny supporters be when the team goes 6-10 this year, or even worse? My guess is you'll all be calling for his head on a platter. This was a power move by a power-hungry individual, plain and simple. So when the team fails next year, he should do the right thing and resign. Denver was stupid to let Kubiak go to Houston.
March 14, 2008
10:35 a.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
I totally agree with the last comment about Letting Kubiak go to Houston, but is it wise(or even legal)to try to stop someone from fulfilling their career goals?
Watch out for Houston next season, people. They are a great organization.
March 14, 2008
10:38 a.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
I give Shanahan one more season to get it right. If Denver doesnt make the playoffs next season, prepare for a head coaching change in Denver. It's almost like Shanahan is setting it up that way. I mean there really will be no-one else to blame, will there. I am a die-hard Broncos fan, but when it's time to go, it's time to go.
March 14, 2008
11:13 a.m.
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OrangeCrush_77 writes:
Yeah, Incognito, I too am intrigued by the exact meaning of the Bell, Rice, Gardener reference. It'd be nice to know who was on what side of those arguments.
And, Myerda00, I hear what you are saying about Lombardi, but he was released a while ago. From what I read, he turned in a report that essentially offered an overall talent evaluation - and then was relieved of his duties. I could be wrong, but that's what I heard. And, I don't think examining all of this means that we are "glass half-empty" fans. Quite the contrary. This is pretty seminal stuff which will, in the end, play a role in whatever direction the Broncos proceed. It could be a good thing, or a bad thing, but in the end these events will help determine the Broncos (and Shanny's) future.
March 14, 2008
11:18 a.m.
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joeblow writes:
Superchop,
Looking in the rearview mirror won't help?
Hmmm. Now where did I hear or read that those who forget mistakes in the past are doomed to repeat them?
No. That doesn't make sense. Let's shoot for another 7-9 record, a couple of blowouts, a couple of games won by miracle and sheer medocrity.
Accountability? Who needs it? Take that rearview mirror off the truck and throw it away!!!
March 14, 2008
1:15 p.m.
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BobbyJack writes:
Shanny needs an offensive coordinator is the worst way. Ever since Kubiak left the play calling has been dismal. You can't run the offense from the sidelines. That's gotta be done from the booth. You run the game STRATEGY from the sidelines.
They say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Hey Coach....IT'S BROKE!
March 14, 2008
2:47 p.m.
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slade writes:
I cannot speak for the Gardner/Rice acquistions but in regards to Tatum Bell, Bobby Turner was the one high on this kid. It was his persuasion that prompted Mike to go in this direction. I can only assume due to Bell's drafting that the other two ,Gardner and Rice, were also the final say of Shanny's. Tatum Bell has a lazy eye and folks, you need good field vision to run in this league. We dumped the dead weight in Bell and Foster for what looks like to be burnt toast in Dre Bly................but the jury is out on him until we add a few more fat a$$es in the middle to get some pressure. But yeah, Bobby wanted Portis 2, the sequel and Tatum, while fast enough to outrun the devil, didn't have the quick feet or relative durability of Clinton so he was ousted. Hope that helps.
March 14, 2008
3:05 p.m.
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slade writes:
One other thing...........I fell in love with Tatum Bell coming out of OSU because of his timed speed and college scouting reports, specifically his YPC. What happens to him when he gets to play with the big boys? Here is my synopsis/scouting of the current version of the "PRO BELL".
STENGHTS: Speed. A "chance" to take it the distance anytime he touches the ball. A glider who displays nice change of direction skills in open space with an explosive second gear.
NEGATIVES: Vision is poor..........does not set up blocks well, takes too long to pick his hole, is not a physical,punishing runner; he often going down on first contact. Does not move well through trash. An average receiver out of the back field but is more effective running out of it then between the tackles as he often looks confused with his gap assignments. Not the zone type back his collegiate numbers would lead you to believe. Marginal blocker with adequate foot quickness. A change of pace back who gets dinged alot.
College scouting..........man.....competition really matters when evaluating these guys.
March 14, 2008
3:12 p.m.
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misterbigge writes:
When I'm resonsible in my job, there are consequences. Shanahan takes responsibility but the only apparent consequence is he gets more power. Nice work if you can get it. I think you hit it rwlight, Bowlen must be satisfied witht the two rings from almost (gasp) ten years ago. Does anyone else notice that the article is very, very, very gentle about criticizing Shanahan and Bowlen? One of the biggest events in team history is changing coach or GM and Bowlen is nowhere to be found. Is he busy working on a new public funding request for stadium improvements????
March 14, 2008
3:50 p.m.
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JRBENDER writes:
Anyone who thinks Ted Sundquist was the GM of the Broncos is just plain dumb. In the true meaning of a GM, Ted was not the GM or he would of not been fired, it would have been the other way around. I.E. look at what happenend in SD to Marty when a real GM fired him. You see in most organiztions the GM is only under the owner, I.E Matt Millen doesn't anwser to Rod Marinelli, Marinelli anwsers to Millen like every other organization besides a few, one the Broncos with Shannahan the coach having full control of all football operations. How can you say Ted was the GM when he couln't sign free agents on his own or draft who he wanted. Do you really think Ted said hey Mike were going to trade Portis for Bailey, then use that second round pick to draft Tatum Bell and Mike said oh yeah Ted what a great idea, your a mastermind. No it went something like this. Ted we are trading for champ, they want Portis, make it happen. That's when Ted went to work to broker a decesion made by Mike. All decesions ran through Shannahan, he told Ted, I want this free agent and then Ted got on the phone, called the agent for that paticular player and went to work to get him signed. It wasn't Ted saying we need help on the D-line, hey Mike I'm going to go sign a bunch of Browns and the lets see how you can coach em. Give me a freaking break, anyone who know's anything about Football or the Broncos has to know by now, that Mike calls all the shots. Now does Ted have some input, yes, does it matter in the end, no. If Ted wanted say for example Lance Briggs, it was not in his power to go sign Briggs, Mike had to buy off on it and ok it. So who is the GM, you tell me. And if you really think Mike doesn't micro manage every aspect of the Broncos and in the end have final say, then your an idiot.
Oh and by the way the moron who thought any team would give the Broncos anything for Walker or Gold is also an idiot, any team with a good GM, knows the Broncos are parting ways with both, they owed Walker a huge roster bonus and other teams knew he was unhappy and we wouldn't pay him the roster bonus, we had to cut him. Even Mike, as bad as a GM as he is, isn't that dumb. That's why when players have huge roster bonuses and other teams know they are going to salary cap casulties they wait for them to be cut, then they go sign them. why give someone a draft pick for a player the team is going to HAVE to cut. The only risk teams have when doing this is now they have to bid for these players in the open market, where as if they traded for them, they own their rights.
March 14, 2008
6:49 p.m.
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DenverDon writes:
I appreciate this article since I, and apparently many others, are really starving for some insight into the Broncos organization. From what I can tell, Shannahan obviously sets the direction and Sundquist put things in motion. A rift began to grow when Sundquist did not agree with what he was being asked to do and the strategy the team was using.
What concerns me is, the Broncos have fewer draft picks on their roster than just about any team in football...and it shows. The Broncos need major upgrades in just about every position except center, QB and corner. It seems we constantly draft for need (lets take a boatload of DL's and see if one sticks)and often trade up and lose picks (see last year). With no checks and balances left in the organization, are we stuck with more of the same? I am afraid we are bottom tier for a few years.
March 14, 2008
7:52 p.m.
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Broncos4Life writes:
I've been saying all off season that a change has to be made. Getting rid of the "GM" was not the change we needed. It's time for Mr Predictable(Shanahan) to take the blame for HIS screwups.
March 16, 2008
2:03 p.m.
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chartguy writes:
I suspect this dispute boiled down to the first-round pick. Whether it's Ryan Clady or Chris Williams, the Broncos need a great left tackle to protect Cutler's backside. He's the future of the franchise. I'd bet that Sundquist wanted to use the pick on one of those two, and Shanny needs a receiver, after letting Javon Walker go. Despite Shanny's abysmal history of picking first-round receivers, I wouldn't be surprised if he does it again.
This really is an ironic repeat of the Dan Reeves era. The only O-lineman that Reeves ever spent a first-round pick on was the disastrous choice of Gerald Perry. That lack of protection for Reeves' franchise quarterback led to his firing. I expect the same for Shanny, but we may have to suffer through two more years of horrible teams first.
March 16, 2008
2:39 p.m.
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gwats writes:
Keep drinking that Shanahan Kool- Aid, Boys! One day, he'll fire YOU too!
March 24, 2008
11:59 a.m.
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Disgusted_in_Denver writes:
Shanny the egomaniacal has struck again. And who are we kidding, Sundquist was the GM? Who knew?! 16+ years with the organization and he is released late without any media attention. Shanny is single handedly destroying this franchise and no one really questions it, not even the owner Bowlen. I am so hoping for another lackluster season and it is coming. Another 7-9 season and another offseason of firing everyone around him should open eyes to the reason why this franchise flounders in shallow water. Wake up people, the Shanny Kool-aid is tainted!