LINCICOME: Oh, boy, Broncos made a risky move
By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published January 13, 2009 at 7:51 p.m.
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Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press
Josh McDaniels, 32, is all smiles after being named coach of the Broncos on Monday at the Dove Valley complex.
Should Josh McDaniels retain the core offensive assistants from Mike Shanahan's staff?
You do not fire Batman to hire Robin.
The examples of boy wonders in football coaching are impressive, starting with another John Carroll alum - just as is Josh By Gosh McDaniels - a man who actually played in the NFL, Don Shula.
Consider, also, that the failures balance the tendency, several of them proteges of Bill Belichick, the New England grump, so the Broncos might be dipping into a grab bag already picked over.
But as these things go, according to those who study coaching trees as if they are treasure charts, McDaniels is, to remix the metaphor, the shiniest marble left in the bag.
Understanding Broncos owner Pat Bowlen to be "ecstatic" is to know that new-coach smell. And this one is shiny and unused, right off the showroom floor.
This all seems a bit impulsive, not that it won't work out, but it might never be better than now as Bowlen and McDaniels face only tomorrow, with none of those yesterdays behind them, the good and the bad, that seem finally to have undone Mike Shanahan.
What McDaniels might do for the Broncos that Shanahan could not do is no more clear than why Shanahan was dismissed in the first place. In fact, considering the credentials of both men, the only difference between them is that McDaniels could be Shanahan's son.
And the Super Bowls, of course.
Shanahan got his while in charge of things; McDaniels got his as part of the Patriots' backstage crew. The same way Shanahan got his in San Francisco.
Quarterback coaches, offensive coordinators, working with great quarterbacks, wizards of the playbook. Only the ink is fresher on McDaniels' resume.
It isn't that the Broncos are going in a new course with a great new football coach, as Bowlen said, it is that they are trying to recapture the old one, back when Shanahan had all the same testimonials that come with McDaniels.
McDaniels is no more responsible for Tom Brady than Shanahan was for John Elway, but success lights anyone near it, so that Shanahan became considered a better coach because of Elway, and McDaniels the same with Brady.
The job that McDaniels did with Matt Cassel, suddenly in relief of Brady, is the part of his resume that is underlined. If he can turn a lifetime nonstarting quarterback into a competent performer, well then, what might he be able to do with a raw treasure like Jay Cutler?
Nice theory, except the Broncos already had a guy doing that, if Shanahan might have lost a bit of standing with his similar endorsements of Brian Griese and Jake Plummer.
What a nice little safety net for McDaniels. If Cutler gets no better than he already is, which is to say alternately disappointing, Shanahan gets the blame and McDaniels gets to start over. If Cutler advances to all he can be, McDaniels is the wizard.
What is expected of a new coach, one taking over a spotty disappointment like the Broncos, one that is younger than some of his players? The first season is to find his way around the roster, and Denver's is loaded with snares. Shanahan knew where they were, or should have known.
It is still impossible to recall Shanahan's mostly cheery farewell without concluding he was happy to be well out of a very hard chore, rebuilding the Broncos defense, one that he already had done and redone without success.
The Broncos defense is so awful that just making it a bit better should greatly improve the offense, so that new playbooks and fresh authority might be more diverting than helpful. Looking at the teams left in the NFL playoffs, what comes first to mind is they are where they are because of defense.
McDaniels insisted in his first public appearance that he is a football coach, not just an offensive coach, and that he has been going to two-a-days since he was 5. This he meant to be a plus, the same as growing up in the same town as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which, to recall another explanation of expertise, one imagines he could see from his house.
What cannot be true is that the Broncos are any better off today than they were when Shanahan was last trying to explain how in the world his team could blow a three-game lead and the playoffs.
If this is all or in part just to redraw the Broncos organizational chart, so that the owner owns, the general manager manages and the head coach coaches the coaches, then it is a risky move in the name of tidiness.
And the Broncos' chances of winning are no better for it. The Broncos have slid backward on the improvement curve, the optimism curve and the logical curve, meaning the way back is harder today than it was yesterday.
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January 13, 2009
8:41 p.m.
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Soonerhorse writes:
I love the barely veiled contempt for Jay Cutler. Only in Denver is the jury still out on a kid that already carries the franchise and is going to the pro bowl in his third year. Only in America can honesty be a character flaw. If Cutler had just said, "Laws no, suh. I's a never lights a candel to that Elway fella. Nuhhuh, no way!!!" or "Phillip Rivers is a fine man and a fine sportsman, and any questionable behavior on his part is excused because he's just a fiery competitor..." he'd be the toast of the league. But he's a little impatient with foolish questions and a little honest about how he feels, and he's still some dark emigma for whom the jury is still out. Crazy.
January 13, 2009
9:10 p.m.
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12thmaniac writes:
Hey Bernie this article is stupid,
First of all Josh McDaniel's is no Robin. Keep in mind that Robin was Batman's apprentice kind of like what Shanahn was to Dan Reeves. Look were that experiment got us. Sure firing a future Hall of Fame coach is in my opinion a mistake, however, no risk no glory. McDaniel's would be the only coach I would consider capable of improving on Shanhans already explosive offensive. Fresh Ideas are always good in a copycat league. For all those looking for Defensive minded coaches keep in mind that Tony Dungy and Marvin Lewis were awesome D coordinators but that both as head coach have some of the worst D's.
January 13, 2009
9:30 p.m.
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xxx writes:
Rather than complain, as I usually do when Bernie writes an article, I would like Bernie to just explain why Shanahan is still the answer?
In his early success in coaching the Championship Denver Broncos, the defense was top ten. Yes he won 2 superbowls but let's not avoid the defense. Shanahan has clearly demonstrated over and over again his inability to groom a consistent top 5 defense.
Bernie:
1) Would it be fair to say that one's perception might be clouded, stressed, or unfocused when donning the responsiblilty of THREE different job titles?
2) Is it possible that during 14 years of doing anything to become stagnant and unoriginal?
3) Is it POSSIBLE that the man could have used some HELP in putting together the one side of the game that seemingly has alluded him for the past 3-4 years?
4) During that eventful final meeting between Bowlen and Shanahan is it fathomable that Shanahan declined that help or reduction in power to build another championship season?
The game like anything else changes. I submit that it's possible Shanahan refused to change with it.
January 13, 2009
9:47 p.m.
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mccaffreyfan writes:
I agree with Bernie (never thought I'd say that). This team is worse off with Mcdaniels. Fire the offensive coach to hire another one? Oh yeah, he can rebuild the defense too. To a 3-4? How many years will that take? He might help the D but he will also take this 2nd rank offense backward by firing the coaches who made it happen. Forget about Shanahan for a minute. Why not hire the 4-3 blitz master Spagnuolo and keep Bates (who will be an excellent OC shortly) and Dennison? I don't get this at all. Bowlen just broke what was working and didn't fix what was broken.
January 13, 2009
9:51 p.m.
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juliodwight writes:
Bernie, you hit the nail on the head. The only rational way to evaluate if firing Shanny was a good move is to ask whether or not we are a better team now than we were in late December. Would anyone reasonably expect the Bronx to win more games next season with McD than with Shanny? I think the answer is "no", which means this move was a mistake.
This move was not about winning games, it was about Bowlen getting bored with the same stretch plays and bootlegs. It was about Bowlen "running the show" as demonstrated by his "terminating" Shanahan. His choice of words demonstrates his hubris.
It sure sounds like this is a totally clean start on both sides of the ball (read: no more zone blocking). But is this what we need? Our only problems on offense were Jay throwing interceptions in the red zone (something this 2 years and 5 games starter will outgrow), and injuries at the running back position.
Maybe it will all work out, but if it does, it won't be because firing Shanahan was supposed to help us get better.
January 13, 2009
10:03 p.m.
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MileHighSalute writes:
While I respect that you have an opinion, I can't help but wonder what it's like to question the direction Mr. Bowlen has taken without offering a better solution. The reality is no one is really certain if playoff succes is around the corner. Mr. Bowlen has taken a gamble on someone thought of highly in many circles. Only time will tell. As a fan of your paper, I only wish you would offer more insight on the task at hand instead of focus on the obvious. An insightful question draws out the truth. Your questions sometimes draws on your wearisome point of view. Bronco fans would like to know what does Josh McDaniels do now to make this team better? Remeber, your access is our conduit to first hand information that is beyond the national media perspective. If you write a story worth reading, I assure you, Bronco fans will enjoy your reporting.
January 13, 2009
10:24 p.m.
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Swick writes:
I will miss Shanahan as much as any of his biggest supporters, but he had too much power. He promoted Slowik to be our D coord and Slowik hadn't been successful anywhere else. He took lot's of risks on FAs in the past that had character and injury issues. The FAs he took during our super bowl runs paid off, but after that they began to backfire. He needed help and declined to concede any power back to the organization so he was fired. I'm as disappointed in Mike as I am in anyone else for not changing, but that's how it is and Denver will make it out of this better than it has been the last few years. It's been stale and we needed change.
January 13, 2009
10:27 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
juliodwight, the reason we are better off is that Shanahan had total control and was going to keep a DC that ran us into the 29th spot in the league. He was brilliant with the O but unwilling to make changes on the D. McDaniels has no such fears. Bernie's article had some solid points but he was also very biased in his appraisal of Cutler. You could read between the lines and see his "lack of faith" in Cutler. Cutler is technically, in his 2nd year, as far as actual games go. Everybody says it's his 3rd year, but technically, it's not. Cutler is in the Pro Bowl. Hard to argue with his talent. Bernie finds a way.
January 13, 2009
10:39 p.m.
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fromCOtoAZ writes:
good gracious... i've said it before and i'll say it again... give this a chance to play out. are we a better team right now than we were with Mike? i don't know yet. sometimes attitude is everything. Mike was big on bringing a great philosophy to this team. who's to say a NEW philosophy, a new attitude (and of course some better players on defense) isn't exactly what this team needs. I'll point to Mike Tomlin once again. who - outside of Minnesota - had a clue as to who he was as a coach before Pittsburgh brought him in? who outside of the Steelers brass thought hiring him was a great idea? and now he has a chance this year to win as many Super Bowls as Bill Cowher did in his entire tenure. Ken Whisenhunt is another guy to come to a team loaded on offense, mediocre at best on defense, and with a tradition of being a dreadful team and organization... and take a look a they're they're at right now. Same thing with Harbaugh in Baltimore. Atlanta and Miami had a nice run to the playoffs, too, and those 2 teams were miserable inside and out the previous year. But none of those teams i mentioned above - except for the Steelers - had won on a consistent basis in a while (for some a LONG while) and they've managed to turn it around very quickly. And all of those organizations were in a LOT worse shape than the Broncos. this CAN be done and it can be done quickly.
So... the sky may yet fall... and should it happen, you can tell me you were right and i was wrong, and i'll accept it. then again... the sun may also shine on a bright new start to something pretty darn good. lesser teams and organizations have done it... any logical reason to think the Broncos can't do it too?
January 14, 2009
1:10 a.m.
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jaybyrd writes:
Bigger the risk, bigger the reward, or...Actually, the Shanahan shills should chill and let the New Kid do his thing, rather than waiting for him to fail. Shanahan has not had shoes for McD to fill for at least a decade, so who cares about Shanny?
January 14, 2009
2:04 a.m.
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rambam1776 writes:
The best thing about being a critic, just like Bernie Lincicome, is that you get to piss all over everything without ever having to produce anything for which THEY get judged, just like Bernie Lincicome.
This waste of oxygen is a eunuch at a gang bang. Go play in traffic, Bernie.
January 14, 2009
5:34 a.m.
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Juice writes:
Bernie, go write for the Post... I stopped reading that paper because of stupid articles like this. Nevertheless, your statement about being no better now than in December will likely be right if you base everthing on the number of wins the Broncos get next year, because of the strength of the schedule they have. I know the defense will be better, not great and maybe average. If this years defense were 'average', Shanahan would still be here. It won't take much to improve the special teams (mostly because of injuries) so the Broncos are better in 2 areas right now. That being said, I still think 7-9 would be good next year, but of course that is not acceptable...not even to me. I think in two years we will be able to see if this hire and all the changes were good or not, mainly because of the schedule the Broncos will face next year.
January 14, 2009
5:43 a.m.
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CanadianBronco writes:
I can understand your frustrations with Cutler, but give the kid a chance. He knows everytime he goes out there he has to score TD's and not field goals. He doesnt have the option of playing it safe, kicking it and letting the defence make a stop. I'm sure that weighs enormously on him. Don't knock him because he never came straight out and said if my defence could just make a stop I wouldnt have to force the ball every time.
January 14, 2009
6:46 a.m.
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broncodude writes:
Calm down people. Sportswriters have to be controversial. They cannot write what they truly believe. They cannot be homers - that would be boring. They tailor their opinions to encourage discussion for that is their job. Arguing with writers on newspaper forums is an exercise in futility because in actuality you are discussing sports with someone who has no real opinion.
January 14, 2009
6:55 a.m.
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CanadianBronco writes:
Anyone out there notice that two former Bronco DE's are still in the playoffs? That would be Trevor Pryce and Bertrand Berry. Shanny didnt want to pay these guys market value so he let them walk. It sure wouldve been nice to have those two for the last couple of years.
But, I understand now were dealing with "what ifs". It just further illustrates the need for Shannahan to walk.
January 14, 2009
7:11 a.m.
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incognitoboy writes:
MileHighSalute writes:
" Remeber, your access is our conduit to first hand information that is beyond the national media perspective. "
mhs:
how kind of you to assume bernie has access. given the sheer volume of blisteringly negative articles bernie has written, i'd be surprised if the broncos haven't surreptitiously installed a homing device on bernie's car, where they can track his proximity to dove valley and go into 'defcon'-style lockdown when he gets too close. you see, bernie never deals in first-hand information, only snide innuendo, smarmy speculation, and backhanded compliments.....that's his style. it's strictly opinion, and sardonic at that. occasionally, he's entertaining, but rarely informative.
in relation to the 'national media perspective', former local reporter and current espn guy adam schefter CONSISTENTLY gets the scoop before the local guys, because HE built and maintains relationships within the organization.
January 14, 2009
7:39 a.m.
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hallandnash writes:
1 playoff win in 9 years -- that's the measuring stick here folks .. let's not drink the Shanahan kool-aid anymore.
Typical Denver media.. hate the guy in charge because it's cool to hate. Give the guy at least a practice before you blast him. Just because he's young doesn't mean he can't win football games.
January 14, 2009
8:44 a.m.
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Rutabaga writes:
No more kool-aid for me, unless it's McKool-Kid-Aid. That's my new brand, the Josh type...
Go Broncos... To the Championship and Beyond...
January 14, 2009
9:07 a.m.
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chill134 writes:
Bernie, While you do have a few valid points in your article, your opinion on Jay is unfounded. Did you see what he accomplished on offense without a running back? If i'm not mistaken, he has one game left this year. It's called the Pro Bowl.
January 14, 2009
9:20 a.m.
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primafacie writes:
Did Pat Bowlen hire this kid or adopt him?
January 14, 2009
9:43 a.m.
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chill134 writes:
Primafacie, hadn't heard that one. absolutley and utterly hilarious......I mean, i'm literally crying over here that was so incredibly funny.
January 14, 2009
10:28 a.m.
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slickwilly writes:
I am not sure what makes Shanahan great in peoples eyes. If you really look at the 2 Super Bowl wins it was with basically the same team that had few or no major injuries.
Look at the teams that are always good (Pats, Steelers, etc..) One common thing between them is that they have injuries but they are still good teams. Shanahan didn't bring that to Denver in any season.
Also, How do we know Denver is or isn't a better team than they were last month. We don't even know what personnel will be there next year, so how on earth can you judge how good they will be in 8 months? As far as next years schedule goes...how do you know that the "GOOD" teams will not have problems next year? We see it every year where one dominant team one year falls off the map the next (Jacksonville anyone).
January 14, 2009
10:40 a.m.
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yamahabass2 writes:
Shanahan's defenses were never great, at best adequate. The offense put up a lot of yards last year, mostly because Denver was behind and other teams were giving up yards just trying to run out the clock. Give me a break, Denver was not great on either side of the ball and it was time to make a change.
January 14, 2009
11:08 a.m.
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primafacie writes:
"If i'm not mistaken, he has one game left this year. It's called the Pro Bowl."
Chill, I see I'm not the only one with an affinity for the cheap laugh.
January 14, 2009
11:14 a.m.
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RightDownTheMiddle writes:
Let's just gloss over the fact that Shanny failed to motivate our team to even halfway show up for a big game for the last 5 or 6 years (other than one lone win against Pats in the playoffs).
Not only did we lose every big game....we lost them in shameful, embarrassing, humiliating fashion. It was no longer a question of whether we'd win it was whether we'd even show up.
Not to mention how consistently we played down to the weakest competition.
Those are motivations issues. For whatever reason, Shanny had lost his ability to motivate our team.
Time for some fresh blood, which McDaniels appears to be capable of bringing.
Bernie can go back to gazing at his Shanny poster. Me....I'm looking forward to the new McDaniels era.
January 14, 2009
1:05 p.m.
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Spider writes:
"You do not fire Batman to hire Robin."
No but the RMN should fire Mutt to hire Jeff as a sports commentator.
BTW, whaterver happenned to that guy who used to post that thing about bacon not being more than.......? Haven't heard that one for awhile.
January 14, 2009
1:12 p.m.
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xxxlibertine writes:
OK. I've finally had enough. Lincicome, you are permanently off my reading list. You are a cancer. As an added plus, I will no longer have to read the responses of the brain dead mental midgets who agree with and defend your ASSinine negativity. Just do us all a favor and stay off the GD bandwagon once it starts rolling again, OK?
Long live Pat Bowlen. Congrats and good luck to coach McDaniels. Go Broncos.
January 14, 2009
2:09 p.m.
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cr9170 writes:
Guys, let Shanny go!! he was here to long, change is good, let's give McDaniels some time, new coaches bring they own people, so forgett Battes, the offense will be fine, is all about defense, they need 11 new guys, more size, speed, less show boating and learn to tackle!!!! Let's not complain, think about how the Lions fans feel.......................
January 14, 2009
2:31 p.m.
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markregan writes:
CanadianBronco makes an excellent point.
Shanahan let his leading sacker go for 3 straight years in Bertrand Berry, Reggie Hayward & most astonishingly, Trevor Pryce.
Trevor was the one I couldn't figure out. He was an original Bronco, and was an excellent pass rusher from both end AND tackle, as well as being good against the run.
His first year in Baltimore he had 13 sacks!! And the Bronco's most GLARING NEED ever since he left was a DL who could pressure the quarterback from the inside. Dumerville certainly could have used a little less attention from the OL.
I think Shanahan actually DISLIKED Pryce & that's why he let him go. There was an issue with his back coming off surgery, I understand, but I really think Shanahan was just getting to be a megalomaniac, firing everyone, and really starting to lose it.
I've said it before: if Shanahan held HIMSELF to the "standard" he held everyone else to, Shanahan would have to be fired also.
January 14, 2009
2:39 p.m.
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Broncostimein09 writes:
slickwilly your right about jacksonville but even after they fell off we still lost to them. Your right we shouldn't be negative about next year until we can see how they perform, and see the staff that winds up in place. But Romeo, that piece of shit that can't even cut it coaching in college(Notre Dame), and a recently fired head coach don't really give much to be optimistic about. But I stand by my screen name. We'll see what happens in September.
January 14, 2009
2:58 p.m.
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JCut6JElway7 writes:
I'm not going to knock Shanahan... because the fact is when you win a Super Bowl it goes along way with any NFL team. When you win TWO with a franchise that was 0-3 it goes that much further. But starting with the Griese move it's seems that there was some ego involved. I don't know for a fact... it just seems like there were "personal" factors in the departures of what were very good players.
January 14, 2009
4:07 p.m.
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MTBroncofan writes:
Bernie (and many of the rest of you that post on this blog), you all need to grow a set of balls. Okay, so Shanahan won a couple of superbowls. This team really hasn't done much since... except fall apart in the second half of the season. Year after year after year.
As far as I'm concerned, Shanahan did not perform up to expectations in the last three seasons. There was no reason to believe that it was going to get much better next year... Shanny is stale with this team and would not relinquish any control. So yeah, I say he deserved what he got. What's the big deal? If another coach not named Shanahan performed the same way, he would have been booted out of Denver a long time ago... and everyone knows it.
So, lets start a new chapter and see what happens.
WHAT is the worst possible thing that could happen? Get beat by the Raiduhs at home again? Get WHOOPED by the Chargers in a game that determined the division champ? Lose the last three games of the season with a 3 game lead and miss out on the playoffs? Hmmmm.... wait, that's what happened under Shanahan. Sorry. I like Shanahan and all... but it was time.
January 14, 2009
7:45 p.m.
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awhite411 writes:
The Bottom line is that the 09 season has not started, such a positive determination on the future of the Broncos can not be directly interpreted yet....everything else is just b.s.
Mcdaniels has just as many wins, and loses than does shanny so far......
January 14, 2009
8:43 p.m.
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Bronco_Sunday_faithful writes:
The Broncos are better off now because they are changing an organization that has been mediocre for several years now. The Broncos may end up with a worse record than 8-8 in the short run, but there was no indication they would have had a better record in the future with the organization being run by Shanahan.
IMHO there is no difference between being 2-14 and 8-8 since neither record makes the playoff (except for teams facing the Broncos) except at 2-14 you get a good draft position. I would rather see the team fall apart and acquire some top level talent in the draft or via trades than struggle along at .500 year after year. This change will make the Broncos better even if McDaniels ends up not being the right choice.
January 14, 2009
9:16 p.m.
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Mighty_Mile writes:
In the mid '90's I had a turtle. Bowlen could have placed that turtle on the sideline in '97 and '98 in the place of Shanahan and we still would have won two superbowls. Since then Shanny has won one playoff game. That's pathetic. I'm glad we have a new coach.
January 14, 2009
10:13 p.m.
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yobeach writes:
One playoff win in 10 years. What would you do if you were Pat?
January 15, 2009
12:05 a.m.
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TYoungman writes:
Bernie's analysis assumes that Shannahan was a good coach when he was fired; I think the facts show that he was a sub-par coach in the NFL when he was fired. Maybe ten years ago he was a good coach; maybe five; But the day he was fired he was a dog-butt coach in the NFL.
Bernie isn't good at independent thought/analysis, so he starts with what he thinks he knows, which is what he hears other people say; and other people have said for years that Shannahan is a (insert superlative) coach. Sometimes a label sticks for a lot longer than said label is deserved.
Any objective review of the last few years would bear out that the man was spinning his wheels; and worse - he didn't know it (not a good sign); Did anyone else notice that after the firing Mike said that he was surprised to be fired now, when he thought things were moving in the right direction?
Exactly what direction did he mean?
He fired four DQ's in five years and the defense kept getting worse; as MTBroncofan pointed out - the team fell apart in the middle of the season every year while us fans suffered through gutless performances in big games; and as JCut6JElway7 points out, Shannahan struggled with some personality issues.
Often, players whom he felt didn't pass the character test, or simply wouldn't perform to their potential, (see Deltha O'neal, Eddie Kennison, and Domenik Hixon) have gone on to have productive careers under different coaches.
At the same time there were a lot of other players, ones who were known by the whole league to have character issues ( see Darryl Gardener, Dale Carter, Travis Henry) but were welcomed into the flock by Shannahan after he "looked them in the eye", only to make him and the entire organization look foolish with their antics not to mention the money and cap space expended on them).
So Bernie, what is your argument that Shannahan is a good coach (today), other than the fact it says so on Wikipedia? He was a great coach once, and maybe with some rest (and possibly medication) he will be again.
I will always be grateful for his contributions; but today, as a coach, Shannahan is useless.
January 15, 2009
7:21 a.m.
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pommels writes:
All of these points seem valid but they miss the main point; Shanny had lost the team. It is striking how many former Broncos you hear speak to the loss of discipline in the team over the last 3 years. Sharpe, Al Williams, John Lynch have all spoken up about how things that were clear rules and strictly enforced were being allowed to slip by now. I hate to invoke Al Davis here, but a coach has a limited time to work his magic; after about 8-10 years, it just doesnt work in the same place anymore. Shanny will go somewhere else and succeed. The question remains, can McDaniels bring enough of the program that built the Patriots in with him?