Walker & Smith Reportedly Not Happy (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

Can't say I blame them. Shanahan's ultra-conservative approach isn't taking full advantage of the team's talent at all in my opinion.

From RotoWorld:

WRs Javon Walker and Rod Smith are reportedly unhappy about the Broncos' passing game.

Both receivers answered questions about the offense by saying, "I just work here" and "I just run the plays they call." Walker then added that he wished the team would attack more and coach Mike Shanahan indicated he didn't have a problem with the complaints.

Source: Rocky Mountain News

 

[Big Score]

A question I would have, is Shanny being this conservative because of a current lack of confidence in his QB being able to properly execute a more wide open offense?

 

[packersfan]

A question I would have, is Shanny being this conservative because of a current lack of confidence in his QB being able to properly execute a more wide open offense?

I started a thread about this yesterday and I think that's definitely the case. I think Shanahan is frightened silly of giving Plummer too much of a role in the offense. Like I said in that thread, I think that's fine if you're playing a defense like the Ravens but the Raiders? That had "get well" written all over it and Shanahan still refused to attack. He tried one big play downfield and it worked and still he refused to try again. The end result was a victory but it also was a gameplan that let the Raiders hang around FAR too long in my opinion. At some point he's going to have to put a little more trust in Plummer because not every team is going to bumble its way through the game the way the Raiders did.

 

[My Hope Street Alias]

Memo to two moronic (dare I add, selfish) WRs: YOU'RE WINNING! Trust in your two-time Super Bowl champion head coach.

 

[Banger]

A question I would have, is Shanny being this conservative because of a current lack of confidence in his QB being able to properly execute a more wide open offense?

I think a large part of it is that their defense has been ridiculously good so far. I think they've only let up one TD to date. Also, their running game has been pretty good so the need to throw hasn't really been there. When they have passed the ball though Plummer has looked real bad in the few games I've watched. I know all the Bronco fans will jump on me for this but if/when Plummer blows a game with a bad pick, any chance that Cutler comes in? I know it was unthinkable in the beginning of the year but how much worse could he be? With their defense they could move him in slowly like the Chargers did with Rivers. I know it probably won't happen but I don't think the concept is as crazy now as it was in week 1.Plummer has done absolutely nothing besides being the veteran incumbent QB to indicate that he should keep his job. As each week goes by it seems they are taking the ball out of his hands more and more. It's ok to do that against the Raiders and possibly Clev this week but at some point they are gonna need to pass the ball (probably week 8 Indy/week 9 Pitt). I think that will be a good test of where this team and the passing offense is.

 

[TinHat]

Shanny was possibly one turnover away from losing to Oakland at home.

That's just terrible.

 

[rascal]

The have really scaled the offense back. I was at the Raiders game and after the first quarter when they got off to a fast start the offense was predictable and very safe.

I think Shanny is comfortable with a 10 point lead and just sitting on it.

 

[JuniorNB]

The have really scaled the offense back. I was at the Raiders game and after the first quarter when they got off to a fast start the offense was predictable and very safe.

They had to. They have a new receiver and an unintelligent running back.

 

[mac daddy]

They were talking about this on sports radio this morning in Denver. Basically everyone agreed and didn't have a problem with it.

 

[H.K.]

At some point, they have to make an effort to get the ball to Walker in the air. They seem to like him running it more lately, which seems kind of odd for a receiver, but I guess Plummer usually can hand off without incident.

 

[Mungo Burrows]

If only there were an experienced offensive coordinator on the market...

 

[Phurfur]

Shanny was possibly one turnover away from losing to Oakland at home.That's just terrible.

Den 13 - Oak 3

 

[JuniorNB]

Shanny was possibly one turnover away from losing to Oakland at home.That's just terrible.

Den 13 - Oak 3

Some interception returns are worth ten points, you know.

 

[GoL]

Here is a quote from Walker

“Like I said, I’m a competitor, so I feel like any time that I’m out there and I can make a play, I feel like it’ll put us in position to score and then I’m going to live by that and stick to it. I feel like any time I can get the ball in my hands, something good can happen, and I think more points can be scored, but like I said, I’m just executing the plays that are called right now.”

Here is Shanahan's response

“You want guys who want the ball,” Shanahan said. “Because a guy expresses to you (media) who has made a number of big plays that he would like the ball as much as possible, Javon is mad at himself that he missed that slant route that could have kept the drive going in the second series of the third quarter. That may have been the difference of us scoring. So Javon knows in the back of his mind, he better take advantage of those situations when the ball hits him in the hands.”

From link

The WR are unhappy with the conservative play calling. As long as the defense is winning games I don't think that will change.

 

[packersfan]

More from Walker: "I'll just say it: Give me the ball, I want the ball," Walker said. "I don't think I've been as big a part of the offense as I can be."

 

[One]

Here is Shanahan's response

“Javon is mad at himself that he missed that slant route that could have kept the drive going in the second series of the third quarter. That may have been the difference of us scoring. So Javon knows in the back of his mind, he better take advantage of those situations when the ball hits him in the hands.”

SMMAAAAAAAAACK!!!

 

[JuniorNB]

Here is Shanahan's response

“Javon is mad at himself that he missed that slant route that could have kept the drive going in the second series of the third quarter. That may have been the difference of us scoring. So Javon knows in the back of his mind, he better take advantage of those situations when the ball hits him in the hands.”

SMMAAAAAAAAACK!!!

That as classic.

Paraphrase: "Instead of #####ing about the gameplan, catch the balls you should have had"

 

[thesurfshop19]

Memo to two moronic (dare I add, selfish) WRs: YOU'RE WINNING! Trust in your two-time Super Bowl champion head coach.

Interesting take.Rod Smith is, essentially, another coach on that team, and possibly the most unselfish player in the league.They're not complaining about their numbers -- they're complaining because they let the worst team in the league hang around because of ultra-conservative play-calling.Most people think they're right.Non-story. (Gotta love Shanahan's reaction to Walker's comments, though!)

 

[thesurfshop19]

If you’re not frustrated, then you won’t be in this business for long,” Shanahan said. “Our offense is used to being one of the top, and when you’re not, you go back, look at yourself and try to figure out why and you work on those things to make sure that by the end of the seasons, you’re one of the top teams.”

Again, everyone agrees here. Walker and Shanahan are saying the same thing.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Wow, WR's complaining about wanting the ball???

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Shanny is a smart coach and responded to Walker beautifully. Everyone in Denver and on Denver knows that for them to be successful deep into the playoffs they will have to at some point be able to pass the ball. They will not be playing Oakland every week and conservative play calling against the Colts, and or NE in the playoffs will get them an early exit.

The Broncos will be fine. Walker is a play maker and needs to receive more targets especially down field. It seems as if every time Denver throws a ball down field to Walker he makes a good play on it. He needs to get more looks and Shanny knows this.

 

[TipTopSaidHe]

i don't think shanahan wants to show any cards prior to the colts game at home in two weeks. i think he knew he could be the raiders with a vanilla offensive scheme and a good defense. i think he'll play the same way this week in cleveland.

 

[Gr00vus]

As mentioned above, I think they'll try and open it up when they need to. The trick is if you don't use it you tend to lose it. It'll be a bit harder to turn it on against say...the Chargers...if they haven't been working up to it.

 

[Banger]

As mentioned above, I think they'll try and open it up when they need to. The trick is if you don't use it you tend to lose it. It'll be a bit harder to turn it on against say...the Chargers...if they haven't been working up to it.

They do play the Steelers before the Chargers and I'm sure the Steelers will employ the same strategy they used against the Chargers. Sell out and stop the run and make the QB beat you. Plummer will have to pass in that game.

 

[SSOG]

A question I would have, is Shanny being this conservative because of a current lack of confidence in his QB being able to properly execute a more wide open offense?

I started a thread about this yesterday and I think that's definitely the case. I think Shanahan is frightened silly of giving Plummer too much of a role in the offense. Like I said in that thread, I think that's fine if you're playing a defense like the Ravens but the Raiders? That had "get well" written all over it and Shanahan still refused to attack. He tried one big play downfield and it worked and still he refused to try again. The end result was a victory but it also was a gameplan that let the Raiders hang around FAR too long in my opinion. At some point he's going to have to put a little more trust in Plummer because not every team is going to bumble its way through the game the way the Raiders did.

I don't think Shanahan is afraid of trusting Plummer with the offense. He's had no problem with it for 3 straight years now. I think the conservative playcalling is more a function of the defense than the offense.

Memo to two moronic (dare I add, selfish) WRs: YOU'RE WINNING! Trust in your two-time Super Bowl champion head coach.

Is there a "bad posting" emoticon? I can't speak for Walker, but calling Rod Smith SELFISH? There isn't a single WR in the ENTIRE NFL who cares less about his personal stats and more about his team winning. Not one. Rod Smith once had a 200 yard day and refused to speak to the media because he didn't want to talk about how great his numbers were after he lost. When he talked to the media next time and they were going on about how great of a day it was, he BLEW UP at them and told them he'd rather have not caught a ball and had the team win. There are a lot of words to describe Smith, and selfish ain't one of them.Also, I would be pissed of Walker and Smith *WEREN'T* upset at the state of the passing offense. It blows so far. If they're pointing fingers and assigning blame, that's a low-class move, but if they're saying "Dammit, we need to stop sucking so much on offense", then there's nothing at all wrong with that. In fact, I'd be upset if they WEREN'T upset at the state of the offense.

Shanny was possibly one turnover away from losing to Oakland at home.That's just terrible.

Den 13 - Oak 3

Some interception returns are worth ten points, you know.