Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
What is Shanny's future in Denver? Even if they make the playoffs, they are a 1st round loser most likely...9-7, 8-8, was this what Denver fans expected?
They are one of the youngest teams in the NFL and some observers have said this year (with all the injuries) has been his best coaching job yet. Add that to the fact that Bowlen has declared him coach for as long as he wants to be coach in Denver and I'm not expecting much of a change.What is Shanny's future in Denver? Even if they make the playoffs, they are a 1st round loser most likely...9-7, 8-8, was this what Denver fans expected?
Rack himI do not know about other Denver fans, but I was expecting something around 7-9 or 8-8 this year, given the sorry state of the defense, and given how young the team is. As bizarre as it sounds, they have probably exceeded the expectations of many this season, but the second half home losses to teams like the Raiders and Bills are hard to swallow. If they win either of those games, the division would be locked up already. I was pretty pissed after last week's game, and said heads should roll if they lose this week, including Shanahan's, but really, he has gotten a lot of the team this season, when taking everything into account. I mean, how many teams could lose their TOP 7 RBs and still be above .500 going into the last week of the season? Be that as it may, missing the playoffs three seasons in a row is a tough pill to swallow. Shanahan won't go anywhere after this season, win or lose on Sunday, but next year should be make or break for him.Edit: If they lose Sunday night, they better at least put up a good fight. If they get drilled right from the start and lay down, the strong possibility that Shanahan has lost the team will have to be considered. I mean, if you can't get your team "up" in a one-game fight for the division title, then that is not a good sign.
Insightful as usual, thanks Sonny
Maybe they ought to fire the guy that acquired those crappy defensive players.I have no idea offhand who their D coordinator is, but I would expect that he will be looking for work in a week (or 2) however.
About as insightful as your attention-seeking (as usual) thread/topic...Insightful as usual, thanks Sonny
About as insightful as your attention-seeking (as usual) thread/topic...Insightful as usual, thanks Sonny
let's not forget that for a good chunk of this season, the D was missing all three starting LB's and Champ. Not that slowik has done a fantastic job, but at least he has had the vision to know when things aren't working and change things up drastically, to varying results. To his credit, he has not stayed with any of the failing schemes for long, and has found some promise in some of the backup LBs (Woodyard + Larsen).Shanahan is probably the safest coach in the NFL. The Bowlen love is well-documented even without considering how good a job he's done this year.But if you consider they have SEVEN RBs on IR, the fact they are in the playoff hunt at all is a minor miracle, especially since their offense has been the only thing that they could count on to win their games with that pathetic D. That is definitely worth a little respect.I have no idea offhand who their D coordinator is, but I would expect that he will be looking for work in a week (or 2) however.
Maybe they ought to fire the guy that acquired those crappy defensive players.I have no idea offhand who their D coordinator is, but I would expect that he will be looking for work in a week (or 2) however.
It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.Maybe they should get Ed Donatel. Where is he these days?I heard on ESPN Radio that Shanny and the Broncos owner have an intertwined financial stake together with several business dealings, and Shanny has one of the more secure jobs in the NFL because of it.
He is the General Manager and makes all football decisions for the team. Of course it's his fault.It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.
He is the coach and presumptive leader of this team. All of it should be on his shoulders.The Broncos have been to the playoffs 4 times in 10 seasons (possibly 5 if the beat SD on Sunday) and have gone 1-4 in those appearances with an average score in the 4 losses of 36-14 (17 points is the smallest margin of defeat). The team keeps getting worse and they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders.
Winning even one SB for a team hungry for a title can carry you a long way. Ask Jon Gruden.Shanny would have to have aleast 3 losing seasons in a row before ownership would remcoe him. He is still living off the back to back Super Bowls with Elway.
To be fair, they drew powerful Colts teams quite a bit in those playoff games. But I think they have a very good chance to make the playoffs. Remember that Norv Turner is on the other sideline. Don't under-estimate his ability to lose.He is the General Manager and makes all football decisions for the team. Of course it's his fault.It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.He is the coach and presumptive leader of this team. All of it should be on his shoulders.The Broncos have been to the playoffs 4 times in 10 seasons (possibly 5 if the beat SD on Sunday) and have gone 1-4 in those appearances with an average score in the 4 losses of 36-14 (17 points is the smallest margin of defeat). The team keeps getting worse and they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders.
The Broncos have fielded one legitimate team in a decade and that team got smoked by Pittsburgh, at home, during the AFC title game.
I am not saying Shanny should be fired but it will be surprising if he continues to hold onto all the football responsibilities for the organization.
Well, a lot of it should fall on his shoulders. There is no excuse for the amount of times this team has come out flat in big games, or, come out of the gates strong only to slow down midway through the first half.But, I think right now the team lacks leadership not only at the top, but also on the field. I think Cutler desperately wants to be a leader, but right now he's falling short. On the defensive side, they really haven't had a solid vocal leader since Al Wilson, and to some degree Lynch. They need some players to step up and lead the team on the field - that will go a long way toward helping Shanny to regain control.He is the General Manager and makes all football decisions for the team. Of course it's his fault.It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.He is the coach and presumptive leader of this team. All of it should be on his shoulders.The Broncos have been to the playoffs 4 times in 10 seasons (possibly 5 if the beat SD on Sunday) and have gone 1-4 in those appearances with an average score in the 4 losses of 36-14 (17 points is the smallest margin of defeat). The team keeps getting worse and they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders.
The Broncos have fielded one legitimate team in a decade and that team got smoked by Pittsburgh, at home, during the AFC title game.
I am not saying Shanny should be fired but it will be surprising if he continues to hold onto all the football responsibilities for the organization.
Pat Benatar owns the Broncos?!?Or is that Pat Buchanon?Im pretty sure Shanny retires a bronco head coach.Unless Pat B. sells the team
Then perhaps Shanny should bring in some locker room leaders considering he is, y'know, the General Manager. Shanny has always had final say on football operations even when someone else carried the GM title.For years Shanny has brought in high profile, head cases with questionable heart and overrated talent and he has given them over-market contracts.Well, a lot of it should fall on his shoulders. There is no excuse for the amount of times this team has come out flat in big games, or, come out of the gates strong only to slow down midway through the first half.But, I think right now the team lacks leadership not only at the top, but also on the field. I think Cutler desperately wants to be a leader, but right now he's falling short. On the defensive side, they really haven't had a solid vocal leader since Al Wilson, and to some degree Lynch. They need some players to step up and lead the team on the field - that will go a long way toward helping Shanny to regain control.He is the General Manager and makes all football decisions for the team. Of course it's his fault.It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.He is the coach and presumptive leader of this team. All of it should be on his shoulders.The Broncos have been to the playoffs 4 times in 10 seasons (possibly 5 if the beat SD on Sunday) and have gone 1-4 in those appearances with an average score in the 4 losses of 36-14 (17 points is the smallest margin of defeat). The team keeps getting worse and they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders.
The Broncos have fielded one legitimate team in a decade and that team got smoked by Pittsburgh, at home, during the AFC title game.
I am not saying Shanny should be fired but it will be surprising if he continues to hold onto all the football responsibilities for the organization.
Norv could certainly screw it up but it might be better for Shanny to lose so he can save himself from the embarrassment of another 28 point blow out loss to the Colts in the playoffs.To be fair, they drew powerful Colts teams quite a bit in those playoff games. But I think they have a very good chance to make the playoffs. Remember that Norv Turner is on the other sideline. Don't under-estimate his ability to lose.He is the General Manager and makes all football decisions for the team. Of course it's his fault.It seems that way. A lot of injuries and no good defensive coordinator may not be his fault. They tried by hiring Jim Bates but his system didn't work.He is the coach and presumptive leader of this team. All of it should be on his shoulders.The Broncos have been to the playoffs 4 times in 10 seasons (possibly 5 if the beat SD on Sunday) and have gone 1-4 in those appearances with an average score in the 4 losses of 36-14 (17 points is the smallest margin of defeat). The team keeps getting worse and they are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders.
The Broncos have fielded one legitimate team in a decade and that team got smoked by Pittsburgh, at home, during the AFC title game.
I am not saying Shanny should be fired but it will be surprising if he continues to hold onto all the football responsibilities for the organization.
Good luck with all that.Make Kiffin the new coordinator in Denver.... problem solved.
Sorry...I just don't buy into this. These are grown men, not 12 y.o. kids on a baseball field. If they can't rally themselves and get up for a big game, there is little the coach can do to rally them.I think Shanny has down a very credible job considering the youth and the injuries this year. While they're missing the playoffs this year, the future actually looks pretty good for the Broncos.Those saying how great a job Shanny has done this season need to realize that this Denver team lacks leadership and most importantly an ability/desire to finish games strong. And in my opinion, a lot of that falls on Shanny's shoulders. He's a fantastic schemer, he's become a pretty good evaluator of talent, but a great leader/motivator he is not. He has to learn to rally the troops, so to speak.
I think this is the right answer.Could the Broncos replace Shanny with anyone better? I doubt it.
Three guesses who has been charge of upgrading personnel over the past decade.Shanny needs to be stripped of his GM duties and focus on what he knows, game planning on offense. Deny him input to player personnel and defensive scheme decisions and Denver might actually become competitive again.this offense is poised to do some great things. When thinking about coaches I'd want at the helm, Shanahan is #1, and it isn't close. What other offensive guru's in the league would you want setting everything up? If you go with regime change and get a defensive coach, you basically tear everything down and this team would take a step backwards.The D is historically bad. This is the worst scoring D Denver has had since the merger. Ultimately, this D has got to get to mediocre for this team to have a shot. If the D was even a little better, Denver would be hosting a playoff game next week. In order for the D to get better, we need better personnel, they have got to stay healthy, and we need some continuity in schemes.