If there was one player with the cachet and chutzpah to walk into Head Coach Mike Shanahan’s office and discuss exactly what ailed the offense in the early season, it was Rod Smith, the long-time team captain whose success in orange and blue closely parallels that of his coach in their 11 and a half seasons together.
With six games already complete and the Broncos averaging just 13.2 points an outing to that point, Smith knew he had to say some things to his teammates, to his coaches, to anyone who would listen. But first, he wanted to check things out with Shanahan, to make sure that taking such liberties would be protected by the Broncos’ figurative constitution, of which Shanahan would be its chief architect.
“We had a personal conversation, just what my thoughts were on some things that I can do down here (in the locker room) as well as making sure that I had the latitude to say certain things,” Smith said. You don’t want to step on anybody’s toes in this business and he’s the guy that pulls the trigger, so I wanted to make sure that I was on the right page of what I was thinking, and the way I was relaying that message to the guys.”
Smith has long been something of a de facto coach in the locker room, offering fellow wide receivers — and anyone who asks, for that matter — counsel on matters ranging from route-running to asset management.
This time, though, it wouldn’t be just Smith taking his message directly to everyone — but Shanahan passing along his thoughts.
“(Shanahan) understood and he agreed with me on a lot of points,” Smith said, “and at the same time he relayed that information to the coaches on what I saw from the inside, and as a group, we found a way to get it better.”
That also involved Shanahan helping Smith better understand the changing dynamics of the offense, the Pro Bowler recalled. Only two starting slots had changed early in the season from the previous year: Tatum Bell for Mike Anderson at tailback and Javon Walker for Ashley Lelie at one wide receiver slot. But with newcomers dotting the depth of the offense, including rookie backups at tailback and quarterback, a backup (now starting) tackle who was in NFL Europe just six months ago, two new tight ends and a quartet of new wide receivers (now a quintet with Brian Clark on the 53-man roster), there were plenty of fresh faces who needed a crash indoctrination into the Broncos’ way of doing things.
“I didn’t really realize that until Coach Shanahan and I talked about it,” Smith said. “So you have a standard and some of those guys really don’t know what their standard is, so we basically have to start over and revamp it and let them know exactly what is expected, and they know what they can expect from me, and now I know what I can expect out of them. I think our coaching staff did a great job of actually relaying that information better.”
In accelerating from 13 points an outing in games 1-6 to a 31-point rate in the last two weeks, the offense hasn’t merely gotten better; it’s experienced a total reversal.
“We’re playing with a lot more confidence as a unit, and that can take you a long way,” Smith said, “but you’ve still got to go out there physically and get it done. We have a lot of guys that we depend on to get it done and those guys are stepping it up and get it done.”
Tags: Mike Shanahan, Offense, Rod Smith
Rod Smith is the constant pro. His leadership and his awareness to go through his Head Coach Mike Shanahan was a classy and smart move.
Rod speaks and he draws a crowd. Rod is valable to the Broncos organization in so many ways. I believe we can continue to see Rod impact this team in a positive manner for time to come.
This potential Hall of Famer is the pros’ pro.
Just one thing, Andrew Mason:
You’re speaking of “NFL Europe”, but it’s name changed one and a half week ago to “NFL Europa”, the German word for Europe.
The logo has changed too. Now it is stronger connected to the logo of the NFL… Have a look by yourself:
http://www.rhein-fire.de/template_content_zoom.php4?contentId=3442&category=aktuell&footer=none
Greetings from Germany,
DjBroncos
Interesting … it looks like not everyone is on the same page over on the continent. Three of the team sites have the “NFL Europe” logo; three have “NFL Europa,” and the league’s official Web site remains NFLeurope.com). Technically, Pears is an alumnus of “NFL Europe,” since the league was still “NFL Europe” (or “NFL Europe League,” in its lengthier form) when he played in it. So just like Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce is a product of Memphis State University — even though the school’s name changed to University of Memphis shortly after the Rams drafted him — so too did Pears play in “NFL Europe,” not “NFL Europa.” Thanks for the heads-up … one gets so buried in Bronciana over here that I temporarily forget about matters in Europe, the CFL or the Arena League.
Rod Smith is an awesome leader, and I hope he stays in the league for atleast another 3 years. Going to Shanahan before saying anyting was a wise, and great decision. In the future this guy’s definently going 2 the hall of fame because of his leadership and knowledge of the game.
I hope that Rod becomes a coach for Denver after he is done being a wide receiver.
Hey flybyu,
I was thinking the same thing yesterday as I watched his BroncosTV talking about this same subject. I thought, damn Steve Watson you better hope Rod Smith dont retire anytime soon cause your job is gone! THen I thought, Shanny would probably just give him a coordinator spot so maybe Steves job is safe. BUt Rod is most definitely this teams leader and when he speaks the team WILL listen. Heck, I listen when he speaks. No doubt a future ring of famer but should be a hall of famer as well.
Ok Guys dont bite my head off but I just had a thought. What would you guys say to …………………………… (ok Im scared)
Trading Jay Cutler for two OUTSTANDING defensive lineman…..and then trading for
BYRON LEFTWICH for some good money. Ok think about it……
1) he’s Moblie
2) has a rocket arm (pocket passer)
3) smart
4) can play with injuries
5) he plays the colts twice a year
On top of all of this, he’s used to taking all the blame for his teams struggle. Face it, the city of Denver blames our QBs for everything since post -Elway days.
Just a thought……..
ANDREW could you erase my double post please…….Sorry! Accident!
Im pretty sure Rod Smith already said in an interview that he’d never want to be a coach.
Everyone enjoy him now, hes a very special player.
Hey Delux304 do you still think we should trade Cutler for Leftwich? Cutler is the Future of the Broncos! Leftwich is a future bench wormer for at least 3 teams before everyone realizes he just isn’t starter material.
I like Rod Smith! He is a good receiver and good leader. I like the fact he was undrafted and has been such a good player for such a long time. I will never be held up there with any of the great receivers for his playing ability for good reason. But he is unselfish and has always been a team player. So in my book he will always set way above guys like Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. But I think the Broncos biggest problems at the quarterback position sense The Man (John Elway) left has been no leadership from the quarterback. A receiver just can’t lead the team! The man calling the plays in the huddle has to be able to step up and say “we have them right where we want them”. Then drive his team down the field from the 2 yard line to win the game! (I am talking Oilers not Browns) I really like Jake and I wish he could have been that guy. I mean I live a hundred miles from where he grew up. But I had to face the fact that even after 4 years he wasn’t going to take the lead. I hope Cutler can. As long as he keeps making good decisions in the pocket he will earn the respect of his teammates.
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I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting