10:35 a.m. MST: The team meeting room is flooded with reporters and television cameras. I count 20 cameras, with plenty of photographers lined up across the front of the room.
The parking lot outside is flooded with satellite trucks — there are live radio shows happening as we speak here at Dove Valley. You can really get a feel how big this story is, not only in Broncos Country but across the nation.
10:45 a.m. MST: Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano is addressing the crowd — he said the conference will begin at around 11:01 or 11:02, for television purposes.
10:53 a.m. MST: Broncos staff members are heading into the room — the room is pretty packed. People are standing along the sides of the room against the wall, as well. Quarterbacks Coach Jeremy Bates and Wide Receivers Coach Jedd Fisch just arrived and found seats.
10:58 a.m. MST: Assistant General Managers Brian Xanders and Jeff Goodman along with Vice President of Football Operations/Player Personnel Jim Goodman are standing along the wall. The room is silent as the crowd awaits the arrival of President and CEO Pat Bowlen.
11:03: a.m. MST: A number of assistant coaches have arrived now, including Tight Ends Coach Pat McPherson, Offensive Assistant Joe Baker and Running Backs Coach Bobby Turner. Jim Saccomano is headed to the podium to address the crowd.
11:04: a.m. MST: President and CEO Pat Bowlen has just stepped to the podium. “As everybody in the room is aware, I have decided to make a historic change in this organization. I have terminated Mike Shanahan as the head coach, and I wish him very well as he goes forward. I’m sure he will end up in another organization and be as great for that organization as he’s been for this organization.”
11:05: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Obviously he has Hall of Fame credentials, and I hope that I can replace him with somebody that can be on the same level that Mike was. That’s obviously going to be very hard to do. I decided to make this change for a number of reasons…I think it was time for the organization to move on and for Mike to move on. I have no regrets in making that decision. I have a great deal of respect for Mike, obviously, and will support him as much as I can in anything that he wants to do in the future.”
11:07: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “I had been thinking about it for a while. Obviously this season didn’t go as well as I would have wanted it to go — I’m not laying the blame on the coach for that, we just didn’t get it done…That’s not the primary reason I’m here today. It was one of the reasons.”
“I think that at this point in time, after 14 years as a head coach, it was time for us to go in a different direction. I think that Mike still wants to coach, and I think he’ll probably be more comfortable coaching in a different organization. I think it’s a good decision for both of us.”
11:08: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Unfortunately I’ve never believed in a coach for life. I’ve had to fire other coaches — this is the third one — and they’ve gone onto successful careers in other organizations. That’s just the business.”
11:09: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Mike and I have always had a close relationship. Obviously it’s going to be a little strained at this point, but I think as we go down the road we’ll continue to respect and appreciate each other, and we’ll continue to be friends.”
“I just felt that it was time for a change. I think 21 years with one organization, 14 years as a head coach, is about long enough. I think we want to go in a different direction.”
11:10: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on Shanahan as Head Coach/G.M.: “I felt that Mike was doing both those jobs and was doing them well. I don’t anticipate that the next head coach will have both jobs.”
11:11: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on bringing up the decision with Shanahan: “Yesterday was the first time it ever came up. (The conversation) went very well — as well as a conversation of that nature can go. I don’t think there was any animoscity at all. I think he was shocked, I think he was surprised, but I didn’t feel that there was a lot of negative vibes in that room. I think he knows how I feel about him and I think he feels the same way about me.”
11:13: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on what he would say to the fans: “We’re going to try to get a great coach to come in here. I think we’ve got a great personnel staff upstairs…This job in Denver is a very attractive one and I think we’ll get a great coach.”
11:14: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “At some point in time you reach a decision in your own mind. I haven’t been thinking about this the whole season…I think that as we got through the last game and I looked back at the season and looked back on our relationship and looked back on a lot of things, I thought it was time to move on. I have no doubts in my mind that Mike will go out and get another job with another organization and be very successful. But I thought that broadly if we look back at it a month from now that he’s going to agree that it was the right decision.”
“I guess nothing’s forever.”
11:16: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen tears up a little when asked what was the toughest part about the meeting with Shanahan yesterday: “I guess the emotion. The friendship. When you’re with somebody for 21 years and you’ve got to let him go, it’s a tough decision.”
“I know I have to make some decisions in this organization that I don’t like, and that was probably at the top of the list. But those are decisions you have to make when you own an organization.”
11:17: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on if it was the hardest thing he’s ever had to do: “Probably. In 25 years this is probably as tough as it gets.”
How close is this to a playoff team? “We’re not in the playoffs, so we’re a long way away. But that could change in a hurry,” Bowlen said.
11:18: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on what he wants from the next coach: “I want somebody to come in here and win a Super Bowl. That’s my number one goal. That’s what I want to do. That’s what I’m here for…So I hope I can pick the right coach and our personnel people can pick the right players and we can go on and win the next Super Bowl.”
On the current coaching staff: “I don’t anticipate that we’ll be keeping any members of the coaching staff. Nothing will change in the personnel department.”
On if he has talked with any players: “I have talked with Jay Cutler, and Jay understood the conversation. I talked to him this morning, I didn’t get any negative feedback. I think he understands enough about the business of football and the game of football.”
11:21 a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on if he will have help in finding the next coach: “I don’t think that I would consider myself smart enough to do it all by myself. I think there’s a lot of talent in this building that can help me out, and I will rely on the advice of certain people in this building that I have respect for, and we will hopefully get a great new coach. By the way, this job here — and I don’t say this in any bragadocious way at all — but this is a very high-thought-of job.”
11:23 a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on his relationship with Shanahan: “I think we’ll have a relationship for life. You don’t do the things that we’ve done together and then just sort of move on and forget about it. That’s not the way this business works. So I know Mike’s very disappointed. I know I’m disappointed that I had to make this decision, but Mike will go on and he will be very successful. And I’ll be very happy for him, as long as he’s not beating us. (Smiles) I think the relationship will be, as we go forward, very strong.”
On the conversation yesterday: “Mike and I understand each other. It wasn’t a confrontational conversation, it was none of those things. It was just a conversation where I said, ‘I’ve got to move on,’ it was fully understood.”
On if Shanahan went to a division rival: “I wouldn’t be too happy if he went to Kansas City. (Laughs) Mike will have a lot of opportunities…and if I’m consulted by an owner of that team, I’ll give him the highest marks I can.”
11:25 a.m. MST: “Today we start the process of selecting a new head coach. I don’t know how long that will take, and I don’t even know who the candidates are at this time. But we will get a good head coach.”
Are you considering taking the G.M. job? “Hell no.”
11:26 a.m. MST: Bowlen walks out of the room and Mike Shanahan is stepping to the podium. “I’ve been here 21 years, so I’ve got a lot of people to thank, you’re going to have to bear with me.”
11:28 a.m. MST: Shanahan thanks his personal assistant Cindi Lowe, and says that she was really the head coach for the past 14 years. “So the bad plays were her fault,” he jokes.
“You’re not here for 21 years unless you’ve got the best people around you.”
11:31 a.m. MST: “One thing that is very exciting to me is the football team that we have — the character of this team. When you leave a football team and you leave a team that has the utmost character, you feel good about it. You feel like you’re leaving a team that has a chance to be a difference-maker.”
11:32 a.m. MST: Shanahan gets a little emotional and pauses at the podium. “Obviously Pat Bowlen — it’s tough, because he is a great friend and will always be a great friend. The best owner in sports. I appreciate every opportunity you gave me to be successful. I can go on and on, but you have to make tough decisions in any organization and Pat made a tough decision…I just thank him for giving me the opportunity to do the things that I’ve been able to do.”
11:35 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “It’s been fun. It’s been a great ride. … I wouldn’t give anything up. Do you deserve it? Hey, we didn’t win the past three years. … I didn’t get the job done and that’s the bottom line. Your job is to win championships and I haven’t won a championship in a while. The next place I go that will be the biggest thing I think about — what will give me the best chance to win a championship.”
On the decision: “It did catch me a bit by surprise, but I can understand the reasoning behind it.”
11:36 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “That’s what the Denver Broncos are…we want to win championships, and I think we will in the near future. I’ll always be a part of that.”
How tough was it to have someone tell you you’re being terminated? “I think when it happened to me the first time when I was with the Raiders it’s very tough. But all of a sudden you start getting used to getting fired — it’s not quite as tough. (Smiles) But on the serious side, it’s always tough when you put your heart into something and you get let go…The bottom line is you understand people have to make tough decisions that they think gives the organization the best chance to win.”
11:39 a.m. MST: On yesterday’s conversation: “I felt for Pat. I said, ‘Hey, I understand where you’re coming from.’ It was harder for him to tell me than it was for me to accept it. I’ve had to be in his shoes…It only lasted five minutes, because more than that I think we both would have broken down.”
Was it hard? “It hurts. But tough times don’t last — tough people do. That’s life.”
11:41 a.m. MST: Shanahan on if he will want the same dual title if he takes another coaching job: “The thing that people don’t understand I think very often is that titles don’t mean anything. What you want are confident people to run different parts of your organization. … What I want is great advice. I want the guy coaching that offensive line to coach it better than me. … That’s how you develop a strong organization, you hire people that are smarter than you in different areas.”
11:43 a.m. MST: Shanahan on if he had any inkling what he was walking into Bowlen’s office for yesterday: “No, I did not. I wasn’t really sure. Maybe lunch. (Laughs) My new restaurant that I’ve got to promote?”
11:46 a.m. MST: Shanahan on what he wants to say to the fans: “I say Denver fans are the best. We’ve got the best win-loss record at home and I attribute that to the fans. It’s a college atmosphere, and they deserve the best. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to do that the past couple years, but they’re behind you. I love them.”
11:48 a.m. MST: Shanahan on assistant coaches being let go as well: “That’s the hardest part about this job. Don’t feel bad for me. I’ve been lucky enough to last for this organization for 21 years. The people I have the most concern for are the assistant coaches, the support staff, people that have to move their families. That’s the toughest thing about being fired as head coach — you let a lot of people down.”
On if he would take a college job: “I think I’m an NFL guy. I’m not ruling anything out, because when you don’t have a job, beggars can’t be choosers.”
11:50 a.m. MST: Shanahan on what he will miss the most: “I think relationships with the people that you work with every day. Any time you work 100-hour weeks and you’re busting your rear end to make things happen, that’s what football’s about. It’s family. … That’s what I’ll miss, because I think we had a lot of things in place headed in the right direction, which is great for the Denver Broncos.”
11:51 a.m. MST: On if John Elway would be a valuable part of the organization: “If I was a free agent coming in and John Elway was there, I’d sign for no money. … I think John would be perfect for any organization, especially this one, if that’s what he wanted to do.”
11:53 a.m. MST: Shanahan on Bowlen’s decision: “It’s tough, but I’m a big boy, I can understand why he wants to go in that direction.”
11:54 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “I’m going to be coaching. I can’t give you a time frame. But I’m going to look at my options. … I love the NFL so I don’t see myself getting out of it.”
“All I can say is my experiences here were off the charts. How you develop relationships is going through those experiences together. … That’s why I appreciate everyone in this room, because one person doesn’t make it happen. Everybody together makes it happen. And you’ve got to have an owner that gives you the ability to go out and get the best people and keep the best people. … To win a Super Bowl, to separate yourself, you have to be the best in every area. And that’s what I’ll miss about here — Pat gives you the chance to do that.”
11:57 a.m. MST: Shanahan on Bowlen’s decision: “Sometimes you’ve got to go with your gut. Sometimes you’re at a place for 14 years and it’s the best thing for the organization. I’m not saying that, obviously (smiles), but I think this will always be one of the top places in the league because of leadership.”
11:58: a.m. MST: On what the past 15 hours have been like for him: “You sit down with your family, with the kids…” Shanahan pauses as he gets a little emotional.
“My son understands the business, he’s with the Texans, and my daughter’s in town, she’s getting married … they understand how tough it is to let someone go because they know how tough it was on me. So they can relate to what Pat had to do.”
12:00 p.m. MST: The press conference comes to a close.
“I appreciate everything,” Shanahan says as he shakes Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano’s hand and heads out of the team meeting room.
DenverBroncos.com will have continuing coverage throughout the day, including an in-depth story, videos and photo galleries.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Gray Caldwell, Live Blog, Live Press Conference, Mike Shanahan, Pat Bowlen
No I’m not. Just a guy that knows right from wrong……
so hey do you think mike got us the superbowls wins or did john elway i would put my money on elway stats show that we havent really did anything without elway but its not mikes fault its that defense…i mean they couldnt stop a college teams offense it seems like only like three or two people get a interception all the team really needed was a aggressive defensive coordinator one who really goes after the quarterback
I only have two things to say about the events in the last couple days.
1. I just hope Mike Shanahan doesn’t come back with another team & bite the broncos in the ass. But I fear he will. I have never been so worried / concerned about a personnel change on the Broncos team before. At this moment I have no Idea where they will find a couch that can keep the team as competetive as Mike has. Good luck Pat Bowlen. Your going to need it.
2. Should the Cleveland Browns hire Mike Shanahan, I will have to follow the organization here in town much closer.
he did a lot for us ad he will be greatly missed
i agree too, lets go get steve spagnolo
alwaysbeenafanand4ever….Wow. Not even sure what to say. Do you actually think before you type? 1 playoff win in 10 years and you dont want me to compare mike to the falcons coach? You think 1 playoff win in 10 years is worth 7 million a year? Im sure you don’t own your own business. Its also pretty funny when I read Mike will come back and haunt us. Ya right! Like he haunts the Chargers?
West Coast,
Please, that’s really a pathetic attempt. Surely you can do better. I meant what I said. Now, I’m not only convinced that, ‘you’re not sure what to say’, but hell, you don’t even know what you mean. I never once claimed Mike will haunt anyone. Although, many others seem to think so. You know what, if he goes to KC, that will haunt me. I don’t know about you? Who taught you to read, half brain? Some fan you are. Where’s your team support? I keep repeating myself and still you don’t listen. Playoff losses come from winning seasons. Where have you been? If you don’t think the Chargers feared Mike, then maybe they deserve your support. Or maybe you should be a Falcon fan, bird brain. If you want to start counting playoff wins, then for the love of God, go on back to 96′ and you put the credit where credit is due, and then continue to run off at the mouth. This is a team sport. Sure Elway and Company deserve the praise, but that company part includes Shanahan, as well and don’t you forget that. Still, he sure as hell isn’t sole to blame for all the losses. Business, what business is that of yours? Were you paying Shanahan’s salary? No, you just don’t get it either. This is the NFL. You have to take the good, the bad and the ugly. I cheered for Denver in the 70′s, when we don’t even want to talk records. THE PLAYOFFS, Geeees THE PLAYOFFS. Elway had a few rough goes around, as well. Something tells me you would have been for letting him go, then, long before Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. The Broncos RULE, bottom line, and I know that I will always be proud of EVERY one of those teams that LOST every one of those freaking playoff games. Who knows about you? Move to San Diego or Atlanta. They deserve it.
We were not debating the super bowl years.That was the last great D we had.(No debate, so underated)And true enough we get no media love ,I call us the Rodney Dangerfield of the N.F.L.(no respect)! We were talking about the last 5 years (not limited to this one)! So if you wana live in…… D-nial (lol) who am I to stop ya. Happy new year.–Happy new team–Happy new era.
I sure hate to see Shanny go, especially after he built such a great offense. I think we were only a few good defensive players away from another Superbowl run. Now we will probably suck while a new coach overhauls the entire roster. It seems like the coaches who are winning superbowls are the ones who have been around for awhile not the new ones. He will be missed….
SOMETHING needed to be done, but ripping the guts (and brains) out of the offense — which plainly is working very well — and doing it in such a bush-league fashion is not what the doctor ordered.
Shanahan kept his poise and said “great organization” repeatedly, but that’s political nice-nice speak given that Bowlen did not even give him the opportunity to resign.
Al Davis has treated coaches better.
This WILL come back to bite Bowlen in the ass. Whether that will be because the next 3-5 years are spent spinning in circles trying to get something together or because Shanahan goes to KC and guarantees two division losses for the Broncos every year, or possibly both, we won’t know for awhile. For a guy who’s supposed to be so “classy” and “smart” this firing was amateurish and stupid.
And he hasn’t even THOUGHT about the replacement yet?! What an idiot! Maybe he can call Lane Kiffin. He’s as much as guaranteed no Cowher or anyone of his experience will take the job, so it’s going to be some assistant learning how to be a head coach. For those of you thinking Super Bowl, you have better odds at roulette.
I have been just as frustrated with the coaching as anyone else these past few years, and Shanahan obviously could not get both a young offense and a young defense going at the same time. But that suggests a new GM and/or a new D coordinator. I don’t see any immediate upside to this one.
This was the right move. When you have a roster like we have and only win 1 playoff game in ten years there is a serious problem. Shanny is a great coach no doubt, but coaches tend to go stale after being with one organization too long. We have all the weapons to be champs. We just need some fresh blood. I think bringing in a defensive coordinator as a head coach is a great move. Defense is all this team needs, the offense is not going to forget how to play. The Broncos are much more than just one man.
GREAT MOVE BOWLEN
I AM CONFIDENT A GREAT 09 SEASON AWAITS US
BRONCOS 4 LIFE!!! I BLEED ORANGE
Big mistake, now its a re-build for the coaching staff, players have to learn new schemes and instead of fixing the defense the team has to fix the whole picture now. Shanahan will kick our butts if we have to play the next team he coaches. There must be more to this picture then is being told.
broncosgo:
There will be little if no rebuilding on the offensive side of the ball. The defense is so bad right now there is no way it can get any worse. I see a better team right away. Sounds like most of you shmucks a more like shannahan fans and are blind to how bad 1 playoff win in ten years really is. Look at the Falcons, Dolphins, and Ravens. A new coach doesn’t mean a team rebuild. Get real you guys, it was time to move on.
THIS IS BRONCO NATION
NOT SHANNAHAN GROUPIE LAND
THIS MOVE SOULD OF BEEN MADE 4 YEARS AGO… PLEASE BRONCO NATION, MOVE ON.
WE NEED FRESH BLOOD…. I SEE A 14-2 SEASON AHEAD OF US
So…who is the alternative?? What they should have done is slap Shanny’s hand for allowing a terrible defensive coaching team do so much damage…then, they should have fired the defensive coaching staff!!
So, I fault Mike for not doing a better job with the defense, but that doesn’t warrant firing him.
Stupid move I say by Bolen (shock, shock)
i just dont understand this move. after a season FULL of injuries they fire coach? he had a few years left in his contract why not let it play out? we have a good young team are main issue is the defense, are d-line is small and under achieving. we had a soild offense. we all know shany is a offensive mastermind and are offense is going become one of the most dominate offenses in my book. cutler is foing to be one of the best in the NFL B-Marsh is just going to keep getting better, Eddie Royal wow great season goig to be a huge help ALL WE NEED IS SOME RUSH DEFENSE AND THATS NOT SHANYS FAULT big mistake in my book should of let his contract play out then made a move. i dont agree with bowlens move at all im very disapointed buy wow mike is one classy guy. THANK YOU MIKE YOU WILL BE MISSED
Ttamsivla, I agree we did need some help at the DLine but that was Shanahans fault. Bertram Berry, R. Hayword, Gerrard Warren… just to name a few. I also believe we needed better control on the O side not JUST D.
21DIEHARDBRONCOFAN21-
DITTO!!!! THANK YOU. IT ALL FALLS BACK ON COACHING. LET’S PLEASE REMEMBER IN ’05 WHEN WE HAD ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSES AND STILL COULDN’T GET IT DONE IN THE AFC TITLE GAME AT HOME. WE HAVE THE BEST OFFENSE IN THE AFC PLUS ALOT OF GOOD/POSITIVE THINGS TO BUILD ON!!! WE NEED A COACH THAT IS FULL OF PASSION, EMOTION AND NOT AFRAID TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER OUR DEFENSIVE & SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS & COACHES!!!! I SUPPORTED THE TEAM B-4 SHANNY AND WILL AFTER HIM TOO PERIOD. DID YOU GUYS STOP LOVING THE TEAM AFTER JOHN RETIRED- NO!!!!! LET’S MOVE FORWARD!!!! WE HAVE TO BECAUSE THE CHARGERS AREN’T DONE.
BRONCO COUNTRY FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was the best option in 10 years
I’m anxious about this next season to see what happens. I think we’ve done some good things on both sides of the ball. I think will some more “changes” we’ll get better on both sides of the ball. I really do think that this team is better than just an, “8-8 just missing the playoff team”. I do know that no matter what happens next season, the defining moment will come back to this “historic” move by Bowlen. Obviously if the team does well it was a “good” move, it the team struggles again it was a “bad” move. I fell that this was the right move. I am sad to see Shanny go, he’s done a lot of great things for this franchise. I know we had a rough season this year, injuries, inconsistent play, and blowing the playoffs. So lets see what happens in ’09.
BRING IN COACH COWHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE. WE NEED A “LIGHTS OUT” DEFENSE!!!!!
WE’LL ALL MISS YOU SHANNY!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WERE THE BEST 10 YEARS AGO!!!!!!! THANKS FOR GETTING US TO THE PLAYOFFS 4 TIMES ONLY TO BE EMBARRASSED BY GETTING BLOWN OUT BY BALTIMORE, INDY AND PITTSBURGH!!!!!! NO MORE……. IT’S TIME FOR BRONCO NATION TO RISE UP AGAIN & START DOING SOME EMBARRASSING OF OUR OWN!!!! AFTER WE KILLED THE FAIDERZ IN WEEK #1… I WAS SO CONFIDENT BUT ONLY TO BE LET DOWN BY THE GAMES WE WERE SUPPOSSED TO WIN LIKE BUFFALO AT HOME TO CLINCH THE TITLE!! JUST DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!
IF STOKLEY MAKES THAT CATCH SHANNY MIGHT STILL BE EMPLOYED!!!!!
WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ONCE AGAIN & SHANNY WILL BE A GREAT MEMORY OF WHAT HE DID FOR US FROM 95-98. TAKE CARE COACH MIKE, YOU ARE THE BEST. I WILL NEVER, EVER FORGET THE MEMORIES YOU’VE MADE FOR ME.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Insane, call the wagon and men in white coats. There is no pearson out there, coach or not that can do any better than Shanny. Get ready Bronco nation for at least three years of sub-five hundred ball. I’m canceling my NFL season ticket package on Direct TV today, because I can’t bare to watch.
im not talkin bout shany the GM imtalkin bout shany the coach i could understand a new GM but Bowlen should of let his contract play out in my opinon
alwaysbeenafanand4ever……Again I say wow. Charger fans fear Mike? Where do you live at beacuse I live down here in San Diego and they laugh at our team. I assume you own a TV and watched the last game of the season? Did it look like San Diego fears us? Glad our owner sees things a little different then you. Go back to Detroit where you belong and take Mike with you. I am thankful that 500 football is and will never be acceptable in Denver. Now does anyone have a guess at who will get the job as our coach. Im guessing either the Giants or Titans defensive coordinator will get the job…..
Anybody who seriously thinks 14-2 is POSSIBLE let alone likely next year, buy your lottery tickets and wait for the Easter Bunny.
I’m rite with ya west coast. no more G*%D*%$ .500 football! we all loved mike but he WAS NOT GETTING IT DONE. not even close. quit claimin its the defenses fault and not shanny’s. He is responsible for the WHOLE TEAM people. its HIS coordinators, players, free agents, and draft picks that have done nothing. and i mean nothing and you have to put an end to it and let him go. HAVE TO. PERIOD. That argument makes no sense. I too am glad my Broncos do not accept mediocre as the norm. and thats what mike shanahan brought the last TEN YEARS. 2009 AFC West champs and nothing less. GO BRONCOS
Colorado Cutler,
I do not deny whatsoever that the defense needs work. Like I said, that is a definite no brainer and no matter who fills Shanahan’s shoes, you can bet your bottom dollar, that’s exactly what they’ll do. But that’s just what Shanahan planned to do, as well. Look at what he did for the offense this year. I couldn’t agree more about needing a defensive line. Still, we were a couple of defensive players away from a Super Bowl contending season, this year. You got the right to your opinion, but you won’t deny me the right to mine, and I honestly believe that. Please recheck those stats. We were rated at the top in run stop, more than once in the last five years. You saying differently just proves that you DON’T know. You want to talk about a head coach and his stats, then do so, but include them all. Don’t just single out a few years, (get the stats wrong), and forget about all the wins. Who’s in denial? Shanahan will go down in the hall of fame as a mastermind and one of the greatest coaches (THE GREATEST IN MY OPINION), no matter who denies what. I have watched the Broncos play from the days of Red to ‘who knows who will be next’. I don’t care if it’s back to the 70′s show and crying like a baby over every game. Be assured of one thing. I WILL NEVER BAIL OUT, even if the worst happens. Will you? Do you remember those days? There were some tough ones for the legends as well in the 80′s. Still, we stuck it out. HOWEVER,
West Coast,
You’re something else. If you REALLY believe that one game (without a running back and a beat up defense) sums up what the Broncos have done to the Chargers throughout the years, then I’m ashamed of you as well. (Moment of silence) You’ve got to be kidding me. Don’t you give ME laugh at, bull freaking S*!#. I live a few miles out of Indy bud, I’m surrounded by horse fans who bleed another color. I don’t care what any of them say, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THE BRONCOS. Just to make things clear, whether you hate the Colts or not at least they have class, like the Broncos. The Chargers have stooped to a level of scum that only the Raiders could dream of blowing out their ass. They eternally SUCK. The Chargers are a bunch a hot airred, lilly livered wimps and you know it. You hold your head high and take it like a man or just pull up the NFL channel and due us all a big favor, since you’ve already been booted all the way to San Diego. Do you remember your first no brain comment. Listen to Shanahan say ‘we have to get better’ one more time (since everyone knows it’s true), and then stay true to your word. Dirty laundry, get it, lol. sizzle…
hey alwaysbeenafanandforever, colorado cutler, and West Coast:
Youre all makin alot of good points. your fingers have to be tired tho.
How about those Dolphins and Falcons. Wonder if they’re coaches are worried?
Looks like San Diego got another gimmie. They we’re holding all game long. That last overtime drive was an excellent job of moving the ball on the part of the referrees, big surprise. I missed the MVP award, but no doubt the punter deserved it. The freaking zebras really sucked this year all the way around. I for one am sick and tired of the way they control the game, anymore. It’s time to out with old and end with the new for the entire referee assiciation, B@#!$$$!
Mike we will miss you!!!!
Mike was a great offensive coach and he wont be out of work long, but you have to be realistic, the defensive and special teams coverage problems are just too hard to ignore, you can’t win in the nfl if you can’t stop the opposition. It got hard to watch mediocre offenses running up and down the field on us. Those last 3 games were especially hard to take and giving up 50 to diego was just too much. The new coach will have his hands full next year. With one of the leagues hardest schedules in 09 its going to be a difficult year to climb to the top, but they’re not that far away. Pat is going to need to find a gm and coach who are prepared to make adjustments on the d side while not losing the luster that this offense has. Guys like Clady and Bailey, if he can get healthy, give us something to build on, but there are some big holes to fill, I still wince seeing trevor pryce in a raven uniform, some good ones have got away and it shows and you have to hang that on the gm. I think Pat is a great owner and he wants to win, but with the exception of getting to the afc title game with plummer, they havent since john and td left so it was time for a change and I think it’ll be good for both parties.