We'll always have Mike Anderson
Just yesterday I wrote that Mike Shanahan the GM needed help, so that Mike Shanahan the coach could do his thing. That's not going to happen now. I still have a hard time believing The Mastermind is gone, at least in Denver, but I can't argue with the decision. Pat Bowlen is one of the best owners in the NFL and he saw an organization that was rotting. He had a coach that covered up many of its ills with excellent gameplans, but you couldn't divorce Shanny the executive from the one on the sidelines. As Adam Schefter said, this was not a man interested in ever taking less power after 14 years on the job.
I do find it interesting that two previous Denver Post Broncos writers who subsquently went national, Schefter and Bill Williamson, seem to think this would be a win-win for both sides. I trust their judgment.
This is terrible news for Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and any future Denver back. Shanahan knew how to create, finishing second in yards this season despite losing seven running backs. (They finished 16th in points, so there were problems.) Keeper league owners can only hope that an offensive minded coach gets the Denver job, which now looks like the most desirable in football. Bowlen's loyalty and infrastructure are well respected. I don't have a lot more to add to our mammoth post, so I'll leave you with that after the jump.
The Shanahan firing is as shocking as any in a long time. Shanahan the executive eventually sunk Shanahan the coach. Still a fantastic game-planner who squeezed eight wins out of a talent-poor and injured roster, The Mastermind's executive skills after he took full control over personnel were erratic. The defense consistently devolved for five years, with Shanahan burning through coordinators and overpriced talent from other teams. Still, no one is better at offensive gameplanning, and this is terrible news for the entire Denver offense.Shanahan, 56, told NFL Network's Adam Schefter that he'll take some time to consider what's next. He's owed $20 million in the next three years, so he may be content to take a year off to recharge. Otherwise, he'll top every wish list vacancy around the league. Shanahan finishes his 14 years in Denver with a 136-86 record, two Super Bowl wins, and seven playoff appearances.
Comments
Wow...this is truly a shocker. I'll kind of miss ol' Satanahan in Denver. Hey, maybe I can actually draft just one Bronco running back now!!
Posted by: j | December 30, 2008 10:50 PM
Greg,
Cowher isn't interested in the Browns or Jets, and it's rumored that he wants to go a place where he can have full control.
Without Shanny, Denver is lacking both a GM and a Coach. If they're willing to hand one man both positions again, Cowher looks like a good fit there...
Posted by: Steve | December 31, 2008 12:43 AM
This was a #1 stunner, Diggy, and I have very mixed emotions about the whole thing. Like the girl I knew wasn't quite right for me but who I still had strong feelings for breaking up with me.
Crazy.
-Your Cuzz
Posted by: J Milly | December 31, 2008 10:15 AM
i dont think it will have THAT much of an impact on cutler, royal, marshall, etc. i think, whatever the case, the new coach will come in an noticeably see that the passing is the best weapon, or at least skew towards it more than the run, but one could assume that anyways after this crazy rb-riddled bronco year.
Im not saying shannahan didnt help cutlers development, i think he greatly did - more than any other coach could, i just dont think that losing shannahan will all of a sudden significantly demote how great cutler and marshall and royal are. they are all great players, especially cutler, regardless of the coach. And if the OC sticks around that could reduce some of the fears, which is very possible as shanny might not want to pick up with another team for next year right away.
Posted by: scott c | December 31, 2008 11:50 AM
Well said cuzz. And it sounds like Bowlen doesnt want an all-powerful one guy to be GM and coach ... so Cowher would appear to be out. Seems like he doesn't want to return anyhow.
Posted by: Gregg | December 31, 2008 12:02 PM
does this now open the door for Pioli and mc daniels to both come to denver? perfect setup with a strong organization that puts a premium on winning and a franchise QB waiting for an innovative young head coach.
Posted by: Logan Wilson | January 5, 2009 02:36 PM