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Broncos fire Shanahan

ESPN - Denver Broncos fire Mike Shanahan after season falls apart

Quote:

DENVER -- Mike Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Shanahan joined Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel on the unemployment line after going 24-24 over the last three seasons, including three straight losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

Despite that, and the 52-21 loss to the Chargers that ended Denver's season Sunday, this was a shocker: The ouster of a 14-year coaching veteran who brought two Super Bowl titles to a city yearning for a championship and was considered my many in this town to be "coach for life."

In a statement, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said: "After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned."

Shanahan, 56, was 146-89, but the Broncos remained stuck at only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 after Denver's second championship.

This season was especially ugly. It included a historic collapse that saw Denver become the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

The Broncos' defense gave up 448 points, third worst in the NFL, including 112 during the three-game collapse at the end. It was ranked 29th in yards allowed and tied for last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover margin.

In years past, Shanahan had relieved defensive coordinators -- Greg Robinson, Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer and Jim Bates -- in almost revolving-door fashion.

This year, as the defense floundered, it became obvious it wasn't just a coaching problem. It was an issue of talent on the field, and in Denver, Shanahan makes all the personnel decisions.

His top two draft picks in 2007, Jarvis Moss and Channing Crowder, were barely a factor this season. Two of Denver's top veteran acquisitions from last year, Niko Koutouvides and Dewayne Robertson, also did very little.

Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million.

"I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time," Bowlen said in the statement. "His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history."

Bowlen said that the team will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning to make the announcement, and Shanahan will speak shortly thereafter.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

I think this move was due. Around here if the Broncos don't go deep in the playoffs the year is a failure. One playoff win since the Super Bowl wins 10 years ago doesn't cut it. It will be interesting to see who the Broncos get and how they go about rebuilding the team. With Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Ryan Clady their offense has a strong nucleus that will be potent for years to come. But their defense was awful this year. Champ Bailey was hurt most of the time, and it seemed like he was the only player who knew how to tackle. Dre Bly was supposed to be one the best corners in the league, but his nickname should have been toast for as much as he got burned.

I've thought he was due for a firing for a long while now, but I didn't see it coming this year. The Broncos need a influx of defense.. not coaching.

I'd be much happier if the Jets went after Shanahan instead of Cowher, to be honest.

I didn't think that guy still coached in the NFL.

they are going to go after cowher and it will be a great fit

Cowher isn't interested in the Jets, and the rumor mill is flying that since Denver would be on the hook for about half of Shan's salary, Jerry Jones might get rid of Wade Phillips and interview Shanahan for the Denver position.

After hearing some of the things this morning about how the Denver owner asked Shanahan to make some defensive changes and Shanahan refused, I'm not surprised he was sacked.

Me, three weeks ago, talking to my uncle... "So, if the Broncos somehow manage to blow it this season and miss the playoffs, do you think they'll fire Shanahan?"

He said no, I win!

I can't stand Cutler, however. He's got this smirk and swagger about him that just doesn't fit a QB who has very average numbers, and being on a team that can't win in a rather crappy division.

Average? He had the third most passing yards in the league this year with 4500+. His defense is terrible.

Shanahan would probably be a good fit for Dallas. He was a good replacement for Wade Phillips 14 years ago, he would probably be a good replacement for Phillips again.

I don't know who the Broncos should get, but hopefully they will put most of their focus on defense. I couldn't believe how many times the defense missed tackles for a short gain and let the guy get another 10-12 yards almost every time. Their kicking game needs an upgrade too. It seemed like most of their opponents drives started past the 30 yard line. I still think once they get some healthy running backs that offense will be the most potent in the NFL. The only thing is to cure Cutler of his Favre syndrome throwing too many ill advised passes.

They could have the best offense in football if they get healthy. Cutler has more than average numbers. His problem is he tries to force the ball (Favre syndrome) too often. If he could learn to use his noodle, his numbers would jump.

They need a defensive minded coach, and it looks like they want a real GM too from reports that are swirling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkmusicfan21 (Post 2578147)

Average? He had the third most passing yards in the league this year with 4500+. His defense is terrible.

No argument there on passing yards, but 25 TD's & 18 picks is nowhere near the top. That's decent TD's, but 2nd worst for INT's, only "Hail Mary" Favre had more. When your Defense sucks, you can't throw the ball away like that.

Maybe it was time to go... but when you are dealing with a legend there are other ways to do it than a firing. I guess I dont know enough to say if this guy truly was a legend of this team, but the write up makes it sound like he was.

I wouldn't say he's a legend.

not at all.

The whole point here is that the owner asked him to make changes to the defense and he refused. Which means you go against the money man and you get fired.

Well, it depends on who the coach is.

I follow NFL as best I can, and I know who Shanahan is, but Im not immersed in it in the way I am say with football/soccer... so I dont know what his status is with the fans.

But if Glazier came to Sir Alex and told him to make changes or sign a certain player that Alex didnt want, do you think

A - that what Glazier wanted would happen?
B - when it didnt happen that Sir Alex would be sacked?

__

Can you imagine the Liverpool board would have, under any circumstances, dared to sack Shanks? It doesnt matter who owns the club, some people ARE the club.

Well, comparing Sir Alex to Shanahan is a travesty.. but I see your point.

I think with the Broncos having a 3 game lead and then having their defense lay down and choke says alot. The owner asked Shanahan who was deep in the football operations to make some changes and Shanahan didn't even entertain the idea. He just refused. When a coach is more than the coach, he's going to take more than a coach's share of the blame.

It's just different in American Football. People blame the coaches more than the players.

Even with what happened this year, I was still surprised to learn this. I thought they'd let him go out on his own terms--maybe a push toward the door, but not overtly.