What's Next?
What is next for Mike Shanahan? Will he be in Denver next season? Will he trade up in the draft? Does he still have Jake Plummers back? What was up with his decisions in the playoffs vs the Colts. Could the Broncos have won that game? A lot of questions in Denver about Mike Shanahan...
posted by RED at 9:52 AM
18 Comments:
Well James I agree with you on your points and Mike Shanahan looked more like Marty Shottenhiemer then our balsy coach of 97. You brought up a good point reffering to the 4th and short decision. I would have rather see him go for that then the onside kick that put Indy in position to score another touchdown.
I believe Mike Shanahan was calling the plays Sunday and he seemed to back away from the game plan that everyone thought would give us the best shot at beating the Colts and that was to consume the clock and keep the ball out of Manning's hands. There was numerous 1st downs where we opted to pass instead of run and try to make an easier 3rd down conversion but instead Shanahan put Plummer in a position where he had to throw on 2nd and 3rd down.
I think the future of the Denver Broncos is going to be ugly with Shanahan at the helm. It's true that a coach can't stay in one town for too long and I think Mike expired his stay here in Denver. I would like to see Gary Kubiak get a chance to coach the Broncos, he has been the mind behind our offense for a long time and I think he has proven himself time and time again. If I were Pat Bowlen I would have to take a good look at my Head Coach/GM and think long and hard about atleast putting him on the hot seat.
Look for Denver to try to add another defensive player to the mix and stick with the old boot plays that NFL defenses have grown well to know by the back of there hand. Also look for a Pissed off Rod Smith to consider going else where to obtain that 3rd superbowl ring.
He's stepping down and Smellway will be taking over as head coach
Mike Shanhan needs to grow a pair! Denver fans should be calling for his head. We called for Mike Tice's!
- Jan
Good response James let me add my two cents on your 3 coaching errors.
1) You are probably right that in 97 or 98 he goes for that 4th and 1, but I think the smart move was to indeed punt. You don’t want to get stuffed and leave the Colts with excellent field position. Remember football is all about field position and when you’re punting from near mid field, you can back them up inside the 20 which gives your defense a chance to gain excellent field position for your offense, assuming they can stop the opposing offense to a 3-and-out. Where I think Shanahan screwed up the play calling was passing on first down. The majority of first down passes fell incomplete leaving a long 2nd down play. That almost nearly puts the offense in a passing situation. Where Denver was successful was running on 1st down, getting 4-6 yards just about every time. Unfortunately, the Broncos didn’t run the ball as much as I thought they should have.
2) I don’t think the bootleg would have worked against the Colts. The defensive line for the Colts treat every play as a pass play and the d-line is basically pulling their ears back going after the QB. This is why the run is so effective against them – yet this is also why they were 3rd in the NFL with the most sacks (which probably even lead to why they were ranked 3rd in turnovers). Even in the season finale, the bootleg was only 50% successful (against 2nd string defensive ends). Now I’m not saying the right decision was made, but I think I only recall one, maybe two bootlegs on Sunday (both were unsuccessful).
3) Lynch was cheating over to help Bailey, but Roc also had help on the deep pass from Kennedy. The majority of Wayne’s yards were yards after the catch. Roc was giving atleast a 10-yard cushion, which of course is a field day for that type of receiver. But by having both safeties cheat over, that left the middle open for Clark to have a HUGE game. I don’t think a defensive scheme could have prevented this. I think the way to beat the Colts is to apply pressure on Manning quick and often – which of course we failed to do.
As for Jesse’s comments, well, we’ve battled back and forth about this in the past. I don’t see Rod Smith going anywhere. I don’t think Denver needs to get additional defensive help (except perhaps a solid defensive tackle). I think Denver is lacking at the receiving position as well as the safety position. I like Lynch, I like what he brings to the table, but man has he lost a step from his prime. Denver has been burnt deep so many times this season because the safety deep help hasn’t been there. I don’t think this is Shanahan’s fault and I don’t see an “ugly” future as Jesse put it. It’s about the execution man, this season was just full of mistakes by key players.
The defense is solid (can’t really make a judgment from the Colts game since the Colts have basically tossed 450 yards against even better defenses), but the defense really needs to start forcing turnovers. Plummer is going to be Plummer and probably average about 15-20 INT/season, but if the defense can atleast get a +5 or +10 turnover ratio by seasons end, think how successful Denver can be? 3 games this season were lost by a combined 5 points, all because of turnovers. Jax – Q’s fumble, Oak – 2 costly fumbles by Droughns and SD – 4 INT (2 of them dropped passes by the receivers).
You are right about the 3-4 defense. It has helped put the Steelers where they are now. I also agree about Shanahan being intimidated by the media has plagued him this season.
The Vikings are the team to beat in the playoffs. The Broncos need to take a page out of there book and hit Lelie deep more often!
-Jan
Jan - I will give you this - I think the Vikings can beat the Eagles and if they do, the Vikings are Super Bowl bound. But unfortunately they will not beat any AFC that makes it.
And James, what he has to lose is the game. I know Denver was the underdog, but you also have to try and put your team in the best possible position to win the football game. Can't go for a 4th and 1 just because it's the playoffs and you have "nothing to lose".
Well Steve I agree with you that Lynch has lost a step and has hurt us on the deep ball which you have proved on tape. As for Rod Smith I just don't see him wanting to stay in Denver and if he leaves we are really gonna be up shit creek. Rod is pissed man you can see it in his face. Can you imagine if Rod does leave how screwed we will be.
I think Denver should go for a franchise quarterback, a rookie to call our own. Even if it meens going through a few 8-8 seasons. Plummer is not gonna take us to the Superbowl. I guarantee it!
You may be right on that Plummer issue, but until Denver irons out all their mistakes and learns that we only lose games because of Plummers mistakes, I don't see that happening. Plummer isn't bad, sure he isn't a Manning, but shit man, Trent Dilfer won the Super Bowl, no reason why Plummer can't. If the Broncos start executing on every play, getting the turnovers, etc (someone said it before, Shanahan is putting the players in the right position to make the plays, they just aren't being made) if that is done, Denver can go a long way.
All I know is that this is old news and my Vikings are going to beat a TO-less Eagles team and go on to the Superbowl.
-Jan
I can agree with that James, or atlease see how they are lining up, to see if you do have a power play that can get you that 1 yard. But ultimately, I do believe the punt was the right decision.
I have to agree with James on this one. I thought they should have went for it. Rueben would have piucked up the 1st down and that would have changed the game. You need shit like that to pump you up. I think it would be nice if we had a bigger line so we can do those things. I guess that is what Shanahan didn't have faith in because he sure did look like he wanted to go for it. I think Mike has to put his balls out there and I am sure he would have got the support of his players to make that decision, fuck what the media thinks. Do what is good for the team.
He does coach different, but I also think his personnel allowed him to coach differently. As much respect as I have for Droughns and Bell, I don’t think they are as solid as TD was in 97, I don’t think the play of the offensive line is as good and obviously Plummer is no Elway.
All about the confidence man, or lack of it.
Praise oh mighty Lord Arvada Mike....remember to go to confession to save your soul my brotha
I second that!
And I is ALWAYS capitalized. What did you believe in publik edjumakshion?
Change is alway's Good!
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