1. As I’ve thought about it, I agree that moving on from Shanahan (sounds better than “firing Shanahan”, lol) was the right thing to do. As an offensive schemer, he is among the all-time greats. As someone who did truely care about his players, he was a good man. As a GM and all-around franchise runner…he left quite a bit to be desired.

2. I have no evidence to suppor the theory, and no evidence to say it isn’t true. Wouldn’t surprise me, but at least Bowlen made it LOOK like he was looking at all options.

3. Count me on board the initial “ZOMG, we NEEEEED a defensive-minded head coach!!!!” bandwagon. But the wonderfully intelligent people at MHR have changed my mind: we need a head coach to run the whole TEAM, and a good D-coordinator to make the defense into something better than atrocious. I think both have happened.

4. I, too, have had this thought. And like Jedi McD must do…I start to drool.

5. I disagree…I think we need d-line. :) Honestly, I think the Denver defense will be better this year…maybe even in the low 20s! There are some players there, but they need to be used. The more I think about it, the more going with a 3-4 makes sense with the current personnel…assuming, of course, that there is a NT out there somwhere…

6. Again, this is one reason I think Denver would be wise to go with a 3-4. Moss has always been described as a LB-DE tweener…all the better to move him to a rush linebacker spot.

7. Back to the 3-4: Marcus Thomas as DE, someone else plugging away at the other DE spot, and pick up a NT. I won’t say “there, fixed”, but IMO, it’s going in the right direction.

8. Yes, please!

9. Yes, please!

10. Unfortunately, this is true. sigh

11. I would have no problem with a late-round RB or two in this draft. But it is NOT a pressing requirement. Current NFL trends are showing that a platoon of solid backs with different skill sets is effective (even if it’s a fantasy owner’s nightmare).

12. My impression: with no evidence, I would have to agree with you!

13. Huh? D-line? What about it? :)

Both only played 2 years or less in college. Moss missed time due to a mysterious infection and Thomas was kicked off the team more than once only playing in 3-4 games his last year so with some much needed experience they still could become productive. It made no sense to sit out a healthy Moss and Crowder while a bum like Engleberger was hurt and stinking up the field. I live in Florida and watch every game the Gators play. They both showed potential while here but needed more experience.

I agree with most of your points. I hope you are wrong about Moss, but I have no reasons to think you’re not at this stage. I, too was devastated by Shanny’s firing and was thinking defensive guy the whole way. But you’re right, the most important thing for the next head coach to do is continue the development of Cutler and Company. It would have been a crying shame to bring a coach in who just focuses on defense and running the ball. Next thing you know, we’ve reverted back to 1980’s John Elway with run, run, pass. We need someone who will let Cutler do his thing. Yes, Shanny was that guy too, but his management of the overall football operations was not that great.

I do believe we need another running back. The only player I’m counting on for ‘09 at this point is Peyton Hillis, and he’s coming off injury. I have hope for Torain and Alridge, but let’s get real – they are also coming off injury, Torain has never been healthy and Alridge was an UFA. That doesn’t mean they won’t be good, but it would be foolish to expect big things out of them. Hope for them, but don’t rely upon them. Tatum is still what he was the first time around – a 10 carry per game running back.

I will disagree about the injury/luck thing. Perhaps this year was unusual at the RB position, but I don’t think the Broncos are snake-bitten when it comes to injuries. Football is a violent game, and injuries are part of the deal. I would actually say the Broncos are the opposite – think about this for a moment…when’s the last time the Broncos lost their top QB or WR for a prolonged period of time? Honestly, I can only think of losing Griese for a few games in 2000. That’s it, really. Elway missed a few games in ’98 but that team was a well-tuned machine as Bubby proved. This team has avoided catastrophic injuries, and teams that win find a way to deal with losing players.

Terrific post, recommended!

I agree with you guys on pretty much everything, but honestly I feel that if our D is even marginal next year (low 20s) and Cutler picks up McD’s system quickly enough (Matt Cassell seemed to pick it up pretty fast, but let’s remember he had the benefit of training camp), some of last year’s Ls could become next years Ws. Of course, for better or for worse, McD is not Shanahan, and some of last year’s Ws could become Ls, as well. So although I am excited and hopeful, until we actually see some inspired D and a full implementation on O, I’m sort of expecting a season similar to last year’s. It may be 2010 before we are consistently competitive again. But either way, I love my team and am definitely excited and hopeful. Go Broncos!!

LOL! I have to disagree with you on the long-term prediction of woe for our defense. If we draft wisely and make the right personnel moves, I see no reason why we won’t have a competitive defense in 2 years. Yes, 2 years. I think what we’ve sorely missed in Denver is an “attitude” of defense. Even during our glory years (96-98), we were fortunate to have savy vets and incredible defensive leadership (Romo, Atwater, Braxton, Traylor, etc). I’ve always felt our “talent” on that side of the ball during our SB years was still suspect. We simply blitzed like crazy and tried to force the offense into as many errors as possible, knowing our offense with John and TD could usually dominate on their side of the ball. But I’d be lying if I didn’t believe I thought we had an avg defense those years. It’s been decades since we’ve had anything akin to a stud-Ravens/Steelers/Eagles D since the Orange Crush era. The more I consider the upcoming draft, the more I think it’s critical to rank “leadership” as high as “talent”, “gifted-athlete”, “upside”, etc…. We need someone to rally the troops…

2. Time will tell if McDaniels is a young Shanahan or not, but the big issue I got with that is the “young” Shanahan failed as a coach the first time in Oakland and had to have a heavily vetren team to suceed in Denver, so I hope that is not the same fate as McD.

3. Everyone knows who I wanted, and maybe in two years Cowher will be hear (oh how dreamy), but I don’t think you can dismiss having a defensive minded coach, what the team needs is a serious attitude adjustment regardless of the coach, I think a defensive minded coach could also suceed, but we will see.

Points 4 through 13 couldn’t agree more.

McDaniels, on top of being the offensive coordinator in NE, was also the quarterbacks coach. Obviously, having a guy like Tom Brady probably made life a little easier, but Josh seemed to do a pretty good job of bringing Matt Cassel along as well (for example, his pocket presence was terrible at first and improved dramatically as the season went on). I would say that Cutler’s in good hands, as far as that goes.

Oh yeah, and what are your thoughts on the D-Line? =P