Let there be no doubt, Pat Bowlen runs the show in Denver

by John Bena on Feb 13, 2009 3:22 AM MST in Strictly My Opinion Comment 67 comments

(Brian Xanders)

The days of dotted lines are over. As are the days of gray areas and blurred lines of responsibility. All roads lead one direction, now, in Denver - right to Owner Pat Bowlen's door. After 14 years watching someone else make most, if not all, of the football decisions for his franchise, Bowlen doesn't want it any other way.

The dismissal of Jim and Jeff Goodmen yesterday has removed little doubt on who will be calling the shots, and I mean ALL the shots. In a move that seems to be about 1 part streamlining, 1 part office-unity and 1 part financial, Bowlen has sent a clear message to everyone involved -- staff, players and fans -- I'm the man when it comes to all things orange and blue.

In one statement, Bowlen talks of wanting a streamlined approach to his front office -

"Really, what I was interested in doing was resetting the way we do business around here. Brian Xanders was what I considered a true general manager."

Then, in another statement, Bowlen all but acknowledges the petty in-fighting that seemed be created by the huge power void left by the dismissal of Mike Shanahan -

"The decision to make Brian Xanders the general manager, reporting back to me, was an important decision. It was not going to be a workable situation between Jeff (Goodman) and Brian. And I think they would say the same thing.

We've really changed the complexion of this organization, I think it's going to help big-time."

That does lead to a question, however. Does Pat Bowlen become a louder voice in terns of tough personnel decisions on the field?

I like the idea of having of having a general manager report directly to me and he has a good relationship with the new head coach as well. I don't know that I'll suddenly become a great personnel guy, watching film all the time. But I'll listen to Brian, I'll listen to anyone in the back of the building (the personnel and scouting departments) and I'll listen to the head coach.

Let me put it this way, we'll make an informed decision that we all agree on.

Of course, in these tough financial times, I'd be remiss if the thought that money - nearly $7 million that Bowlen will pay Shanahan this year - wasn't a factor in some way, shape or form.

Personally, while this does leave the franchise in a bit of chaos, I thoroughly agree with one thing. If Pat Bowlen wants to recreate the franchise, set the Broncos on a completely new direction, than CLEAN HOUSE. Xanders has been with the Broncos since May of last year, only 9 months, so he qualifies, along with the new head coach and a entirely new coaching staff(for the most part).

Mike Shanahan became extremely good at deflecting blame when things went wrong for the Broncos. Pat Bowlen has created a direct line of accountability that heads directly for his door. In a way, it's refreshing, but it certainly is unsettling as well.

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Comments

Good and bad issues on this one.

First, the bad.

I credit the Goodmans with our recent draft successes (Xanders arrived after the last draft). Second, I don’t like the idea of an owner stepping in and watching film. If he forgets to leave football to the professionals, were all up a creek without a ~~paddle~~ boat.

The good.

Xanders does have a reputation for being a genius. This also (possibly) ends the practice of people hiring relatives (such as Goodman hiring his son). This streamlines responsibility, and ends the in-fighting. Bowlen has proven to be a shrewd businessman in the past, and I wouldn’t think he risk a business like his team on foolish moves.

I have mixed feelings on this one. Let’s see how it plays out before jumping the gun and declaring this good or bad in total.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Feb 13, 2009 6:16 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

As far as tape watching...

At least Bowlen has the sense to state that he’s not a football guy. He’s publicly scoffed at the notion that he’d take on a Jerry Jones type role. I hope he still feels that way. I think the plus would be that he has asserted himself as a strong owner who won’t put up with in-fighting; he’ll let these guys do their jobs without interference, but if the inevitable disagreements start to get out of hand, he won’t hesitate to step in.

aka MN Bronco

by pubkeeper on Feb 13, 2009 7:37 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

But the notion that he even sees the need to distance himself from Jones means that he at least can see where people could get the idea from. The more he distances himself from Jones, the more likely it is that he needs to be compared.

Still, I’m not going to make any judgements until we see how this shakes out. If our offense improves slightly (more running) and our defense shows any improvement at all, I’ll be content.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Feb 13, 2009 7:52 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I think his statement, er, scoff, was in response to the specific question from someone, tho, not something he brought up. Still, you’re right in saying the comparisons are inevitable. For 14 years, he’s made himself a spectator in his own organization. That appears to be changing. Only time will tell if he’s stepping into more of a day to day role or not. I hope not, but must say that he’s got a lot of trust built up with me. As with most Bronco fans who live outside Denver, I can see clearly how lucky we are to have Bowlen as the owner of our favorite franchise. You don’t realize how good he is until you’ve seen the likes of the Vikings’ ownership situation up close for the past 17 years. It all starts at the top. Even in NE, people constantly note how great Kraft is. Denver is the same.

aka MN Bronco

by pubkeeper on Feb 13, 2009 8:02 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Anytime...

a powerful, high-profile owner drastically shakes-up his organization, there will be comparisons to the infamous control freaks like Jones and Steinbrenner. I view Mr. Bowlen’s willingness to publicly distance himself from Jones to be a reassuring sign of self awareness, not cause for further scrutiny.

I have a gut feeling that starting fresh was the ultimate deciding factor here, with control and financial considerations being lesser, but important factors. From a fan’s perspective, the best case scenario is that X has huge talent, which made the Goodmans and their ties to Shanny expendable and Mr. Bowlen made a no-brainer of sorts.

"Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."

by ButteBronco on Feb 13, 2009 8:13 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry HT,

I almost always defer to your amazing insight and wise ways. But I must respectfully disagree with you on this one point. I think Mr. Bowlen genuinely does not see anything that resembles Jones or Steinbrenner in himself and is amazed that anybody could even think it. That’s why the word “scoff” is so appropriate here.

I think the situation is more like what ButteBronco suggests, supra or below or whereever his comment ends up in relation to mine after I post this thing, lol.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Feb 13, 2009 9:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you make a fair point.

The only thing that really worries me is the comment about watching film. Bowlen is an excellent owner (the best owner in my book). I just want him to stay away from the film room.

All of that aside, the Jones comparison is unfounded, and we are in agreement.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Feb 13, 2009 9:06 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

I think we are trying to find things that are not there HT....

if Bowlen is going to be more hands on with HIS business, then he needs to re-educate himself on ALL facets of his business. Thats what any good president of COO does. By Bowlen looking at film you cant automatically assume he is going into the draft room and will help with the draft.
All he is doing is eduacting himself on a big part of the product he sells: the players. Without knowledge of the players, he will really be clueless in whether the product HE wants to put on the field is any good.
Lets not jump on Pat’s case because he is taking more active role in his business. This has long been over due, and had he have taken this interest 5 years ago, maybe Shanny is here, we have a good to decent D and have made the play offs more……his lack of keadership and involvement is one of the reasons this franchised has underperformed for the last 5 years.
About time, and I have a feeeling this ship will be wrighted a lot sooner than any of us expect.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 13, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Well said, boyd

In Goodman We Trust

by Emmett Smith on Feb 13, 2009 10:40 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’m hesitant about this change, but if things work, who cares?

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Feb 13, 2009 10:55 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+2 In Bowlin We Trust

I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.

by UB3 on Feb 13, 2009 1:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

uh oh

I am really worried about what is going on. Did Pat keep the right guy? What is Xanders track record? I know he came from Atlanta. Why did they let him go? Did he really get a lot of talent in there during his tenure? I am really freaking out here man. I’ve known what to expect for the last 14 years and now it’s all uncharted waters. Pat Bowlen has been a great owner but I think a large part of that is because he had Shanny running the show. I don’t know what to think. Does the old man have some screws loosening up as he ages? Or is the old man proving he is as shrewd as ever and getting better with age? Where in the hell is Mike Clark, the President of La-La Land??? Someone please help me…

Col. Sandurz: Prepare ship for light speed!
Dark Helmet: No, no, no, light speed is too slow!
Col. Sandurz: Light speed, too slow?!
Dark Helmet: Yes, we're gonna have to go right to . . . ludicrous speed!
Col. Sandurz: Ludicrous speed?! Sir, we've never gone that fast before. I don't know if the ship can take it.
Dark Helmet: What's the matter Colonel Sandurz? Chicken?

by orangeblood on Feb 13, 2009 6:20 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Actually, X has ties to Dan Reeves

According to denverbroncos.com:

He joined the Broncos on May 5, 2008, after spending the last 14 NFL seasons with Atlanta, where he worked as the Falcons’ director of football administration/player personnel analyst.

…

Xanders worked with the Falcons in a variety of capacities, including player personnel, coaching, salary cap management, information technology and business management. He was a member of Falcons’ coaching staff on their 1998 team that became the first in franchise history to earn a Super Bowl berth (XXXIII).

Selected by the Falcons to attend the NFL’s 2005 Stanford Graduate School of Business Program on Management, Xanders has given speeches at multiple universities on labor economics, football administration and player personnel issues.

A former middle linebacker who played for Bobby Bowden at Florida State University, Xanders was a member of four bowl-winning teams with the Seminoles that had a 42-7 combined record. He was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team selection and graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in business management along with a master’s degree in business administration.

Xanders and his wife, Amy, reside in Aurora, Colo., with their two children — Reid (5) and Mary Claire (2).

So he was part of the team that brought you Jamal Anderson and Michael Vick. I think the qualifications and track record is there, and we’ll just have to defer to Pat about his talent and potential for the future. The air does seem to be thinning around us this off season, but maybe X is another guy like McJedi that we should expect to perform beyond his boyish looks.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 6:37 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, Alex Gibbs

AG brought zone blocking to Atlanta in 2004, suggesting X has a track record of finding players for that system.

Also fyi, X was also part of the Atlanta team that pulled John Abraham away from his interest in Denver during free agency.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 6:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Just to clarify

I’m just drawing some lines here. I have no idea what his level of involvement was in those areas. But I suspect he must have been a contributor if Pat B. tapped him over Goodman’s 15-year record with the Broncos.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 7:10 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not putting down Xanders...

..whom I think is a smart and good guy. But I wouldn’t use Vick as a “good” point. A felon who can’t throw a ball isn’t a feather in anyone’s cap.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Feb 13, 2009 7:54 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

heh.

aka MN Bronco

by pubkeeper on Feb 13, 2009 8:03 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I mostly agree

However, let’s remember that the real hallmark of the Vick draft was the negotiation required to get him. Wasn’t that how the Chargers ended up with LT?

One can certainly argue (and I most definitely do) that the Chargers ended up with the better part of that bargain. But back in the day, I seem to recall everyone believing that Vick was going to change the game forever, and prying that pick free from SD couldn’t have been a simple process. I’m definitely not suggesting Vick was worth it — it’s more the management of that negotiation and the idea X might have gained some experience in that situation that I find interesting.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 8:19 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

The moves that were made are a credit to Xanders. The final product was a fizzle. You make a very good point, and I’ll conceed the issue.

On another topic, if Atlanta had used Vick in either a pure “single wing” system, or even as a RB in a Miami’s little pro football experiment this year, it might just have worked. Another point to Xanders.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Feb 13, 2009 9:11 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks HT

for helping me clarify my point! I’m trying to get better at thinking before I write, but I write for a living so it goes against my nature sometimes. LOL

Scary thought, Vick in the wildcat. Of course, just having in Vick in the backfield on every play, one could argue that Atlanta was running a step-cousin of the wildcat. You’re absolutely right, though. What they really needed was a quarterback, and now they have one.

By the way, if X wasn’t hired until after the draft last year, does that mean he had input on Matt Ryan???

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 10:02 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thery did need a QB

One area of surprise for me was how well they had the rest of the team in place when Ryan was drafted. Most, including myself, thought he might founder due to insufficient players around him, and I was pleased, for him, to be wrong.

I believe that example after example has occured of reasons why a QB should be good at being a QB – reading, seeing, making decisions and throwing far more than running. It’s good to be able to get out of the way off the D, but let your RBs tote the rock. Anyway, someone tried to go a different direction and the result was Vick, but the rest of the team is pretty solid.

In Goodman We Trust

by Emmett Smith on Feb 13, 2009 10:45 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

in all fairness to X

It was Dan Reeves who was the reason the Falcons traded with Sd for the #1 pick for Vick. It was another one of Reeves picks that are questionable now

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Feb 13, 2009 10:05 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

Though at the time, I’m sure he thought he saw the next Elway in Vick. A lot of people did. And watching Vick running all over us in our house a few years ago, and beating Green Bay at home in December, it was hard to argue with.

Vick was sure an interesting slant on a QB. It’s a shame he turned out to be such a pathetic human being.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 10:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

re: Vick in Miami wildcat

Don’t look now, HT, but the potential for your fanciful suggestion now exists:

Falcons GM says team to trade Vick

Wow, the NFL is a freaky place sometimes.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 2:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

If they do they won't get much in return

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 9

by weazel on Feb 13, 2009 10:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I heard the Chargers wanted Tim Dwight (think it's him)

SD was going to trade their pick if they could get Dwight in on the package deal. If Atlanta doesn’t go along with that then SD is the team that drafts Vick.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 9

by weazel on Feb 13, 2009 10:18 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

sigh

If only. ; )

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 10:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Not only did they get LT out of the deal

They also managed to get Drew Brees, and several other players that had helped their organization. They definately worked ATL on that deal. Again the over value of the 1st overall pick.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Feb 13, 2009 10:37 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It also sounds like Bowlen is compartmentalizing the organization.

He even referred to McD as the “new head coach”…not even by his name. lol Makes you wonder if McD is going to be on a very short leash with a very short time frame to turn Denver into a winner again. I hope to God that is not the case…but it is sure unnerving.

Is there such a thing as a Playstation 3 Anonymous? I can't seem to stop thinking about or playing COD 4 and COD 5. I hear this is quite normal for a teenager, but I haven't been a teenager since Bill Clinton was frolicking with interns.

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 7:44 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Totally unnerving

And I imagine no one is sucking wind over these decisions more than Mr. B himself. ; )

You have to admire an owner who is willing to damn the torpedoes and act boldly on his instincts. With that kind of tenacity, we should really make him an honorary member of MHR. : )

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 8:35 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...if only those comparisons weren't already used for Crazy Al Davis 20 years ago.

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 11:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

touché, Z

Now that’s one end of the spectrum I never thought I’d see Bowlen on. I have to believe that he does not expect his increased role to be permanent, if he hired the right people. I suspect he is probably just keenly interested in getting his crew up to speed in what he feels is the right way, to set the tone for how he expects them all to work together in the future. If these guys are as bright as he evidently believes, and they earn his trust, I can see him stepping back from it in a few years as he did with Shanny. (Maybe not to the degree he did with Shanny… unless they bring him a SB or two.)

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 11:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Although

I am preparing myself emotionally for the fact that we may have to intervene and put Mr. B in a home any day now. ; )

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 12:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't blame the guy for wanting to DE-SHANNY his organization.

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 1:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I just hope Shanny didn't turn Mr. B into freakin' King Lear O.o

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 2:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get where Xanders is considered a genius

He worked for the Falcons, a team that went down the tubes when he was there and rebounded after he left, genius?

My understanding was that Xanders was brought in to help manage the finacial end of the business with salaries and cap structure, and hopefully with an MBA he would be able to do that, but I am not sold that he understands personnel that well.

I agree that you definately don’t want a three headed monster as the GM, and I can understand the elimination of the co-GM roles, but I don’t understand getting rid of Goodman (Sr.), there obviously are some very good points about nepotism, but seems like we are cutting off our hands to spite the face (I think I got that right).

I understand that Bowlen will want to take a more active role in management of the team, but again, nothing Xanders did in Atlanta struck me as great.

As far as a cost cutting measure, I am tired of the BS that floats around about owners losing money, trust me, the way the NFL is set up, no owner is losing money, they may not be making as much money as before, but they sure as hell aren’t losing money.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Feb 13, 2009 9:30 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

I don’t see anything I’d call “great” in his past. Just that he has more experience than one might think, due to those boyish looks. From the youth perspective, McD and X are striking me as glorified Madden freaks. LOL But I’m sure hoping Bowlen must see more than we do.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 10:05 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The Falcons downfall...

was not due to personnel. They actually had good personnel, but the Vick fiasco and a disastrous coaching hire cause the organization to temporarily implode. This year you could see how much talent they actually had. Arguable X was involved in the Turner deal, the Abraham deal, the drafting of Ryan…

Seems pretty good to me.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Feb 13, 2009 11:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the nose Broncoman

and I agree w/ you.In Goodman(s) we have two consecutive years of drafting true Bronco type players. They selected guys with character who play hard. They have intelligence and actually act like they want to be on the field. On the other hand we have an outstanding salary capologist and superior negotiator who hase been with a team for 14 years with one Super Bowl appearance. As I recall they got their helmets handed to them by my favorite team. I sure hope Bowlen made this decision on a lot more than we see and on something other than the short-term money he will save. This team needs investment, not contraction.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 11:52 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

News release from sometime in May 2010

After the bombshell announcement in January that Josh McDaniels would be replaced by new head coach Pat Bowlen, the Denver Broncos have continued to make waves. At that time owner Pat Bowlen, following a disappointing 7-9 season, in which Denver’s 33rd ranked run defense largely negated a 53-TD, 4-INT campaign by QB Jay Cutler, stated that he felt the need to move in a new new direction. That implications of that decision loomed large following Denver’s surprising picks in the draft. Defensive coordinator Pat Bowlen stated in today’s press release that with the addition of 475-lb Willie “Man Mountain” Stroganoff and 425-lb Tom “Big Hill” Weston the Broncos would be moving to an innovative 2-5 defense, with nose ends Man Mountain and Big Hill each taking on two or three blockers, thus allowing the linebackers, led by newly acquired Pee Wee League MVP Timmie “Scooter” Wilson at middle inside linebacker, to flow to the ball. New deep safety Michael Phelps noted that he was “very high” on the prospects for the defensive system. In a related move offensive coordinator Pat Bowlen stated that the offense would be featuring a new 10-man look, arguing that, given second-year LT Ryan Clady’s ability to neutralize the entire right side of the defensive line, offensive production would not suffer. General Manager Pat Bowlen presented the plan as a cost-cutting move that would “enable us to acquire and retain top-drawer talent in line with our commitment to football excellence.” Reached for comment, running backs coach Pat Bowlen insisted he was on board with the new offensive philosophy.

Comments

I was shocked when I first heard of the latest changes, but my feeling is that we should quit carping and let Bowlen be Bowlen.
broncosfanstuckinnorthpolaricefloe

I wet my typewriter!
saudibroncosfanatic

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Feb 13, 2009 11:49 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

spock

Did you get into the sauce a little early?

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 11:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

lol! I was thinking the same thing.

Brilliant satire though…drunk or not. :)

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 12:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed....brilliant.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 1:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, I don't drink

and I only smoke when I visit my cousin in St Louie.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Feb 13, 2009 4:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I drink...regularly

I quit smoking 13 months ago….trying to put that 15 year stretch behind me. ;-)

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 5:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+1000 Why wait?

The 2-5 sounds freakin’ awesome to me!!

So I take it you like our chances next year? LOL

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 12:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm stoked!

I think McDaniels and crew will do a much better job of welding our defensive players into a team,
and I think the offense will do a better job of cashing in scoring opportunities. 10-6 or 11-5. If
we go to the 2-5 the sky’s the limit. Man Mountain guarantees it.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Feb 13, 2009 4:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Mongo like 2-5!!

I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.

by Arctic Bronco on Feb 13, 2009 8:37 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting new AP story about X

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3903601

A sampling:

Brian Xanders, who begged every NFL team for a job after graduating from Florida State, was promoted to general manager of the Denver Broncos on Thursday. Xanders, a former walk-on middle linebacker, joined the Broncos as assistant general manager May 5 after 14 seasons in the Atlanta Falcons organization.

Xanders, who negotiated some of Denver’s bigger contracts last season, is now in charge of all player personnel issues, including college scouting, pro personnel and labor negotiations with the Broncos.

Xanders graduated from Florida State with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration. He was on four bowl-winning teams with Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles.

Xanders said in an interview with The AP last year that he sent resumes to every NFL team and was rejected at least three times by all of them until finally landing a job for $19,000 a year working as assistant general manager at the Falcons Sports Complex, a sports health club that was open to the public and his ticket to the NFL.

He certainly has drive. Here’s hoping he has the nose, as firstfan so succinctly put it.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 12:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

It's the nose

Don’t bite off your nose to spite your face! hehe – see Broncoman above.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 4:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Change

Change is a comin whether we like it or not and one thing for sure is that change can be a bit shaky for the nervous system…. One thing that is very certain here is that almost everyone has become comfortable with the status quo of the broncos the past 14 years, even tho we have not done anything in the past ten.
We have all become locked on to the uncertainty of the new direction of our team when this could be the best thing to happen to us in the past 10 years. Then again it could become the worst blunder in the history of the broncos.
But I myself am ready to climb out of my little comfort zone and at least try and be as positive as I can about this change and hope like hell that the powers that be are a lot smarter than the rest of us out here trying to come up with all the answers.
This is really a very exicting time, and for me, it is because of the uncertainty, the hope, the dream of once again being on top and all the other possibilities for our team… Change is going to be good in my mindset because we were going nowhere for the last mega years. We have some really great players but we have lost our Identity and our direction and our desire to achieve the ultimate goal….That is a fact, and it was not changing at all.
Sure we got a great offense created but in the mean time we failed on D and special teams and most importantly Leadership…..
So….. Change is a good thing, because I am really tired of hoping for a better draft and better FA pickups every year just to say “maybe next year” or “if only we didn’t lose 80 RB’s” or “we almost made the playoffs”…..
This is not what I want to do for the next ten years again…. So, Mr Bowlen, watch all the film you want, McD, coach and lead your ass off and bring us back to where we are really used to being… AT THE TOP… and get rid of our little comfort zone we have been wrapped up in this past 10 years…..If nothing changes in 2009, we can always come back to our computers and talk about the “I told you so’s” and “we should have done this and that”…… and we should have no problem doing that again because that is where we have been the past 10 years. Our comfort zone……Lets Go Broncos….Kick butt….

by pwsbronco on Feb 13, 2009 1:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Well, when you put it that way...

I guess it is time to try something else. Good comment pwsbronco.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 1:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I just want to point out

you cannot look at the players brought in to Atlanta when Xanders was there. He was not the GM, he was not in charge of any scouts or scouting players. He was their numbers guy for contracts and money stuff. Now Xanders did work his was up in Atlanta and has a good reputation around the league. There were a lot of teams last year that tried to lure him after the Falcons fired him. This is his first GM job and everything I have read about him shows that he is more then qualified for the job

by gnarlybroncodude on Feb 13, 2009 1:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope he is successful.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 1:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope you're right, gbd

And I thought I was nervous before about the new HC.

And you make an excellent point about the players. But even if he was only exposed peripherally to issues like the Vick contract negotiations—and I’d have to believe he was to some degree—that’s good exposure to have and a good lesson to learn from for our new GM.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 2:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Change----If you don't change---with change,

Change—-will—-change—-you!!!!!

I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.

by UB3 on Feb 13, 2009 1:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Stand back, I feel a David Bowie song comin' on!

… whew, never mind, it was just a little indigestion.

Win or lose, do it fairly. -- Knute Rockne

by broncosmontana on Feb 13, 2009 2:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I see said the Blind man to the Deaf man who was near.
What is it you hear when I speak in your ear.

by UB3 on Feb 13, 2009 2:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Someone else?

Xanders is the CFO of the Broncos (salary cap etc). I predict that in the next week Bowlen will hire a personal talent guy (draft, free agancy talent etc) I do not think Xanders knows squat about judging a players talent. If he thinks he does we are in trouble. Bowlen does not know this either and if Josh McD is our man for talent judging then he really will be the next Shanny. This new talent judging guy, any ideas out there who it will be? I want McDaniels only coaching x’s and o’s.

by icarus623 on Feb 13, 2009 3:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

For some reason

I got the impression that was all under the wing of Xanders. Whether or not he knows squat.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08
Hillis=Cowbell. You can’t have too much. styg 01/29/09

by firstfan on Feb 13, 2009 4:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I've looked at Xanders and he was in personnel and talent evaluation before he became a number crunching ho.

by Tim Lynch on Feb 13, 2009 5:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

are we getting ready for 2010?

what if Mr B is getting ready for the end of the CBA? what if he decided we need a new way of thinking…of a totally different salary structure with lots and lots of players changing teams all over the place…and teams spending either tons and tons of money (like dallas or the new york teams) or the smaller markets (yah…like denver)

so…Mr B goes and gets a young coach who will help make the future…rather than trying to make the future look like the past…and gets a GM who (omg knows how to text and email lol) who is way into computers and can process information in new ways…because its going to be a way different very fluid ever changing world…and the broncos had better be agile to ride the wave

maybe Mr B decided Mike Shannahan would not be able to coach the players he would have in that new world because the system was going to have to be major league modified to match the players denver is going to get…and we needed a management team that would be able to learn and adapt and thrive in that environment…and it wasn’t going to be the goodmans (like so they had a few good drafts but were right there with shannahan through all those stinkers).

sorry for the long post

by JaysGirl on Feb 13, 2009 7:25 PM MST reply actions 6 recs

Very interesting connection between a new CBA and new management styles

This topic should probably be featured in a stand alone post. This is a visionary perspective and needs to be broadcast more widely.

I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.

by Arctic Bronco on Feb 13, 2009 8:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...I hadnt heard anyone make that correlation yet.

It has me wondering now….

by Tim Lynch on Feb 14, 2009 2:31 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome post Jays Girl...

Rec’d.
I am a conspuracy theorist and I like the outside the box thinking.
Yep, recruiting people not only for todays landscape, but for tomorrows!
I like it!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Feb 13, 2009 10:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs