The Value of Leadership
Going into the 2009 season, the Denver Broncos are being written off by all but a very few media observers. The reasons for their disdain are not entirely specious - the Broncs have changed their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators and schemes, replaced the defensive staff, starting quarterbacks, fired players wholesale (some of whom can't even get an audition with other teams, after a dreadful 2008), and turned over all of the position coaches save for offensive standouts Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison. The schedule, if you accept last season's rankings as valid, is nothing short of brutal. Their organization has had more drama than TNT.
But the process of rebuilding, if I can use the R word, is rarely easy. If you remove the statistics from the first few games of last season, the Broncos' offense was simply ordinary. Their ability to put points on the board and wins on their record was mediocre, while the defense was horrible. Head Coach Josh McDaniels has inherited a difficult task, but it's not impossible. He started the process by creating a game plan for the transformation of an organization that was too often laying down and accepting blowout losses as just 'part of the game'. He sold his vision to Pat Bowlen, Joe Ellis and Jim Goodman, and the die was cast.
"It's all very simple what my motive is - winning. That is the only reason I'm here. I'm not interested in talking about anything else but. Every minute of this job is done with winning in mind. That's all I talk to the team about. Winning is always the message."
Peyton Hillis. Josh McDaniels said, "he is kind of an older-school type of guy in terms of being hard-nosed. Everything he does is that way, you are right. Physical fits him. Tough fits him. (He) plays smart. He plays a lot of different positions on our team. He has got very versatile skills. Those are the things we look for in all our players, and Peyton seems to be one of the few that it all comes naturally to him. That is just the way he is. He is a great guy to have on your team, a great teammate. We are fortunate to have him on our team." Casey Wiegmann said that when Peyton went down last year, it took the air out of the Broncos' sails - his enthusiasm is that contagious. Hillis is involved in supporting early reading among grade school students.
Spencer Larsen. Won the inaugural Pac-10 Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Earned a 3.7 GPA at Arizona. Took 2003-4 off for a two-year Mormon mission. A vocal leader and co-captain of his Arizona team. In college he was referred to as the 'Heart and Soul' of his defensive squad. He has a reputation for not being shy about vocally demanding the best from himself and his teammates.
Darcel McBath. Defensive captain, Texas Tech, 2008 Currently playing as Brian Dawkins' understudy.
Kyle Orton. Team captain for the Chicago Bears. Quiet leader, well-liked by his teammates. Works with an environmental organization called Cool Globes in Chicago.
Lonie Paxton. Although eyebrows raised at his signing, Paxton has two things to commend him: He hasn't missed a snap in years, and he serves as vice president of Active Force Foundation, which offers disabled people the opportunity to pursue an active lifestyle
Kenny Peterson. He's never smoked or drank, and speaks to youth groups in the D.A.R.E about staying away from drugs and alcohol.
David Bruton. A captain at Notre Dame, Bruton carries his love for his son, Jarden, on his sleeve and his passion for football out on the field. Another young man with a lot going for him, he achieved a double major in political science and sociology while in college.
Lee Robinson,, CFA. His college coach, Earnest Jones, said, "...having Robinson is like having a coach on the field."
Tony Scheffler. 3.63 GPA in college.
Alphonso Smith. Defensive leader in college for Wake Forest
Brandon Stokley. Brandon served as the spokesman for the Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA) in 2004. A native of Louisiana, Stokley also assisted the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by donating clothing, food and supplies to people in the Gulf Region.
Casey Wiegmann. Along with being a leader on the Broncos offensive line, here's what denverbroncos.com has to say, "Spearheaded a fundraising effort by the Broncos that assisted in raising more than $50,000 to help rebuild his high school after it was devastated by a tornado on May 25, 2008... Served as an intern for the Legacy Financial Group during the 2005-06 offseasons... Worked as co-chairman for the Chiefs First Downs for Down Syndrome program, which raised $250,000 annually based on the production of the Chiefs’ offensive line, and is involved with the Denver chapter"
There are more, but the list is sufficient. The Broncos have loaded the roster with the smart and talented. The ones who lead are also those who excel, on and off the field. If the Broncos are to be successful in this rebuilding season - and I believe that they can be - they will have to rely on intellect, dedication and leadership as well as physical talent. they have begun to stack the roster with players who can lead on and off the field, those who are dedicated to more than just their own careers. As I did the research here, I found that nearly every player was involved with training camps for underprivileged children. Peyton Hillis and yes, even Brandon Marshall were involved in a child's reading program.
I am not going to suggest that this year will be easy. I don't know that we'll do more than come close to breaking even. I'm open to more, and I hope for better but I've read NFL history. These kinds of turnarounds aren't easy, and they're not usually fast. Yet the road back to prominence often requires sacrifice, and the Broncos are trying to achieve something not easily attained. They want to rebuild back to another Super Bowl while achieving rapid competitiveness. They have no intention of being mired in year after year of changing scheme and overhauling personnel, as many clubs have done. Coach McDaniels has obviously decided that in order to lead the league, you have to have leaders on your team. It makes a great deal of sense.
One of the advantages of bringing together a group of leaders is that leaders tend, by their nature, to be self-starters and self-directed individuals. They usually understand what it takes to be a leader and they try to manifest that in their professional lives. That means extra time in the weight room and the film room. It means listening to the senior leaders on the team. It means a better team and tends to continue to get better - that's what a leader enjoys doing. Leaders tend to take pleasure in personal improvement and a team-supportive environment.
I have to give credit to everyone from Pat Bowlen on down on this one. It's obvious that collecting players who are leaders is a priority. Last season, no one seemed to be willing to take up that role, especially on defense. DJ was being moved yet again and when moved out of the Mike position he became less of a leader. Nate Webster was supposedly leading the charge on the defensive play-calling, and there was no evidence that he was good at it. Champ isn't usually a vocal leader - he has a different style, more centered on example than vocalization. That weakness - that lack of leadership - was only one in a laundry list of issues, but without it the team was missing an essential cog, without which they did not seem capable of driving themselves upward. It obviously started at the top, with Mike Shanahan too long ignoring the needs of the defense and the skill-sets of the special teams. That isn't meant as a dig at Shanahan - just a statement of fact. The players complained about not even knowing what the scheme was, what was required of them. The result was odious.
In any successful organization, the quality of the leadership will determine the quality of the outcome. Leadership means having specific roles, clearly defined, from which the players can take their direction. It means personal accountability, effort, striving and production. It's the glue that creates a cohesive whole. Without it, you only have a mass of individuals, like the fingers on a hand. With it, you have a fist, powerful and daunting.
Leadership is the prow of the ship, slicing through waves of opposition. It can turn a contender into a winner.
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Could this be
an intangible that makes a difference in the Turnover mindset?
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
Not so far...that's for sure.
Does it concern anyone else that the only other team that had a -17 turnover ratio last year was SF?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 25, 2009 2:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Did we really have a -17 turnover ratio? That is astonishingly awful. It hurts my brain to even think about that.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 25, 2009 2:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes, I think we did and yes, that's just awful
You’re right – in two preseason games, without our starting FS, we don’t have a turnover. I’m not worried about it yet, but that’s a fact.
I think that with reference to this post, it’s worth considering whether we would have had a chance to garner any going into his season with generally the same roster (and scheme, or lack thereof) or with the players we’ve accumulated. I’m pretty happy with the changes that we’ve made. I have said this many times, but I’m not holding my breath to see if we will immediately be NFL ready – we’ve made a lot of changes. Still, I do believe that we have a shot at a better record this year than we would have had if we had stood pat, and that will only increase in the next few years. If you make wholesale changes, you have to start somewhere. Good coaches and players who have a history pf both creating turnovers and showing leadership seems to me to be a good place to start, for what that’s worth.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Doc Bear on Aug 25, 2009 2:33 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)
by RockyMtnHigh on Aug 25, 2009 3:47 PM MDT up reply actions
And excellent post, as always!
Most definitely rec’d!
"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)
by RockyMtnHigh on Aug 25, 2009 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks Doc
That was really quite the worthwhile read. Highly Rec’d
by bchiper on Aug 25, 2009 12:57 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Fantastic Post
I find it interesting that many of our fellow fans seem to want to zero in on specific moves that he regime has made and simultaneously ignore the big picture goals and direction. This sort of ‘tactical versus strategic’ thinking is not only narrow-minded, but typically shows a predilection toward actively trying to find fault and then magnify it to the point of catastrophe.
I will admit that at first, despite feeling that a change in HC was necessary, I was skeptical of McD’s moves. But as time went on, I started to see the overarching strategy and philosophy come through. While I don’t agree with every single detail, I am totally on board with the cultrual change we’re starting to see take shape.
Again, great post broncobear!
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
by jubei on Aug 25, 2009 1:02 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
A lot of people truly believed we were one or two front-seven draftees away from Super Bowl contention this year. They will continue to be upset about this season’s results because nothing that the team does will be good enough for them. We aren’t going to be SB contenders yet, but given the right amount of time, this team will be built into one. From the ground up.
Personally, I think we were a key injury or two away from top-5 draft pick this year. Now, I think we can be middle of the pack again. This will take time, but I think that the team is being built with guys that we can all be proud of.
by BroncosBassist on Aug 25, 2009 1:34 PM MDT up reply actions
You make a good point.
While I would love to be instantly gratified and see our team go deep into the playoffs, I understand that we are in essence, rebuilding. And I’m ok with that, based on where I see the organization going.
What some people don’t seem to understand is that even if Shanny was still the HC, and we drafted a DL or two, that is by no means a guarantee of success any more than McD’s moves are a guarantee of failure.
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
by jubei on Aug 25, 2009 1:47 PM MDT up reply actions 4 recs
this is a point that is well worth rec'ing
What some people don’t seem to understand is that even if Shanny was still the HC, and we drafted a DL or two, that is by no means a guarantee of success any more than McD’s moves are a guarantee of failure.
The future isn’t written yet, and any presumption to etch it in stone at this point is, at best, premature.
"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It
by Brian Shrout on Aug 25, 2009 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions
not mutually exclusive
The funny thing is, the 2 viewpoints you say here are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I am one of the ones that thought we were justa few deffensive players away from being a superbowl contender. A new middle linebacker, a healthy Champ, a beast DE/DT, and the maturation of Barrett to go with some solid rotation/depth guys on the D-line and the Defense is looking pretty good. Shanny’s offense with Cutler et. al. looks pretty good.
That said, a key injury or 2 on the oline, to go with a lack of development of Barrett or no fix to the MLB/D-line positions, and the whole team could completely tank.
I like the direction McD is taking the team. Over the long-run I think it will pay dividends… but I also think Shanny is/was a very good coach and may have had the team in a better position THIS YEAR, than we are looking at without Cutler and in implementing new schemes on Off and Def.
Excellent and rec'd
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on Aug 25, 2009 1:05 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Leadership and Intelligence
may not translate to production on the field all the time, but it never hurts to build a team around these attributes.
My hope is that, more than anything else, it helps bring these guys together and encourages accountability to each other. The only way we can turn this around is if these players are willing to go all out for each other. And since I’ve seen most of the ‘individuals’ (read: play for themselves) get kicked to the curb already, I think we have a great shot at watching that very thing start to happen this season.
BTW, moving Larsen into the starting lineup would go a long way toward kick-starting that process…
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
That's why Brandon Marshall won't be a member of this team
He’s not even accountable to himself, not to mention his teammates.
It's almost sad...
but 15 kind of seems like a ten year old in a man’s body. I really think that he has no idea what is really good for him. Instead, he seems to allow himself to be led by the nose by girlfriends, agents, and in all likelihood, a crowd of sycophants telling him that everything is ‘owed’ him.
Actually, it IS sad to see that kind of talent and physical ability wasted like that…
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
by jubei on Aug 25, 2009 1:52 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks, Doc!
I couldn’t help but think of tow things while reading your post: 1) you didn’t mention Eddie Royal, who may not have been a team captain or anything but is surely emerging as a team leader in all the areas you mentioned.
2) Sad to say, but your comments made me realize how much I have come to despise Brandon Marshall. Compared to all these fine people, Marshall just plain creeps me out. I hope to hell he’s not on the Broncos much longer.
...because sometimes your inner cowboy needs to yodel.
value
But for all the investment that the organization has in him, they need to get reasonable value. His production should warrant a high draft pick, but it just might not be on offers.
by BroncosBassist on Aug 25, 2009 1:35 PM MDT up reply actions
I feel the same way about Randy Moss
but he has fit in nicely in the Pats organization and is a key component of their offense. Maybe the same thing can work out here in Denver? I hope so, he may not be a likeable person, but if he can keep his head down, work hard and shut up, I’d be very happy to have him on the team.
Royals info apparently disappeared during an edit
I did have him in there, but yes, I’d have to say that his maturity, intensity, drive to succeed and support of his teammates classifies him as a leader, and I’m grateful that he’s on the team
Hillis/Moreno in '09
More excellent work bear. Thanks
It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09
Very well written.
I’ve noticed the quality of writing improving over time here. That’s not to say that it has ever been sub par, but this is a relatively young site and although I don’t post often I have read it every day for a couple of years now. There’s always a wealth of information to be found here on the Broncos, and football in general but this is one of the best articles I have read here as far as presentation and structure.
I learned a lot from it. Keep up the great work!
Great thoughts, bear
I love optimism and positive thoughts when it comes to the Broncos. These players really are a team that I can get behind. This is what I want my team to look like.
Thanks Bear
Great read. Rec’d
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.
Great job, BB
I tried to send you a Pink Salmon, but the post office wouldn’t take it. Dam those people!! :)
Just plain WOW!
Thanks BB. You just earned my second ever rec. Come to think of it the other one went to you also. I could read your stuff all day. It is rapidly becoming my comfort blanket.
I have so many friends some I haven't even used yet
by BlobTheMagnificent on Aug 25, 2009 1:49 PM MDT reply actions
Bear skins do make good blankets
But being one would predicate not writing anymore….thanks, BTM. Much appreciated. Look for a new Tales of Mythology later in the week.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
Another great rendition of how we are molding a Champion.
I never could get the motives or lack there of of Shanahan’s no scheme defense. It boggles the mind that a Head Coach could be so complacent on the one side of the ball. Even with special teams.
Good Read
I don’t agree with all of your assumptions, but I found this interesting reading. The first Bronco Super Bowl team had this kind of player on it and had Red Miller to bring it out of them. I liked Red, and am trying to do the same with McDaniels, but I definitely am not there with him yet.
Should be an exciting year, no matter what the record says. I hope we get a great year from Champ as I worry he may be gone after this year. Hope we get a couple of good years out of Dawkins.
by Baltimore Bronco on Aug 25, 2009 2:00 PM MDT reply actions
Hmmmm...
I like — no, I LOVE the fact that McDaniels didn’t let his ego get in the way of either his coaching hires or his player personnel decisions. One of the unspoken attributes of all leaders is their humilty — their understanding that delegation is a major part of the game plan, and their realization that a talent “pool” is better if it’s deep and wide. Listen to the men whose names you mentioned, coaches and players, and you will hear a great deal of “we” talk and not a lot of “me” talk. Almost regardless of their record, I already like this team better than the models the Broncos have rolled out in recent years.
by 42n81 on Aug 25, 2009 2:04 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Very Insightful Research
I guess I can call this my coming out post (usually just linger around here, love what I read on here)
I don’t get to make it out to many games (since I live in California), but at the games I have been able to make it to over the past few seasons I have noticed a considerable lack of sideline/field presence. I brought it up over on the denverbroncos.com forums after the game and I got flamed for what I thought was a big problem with our team (the lack of vocal leadership). Football is a game that requires this particular type of leadership, especially if you are trying to bring physicality to your squad. Ever since the loss of Big A-Dub (Al Wilson) and John Lynch, you must have been blind not to notice this glaring need. I think McD has definitely looked into some of these particular tidbits from these player’s pasts and could well be the reason why he brought in these particular players (obviously aside from their football abilities; all of them have had solid tenures). Let’s bring that leadership back into the locker room!
Painting By Numbers
I agree Alex. I’ve noticed the players, esp on defense, just walking through and earning a paycheck like they’re painting by numbers. I did not see the emotional fire and hustle seen on championship quality teams. The focus on intelligent, high-quality leaders is refreshing.
Great post Bear, Thanks.
I have been thinking about putting together a post similar to this the last couple days that had the leadership and intangible information for our players and new draft picks, and lo and behold I step in here and there it is! I love this site, thanks for saving me 4 hours of research and writing, and for doing a better job of it than I would have ;)
Great stuff BB.
I’d been thinking about the new guys they brought in, in exactly this sense, too. Who knows how things will turn out, and it would help to have the leaders stay healthy so they can stay on the field but I like the direction they’re going.
And on the other side of the equation- BMarsh
I really hope all these leaders and high character guys can have an influence on BMarsh.
I haven’t a peep about Randy Moss being a character problem since he joined the Pats. I wonder of Marshall suddenly feels very out of place in the Denver locker room where everyone is on the same page as a team and he is bucking the system. Must feel like an atheist at church.
The team seemed to be so dispirited to end the game at Seattle. I hope they bounce back emotionally… I think they were pretty disappointed in themselves. I have a feeling they are going to come out extremely fired up against Chicago this week.
It’s nice not to read a BM article today. Lets keep it that way.
Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.
by McGeorge on Aug 25, 2009 3:52 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
The late week post doesn't have a whisper about him
or that QB fella either. I feel the same way, McG
Hillis/Moreno in '09
Great post Broncobear
Thats why I love MHR. A lot of thought and detail.
"Time wounds all heels" Groucho Marx
rec'd once again for incredibly insightful & inspiring post
"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It
Great humongous write-up Bear!
This topic always reminds me of a vivid exchange I had with a good friend in Ft. Collins who was new to Colorado and the Broncos. It was just post-Super Bowls, and we discussed how the Broncos had built a team full of unusually high-character/high leadership guys across the board, and what effect did that have on their winning ways… So, it was pretty obvious even to a casual observer at the time that the Broncos had some special people in that regard.
Now, we can arguably peg the team’s decline to Elway’s retirement, or TD’s torn ACL; but personally I peg the decline to signing Dale Carter. I still regard that as the begining of the slide that took us to this year. It was a change of philosophy that let guys like Atwater and Sharpe go without replacing their character and leadership on the team.
by MakeCents on Aug 25, 2009 6:12 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Superlative post, bear!
Leadership is the essence of a great team. We aren’t all the way there, but the ride is starting.. just hold on!
Rec’d and a jar of salmon pate’ for you, sir!
" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "
I’ve been watching this website for the last several months… especially after the JC debacle, just to try to gain insight and understanding. I loved reading this post. The value of character and leadership cannot be underestimated… I am concerned though about the cancer of BM in the locker room… It only takes one bad apple to spoil the pie.
Welcome tipmontana
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
Uh, TJP. Sorry bout that.
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
Good article
Some of the things you mentioned that the players do off the field just prove there is more to life than football. I like to see those making a difference and using their celebrity status for something good.
Favorite Blogs:
www.spongereport.com
www.yardbarker.com
www.milehighreport.com
www.bleacherreport.com
Hi Mr. Bear
I very seldom read an article more than once but “The Law of Three’s” was an exception.
The “Value of Leadership” is a great continuation of that thought process.
You’re the best! Love ya. Cheryl
by St. James Bronc on Aug 26, 2009 10:44 PM MDT reply actions
Thanks, Cheryl!
Always good to hear from you – I hope that you enjoy the Tales of Mythology later this week!
Hillis/Moreno in '09

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