I never thought we'd be in this position at this point in time, but the Broncos are now in the position of having to find a Head Coach and a General Manager.  I expect that those jobs will be filled by two men, and I think that they should be.  Also, the Head Coach will have a staff to select.  I have some thoughts on each of these topics to share with the community.  Let me preface all of this by saying that I think that Pat Bowlen has earned our trust, regardless of what he does.  He is a truly outstanding owner.

General Manager

Personally, I like the work that Jim Goodman has done, and would like to see him retained.  Whether or not he is the GM is another question, and really, that comes down to front office structure.  I'm not really interested in weighing in on how a front office should be structured, because many models have worked over the years.    I just think Jim Goodman should be part of the mix, because finding the best rookie class (by a country mile) in the NFL should have a reward to it.

I don't think that big name flashy GM hires are necessary.  I have lived in Cleveland throughout the Phil "I want to be famous" Savage era, and it's been a mess.  I prefer a good football man who knows that his role is to stay in the background during the season.

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First, Thanks to Ted for getting this up while I was spending some quality time with my daughters.  Secondly, MHR Radio will be LIVE tonight at 9PM est / 7PM mst to talk about this.  BE THERE! -- TSG

In a move which has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, the Broncos have dismissed Mike Shanahan as Head Coach after 14 years and 2 Super Bowl wins.  Owner Pat Bowlen's statement follows.

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.  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.  His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.

I'm sure everybody is as shocked as I am, and also needs to collect their thoughts.  Guru will have thoughts later, and I am sure everybody will have a lot to say after some time for reflection.

Tight end DUSTIN KELLER of the New York Jets, fullback/linebacker SPENCER LARSEN of the Denver Broncos, cornerback DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE of the Arizona Cardinals, running back STEVE SLATON of the Houston Texans and running back JONATHAN STEWART of the Carolina Panthers are the finalists for DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK honors for games played on November 13 - 17, the NFL announced today. 

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com/rookies beginning Tuesday at 8am ET and ending on Friday at noon ET to determine the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK.  The DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be announced Friday afternoon on NFL.com/rookies.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR SPENCER LARSEN

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Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler will be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played during the 10th week (Nov. 6-10) of the 2008 season, the National Football League informed the Broncos on Tuesday.

Cutler's selection as AFC Offensive Player of the Week is the first such award of his three-year NFL career. It marks his second league-issued honor this season-He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.

During the Broncos' 34-30 win at Cleveland on Thursday night, Cutler tied for the third-highest single-game passing yardage total (447) in Denver history and registered his fifth-career fourth-quarter comeback. He helped Denver overcome a 23-13 deficit in the fourth quarter and finished the game completing 24-of-42 passes for 447 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a 107.9 passer rating.

Cutler, who accounted for 476 yards of offense (447 pass, 29 rush) against Cleveland, also helped the Broncos tie for their second-highest single-game yardage total (564) in club history.

In nine games this season, Cutler has totaled an AFC-best 2,616 passing yards that rank third in the NFL. His five 300-yard passing games this year tie Denver's single-season franchise record and lead his conference while tying for second in the league.

Cutler is the second Bronco to be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week this year with wide receiver Brandon Marshall earning that honor for his Week 2 performance against San Diego. He is the first Denver quarterback to receive the award since 2005 (Jake Plummer, Week 8 vs. Philadelphia).

His selection marks the 43rd time a Broncos player has received AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1984.

RAVENS QB JOE FLACCO, PATRIOTS RB BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS, DOLPHINS T JAKE LONG, BRONCOS WR EDDIE ROYAL & FALCONS QB MATT RYAN CANDIDATES FOR DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF WEEK HONORS

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR EDDIE ROYAL

Quarterback JOE FLACCO of the Baltimore Ravens, running back BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS of the New England Patriots, tackle JAKE LONG of the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver EDDIE ROYAL of the Denver Broncos and quarterback MATT RYAN of the Atlanta Falcons are the finalists for DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK honors for games played on November 6 - 10, the NFL announced today. 

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com/rookies beginning Tuesday at 8am ET and ending on Friday at noon ET to determine the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK.  The DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be announced Friday afternoon on NFL.com/rookies.

In addition, for the fourth year, NFL fans may cast their votes for the DIET PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK using phones with Sprint wireless service - an opportunity available only to Sprint customers.  This fast, convenient voting method involves texting the word PEPSI to short code 7777.  Sprint customers will then receive an interactive text message that links fans to the ballot with the five finalists each week.  Data and text messaging rates may apply.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors.  Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January.  The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.

A closer look at the finalists:

• Baltimore’s JOE FLACCO completed 15 of 23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the Ravens’ 41 – 13 win over the Houston Texans.

• New England’s BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in the Patriots’ 20 – 10 win over the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills.

• Miami’s JAKE LONG was part of an offensive line that led a running game that amassed 155 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts (5.7-yard average) and allowed only two sacks in the Dolphins’ 21 – 19 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

• Denver’s EDDIE ROYAL totaled 164 receiving yards on six receptions including a 93-yard touchdown catch in the Broncos’ 34 – 30 win over the Cleveland Browns on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.

A FEW OTHER NOTES ON ROYAL:

* - His 164 receiving yards were the most in the NFL for the week and set a Broncos single-game rookie record. They also tied for the fifth-highest single-game total in the league this year and were the most by an NFL rookie for the year.

* - Royal’s 93-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter marked the second-longest reception by an NFL player this year (longest by an AFC player) and tied for the fourth-longest reception in club annals. It was the longest play from scrimmage by a Bronco since 1981 and marked his second consecutive game with a 90+yard play (95-yd. KR vs. Mia., 11/2/08).

* - Royal’s receiving yardage output against the Browns represented his third 100-yard receiving game this year—That total is the most by a league rookie this season and represents a Broncos single-season rookie record. It also moved him into first place in Broncos history in receiving yards (625) by a rookie.

* - Royal’s receiving score against the Browns was his fourth this year with that figure leading all NFL rookies and tying Denver’s single-season club rookie record.

* - He finished the game with 238 combined yards of offense (164 rec., 72 KR, 2 PR).

• Atlanta’s MATT RYAN completed 16 of 23 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ 34 – 20 win over the New Orleans Saints.

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Former Denver Broncos S Steve Atwater (1989-98), RB Terrell Davis (1995-2002), LB Tom Jackson (1973-86), LB Karl Mecklenburg (1983-94), Head Coach Dan Reeves (1981-92), TE Shannon Sharpe (1990-99, 2002-03) and CB Louis Wright (1975-86) are among the 133 players, coaches and contributors who make up the preliminary list of modern-era nominees for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.

Sharpe is one of 11 first-year eligible nominees for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The full list includes --

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Welcome to the first edition of "You the Fan"!  This is something we have given a little thought about in the past and I remember doing an interview of firstfan several months ago which can be found here that was pretty well received, so we felt it would be a good idea to introduce/interview various members on MHR who have helped make this place the best place on the web for Bronco's discussion.

Through my history posts, there is one contributer who consistently helps me get things accurate.  That guy is Broncfanstuckinsd, also known as Dan the Fan.  He and I both share a love of Bronco's history.  The difference is, he lived through most of it while I have to read and study most of it.  My history lessons are as much a learning exercise for me as it is informing others of it.  Thankfully, I have guys like Dan here and firstfan, Trinidad Jack, Mike Clark, and many others out there who remember the darkest days of the 60's and the coming out party of the 70's. 

Through them, the younger generations have a chance to continue to respect the past and build towards the future.  As for the next interview, I would like to see if there is any member out there that people would like to see interviewed.  Feel free to email me your requests at mhrhistory@gmail.com and I will contact the person who gets the most votes to inquire about a possible interview.

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Dan the Fan!

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Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater will be named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played during the fifth week (Oct. 5-6) of the 2008 season, the National Football League informed the Broncos on Tuesday.

Prater's selection as AFC Special Teams Player of the Week marks the first such award of his two-year NFL career.

During the Broncos' 16-13 win against Tampa Bay on Sunday, Prater made all three field goal attempts (55, 40, 27 yds.) and his lone extra point try for 10 points while recording touchbacks on four-of-five kickoffs. His 55-yarder in the second quarter was the longest field goal in the NFL for Week 5 and tied for the fifth-longest field goal in Broncos history.

Prater's four touchbacks against the Buccaneers led the NFL for the week, and he averaged 69.4 yards on his five kickoffs. He also accounted for the highest percentage of his team's points (62.5 / 10-of-16) among special teamers in the AFC for the week.

A former standout at the University of Central Florida, Prater has made 12-of-13 (92.3%) field goal attempts and all 15 extra point tries for an NFL-best 51 points this season. His four 50+yard field goals (on four attempts) lead the NFL and are one shy of tying Denver's single-season franchise record.

He also is tied for the NFL lead with 11 touchbacks on kickoffs this season.

Prater is the first Bronco to be named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week since punt returner Glenn Martinez earned that award in Week 11 (vs. Tennessee) of the 2007 season. His selection marks the 18th time a Broncos player has received AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1993.