Mile High Report, a Denver Broncos community

If you are a diehard Broncos fan you don't want to miss this special thanksgiving show. We get the inside scoop from Reggie Rivers on Dan Reeves, Mike Shanahan, Wade Phillips, Shannon Sharpe, Terrell Davis, Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey, Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, John Elway, and Bill Romanowski. We also talk the Chargers and the loss of Kyle Orton. Even though the Chiefs intercepted our prediction of him become a Chicago Bear again.

According to Mike Klis, Mike Shanahan will receive a 5-year deal in Washington that pays him the same salary as he was to receive in Denver, which was $7 million annually. According to Klis, Pat Bowlen and the Broncos will be responsible for half of Shanahan's salary, or $3.5 million each of the next two seasons. So while the deal helps Denver and Bowlen, they are not completely off the hook as we may have hoped. Still, it's cold, hard cash which can be reallocated to signing free-agents and/or rookie draft choices. Congrats and best of luck, Shanny!

Good stuff!

When coaches can be this glib about another owner, the situation is officially hopeless.

The following quote from Selvin Young is very telling to me. In spite of his somewhat cocky remarks about 2000 yards, he was quite obviously motivated by Mike Shanahan's challenge. Young seems determined to prove people wrong about him, HT included ;), and he wants to be "The Man". The most glaring question mark about Young is whether he can handle the full load. The answer to this question can only come during the season...as it stands now, Selvin Young IS the starter. "It's a whole different mind-set when you're running No. 1 and getting those reps. I don't want to be a guy who goes in, then has to come out a couple of plays. I'm pretty sure a bunch of people are saying I can only carry the ball 10 or 15 times a game. I don't feel that way at all. I'm doing everything necessary to reach my goals. Why not go for things you believe in?"

May 24, 2008 4:21 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson The ESPN.com NFL power rankings served as a nice talker during a slow time in May. At least, that was the goal. Apparently, the power rankings also served as motivation for at least one NFL team. Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan read the rankings and duly noted that his Broncos were ranked No. 23. Shanahan sees it as a good sign. I know one thing about Shanahan after covering him for the past four years. He looks for anything to motivate his team. This is a man who piped in the words of former Broncos running back Clinton Portis in the team's locker room all week leading up to a game against the Redskins. So, it's no surprise that Shanahan, coming off the second losing season in 13 years in Denver, has taken noticed of his team's low ranking, even three-plus months prior to the season. He doesn't miss any chances to rally the troops.

Shanahan's thoughts on Jay's diagnosis, the Broncos, the summer, and the upcoming season.

"Clady will start at LT the day he comes in." Really?? Holy Crap!!