Horse Tracks: Former Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan believes that Kirk Cousins is a special player

There has been much debate about whether or not impending free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback or a “special player”. Recently former Washington General Manager Scot McCloughan said: “I don’t see a special player” when asked about Cousins.

Well, former Broncos and Washington Head Coach Mike Shanahan whom drafted Cousins and preferred over Robert Griffin III called bollocks on that statement when speaking to the New York Daily News.

“There’s no question in my mind that he’s a special player, If you don’t think he’s a special player, that means you don’t watch him practice very often. You take a look at some of the games he’s played in. He hasn’t played with a good defense that’s been in the upper half of the league, I don’t think, since he’s been there. You can’t always do it by yourself. You got to have an offense and a defense for a quarterback to be really successful… especially when you get in the playoffs. But I guarantee you he’s a special guy.”

As we know, there are now multiple rumors out there saying the Broncos will make a big push for Cousins once free agency opens. Some are saying that “It seems it’s more likely than not that Kirk plays for the Broncos next year.”, so it’s noteworthy that a former Broncos great Head Coach feels like this about Cousins. Also, if Mike Shanahan feels like this about Cousins, it is safe to assume that former Broncos Head Coach and current Front Office member Gary Kubiak feels the same.

Shanahan went on to say that if you provide Cousins with a supporting cast around him “he’ll play well”.

“I think Kirk Cousins could be successful in any offense that he ran,” Shanahan said. “Those quarterbacks are hard to find. But everybody needs playmakers around them. I think that’s what everybody else’s job is… to get those coaches the best supporting cast. But it starts with the quarterback. When you have a guy like Kirk Cousins on your team — and you can get a supporting cast for him — he’ll play well.”

The Broncos supporting cast isn’t the best and they may or may not be losing one of or not both of their top receivers, but they have enough to get it done. I would also expect General Manager John Elway to make sure he surrounded Cousins with as much talent as possible.

Horse Tracks:

Tom Brady on football future: 'Things change quickly' - NFL.com
Though the ageless quarterback looks younger now than when he entered the league and is arguably playing at the highest level of his career, Tom Brady is fully aware that his career won't last forever.

Super Bowl LII Opening Night: Patriots, Eagles take on media - NFL.com
NFL.com's network of reporters collects the hottest news out of Super Bowl LII Opening Night in Minneapolis, including Josh McDaniels' future and comparisons to Rocky IV.

Malcolm Jenkins: Eagles have 'chip on their shoulders' - NFL.com
The Eagles didn't leave their underdog mentality at home. At Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, myriad Eagles coaches and players reiterated that they are taking umbrage with the haters.

Bill Belichick: 'I can't say enough' about Jim Schwartz - NFL.com
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick holds a tremendous level of respect for Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. "He's one of the smartest people I know."

Tom Brady: Any team would want Josh McDaniels - NFL.com
If New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is looking forward to the next chapter in his coaching career with the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Tom Brady hasn't noticed.

Dean Pees set to be Titans' new defensive coordinator - NFL.com
Dean Pees isn't retiring just yet. The former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator is expected to join Mike Vrabel's Tennessee Titans staff as the team's new defensive coordinator.

Pederson: Eagles must 'play 60 minutes' to top Brady - NFL.com
Doug Pederson is back in the Big Game, this time as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and tasked with overcoming the biggest obstacle of his football career: Super Bowl Tom Brady.

Darren Sproles leaning toward 13th NFL season in 2018 - NFL.com
Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles is prepared to follow the Steve Smith blueprint in rebounding from serious injury for an NFL swan song.

Sights, sounds from Super Bowl LII Opening Night - NFL.com
The countdown to Super Bowl LII officially kicks off with Opening Night in Minneapolis. Players and coaches from the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles were thrown into the media madness.

ProFootballTalk – ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com
Belichick Sees Pederson’s Play Calling As A Challenge

Roger Goodell: Catch rules not what “people really want” – ProFootballTalk
During a recent appearance on PFT Live, NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said that aspects of the league's rules governing what constitutes a catch will be discussed by the group again this offseason and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered some thoughts on the topic Monday.

LeGarrette Blount’s postseason success puts him in Hall of Fame company – ProFootballTalk
LeGarrette Blount had eight rushing touchdowns in the eight postseason games he played for the Patriots, and he's had two rushing touchdowns in his two postseason games with the Eagles. As he prepares to face his old team in Super Bowl LII, he's in some very exclusive company.

Eric Wood will remain on Bills roster until further notice – ProFootballTalk
Eric Wood has a neck injury that's serious enough to keep him from being medically cleared to continue playing football, but the center will remains on the Bills roster a while longer. Wood announced the medical news on Friday along with word of a press conference to talk about it on Monday.

Mark Ingram: I feel like my career is ascending – ProFootballTalk
Saints running back Mark Ingram would have had the final year of his contract voided if he was named a first-team All-Pro this season, but Ingram didn't get the nod and remains tied to the Saints for one more year.

Report: Bills dismiss defensive backs coach Gill Byrd – ProFootballTalk
Despite making the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades, the Buffalo Bills have still decided to make multiple changes to their coaching staff this offseason. According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News, the Bills have dismissed defensive backs coach Gill Byrd.

Report: Jaguars QB Blake Bortles had surgery on right wrist – ProFootballTalk
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles had surgery on his right wrist on Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Bortles was listed with the wrist issue on every injury report this seasons for the Jaguars. Despite the injury, Bortles completed a career-high 60.

Frank Reich: We have to be prepared for Pats to do the unexpected – ProFootballTalk
The Patriots have shown a multitude of different looks on defense over the years as the unit has morphed time and again to make the best use of the players on hand and confuse opposing offenses that aren't looking for curveballs.

Tom Brady: Eagles can’t be underdogs – ProFootballTalk
Tom Brady isn't buying what the Eagles are selling. "You’re 13-3. You can’t be an underdog when you’re the No. 1 seed in the NFC," the Patriots quarterback said of the Eagles' underdog role. In other words, Brady believes the Eagles are too good to cast themselves as underdogs.