Mediocrity stares Broncos right in the eyes - Page 2

**dirk digler** · 01-10-2005, 11:14 AM

I know it is from Kisla but hey it makes for a good read especially the mediocare part.

Indianapolis - So who is Mike Shanahan going to fire this time? The Broncos have not won a playoff game in 2,170 days, and he is running out of fingers to point.

Who is looking for a soft place to fall now, after a 49-24 pounding Sunday by Indianapolis?

Something has got to change for Denver. But what, pray tell, can divert the Broncos off the road to nowhere as the league's poster children for the false hope of parity?

"That's a dumb question," snapped Broncos veteran Rod Smith, 34 years old and no happier with his team than 12 months ago. "What's the difference? What's the difference? What's the difference? I'm asking you. What are the results?"

Something has got to change.

I feel sorry for Ted Sundquist, Denver's general manager. He owns a cool business card, but might have the most thankless job in football.

On a team just good enough to tease Broncomaniacs with championship expectations impossible to fulfill, Sundquist is condemned to have all the responsibility and zero authority.

Chronic mediocrity follows Denver like warm bubble gum on a shoe. But none of the blame ever seems to stick to Shanahan. At least not in the eyes of franchise owner Pat Bowlen.

For those of you keeping score at home, what Shanahan now does best in January is sacrifice scapegoats.

In 1999, cornerback Dale Carter infected the Broncos with the bad attitude Shanahan let in the locker room.

In 2000, all the stench of the season was traced to the door of defensive coordinator Greg Robinson.

In 2001, flighty receiver Eddie Kennison rewarded the faith Shanahan misplaced in him by quitting.

In 2002, quarterback Brian Griese removed the mask, revealing that he was not really Joe Montana, absolutely shocking Shanahan.

In 2003, all playmaker Clinton Portis did was rush for 1,500 yards, but when Shanahan shipped those pink tennis shoes and championship-belt cockiness off to Washington, the chorus of Broncomaniacs shouted amen.

So who takes the hit for another fine mess? Someone has to accept the blame. Trouble is: The Broncos have so few remaining players who really make a difference that blaming a street free agent or a rookie cannot fool all the people in Denver again.

If Shanahan genuinely wants to return to the Super Bowl, he must give complete control of revamping the team to Sundquist. Or fire him as a waste of time and money.

If Bowlen is committed to upholding the public trust that built a new stadium for a Denver civic treasure, the owner should demand Shanahan accept a general manager respected as a co-equal of the coach.

Something has got to change.

"I'm sure they were saying the same thing last year," said Broncos safety John Lynch, signed specifically to end the tired, old story of Denver's playoff regrets.

One of these years, when Colts quarterback Peyton Manning finally strolls into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Shanahan should hold open the door. If football is a game of inches, then I'm going to need a calculator, a degree from MIT and a six-pack of Red Bull to figure out how Manning passed for 360 yards against Denver. In the first half.

Linebacker Al Wilson deserves a better fate than these redundant humility lessons. Any scribe with a heart under his press credential cheers for guys like Wilson, the rare millionaire as passionate about winning as fans who live and die with the team.

After the blood, sweat and tears of six NFL seasons, Wilson still does not know the joy of postseason victory. Last week, he sat alone in the Broncos' locker room and made a sad confession: "A playoff loss hurts worst of all. Because it's the end. And you know it's the end. As a player, you have no opportunity to redeem yourself. You're going home."

With each successive playoff failure, ever notice how Shanahan looks less like a football mastermind and more like actor Bill Murray?

The Broncos could have saved the airfare to Indy and rented "Groundhog Day." For the umpteenth time.

In the movie, the weatherman portrayed by Murray awoke every morning to the same blasted Sonny and Cher song, until he wanted to crush the clock radio.

Shanahan. We've got him, babe.

Garcia Bronco · 01-10-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoatCheese

Yep, you guys got spoiled by Elway and the mini-dynasty.

But it's funny when TJ proclaims SB after a 5-1 start and the Donks don't even sniff it.

....The chiefs haven't sniffed the the Super Bowl in your life time...unless you count the beating by Buffalo in the AFCC game...I guess that's a sniff.

Garcia Bronco · 01-10-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint in Wichita

What a bunch of whining. It's only been 6 years since Denver won the second of its back-to-back Super Bowls.

Try being a Chiefs fan & tolerating Carl Peterson year after year.

I agree.

Mile High Mania · 01-10-2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoatCheese

Yep, you guys got spoiled by Elway and the mini-dynasty.

But it's funny when TJ proclaims SB after a 5-1 start and the Donks don't even sniff it.

Yeah, that's on par with KC fans saying that Gunther is back so deal with it and that his presence will shore up the sad defense of a 13 win club the year before and go all the way!

Hell, they barely sniffed 8 wins. Now, that's funny.. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

Garcia Bronco · 01-10-2005, 11:51 AM

"Linebacker Al Wilson deserves a better fate than these redundant humility lessons. Any scribe with a heart under his press credential cheers for guys like Wilson, the rare millionaire as passionate about winning as fans who live and die with the team."

Then Al Wilson should play better.

KCTitus · 01-10-2005, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, that's on par with KC fans saying that Gunther is back so deal with it and that his presence will shore up the sad defense of a 13 win club the year before and go all the way!

Feh...that's kind of like bronco fans saying that Bubby brings as much to the team as Elway because of Shanny's 'system'.

Yes, Elway was THAT special....so special in fact that people are screaming 6 years removed from their last SB win. I can only dream of what it would be like to have a player that special...leading KC to the SB every 3-5 years for 20 years win or lose.

**dirk digler** · 01-10-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, that's on par with KC fans saying that Gunther is back so deal with it and that his presence will shore up the sad defense of a 13 win club the year before and go all the way!

Hell, they barely sniffed 8 wins. Now, that's funny.. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

I wasn't one of those people I thought and still do that we need to gut the defensive talent as well as our coaches except for Gun.

Hammock Parties · 01-10-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, that's on par with KC fans saying that Gunther is back so deal with it and that his presence will shore up the sad defense of a 13 win club the year before and go all the way!

Hell, they barely sniffed 8 wins. Now, that's funny.. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

Hard to argue there....

Mile High Mania · 01-10-2005, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

Feh...that's kind of like bronco fans saying that Bubby brings as much to the team as Elway because of Shanny's 'system'.

Yes, Elway was THAT special....so special in fact that people are screaming 6 years removed from their last SB win. I can only dream of what it would be like to have a player that special...leading KC to the SB every 3-5 years for 20 years win or lose.

There's no need to tell me about the greatness of Elway and again, not sure where I'm making the comment contrary to such greatness.

KCTitus · 01-10-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

There's no need to tell me about the greatness of Elway and again, not sure where I'm making the comment contrary to such greatness.

I werent clear...

I think the reason why there is clamor 6 years removed from a SB title is because denver fans got used to visiting the SB every few years thanks to one player. It's been 22 years since denver got ahold of said player and it's hard to remember that getting to the SB aint/shouldnt be that easy.

Im not exactly pointing in your direction, but I can understand why some would begin to make noise.

Mile High Mania · 01-10-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

I werent clear...

I think the reason why there is clamor 6 years removed from a SB title is because denver fans got used to visiting the SB every few years thanks to one player. It's been 22 years since denver got ahold of said player and it's hard to remember that getting to the SB aint/shouldnt be that easy.

Im not exactly pointing in your direction, but I can understand why some would begin to make noise.

Ok, from that view - I see where you were going. Yes, with Elway, many fans and writers grew accustom to SB visits... ugly loss or win.

From 1983 - 1998 (16 seasons) fans of the Broncos saw their team advance to 5 Superbowls, just about 1 every 5 years with a few other forgettable playoff appearnaces in between. 16 seasons with 10 resulting in a playoff spot.

So, yes, from that viewpoint... the 6 years since is tough for some to deal with and while I don't like 0 wins in 6 years, I understand and probably even appreciate more now what we really had back then.

Win or lose, we were treated to some spectacular moments. Right now, we're just looking for 1 spectacular moment...

**dirk digler** · 01-10-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Right now, we're just looking for 1 spectacular moment...

So are we.

TEX · 01-10-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, that's on par with KC fans saying that Gunther is back so deal with it and that his presence will shore up the sad defense of a 13 win club the year before and go all the way!

Hell, they barely sniffed 8 wins. Now, that's funny.. I don't care who you are, that's funny!

And one of those 7 wins involved kicking donkey tail like never before. Now that is also funny! How did the defense look that day?

Mile High Mania · 01-10-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

And one of those 7 wins involved kicking donkey tail like never before. Now that is also funny! How did the defense look that day?

That was your sunshine and the dog's ass moment in the series.

Red Dawg · 01-10-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Let's hope it's also Groundhog Day for the Colts (in New England next Sunday).

let's hope its not. The entire country is sick of the Pats. We want different AFC reps year. Indy or Pitt would do fine by me.

TEX · 01-10-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

That was your sunshine and the dog's ass moment in the series.

Not really, but it was pretty KICK ASS as it humbled many of your kind at least for a day...

Yesterday's game with the Colts was kind of the same but I'm not sure that it hurt any worse. I mean you had to be expecting it this time, right?

01-10-2005, 11:14 AM
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $2754644	Mediocrity stares Broncos right in the eyes I know it is from Kisla but hey it makes for a good read especially the mediocare part. Indianapolis - So who is Mike Shanahan going to fire this time? The Broncos have not won a playoff game in 2,170 days, and he is running out of fingers to point. Who is looking for a soft place to fall now, after a 49-24 pounding Sunday by Indianapolis? Something has got to change for Denver. But what, pray tell, can divert the Broncos off the road to nowhere as the league's poster children for the false hope of parity? "That's a dumb question," snapped Broncos veteran Rod Smith, 34 years old and no happier with his team than 12 months ago. "What's the difference? What's the difference? What's the difference? I'm asking you. What are the results?" Something has got to change. I feel sorry for Ted Sundquist, Denver's general manager. He owns a cool business card, but might have the most thankless job in football. On a team just good enough to tease Broncomaniacs with championship expectations impossible to fulfill, Sundquist is condemned to have all the responsibility and zero authority. Chronic mediocrity follows Denver like warm bubble gum on a shoe. But none of the blame ever seems to stick to Shanahan. At least not in the eyes of franchise owner Pat Bowlen. For those of you keeping score at home, what Shanahan now does best in January is sacrifice scapegoats. In 1999, cornerback Dale Carter infected the Broncos with the bad attitude Shanahan let in the locker room. In 2000, all the stench of the season was traced to the door of defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. In 2001, flighty receiver Eddie Kennison rewarded the faith Shanahan misplaced in him by quitting. In 2002, quarterback Brian Griese removed the mask, revealing that he was not really Joe Montana, absolutely shocking Shanahan. In 2003, all playmaker Clinton Portis did was rush for 1,500 yards, but when Shanahan shipped those pink tennis shoes and championship-belt cockiness off to Washington, the chorus of Broncomaniacs shouted amen. So who takes the hit for another fine mess? Someone has to accept the blame. Trouble is: The Broncos have so few remaining players who really make a difference that blaming a street free agent or a rookie cannot fool all the people in Denver again. If Shanahan genuinely wants to return to the Super Bowl, he must give complete control of revamping the team to Sundquist. Or fire him as a waste of time and money. If Bowlen is committed to upholding the public trust that built a new stadium for a Denver civic treasure, the owner should demand Shanahan accept a general manager respected as a co-equal of the coach. Something has got to change. "I'm sure they were saying the same thing last year," said Broncos safety John Lynch, signed specifically to end the tired, old story of Denver's playoff regrets. One of these years, when Colts quarterback Peyton Manning finally strolls into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Shanahan should hold open the door. If football is a game of inches, then I'm going to need a calculator, a degree from MIT and a six-pack of Red Bull to figure out how Manning passed for 360 yards against Denver. In the first half. Linebacker Al Wilson deserves a better fate than these redundant humility lessons. Any scribe with a heart under his press credential cheers for guys like Wilson, the rare millionaire as passionate about winning as fans who live and die with the team. After the blood, sweat and tears of six NFL seasons, Wilson still does not know the joy of postseason victory. Last week, he sat alone in the Broncos' locker room and made a sad confession: "A playoff loss hurts worst of all. Because it's the end. And you know it's the end. As a player, you have no opportunity to redeem yourself. You're going home." With each successive playoff failure, ever notice how Shanahan looks less like a football mastermind and more like actor Bill Murray? The Broncos could have saved the airfare to Indy and rented "Groundhog Day." For the umpteenth time. In the movie, the weatherman portrayed by Murray awoke every morning to the same blasted Sonny and Cher song, until he wanted to crush the clock radio. Shanahan. We've got him, babe.
Posts: 66,438

01-10-2005, 11:51 AM	#19
Garcia Bronco No Keys, No Problem Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver Casino cash: $4833136	"Linebacker Al Wilson deserves a better fate than these redundant humility lessons. Any scribe with a heart under his press credential cheers for guys like Wilson, the rare millionaire as passionate about winning as fans who live and die with the team." Then Al Wilson should play better.
Posts: 30,998