Mike Shanahan yesterday at Dove Valley said the Broncos should have won at least 10 games this past season.
They finished with seven victories.
He clearly knows that with his strong backing from owner Pat Bowlen, Shanahan can take the heat and not have to get out of the kitchen. So, in that regard, he can take the criticism and keep the pressure off of the players.
I think that is admirable, but wrong.
He spent $12 million in guaranteed salary for Travis Henry but would not commit to him being the 2008 starter at running back.
He said that Selvin Young would not be able to carry the load as the primary ball carrier next season. (Something tells me that message was motivational in nature and was being aimed at one person specifically.)
He said he was willing to let things cool off with Javon Walker before addressing Walker's concerns. That is, unless, Walker decides to spout off a third time.
Those are merely the issues addressed on the offensive side of the ball.
Two of those three players will count heavily against the salary cap and their future completely remains up in the air for this upcoming season. Both have proven to be headaches--sometimes worth the aggravation, and sometimes not. The bottom line is, as of now there is no resolution regarding either player. If that sort of indecision doesn't tell you how much Bowlen trusts Shanahan, then nothing will.
Shanahan kept saying the phrase "it all starts with me" as if he was trying to set a Guiness Book of World records for the amount of time those five words could be used together.
So here is the question I have: If it all starts with Shanahan, and the team was talented enough to win 10 games, then it can't be the fault of the personnel, right?
In essensce, that's what Shanahan is saying. He said the players on his roster underachieved and that is why the bulk of the blame, at least, Shanahan thinks, is on him. I do like him taking the blame on Thursday and deflecting it off of the players, but does anyone really think personnel is not an issue?
I think Shanahan has a valid point that perhaps the coaching could have been better, but the staff can only call plays they feel the talent on their roster can execute. Quarterback Jay Cutler has a cannon of an arm, so why didn't the Broncos go deep more often? Well, who besides Brandon Marshall is a big-play threat and can stay healthy? A personnel problem, right here.
My point is that this team needs a huge talent upgrade more than a coaching upgrade. For Shanahan, taking the blame is nice, but fixing the gap in personnel--that would be better.
They may have at least two new players on the offensive line and the player Shanahan calls "the greatest center" ever in the NFL, Tom Nalen, will be entering his 15th season in 2008. Filling those needs is a personnel issue.
As mentioned, Shanahan has two running backs, though he doesn't seemed really thrilled with either. Another issue that centers on personnel, not coaching.
His highest-paid wide receiver wants to be traded. I think. Actually, even he doesn't know, so how can I? Personnel issue at wide receiver.
His defense was among the most defenseless in the League. They merely didn't have the personnel to cause any sort of disruption to the opposition's offense.
So while Shanahan saysyou can blame him, the 53 guys who comprise his locker room should share a little accountability in this as well.
-"Z"
