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.

During the third quarter of last night's game, my lady-friend texted me and said "It could be worse."  I texted her back with "Sure it could be worse.  I could have accidentally stabbed myself in the testicles while cutting an apple, AND the score was 38-13."  THAT would be worse, you have to admit.

But imagine, if you will, how it feels to be a fan of the Jets, Buccaneers, or Cowboys today.  Those are 3 old veteran teams which faded down the stretch.  There are already reports that Eric Mangini is getting whacked this morning, and Wade Phillips is almost certain to, as well.  When you have a team that is built to win a Super Bowl now, and you choke, that's a bad feeling.  When you're the Broncos, and you're BUILDING, rather than BUILT, it still sucks, but you're pretty fired up for next year.

Just some perspective.

Ordinarily, when I want to do analysis of a team and an upcoming matchup, I look at a few games.  I felt like that wasn't really necessary in this case.  I watched the Week 2 game between Denver and San Diego, and saw everything I needed to see.

To wit, consider these numbers: 34 First Downs, 145 Rushing Yards, 341 Passing Yards, 486 Total Yards, 34:00 Time of Possession, 39 Points, 1 Turnover.  A story was told in September, one which is very easily understood.  The San Diego Chargers cannot stop the Denver Broncos.

So, all of this nonsense you hear about the Chargers being superior is just that, nonsense.  It is a proven fact that the Broncos can move the ball up and down the field against the Chargers.  Below the fold, we'll talk about how it gets done.

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I'm upset about yesterday, just like all of you are.  We all need to take a deep breath, and calm down, though.  It's not time to panic, it's time to focus.  I know that that is what the coaching staff is telling the team right now, and I'm taking it upon myself to remind our fan base of it, because we're a big part of this too.

I reside in Cleveland, which is really a pretty good football town.  People here love the game, and love their Browns.  They frequently handicap the ability of their team to be successful, though, by overreacting to results, and calling the local egomaniac Radio Idiot, (with a definite capital R & I,) Mike Trivisonno, and hollering about how everybody needs to be fired and the whole thing needs to be blown up every 3-4 years.  Trivisonno acts really oppressed because he is a Browns fan, and the team never wins.  It's like it is some big conspiracy against him, that he was "born and raised in this cockamamie town."  (That is an actual quote from Sunday's show.)  He spews negativity, and whips the fan base up into a huge, counterproductive negative lather.  The Browns organization then pays too much attention to these well-meaning fans and Radio Idiots, and it's well known around the NFL that they allow them to unduly influence their decision-making.  Browns fans love football, and are tremendously loyal to their team, but they're a pretty un-knowledgeable and negative bunch, and this is a legitimate obstacle for their organization.

Broncos fans are known to be a very knowledgeable group, and even more than that, to be knowledge-seekers.  Look at the membership of MHR, and you'll see evidence of that.  We have positive discussions, and knowledge is shared from among the many people who possess it.  People actually frequently  come on this site and ASK QUESTIONS, of all things.  Browns fans spew opinions, and Broncos fan seek knowledge.  This is an enormous difference.

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For Everything Bills Related, Check Out Buffalo Rumblings

Well, here we are again.  Another chance to clinch the division, and this time, the game is at Mile High.  Really, this game against the Bills is both interesting, and a little bit scary to me. 

For what it's worth, I think the plan to avoid knowing the outcome of the Chargers-Bucs game is very smart.  I want to see the Broncos come out on Sunday, and be ready to play well and win this game, regardless of what happens in Tampa, or anywhere else.  Then, I'd like to see the Broncos go to San Diego looking to win another game and finish 10-6.  It's definitely worth the risk of injuries to go legitimately beat the Chargers on the road, so that everybody can shut up about the Hochuli situation.

Below the fold, we LIGHT UP THE SCOREBOARD....

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