Leadership

[bpc]

We have absolutely no leadership on the field for this team. Zip on offense, zero on defense. NONE.

Remedy that and it will be surprising how fast this team turns around.

Leadership can be explained as making a big play in the clutch, doing your job, raising the play of you or your teamates or inspiring the team overall. Leadership is needed particularly on the front lines of both units of our team.

Until we fix this problem, we will not contend for anything and we'll be lucky if we consistently win games

Maybe one of the things that Shanahan most grossly underestimated this offseason going into the year and it is now currently costing us is leadership. While we were in the midst of losing two players to death in the offseason, pearing down old coaches for new ones, saying goodbye's to players deemed too old, too unreliable, too hurt, we forgot to recruit new leaders.

In the wake of losing D-Will, a definite sparkplug for our team, we also saw the team try to trade, and then release its vocal leader and field general Al Wilson, watch another, Keith Burns, ride off into coaching, and see Rod Smith flounder to the IR with a hip injury. In the moments following, we threw money at a dope smoker claiming he was the next TD, then putting more money into a secondary that has been loaded and reloaded more times than I can remember within the last five years.

What we neglected was leadership up front, on both sides. We forgot to look for that successor who will grab the bull by the horns, the field general who will take the fight to the opposition, jump into the fray, and the leader who will rally and inspire fellow players AND fans with his voice and his actions...

Right now, we look aimless. We have an emperor but no Darth Vader. We have words but no actions being shouted from the top of this organization. It was one of the things I was really worried about when the team named captains this year and i've been saying since day 1.

The captains we enlisted in order were Tom Nalen (i've never found him to be a vocal guy or even ornery, more like a class clown), Jay Cutler (i'm the biggest fan but the guy had f'n 5 starts coming into the season AND we expect him to be a leader or grow into one?), Champ Bailey and John Lynch.

Missing from this list on our proposed super bowl quality team? There were no Shannon Sharpe's... or John Elway's... or Neil Smith's... or Alfred's... no Romo's or Atwater's... no Griffith's, or Eddie Mac's... no Rod's or Stink's... no Zimmerman's or Tony Jones... and that is where the problem surfaces. This team has ABSOLUTELY NO LEADERSHIP.

So many people want to be back in our super bowl years... look at the leadership now versus then. Back then we had strong leaders, vocal leaders, fiery leaders, hungry leaders, quiet leaders, work ethic leaders... and on that squad, if you were a leader, you were a hungry vet that wanted a ring!

What can you say about this seasons Denver Broncos team? Who actually is a leader? You don't have that guy who will take somebody to task if they screw up... even repeatedly! What can Travis Henry say to anybody who makes a mistake on offense? "Hey Travis, will you even be here in another month?" What is Jay Cutler going to say to Tom Nalen if he's screwing up the center snap exchange, or Matt Lepsis, or even Brandon Marshall if he drops a pass or fumbles the ball? He can't and won't say anything. He doesn't have the rank and its not something that can be given to somebody. It is earned through hard work, making plays, winning, stepping up time and time again. Sure, he'll take Brian Clark to task for running a dig and falling down, but he won't confront anybody else because he doesn't have rank. This is not to say that Jay can't or won't get there but he hasn't even started a full year and we expect him to lead 4, 5, or 6 year veterans? 12 year veterans?

Champ Bailey and John Lynch are neither mean enough nor physical enough to take on any of the slouches in our front seven. Tell me any championship defenses in the history of the NFL that actually haven't had an enforcer on their defensive front lines like our squad this year and see if they win consistently much less super bowl or division titles. Quite simply i'll point out some of the more recent because you'll get my drift...

I can go by the year:

2006 Indy - Dwight Freeney, Cato June, Booger McFarland
2005 Pittsburgh - Joey Porter, Casey Hampton, James Farrior, Clark Haggans, Larry Foote
2004, 2003, 2001 New England - Bruschi, McGinnest, Vrabel, Seymore.
2002 Tampa Bay - Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks
2001 Baltimore - Ray Lewis, Tony Siragusa, Bouleware, hell even a young Sam Adams
2000 St. Louis - Kevin Carter, Grant Wistrom, Robert Jones, London Fletcher.


The answer if simple and I stated it at the top. This roster would look, play and produce a whole lot more if there was some leadership. Until we get some, we will flounder around... not capitalize on opportunities in the red zone... won't get opposing teams off the field on 3rd downs...

Most importantly, we won't win any championships.

Those of you looking for an answer of why... look no further. We either get it or we don't. Unfortunately I don't see it changing much this year. We're too green and leadership can't be given (Cutler)... it has to be earned and proven, time and time again.

[Beantown Bronco]

But John Lynch said there were 11 leaders on their defense....

[dsmoot]

I posted this on another thread but it can go here too.

You can have all the talent in the world but football is and always will be a physical game that must be played with passion. Denver is playing with neither right now. When someone rips off a big run against the D or drops a ball on a critical play, I see almost no reaction from anyone, maybe just acceptance (a cancer of attitude). This indicates a lack of on-field leadership. We need leadership that demands accountability, see Colts of 60's, Mike Curtis and Johnny U. Great teammates but nobodies friend when you didn't produce on the field.

[defenseman]

I posted this on another thread but it can go here too.

You can have all the talent in the world but football is and always will be a physical game that must be played with passion. Denver is playing with neither right now. When someone rips off a big run against the D or drops a ball on a critical play, I see almost no reaction from anyone, maybe just acceptance (a cancer of attitude). This indicates a lack of on-field leadership. We need leadership that demands accountability, see Colts of 60's, Mike Curtis and Johnny U. Great teammates but nobodies friend when you didn't produce on the field.

Very true, both were vocal when you didn't do your job. In a quality organization, "peer group pressure" is a good thing. The "peer group" defines and promotes the standard. The broncos, have no peer group. No one understands, nor is willing to enforce the standard. Good call on your part, it is certianly one of the many problems plaging this collection of "players", however, I wouldn't call them a team...dman

[orinjkrush]

loved how Cutler got into one of the WRs business when he screwed up. he's starting to show ownership of the O.

[Rohirrim]

If there are no leaders among the players then the coaches should step up and fill that position. That's what they get paid to do. Of course, on the Broncos there are so many coaches it's probably hard to figure out which one to listen to.

[dsmoot]

If there are no leaders among the players then the coaches should step up and fill that position. That's what they get paid to do. Of course, on the Broncos there are so many coaches it's probably hard to figure out which one to listen to.

Thats the difficult part. Coaches can't appoint leaders. Leaders are appointed in an unofficial manner by the players. Coaches can certainly encourage specific players to step up and assume the role. The player still has to have credibility and respect with the team.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

You are right BPC, but you need to add that there are also several locker room cancers on this team who make the situation even worse.

[defenseman]

You are right BPC, but you need to add that there are also several locker room cancers on this team who make the situation even worse.

Who would that be? I know I haven't heard a whole lot about this...dman

[summerdenver]

IMHO, i think the team is pressing too much and i feel that most of it is due to inexperience. On defense i got the feeling that they are worried about LT making them look bad and were trying hard to not make that happen. LT did not have a spectacular day running yesterday but we lost. On offense it seemed to me that they were worried about the score and thinking about the win when they just needed to concentrate on the next play. Couple this to the fact that we are not getting any breaks go our way and you have a blowoutand.

One win could really change all this. I am hoping that this will happen in the next game.

[bpc]

I posted this on another thread but it can go here too.

You can have all the talent in the world but football is and always will be a physical game that must be played with passion. Denver is playing with neither right now. When someone rips off a big run against the D or drops a ball on a critical play, I see almost no reaction from anyone, maybe just acceptance (a cancer of attitude). This indicates a lack of on-field leadership. We need leadership that demands accountability, see Colts of 60's, Mike Curtis and Johnny U. Great teammates but nobodies friend when you didn't produce on the field.

I agree that there is nobody on this roster that demands accountability. Champ and Lynch can say all the jargon they want about players needing to step up, but do they look them in the eye Monday-Friday and say the same thing? I don't find these two to be in your face guys. I bet Al Wilson would get all up in a bunch of people's ass's if they weren't producing on the field.

I don't think DJ is calling anybody out... I don't think Ian is. Sam Adams has started to but what difference does his word mean, he is on a one year contract. He'll just be gone in a year, replaced by somebody else.

We need to start finding some people that can lead the charge and enforce the rule. Until then, we will stay in this tailspin.

I think players will grow in the role, like BMarsh, Jay, and a few of the young players on the DLine but we need more.

[bpc]

loved how Cutler got into one of the WRs business when he screwed up. he's starting to show ownership of the O.

Cutler is calling out a guy that got released a week earlier... that's not going to cut it.

[bpc]

If there are no leaders among the players then the coaches should step up and fill that position. That's what they get paid to do. Of course, on the Broncos there are so many coaches it's probably hard to figure out which one to listen to.

It's a nice thought but the coaches don't play on the field.

Shanahan isn't the one that can control a KR fumbling the kickoff, or multiple WR's fumbling the ball on completions.

They can demand perfection during practice but on gamedays execution leadership have to come from players in the game.

[TheChamp24]

I'm hoping the players take their paychecks from this game and donate it to charity because no way in hell did they deserve it. Coaches too.
Fricken pathetic.
Theres zero fire on all 3 phases of the game. Its embarassing.

[Mediator12]

bpc calls it leadership, I call it mental toughness. It has been lacking on this team for years. No one can deny the Physical talent on this team, it is there, but they are weak individually and collectively in the mental toughness category. The NFL is a mental game, as are all elite level sports. The mind tells the body what to do every play. It is the reason the physically average players like Rod Smith have HOF careers, while the super freaks physically can be average or worse players in the NFL. It is the single greatest reason First round draft picks bust 50% of the time.

What is compounding this situation this year is the lack of execution of the fundamentals. Simple things are keeping them from playing well. Details are where games at this level are won and lost. A well prepared mentally sharp team wins most games. DEN has been a well prepared non mentally sharp team, and this year they may not be as well prepared as they have been.

The changes made have not produced the consistency they have shown in the past. Until they get that back, they will struggle. The good news is they can get better in a hurry if they make the turn mentally. The question has always been will they?

[Beej]

I think you hit the nail on the head, bpc. Good post.

[orange 4 life]

we lost captains on offense, defense, and special teams (plummer, smith, wilson, and burns) and didnt suitably replace that leadership.

last time that happened ('99 with elway, atwater, and burns) we also had a young qb and finished 6-10.

[orange 4 life]

Who would that be? I know I haven't heard a whole lot about this...dman

travis henry, travis henry, and travis henry