Shanahan: this season worse than '99 because this team is better

[BigPlayShay]

This should get some interesting responses:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3169134

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Mike Shanahan 's offensive genius and defensive shuffling didn't pay their usual dividends in Denver this season.

The Broncos (6-9), who retooled last spring with designs on contending for a Super Bowl, are wrapping up their first losing season since 1999, when John Elway retired after consecutive championships and Terrell Davis suffered a devastating knee injury.

"Oh, it's the hardest season I've had since I've been coaching, there's no question about that," Shanahan declared Wednesday as the Broncos began preparing for their season finale against Minnesota.

What makes this harder than eight years ago, when the two-time defending Super Bowl champs went 6-10 in Shanahan's only other losing season during his 13-year tenure?

"Because we're a better football team this year than we were in '99," Shanahan said.

They sure didn't show it, and now all they have to play for Sunday is pride.

The Vikings (8-7) are one of three NFC teams fighting for a wild-card berth, but the Broncos cringe at the notion they're playing the spoiler, a role the San Francisco 49ers embraced in last year's season finale when they denied Denver a trip to the playoffs.

"I don't approach it that way," receiver Brandon Marshall said. "When you think about getting the chance to mess up the playoffs for someone else it means you are a loser. I'm not a loser. I never look forward to that kind of game.

"We want to end the year on a good note. I want to win every game. I want to win this one. I want to have some momentum to take into next season."

Safety John Lynch said the motivation is never about denying the opponent anything other than victory.

"We are professionals. We get an opportunity to play in an NFL football game. I think any time you have that opportunity you owe it to yourself, you owe it to your organization, you owe it to the people paying money to watch you play to go play as hard as you can and I think as a matter of pride and then also building for the future," Lynch said.

"Sometimes you can discount a game like this as a throwaway game," Lynch added. "But you never know when that journey is going to start and any game can be that turnaround game. And then Coach Shanahan has stated it very clear that guys are playing for their jobs here. So if all those other things don't motivate you, that should motivate you."

This is what it's come down to for Denver, which started out with high hopes and a 2-0 record behind Javon Walker's two 100-yard games.

But Walker has had one knee surgery, missed two months and caught just five passes since then.

The key offseason offensive addition, tailback Travis Henry, also has been a disappointment. He's been banged up most of the year and spent much of the season -- successfully -- fighting the NFL over a yearlong suspension for a failed drug test.

The Broncos' run game was also affected by the season-ending injuries of linemen Ben Hamilton and Tom Nalen as well as trips to injured reserve by tight ends Stephen Alexander and Nate Jackson, who joined the sidelined Rod Smith, who was unable to return from offseason hip surgery.

Quarterback Jay Cutler had an up-and-down second season, admittedly wearing out toward the end, but he had a reliable receiver in Marshall, who has 92 catches.

The Broncos' real troubles have come on defense, where they lost top draft pick Jarvis Moss to a leg injury midway through the season and where the revolving door of linemen began spinning in training camp when Ebenezer Ekuban was hurt, Gerard Warren was traded and Kenard Lang was waived.

Aging safeties Lynch and Nick Ferguson have had tough, injury-marred seasons, Ferguson losing his starting job and Lynch pondering whether to retire or return for a 16th NFL season in 2008.

Even Champ Bailey didn't meet his high standards but he did earn his annual trip to the Pro Bowl.

The Broncos also have had their troubles on special teams despite the ballyhooed arrival of coach Scott O'Brien. Punter Todd Sauerbrun was waived for off-field misbehavior and replacement Paul Ernster was sent packing Wednesday after a pitiful performance that included a 17-yard punt Monday night at San Diego.

"Me," Shanahan cracked when asked who'd be doing the punting this week. "I could average 30."

Actually, he's bringing in a half dozen out-of-work punters for a look-see Thursday and hopes to sign one of them so Jason Elam won't have to work overtime Sunday.

^Notes:@ Cutler (knee) was limited in practice but said he should be back to full participation Thursday... John Lynch was honored by Denver media with first Darrent Williams Good Guy Award, named in honor of the Broncos cornerback who was slain last New Year's Day in an unsolved drive-by shooting. "I was very fond of this young man, so to win an award in his name is nice," Lynch said. ... CB Roderick Rogers, an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin who began the season on the practice squad, made his NFL debut Monday night on special teams.

[FrontRowSeat1]

Mike.

Everybody else got better faster.

Heads stuck in 99.

Pretty well says it all

[Meck77]

"Because we're a better football team this year than we were in '99," Shanahan said.[/B]
.

Hmm that could make for an interesting debate.....

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1999-den

RB John Avery
G Chris Banks
LB David Bowens
CB/S Tyrone Braxton
QB Bubby Brister
DE Cyron Brown
S Eric Brown
LB Glenn Cadrez
TE Dwayne Carswell
CB Dale Carter
WR Byron Chamberlain
TE Desmond Clark
S George Coghill
WR Andre Cooper
CB Ray Crockett
RB Terrell Davis
WR Chris Doering
K Jason Elam
RB Olandis Gary
DT Paul Grasmanis
QB Brian Griese
FB Howard Griffith
DE Harald Hasselbach
CB Tory James
CB Darrius Johnson
T Tony Jones
T/G Matt Lepsis
NT Mike Lodish
RB Derek Loville
RB Anthony Lynn
WR Ed McCaffrey
WR Travis McGriff
WR/TE Billy Miller
QB Chris Miller
LB John Mobley
S Jason Moore
C Tom Nalen
WR Marcus Nash
G/C Dan Neil
DT Trevor Pryce
DE Montae Reagor
LB Bill Romanowski
P Tom Rouen
LB Steve Russ
G Mark Schlereth
TE Shannon Sharpe
FB Detron Smith
DE Neil Smith
WR Rod Smith
CB Jason Suttle
DT Maa Tanuvasa
T/C Trey Teague
DT Keith Traylor
T Melvin Tuten
LB Artie Ulmer
CB Chris Watson
LB Nate Wayne
DE Alfred Williams
LB Al Wilson

1999 Denver Broncos Stats

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/stats.nsf/Annual/1999-den

[Broncojef]

Totally agree Meck!!! I'd take that 99 squad now almost at every position in a heartbeat to where we are now.

[bronco militia]

the only thing better about this year vs. that 99 team is the QB position and the two corners.

the g-boy still haunts shanny

[broncolife]

Greaseball Factor is biggest negative about the 99 squad. But the overall squad is pretty good.

[BigPlayShay]

Kinda crazy that half of the 10 losses in 99 were only by 3 points or less:

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1999-den

[Meck77]

the only thing better about this year vs. that 99 team is the QB position and the two corners.

the g-boy still haunts shanny

Cutler is down to an 86 QB rating. Griese came in at 75 that year. Things could balance out after the next game.Yikes!

Take a look at the difference in sacks. I don't think Shanny remembers what he had in 99.

[crowebomber]

Hmm that could make for an interesting debate.....

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1999-den

RB John Avery
G Chris Banks
LB David Bowens
CB/S Tyrone Braxton
QB Bubby Brister
DE Cyron Brown
S Eric Brown
LB Glenn Cadrez
TE Dwayne Carswell
CB Dale Carter
WR Byron Chamberlain
TE Desmond Clark
S George Coghill
WR Andre Cooper
CB Ray Crockett
RB Terrell Davis
WR Chris Doering
K Jason Elam
RB Olandis Gary
DT Paul Grasmanis
QB Brian Griese
FB Howard Griffith
DE Harald Hasselbach
CB Tory James
CB Darrius Johnson
T Tony Jones
T/G Matt Lepsis
NT Mike Lodish
RB Derek Loville
RB Anthony Lynn
WR Ed McCaffrey
WR Travis McGriff
WR/TE Billy Miller
QB Chris Miller
LB John Mobley
S Jason Moore
C Tom Nalen
WR Marcus Nash
G/C Dan Neil
DT Trevor Pryce
DE Montae Reagor
LB Bill Romanowski
P Tom Rouen
LB Steve Russ
G Mark Schlereth
TE Shannon Sharpe
FB Detron Smith
DE Neil Smith
WR Rod Smith
CB Jason Suttle
DT Maa Tanuvasa
T/C Trey Teague
DT Keith Traylor
T Melvin Tuten
LB Artie Ulmer
CB Chris Watson
LB Nate Wayne
DE Alfred Williams
LB Al Wilson

1999 Denver Broncos Stats

http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/stats.nsf/Annual/1999-den

That 99 O Line looks pretty stacked, so, so much for that. And I'll take Romo, Al Wilson and Mobley over today's guys in a heartbeat. And I at least remember all the names except Artie Ulmer??

[Broncojef]

Cutler is down to an 86 QB rating. Griese came in at 75 that year. Things could balance out after the next game.Yikes!

The only difference being the numbers kind of lie. Griese had a SB supporting cast around him and had those numbers. Cutler has turnstiles in front of him and marginal supporting cast compared to 99. I would have loved to seen Cutler plugged-in to that 99 squad.

[Stuck In Texas]

Wow,

If he really thinks this way I don't hold out much hope for improvement in the near future and I have SERIOUS questions about his talent evaluation.

[Meck77]

The only difference being the numbers kind of lie. Griese had a SB supporting cast around him and had those numbers. Cutler has turnstiles in front of him and marginal supporting cast compared to 99. I would have loved to seen Cutler plugged-in to that 99 squad.

No doubt about it. The weakness of 99 is clearly the QB. Makes you wonder what could have been had we had some talent at that postion.

There will forever be an * on Shanny's resume for that debacle. Ha!

[rovolution]

No doubt about it. The weakness of 99 is clearly the QB. Makes you wonder what could have been had we had some talent at that postion.


thats why the 2000 team could have been a SB squad in my eyes if we had signed Steve Young.

Remember there was all the talk about the Young-Shanny reunion in Denver? Shanny tried to persuade Steve to come join Denver at the 11th hour but he decided to go ahead with retirement.

We would have beaten the Ravens in 2000, proceeded our way through the playoffs, and then decimated the Giants in the SB had Steve Young been our quarterback in 2000.

Even Young has said that has been one of the biggest regrets of his career(not coming to Denver)

[elsid13]

No doubt about it. The weakness of 99 is clearly the QB. Makes you wonder what could have been had we had some talent at that postion.

There will forever be an * on Shanny's resume for that debacle. Ha!

I always thought that Shanahan should have held onto Jeff Lewis as his next QB. I know we got a 2nd rounder, but I thought Lewis had the skills be Plummer like and win. Though as Sharpe pointed out, a lot of the guys on that team forget you need to push yourself to be successful.

[BigPlayShay]

thats why the 2000 team could have been a SB squad in my eyes if we had signed Steve Young.

Remember there was all the talk about the Young-Shanny reunion in Denver? Shanny tried to persuade Steve to come join Denver at the 11th hour but he decided to go ahead with retirement.

We would have beaten the Ravens in 2000, proceeded our way through the playoffs, and then decimated the Giants in the SB had Steve Young been our quarterback in 2000.

Even Young has said that has been one of the biggest regrets of his career(not coming to Denver)

2000 is still one of my favorite Bronco teams. Dominant running game, and Eddy Mac and Rod were unreal that year. Desmond Clark was also a weapon.

I still think Shanny had a great offensive gameplan in the playoff game. He was planning to throw the ball a lot, but the wind greatly hindered that. The wind resulted in some nutty passes, tipped balls, etc...

[Jens1893]

Show me your dealer, Mike. If he truly believes that, he should be sacked on the spot. The 99 team at the very least had something called heart and a passion to play the game. This current squad is gutless.

[BroncoInferno]

thats why the 2000 team could have been a SB squad in my eyes if we had signed Steve Young.

Remember there was all the talk about the Young-Shanny reunion in Denver? Shanny tried to persuade Steve to come join Denver at the 11th hour but he decided to go ahead with retirement.

We would have beaten the Ravens in 2000, proceeded our way through the playoffs, and then decimated the Giants in the SB had Steve Young been our quarterback in 2000.

Even Young has said that has been one of the biggest regrets of his career(not coming to Denver)

We aren't remembering the same 2000 squad. That offense rolled up 470 points offensively that season..I'm not sure Young could have done a whole lot more than that. That team was not going anywhere with the defense we trotted out every week, I don't care who was under center.

[Broncojef]

I wonder what Sharpe, Romo, Schlereth, Alfred, Pryce and other Bronco greats on that 99 squad think when Shanny says this squad is better? After embarrassing themselves week-in and week out this squad can't hold the jocks of those guys. i think it also shows how out of touch this staff is with reality.

[NFLBRONCO]

Can we sticky this one Mods

[Broncoman13]

Can we sticky this one Mods


Why???

[mhgaffney]

Why did we ever part with Traylor and Pryce?

And don't tell me: $$$$$

[Atwater His Ass]

About the only thing different from that 99 squad and the back-to-back championship squads was John Elway. I don't really see how Shanahan can say with a straight face that this year's team is better???

[cabronco]

I dont know about Shanahans answer to this. It almost looked as if the question caught him off guard ( kind of like the 07 season). It seemed like he was looking for a witty answer and thats what came out. I guess regardless its on record and he hasnt retracted his statement. The 99 team would beat this team senseless.

[NFLBRONCO]

Why???

To show how retarded Shanny has gotten and this time next year we will hearing how good this team is again at 8-8.

[ScottXray]

If Shanahan was serious about this he has gotten senile...or retarded....must be eating Chinese food laced with lead and its gotten to his brain...

What a crock.

[NFLBRONCO]

I think how they approach offseason will tell us what he really thinks about this team.

[wolf754life]

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON"T CRITICIZE MIKE " THE GENIOUS MASTERMIND" HE IS THE GREATEST GM/HEAD COACH/ PRESIDENT/CEO ....................

everyone else is held accountable, but not the RAT!!!! fall in line homer boys!

[orinjkrush]

this team isn't more talented. it's more like shanny. it's more his creature. and thus his Pygmalion effect child.

[penguintheory]

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON"T CRITICIZE MIKE " THE GENIOUS MASTERMIND" HE IS THE GREATEST GM/HEAD COACH/ PRESIDENT/CEO ....................

everyone else is held accountable, but not the RAT!!!! fall in line homer boys!

Tell me, genius doubter, who could do a better job coaching our team right now? This isn't college football, you can't just poach an up-and-comer with a huge salary and the promise of a stadium packed 100,000 strong every Saturday. Cowher isn't coming out of retirement, and Cowher has had tough seasons, too.

So who, pray tell, would you rather have leading the team?

[Rohirrim]

Shanahan has been sniffing the Desenex again.

[Beantown Bronco]

Why did we ever part with Traylor and Pryce?

And don't tell me: $$$$$

you want us to lie?

$, age and production.

[spdirty]

you want us to lie?

$, age and production.

and Pryce and Coyer HATED each other.

[defenseman]

Tell me, genius doubter, who could do a better job coaching our team right now? This isn't college football, you can't just poach an up-and-comer with a huge salary and the promise of a stadium packed 100,000 strong every Saturday. Cowher isn't coming out of retirement, and Cowher has had tough seasons, too.

So who, pray tell, would you rather have leading the team?

Based on the broncos performance overall "Post-Elway" it certianly didn't matter that Shanahan was coaching them wouldn't you agree? They've fallen short 9 yrs straight of stated goals year in and year out, goals that were stated by shanahan himself. In short, he has lead them too failure for 9 years straight. That said, does it really matter who is coaching at this point? The phrase..."He gives us the best chance to get back to the superbowl" rings very very hollow right now, and to be honest, I don't see it changing. Why? I think shanahan has lost his edge, has become very predictable, and has been out coached more often than not over the last two years from what I can tell. If this were a true "business", his part of the "equation" for profitability has to be fixed, I do see him as the issue at present....dman

[baja]

Show me your dealer, Mike. If he truly believes that, he should be sacked on the spot. The 99 team at the very least had something called heart and a passion to play the game. This current squad is gutless.

I think that might be what Shanny is implying, the 99 squad had less talent then this season squad but they did not play gutless like this years team has on several occasions.

[defenseman]

I think that might be what Shanny is implying, the 99 squad had less talent then this season squad but they did not play gutless like this years team has on several occasions.

And again, this is his issue to address, I see no reason to believe he'll overcome it though. He's had nine years to land in the superbowl again and has fell short with every opportunity......dman

[bronco militia]

I think that might be what Shanny is implying, the 99 squad had less talent then this season squad but they did not play gutless like this years team has on several occasions.

bull****...that team was coming off back to back titles. Shanny can't tell me this team is even remotely close to the 99 squad

[defenseman]

bull****...that team was coming off back to back titles. Shanny can't tell me this team is even remotely close to the 99 squad

Why by george, he'll tell you what he wants and you will like it. No different than the constant garbage he spewed during his press conferences during the season. 3/4's of the time, most of it was just rhetoric over and over and over, the same rhetoric I might add over and over and over.....pretty sad actually, quit watching them because they were an absolute waste of time...dman

[Meck77]

Well in Shanny's defense dman we did make it to the AFC Champ game and the playoff a number of times post Elway. Over the last 10 years we have more wins than any other franchise. However, I'm not giving Shanny a free pass after this seasons mess. The same old rhetoric that we are a few players away just isn't going to fly anymore in this little cow town.

I honestly feel he is just too comfortable with all his power. In fact I just saw a clip on 9 news this morning. Shanny was asked who was going to punt on Sunday and Shanny jokingly said "Me". Now it's fine an dandy to keep your cool. He's the master of that but I'm tired of it personally. Personally I'm giving Shanny one more season to get this ship straight then I feel it's time for change.

You look at that 99 roster and the key ingredient missing was a franchise QB. We might have it now. Unfortunately there are so many damn holes to fill that a one season turn around from here doesn't seem likely but as a fan all you can do is suit up for the game and hope for the best.

Oh Shanny did mention there are 6 guys working out right now for the punter position or Elam may get the nod. He still doesn't know. Anyone with punting aspirations may want to just show up at Dove Valley today. They might give you a shot! lol

[baja]

maybe that is where Mock is, in Dove Valley punting.