View Full Version : Bowlen comments on the 2007 season
montrose
01-11-2008, 08:09 PM
Bowlen reflects on tough season
By Bill Williamson
The Denver Post
In his first interviews since the end of a disappointing season, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen spoke on several topics today.
The following is a sampling:
On coach Mike Shanahan: "I know this season was tough on Mike and he and his staff worked hard Mike is my coach. For our club, certainly, I think he is the best coach in the NFL."
On personnel matters: "I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
On the team's character: "I wouldn't say we have a big character problem on this team."
On the Broncos' 7-9 season: "It was very disappointing and we weren't expecting it. It was very difficult. I'd have to look through the media guides over the past 24 years to see what my worst seasons were, but this had to be in the worst 3-4 seasons."
On fired defensive coordinator Jim Bates: "I was disappointed it didn't work out. But I am not going to make Jim Bates the whipping boy for what happened this season."
On quarterback Jay Cutler: "I think we have a great young quarterback we can build around."
For the complete story, please look in the Sunday Denver Post.
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_7946054
On the team's character: "I wouldn't say we have a big character problem on this team."
No ****! The fans has been screaming about it for sometime now.
But you're coach continues to draft and sign problems. At the same time your losing leaders every year.
On the team's character: "I wouldn't say we have a big character problem on this team."
No ****! The fans has been screaming about it for sometime now.
But you're coach continues to draft and sign problems. At the same time your losing leaders every year.
he said we wouldn't say we have a problem...meaning he doesn't see one. I read it wrong the first time too...
BobIsYouInformationMinister
01-11-2008, 09:02 PM
sounds like Bowlen is preparing for a major rebuilding process.
eddie mac
01-11-2008, 09:04 PM
On personnel matters: "I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
Money totally wasted on RB, DE, 2 DT's, and a TE brought in to shore up crappy OT's and then a contract extension for a traded CB who's no use at all if you dont sort out the Defensive Line.
he said we wouldn't say we have a problem...meaning he doesn't see one. I read it wrong the first time too...
Whoops! Read too fast...
My feeling are still the same. To many leaders have left and been replaced by "Me" guys.
On personnel matters: "I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
Money totally wasted on RB, DE, 2 DT's, and a TE brought in to shore up crappy OT's and then a contract extension for a traded CB who's no use at all if you dont sort out the Defensive Line.
Big money wasted on RB & TE (aka third offensive tackle that catches a few passes).
One DT cost Denver a 2008 draft selection.
I thought S.Rice would give this team some pop as a rusher. But he turned into poop.
Bly was a total over reaction to D-Will.
Now the team faces an offseason of having to cut one or two big money players.
Still have to fill a need @ DT.
Need to solidify the O-line. (Protect your investment) Jay needs a wall around him.
May need to fill second starting wideout, feature running back, Safety,Kicker,Linebacker.
broncos loveI
01-11-2008, 09:31 PM
Sign Al Wilson tommorow and all this (BS) will go away. You need a leader in the locker room; the young guys are just not filling the role so far. Move DJ back to his old postion and Al in the middle... IMO, that was the problem with this defense this year. Sign Al or a real MLB, Bowlen.
Dukes
01-11-2008, 09:37 PM
"I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
I can't wait for the day that 19+ of 22 starters were drafted like the two best teams in the league, not bought.
montrose
01-11-2008, 10:19 PM
"I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
I can't wait for the day that 19+ of 22 starters were drafted like the two best teams in the league, not bought.
The best teams are built through the draft with a few smart moves in free agency. Look at the Patriots starters they picked up from other teams: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Heath Evans, Stephen Neal, Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison. The difference between New England from the league's other teams is that they build their offensive and defensive lines (where games are won) through the draft and use free agency and trades to bring in veteran skilled position players. New England understands that in today's NFL, you make QB, OL and DL your top priority; hell they were a quarter away from the Super Bowl last year with guys like Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Tully Banta-Cain and Ellis Hobbs. Why are the Pats the league's best team? Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Jarvis Green. All great OL and DL, all in their prime, and all drafted by New England. The past few years, New England has counted on their OL and DL winning games for them, this year they added the skilled position players to fully optimize their line play and wallah... their 16-0.
Denver would be wise to copy this philosophy and continue building their offensive and defensive lines through the draft, save their cap room for when they have built Super Bowl-worthy lines - and then use their cap money to add skilled position players at a reasonable price who can help put the team over the top. Certainly there are needs at other positions like LB, S, WR and RB; but New England (and to a certain degree Indy) has shown these positions can be filled at a later date once strong line play has been built. On the OL, the Broncos have 3 young draftees who look like they could be a part of the OL's future: Kuper, Myers and according to reports - Harris. If those players can continue to develop and the Broncos draft a few more solid, young OL - they would give Cutler the tools to succeed long-term. Defensively, Dumervil, Moss, Crowder and Thomas are all good young talents - but the Broncos need to continue adding talent - particularly at DT. If the team can improve the DL play, the weaknesses at LB and S will be masked a great deal. Once those positions are strengthened, a few years down the line, look to free agency to shore up a few holes.
This seems to be the New England philosophy, and it damn sure seems to work.
eddie mac
01-11-2008, 10:36 PM
"I think we made some mistakes in free agency last year. We have to do a better job in free agency. We need to make better decisions on and off the field."
I can't wait for the day that 19+ of 22 starters were drafted like the two best teams in the league, not bought.
Not too far off. Of the Pats starting 22. 7 were free agent acquisitions/trades.
Stallworth, Moss, Welker, Vrabel, Thomas, Colvin, Harrison
Colts drafted 19 of their 22 if you count Utecht, albeit he was an undrafted free agent.
Cito Pelon
01-12-2008, 04:18 AM
Bowlen should take a stronger hand in shaping the team if he wants to make some Titles. Hell, even Div Titles. Look at the Div Titles since 1999, Oakland has won consecutive and multiple Div Titles, SD has won consecutive and multiple Div Titles. Denver?
Bowlen and Shanahan have done a poor job by Bronco standards since 1999. One of them is gonna have to get the ship righted. If they stand pat, the Broncos will look just like they have since 1999. I was heartened to see that Shanny recognizes Cutler needs to work on his basic mechanics. This is a big deal for the O. Shanny has to get Cutler's basic QB skills nailed down to perfection. And get him some protection.
gunns
01-12-2008, 08:21 AM
hell they were a quarter away from the Super Bowl last year with guys like Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell,
Love the entire post, but this line caught my eye. EVERY DAMN YEAR the media has us taking a WR high, and was part of the reason I went ballistic the years we took Nash and Lelie. WR's are a dime a dozen, they should only be picked up in later rounds or in sheer desperation. Even NE made the mistake of picking Jackson so high. Calvin Johnson was a faded memory at the end of this year.
FrontRowSeat1
01-12-2008, 09:30 AM
How bad do things need to get before character problems become character problems?
Traveler
01-12-2008, 10:21 AM
I was heartened to see that Shanny recognizes Cutler needs to work on his basic mechanics. This is a big deal for the O. Shanny has to get Cutler's basic QB skills nailed down to perfection. And get him some protection.
If that's the case, then Shanahan should hire a real QB coach for Cutler.
Cito Pelon
01-12-2008, 04:33 PM
If that's the case, then Shanahan should hire a real QB coach for Cutler.
Maybe that has to be done. I don't know if that's necessary, obviously the staff knows The Dude's mechanics need work. I sure hope Shanny sits Cutler, Scheff and Marshall down before they go on their jaunt and tells all of them to get that throwing motion changed. I'm really skeptical of how productive Cutler's career will be with that horrible throwing motion.