titan
12-30-2008, 07:03 PM
Nothing too revealing, but the Shanahan firing did catch the players by surprise. Here are some quotes I typed in while listening to Tony Scheffler's interview on Sirius nfl radio's "late hits" program.
Late Hits: You had a great year this year Tony.
If I could stay healthy every game it would have been a great year. I tore a groin midway and played hurt the rest of the year. Still put together a decent year.
Late Hits: How did you find out about the Shanahan firing?
Got a call from Brandon Marshall then from Jay Cutler - I missed both calls. Finally I got ahold of them and word spread fast among the players. A big surprise. Some changes I guess Mr Bowlen felt were needed to be made.
Late Hits: Jeremy Bates was given a new extension on Monday, then the next day they fire the head coach. Was that a big surprise?
Big surprise, alot of speculation that he didn't want to let coach Slowik go. Not much info out there as to the real reason. No one knows except
Mr Bowlen.
Late Hits: What happened with the team's late season slide?
Lots of things. Injury to rb slot was unreal, bringing guys in week after week. We became too one dimensional, and had to score 40 pts the way the defense was playing. Our time of possession killed us - we kept defense out there too long.
Late Hits: How does the Shanahan firing affect Jay Cutler?
I think it affects him alot. Jay had a great relationship with Jeremy Bates. Jay is coming into his own, had a pro bowl year. Things change. He'll still be the guy.
Late Hits: How close is this team to being a division winner?
Every nfl team has injuries but if you take away Champ Bailey it hurts. You lose your linebacker corp, your rb's, it goes on and on. Moving forward we had alot of young guys step up and make plays. Long term this is good for the team but it didn't pay off in the short term.
Late Hits: How is the team going to replace Mike Shanahan?
Not only coach Shanahan but changes will be made all the way up to the top to the GM level. As players we are in wait and see mode. Looks like we are in rebuilding mode.
Late Hits: You had a great year this year Tony.
If I could stay healthy every game it would have been a great year. I tore a groin midway and played hurt the rest of the year. Still put together a decent year.
Late Hits: How did you find out about the Shanahan firing?
Got a call from Brandon Marshall then from Jay Cutler - I missed both calls. Finally I got ahold of them and word spread fast among the players. A big surprise. Some changes I guess Mr Bowlen felt were needed to be made.
Late Hits: Jeremy Bates was given a new extension on Monday, then the next day they fire the head coach. Was that a big surprise?
Big surprise, alot of speculation that he didn't want to let coach Slowik go. Not much info out there as to the real reason. No one knows except
Mr Bowlen.
Late Hits: What happened with the team's late season slide?
Lots of things. Injury to rb slot was unreal, bringing guys in week after week. We became too one dimensional, and had to score 40 pts the way the defense was playing. Our time of possession killed us - we kept defense out there too long.
Late Hits: How does the Shanahan firing affect Jay Cutler?
I think it affects him alot. Jay had a great relationship with Jeremy Bates. Jay is coming into his own, had a pro bowl year. Things change. He'll still be the guy.
Late Hits: How close is this team to being a division winner?
Every nfl team has injuries but if you take away Champ Bailey it hurts. You lose your linebacker corp, your rb's, it goes on and on. Moving forward we had alot of young guys step up and make plays. Long term this is good for the team but it didn't pay off in the short term.
Late Hits: How is the team going to replace Mike Shanahan?
Not only coach Shanahan but changes will be made all the way up to the top to the GM level. As players we are in wait and see mode. Looks like we are in rebuilding mode.