analysis on shananhan's press conference - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 04-30-2006, 12:29 AM

Despite Plummer, Broncos take QB anyway; why?
BY MILO F. BRYANT
The Gazette
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Coach Mike Shanahan made several interesting statements after the Denver Broncos finished drafting Saturday at the team's headquarters.

The most interesting tidbits, however, were the things Shanahan didn't say.

The Broncos traded up four first-round spots from 15th to 11th to draft Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. Later Saturday, the Broncos, in what amounted to a steal, traded the 37th selection to Green Bay for wide receiver Javon Walker.

Afterward, Shanahan talked about his new quarterback and his incumbent, Jake Plummer.

"All you like to do is have competition," Shanahan said. "You like to create competition. ... Jake is in his 10th year and took us to the AFC Championship Game. He played quite well, a Pro Bowl level. He's an athlete, played at a very high level. ... But when there is an opportunity like that, you don't want to pass it up."

Then when asked if he thought Plummer is the type of player who will show Cutler what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, Shanahan quickly and unconvincingly said, "Sure he will."

"There is a lot of competition," Shanahan added. "Everybody is fighting for a job. Jake had been in the same situation in Arizona. There's a lot of pressure. It's the nature of the job. There's always going to be competition. There's always going to be great players. If you back away from competition you shouldn't be the guy anyhow. That's just the nature of the National Football League."

Shanahan spoke highly of disgruntled receiver Ashley Lelie, who is not in Denver participating in the Broncos' offseason workouts - a no-no in Shanahan's book. He then talked about what the addition of Walker means to Lelie's future.

"(Lelie has) some more competition," Shanahan said. "That's what it means. He can come in here in compete. And hopefully he wants to do that."

Now, that's what Shanahan said.

What Shanahan didn't verbalize, yet it came out loud and clear, was his frustrations about Plummer and Lelie.

Picking Cutler and trading for Walker sent a huge message that Shanahan is fed up with Plummer's inconsistency and his attitude and that Shanahan doesn't care too much about Lelie's desire to leave the team.

Take that Jake.

Take that Ashley.

"I had a chance to talk to Jeff Fisher a number of times," Shanahan said about the Tennessee Titans coach. "Jeff was looking at all three quarterbacks and spent a lot of time with all three. And Jeff thought the world of (Cutler). Obviously I liked what I saw on film. He can make all the throws. I like the way he handles himself. I like the way he plays. Jeff had the chance to work with him. Obviously, they're right there in the same city. He said he didn't feel like he had any flaws."

Folks, understand this. Plummer just had the best season of his career. He led the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the AFC Championship Game. Plummer had a string of eight games were he completed 229 passes without an interception. Plummer was great sometimes. He was horrible others. But overall, 2005 was a career year for Plummer.

Yet Shanahan thought enough of Plummer's season to move up in the first round to take a quarterback - with no flaws.

"Jake understands there's competition," Shanahan said. "Jake understands the nature of this job."

For some reason Lelie doesn't.

Lelie told the Broncos that he wants to be a No.1 receiver. He asked for permission to seek a trade, and he has been seeking. But Lelie has little to stand on.

Lelie was a first-round pick who has yet to turn into a first-round talent. He's adept at catching the difficult pass, but falters with the routine catches. Don't expect many yards after the catch from Lelie. And he has never been known for his toughness.

Shanahan didn't say all of that, but believe it came out when he did talk about Walker.

"He's got great speed," Shanahan said, obviously hoping that Walker's torn ACL heals as it's supposed to. "He's got great size. And he's physical. He can turn a short gain into a big play.

"Any time you get an extra wide receiver that has been to the Pro Bowl and is very physical, he's going to bring something to the table. He's a guy that is a great competitor who has made plays consistently."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14463419.htm

Broncoman13 · 04-30-2006, 12:49 AM

Thanks for posting that, I've been curious as to what Shanny had to say.

Dudeskey · 04-30-2006, 12:52 AM

Why is it every time I read one of Bryant's columns he always sounds like he's b****ing about something?

doof · 04-30-2006, 12:52 AM

If Fisher felt like Cutler had no flaws then why didn't Tennessee draft him over Young?

WABronco · 04-30-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doof

If Fisher felt like Cutler had no flaws then why didn't Tennessee draft him over Young?

It wasn't his call...

Kaylore · 04-30-2006, 12:58 AM

Quote:

"(Lelie has) some more competition," Shanahan said. "That's what it means. He can come in here in compete. And hopefully he wants to do that."

Now, that's what Shanahan said.

What Shanahan didn't verbalize, yet it came out loud and clear, was his frustrations about Plummer and Lelie.

Picking Cutler and trading for Walker sent a huge message that Shanahan is fed up with Plummer's inconsistency and his attitude and that Shanahan doesn't care too much about Lelie's desire to leave the team.

I don't think it means that about Plummer at all. It means you need only look at how long it takes teams to find a QB and you realize that if you have a shot at someone great you have to take them. Some of these teams have been waiting for decades before they finally landed someone.

Now Lelie on the other hand, Shanahan wants his players to earn their spot the old fashion way. Complaining and pouting in the desert is not that way.

wabbit · 04-30-2006, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doof

If Fisher felt like Cutler had no flaws then why didn't Tennessee draft him over Young?

Ownership...plain & simple.

From what I read & heard in/on various newspapers/sports shows, Bud Adams became personally involved in this choice and...more or less...became the deciding vote in favor of Young.

As I hear it...Fisher & Chow were very much in the Leinart camp.

Kaylore · 04-30-2006, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabbit

As I hear it...Fisher & Chow were very much in the Leinart camp.

SHOCKING!!!!!

Dudeskey · 04-30-2006, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wabbit

Ownership...plain & simple.

From what I read & heard in/on various newspapers/sports shows, Bud Adams became personally involved in this choice and...more or less...became the deciding vote in favor of Young.

As I hear it...Fisher & Chow were very much in the Leinart camp.

Yeah, theres actually been a lot of speculation that the Vince Young pick pretty much signifies that Jeff Fisher & Co may be out the door in the next off-season or two. I dunno how much credebility there is to it, but Jay Glazer reported something to that effect earlier this week...™

ClevelandBronco · 04-30-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I don't think it means that about Plummer at all. It means you need only look at how long it takes teams to find a QB and you realize that if you have a shot at someone great you have to take them. Some of these teams have been waiting for decades before they finally landed someone.

Now Lelie on the other hand, Shanahan wants his players to earn their spot the old fashion way. Complaining and pouting in the desert is not that way.

I agree with you far too often.

That likely means that there's a major flaw somewhere in your thinking.

Kaylore · 04-30-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

I agree with you far too often.

That likely means that there's a major flaw somewhere in your thinking.

Maybe we're both insane.

Odysseus · 04-30-2006, 01:32 AM

Shanahan:

Jake you need to focus. If your ego is frail you better get over it because we got one or two more shots at this thing and then that's about it. You are my guy but I am not staking my future in Denver with you. I have a franchise to run and despite you being a wonderful person this is still a business. The fans want this team to win.

Leslie you are a great person and key asset to this ball club. I want you to take a look around the NFL and see whose going to give you a better deal than this team. If you don't like winning and being in Denver that's fine. Don't do any leave behinds when you pack.

All the rest of you guys on the Broncos. There are no sacred cows. You either play or you go home. I don't care who you. This is the N freaking F L and if all of you don't step up I'm swapping out players until I get the win. Remember what I did to Anderson? You do? Good. Becausel I liked him. Any questions? I don't want 10-6. I want to win. Mr. Cutler pay close attention to Mr. Plumber because if you don't do your job. You are next.

Fans of the Broncos we are going to draw the curtains this off season. We are going to have some very honest conversations for a few weeks. Check back with us in August. We promise we will be a better team.

---I love Jake but this needed to happen. Jake is just Jake. The management is letter the ENTIRE TEAM know that THEY are running the team and that second place is still first loser.

ClevelandBronco · 04-30-2006, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Shanahan:

Jake you need to focus. If your ego is frail you better get over it because we got one or two more shots at this thing and then that's about it. You are my guy but I am not staking my future in Denver with you. I have a franchise to run and despite you being a wonderful person this is still a business. The fans want this team to win.

Leslie you are a great person and key asset to this ball club. I want you to take a look around the NFL and see whose going to give you a better deal than this team. If you don't like winning and being in Denver that's fine. Don't do any leave behinds when you pack.

All the rest of you guys on the Broncos. There are no sacred cows. You either play or you go home. I don't care who you. This is the N freaking F L and if all of you don't step up I'm swapping out players until I get the win. Remember what I did to Anderson? You do? Good. Becausel I liked him. Any questions? I don't want 10-6. I want to win. Mr. Cutler pay close attention to Mr. Plumber because if you don't do your job. You are next.

Fans of the Broncos we are going to draw the curtains this off season. We are going to have some very honest conversations for a few weeks. Check back with us in August. We promise we will be a better team.

---I love Jake but this needed to happen. Jake is just Jake. The management is letter the ENTIRE TEAM know that THEY are running the team and that second place is still first loser.

Sometimes (such as this time) a military-like point of view can put things into clear perspective.

Ballhawk · 04-30-2006, 05:38 AM

Shanny was all smiles. He had a very speial gleam in his eyes when he talked about Cutler. If Dinger gets Terrell on track then we will have a nice #1 & 2 all set for when Cutler takes the reigns.

Arkansas Bronco · 04-30-2006, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doof

If Fisher felt like Cutler had no flaws then why didn't Tennessee draft him over Young?

The owners wanted Young there team they get what they want.

Den Smith 49 · 04-30-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Shanahan:

Jake you need to focus. If your ego is frail you better get over it because we got one or two more shots at this thing and then that's about it. You are my guy but I am not staking my future in Denver with you. I have a franchise to run and despite you being a wonderful person this is still a business. The fans want this team to win.

Leslie you are a great person and key asset to this ball club. I want you to take a look around the NFL and see whose going to give you a better deal than this team. If you don't like winning and being in Denver that's fine. Don't do any leave behinds when you pack.

All the rest of you guys on the Broncos. There are no sacred cows. You either play or you go home. I don't care who you. This is the N freaking F L and if all of you don't step up I'm swapping out players until I get the win. Remember what I did to Anderson? You do? Good. Becausel I liked him. Any questions? I don't want 10-6. I want to win. Mr. Cutler pay close attention to Mr. Plumber because if you don't do your job. You are next.

Fans of the Broncos we are going to draw the curtains this off season. We are going to have some very honest conversations for a few weeks. Check back with us in August. We promise we will be a better team.

---I love Jake but this needed to happen. Jake is just Jake. The management is letter the ENTIRE TEAM know that THEY are running the team and that second place is still first loser.

Bravo, Bravo, Encore, Encore.

Hercules Rockefeller · 04-30-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urinal_Cake

Why is it every time I read one of Bryant's columns he always sounds like he's b****ing about something?

Because that all he can do. He's the Colo Spgs Gazette's answer to Kizla and Krieger.

Odysseus · 04-30-2006, 12:25 PM

I doubt the Broncos get this high again in the draft so getting Cutler is pretty cool.

I wonder what Taco knows about this whole thing?

Dudeskey · 04-30-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Because that all he can do. He's the Colo Spgs Gazette's answer to Kizla and Krieger.

Yeah, he has a fitness column in that paper as well. But I suppose for every few media homers an opposing view is somewhat necessary, even if its for comic releif.

epicSocialism4tw · 04-30-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

Shanny was all smiles. He had a very special gleam in his eyes when he talked about Cutler. If Dinger gets Terrell on track then we will have a nice #1 & 2 all set for when Cutler takes the reigns.

Ah...the gleam.

Cito Pelon · 04-30-2006, 01:58 PM

I'd be all smiles if I was Shanny. He accomplished what he wanted to. The entire FO and staff did a lot of scrambling for what, 2 years now? Now the FO and staff can relax a little bit for a month or so. And then come mid-June, they start the quest for consecutive AFC Titles.

04-30-2006, 01:32 AM	#12
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	(Sound of Mike Shanahan clearing his throat) Shanahan: Jake you need to focus. If your ego is frail you better get over it because we got one or two more shots at this thing and then that's about it. You are my guy but I am not staking my future in Denver with you. I have a franchise to run and despite you being a wonderful person this is still a business. The fans want this team to win. Leslie you are a great person and key asset to this ball club. I want you to take a look around the NFL and see whose going to give you a better deal than this team. If you don't like winning and being in Denver that's fine. Don't do any leave behinds when you pack. All the rest of you guys on the Broncos. There are no sacred cows. You either play or you go home. I don't care who you. This is the N freaking F L and if all of you don't step up I'm swapping out players until I get the win. Remember what I did to Anderson? You do? Good. Becausel I liked him. Any questions? I don't want 10-6. I want to win. Mr. Cutler pay close attention to Mr. Plumber because if you don't do your job. You are next. Fans of the Broncos we are going to draw the curtains this off season. We are going to have some very honest conversations for a few weeks. Check back with us in August. We promise we will be a better team. ---I love Jake but this needed to happen. Jake is just Jake. The management is letter the ENTIRE TEAM know that THEY are running the team and that second place is still first loser.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-30-2006, 12:29 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	analysis on shananhan's press conference Despite Plummer, Broncos take QB anyway; why? BY MILO F. BRYANT The Gazette ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Coach Mike Shanahan made several interesting statements after the Denver Broncos finished drafting Saturday at the team's headquarters. The most interesting tidbits, however, were the things Shanahan didn't say. The Broncos traded up four first-round spots from 15th to 11th to draft Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. Later Saturday, the Broncos, in what amounted to a steal, traded the 37th selection to Green Bay for wide receiver Javon Walker. Afterward, Shanahan talked about his new quarterback and his incumbent, Jake Plummer. "All you like to do is have competition," Shanahan said. "You like to create competition. ... Jake is in his 10th year and took us to the AFC Championship Game. He played quite well, a Pro Bowl level. He's an athlete, played at a very high level. ... But when there is an opportunity like that, you don't want to pass it up." Then when asked if he thought Plummer is the type of player who will show Cutler what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, Shanahan quickly and unconvincingly said, "Sure he will." "There is a lot of competition," Shanahan added. "Everybody is fighting for a job. Jake had been in the same situation in Arizona. There's a lot of pressure. It's the nature of the job. There's always going to be competition. There's always going to be great players. If you back away from competition you shouldn't be the guy anyhow. That's just the nature of the National Football League." Shanahan spoke highly of disgruntled receiver Ashley Lelie, who is not in Denver participating in the Broncos' offseason workouts - a no-no in Shanahan's book. He then talked about what the addition of Walker means to Lelie's future. "(Lelie has) some more competition," Shanahan said. "That's what it means. He can come in here in compete. And hopefully he wants to do that." Now, that's what Shanahan said. What Shanahan didn't verbalize, yet it came out loud and clear, was his frustrations about Plummer and Lelie. Picking Cutler and trading for Walker sent a huge message that Shanahan is fed up with Plummer's inconsistency and his attitude and that Shanahan doesn't care too much about Lelie's desire to leave the team. Take that Jake. Take that Ashley. "I had a chance to talk to Jeff Fisher a number of times," Shanahan said about the Tennessee Titans coach. "Jeff was looking at all three quarterbacks and spent a lot of time with all three. And Jeff thought the world of (Cutler). Obviously I liked what I saw on film. He can make all the throws. I like the way he handles himself. I like the way he plays. Jeff had the chance to work with him. Obviously, they're right there in the same city. He said he didn't feel like he had any flaws." Folks, understand this. Plummer just had the best season of his career. He led the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the AFC Championship Game. Plummer had a string of eight games were he completed 229 passes without an interception. Plummer was great sometimes. He was horrible others. But overall, 2005 was a career year for Plummer. Yet Shanahan thought enough of Plummer's season to move up in the first round to take a quarterback - with no flaws. "Jake understands there's competition," Shanahan said. "Jake understands the nature of this job." For some reason Lelie doesn't. Lelie told the Broncos that he wants to be a No.1 receiver. He asked for permission to seek a trade, and he has been seeking. But Lelie has little to stand on. Lelie was a first-round pick who has yet to turn into a first-round talent. He's adept at catching the difficult pass, but falters with the routine catches. Don't expect many yards after the catch from Lelie. And he has never been known for his toughness. Shanahan didn't say all of that, but believe it came out when he did talk about Walker. "He's got great speed," Shanahan said, obviously hoping that Walker's torn ACL heals as it's supposed to. "He's got great size. And he's physical. He can turn a short gain into a big play. "Any time you get an extra wide receiver that has been to the Pro Bowl and is very physical, he's going to bring something to the table. He's a guy that is a great competitor who has made plays consistently." http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14463419.htm

04-30-2006, 12:49 AM	#2
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,962 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	Thanks for posting that, I've been curious as to what Shanny had to say.

04-30-2006, 12:52 AM	#3
Dudeskey Ring of Famer This space for rent Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 4,314	Why is it every time I read one of Bryant's columns he always sounds like he's b****ing about something?

04-30-2006, 12:52 AM	#4
doof Solid Starter Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 215	If Fisher felt like Cutler had no flaws then why didn't Tennessee draft him over Young?

04-30-2006, 05:38 AM	#14
Ballhawk Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,132	Shanny was all smiles. He had a very speial gleam in his eyes when he talked about Cutler. If Dinger gets Terrell on track then we will have a nice #1 & 2 all set for when Cutler takes the reigns.

04-30-2006, 12:25 PM	#18
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	I doubt the Broncos get this high again in the draft so getting Cutler is pretty cool. I wonder what Taco knows about this whole thing?

04-30-2006, 01:58 PM	#21
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,273 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	I'd be all smiles if I was Shanny. He accomplished what he wanted to. The entire FO and staff did a lot of scrambling for what, 2 years now? Now the FO and staff can relax a little bit for a month or so. And then come mid-June, they start the quest for consecutive AFC Titles.