Shanahan's sunny side

[Pendejo]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...447909,00.html

PHOENIX - Beneath a cloudless Arizona sky Tuesday, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan basked in the optimism of his team's offseason and strongly professed the belief his team would be better on all fronts in the upcoming season than it was in last season's 9-7 playoff miss.

In his first extended comments since before the scouting combine and the start of free agency, Shanahan covered a wide variety of topics, including the acquisition of cornerback Dré Bly, the attempt to upgrade the team's offense and receiver Rod Smith's left hip injury, as well as the talks between Shanahan and the Broncos to extend his contract.

The Broncos finished 21st in the league in total offense, 14th on defense and missed the postseason after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale.

So, with the draft looming, here is the Broncos' world, according to Shanahan:

• On his disappointment with the offense last season and signing players such as running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham and receiver Brandon Stokley to fix it:

"If we're not in the top five, I'm very disappointed. We've been in the top five almost every year since I've been here. To not be in the top five is embarrassing and it's the standard that we shoot for. I'll be very disappointed if we're not back to where we've been."

• On what quarterback Jay Cutler has to do to take the next step in his development:

"What he's doing right now. He works out every day. He works out different drills, different quarterback drills every day. He's been doing that the last month. Going over to our facility to see him working on footwork, different quarterback drills, tells most people that he loves the game, that he wants to get better, to be the best at what he does. To do that, you've got to work all year 'round. He's got that type of mind-set; he wants to be the best at what he does."

• On signing Henry over other backs such as Willis McGahee or Thomas Jones:

"Two of the guys you first mentioned there were draft choices involved. So you want to give draft choices away for a guy you can get free, that you might like more? I really thought Travis Henry was the MVP of (the Titans), that's what I thought. . . . You were able to sign a guy and not lose a draft choice. It's like getting a first rounder."

• On how Bly has reacted to coming to the Broncos in a trade instead of to the Washington Redskins, who are closer to his offseason home:

"I've talked to him and what happened - everybody knows what happened - Washington was talking to Dré Bly and I think he had a long-range contract in place, I think he was hoping he would be traded to the Washington Redskins because his home was very close and I think they had a five- or a six-year contract already agreed upon. I could see where I'd be happy, too, if I had that and going home, too. . . . Now most people, they come to Denver, don't want to leave. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get a deal done with Dré Bly even before the season starts. And if it doesn't turn out that way, I (would) be surprised if he doesn't want to stay after he plays for us for a year."

• On Smith's recent hip surgery after playing on a sore hip he originally suffered in training camp last year:

"He had a little tear . . . according to the doctors, he should be ready by four months, which should be for the season. . . . The doctor was even surprised he played (in 2006) with it. Knowing Rod, how tough he is, it didn't surprise me he would play. You're hoping, you never know with surgery, how a guy comes back. I know Rod played hurt last year and I think he'll be healthy. And if he's healthy, it gives him a chance to get back to his old form."

• On his recent talks to extend his contract, which has two years remaining:

"I don't talk about those things. If it gets done, I'll tell you guys. It's like talking about a player's contract; until it's done, it's not done. I know my relationship with Pat (Bowlen) and this organization; it'll get worked out."

• On whether the talks indicate he has long-term plans to stay with the Broncos beyond the two years left on his deal:

"Yes, I do. And we're talking about that right now."

[bpc]

Gotta love it. The arm, the mentality, its only a matter of time until Cutler is slicing his way into the big three of the AFC, Brady, Manning and Palmer.

Props to Shanahan for understanding that we can't just have A great player win games for us... they need talent surrounding them as well.

Now lets buckle down at FS, DL, and OL in the draft and I'll feel really good going into next season.

[Pezman]

Lets just hope his optimism of Bly's situation is warranted. Its gonna be a fun camp regardless this spring. Except that half the freaking team will be wearing nametags to id themselves heh.

[CBF1]

Rod is the man. Hope he comes into the season 100%

[CBF1]

PEZ..... Go to bed, It is late

[eddie mac]

Originally Posted by Pendejo

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...447909,00.html

PHOENIX - Beneath a cloudless Arizona sky Tuesday, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan basked in the optimism of his team's offseason and strongly professed the belief his team would be better on all fronts in the upcoming season than it was in last season's 9-7 playoff miss.

In his first extended comments since before the scouting combine and the start of free agency, Shanahan covered a wide variety of topics, including the acquisition of cornerback Dré Bly, the attempt to upgrade the team's offense and receiver Rod Smith's left hip injury, as well as the talks between Shanahan and the Broncos to extend his contract.

The Broncos finished 21st in the league in total offense, 14th on defense and missed the postseason after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale.

So, with the draft looming, here is the Broncos' world, according to Shanahan:

• On his disappointment with the offense last season and signing players such as running back Travis Henry, tight end Daniel Graham and receiver Brandon Stokley to fix it:

"If we're not in the top five, I'm very disappointed. We've been in the top five almost every year since I've been here. To not be in the top five is embarrassing and it's the standard that we shoot for. I'll be very disappointed if we're not back to where we've been."

• On what quarterback Jay Cutler has to do to take the next step in his development:

"What he's doing right now. He works out every day. He works out different drills, different quarterback drills every day. He's been doing that the last month. Going over to our facility to see him working on footwork, different quarterback drills, tells most people that he loves the game, that he wants to get better, to be the best at what he does. To do that, you've got to work all year 'round. He's got that type of mind-set; he wants to be the best at what he does."

• On signing Henry over other backs such as Willis McGahee or Thomas Jones:

"Two of the guys you first mentioned there were draft choices involved. So you want to give draft choices away for a guy you can get free, that you might like more? I really thought Travis Henry was the MVP of (the Titans), that's what I thought. . . . You were able to sign a guy and not lose a draft choice. It's like getting a first rounder."

• On how Bly has reacted to coming to the Broncos in a trade instead of to the Washington Redskins, who are closer to his offseason home:

"I've talked to him and what happened - everybody knows what happened - Washington was talking to Dré Bly and I think he had a long-range contract in place, I think he was hoping he would be traded to the Washington Redskins because his home was very close and I think they had a five- or a six-year contract already agreed upon. I could see where I'd be happy, too, if I had that and going home, too. . . . Now most people, they come to Denver, don't want to leave. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't get a deal done with Dré Bly even before the season starts. And if it doesn't turn out that way, I (would) be surprised if he doesn't want to stay after he plays for us for a year."

• On Smith's recent hip surgery after playing on a sore hip he originally suffered in training camp last year:

"He had a little tear . . . according to the doctors, he should be ready by four months, which should be for the season. . . . The doctor was even surprised he played (in 2006) with it. Knowing Rod, how tough he is, it didn't surprise me he would play. You're hoping, you never know with surgery, how a guy comes back. I know Rod played hurt last year and I think he'll be healthy. And if he's healthy, it gives him a chance to get back to his old form."

• On his recent talks to extend his contract, which has two years remaining:

"I don't talk about those things. If it gets done, I'll tell you guys. It's like talking about a player's contract; until it's done, it's not done. I know my relationship with Pat (Bowlen) and this organization; it'll get worked out."

• On whether the talks indicate he has long-term plans to stay with the Broncos beyond the two years left on his deal:

"Yes, I do. And we're talking about that right now."

Surely that should read like this.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get a deal done with Dré Bly even before the season starts. And if it doesn't turn out that way, I (would) be surprised if he doesn't want to stay after he plays for us for a year."

[55CrushEm]

The part about Cutler gets me excited.

This is precisely why Manning is the best in the business.....he is constantly working out, trying to get better...all year round. Constantly going over "routine" throws over and over to perfect them. Kind of like shooting free throws over and over and over.

If we were reading about Plummer, he'd be saying that he's "enjoying his time off"......

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Here's hoping Rod comes back healthy!

He continues to mention the offense needs to be in the top 5. I bet the moves to improve the offense are not complete.

[WoodMan]

Originally Posted by Pezman

Lets just hope his optimism of Bly's situation is warranted. Its gonna be a fun camp regardless this spring. Except that half the freaking team will be wearing nametags to id themselves heh.

Remember in High School how the coaches taped our names across the foreheads of our helmuts, so they could know who they were yelling at.

[phibacka31]

Big Guy- What do you thnk the broncs will do in the 1st round. Our you saying OLINE or WR in the 1st? Meachem? Bowe?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by phibacka31

Big Guy- What do you thnk the broncs will do in the 1st round. Our you saying OLINE or WR in the 1st? Meachem? Bowe?

Unless there is an unexpected run on DL that completely depletes the pool, I think they have to go in that direction. I would bet an OT will be taken on the first day and I would not be shocked to see them pick a WR at some point since this class is so deep. For instance, if they have a receiver rated as the 35th best player in the draft and he is still around in the third round. At worst, they will need to find a WR to put on the practice squad, assuming they have real plans for Hixon this year as he is the only guy they have who is eligible for the PS.

Being realistic, my hope for this draft is that they come out with two guys who can come in and contribute to the DL rotation immediately and a very good OT prospect. That and some developmental players is all that can reasonably be expected.

Depending on how the draft comes out, I think they could grab a couple of complimentary offensive players that are released post draft. They will need to find a RB to, at least be camp fodder, and fill out the practice rotations in camp.

They also need to be thinking about the Practice Squad. They have some guys signed to futures contract who could end up there. A QB, a RB, a WR, a DB and a couple of linemen are always carried there.


We all sit here and see the problems on Defense, but every time Shanahan talks the first thing out of his mouth is that the Broncos need to get back to being one of the top 5 offenses in the league. Thats what makes it obvious in my mind that he is not finished with the Offense yet.