This move stinks of desperation

[Willynowei]

I think when Shanahan insinuated that he would not fire Slowik, we all thought about the idea of a new guy in charge. However, all information available seems to show that Bowlen took all of 1 day to make the decision and all of about 5 minutes to talk it over with Shanny. That just doesn't sit well with me.

If Gary Kubiak was around, and after all those years under Shanny, he decided to stay with us, much like how Monte Kiffin keeps turning down HC jobs in Tampa since Gruden took over the offense, I'd be less concered about our team.

However, Jeremy Bates has all of 2 years experience running the offense with Shanahan and may very well be thrown out along with the rest of Shanahan's staff. I wasn't particularly fond of our lack of commitment to the running game and short yardage plays this year, but then, we had 7 RBs on IR and I just wanted to see a more vintage westcoast ball control offense from previous years.

Even if Shanahan didn't want to get rid of Slowik - whatever his reason; this is a huge gamble. Bowlen took all of 24 hours to make this decision. 24 hours to fire a guy who coached for 21 years. Does he have a plan thought out? Who on earth could've made a clear headed decision that big, given 24 hours after the end of a heart breaking season... being blown out by San Diego?

If he waited a few weeks, after the superbowl, talked it over with Shanahan and transitioned the guy out with atleast a GM lined up, then I could understand this move.

Right now this reminds me of the day I heard that Steve McNair was told by security to stay off the Titans practice facility. This was flat out handeled wrong. Too abrupt, it just feels like the organization is taking action for the sake of taking action.

[Popps]

A decade with 1 playoff win and the 2nd worst decade in team history with regards to meaningful wins.

If that's "abrupt," I'd hate to see deliberate.

[Dagmar]

I like this fresh take. I am glad you started another thread.

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

[snowspot66]

Do you honestly believe this was just considered in the last 24 hours? Our defense has been **** all year. Bowlen was probably planning to tell Mike to can Slowik after the season halfway through the year and likely prepared for all possible outcomes. When Mike said Slowik was staying Pat let him go.

It seems to me Pat gave it a lot of thought but just kept it all to himself. The man has been the owner of this team for a lot of years and has seen a lot of football. He knows a ****hole of a defense and a bad coach when he sees one. Slowik gave him both and Mike still wanted to keep him.

[footstepsfrom#27]

People have been calling for a change on this board for a long time. Do you honestly think the guy who signs millions in checks wasn't considering his options long before this?

Terrible logic based on zero information.

[watermock]

Honestly, untill i know otherwise, I think 2 bulls walked into the bullring and 1 left. No, I think Bowlen was shocked /shanny wasn't able to dismiss Slowdick.

BTW, "people" have been calling for Slowicks head since week 2.

[Wes Mantooth]

Originally Posted by Willynowei

I think when Shanahan insinuated that he would not fire Slowik, we all thought about the idea of a new guy in charge. However, all information available seems to show that Bowlen took all of 1 day to make the decision and all of about 5 minutes to talk it over with Shanny. That just doesn't sit well with me.

If Gary Kubiak was around, and after all those years under Shanny, he decided to stay with us, much like how Monte Kiffin keeps turning down HC jobs in Tampa since Gruden took over the offense, I'd be less concered about our team.

However, Jeremy Bates has all of 2 years experience running the offense with Shanahan and may very well be thrown out along with the rest of Shanahan's staff. I wasn't particularly fond of our lack of commitment to the running game and short yardage plays this year, but then, we had 7 RBs on IR and I just wanted to see a more vintage westcoast ball control offense from previous years.

Even if Shanahan didn't want to get rid of Slowik - whatever his reason; this is a huge gamble. Bowlen took all of 24 hours to make this decision. 24 hours to fire a guy who coached for 21 years. Does he have a plan thought out? Who on earth could've made a clear headed decision that big, given 24 hours after the end of a heart breaking season... being blown out by San Diego?

If he waited a few weeks, after the superbowl, talked it over with Shanahan and transitioned the guy out with atleast a GM lined up, then I could understand this move.

Right now this reminds me of the day I heard that Steve McNair was told by security to stay off the Titans practice facility. This was flat out handeled wrong. Too abrupt, it just feels like the organization is taking action for the sake of taking action.

best post thus far since the firing. Agree that this is a knee-jerk reaction and Bowlen is not thinking with his head. The grass is not greener.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

best post thus far since the firing. Agree that this is a knee-jerk reaction and Bowlen is not thinking with his head. The grass is not greener.

Two people know what was said in that office and why. You are neither one.

[Popps]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

best post thus far since the firing. Agree that this is a knee-jerk reaction and Bowlen is not thinking with his head. The grass is not greener.

Totally. Ten years with one playoff win. Talk about a hair-trigger, huh?

Jeesh, we'll probably just fire another guy in 14 years, huh?

[Wes Mantooth]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Two people know what was said in that office and why. You are neither one.

highly doubt you are one either.

[watermock]

Don't bother Popps. He's still begging for rep and deciding what handle to use.

[Willynowei]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Two people know what was said in that office and why. You are neither one.

Mike Shanahan was notified to report to Pat Bowlen's office at 2:00pm. There was a meeting to notify the coaches of his depature at 2:30pm. Sheffter reported that in a phone call with Shanahan, he basically walked in. Bowlen said "you're out, wer'e going in a new direction", two men shook hands and parted.

Thats it.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

highly doubt you are one either.

Difference is...I'm not leaping to conclusions about what was said.

[ZONA]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

People have been calling for a change on this board for a long time. Do you honestly think the guy who signs millions in checks wasn't considering his options long before this?

Terrible logic based on zero information.

[Wes Mantooth]

Originally Posted by Popps

Totally. Ten years with one playoff win. Talk about a hair-trigger, huh?

Jeesh, we'll probably just fire another guy in 14 years, huh?

Shanahan is not just some bum off the street Popps. Two Superbowl wins occurred in the 14 years. Don't forget what this guy brought to the team.

That said, this team is no way a playoff team and never should have been in the discussion this year. If they made the playoffs, they were not going to beat the Colts. The team is rebuilding. The team was drafting better. He should have had another year. In fact, he should have had a pass with all the injuries this year.

I am frustrated though. It sounds like he had the ability to stay if he would have made coaching changes where they were desperatley needed.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Willynowei

Mike Shanahan was notified to report to Pat Bowlen's office at 2:00pm. There was a meeting to notify the coaches of his depature at 2:30pm. Sheffter reported that in a phone call with Shanahan, he basically walked in. Bowlen said "you're out, wer'e going in a new direction", two men shook hands and parted.

Thats it.

Even if true...that tells us nothing about how long he took to make the decision or whether he'd spoke with Mike previously. This guy's had a TEN YEAR opportunity to control everything about this team. It's not like he hasn't been given an incredible amount of freedom to do things his way. Bowlen's probably been thinking about this for a long time.

[Willynowei]

Originally Posted by Popps

A decade with 1 playoff win and the 2nd worst decade in team history with regards to meaningful wins.

If that's "abrupt," I'd hate to see deliberate.

The abruptness of it comes in the fact that only one man in the world really knew this was going to happen before it did, then two people learned it while the rest got the news from ESPN.

It also comes from the fact that Bowlen decided to do this before the season ended, before their vacation ended. There are 2 months between February and April to make these decisions. There is no possible advantage for making the decision before February.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

Shanahan is not just some bum off the street Popps. Two Superbowl wins occurred in the 14 years. Don't forget what this guy brought to the team.

That said, this team is no way a playoff team and never should have been in the discussion this year. If they made the playoffs, they were not going to beat the Colts. The team is rebuilding. The team was drafting better. He should have had another year. In fact, he should have had a pass with all the injuries this year.

I am frustrated though. It sounds like he had the ability to stay if he would have made coaching changes where they were desperatley needed.

Maybe this WAS "another year".

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Willynowei

The abruptness of it comes in the fact that only one man in the world really knew this was going to happen before it did, then two people learned it while the rest got the news from ESPN.

It also comes from the fact that Bowlen decided to do this before the season ended, before their vacation ended. There are 2 months between February and April to make these decisions. There is no possible advantage for making the decision before February.

Uh...the draft? Hello?

[Willynowei]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Even if true...that tells us nothing about how long he took to make the decision or whether he'd spoke with Mike previously. This guy's had a TEN YEAR opportunity to control everything about this team. It's not like he hasn't been given an incredible amount of freedom to do things his way. Bowlen's probably been thinking about this for a long time.

In Seattle when Holmgren had problems holding both the HC and GM duties, there was ownership pressure for him to give up one of them. If I'm Bowlen it would be he hella hard to fire Shanny without offering up, atleast one last time the opportunity to stay as a HC without the final say on Personell.

[Popps]

Originally Posted by yoakum3

Shanahan is not just some bum off the street Popps. Two Superbowl wins occurred in the 14 years. Don't forget what this guy brought to the team..

I watched him coach for us, and then watched him first-hand in the Bay area with the 49ers and saw him engineer one of the best offenses ever. I absolutely went bonkers when we hired him. I had no doubt we were on our way to greatness. I've been a huge fan ever since.

I've spent much time defending him around here from the likes of people who bashed him in favor of Brian Griese and said he was a bad coach because Ashley Lelie wasn't being "used properly."

You won't find many bigger fans of his around here than me. That said, you just have to look at the history of this league to see how these things play out. Guys simply run their course. A coach comes in with a program... it works or it doesn't, but then it's time to move on. 14 years is MUCH longer than I thought he'd be here. We were very lucky. Remember, he was considering leaving at one point, or so the rumor said.

This has nothing to do with understanding his prowess as a coach. I think we're all on the same page there. This has to do with stagnation and an unacceptable period of sub-par performance for this organization. The past three years have been giant tells that it was simply time to move on. Again, if you've watched the game for a while... you've seen this countless times.
This kind of change is in the DNA of the league. It's normal. We don't have to like it, but it is what it is.

Personally, I feel lucky that we had him and I'm extremely optimistic that a new coach will come in and make use of some of the great weapons we already have in place. (Great offense and a supportive owner with great fans.) Of course, we'll see how it goes as time goes on.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Willynowei

In Seattle when Holmgren had problems holding both the HC and GM duties, there was ownership pressure for him to give up one of them. If I'm Bowlen it would be he hella hard to fire Shanny without offering up, atleast one last time the opportunity to stay as a HC without the final say on Personell.

How do we know Bowlen didn't talk to Shanahan about this in the past? We don't. This is all speculation.

[Willynowei]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Uh...the draft? Hello?

Yeah the season ends in February. The playoffs havent even started yet. Doesn't it strike you as odd timing that the firing came on a tuesday after a sunday night embarrassment?

This has overreaction written all over it. Bowlen have waited untill after the playoffs? Even late january would give him a month to consider the situation.

[snowspot66]

You don't think he gave him opportunities?

The fact that he is being fired is because he refused the opportunity to change staff. Bowlen wanted to keep Shanahan but he couldn't because he realized that as great as Shanahan is he can't make up for Bob Slowik's defense.

Personally I'm a little relieved. I was very worried by the thought of Slowik having any input on the defensive players in the draft. We already suck at drafting defense. Slowik would not have helped.

[Willynowei]

Originally Posted by Popps

I watched him coach for us, and then watched him first-hand in the Bay area with the 49ers and saw him engineer one of the best offenses ever. I absolutely went bonkers when we hired him. I had no doubt we were on our way to greatness. I've been a huge fan ever since.

I've spent much time defending him around here from the likes of people who bashed him in favor of Brian Griese and said he was a bad coach because Ashley Lelie wasn't being "used properly."

You won't find many bigger fans of his around here than me. That said, you just have to look at the history of this league to see how these things play out. Guys simply run their course. A coach comes in with a program... it works or it doesn't, but then it's time to move on. 14 years is MUCH longer than I thought he'd be here. We were very lucky. Remember, he was considering leaving at one point, or so the rumor said.

This has nothing to do with understanding his prowess as a coach. I think we're all on the same page there. This has to do with stagnation and an unacceptable period of sub-par performance for this organization. The past three years have been giant tells that it was simply time to move on. Again, if you've watched the game for a while... you've seen this countless times.
This kind of change is in the DNA of the league. It's normal. We don't have to like it, but it is what it is.

Personally, I feel lucky that we had him and I'm extremely optimistic that a new coach will come in and make use of some of the great weapons we already have in place. (Great offense and a supportive owner with great fans.) Of course, we'll see how it goes as time goes on.

My problem with this is we are firing the guy just when all of the coaches underneath him have been hired out - Alex Gibbs, Gary Kubiak. Jeremy Bates looks promising but unproven. Usually you want to have his Protege in the organization to provide stability and the transition.

You could tell over that video Jay Cutler **** his pants when he heard the move. His voice was near trembling.