Shanny out, Elway in? The buzz is on, people... - The Orange Mane

Circle Orange · 12-31-2008, 11:26 AM

And not just from the local rags. Apparently this supplemental USA article speculates the same thing...

Gil Whiteley
By: Gilfest
Bowlen may have a plan in place
Posted 4 hours agoRating: 5.0ShareEmail Print
Letting Mike Shanahan go is an incredible development, but as Dan Reeves once told me, “Coaches who plan for the future, might not be there when the future gets there.”

Shanahan shed his team of old dead weight, and went with one of the youngest teams in the NFL. He had young and potentially all-pro caliber talent across the board. The offensive line was completely rebuilt, and led by Ryan Clady, a young man who will be on eight to ten pro bowls in his career.

Pat Bowlen couldn’t have made this decision without a plan in place. Could he?

In my opinion, Pat Bowlen will appoint John Elway as his director of player personnel, and then Elway will be part of the process of hiring a new coach. Elway has been putting his time in as a football executive in the Arena Football League, and wants back in the NFL. Now is that time, the AFL -- in which Bowlen is a partner with Elway -- has cancelled next season, and may it be gone altogether.

Back in 1978, Jim Fassel was the man in a living room, in California’s San Fernando Valley, that convinced a skinny young kid named John Elway to join him at Stanford University to play football.

Fassel coached young Elway in the intricacies of the position of quarterback. John Elway as we know changed our lives here in Denver, as sports fans. He was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and at the hands of Jim Fassel he can turn Jay Cutler from a diamond in the rough to the "Hope Diamond," and Denver fans can have some hope instead of the charity we just witnessed.

In the years prior to Fassel joining the Broncos as offensive coordinator, John Elway’s quarterback ratings had dipped to 68.3 and 65.7 in the two previous years. Had Bowlen not fired Reeves, Elway would most likely have retired at that time, and there would have been no Super Bowls ... or any Hall of Fame.

In 1993 John Elway had his finest year under center. Under Fassel his QB rating jumped to 92.8, and threw for over 4,000 yards (the only time in his career), he threw 25 touchdowns, the most in his career that point; and 10 interceptions -- the fewest of his career. Jay Cutler’s 86.00 QB rating leaves him in 16th place in the NFL, and that is with all the new rules to increase the passing game. Fassel joined Elway at the lowest point in his career, and made him a great quarterback.

Fassel is a guy how could flourish under a John Elway led football operation, and is still in close contact with Elway and Bowlen.

The hiring of John Elway, and eventually Jim Fassel, would bring new excitement to a depressed Broncos fan base. Think what you want, but john Elway still owns this town, and Bowlen knows it, and the mention of his name still creates excitement like no one else.

Both Elway and Bowlen know what a Jim Fassel can mean to a Jay Cutler at this point in his career. This isn’t an arbitrary firing, this is a takeover that is premeditated by Bowlen and Elway. Shanahan would never have agreed to play second fiddle to Elway, so Shanny had to go. Bowlen is reclaiming his franchise. This actually may be a brilliant move.

If there is no plan already in place, and Bowlen is just shooting from the hip, this could be a huge mistake. I’ll be at the press conference this morning, and don’t be surprised if there is a shocker coming out of it.

You heard it here first!

Interesting, I don't know how true any of this is. I think what gives Elway some crediblity is his success with the arena league in terms of management.

"Beware, I'm on the loose."

DBBBSBS · 12-31-2008, 11:28 AM

Big No To Fassel

ludo21 · 12-31-2008, 11:31 AM

Hell NO to Fassel!

That would be a disaster!

Give Elway a role, but a role where he just looks good and does press conf. and has no decision making ability.

Ambiguous · 12-31-2008, 11:35 AM

This would be a disaster. Please don't let this happen.

As great as i would be to have him come in and be a success, Elway failing Denver would be horrible.

ghwk · 12-31-2008, 11:40 AM

If this is true let's hope Elway doesn't bring the same level of magic to the Bronco's as Millen did to Detroit.

no-pseudo-fan · 12-31-2008, 11:41 AM

No Fassel!!!! I do think something has to be in place. Cowher might be coming. Businessmen as smart as Bowlen do not cut off the head of football operations without a plan in place to replace him. Pat is a poor public speaker and was very guarded about his answers.

This is a top flight organization, and deserves a top flight coach to lead the way.

broncofan7 · 12-31-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghwk

If this is true let's hope Elway doesn't bring the same level of magic to the Bronco's as Millen did to Detroit.

Or MJ to washington and charlotte.

SoCalBronco · 12-31-2008, 11:46 AM

I'm sorry folks, but Elway is NOT qualified to run an NFL franchise. To make NFL personnel decisions. To make hiring and firing decisions. He was a great QB....the greatest QB. The most gifted one. The most special one.

But being a GM in the NFL is a different animal and I don't want a figurehead. Running the Crush and running the Broncos are in different universes of complexity and competency. He lacks the proper qualifications. This isn't a learn as you go, job.

As to Fassel as HC, that actually wouldn't be bad. I still think Shanahan was best by far for this team, but among the possible alternatives, I like Fassel. Fassel has always been a pass first coach, which fits in with our current personnel. He has a great deal of experience both in a head coach capacity (where he has been successful) and in running offenses in general. If Bates, Dennison stay as Shanny seemed to allude to (but this was unclear), Fassel would not be bad as the head man. Not at all.

He's not Shanahan. But he's better than alot of the alternatives.

Broncoman13 · 12-31-2008, 11:47 AM

I'd be okay with Fassel in an asst. HC role. OC or something of that sort, but no way would I be okay with him being a HC.

Bronx33 · 12-31-2008, 11:47 AM

Clough talked about this all morning in reference to elway and it wasn't about being the HC but the GM.

SoDak Bronco · 12-31-2008, 11:50 AM

as the broncos world turns....

titan · 12-31-2008, 11:51 AM

I just heard an interview with Woody Paige on KFAN in Denver. Woody thinks Elway has bigger aspirations than an management position with the Broncos - such as being a Colorado US Senator or Governor in the future.

Ambiguous · 12-31-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titan

I just heard an interview with Woody Paige on KFAN in Denver. Woody thinks Elway has bigger aspirations than an management position with the Broncos - such as being a Colorado US Senator or Governor in the future.

Funny thing is this bothers me less than him having any kind of power within the Denver Broncos.

Kaylore · 12-31-2008, 12:01 PM

Bowlen addressed this today. Elway isn't an option for anything.

Hercules Rockefeller · 12-31-2008, 12:03 PM

Ooooh, another speculation thread with no basis in fact. Thank God we have another new thread to go along with the 20 other threads that are based on nothing other than pure speculation.

Bronx33 · 12-31-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Bowlen addressed this today. Elway isn't an option for anything.

I didn't think it was a good idea anyways there was too many personel feelings that could get in the way down the road that could effect decisions.

Bronx33 · 12-31-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hercules Rockefeller

Ooooh, another speculation thread with no basis in fact. Thank God we have another new thread to go along with the 20 other threads that are based on nothing other than pure speculation.

Nobody has came remotely close to checking for existing/similar threads alot of good stuff is getting buried.

Steve Sewell · 12-31-2008, 12:14 PM

Couple things:

1) People underestimate Elway's football mind and business acumen...for what reason I do not know.

2) Stanford doesn't let dummies in, no matter how good they are.

3) Bowlen comes off as confused, but the dude knows what the **** he's doing and has known for as long as he's been the owner of the Broncos. I'll take his hiring choices over any of the internet GM's on this forum.

Kaylore · 12-31-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronx33

I didn't think it was a good idea anyways there was too many personel feelings that could get in the way down the road that could effect decisions.

That's because you're smart and it's a retarded idea. He doesn't coach. He's a business man and has no experience coaching. People have deified Elway into believing that anything he does is the bestest ever. He doesn't even want to and Bowlen pretty much said he's not even on his radar.

Popps · 12-31-2008, 12:21 PM

Yea, I'm not down with this unless it's in conjunction with a coach like Cowher being brought in.

That said, I would love to see Elway work his way up through the organization in some regard. He's a smart football mind and a businessman.

I honestly think Elway had a little to do with some of our free agent success back in the late 90s. That's pure speculation on my part, but if you notice after he left... we never made another quality free agent move. (Or at least not many.) It was fairly accepted that he personally campaigned to bring Neil Smith to Denver and even took a pay-cut to do so.

I don't know... it's an interesting proposition. But, I think we need a qualified GM in there making calls and a coach with a strong personality and one that commands respect.

Rocky Mountain Stampede · 12-31-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I'm sorry folks, but Elway is NOT qualified to run an NFL franchise. To make NFL personnel decisions. To make hiring and firing decisions. He was a great QB....the greatest QB. The most gifted one. The most special one.

But being a GM in the NFL is a different animal and I don't want a figurehead. Running the Crush and running the Broncos are in different universes of complexity and competency. He lacks the proper qualifications. This isn't a learn as you go, job.

I wouldn't give Elway final say or a big chunk of the control, but I think he's qualified to work as a personnel guy or scouting guy in the front office. Elway has been around football his entire life. He was raised by one of the best talent evaluators in the business. His executive experience in the Arena League is a plus.

SouthStndJunkie · 12-31-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Bowlen addressed this today. Elway isn't an option for anything.

That is good news.

Rocky Mountain Stampede · 12-31-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Bowlen addressed this today. Elway isn't an option for anything.

Bowlen didn't rule it out though. He basically said Elway has a busy life out of football, I'm not going to step on his toes and drag his ass in here.

Kaylore · 12-31-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Mountain Stampede

Bowlen didn't rule it out though. He basically said Elway has a busy life out of football, I'm not going to step on his toes and drag his ass in here.

That's how Bowlen rules things out. He's not going to say "Elway is not an option!" because he has too much respect for him. Look at his body language and how quickly the notion was dismissed. Elway will not be on the staff in any formal fashion going forward. This article is a bunch of crap from the same east-coast shills who know nothing about our team and keep saying we're obsessed with Elway when the reverse is true.

rbackfactory80 · 12-31-2008, 12:47 PM

Fassel would be fine with me. He deserves a shot.

12-31-2008, 11:26 AM	#1
Circle Orange SPOT ON. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Styxx, D.C. Posts: 3,956	Shanny out, Elway in? The buzz is on, people... And not just from the local rags. Apparently this supplemental USA article speculates the same thing... Gil Whiteley By: Gilfest Bowlen may have a plan in place Posted 4 hours agoRating: 5.0ShareEmail Print Letting Mike Shanahan go is an incredible development, but as Dan Reeves once told me, “Coaches who plan for the future, might not be there when the future gets there.” Shanahan shed his team of old dead weight, and went with one of the youngest teams in the NFL. He had young and potentially all-pro caliber talent across the board. The offensive line was completely rebuilt, and led by Ryan Clady, a young man who will be on eight to ten pro bowls in his career. Pat Bowlen couldn’t have made this decision without a plan in place. Could he? In my opinion, Pat Bowlen will appoint John Elway as his director of player personnel, and then Elway will be part of the process of hiring a new coach. Elway has been putting his time in as a football executive in the Arena Football League, and wants back in the NFL. Now is that time, the AFL -- in which Bowlen is a partner with Elway -- has cancelled next season, and may it be gone altogether. Back in 1978, Jim Fassel was the man in a living room, in California’s San Fernando Valley, that convinced a skinny young kid named John Elway to join him at Stanford University to play football. Fassel coached young Elway in the intricacies of the position of quarterback. John Elway as we know changed our lives here in Denver, as sports fans. He was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and at the hands of Jim Fassel he can turn Jay Cutler from a diamond in the rough to the "Hope Diamond," and Denver fans can have some hope instead of the charity we just witnessed. In the years prior to Fassel joining the Broncos as offensive coordinator, John Elway’s quarterback ratings had dipped to 68.3 and 65.7 in the two previous years. Had Bowlen not fired Reeves, Elway would most likely have retired at that time, and there would have been no Super Bowls ... or any Hall of Fame. In 1993 John Elway had his finest year under center. Under Fassel his QB rating jumped to 92.8, and threw for over 4,000 yards (the only time in his career), he threw 25 touchdowns, the most in his career that point; and 10 interceptions -- the fewest of his career. Jay Cutler’s 86.00 QB rating leaves him in 16th place in the NFL, and that is with all the new rules to increase the passing game. Fassel joined Elway at the lowest point in his career, and made him a great quarterback. Fassel is a guy how could flourish under a John Elway led football operation, and is still in close contact with Elway and Bowlen. The hiring of John Elway, and eventually Jim Fassel, would bring new excitement to a depressed Broncos fan base. Think what you want, but john Elway still owns this town, and Bowlen knows it, and the mention of his name still creates excitement like no one else. Both Elway and Bowlen know what a Jim Fassel can mean to a Jay Cutler at this point in his career. This isn’t an arbitrary firing, this is a takeover that is premeditated by Bowlen and Elway. Shanahan would never have agreed to play second fiddle to Elway, so Shanny had to go. Bowlen is reclaiming his franchise. This actually may be a brilliant move. If there is no plan already in place, and Bowlen is just shooting from the hip, this could be a huge mistake. I’ll be at the press conference this morning, and don’t be surprised if there is a shocker coming out of it. You heard it here first! Interesting, I don't know how true any of this is. I think what gives Elway some crediblity is his success with the arena league in terms of management. "Beware, I'm on the loose." Attached Images

12-31-2008, 11:46 AM	#8
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,509 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	I'm sorry folks, but Elway is NOT qualified to run an NFL franchise. To make NFL personnel decisions. To make hiring and firing decisions. He was a great QB....the greatest QB. The most gifted one. The most special one. But being a GM in the NFL is a different animal and I don't want a figurehead. Running the Crush and running the Broncos are in different universes of complexity and competency. He lacks the proper qualifications. This isn't a learn as you go, job. As to Fassel as HC, that actually wouldn't be bad. I still think Shanahan was best by far for this team, but among the possible alternatives, I like Fassel. Fassel has always been a pass first coach, which fits in with our current personnel. He has a great deal of experience both in a head coach capacity (where he has been successful) and in running offenses in general. If Bates, Dennison stay as Shanny seemed to allude to (but this was unclear), Fassel would not be bad as the head man. Not at all. He's not Shanahan. But he's better than alot of the alternatives. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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12-31-2008, 11:28 AM	#2
DBBBSBS Denver Broncos #1 Fan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 559 Adopt-a-Bronco: Team Broncos	Big No To Fassel

12-31-2008, 11:31 AM	#3
ludo21 RIP Darrent Williams Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 17,985 Adopt-a-Bronco: Paul Ernster	Hell NO to Fassel! That would be a disaster! Give Elway a role, but a role where he just looks good and does press conf. and has no decision making ability.

12-31-2008, 11:35 AM	#4
Ambiguous Ask me about my title Go fsck yourself San Diego. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 1,849 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	This would be a disaster. Please don't let this happen. As great as i would be to have him come in and be a success, Elway failing Denver would be horrible.

12-31-2008, 11:40 AM	#5
ghwk Ring of Famer DOOM BOOM! Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,916 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Doomacus	If this is true let's hope Elway doesn't bring the same level of magic to the Bronco's as Millen did to Detroit.

12-31-2008, 11:41 AM	#6
no-pseudo-fan True Orange & Blue Follow me... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: EPT Posts: 2,136 Adopt-a-Bronco: Hidalgo	No Fassel!!!! I do think something has to be in place. Cowher might be coming. Businessmen as smart as Bowlen do not cut off the head of football operations without a plan in place to replace him. Pat is a poor public speaker and was very guarded about his answers. This is a top flight organization, and deserves a top flight coach to lead the way.

12-31-2008, 11:47 AM	#9
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,962 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	I'd be okay with Fassel in an asst. HC role. OC or something of that sort, but no way would I be okay with him being a HC.

12-31-2008, 11:47 AM	#10
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Clough talked about this all morning in reference to elway and it wasn't about being the HC but the GM.

12-31-2008, 11:50 AM	#11
SoDak Bronco Lace em' up and lets go!! Von Miller aka QB Killa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,133 Adopt-a-Bronco: Robert Ayers	as the broncos world turns....

12-31-2008, 11:51 AM	#12
titan Perennial Pro-bowler Fan of Old School Football Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 965 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	I just heard an interview with Woody Paige on KFAN in Denver. Woody thinks Elway has bigger aspirations than an management position with the Broncos - such as being a Colorado US Senator or Governor in the future.

12-31-2008, 12:01 PM	#14
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,343 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Bowlen addressed this today. Elway isn't an option for anything.

12-31-2008, 12:03 PM	#15
Hercules Rockefeller Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 16,013 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	Ooooh, another speculation thread with no basis in fact. Thank God we have another new thread to go along with the 20 other threads that are based on nothing other than pure speculation.

12-31-2008, 12:14 PM	#18
Steve Sewell Oh Tyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! Patrick and Ty's pimp Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,666 Adopt-a-Bronco: Reggie Rivers	Couple things: 1) People underestimate Elway's football mind and business acumen...for what reason I do not know. 2) Stanford doesn't let dummies in, no matter how good they are. 3) Bowlen comes off as confused, but the dude knows what the **** he's doing and has known for as long as he's been the owner of the Broncos. I'll take his hiring choices over any of the internet GM's on this forum.

12-31-2008, 12:21 PM	#20
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,792	Yea, I'm not down with this unless it's in conjunction with a coach like Cowher being brought in. That said, I would love to see Elway work his way up through the organization in some regard. He's a smart football mind and a businessman. I honestly think Elway had a little to do with some of our free agent success back in the late 90s. That's pure speculation on my part, but if you notice after he left... we never made another quality free agent move. (Or at least not many.) It was fairly accepted that he personally campaigned to bring Neil Smith to Denver and even took a pay-cut to do so. I don't know... it's an interesting proposition. But, I think we need a qualified GM in there making calls and a coach with a strong personality and one that commands respect.

12-31-2008, 12:47 PM	#25
rbackfactory80 Ring of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Posts: 4,628	Fassel would be fine with me. He deserves a shot.