Not perfect, but a ‘pioneer’: Shanahan ROF election ‘a no-brainer’
Jul 7, 2020, 5:43 PM
Here are some of my thoughts on Mike Shanahan going into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame:
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This is more than well-deserved. Shanny is the greatest coach in Denver sports history.
I was lucky enough to cover him and his teams for 11 years. He was the definition of being in control and in complete command.
He also mixed in a very dry sense of humor and an intensity that could be very intimidating.
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He was a pioneer in many ways.
Often times I would jokingly criticize his training camps as being too soft. But they worked.
His players loved him for taking care of them. He worked them efficiently. He didn’t abuse them or wear them down.
Shanahan kept his players fresh for game day and the long season, and the players thanked him for it.
Obviously, it’s the accepted way of doing business in today’s NFL. Shanahan was ahead of the curve.
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Shanahan also was ahead of the curve when it came to the coach/general manager role.
He demanded full control, and boy did he wield that power. There was never a doubt who was in charge.
Shanny did things his way, and it worked for the most part. Afterward, it became accepted around the league that more and more coaches could demand — and receive — complete control.
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That control though ultimately cost Shanahan.
After a string of mediocre seasons between 2006 and 2008, I was among the louder voices on The Fan calling for him to be fired.
Let me be clear: I never doubted Shanahan’s ability to coach. It was his job as a GM that was the problem.
Mike Shanahan the GM was letting down Mike Shanahan the coach, and because he would never agree to give up control and answer to another general manager, both Shanahans had to go.
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Shanahan wasn’t perfect.
His decision to bench Jake Plummer and insert Jay Cutler when the Broncos were in playoff position in 2006 was ill-advised.
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He made some curious draft decisions, seemingly going against the advice of his scouts and personnel people.
Willie Middlebrooks, Jarvis Moss and Marcus Nash come to mind, not to mention some real head-scratching second-round picks (Paul Toviessi anyone?)
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Allow me to vent about the process that is the Ring of Fame.
Why is there this waiting period to get in?
If the person is worthy, put him in. John Elway didn’t have to wait. I know. I know. “But, it’s Elway, duh.” To which I say, “But, it’s Shanahan, duh.”
It’s a no-brainer.
As for the idea of questioning whether to honor a guy who may still end up coaching … Who cares? Larry Bird had his number retired by the Celtics and then he came back to the Boston Garden as coach of the Indiana Pacers and got a standing ovation.
Don’t overthink things.
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If it is true — and I have no reason to doubt it — that Elway wanted Shanny to come back to replace Vance Joseph, but Joe Ellis nixed the idea, then what a bad decision that was.
I really like Ellis, and think he’s done a great job under tough circumstances. But that was a boo-boo.
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I have so much respect for the passion and love Shanahan has for football. It means so much to him, and I love his willingness to share his knowledge.
I’m not telling any stories out of school when I share how much time my partner, Mark Schlereth, has spent with Shanahan poring over film and learning the nuances of the game.
I think that’s awesome.
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If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of “The Look” from Mike Shanahan — as I have after I asked a particular question — then you would know it’s enough to make you pee down your leg a bit.
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Congrats coach. It’s well deserved.
