From: MCMASTER@LSTC2VM.stortek.com (Jim McMaster)
Subject: Re: Dan Reeves has been fired!
Organization: StorageTek SW Engineering
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 19:52:02 GMT

In article <100240302@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM>
gregb@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Greg Begay) writes:
 
>
>My *impression* is that the job is Shanahan's to accept or reject.
>Shanahan gets along with *both* Bowlen *and* Elway - a must for the
>next Bronco head coach.
>
This morning's paper said Bowlen wants to interview several people, but
"did little yesterday to dismiss the notionthat Mike Shanahan is the
front runner."  Bowlen assures everyone that it is not a done deal.  He
says he wants a "player's coach", as well as "a young, great coach".
 
>>Wade Phillips would probably be the better choice, but Bowlen said
>>words to the effect (Oh, yeah....if Wade wants to apply I'll talk to
>>him."  Too bad.  Phillips will not work for Shanahan, and Phillips is
>>probably more responsible for the Broncos' wins than Reeves over the
>>past few years.  Phillips is a defensive genius, and his defensive
>>schemes have hidden the Broncos' personnel deficiencies for years.
>
>"defensive genius"??????
>
>Wade has done a good job but I wouldn't call him a genius.  Offenses
>have been moving the ball with ease this year against Wade's defense.
>The defense was supposed to be "dominant" this year.  The defense could
>not protect leads against the Seahawks and Cowboys.  I'll never forget
>the whipping the Denver defense took from the 49'ers in the last SB
>Denver was in.
>
Phillips' defensive schemes have been credited (at least in Denver)
with hiding weak personnel.  They have exactly one good defensive
lineman (Kartz) and a slew of very young defensive ends.  The
linebackers are very good and deep.  Fletcher, Croel, Brooks and
Mecklenburg start, and they have quality depth.  The cornerbacks are
pretty bad, and the safeties are above average.  Dennis Smith is great,
but aging, and Atwater has been injured all year.  Given his talent,
and the amount of time they spent on the field, the results were great.
Remember, the offense was pitiful, and there were a lot of "three-and-
out" situations.
 
As for the "dominant" defense expected this year, the Broncos were
counting heavily from improvement from several young players, like
Kenny Walker and Mike Croel, and a super season from Atwater.  Croel
and Walker probably regressed, and Atwater was injured.
 
As for that Super Bowl, the talent disparity was so great that no
defensive scheme could have hidden it.  That score really reflected the
quality of those teams.
 
I still think Phillips is a great defensive coach, and has been
responsible for keeping the game close enough for those "Elway
comebacks."  I hope he gets the head job.
 
>I hope Shanahan get the job and brings some of that 49'er "magic"
>to Denver.
>
Shanahan is a good coach, but not what the Broncos need.  What they
really need is a large infusion of talented players.  The offensive
line is a disaster, the receivers so-so, and the running backs barely
adequate.  Shanahan cannot turn this mediocre crop into "49'er magic",
even with Elway at the helm.  This offense is just as bad as it looked
when Elway was injured.  Elway raises it to mediocrity, and a good
defense that keeps the game close gives the Broncos a chance to win.
 
 
>>Jim McMaster
>
>GregB
 
Jim McMaster