Just ahead of us is the 2010 season, and the proof of McDaniel's moves will be evident. I should not sit in judgement and I try not to, but for us older Bronco fans it is hard to watch some of the stuff that has happened in the last 15 months. Still, as the world changes, so do our professional teams. Even though Mike Shanahan had a handful of less than stellar seasons, I knew last year was going to be different. We are used to being patient here in Denver, and somehow I just knew that Mike would get Jay Cutler into a productive place in 2009.
It was never meant to happen. Pat Bowlen had decided that Mike's success had run it's entire course, and new management was needed. So, the rest is history and we have Josh McDaniels and we do not have Cutler. Even though Cutler had a mediocre season at Chicago last year, I can almost promise (I did say almost) that this year will be much better. In fact, I think Cutler will have a great year this year and it will be what he "woulda had" if he had stayed and worked with Shanahan in 2009.
I was one of the most critical of McDaniels and Bowlen last year, until they won 6 games in a row. I did see that the militaristic approach of McDaniels seemed to be working. Seemed to be was all there was, and the team kinda fell apart for the remainder of the season, finishing 8 and 8, out of the playoffs. So I recanted my criticism after the first 6, then reinstated it after about 10, and I have continued to feel this way ever since.
Shanahan would have worked with Brandon Marshall and would not have traded him. McDaniels fired him.
Shanahan would have worked with Mike Nolan and improved the Defense. McDaniels fired him.
Now to his credit McDaniels did draft some good men for the Defense this time, and it will be much improved for their presence on the team. At the same time, he has created a Quarterback Dilemma and now is walking away from his starter and placing his future hopes in Tim Tebow. If this was my team I would immediately trade Orton to any team who was interested in him. Not only does that move save Orton's dignity but it also gives the public a better feeling about the team and how they are running it.
From starter to number 3 or 4? I would do it for 2 million bucks. Not sure how Orton feels about it but he has to be tossing stuff around his house or something. I am old school and McDaniels is new school for sure. I am not the only fan who is waiting skeptically for this season to begin. I am of course hoping for the best, but I have no confidence at this point.
Watch Shanahan flourish at Washington. Watch Marshall and Nolan flourish in their respective new teams. Will we also watch the Broncos flourish? Does Bowlen have one more mediocre year in him for McDaniels? I am not so sure. Here is my prediction for what it is worth.
Broncos must at least make it to the first round of the playoffs this year or Bowlen will have a big decision to make. After all this mess that has taken place, I am actually hoping I am wrong and they do well and get the Division title, but I also dream big and my little guy on the other shoulder is whispering, "This is a disaster in the making, and it is going to pot around here". That is where I am, but I will not miss a game - at least for the first 8 weeks anyway.
Big time wins coming, or bad nasty losses? Sweep or Thrashing? Well, it is anyone's guess at this point. Lots of differing opinions out there, but I know I am not alone in seeing McDaniels as an overconfident young man who does not inspire loyalty ........ yet!
