Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 1002 of 1503)

The Official Mike Shanahan to the Detroit Lions Campaign

Today I launch a campaign that is essentially doomed from the start. It’ll never get off the ground because the people in the position to make the campaign work are completely incompetent of making sound decisions. That said, I feel it’s my duty to take on this mission, regardless of its pending failure.

Today, I launch the Official Mike Shanahan to the Detroit Lions Campaign, or OMSDLC for short.

The Detroit Lions are beyond a disastrous situation. They need a freaking team of thousands working around the clock to try and revive the sinking ship they call a franchise. And with the news of owner William Clay Ford Sr. promoting Martin Mayhew to general manager, the situation might be bleaker than ever.

Forget Mayhew, Bill – Mike Shanahan is your guy. You want to be loyal to a fault? Hire a guy that is coming off 10-plus years of experience in one job and won two Super Bowls. Hire a guy that has the fortitude and know-how to build a winning football team. Hire a guy that comes from a winning organization – don’t promote someone in Mayhew that had a hand in making Matt Millen the worst general managers in sports history.

Give Shanahan complete control. Allow him to bring in the free agents he wants, draft the players he wants and then coach said players. Don’t stand in his way, don’t question his moves and most of all – don’t give anyone else (Mayhew, Tom Lewand, etc.) the power to have their voice heard. Turn the keys of the franchise over to Mike Shanahan and then get the hell out of the way.

This is only part one of OMSDCL. There will be more to come in future weeks.

LeGarrette Blount has hops

Check out LeGarrette Blount’s run in Oregon’s 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl Tuesday night.

This game was absolutely crazy. There were 24 points scored in the first, 28 in the third and 21 in the fourth but 0 in the second. Apparently the defensive coordinators figured things out for 15 minutes and that was it.

Patriots’ LB Jerod Mayo wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

New England Patriots’ linebacker Jerod Mayo won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Mayo was a nearly unanimous choice, earning 49 of 50 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. He was the outstanding performer on a linebacking corps that often struggled during New England’s 11-5 season, leading the team with 128 tackles.

Mayo’s versatility, highlighted by quickness and a physical style, made him stand out even though the Patriots didn’t make the playoffs.

The only other defensive rookie to get a vote was Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers.

Mayo is a perfect example of why speed shouldn’t be the biggest factor in determining draft status. The biggest knock on Mayo in April was that he didn’t time well and he lacked the quickness to fully excel on the pro level.

Looks like he excelled just fine in Bill Belichick’s defensive scheme.

Firing Mike Shanahan: The Aftermath

Here’s a look at what some columnists are saying in the wake of the Denver Broncos firing head coach Mike Shanahan:

– With Shanahan out of the picture, Dave Kreiger speculates that the Broncos could turn to John Elway as their next head coach. (Rocky Mountain News)

– Jason Cole notes that Shanahan would be a perfect fit for the dysfunctional Dallas Cowboys. (Yahoo! Sports)

– Woody Paige throws out the names of Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, Steve Spagnuolo, Jim Schwartz, Rex Ryan, Raheem Morris, Josh McDaniels, Mike Leach and Pete Carroll as possible replacements for Shanahan. (Denver Post)

– Tom Curran writes rather bluntly: Shanahan deserved to be fired. (NBC Sports)

– Arash Markazi writes that Shanahan is currently unemployed because in the end, he couldn’t meet his own goals. (SI.com)

Broncos fire Mike Shanahan

In a rather shocking development, NFL.com is reporting that the Denver Broncos have fired head coach Mike Shanahan.

The blockbuster of the coaching season just came in: The Denver Broncos fired Mike Shanahan.
Shanahan had three years and upwards of $20 million remaining on his contract.

Shanahan, who just completed his 14th season at the helm of the Broncos, was the longest tenured coach in franchise history. He also held the title of executive vice president of football operations.
The two-time Super Bowl-winning coach guided the Broncos to nine winning seasons, seven playoff berths and three conference championships. The Broncos finished 8-8 this season, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Wow. Along with the Jets and Buccaneers, the Broncos had one of the biggest collapses in 2008. But it’s not Shanahan’s fault that the defense couldn’t tackle anybody and gave up 30 points a game. Is this a move in effort to bring in Bill Cowher? Why fire Shanahan with what will be available this offseason in terms of coaching candidates?

This surprising to say the least, but if you’re a Brown, Jet or Lions fan, you’ve got to love the fact that Shanahan is now available. Holy crap.

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