What the Broncos can learn from the Chiefs
As has been noted by a number of writers, Pat Bowlen was his own worst enemy in the Josh McDaniels debacle. He gave McDaniels total control, which he pledged not to do after the Mike Shanahan era stumbled to an end.
General manager Mike Shanahan was head coach Mike Shanahan's biggest problem. Now the same was true for Josh McDaniels (no need to recap the epic talent evaluation failures here. if you don't remember, see Smith, Alphonso). The Kansas City Chiefs made major changes the same offseason as the Broncos, with one major difference. They hired a rising star general manager in Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley with the understanding that they would have distinctly separate responsibilities. Haley coaches the team that Pioli assembles, and this had led to a first place (for now) Chiefs team with good, young, fast talent that they acquired largely through drafting well.
Pat Bowlen needs to recognize the success of his division foes and do what he said he would the first time around: pick a general manager, and then pick a head coach. They cannot be one in the same.
And for those of you salivating over some big name like Bill Cowher, that's not going to happen if Bowlen actually follows through with what he needs to do.
Rick Reilly just wrote an outstanding (if not depressing) take on the state of the Broncos.
Not going to say I told you so, but...
...Carmelo Anthony has taken the Nuggets hostage. The team is in limbo until he is traded, and fans struggle night in and night out to stay excited when they know the 'Melo man is detached and on his way out. If you want an example, see the Nuggets unexciting win over the Magic that should have been a bigger deal than it was. They were carried to the victory by 'Melo's huge showing, but because he so clearly does not care, fans don't know how to react. Except to be sad...which we are.
The Nuggets are pretty good, and it has not persuaded him one bit to sign his extension and stay. It is not the time for management to be stubborn. No matter how sickening it is to give in to 'Melo's demands, it is in the best interest of the franchise to get something (anything) for him.
Fans honestly want to remember the Carmelo Anthony era fondly; he rescued the franchise from irrelevance. That hope is tainted each day this is drawn out.
Take the pulse of the city, listen to your fans, and get this done.
Dave Krieger recently wrote about Carmelo and the Nuggets fans.
One other thing about Josh McDaniels
He proved that there can only be one Bill Belichick. McDaniels tried to pick "his guys," as in those players nobody has heard of, and succeed with a team-first mentality where every player knows and embraces his role. As we know, his attempt at applying this model was an unmitigated disaster from which it will take the Broncos years to recover.
There is only one coach who pulls this off successfully, and he is doing it this year in a big way.
There is no "Belichick model." It's just Belichick. He is winning with names like Danny Woodhead and Deion Branch and an underachieving defense. He's the only coach to succeed (by succeed, I mean rings) with these no-name groups, and there won't be another coach like him. It's just him.
Any new coaches should learn from Josh McDaniels and stay away from mimicking Bill Belichick.
(One more example: coaches should not try to copy Belichick's spygate tactics. In the end, that's what cost McKid his job. Also, it's cheating)
Troy Tulowitzki could not have had better timing
As Josh McDaniels disgraced the Broncos and Carmelo Anthony triggered the collective gag reflex of Nuggets fans, Tulo announced that he wanted to be a Rockie for life. This would have won the hearts of Colorado sports fans regardless, but his contract extension resonated that much more because of the stink from our other franchises.
Say it with me: Clap, Clap, Clap Clap Clap, Clap Clap Clap Clap, TULO
Watch the Avalanche
They are fast and they score a lot of goals (lead the NHL as of this posting). If Craig Anderson returns enough from injury to regain his 09-10 form, this will be a team to be reckoned with.
Also, Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny do something called the "Bang bang" dance after every victory. I only mention this to point out these players have a lot of personality and will be fun to follow as they push for a second consecutive playoff berth.
Rapids are MLS champions!
I'm kidding.
