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Josh McDaniels Has Successfully Created The NFL’s Largest Circus

Published: August 26, 2009

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The moment the Denver Broncos fired head coach Mike Shanahan, they lost his two super bowl rings, fourteen years of NFL-experience, and they lost credibility.   

In his place, the organization hired clown Josh McDaniel’s, who had great success with Tom Brady in New England.  McDaniels quickly transformed the Broncos and has assumed popularity with his wild, dumb, and crazy tactics.

Mike Shanahan was known for featuring a west coast offense with plenty of running (usually west coast offenses are known for prolific passing).  Shanahan did not care who ran the ball, as six backs all eclipsed the one thousand mark all in different seasons.  As an avid fantasy footballer, it is understood that you shouldn’t pick a Denver running back because you really have no clue who will get the carries.

McDaniels made sure to pick up right where Shanahan left off as he signed three runningbacks, Corell Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington, and Lamont Jordan.  All of which are mainly backup runningbacks, but nonetheless, McDaniels thought it important to create a logjam and sign all three.  He also released Denver’s top two runningbacks from a season ago, Selvin Young and Ryan Torain, who were both cut by McDaniels to make room for the new three. 

The Broncos did sign all-pro safety Brian Dawkins, although he is at the twilight of his career, and Jabar Gafney, a talented receiver who played for McDaniels in New England. 

McDaniel’s next “brilliant” move was to try and land his quarterback from New England, Matt Cassel.  What is interesting about this is that McDaniels already has a quarterback by the name of Jay Cutler who is younger than Cassel, and also has a better arm and more talent.  But no, McDaniels had to have his guy Cassel and word leaked out to Jay Cutler.  After Cassel was traded to division rival Kansas City, Cutler lashed out at McDaniels for trying to land Cassel. 

Cutler deserves some blame for having an ego as fragile as an antique tea cup, but why on earth would McDaniels even consider this?  Cutler, who the Bronco’s faithful were calling the next John Elway, now had no interest in playing for McDaniels. 

McDaniels obviously then tried his best to keep Cutler, but Cutler and his wimpy ego prevailed and BAM! The Broncos were trading off their young franchise quarterback in exchange for a first round pick, and the average at best Kyle Orton (Orton was last seen throwing three picks in his preseason debut).

So in his first months, McDaniels had completely redone the running back core and ran the team’s most valuable player out of town.  Nice job McDaniels.

Oh, theres more?  You better believe it.

With the trade, the Broncos had gained two picks in the top twenty of the 2009 NFL draft.  With so many new runningbacks you’d think the one position they wouldn’t draft would be runningback.  Wrong!  With their first pick they drafted another runningback, Knowshon Moreno, which brings the total to four new runningbacks.

You’d think McDaniels would have noticed his team was awful on defense last season and ranked 29th overall, but no, he had to have another runningback.

Actually, with the Moreno drafting, the Broncos released J.J. Arrington.  Sorree!  Which brings the total back down to three.   

In his defense, the Broncos next three picks were defensive players including talented cornerback Alphonso Smith and Robert Ayers, a terrific defensive end. 

The last bone-head move the organization has made is the handling of Brandon Marshall.  Marshall does have an inflated ego, but has been a huge distraction this offseason as he has demanded trades, a new contract, and has missed most practices and workouts.

Besides Cutler, Marshall is the team’s most valuable weapon.  McDaniels insists that Marshall has not been a distraction, but the fact remains he has not seen the field this preseason. He doesn’t understand the new playbook, and it is McDaniel’s fault as much as it is Marshall’s. 

McDaniels is on the verge of losing the Broncos two top players from 2008, one is obviously already gone, and the other may go soon.  He has created more drama than a celebrity couple and has successfully been labeled as the NFL’s biggest joke. 

So while McDaniels consoles Orton after yet another pick, his porous defense will be giving up yards and points at will, and the fans in the stands will sit and groan while eating their circus peanuts and Carmel corn.