A New Era in Denver

[HeathyT]

It was announced today that the Denver Broncos and Head Coach Mike Shanahan have parted ways.
"I'd like to thank the Denver Broncos organisation for giving me this opportunity....... and I wish them the best in the future", said Shanahan in his final press conference.

The Broncos started 2008 strong, and looking like a playoff team, but a mid season collapse especially on defence caused them to finish 8-8 and in their last game of the season against the divison rival Chargers, where the winner would go to the playoffs, the Broncos fell short.

The Broncos finished 32nd in total defence, as well as 32nd in scoring under DC Bob Slowik and struggled in all areas. The lone bright spot of the unit was veteran CB Champ Baily. (Champ) Baily led the team in tackles with 108, and led the team in interceptions with 7.

The offence on paper looked pretty good, ranking 6th in the league, but turnovers were an issue. QB Jay Cutler did throw for 4470 yards and 39 TD's earning his first pro bowl, but he also had 22 interceptions which hurt the team. The running game was non existant with their leading rusher HB Selvin Young only gaining 678 yards off 216 carries

[HeathyT]

Broncos Coaching Search Over

Broncos owner Donald Fisk announced the hiring of the teams new General Manager and Head Coach.

Former Dolphins GM Gil Darnell has aggreed to terms to become the new general manager for the Denver Broncos, after he was let go after only 1 year.

After looking at several candidates that include, former Ravens HC John Harbaugh, former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, former Cardinals HC Ken Wisenhunt and current OC Rick Dennison, the team has gone in a different direction all together by hiring former Notre Dame OC Heath Thomas.

"We feel that we need to inject some youth into this organisation, get some fresh ideas......." Fisk stated at the press conference.

Thomas, while only a college co-ordinator still has learned from one of the best coaches at developing quarterbacks Charlie Weis, they were together in New England where they developed Tom Brady, when Thomas followed Weis to South Bend they worked with Brady Quinn.

[HeathyT]

Coaching Staff Changes:

The Broncos coaching staff looks very different then what it did a year ago. All but one coach were let go by the current organisation

GM: Jim Treadway - Fired - Gil Darnell
HC: Mike Shanahan - Retired - Heath Thomas
OC: Rick Dennison - Fired - none
DC: Bob Slowik - Fired - Pepper Johnson
STC: Scott O'Brien - Fired - Chris Staymates
QBC: Joe Boston - Fired - Mike McCoy
RBC: Bobby Turner - Retained
WRC: Jed Fisch - Fired - Jeff Davidson
OLC: Jim Ryan - Fired - Bill Laveroni
LBC: Joe Baker - Fired - Mike Katcavage
DLC: Jacob Burney - Fired - George Edwards
DBC: Ronnie Bradford - Fired - Chipper Duncan
T: Mike Allen - Fired - Aaron Lee

[HeathyT]

Around the League (staff recap):

Bears:
HC: Lovie Smith - Gary Hammermill
QBC: Pep Hamilton - Don Miraldi
WRC: Darryl Drake - Zeke Montgomery
OLC: Harry Hiestand - Lorenzo Westbrook

Bengals:
DLC: Jay Hayes - Tim Spangler

Buccaneers:
HC: Jon Gruden - Monte Kiffin
DC: Monte Kiffin - Raheem Morris (promoted)
DBC: Raheem Morris - Joel Collier

Cardinals:
HC: Ken Wisenhunt - Jon Gruden
OLC: Russ Grimm - Rusty Alexander

Chiefs:
LBC: Don Blackmon - Brett Bourbin
DBC: David Gibbs - Mike Haluchak

Colts:
STC: Russ Purnell - Garry Fanning
QBC: Jim Caldwell - Paul Hackett
WRC: Clyde Christensen - Kerry Simmons
T: Tom Walker - Jeff Messner

Dolphins:
DC: Paul Pasqualoni - Jerry Gray
GM: Gil Darnell - Jeremy Strauser

Eagles:
HC: Andy Reid - Jim Johnson
DC: Jim Johnson - Greg Manusky
DLC: Pete Jenkins - Jay Hayes

Falcons:
GM: Don Ross - Jim Treadway

49'ers:
DC: Greg Manusky - Robin Matthews
STC: Al Everest - Jim Zorn
OLC: George Warhop - Tony Wise
GM: Josh McClout - R.C. McGriggs

Jaguars:
STC: Joe Decamillis - Barry Trammell
LBC: Mark Duffner - Ricky Hunley
T: Ian Baker - Tom Walker

Lions:
WRC: Shawn Jefferson - Chad Merriam

Panthers:
OC: Jeff Davidson - Russ Grimm
DC: Mike Trgovac - Greg Blache
QBC: Mike McCoy - Dan Mifflin

Patriots:
DLC: Pepper Johnson - Derek Brock
T: Jeff Messner - Mike Allen

Raiders:
HC: Lane Kiffin - Jim Westgate
OC: Gregg Knapp - Ken Wisenhunt
QBC: John DeFlippo - Butch Millwood
OLC: Tim Cobble - Fred Graves
GM: Alan David - David Baumhower

Rams:
WRC: Henry Ellard - Darryl Drake

Ravens:
HC: John Harbaugh - Bruce DeVaven
RBC: Wilbert Montgomery - George Henshaw
T: Steve Parker - Ian Baker

Redskins:
HC: Jim Zorn - Lovie Smith
DC: Greg Blache - Mike Trgovac
DLC: John Palermo - Mel Philips
DBC: Jerry Gray - Bob Slowik

Saints:
GM: Mikey Lewis - William Gordon

Seahawks:
STC: Bruce Dehaven - John Harbaugh
DLC: Derek Brock - Mel Tucker

Steelers:
OC: Bruce Arians - Kirby Wilson
RBC: Kirby Wilson - Wilbert Montgomery
WRC: Randy Fichtner - Mike Johnson
DBC: Ray Horton - David Gibbs

Texans:
STC: Joe Marciano - Dan Tunney

Titans:
RBC: Earnest Byner - Tom Rathman
WRC: Fred Graves - Randy Fichtner

Vikings:
STC: Paul Ferraro - Henry Ellard

[HeathyT]

The new Denver Broncos organisation have been evaluating the roster and have announced the followin cuts:

HB Anthony Alridge
HB Selvin Young
DE John Engelberger
LB Jamie Winborn
LB Niko Koutovides
LB Boss Bailey
LB Louis Green
S Marlon McCree
S Marquand Manuel

Retirements:
QB Jeff Garcia
WR Joey Galloway
LB Willie McGinest
HB Warrick Dunn

Franchise Tag:
Raiders - CB Nnamdi Asomugha
Jaguars - T Todd Wade
Colts - C Jeff Saturday
Panthers - DT Dre Moore

[HeathyT]

RFA:

The Denver Broncos have tendered:

G Chris Kuper with a level 2 tender (2nd round)

[HeathyT]

Cutler Unhappy:

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler has gone on record saying he thinks the decision to let go of former head coach Mike Shanahan was "a big mistake." It is understandable for him to be frustrated, Cutler came off a career best season, and earned his first trip to the Pro-Bowl. The Broncos have a completely new coaching staff and front office aswell which means Cutler will have to transition into a new system. Broncos HC Heath Thomas declined to comment on the situation.

[HeathyT]

Free Agency:

S Brian Dawkins - Broncos (2 year $10 million, $2 million SB)
DE Osi Umenyiora - Lions
TE Ben Watson - Bengals
CB Sheldon Brown - Falcons
LB Bart Scott - Bengals
TE Alge Crumpler - Bills
HB Fred Taylor - Bengals
LB Bradie James - Bills
C Matt Birk - Chiefs
QB Kurt Warner - Buccaneers
C Tom Nalen - Falcons
P Shane Lechler - Giants
S Dawan Landry - Bills

The Denver Broncos have signed WR Jabar Gaffney to a 2 year $6.20 million deal with a $1 million SB