Did the murder of Darrent Williams buy Mike Shanahan two more seasons in Denver?
“Fans were calling for Shanahan to be fired that New Years Eve. But, on New Years Day that conversation became nullified by the terribly tragic loss of Darrent Williams. “
I took my brother to the final game of the Broncos’ season on December 31, 2006.
As a Broncos ‘corporate sponsor’ that season I had been given seats in the Budweiser Champions Club, a swanky special suite area complete with complimentary beer, a roast beef carving station and Broncos alumni strolling through the isles, hobnobbing with VIPs. For my brother and I it was a once-in-a-lifetime type opportunity. He wore his cherished Elam away jersey, I my Super Bowl-era Elway home blue.
Our seats, perched above the North end zone, afforded us an unobstructed view of the critical game. Were the Broncos to beat the ‘Niners that day they would undoubtedly represent the AFC in the Wild Card game. San Francisco came into the weekend with a record of 6-9, playing the Broncos with nothing on the line but pride. Denver’s record was a mirror reflection of theirs; 9-6, a win away from the ten the Broncos would need to insure themselves a post-season berth and an opportunity to ease the pain of losing to the Steelers the year before in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos were eleven point favorites.
Optimism among the Denver faithful was high at half time. The Broncos went into the locker room leading 13-3.
The second half would not go as well. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler left the game with an injury and was replaced (temporarily) by the deposed Jake Plummer. Cornerback Darrent Williams also left the game with a shoulder injury. Behind their solid defensive line and the efficient running of Frank Gore, San Francisco climbed back, taking the lead late in the game. Cutler returned to the lineup for the Broncos and threw a late touchdown pass to force overtime.
Despite possessing the ball twice in the extra period the Broncos were unable to score. A hooking Joe Nedney field goal sailed barely through the uprights, giving the ‘Niners a needless win and ending the Broncos season.
As my brother and I filed mournfully toward the North parking lot amidst thousands of disappointed Broncos fans, I learned through my headphones from Dave Logan that the Kansas City Chiefs, with identical 9-7 record to Denver’s, had earned our Wild Card berth. The news that our division rival was headed to the playoffs only sullied the day even more. But it was not the worst news in Broncos Country.
The following day we would learn that cornerback Darrent Williams, who had injured his shoulder during the San Francisco game, was executed, gang-land style, and had died in the arms of wide receiver Javon Walker, struck by bullets meant for Brandon Marshall.
The discussion among fans departing Mile High on December 31st largely focused on Mike Shanahan. It was widely felt that coaching errors, including the decision to replace Jake Plummer with young Jay Cutler that season, resulted in Denver’s downfall. Fans were calling for Shanahan to be fired that New Years Eve. But, on New Years Day that conversation became nullified by the terribly tragic loss of Darrent Williams. The end of the Broncos’ season seemed to mean very little compared to the loss of a young life. The focus of the fan base, and of Owner Pat Bowlen, turned toward finding meaning in a senseless murder.
Had Darrent Williams not been murdered on January 1st, 2007, it is my firm belief that Mike Shanahan would have been fired in the wake of Denver’s home loss to San Francisco.
The Broncos had lost to the Colts in the Wild Card round in 2003 and 2004, been beaten by Pittsburgh at home in the 2005 Conference title game and whiffed on a promising 2006 season, largely due to Shanahan’s incessant experimentation at the quarterback position. The Broncos were 7-4 when Shanahan made the controversial decision to bench Jake Plummer in favor of rookie Jay Cutler. The youngster made his debut in week 13, dropping his first two games and bringing the Broncos dangerously close to .500 before winning his next two and, finally, losing to San Francisco at home. Most fans believe that Plummer would have collected the one additional win needed to take the Broncos to the playoffs had Shanahan not felt such urgency to utilize his prized draft pick.
In the chaos that surrounded the Broncos in the wake of Williams’ murder the Broncos struggled to find meaning behind their pain. The unity of the team was critical to the healing process. Pat Bowlen doubtlessly recognized this. As resolute as might have been to remove Mike Shanahan after the San Francisco loss he knew that he could not after the events that occurred the following morning.
The Broncos would fail to make the playoffs again in 2007, finishing 7-9. In 2008 they failed again, falling from 8-5 to 8-8 with losses in their final three games of the season, including a week 17 blowout at the hands of the Chargers, 52-21. Finally, Bowlen pulled the trigger, firing Shanahan on December 30, 2008, almost two years to the day after Williams was killed.
Did the killing of a young star cornerback and special teams standout buy Mike Shanahan two extra seasons in Denver? I think so. I have always thought so. But it does beg the question “why wasn’t he fired in 2007, then”? My suspicion is that, by moving on from Jake Plummer and ushering in the Jay Cutler era, Shanahan was able to buy himself more time. Had Williams not been killed it’s likely that he would have been canned after the 2006 season and that a new coach would have been charged with deciding how to move forward with the quarterbacks. But, since Shanahan survived 2006 and Plummer retired prior to 2007, Bowlen opted to allow the ball coach to develop his young star, who would be traded in 2009.
