Westword: Bowlen “Silent and sidelined”
Was it Pat Bowlen’s decision to replace Mike Shanahan with the Boy Coach?
Pat Bowlen has long been the most admired executive in Denver Sports. His strong leadership and sharp decision making brought Denver a pair of Lombardi trophies in the 1990’s.
Rumors have flown around the City for several years that Mr. B’s faculties have been slipping. This article from the Westword would seem to confirm those suspicions. Accoriding to the author, Alan Prendergast: “Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis, who was deeply enmeshed in the firing of head coach Mike Shanahan and the hiring of Josh McDaniels, is now the team’s major decision maker on most, if not all, key financial and management questions.”
We have to wonder what the future holds for the Broncos without Pat Bowlen at the helm. Who is Joe Ellis? What are his credentials? One can argue either side of the Shanahan debate. Maybe it was really time for him to go. Fans trust Bowlen’s judgement on these matter. But what if it wasn’t him who pulled the plug?
Things are not going well. The Broncos are 4-14 since beginning 6-0 under McDaniels. Veterans like Champ Bailey appear to be plotting their escape and McDaniels has taken liberties with the draft. Can we trust this Ellis person to make the right decisions?
With the uncertainty surrounding this team not having Bowlen sharp is scary.
Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis, who was deeply enmeshed in the firing of head coach Mike Shanahan and the hiring of Josh McDaniels, is now the team’s major decision maker on most, if not all, key financial and management questions.”
Westword
