When players are in Hawaii preparing and relaxing before the Pro Bowl, they let their guards down, and open up. The latest person to speak out about Mike Shanahan’s firing was none other than Peyton Manning. He told the Denver Post,
"“I would be hard-pressed to find a better offensive mind than Mike Shanahan.”"
I would agree with Manning, but it’s obvious that the league is turning more towards a new generation of coaches. Coaches that are approachable, open, and can relate to their players. It was said that Shanahan comes from a more traditional coaching background. A “my way or the high way” approach, if you will. So, Pat Bowlen brought in a baby-faced 32-year old offensive prodigy from New England. That makes sense. The Broncos are a young and upcoming team, so why not bring in a young and upcoming coach? Better than keeping an interim coach that led his team to a 5-11 record, right Raiders?
Anyway, speaking of letting guards down, Brandon Marshall opened up about his brotherly relationship with Jay Cutler as well as the hiring of Josh McDaniels.
Jay Cutler also opened up about the firing of Shanahan by saying,
"“I think it’s a good thing. Looking back on it, obviously everyone was shocked and disappointed to see Mike go, but a month removed from it I can kind of see their reasoning why they made the move. You’re at a place so long, some of the stuff gets repetitive, you hear the same stories and same talks and sometimes it’s time to move in” (National Football Post)."
It makes for an interesting off season when players can relax a bit and tell us how they really feel. Keep it coming, guys!