Broncos

Mike Shanahan Discusses State Of The Broncos

By Matthew J. Buettner, cbs4denver.com

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DENVER (CBS4) ― Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan held his annual golf tournament on June 9 at the Omni-Interlocken Golf Course. Broncos players, coaches and staff participated in the event and Shanahan took some time to sit down with CBS4's Vic Lombardi.

Shanahan said he liked the way his team performed in camp last week so much, he canceled mini-camp in early July. He's also not worried about Brandon Marshall's injury since the wide receiver is well ahead of schedule and he feels that position is the least of his concerns.

"Well I think we've got more depth there than we've ever had since I've been here," Shanahan said. "You know, we've got guys that people don't know because they haven't played … we've got another four or five guys that have a legitimate chance to compete for that fifth, sixth position, and we haven't had that, so it's some interesting competition."

On the topic of former Broncos running back Travis Henry, Shanahan said there were many things that just added up and he had to release him.

"You know, I always stick up for players and even if they do make some mistakes, but sooner or later if you're not a guy I can count on, then I'm not going to be behind you," he said.

Running back Selvin Young has said he wants a 2,000-yard season. Shanahan said that may be a lofty goal, but he likes players who believe in themselves.

"There are not a lot of guys that have averaged over five yards a carry as a rookie with over 100 catches," he said. "He's got to stay healthy. He does have a lot of ability; he's got great hands coming out of the backfield and I'm just hoping he gets better and better."

As far as the defense goes, Shanahan said the team will be going back to the scheme they used before it was switched last season.

"Bob Slowik will be running that scheme; very different than what we did a year ago. We were ranked 31st in the National Football League," he said about the team's run defense. "If you can't stop the run, you know, you're not going to win even if you do get to the playoffs. And we'll be much improved in that area."

Shanahan has moved D.J. Williams back to outside linebacker after a stint playing inside; a position he had never played before last year. Shanahan said Williams was just average at the inside position and will have a much better chance to compete at outside linebacker.

"D.J. did what we wanted him to do last year and even though he had a good year, I'm looking forward to him having a great year," he said. "I think he can have it at the (outside) linebacker position."

John Lynch believes that some people have lost faith in him and he wants to prove the critics wrong. Shanahan said Lynch is a consummate pro and he's looking forward to him winning the starting safety job.

"I don't know if he is, but he's got the mindset that, hey, 'I'm going to show everybody that not only am I a first (and) second-down player, but I'm a third-down player and you're going to have to drag me off the field because I'm going to prove in preseason that I belong there,'" he said. "Everybody is always rooting for John Lynch."

Shanahan has the most wins in pro football history in a three-year period with 46 from 1996 to 1998 and he's the only head coach with seven post-season wins in a two-year period. He's also only one of six head coaches to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

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