Revealing Comments from Shanahan

The Rocky Mountain News has a summary of comments made by Shanahan at his latest press conference. Among these are the following notable tidbits:

• Shanahan confirmed the free-agent acquisition Keary Colbert will line up opposite Brandon Marshall at WR. In justifying this decision, Shanahan compared Colbert to Eddie McCaffrey who, like Colbert, was left for dead by the Giants before resurrecting his career in Denver.
  
  
• Shanahan stated Chris Kuper comes into camp as the starter at left tackle rather than 2006 3rd-rounder Ryan Harris. This was unexpected given that Kuper filled in at guard last season for the injured Ben Hamilton while Erik Pears manned the right tackle position. Many (including me) expected Pears and Kuper to compete at right tackle while Harris manned the left side. Pears apparently will keep his job from last year moving Harris to 3rd on the depth chart. Ben Hamilton and Montrae Holland are the starters at guard.
  
  
• According to the Denver Post, Shanahan also defended his decision to fire Ted Sundquist. The article quotes Shanahan as saying the following:
  
  

  "With Ted, I don't make a decision like that very quickly," Shanahan said. "It was a very tough decision. But I thought it was one I needed to make because eventually it gives us the best chance to be a better football team. I don't go into any reasons why."

  
  
  Shanahan also vigorously refuted the accusation that he's fired every defensive coordinator he's ever met. In his defense, Shanahan pointed out the--despite what most seem to think--Ray Rhodes retired in 2002 for health reasons. He also points out that he gave Slowik the reigns on the defense but didn't want Bates to quit.
  
  On offense, Heimerdinger and Kubiak left to pursue different opportunities. Shanahan insightfully points out that any success in the running game is credited to Rick Dennison, in the passing game Shanahan gets the credit. From that perspective, it makes sense that a talented offensive coordinator would want to get out of Shanahan's shadow.

Based on Shanahan's comments, the likelihood of Denver going after a receiver or tackle with the 12th overall pick is seemingly small. For the rest of his comments, check out the article linked above.

It's also nice to see a columnist defend Shanahan. The press has been acrimonious ever since Sundquist was fired. Ultimately, a return to the top of the AFC in 2009 will turn all these carpers into neophytes.