Broncos fire Shanahan after team's collapse

Football Betting Lines

12/30/2008 - Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Longtime Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan was fired Tuesday, just two days after Denver missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

The Broncos held a three-game lead in the AFC West with three games to play, but Denver proceeded to drop its last three games, while the San Diego Chargers won their last three -- including a 52-21 drubbing of the Broncos in Week 17 -- to claim the division title.

"After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos," said team owner Pat Bowlen. "This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned."

Shanahan had just completed his 14th season as Broncos head coach, also serving as the team's vice president of football operations. He led Denver to two Super Bowl titles -- in 1998 and 1999 -- with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway at the helm.

"I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time," Bowlen added. "His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.

The 56-year-old compiled a 138-86 record with the Broncos from 1995-2008, capturing three division titles in that span. He was 8-5 in seven postseason appearances and had lost four of his last five playoff games.

Shanahan has served in the NFL's coaching ranks since 1984, and previously was the head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders from 1988-89. He had been with the Broncos two previous times, as the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator from 1984-1987 and as the quarterbacks coach from 1989-91. He also coached with the 49ers from 1992-94 as the offensive coordinator.

He held several college coaching positions, with Oklahoma, Northern Arizona, Eastern Illinois, Minnesota and Florida from 1975-83.

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Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month.

With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.

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Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.

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