How did coach Mike Shanahan react when he read three of his locker room leaders said they would accept wide receiver Terrell Owens as part of the 2006 Broncos?
Well, it didn’t ruin his breakfast.
“I didn’t have a problem with it,” Shanahan said Tuesday.
Shanahan was comfortable speaking hypothetically about the prospect of adding a player like Owens. The talented, enigmatic receiver is still a member of the Eagles, who are likely to release him if they can’t arrange a trade in the coming months.
Monday, center Tom Nalen, linebacker Keith Burns and defensive tackle Gerard Warren said they would welcome Owens. Nalen said he thinks Denver would be the perfect fit for the star receiver because of the veteran-laden locker room.
Owens missed the last two months of the season after clashing with several people in the Eagles’ organization, including coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Owens also had trouble with coaches and teammates in San Francisco.
Shanahan said any player who comes in would have to conform to the team’s standards.
“We’ve had a lot of guys come in here, and I’ve talked to them about the way we run our organization and if they’d like to be part of it, this is the way we do things,” Shanahan said. “Whoever that guy might be in free agency, there’s always a possibility if somebody handles himself the right way they could come into this organization.
“But they’re going to have to live by the standards we practice.”
Coordinator search
Shanahan said it could be a week before he hires a new offensive coordinator, only his second in Denver. Gary Kubiak, who will be named coach of the Houston Texans this week, was the Broncos’ offensive coordinator the past 11 seasons.
If New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is released from his contract, he’ll likely become a prime target for the Broncos’ job.
If Heimerdinger, a former Denver receivers coach, is not a candidate, Shanahan could look within the Broncos organization for a replacement.
“I’ve got a few different directions to go. I’m not really sure right now,” Shanahan said. (I need to) let a little time expire and find out what my options are.”
It’s likely Kubiak will take offensive assistant Troy Calhoun and defensive assistant Jim Ryan with him from the Broncos staff.
Footnotes
Minnesota talked to Fran Foley of San Diego about the Vikings’ top personnel job. The Vikings had shown interest in Broncos director of pro personnel Rick Smith. … Denver signed defensive end Khaleed Vaughn. The Clemson product was on Carolina’s practice squad.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
