Todd Sauerbrun? Gone after a terrible lapse in judgment.
Paul Ernster? Gone after a terrible performance vs. the Chargers.
So who does that leave as the Broncos’ punter?
“Me,” said Mike Shanahan.
Actually, the Broncos are considering a handful of candidates for Sunday’s season finale against the Vikings at Invesco Field at Mile High. Who knows? Shanahan said Jason Elam may even get the duties.
Not that it really matters. At this point, the identity of his punter is well down Shanahan’s list of priorities. There are coaches to evaluate, some of whom presumably won’t return in 2008. There are free agents to be graded, college prospects to be evaluated.
Shanahan on Wednesday called this “the hardest season I’ve had since I’ve been coaching.” Question is, will ’08 be better?
Shanahan doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt anymore, not after back-to-back seasons without a playoff appearance.
You can’t assume next season will be better. Shanahan and his staff have to make the right decisions to make it better.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily Broncos commentaries on The Jimmy Page at 7 a.m. and noon, and read his columns on Sundays and the day after Broncos games at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
