As the Broncos work to find a way to shed back-to-back seasons without making the playoffs, owner Pat Bowlen wants the team to avoid desperate attempts at a quick fix.
After going 9-7 and missing the playoffs in the 2006 season, the Broncos were one of the most active teams in free agency last spring, signing several big-dollar players.
Yet Bowlen, who Friday reiterated that Mike Shanahan will remain his coach for the long haul, got little bang for his buck as the Broncos took a step backward in 2007 and finished 7-9.
Many of the players Denver have brought in, including Travis Henry, Todd Sauerbrun, Javon Walker (acquired through a trade), Daniel Graham, Simeon Rice and Sam Adams, had on- and/or off-field issues, leaving a glaring pockmark on a 2007 season that Bowlen repeatedly painted as “disappointing.”
While the Broncos aren’t expected to be major players in free agency, as Shanahan indicated Thursday, Bowlen said the team has to be more careful when it brings in players.
“We made some mistakes in free agency that hurt us,” he said. “From both on the field and off the field (aspects). We can’t do that in the future.”
Without specifically naming players, Bowlen said there will be changes this offseason, which he labeled as important.
“There will be some players that won’t be here,” Bowlen said. “But, ultimately, that will be up to Mike.”
Among the players most likely on the chopping block are Henry and Walker.
Henry was injured and went through a long drug saga with the NFL. He eventually was exonerated. Walker also had injury issues, and the day after the season said he wasn’t a good fit in Denver. Both players have big option bonuses due in the next two months, and it appears the only way either will remain with the Broncos is with a significant cut in pay.
While Bowlen said it is important the team does not have any more character issues in the future, he said, “I don’t think we have a major character problem here.”
Bowlen believes 2007 was doomed because there was too much individualism and not enough camaraderie. He pointed to late collapses against Green Bay and Chicago as focal points for his frustrations.
“There were three or four games we lost that we should have won,” Bowlen said. “I can’t really explain what it was, but something was just missing.”
Bowlen said the Broncos missed the presence of injured veterans Rod Smith and Tom Nalen. Bowlen also said he “loves” safety John Lynch and hopes Lynch returns for his 16th season in the NFL.
Bowlen said if the Broncos continue their two-year string of strong drafts and have better luck health-wise than they did in 2007, they can return to playoff form.
“I don’t think we are that far away from being a playoff team again. We should have won three or four games we lost this year,” Bowlen said. “I think we have a good young core of a team.”
Bowlen said Jay Cutler, who just finished his first full season as Denver’s quarterback, is capable of carrying the team on his shoulders in close games and making a difference.
“I think it’s time,” said Bowlen, who took over the team in John Elway’s second year. “It was John’s third and fourth season when he started doing that. Jay is a great young quarterback, and I think he is ready.”
When the topic came to his coach, Bowlen continued his support despite public opinion that suggests some Broncos fans are ready for a change after 13 seasons of the Shanahan era. Bowlen said he is lucky to have Shanahan. Recent speculation that Bowlen was ready for a change fueled rumors Atlanta and Washington were prepared to pursue Shanahan.
Bowlen, who last year gave Shanahan a contract extension through 2011, said his longtime coach isn’t going anywhere.
“I know this season was tough on Mike, and he and his staff worked hard,” Bowlen said. “Mike is my coach. For our club, certainly, I think he is the best coach in the NFL.”
Bowlen said there will be no changes in the personnel department and general manager Ted Sundquist and his staff will remain.
“We have to get better in all aspects,” Bowlen said, “and will work to get better.”
Bowlen said he was disappointed the Jim Bates experiment on the defensive side of the ball ended after only one season when Bates left last week. Still, Bowlen said he was unwilling to make Bates “the whipping boy” for going 7-9.
Bowlen said it will be everyone’s job in the organization to find a way to return to form.
“It was very disappointing, and we weren’t expecting it,” Bowlen said. “It was very difficult. I’d have to look through the media guides over the past 24 years to see what my worst seasons were, but this had to be in the worst three, four seasons.”
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
