Quote:
Originally Posted by RaidersOftheCellar
I'm not saying that Belichick's or NE's stock would be anywhere close to what it is today. All I'm saying is that I think they'd still be considered a fairly good organization. Above average. And I have major doubts that Denver would. Denver has never drafted and developed an above average QB. And IMO, they've never had a truly great coach.
Plus, despite the fact that they ultimately won a few SBs, they could have accomplished a lot more during the Elway era. Your fanbase has talked plenty about the lack of talent around Elway early on, the failures of Reeves, etc. They missed the playoffs with Elway six times.
|
Reeves and Shanahan were great coaches. Both had flaws, but both knew how to win.
Yes, Elway's team missed the playoffs six times... one of those times was an 11 win season in 1985. Solid wins, but they missed.
I do think they could have accomplished more in Elway's era for sure, and yes - Reeve's did hold him back. That's why he became so infamous for the comebacks. You can watch interviews from guys on the team at the time and they validate it.
Reeves did things in the draft that were head scratchers too... Tommy Maddox anyone when Carl Pickens was right there?
All you have to do is see what happened when Reeves was fired and Phillips took over. Elway throws for the most TDs and fewest INTs in that 1993 season. And, as they continued to upgrade the team and eventually hire Shanahan... now he has actual weapons and a good gameplan.
Don't get me wrong. The 3 Amigos and those guys were fun, but Ed, Rod, Sharpe and Davis.... they were not.
So, yeah ... totally agree that Elway could have achieved more had Reeves not been the HC.
Denver still had the 5th most wins in the Reeves' era (behind 49ers, WAS, Bears and Dolphins), but they could have been built better to win in the playoffs.