To begin with, he got busy rubbing his star players up the wrong way. His intolerance of Jay Cutler's prima-donna antics ended with the stud QB being shipped off the Chicago, swapping thin air for lots of it at high speeds. That act thoroughly rankled Brandon Marshall - the Broncos only receiver to ever have three consecutive 100 catch seasons. One season after Cutler's departure, Marshall left for Miami in return for two second round picks. No one can discredit Marshall's effort last season - he made over 100 catches and consistently put-in the lion's share of effort; delighting, as he does, in gaining a bucket-load of yards after first contact.
So without the man who many believed to be the successor to Elway and his all-star receiver, where are the Broncos heading? For the last two years since McDaniels' appointment, the Broncos have stormed out of the gate with the apparent pedigree of a fine racehorse. But come the latter half of the season they have endured the most embarrassing falls from grace. At one point in the 2008 season, the Broncos had amassed 8 wins and needed just one more result to go their way to secure a place in the playoffs. Furthermore, a single slip-up by division rivals, the San Diego Chargers, would've guaranteed them passage to the playoffs. And what happened? The Chargers ran-in unbeaten and the Broncos couldn't even beat the Bills - a team with nothing to play for - with their season on the line.
No one doubts McDaniels' credentials, but are these late-season collapses his fault? Is there something in the locker room that is ripping this team apart?
Maybe there is or, hopefully for McDaniels reputation, maybe there was. If Cutler and Marshall were the divisive voices, then they have been quietened. Now the franchise is in the hands of Kyle Orton - a solid, if unremarkable leader. Behind him on the depth chart sit Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow: two Quarterbacks most teams would kill to have as young development projects.
Tebow is the likely successor, but the presence of Quinn cannot be ignored as it is classic McDaniels. Quinn's time in Cleveland might ave disappointed some, but he had little opportunity to develop due to injuries, a lack of playing time and no inspiring mentor.
McDaniels kept Matt Cassels on the bench in New England and groomed him to become a QB that was able to step-up when needed and lead his team to an 11-5 record. McDaniels may not need Quinn now, but he is not only back-up, but excellent trade value for the future. With two years of McDaniels' development, Quinn will be supreme and maybe Cleveland will ask for him back if Colt McCoy fails to inspire the Ohio faithful.
Right now, the Broncos are a great team - weaker at Receiver than they have been in recent years, but loaded at Running Back and capable of some pretty tight game-management.
Will they make the playoffs? You know what, I think they might, and I think they might do it by replacing the Chargers as best in the West.
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