Quote:
Originally Posted by Hog1
GREAT find!
Nice to have the opinion of an actual player with HOF skills, rather than the endless...blather of blowhard player wannabe's....gone sportscaster and armchair quarterbacks.
“Well first of all, no one is doubting my love affair with Mike Shanahan,” Young said. “I mean, the two of us, for three of four years, the guy was unbelievable. He can call plays like no one I’ve ever seen. He was just amazing in my professional career. So first of all, when you talk about quarterbacks and who could really do something with Peyton Manning, in my mind it’s Mike Shanahan....It’s one of those places where it seems like it’s all in place.”
Then Thom Loverro speculated that Shanahan’s quarterback guru reputation has taken a hit in recent seasons.
“Let me just tell you this: Mike is a phenomenal playcaller, but he wants a quarterback that will protect his incredible ability to call plays,” Young said. “In other words, I’m gonna call a series of plays, I’m gonna put combinations together that are a little bit outlandish, but you need to protect me. Most playcallers have to go the other way — I’ve got to call plays because my quarterback’s not gonna protect me and I’m gonna protect him. That relationship is vital.
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Wow...that quote especially is perceptive. Always thought young was one of the brighter QBs to play and game, no surprise he saw things much the same way as MS and they had great coach/player chemistry.
Play-calling wasn't necessarily inspiring in Denver though, before or after Elway. What I remember most are the nasty defenses under Philips and elite players like SS, TD and Elway consistently making game-changing plays.