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Published on 05/07/2012 at Mon May 07 17:55.
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Denver Broncos: Brian Xanders out as General Manager

Posted Mon May 7th by

Brian Xanders

Just a bit over two weeks after the 2012 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos have decided to part ways with general manager Brian Xanders.

Per the Denver Post:

“John [Elway] and I had a lengthy conversation today and we mutually decided to part ways for the best interest of my career aspirations,”’’ Xanders said. “I appreciated everything that Pat Bowlen has done for the Broncos and for bringing me here in 2008. It was great working with Coach John Fox. I’m telling you, he’s a great coach to work with. And it was great working with John Elway.”

Brian Xanders joined the Broncos with former coach Josh McDaniels after fourteen years with the Atlanta Falcons.

In his four years with the Broncos, Xanders’ role was a bit of a mystery to the fans. After the firing of Josh McDaniels, Xanders claimed that McDaniels had the final say and made all of the decisions. When Elway took control of the Broncos front office it was widely accepted that he had a strong hand in the Broncos war room. The Broncos also promoted scout Matt Russell to the Director of College Scouting.

What do you think Bronco fans? Will Elway take over the General Manager responsibilites, promote Matt Russell again, or even bring someone from the outside?

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  • Anonymous

    Goddamn it.

  • Anonymous

    Goddamn it.

  • millertime

    Was this one of those moves that was thought about long ago, but didn’t happen until now? Those first three rounds of the draft were not very impressive to me.  I hoping that Elway wasn’t the only ones pulling the strings on draft day, otherwise this might be a bad omen.

  • ETL

    Do you mean THANK THE LORD?!

    Xanders was useless.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    Xanders was the main driving force behind two of the worst drafts in Broncos history.  This should be proof that Draft Day did not go as Elway wanted.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    Is Peyton Mannings old GM still “retired”? :)

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I tend to think the draft didn’t go as Xanders wanted it. Elway had the final say, and I think he ran the war room.

  • NotAClue

    From the time Elway walked in the door, X was in a transitional role. ‘Streamlining’

  • Anonymous

    I guess we’re back to one man making all the decisions again. X-man must of leaked that Elway whiffed on Doug Martin, last draft was suspect. Elways a joke moving down and getting squat in the process and missing Martin was bush league F@#k El-ways 

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    That’s interesting too, but my only contention is that the Broncos still have to pay Xanders, right?  Which means it wasn’t Xanders who walked…

  • flbronc

     yea, that worries me a little.  if this class flops, it will worry me a lot.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    I unaccept.  Elway still bring me happiness.  5 Super Bowls….  FIVE.

  • flbronc

    i bet we get a ‘cap guy’ to come in and manage that side of things.  i think elway pulls the strings on player personnel from here on out- with some input with the coaches (just some, not a lot).  sure he’ll talk about getting input from people, but i think he’s wearing the big boy pants now.

    i doubt we’ll be seen as an attractive landing spot for an up and coming gm prospect, given elways position as vp of football ops and ability to veto any of his moves. 

  • Just being honest…

    Just when I thought we were finally done with the drama…

    I was sick of Shanahan and felt it was his time to leave but this is just non-stop drama:
    -Hiring of unproven kid
    -Firing of proven franchise QB
    -Brandon Marshall nonsense
    -Peyton Hillis explosion by fans
    -McDaniels bragging in front of his old coach
    -McDaniels looking like a child in front of men
    -Elway comes in (drama over???) –> No
    -Fans revolt against reject QB chosen over ‘potential’
    -Terrible QB somehow wins games
    -Firing of terrible QB that fans love
    -Bringing in old but possibly greatest ever QB
    -Firing GM few weeks after draft
    –>I am probably missing 10 more in the last few years.

    I seriously don’t remember it being like this with Shanahan.  I do remember the nonsense that went by with Dan Reeves vs John Elway.  I also remember everyone hating Wade.  This just feels like too much.  It is like watching the WWE.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I’m with you. Not a fan of this.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    If Xanders was running the war room, and the Broncos weren’t happy with how things turned out, I don’t see the Broncos firing him right now. They’d wait until after the season.

    Elway was the person in front of the podium each night. It was his show. Xanders is the one who didn’t like how the draft turned out.

    Oh, and neither did I. I think we’ll miss Xanders as another check and balance for Elway.

  • MeOMy

    Considering his inexperience I don’t think Elway is doing that bad of a job. I agree that he made some mistakes. Now lets just see if he learns from those mistakes.

    Remember, after just two off seasons people are talking about Denver as a possible contender to make it to the Super Bowl. I would say that isn’t too shabby. The real test will be in 3 or 4 years when Manning is no longer around.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    Xanders had one year left on his deal. One of the local radio guys on Twitter said that he came into work today “knowing” it was his last day on the job. It might have been the perfect time to let him go contractually.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I can’t stand him on ESPN lol. Snooooooze.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    I was dying for some stability too, and a draft that just “made sense.” This doesn’t. Ugh.

  • millertime

    Bill Polian is VERY respected around the league. I would love to have him on board.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    After McDaniels, and yes after Shanahan (though to a lesser degree), I’m just not a fan of the “One Man Running the Show” model the Broncos have followed. Checks and balances aren’t a bad thing.

  • http://broncotalk.net Monty

    But I do like the job Elway has done so far. Up to this draft anyway.

  • http://Facebook.com/BroncosZone Jon

    Lots of speculation as to why they fired him. Hope it wasn’t because they hated how the draft resulted or something similar.

    I bet Elway takes over G.M. dubties now, it’s not like he wasn’t really the G.M. already.

  • Thegoodfoot

    we can never be sure of who was responsible for what. however, when forced to face facts I have not been a fan of the Broncos front office in the last 4+ years. hopefully this is another step in the right direction…

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    Still doesn’t make up for his terrible trade value dealings.  That guy couldn’t negotiate his way out of a paper bag.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    Great, so Elway is the failure, not Xanders.  I liked it better the other way around.  haha  

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    We did, we already brought in a former agent, Mike Sullivan, to handle the cap.  

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    We all should have known that Elway was going to shake things up…but its dangerous to just blow everything up and start over.  McDaniels?  Hello?

    This is probably year 2 of a multi-year plan Elway decided to pursue.  I’ve got to keep a little faith…

  • flbronc

     yea, i guess… i read his job description as contract negotiator… but i guess it is one in the same.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/COFOWCYPC56ESKGQQ4EQG2RPOI Anonymous

    This Blows! I was a Xanders guy, he knew his stuff, and he will go somewhere else and do really well.
    Besides now we cant say EFX any more.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    You’re right…EF just doesn’t have a nice ring.  Sigh…

  • flbronc

     in any organization there is ultimately ‘one man running the show’  in both football and business.  you just have to hope the guy running the show is competent in whatever show he’s running.  guess we’re going to find out elways level of competence.

  • anthony33

    Not sure if I like this move or not, but was definitely surprised by it.  Fact is that none of us really know what went on behind closed doors.  Who recommended who and who ultimately decided who to draft… none of us know for sure.  However, whoever caused us to whiff on Hightower should be the one out the door IMO.  Also passing up Martin was a mistake.  

    It will be interesting to see if they bring in a real GM… it not, you can pretty much guess that it’s been Elway calling ALL the shots.

  • Orange Crush

    How can you not be pleased with where the Broncos are headed?  “Streamlined” in the front office.  Upgrade in D coordinator.  Upgrade in offensive playbook (i.e., McCoy can allow Manning to check-down at the line of scrimmage and ditch the Florida option playbook).  Upgrade at QB (Peyton Freakin’ Manning!).  Upgrades at TE (added Tamme/Dreesen).  Upgrade at scat back (Hillman).  Upgrades at D-line (Wolfe/Bannan).  Upgrade at CB, w/addition of Porter and possibly Bolden.  Additional speed at #3 receivers (Caldwell and Hill).  We did lose Royal and Bunkley to save cap space for spending on new talent, but replaced them with outstanding players.  Also, lost B-Dawk to retirement, but he’s 37 – just saying.  Take a look at what is happening from the big picture and get ready to buy some playoff tickets! 

  • anthony33

    After reading Elway’s comments it appears that, once again, it gets down to money.  It’s very clear they are not going to replace him.

    Does anyone know the true status of Bowlen from a financial and health perspective?  Would love to know.

  • Anonymous

    I am not a fan of Elway the GM. Just because you were a great QB doesn’t mean you know jack squat about scouting talent. I love Elway the player but Elway the guy in charge gets way too many passes.

  • Anonymous

    Who is so outstanding we replaced Bunkley with? 

  • Orange Crush

    LOL.  OK, you make a good point.  I think we’ll like the kid, but he has prove himself.  How about this one – Ty Warren back healthy?

  • King

    It’s obvious who the GM is.  It is Elway.  Why pay 2 guys to do the same job?  

  • Anonymous

    I was never impressed with Xanders and always felt he was in the job with title ONLY! I don’t buy for sec either that this was his draft nor were the McDummy drafts, he was a guy in the room that might have got to say a few words or so.

    I’m not a huge fan of Bill Polian either but the dude for sure would get my nod over Xanders and more than half the active GM’s now. Dude can pick talent and can for sure run a team. I as well, even with the draft, like Elway at the helm but 100% agree with Monty that checks and balances are truly prudent, especially here. With that said there could be EFP?!? ;-) lmao..

  • Anonymous

    haha… Ty Warren hasn’t been healthy in 3 years. He will have to play very limited minutes at best if there is any shot he makes it through the season. 

  • Anonymous

    Go take a look at the last 5 years of Colts drafts. Polian is WAY overrated. Maybe the most overrated GM in the last decade.

  • King

     I agree.  Just look how awful their defense is.  Elway and Fox can handle it.  Elway already has final say in talent anyways.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6QO2KBTMVMOTHG3DBGXA2PP55Q Stockburn

    Oh it as bad with shanahan too….remember the 2007 draft class?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6QO2KBTMVMOTHG3DBGXA2PP55Q Stockburn

    we got Oz…keep the faith.
    lol

  • millertime

    Polian may be pasted his prime, but he has won front office executive of the year multiple times. I will be happy with a Bronco winning one or more of those.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    Excellent point.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    I am sure Xander’s salary is chump change compared to player salaries.

  • http://twitter.com/TimLynch1978 Tim Lynch

    I called the Colts a 4-12 team without Manning back in Feb 2010.  I’m a genius. :)

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