Discuss Shanahan figures out how to ‘pad’ the stats

[ThomasTomasz]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – It wasn’t one of the easiest assignments Mike Shanahan had given his team captains when, a little more than a month ago, he matter-of-factly explained that it was time to break one of his most appreciated 13-year practice tenets.

The Denver Broncos were going back to full pads for the majority of their practice week. It was something Shanahan had never done since taking over as Denver’s head coach in 1995 – something he hadn’t recalled seeing during his previous tenure as an offensive coordinator with the 49ers. But heading into the bye after an embarrassing 41-7 loss to New England on Oct. 20, he summoned his captains to his office and said it was time to go back to the most basic of football fundamentals. While other NFL teams would be entering November cutting down contact and padded practices, the Broncos would be doing the opposite.

One month later, it’s looking like Shanahan’s best coaching decision of the season.

Shanahan figures out how to 'pad' the stats - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[jjflr]

ya know ......... it's somewhat amazing to me that coaches don't try new things like this more often .............. i mean, heck, Coughlin won a SB by changing his normal way of doing things .............. i guess they just get stuck in ruts ..........