Are there deeper issues in Denver?

Could it be that the Denver Head Coaching job had become non-desirable?  For the last 51 years, Denver has been a Broncos’ town, and they are not going to fall off their perch any time soon.  What’s puzzling is that three candidates for their Head Coaching job turned down the chance to even interview.  Jim Harbaugh only spoke with the 49ers and Dolphins, Gregg Williams decided to remain in New Orleans and Mike Mularkey didn’t want to spend time away from Atlanta….even though the Falcons opponent for this week’s game wasn’t even decided yet.  Also, at a press conference John Elway call Mularkey “Mark Mularkey”, so that probably didn’t sit well with the Falcons’ Offensive Coordinator.

Were candidates wary of serving under John Elway?  Obviously the shadow Elway casts on Denver is huge (his likeness was allegedly a finalist to go on the Colorado State Quarter), but were speople worried about his personnel evaluation acumen?  Yes, he co-owned the Colorado Crush, winning an Arena Football League title, but he hasn't been officially associated with the NFL since his retirement following the his second Super Bowl Championship.  He was a talented football player, but can he evaluate talent?

How much have the Colorado Rockies cut into the Broncos fanbase?  Josh McDaniels alienated a lot of fans in Denver, but it was still surprising to see that in both November and early January, sports news, both local and around the country (when talking about Denver) was focused on the Rockies.  By locking up Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (among other players), the Rockies committed more money to players than any team in Major League Baseball, even the Yankees.  By locking up their young superstars, the Rockies are planning on further painting Denver Purple and Black.

How long has it been since the Broncos made the playoffs?  What may be most shocking for people to learn is that the Broncos own the longest playoff draught in Denver.  The Rockies went to the World Series in 2007 and again made the playoffs two years later, while the Nuggets played in the Western Conference Finals in 2009 and have made the playoffs for the last seven seasons.  The rebuilding Colorado Avalanche returned to the postseason last year and the often forgotten Colorado Rapids won the MLS Cup this past season.  Counting soccer as a major sport (it does further bolster the argument), all four other major sports teams have made the postseason (and faired pretty well) since the Broncos last playoff appearance following the 2005 season.

John Elway will bring some good will back to the organization, but he won't be given a leash of unlimited length.  If it is not apparent within the next two seasons that Broncos are headed in the right direction, an even uglier situation could arise in Denver where the prodigal son becomes persona non grata.