Mike Shanahan, Following 52-Point Beatdown, Is Pleased With Defensive Coordinator

If you watched the Chargers - Broncos game last night, you know that San Diego was mildly warm on offense. They scored 52 points, the game was never really close, and LaDanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles and Jacob Hester all ran roughshod over the Denver defense. Additionally, Philip Rivers was his season-long MVP candidate self as the Chargers rumbled to an AFC West division title.

Add in the fact that the Broncos lost to Oakland and Buffalo to close out the season (and by losing they, naturally, gave up some unnecessary points) and you would think that Mike Shanahan would be fed up with defensive coordinator Bob Slowik. Oddly, he's not.

Asked directly after the game whether Bob Slowik will return, Mike Shanahan indicated there would not be a change.

That vote of confidence came despite his team allowing the most points in a game since Oct. 31, 1988, and the seventh most in franchise history.

"I'm definitely happy with him as coordinator," linebacker Jamie Winborn said. "We played like (dirt). We didn't play to win. You play a good team like that, and that's what's going to happen. They came out fiery and took advantage of their opportunities."

It's nice that he has the full support of his players and all, but that doesn't really excuse giving up 374 yards per game (and 6.1 per play from scrimmage). Nor does it excuse sitting in first place in the AFC West for an entire season, only to choke away the division title at the end of the year because your defense coughed up an insane 112 points over the final three games of the season. Not saying Shanny has to can Slowik, but throwing out a vote of confidence after that little run seems a bit shortsighted.