THE TEFLON IS GONE

Nearly a decade after his last Super Bowl title, Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan finally has been held accountable for years of relative mediocrity. Shanahan, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, has been fired. Shanahan had three years and roughly $20 million remaining on his contract. The long-time head coach, whose teams won the NFL title after the 1997 and 1998 seasons, assumed full control over the football operation by finagling the termination of G.M. Ted Sundquist, a current PFT contributor. The move puts the Broncos immediately in play not only for a new head coach, but also for a new G.M. As we suggested in our most recent Ten-Pack for SportingNews.com, owner Pat Bowlen might try to jump into the bidding for Pats V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli, in order to block Pioli from landing in the AFC West with the Chiefs.