Mike Shanahan is a part of the establishment in Denver, but that doesn't mean that he is free from any and all talk of job security. For the better part of a decade, the Denver Broncos have been among the NFL's elite. Constantly drafting well and making the right personnel moves, Shanahan and the Broncos have established themselves as one of the better teams in all of football. Still, one can't help but wonder if things are getting a little bit stagnant in the Mile High City. It's time for owner Pat Bolen to make the right move and change things up a little bit. Now is the time to get rid of Mike Shanahan and move another direction.

For the first time in a long time, one could actually make an argument that Shanahan is slipping. The Broncos have always had a place in the NFL playoffs and they've ruled the AFC West for a decade, but now it looks as if they've fallen far behind the San Diego Chargers. Shanahan inability to motivate his players resulted in a poorly played season finishing at 7-9, a full three games out of a playoff spot. What's even worse is that it doesn't look like things are bound to change anytime soon, either.

Shanahan's judgment is slipping, to put it frankly. He used to make all of the right moves, which resulted in positive outcomes. He used to take running backs like Terrell Davis and Rueben Droughns, relative unknowns, and turn them into top of the line runners. Lately, the only publicity that Shanahan has gotten in the area of running backs is his failed drafting of the ultimate bust, Maurice Clarett. Can Shanahan still coach the game? He absolutely can. He just shouldn't be doing it in Denver anymore.

It's true that there would be teams lining up to sign Mike Shanahan if Pat Bolen were to let him go. Still, he might not be the best fit here in Denver, anymore. The Broncos have struggled for a couple of years now and if things are going to get better, a shakeup is going to have to happen. Mike has done a lot for the franchise, but it is time to say goodbye and go our separate ways. If not, the Broncos might find themselves falling behind more teams than just the Chargers. If Shanahan's Bronco team couldn't make the playoffs while playing in one of football's weakest divisions, then it is hard to believe that his team will turn it around once things get more difficult in the next couple of years.

It might not be a popular stance, but it's time for Shanahan to pack his bags. The Broncos are a proud franchise that shouldn't be finishing 7-9, and something has to change.

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Evan is the owner of Explore Colorado Blog.