So, Shannon Sharpe is gone. Gone from the Denver Broncos. Gone from the NFL. Gone to become one of the despised “Them” of the media world.

Bummer. Really.

But, Broncos fans have something to whine about beyond the loss. Shannon took his sweet time thinking about whether or not he’d come back to play football for the ‘04 season. He decided that he would, then went back on his word in the blink of an eye. It’s our freakin’ season at stake, dammit, and we’ve reason to be ticked off at him.

But Shannon’s been on the inside of the Denver Broncos this offseason. Maybe we should pay attention to what he’s been saying and brace ourselves for a letdown season. Maybe.

At first glance Shannon’s choice seems a no brainer, as he said it was. Only the obvious choice should have been “play”, not “pose” (as in, for the camera). He could have picked up a prime analyst’s gig at any time after his retirement, he’s in that kind of demand. But he can only play football now, because his body won’t allow him to do so later.

I think this was less about what career move Shannon wants to make, and more about him only wanting to play football if he thinks the team has a chance to win the SB. From his words since parting with the team, it doesn’t seem he has any faith in that happening and doesn’t see the point of another year of training camp, another year of practices, another year of getting hammered as he makes 50 or so catches over the middle.

Here are a few quotes from Mr. Quotable.

Speaking of his lack of awe regarding Lelie.

“Maybe with Ed (McCaffrey) being there, myself being there, taking catches away from Ashley, maybe we somehow hindered his growth. But now he really doesn't have an excuse."

Speaking of his concern for the TE position and the O line.

"The best tight end they've got, they moved to tackle,"

And

”Jeb Putzier probably has the most ability as far as the receiving game, but he has to realize that he just can't catch footballs (but) also has to block.”

And Denver will

“find a way to manufacture yardage in the running game”

And Denver’s

"biggest problem is going to be in the passing game"

While that isn’t ringing praise, you’d be right to point out that it isn’t exactly flat-out badmouthing, either. What it shows, however, is that while Shannon might see potential for greatness in the ‘04 Broncos, he isn’t convinced that Denver will have what it takes to reach and win the SB.

THAT is why Shannon Sharpe is moving on to a new career. It isn’t so much what he has left to accomplish. It's more what he believes he can accomplish with this particular Broncos team at this particular point in his career. He sees some likely problems, and to his mind they weigh too heavily to make another year in the NFL worthwhile when he has the type of post-NFL opportunity he’d been hoping for, and it’s staring him right in the face.

So, I’m still a little bitter about Shannon’s change of heart and his breaking his word. But I also understand why he did it and I wish him the best of luck.