Chris Harris, Jr. Refutes La Canfora, Calls Fangio Report 'B.S.'
Just hours before the Denver Broncos kicked off in Minneapolis, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora published what the network likely expected to be a bombshell report. La Canfora, citing multiple sources, reported that first-year head coach Vic Fangio is "struggling to connect with players and coaches" in Denver.
The report cast Fangio as a domineering meddler of a head coach, and one oblivious to the feelings and attitude of his players and coaches. Fast forward to kickoff, and the Broncos got out quickly to a commanding 20-0 lead, which in itself was a seeming refutation of the La Canfora report.
The Broncos would go onto squander their triple-score lead, collapsing in the second half and ultimately falling to the Minnesota Vikings 27-23. In the wake of such a soul-debilitating loss, the opportunity for Fangio's players to sound off in frustration and confirm somehow the veracity of La Canfora's report was rife.
But that's not what happened.
Every Broncos player who spoke on record on the issue stood up and supported his head coach. The Broncos closed ranks around their beleaguered coach and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. was the epitome of that.
"That report is bullsh*t," Harris told KOA's Brandon Krisztal. "Nobody has any issues with Fangio."
Multiple Broncos echoed Harris' support for Fangio, including team leaders Dalton Risner and Von Miller — on the record. The truth is, Fangio was dealt a bad hand as a first-year head coach.
It's not often that a head coach can overcome a lack of quarterback continuity in year one and go onto achieve anything of note. The Joe Flacco experiment was a flop and the Broncos' last two games have featured a quarterback in Brandon Allen literally making the first two starts of his NFL career.
Throw in a first-time offensive play-caller in Rich Scangarello, a complex defensive scheme that takes time for players to grasp and a defeated locker room culture, and Fangio's first-year path has been fraught with one obstacle after another.
Despite Sunday's embarrassing loss, the general feeling in the Mile High City is that Fangio has the Broncos on the right path. What Fangio needs is a bonafide franchise quarterback and time.
Only GM John Elway can deliver either.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
