Broncos coach Mike Shanahan still continues to escape scrutiny or accountability for his performances as the team’s head coach or as its de facto General Manager.

As to the former, Shanahan has managed to blame yet another defensive coordinator (whom he hired) for the team’s poor performance on defense.

This one lasted a year.

And despite reports that Jim Bates resigned, a league source tells us that he was indeed fired.

Last year, it was Larry Coyer who got the shoe.  Before that, Ray Rhodes.  Prior to that, Greg Robinson.

Not once has the problem ever been Mike Shanahan.

It’s also been a bad week for Shanahan the G.M.  Receiver Javon Walker, one of the few veteran acquisitions who panned out, now wants out.  Though Walker has recently softened his stance about looking to leave, an injury-marred 2007 might not justify paying out $5.4 million in offseason bonuses.

Through it all, Shanahan never seems to be in trouble.  If that doesn’t change, the Broncos might never have to make room in the trophy case.