Head coach Mike Shanahan announced Wednesday that Bubby Brister is returning to the starting lineup. An 0-4 start under second-year quarterback Brian Griese has prompted the switch.

"I just think this is the best thing for our football team right now," Shanahan said. "We think this is going to give us a chance to win now."

	Bubby Brister takes over at quarterback in an attempt to right the reeling Broncos.

Brister, 37, filled in well last season when John Elway missed several games because of injuries. But Brister didn't move the offense effectively during the preseason, so Shanahan installed Griese as the starter.

Although Griese has played well at times, the offense hasn't produced the points and yardage needed to win games.

"The question is, what can we do to give us the best chance to get out of this slump?" Shanahan said. "Brian played well on Sunday and we had a chance to have four touchdowns in the first half. But the bottom line is, we didn't get it done."

Brister vowed to get the team back on track.

"I feel like I could have done some things to help us, but Brian played a couple great games," Brister said. "What I do know is I can do something about this week, and hopefully that means getting us a win."

Brister admitted last month he was "shocked" when Shanahan announced on Aug. 30 that Griese would be the starter to open the season. Brister left training camp and considered asking for a trade or retiring, but eventually opted to stay with Denver as the backup to Griese.

At the time of the announcement that Griese would start, Brister did not hold back his displeasure with Shanahan. Brister said he would not walk out on his teammates, adding he was playing in the preseason with the thought he would be the starter.

Brister did not back off his earlier comments, but clearly was playing a different tune after being told he was the new starter.

"I talked to Mike and I have a hot temper and so does he," Brister said. "At the time, I expressed some feelings. I'm not gonna go back on the things I said, because that's the way I felt. But things can change.

"After things settled down and I talked to Mike, I felt like there would be a time I would have to come in and play."

That time is now, but the task ahead in no way compares with the last time Brister started. Last year, he went 4-0 starting for future Hall of Famer John Elway, who retired after leading the Broncos to back-to-back championships.

Griese, 24, said he was surprised by the decision but added, "I understand that we're 0-4 and something needs to change."

Griese now becomes the backup, and veteran Chris Miller remains No. 3.

The Denver offense will be without its best player, reigning NFL MVP Terrell Davis, for the rest of the season. The running back injured his knee last week in a 21-13 loss to the Jets.