I’m not going to remember exactly where I was when the Broncos were officially eliminated from postseason consideration on Sunday afternoon. Truth be told, I’m not even sure I recall it right now. I was in the midst of errands, dashing around the southern half of the Denver metropolitan area and finding out how the rest of the world spends its autumn and early-winter Sundays. I reckon, therefore, that I was somewhere along Yosemite Street near the sprawling Park Meadows shopping complex, or perhaps on Lincoln Ave. to the south.
But I had been listening to or watching the Chargers’ 51-14 rout of the Detroit Lions as I skedaddled from one stop to the next, so I’d long since reconciled myself to the fact that no Lions rally was going to happen. The game started before the last of the early duels had been completed and seemed to pass out of doubt’s purview somewhere about the time the Miami Dolphins posted their first game-winning score of the year.
Thus entails the overuse of the word “meaningless” in the next seven days, in television, in newspaper copy, in blogs, in message boards, in evening-time chatter over an egg-nog latte at Starbucks.
This notion has always rankled me.
Perhaps it goes back to when I was 12 years old in Tampa, striding through the parking lots that surrounded Tampa Stadium while walking from my father’s car to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Buffalo Bills. Every story leading up to the game bellowed the two-word refrain: “meaningless game.” If it had no meaning, then why would we occupy a glorious Sunday afternoon with thousands of possibilities at our doorstep in order to traipse over to the still-not-yet-nicknamed “Big Sombrero” once more to watch a game rendered “meaningless” for the hometown side because it lugged a 3-10 record like a boulder attached by chain to its ankle?
Belittling the contest as “meaningless” was the habitually fashionable thing to do for many in the community, which expected its local bunch to simply assume the fetal position and sob when within sight of the Bills, who at the time were a mighty 11-2 and in the midst of their best season in 22 years.
Final score? Team playing the “meaningless” game 10, team with playoff seeding at stake 5.
I didn’t need the lesson, but it was a pleasant reminder that “meaningless” is a word for those who either don’t understand or choose to ignore the pride a professional athlete — or that of any vocation, for that matter — can have in his work.
“If you love football, you’re going to come out and play,” said Broncos running back Selvin Young. “This is your job. This is what we do. This is what I want to do until I’m not able to do it anymore. I’m pretty sure that feeling is mutual throughout this team.”
Some might believe it difficult for a team to be mentally ready to play in a scenario like the one befalling the Broncos. Denver tight end Tony Scheffler would respectfully disagree — particularly with a team foraging for redemption after a 31-13 loss that left many players mortified and excavating their brains for adequate answers.
“It’s not tough after you take a loss like that,” Scheffler said Thursday night. “Every guy in here is a competitor. Coach wouldn’t have these guys in here if we weren’t competitors, so we’ll finish strong. A lot of pride on the line, and we’re going to go out here and give it our all these last two games.”
Such results like the ‘88 Bucs-Bills game — which remains one of the most satisfying sporting events I’ve ever witnessed — are an annual occurrence, even if the exact score is not; no one had ever played a 10-5 NFL game before or since.
It’s been a long time since the Broncos began a preparation week like this. While the 2002 season finale eventually had no bearing on the Broncos’ playoff hopes, the team wasn’t eliminated until results went against it just before the 2:15 p.m. MST kickoff. In two other years that followed, the Broncos had their postseason position locked and could move neither up nor down in the regular-season finale.
So a scenario such as this week’s is rare. It’s happened more often to almost everyone else in the league this decade than it has to the Broncos.
Defeating the Chargers in the first prime-time NFL game ever to be played on Christmas Eve — and you’ll read that phrase at least a few times this week — might not be the mountain the Broncos wished to scale in 2007, but you can’t ascend Mt. Everest every year. Sometimes you have to settle for Grandfather Mountain.
Sure, it might not be as majestic or prominent a peak, but it’s nevertheless a mountain. Climbing it is still an accomplishment — which is precisely what a win against San Diego would be.
“You can’t win every year. We know that,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “We expect to win, but we’ve just got to grow.”
A win at San Diego won’t extend the Broncos’ season beyond Dec. 30, but it would be a needed salve to patching up the wounds from defeats like the 38-point loss the Chargers inflicted upon the Broncos two and a half months ago.
Oh, and by the way, the last time the Broncos were in this situation — out of the race by the next-to-last game of the season — they played the team that had already sealed first place in the AFC West. The result? A victory over the division champions.
The year was 2001, and the vanquished champs were the Oakland Raiders. Next Monday, the Broncos hope they can repeat the feat in San Diego.
agree totally. Spose this is the benefit of a 16 game season as opposed to the thousand games they seem to play in hockey and baseball. Limits the number of games that don’t have playoff implications.
But given how well minnesota and the bolts run the ball - avoiding humiliation should be top of the list.
8-8 and two good wins makes it a better off season than 6-10. Plus there is some pride in beating the chargers, especially as they’re going to go on and eliminate the patriots.
You play to win the game. Just remember that bootie whuppin you got the first game. That would be enough for me. Go Broncos!
I’ll watch ‘em but this is going to be a long crapy off season. 6-10, 7-9 or 8-8 it’s not good enough. It’s CRAP! Don’t get me wrong I’d rather go 8-8 than 6-10 but 8-8 is just weak.
I say we use this opportunity to evaluate the back up players. Go for it on fourth and three. Really get the chance to assess what value a player really has. Let’s see what Mike Bell has left in him after a disappointing season that left him inactive most of the year. Let’s see how well Glenn Martinez handles lining up on the line. Or see how Jamie Winborn takes to possibly playing the outside linebacker spot. At any case, I think these last two weeks should be used in preparation for next season, because that is all we ho look forward to. And if we lose, so what? We will be in a higher draft position for next year.
“The year was 2001, and the vanquished champs were the Oakland Raiders.”
Oh, wow. That’s amazing.
I would absolutely love to mix up the Vikings chances at the playoffs and give a shot in the mouth to the Chargers before they went off to January. The Broncos have everything to play for in my mind.
We still bleed Orange ‘n’ Blue even with no playoffs in sight.
Andrew,
That was one of the best blogs I’ve seen and that you’ve written on here. I couldn’t agree more with every word said.
I like what you quoted that Selvin Young said, at least someone is still up for playing football and Marshall was right on the money when he said “we’ve just got to grow.” That’s what I’ve been trying to get across around here, that we’re going through some obviously tough growing pains, I don’t want to call it rebuilding but technically that’s what this is. In case no one has noticed the majority of our team is full of really young inexperienced though extremely talented guys. Having said that, we only have a few 10+ year veterans some others 7, 8 & 9 years but even those guys have to grow… they are still learning and having to adjust to their own injuries as well as those of the other players. The young guys are having to adjust to being in this league and gaining the experience they are going to need come next year when we’ll be the unstoppable ones.
I have to agree that even though this year has been rough and a little disappointing, we are going to come out of this. We have one heck of a QB to rely on and he’s got recievers and rushers out the wazoo to depend on. We have all this talent, all this youth and all these fantastic veterans teaching our youngins’ and if we can combine all that, we’re going to have that spark that other teams will envy us for and wish they had it too. I truly believe next year is going to be all about us, we are going to a great football team next year. We’ve finally got ourselves a QB that is awesome and he’s going to a solid foundation to help take us somewhere real close to where we were 10 years ago - hopefully to the playoffs and I know I’m seriously reaching with this one but yes, the Superbowl. He’s still very young but also very very talented and that’s what we need. He’ll gain experience the more he plays and I know I’m not the only one who’s noticed how drastically he’s gotten better from the first game he played as the starter to now. Just look at the game he had last Sunday against KC - if he can just stay consistent with that kind of playing, the question that’ll be buzzing around the NFL is “who the heck is Tom Brady?” Cutler is going to take over and show through his playing time that he can be just as good as the next guy in his position.
This season is not over and it won’t be till we finish our last two games… its not over till we finish what we’ve started. I know our guys will finish off strong, there’s nothing worse than having the kind of season we’ve had and then just blowing off the last two games just because we knew we weren’t going to the playoffs. That’s absolutely pathetic. Last time I checked we had 16 games to play this season and we’ve only played 14, this season IS NOT OVER!!!! 8-8 is not exactly what I had pictured and its not exactly a winning record but if that’s how this turns out then at least we can say we’re not 1-13 as of now. This season could have been ALOT worse but I always hope for the better.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Andrew,
It was nice meeting you at the Broncos/Texans game ( I was the one who met you before the game hanging over the ledge in teh Orange Cutler Jersey). Like I told you at the game, you do a great job here and I enjoy all your work.
I agree with what you said above. I’m not sure though how SD is going to approach this game. They will probably rest most of their starters so I don’t know how sweet a victory would be (if we got one).
Anways, looking forward to a big offseason where we can make some MAJOR changes on defense and get ready to win the West next year. I didn’t give up hope on this year (playoffs) until Halftime of the Chargers/Lions game. The Lions played like dogs..Never showed up..so they punked us twice this year…whooped us earlier and then did us no favors by beating SD….
it was a longshot but I still thought we had a shot if Lions played well….
Already lookig forward to next year….
I don’t like coming up with excuses but we lost key parts from our whole team and are on IR.
Mike Bell is as good as gone next season, I’m still confused why Shanny didn’t try to trade him in the offseason. Graham and Gold are done for the year, that’s a shame. Truth be told, I think Gold’s gone period at the end of the season. I love the guy, met him once in Baltimore, but Witherspoon has earned the right to fight for a job. Sure, I’d like to get to .500 by the end of the season, but I just don’t see it right now. The offensive line is so friggin’ up and down it’s almost a joke. One week they set a perfect pocket for Jay C to throw in, the next he’s running for his life. I think everyone is pretty sick of the “read and react” defense, they just don’t work! I know most of the guys on the team take the losses hard, but the ones that don’t will be brought out in the open in the next 2 games.
Sorry people but we all watch are team to see them win in the regular season so they can move on to the playoffs and make it to the SUPERBOWL. But when your team cant preform in the regular season and they go 6&8 and get beat out of the race by losing a game they had to win and lose any chance of making it to the playoffs at that very moment the games that remain are meaningless, Dont get me wrong I wont Denver to win the next two games so much, but that dont change the fact that the path does come to a end with no playoffs and so superbowl. As a fan I cant wait for next season hope the best.
Never leave any thing on the field
The last two games should find some guys playing for their jobs. As far as Marshall’s comments “they just need to grow”, that time has come and gone. Growing process in the NFL is about 2 or 3 games. The sign of a promising team is that week by week the young guys get better and don’t make the same mistakes over and over. With this team that never happened. Next season starts Monday night against San Diego. My biggest fear is that some of these guys playing (especially on defense) have no clue of what they are supposed to be doing on the field. Combine that with a lack of effort and you have the recipe for another blowout. I’m probably in the minority but I like Coach Shanahan to stay but only if he gives up front office responsibility and concentrates solely on getting Cutler and the offense ready for next season. If he doesn’t want to do that then he should be shown the door. As far as Bates, the message didn’t reach the players this year. We need a Bill Cowher-type defensive coordinator. Somebody that can make adjustments and chew ass at the same time. If anything I don’t think the coaching staff was tough enough on these guys. Finally, the fans need to hold the owner accountable. As a fan since 81, there has always been a high standard with this franchise. Maybe it’s time for Pat Bowlen to step in and make some changes.
Any opinions on wether we should pay all that money to retain Walker next year?
Yes, With him, Marshall, Stokely and Scheffler opposing defenses will have unbelievable match up problems for years to come.
Jalum I couldn’t agree with you more. Shanahan has shown more than on one occasion that he simply can’t make the right decisions during the draft and free agency period. A few good selections here and there do not make up for the all of the ‘Nash’ choices of his tenure. As for Javon Walker, not at that salary. If he would agree to structure his deal to have escalator clauses I’d be thrilled, but he’s a “ME” kind of guy, that’s becoming more and more obvious. Travis Henry can’t stay healthy for squat, that’s a concern as well. Players that can’t stay healthy do you no good during the season. ‘Potential’ is just another word for underachieving.
Mason great article……..I wanted to point something out about the picture you used for your article. In the front you see MARTINEZ and PAUL SMITH and ROD in street clothes. This is a great picture of what happend with the team this year. Injuries/transition/turnover/1st year starters/change. Did you use this pic on purpose? To me the pic says 1000 words about are season. I for one will keep faith for next year. Go Broncos!
Great entry Mason, one of your best.
I really do hope that the Broncos come out firing and finish the season off on a good note. I don’t want to see the Offense go conservative, I want to see them go for it on 4th down, throw the deep ball, flea flickers, reverses, and to let Cutler loose. More blitzes on Defense, more pressure, and some more energy.
Actions speak louder than words.
I can sit here and spew my intentions for this and that but if I don’t execute those intentions, it means absolutely nothing.
There’s way too much talent on this team to be where they’re at. This team has let games get away from them more often than not. Now the regular season is nearing an end and we’re supposed to believe they’re going to play an entire game?
In an organization that preaches excellence and that every season is Super Bowl or bust, how can you not discount the final two games? Having said that, WHY NOW, all of the sudden is it “playing for pride?” Where was the PRIDE last week, the week before, in week 12 when we were up 14 points in the fourth quarter against the Bears?
These guys went through the motions and collected a paycheck. Enjoy.
Walker can stay at reduced salary. Give him a raise after next year if he puts up huge numbers. Right now, Marshall is the guy, then Sheffler and Stokely. Henry needs to go. He was a non-factor this year. Young needs to bulk up and stay healthy. Getting Nalen back should help but he could use some help on either side at guard. Lepsis is okay. Someone needs to step up at the other tackle spot. As far as the defense, I like the young guys on the line. We need help at linebacker. I would like to see Williams be more consistent at MLB. Our OLBs are below average. Not quick enough or big enough. Need help there. I know this sounds crazy but I wouldn’t mind seeing Lynch play OLB, hell he hits like one anyway. Need safety help. The guys we have are average. I think Ferguson was doing okay before he got hurt but it would help to get better there via the draft. Bailey and Bly are solid. Bly was put out to dry this year because of a lack of a pass rush. Bailey got burnt a few times because he had to help against the run. Draft needs in my opinion, Off. Guard, Linebacker, safety and maybe a lower round RB to push Young next August. Expect changes with coaching staff and I mean offensive line. Hopefully, someone takes over personnel decisions so the coach can upgrade his playbook.
Wow, Andrew…your head must have been spinning, because I also stopped you at the Broncos/Texans game (wearing an orange Cutler jersey) and mentioned that I was from Alaska and down there for the game. It was great meeting you. Sounds like you were a popular guy in your pre-game ventures…
As for today’s blog entry, I agree that it’s some of your best writing to date - and I’ve enjoyed almost all of it beforehand! “Meaningless” is a term used to describe the Raiders’ seasons of the past three or four years. “Meaningless” is what Bobby Petrino is to the Falcons. “Meaningless” is *NOT* these last two games to the Broncos or us hard-core fans!
Whooping San Diego in front of their home fans on national (Christmas Eve) TV would be a HUGE victory for our guys. I was there in San Diego during Jay’s first road start last year, and watched LT’s celebration(s) as he scored his record-tying and record-breaking TDs. I never saw our guys give up in that game, and I don’t expect for them to do so this year.
There was an earlier comment where the poster said we should try new things - I *totally* disagree. The goal is to WIN each and every game. I love Selvin’s and B-Marsh’s comments about playing with pride and to win. Let’s see them finish the year strong! 8-8 is certainly not a fantastic record, but it’s sure better than 6-10!
GO BRONCOS!!
Ok,
Well a season of alot more ups and downs,, Cutlers rise to stardom stands in limbo, and the rest of the team can run and hide in the offseason , along withthe whole o-line and d-line,, Defensive coordinator, etc…. let’s see if were really serious about winning keep players that produce only!!! dump the res…. Javon Walker can’t stay healthy and Travis henry is inconsistent ,, hopefully like last yr… we have another new 32 players again…. don’t get me wrong i love my team ,, but atleast half of the team has to go. tryouts for next season start Monday against the boltz who actually seem to want to win….. peace out love them BRONCOS>>> but sometimes love hurts…
[...] you don’t just give up once the postseason is ruled out. [Mason’s [...]
Wow, a lot of strong feelings out there, but I, for one, just don’t get it. It’s always nice to see your team win, but in the long run, a 6-10 record gives the Broncos a much higher draft pick than 8-8 or 7-9, and gives the Broncos more options in the draft (trading up for an elite pick or trading down for extra picks). If Broncos fans are really rooting for the long-term interests of their team, instead of two games played only for pride at the end of a dismal season, than 6-10 does a lot more than 8-8. Just my opinion.
I’m hoping for two well played, close, games that we end up losing just because a top 15 draft pick outweighs two wins that will not bring us into the playoffs. Two wins that might only come as a reslt of the other team sitting its starters (chargers). I’ll take the higher pick anyday, especially if it means us getting a key to our team that we might otherwise not have been able to get.
all we need to do is play more consitently on both sides of the ball. we could use some safety help and another stud d tackle to help out thomas. ya knoe if eb and jarvius dont get hurt who knows how good our d line would have been????
The inconsistancy of the offensive line is frustrating, but, it takes at least 2 years of playing togetherr as a unit for an offensive line to be totally in sync. Matt Lepsis has more experience thatn the rest of the starting offensive line combined. Next year will be real interesting with Hamilton and Nalen fighting for their starting jobs because of the exoerience the younbg lions are gaining. My crytal ball sees the starting offensive line as follows:
Left Tackle, Matt Lepsis, Right Tackle, Pears, Left Guard, Myers, Right Guard, Kuper, Center, Ben Hamilton. With the exception of Lepsis, this should be the Broncos offensive line for at least 6 years, maybe 8.
Defensive line and linerbackers need some upgrading. Trade Henry and a draft pick for agood D lineman of linebacker.
The youg defensive linemen have potential, but the major change in defensive philosophy mid season muddled the picture as to their true potential. A major free agent signing would really help.
Winning the last two games would finish off the season on a positive note, but losing them both (Highly possible) would get the Broncos a significantly hiogher draft pick. Only time will tell.
Special teams needs a punter trhat doesn’t consistantly out kick the coverage and can kickoff deeper than Saurebraun has been doing lately.
I’d like to see us get at least a top 15 pick and trade down for several more picks. Between LB, OL and S our needs can’t be met with 2 picks on the first day. Get some second day picks, they seem to be the gems more often than not. I’d really like to get either the MLB from Cali or the MLB from Tech. The guy from Tech plays like Wilson did in college, fierce hitter that loves to chase the ball. About the same frame as well.
I wouldn’t call the last games “meaningless.” This is a great opportunity to gauge character under adversity for many of the younger players (can they still go out and give a s*** for the remaining battles even though the war is lost?) and furthermore to put Mike Shanahan under the microscope and judge whether or not he’s pulled a Brian Billick and completely lost his team and his edge (and if you look at the overall picture, Shanahan and Billick are right about on the same performance page…yet Billick is getting blasted–rightfully so–and no one says squat about Shanny.)
Walker should stay unless he tries to hold them hostage over money. If he gets greedy they should just give him the “franchise” finger. But I think he’ll be all right. If he stays healthy, he’ll see the opportunity for him and Marshall to possibly become the next Harrison/Wayne or Johnson/Houshmanzadeh. That and his off/injured year should humble him a little. But if he gets all Green Bay on us I wouldn’t miss him one bit.
Rod Smith should go into coaching. Even last year he’d visibly lost a step and dropped throws that in his prime he wouldn’t even have bobbled. He’d be Jerry Rice-In-Seattle level if he came back for 08. Does anyone want to see that sad sight?
It’s time to strengthen up the lines. The O-Line causes Cutler to scramble too much. The only reason Cutler isn’t among the league leaders in getting sacked is because he knows he can’t stay in the pocket before he even takes the snap…but if he didn’t have to throw on the move so much, he really could be a top five QB. Shanahan needs to address this PRONTO, even if it means scrapping the rush-heavy cut-block system he’s been using since the Elway days. Draft or acquire some monsters for the line instead of the speedy, smaller guys who make holes for the RBs then collapse under stronger defenses (basically EVERY halfway decent defense after week 3 except Tennessee totally crumpled the O-line…when Detroit, Oakland, and Houston are giving Cutler facefuls of turf, something is seriously wonky.)
The defensive front line isn’t much better. Opposing RBs are breaking us like a bunch of 5-year-olds playing Red Rover. Think about it, as of Sunday, San Diego and Minnesota now have FIVE RBs between them who could potentially go for 130+ yards against a team like the one we’re fielding. That’s insane.
Shanahan is obviously going to get yet another free pass this offseason. Next year is the 10th anniversary of the Super Bowl teams. He’s got one chance to address it in my book. Bates can go bye bye, but if a suitable replacement isn’t found for Larry Coyer, Shanahan needs to be held fully accountable for once.
Nothing less than 10-6 and at least one playoff win is considered a success in Denver (ask Jake Plummer and Brian Griese about that.) I think that should be Shanahan’s 2008 measuring stick for remaining as head coach. I wouldn’t mind if they fired him in January, but so many Denver fans are overly sappy and sickly sentimental about the guy…for now anyway.
Play for pride. Any draft pick seems like a crapshoot anyway. Hell, you think the Raiders and Lions don’t wish they’d gotten a do-over on Adrian Peterson?
I don’t think ANY game between the Chargers and Broncos could be meaningless. Some of the best games in NFL history are between these two teams. (at least in my opinion) Being a Charger fan all of my life, I’ve seen a lot of games where some might think it’s meaningless to our team, but that didn’t stop them from trying. The 07 Broncos won’t give up either. Too much pride and too much talent. My Chargers are in for a game on Christmas eve, and they know it.
Good luck, Broncos……well, just not too much luck.
GO BRONCOS
is larry coyer still availabe?
Everyone Stop,
Everyone needs to stop asking for Mike’s head! He is the Broncos Organization, and everyone on the team that is good is here because of Mike… I know next year when he takes us to the playoffs everyone is going to be praising him. I just really really hope we loose the remainder of our games, because we need a good draft pick.
i think he might be with the bucs but if not we should bring him back
Is time to change.
trade a new Head Coach,Shanahan s era is over.
we have ten years of midiocrity.
Trade Cowher
I blame this season on injuries, bad run defense which made our pass defense react to the run too much and get burned all the time, and the special teams and the special teams coach…I’ve never seen the special teams this horrible…say goodbye to scott o’brien….shannahan will be back…the d-coordinator who knows…but…next season will be better, can only hope for that.
and why did we get rid of a coordinator that essentially had the best defense in the league with a 13-3 season 2 years ago! does that make sense? larry coyer..bring him back.
Denver’s domination is usually apparent. It was this season about 50 % of the time. It was a rough year, but next year should be better. The talent level is there.
Larry coyer would be nice to see again. Certainly, defensive changes made this year aren’t that great.
My only wish for Christmas? A definitive W over the Chargers. That will certainly put a little more twinkle on the tree!
Shannahan does need to be fully accountable for his team. Last year, play calling killed us. This year, the defense and the special teams killed us. Bring Kubiak back. He obviously was the engine fueling Shanahan.
they have beat on us the last two years bad, and as a huge fan i hope we set the tone for next years meetings with a great game!! lets start getting alot of our younger players more playing time such as the harris’s ,68 has sum real talent i would luv to see a starting line of the Florida crew harris, Thomas, and moss. that would be cool…neways..i just want a great last two games and a great off season..of experienced lineman , like when we had our great runs of the 90’s ZIM and Habbib were huge pickups
whitehoss smith should go into coaching? if he is healthy why not let him come back? he is the best reciever in denver history and in my mind one of the best ever. had he not had a bunch of no name quarterbacks for most of his career he be right next to marvin in the stat book. no offense hoss(cuz i really like your posts for the most part), but if you really think that then you need to pass the pipe eh? peace out shelbo
The Broncos really need to worry about the line..Nalen is what in his 14th season and coming off injury..we need to groom greg elsinger into the starter he only won the best offensive lineman of the counrty trophy while in the zone blocking scheme in Minnesota and was a all 1st team NFL Europe center..he has the skills, Hamilton might come back but for how long???? concussions can be tricky! and Lepsis he is playing ok this year, if he played for the Dolphins but he gets beat all the time by faster ends, and overpowered by bigger guys..coming off knee surgery i don’t think he is what is needed,, plus he blew TD’s knee out in the jets game i still cant believe that tragedy.
Stop whining people, I’d rather us lose the next two and not get embarrassed in the process. Broncos fans are the worst…..The draft can’t come soon enough.
This is a response to Shutout. You asked “why did we get rid of a coordinator that essentially had the best defense in the league with a 13-3 season 2 years ago! does that make sense”?
We got rid of him because the defensive scheme failed us every time we played an OK to good passing attack. We could shut down teams that couldn’t throw the ball with Coyer’s system, but we couldn’t stop teams like Indy or even the Steelers. Our defensive stats that year were good because the defense started so well. However once we started playing good passing offenses, the defense really struggled. Coyer’s defense could stop the run, but I don’t think it was just the scheme. We had Al Wilson then. People underestimate how much his departure meant.
The goal is to win the Superbowl. Coyer’s scheme here wasn’t going to do that. I don’t think Bates is better right now, but I would love to see this defense with a healthy Al Wilson.
We should try and get J. Vilma in the offseason and maybe even Jason Taylor. Taylor we probably could get with a 5th or 6th round draft pick.
We need to address the defense this offseason and in the draft. We need a playmaker on defense that the other team has to account for besides Champ and Elvis.
As far as firing Shanny, you guys are crazy. Who do you think is out there? Mike is a great coach.
Firing Shanny is quite possibly the craziest suggestion ever. He has had 2 poor seasons since being the head coach at Denver. Look around the league for that kind of stability.
He is a fantastic offensive play caller. I do think he lacked creativity this year compared to years past, but he still has a young QB and a young offesive unit if you consider all the injuries this year.
The special teams play is horrible, and that ultimatly does fall on Shanny. This isn’t an off year. Our special teams have been one of the worst year after year. This needs attention. He needs to bring in someone else to run this unit. If he doesn’t make changes, then you can start to blame him.
The defense needs major help too. I hate to say it because John Lynch is one of my favorite players, but we need to think younger at safety. Lynch gets hurt way too often. I honestly think he can still play (especially against the run), but I am worried about his life after football. He takes a lot of hits.
Hopefully our young defensive linemen will continue to improve. Elvis has been good and hopefully the rest will catch up. I like DJ, but I do not like him as middle linebacker. He is great on the outside. We need a big time middle linebacker. I think if we get a great MLB, safety, and a more aggressive scheme, we will be a premier defense.
I forgot. Who asked for Cowher? Are you kidding me. Bill Cowher was always known for blowing the big game. He won one superbowl. Before that, everyone labeled him as a good coach that couldn’t win the big game. Shanny has been way more successful. Cowher would bring a boring offense to Denver. We have a fantastic talent in Jay Cutler. The kid is going to be great. He just needs some help from the O-line. If our receivers stay healthy, look out. The only thing good about Cowher is that he would make sure we had an aggressive defense. We need that. Too bad we can’t hire him as defensive coordinator. Ha Ha.
kb3073, I totally agree that we should try to get Vilma. We could probably pick him up for a fourth-round pick, and in the process solve two problems with one move (him in the middle and DJ moving back outside). Then we could draft either for the d-line or safety, which ever position we didn’t address through FA. It’s just so crazy, Shanahan might do it!
Changes better be comin on the defensive side, I am among the group that wants the return of Coyer, but Shanahans ego is to big for that to happen. He won’t admit that he made the wrong choice. I hope they bring back Walker, we saw what he could do last year, not even a year into the playbook, and coming off surgery, we saw his first two games this year. He better be back!!! I hope they kick some but these next 2 games, even with a high draft choice, we’ll probably get just another Willie Middlebrooks, Deltha O’Neal or some other player who will be out of our team in 2-3 yrs. This has been the most frustrating season in a long time. Offense in ‘08: Cutler, Young, Marshall, Walker, Graham, Sheffler, Stokley, try stopping that unit for the next couple of years! Any body know if Al Wilson is in any way possable to return after a year off?
What’s with all the negative Shanahan stuff. How many teams have ever won 2 SB’s in a row? I like the fact he just doesn’t stand pat, not afraid to make changes to get to the big one. Could have probably not made all the changes after the AFC champ game a couple years ago and made the playoffs the last couple yrs but just not good enough to win the big one anyway. Plus we wouldn’t have some of the younger guys getting the experience that they have. I thought the O-line did pretty good considering the guys that went down. Do we need to get younger, bigger? of course. They do make 300lb plus O-linemen that are mobile these days. Not only would O-line help with our young skill players but keeping the opposing team/our defense off the field so much would help. could go on and on as my fellow Bleed orange and blue fans know, but this is my last “wish” for the holiday. Please sign B. Marshall to an extension NOW. It will be cheaper in the long run. Getting a little concerned about how much cap space we are tying up in a select few contracts. Great job mason. Happy holiday to all my fellow Bronco fans.
I guess Brandon Marshall is gonna be gone. Rumour is that he stormed out of the broncos facilities after an argument with some of the coaching staff and said for them to “cut me” during the argument. Our best receiver wants to leave now too… whats next.
BRING IN VILMA!! THAT’S A GREAT IDEA!!