1:14 P.M. MDT: And now, we await the head coach, who is set to sit down at 1:30 p.m. MDT and answer questions one day after the humbling 41-3 loss to the San Diego Chargers. In five-plus years covering this team, I’ve seen two kinds of day-after-game press conferences following defeats of this magnitude (or close to it, since this team hasn’t lost by this many points in over a dozen years):
1) Short answers, quick questions and a five-minute gathering.
2) Lengthy answers — frequently introspective in nature — and questions that feed off these replies, leading to a 30-40-minute session.
I reckon we’ll find out which one is in store soon enough …
1:28 P.M. MDT: The sun came up today. Based on the reactions on message boards, TV stations, radio reports and even people with whom I’ve talked outside of this building today, I was a little stunned.
1:30 P.M. MDT: “Coach will be in in just a second,” announces Jim Saccomano.
1:33 P.M. MDT: Champ Bailey has a quad injury, and he “should be fine” for Pittsburgh, but Tom Nalen and Nate Jackson both suffered season-ending injuries Sunday with a torn biceps muscle and a torn groin, respectively.
1:33 P.M. MDT: Shanahan declined to get into what moves would be made to compensate for the loss of Nalen up front. Chris Myers has center experience from the University of Miami and was a backup at the position during training camp this year.
1:34 P.M. MDT: Shanahan said Nalen’s injury is not career-ending; it requires a four-month recovery time following surgery. He expects Nalen to be ready to go for next season.
1:35 P.M. MDT: On Nate Jackson: “For him to be out of that game, I knew it had to be serious, because he plays hurt, even injured,” Shanahan said. “It’s a bad tear, too, so it will take some time.”
1:36 P.M. MDT: The questions about center keep coming, and Shanahan again declined to get into specifics. He did say, however, that Ben Hamilton would have moved to center if he was healthy, “but that’s not an option, obviously.”
1:37 P.M. MDT: Bailey’s quadriceps injury was not a tear; the MRI was negative. “It’d say it’s sore,” Shanahan said.
1:37 P.M. MDT: Shanahan moves on to discussing the red-zone offense’s struggles — just one score, a field goal, from five possessions that moved inside the San Diego 35-yard-line.
1:38 P.M. MDT: Shanahan says he’s “not worried” about the state of his team going into the bye, and that major changes will not be made to the defense. “We’ve just got to get better at what we’re doing,” he said.
1:39 P.M. MDT: When asked whether he’s had a season similar to this, with the problems on the rushing defense, Shanahan said, “No.”
1:39 P.M. MDT: “It starts with me; I could get them better prepared and I didn’t do a good enough job getting them prepared,” Shanahan said when asked whether the defense’s struggles reflect upon assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates.
1:40 P.M. MDT: “It’s my job to make sure they (the players) feel more comfortable week in and week out. When you get beat like that, you didn’t do a good job.”
1:41 P.M. MDT: The Broncos will practice Tuesday and Wednesday before leaving town for the bye week, he said. “You get plenty of rest … They get plenty of time to rest. We’ve got work to do and we’ll try to get that done in the next couple of days.”
1:41 P.M. MDT: “There were some positives — which we don’t need to get into,” Shanahan said. “I’m encouraged. Even though yesterday wasn’t a good representation about this football team, I’m encouraged.”
1:42 P.M. MDT: There will be both some game preparation and a return to training-camp style fundamentals at practice this week, he said.
1:43 P.M. MDT: “We’ve got to do the little things better, and when you do the little things better, you’ve got a chance to improve.
1:43 P.M. MDT: Offensive-line injuries are more difficult to deal with, he acknowledged, because of the time it requires to learn the position.
1:44 P.M. MDT: “We’re not going to get specific and you can ask the question about 1,000 different ways,” Shanahan said when asked about the linebackers and their role in the run-defense struggles.
1:44 P.M. MDT: On fans leaving early: “I would have left, too.”
1:45 P.M. MDT: Cites Indianapolis’ defense last year as reason to believe that his defense this year can turn around.
1:45 P.M. MDT: Said Travis Henry’s ankle is “fine” after yesterday’s game.
1:46 P.M. MDT: “Any time you use a great player, it hurts you,” Shanahan said of Nalen. “He’s a captain, a great leader, he played three quarters with a torn biceps … There was no way he was going to come out. It gives you an idea of his mental toughness.”
1:47 P.M. MDT: Said that more time will be spent working on snaps so Jay Cutler can get used to his new center — whomever it turns out to be — and vice versa.
1:47 P.M. MDT: Said he’ll have a better feel on Rod Smith’s status at the midway point of the season, and that he’s making strides and jogging right now.
1:48 P.M. MDT: And, that’s it … 15 minutes. Twice as long as the last few weeks, but not the 30-minute end-of-season opus.
Tags: Mike Shanahan, San Diego Chargers
First of all, get off the Plummer arguement, he’s gone, and he won’t be back. Secondly, Cutler is showing some skills and will develop for the next few years. Very few QBs dominate their first year. I’ve been a diehard Bronco fan for 30+ years, and while yesterday’s loss was painful the hardest part to watch was that midway through the 3rd Quarter, it looked like everyone just gave up (O,D & ST). It seems to me that their #1 issue is poor tackling. Bates needs to step up and get his scheme working! They need some leadership, but they also need some support. If I didn’t give up on them after 4 Super Bowl losses (and a few of them far worse than yesterday’s), I’m not giving up on them now!
Man these replays of the game yesterday are killing me. It was big of Mike to take the heat but the bottom line is that the new coaching staff (JIM BATES) hasn’t done anything for the defense but make them soft. We don’t pass rush and now we don’t have any speed. I was worried about this scenario from the first preseason game I watched and it has only gotten worse. I will always love my team but I have no love or loyalty for Jim Bates…who is the guy really working for is the question that should be asked.
You guys are wrong to criticize Marshall as he has been one of the only shining spots of the season so far. I have never seen someone leave it on the field like he does and his comments were just out of frustration because late in the 4th quarter hes still playing with great intensity. After battling and losing like that and getting booed it was just to much and was dismayed at the whole day. For some idiot to say glen martinez is just as good as brandon marshall is stupidity. This kid is going to be a star, I’ve never seen one person bring him down and if the whole team played with his intensity we’d be in alot better shape.
Cutler is not the reason the Broncos are losing games and we know it. He does have a part in it. I will stand behind him because I think anyone with that much talent can be a solid leader. He does lack maturity though and needs a good mentor. He’s young and can change rapidly with the right stuff. I think the fans need to show him more support (He’s the only quarterback we have). He blows some big plays and misses a lot of reads, but I think he really wants to win. He’s hard on himself and is a bit of an intravert I think. He does need to work on the chemistry with his team mates though and build trust in them.
As for the team; All teams have ups and downs, this one has been going down from the beginning of the season and we all know it. I don’t expect a huge turn around but BRONX hit the nail on the head about this team. This team plays like The Bengals did six or seven years ago. They don’t care. And for a fan, that’s hard. This team could do a lot better even with the system and plays that are called if they just knew how fans would react if they saw that 110 percent effert it takes to win any game, even when they lose, lose trying.
Any team in the league can beat this team by running to the weak side and utilizing tight ends. It’s that easy. Our line backers suck and can’t make plays. Nick Ferguson tries but can’t cover a tight end or a reciever and it shouldn’t be his job. He doesn’t have the speed or the talent to beat these guys and Ian Gold isn’t doing a thing without Al on his side. I know that guy can play- so step it up Ian.
I can watch my favorite team lose, but I can’t watch them burn and lose hope. Noone is going to watch that. These guys are where they are because they know how to get things done and know how to compete. Noone needs to tell these guys what it takes to win, they just have to do it. That goes to the whole team not just the players.
I know that without all these great players on the field the Broncos can do better than what they showed yesterday. A loss is a loss, but they forfeited. I don’t expect to see that again. I expect to see the worst team in the NFL become a real TEAM and win a few games they are not supposed to! That’s what is to be expected this season as a fan, things can’t get worse so let’s go balls out!
Tom Nalen showed what the Bronocs team in general has appeared to lack……
HEART…. he played like the true champion he and Champ are…..character players…..
Milk his character Shanny while you can and pass it around…… the team needs it
The simple truth is bates needs to go that is a start in the right direction that is as simple as it gets
Wow, what a lot of panic! I feel it too.
I can’t remember another time the Broncos game was cut-off from national TV because we were being drubbed. Only the Super Bowl losses compare with this one as far as impact. And it had to be the Chargers.
I guess I’m conservative in nature. With all the changes made this year, I only expected something like 8 and 8. But with all the injuries, our schedule, and after watching the last few games - I don’t know… maybe 5 and 11 will be a stretch. Remember, you heard it here.
The GOOD: Jay has a cannon and it’s accurate. Marshall is promising. SACKS are up! Graham fits. We can still run when we keep our heads.
The BAD: Again, the injuries and our schedule. Our expectations on a 2nd year starting QB. A complete change of defense.
The UGLY: Drugs (again). Moving down field easily just to choke in the red zone on offense. The (apparent) lack of spirit on defense, which I see as confusion - they don’t appear to know what they’re doing. FUMBLING anywhere anyhow! Which brings us to the turnover ratio.
I think the GOODs are what Mike was encouraged about. We are going to have to endure the BADs and live with them. Most of the UGLY - CAN be coached away and I believe it will be. What disturbs me most is the confused defense. That looks like it will take awhile.
I am still (mostly) happy with the off season picks. Although I’d like to see what our offense could do with a Dallas-Clark-like fullback.
I can’t dump on the team or Shannahan. The only thing Mike does that I don’t like is that he likes to nurse a lead when he gets one. We all have our faults.
This year, fellow Bronco fans, we are just going to have to grin and bear it!
I took the day and some to gather my thoughts so I wouldn’t post something irrational or off the wall.
Having said that, my feelings are the same as they were after the Indy game. This team is all QUIT and no guts.
It’s pathetic to me. These guys live the lives of superstars and can’t give their heart for an entire game. If not for themselves and their own self respect, then for the fans that praise them and the sport they play.
This team is all talent and nothing more. If what was written on paper won championships the broncos would be five and 0. Sadly, talent alone doesn’t win you jack.
This season was dedicated to two individuals but I haven’t seen any emotion or enthusiastic play that would suggest that. It makes me sad.
Shanny says no big changes are needed, REALLY??!! Is he watching the same games I am? Does he NOT see D.J. out of place, Webster whiffing like crazy and the line getting run right over. I’m tiired of hearing the same answers, “little things” don’t average 185 rushing yards, big gaping screw ups do. It doesn’t matter what player they put in on special teams, he still fumbles. Nice coaching Shanny, don’t let the door slam you on the backside on the way out. One playoff win since 99 is a joke and so is the team you’ve built for the Broncos faithful.
Everyone talking about players from the past need to get a life. They are gone and won’t be back. What this team needs is leadership from the coaches, the players, and their fans. I’m not giving up on them; but I am willing to tell it like it is. It’s time to step up and get it done. The talent on this team is fantastic!!!! Now this talent needs to motivate itself and go to work.
Just a question……….they drug test Shanahan also, right?!?!?!?!?!
As fans of “our” team, are we not allowed to reflect on players who have come and gone, and remember the good (and bad) things they did while they were here? I don’t know about the rest of you, but some of the “players from the past” are what bonded me to this team, and to members of my family who taught me what it is to be a Broncos fan. I guess I need to “get a life” because I have fond memories of many former Broncos. Silly me, I thought that was part of being a fan. I guess someone needs to explain the rules to me…
I realize that the broncos are learning a new defense but I think Al Wilson was the heart and soul of the defense. Even with people like John Lynch and Champ there seems to be no fire. I think maybe they should hire Wilson as a coach just to get the team fired up because they are a pretty lackluster bunch.
SHANAHAN S ERA IS OVER.. SHANAHAN IS ACTING LIKE AN INSANE PERSON
Hey Yardo…Don’t forget Darrent Williams was one of the people the season was dedicated to….
WITH THAT don’t forget it’s the same Darrent Williams who had the GUTS to say that the team had lost confidence in decision making last year and that most of the team had given up with 4 weeks left in the season.
WITH THAT don’t kid yourself, he could only have been referring to Shanahan’s BENCHING of Jake and putting a playoff bound team on the shoulders of a QB who had never taken a snap in a regular season game.
Obviously we over LPP and Darrent Williams were right, it was a bad decision and Shanahan and this team is still paying for it.
The people that need to STOP are those calling for BATES TO BE FIRED> You people called for COYER to be fired last year, and it made no difference! It’s time to call for Shanahan to be fired, or try a new QB once again! One who can put up more than 20 pts against the COlts and more than 3 against the Chargers.
This defense in plain awful.
The fact that it is ranked 1st against the pass is a statistical anomaly. The only reason it is 1st in yards per game is because it is the least thrown against defense in the league. Part of that may be that teams do not want to test Champ and Bly but a bigger part is that they know they don’t have to. Why throw when you can pick up a first on third and long by running.
This pass Defense is tied with the bills for 7th worst in completion percentage allowed.
This pass Defense is also the 6th most scored against in the league.
It’s getting harder and harder to find those bright spots people keep talking about. If the team doesn’t start playing as a team it could very well go down in history as one of the worst defenses of all time.
LPP you gotta let the Plummer thing go man, he’s out of the NFL, not just Denver. In the biggest game of his life he choked his job away. Shanahan has done a lousy job of being a GM, coach and play caller this year. I still go crazy when we bring out the shotgun inside the redzone limiting the play calling. And as for players of the past, I can name 9 other guys I’d rather have playing on the defense off the top of my head. THOSE were football players, THESE are imitators.
I feel awful for Tom Nalen, one of the few players on this team that plays hard every down and has a heart as big as the mountains. He will be sorely missed.
OMG! C’mon guys. 41-3? At home!! Let’s pull out the big guns!
I wish our Broncos would show the kind of heart that the Buffalo defense showed last night against the Cowboys-they didn’t quite win but the banged up depleted defense showed heart and passion. That has to make the fans proud and we need to see that same passion from our guys. Warning to all: Season ticket holders have been warned they will lose their priviledges to their seats if they are selling on the internet. I bought two tickets from just such a person and got nailed at the gate. Sec 123, row 19, seats 25 & 26 owned by Mr. Gilles of Monument, Co. I paid big bucks for those seats through E-Bay and paid through PayPal. He had a positive rating 99.2% on E-Bay and has been selling since 8-9-03. So I thought I was fine but not anymore. If you are going to buy on the internet call the Bronco ticket office first to verify. If I haven’t received my money back by tomorrow from this guy I am going after his ass.
i feel very bad about that game because i dont se a lot players play whit heart like tom nalen ian gold elvis dumervil tony scheffler and champ bailey the rest they dont show love for the jerseys or the team and that jim bates they have to fire him i think the we have a lot a good players but they have to play harder and show the the fans the love for this team coaches they need to start calling good plays and defense like ofense respect to shanahan i think he is one the best coaches in the league common fans i know this is frustraring but i hope the we can turn this around hopefuly javon walker is ready for the stelers and son we can have rod smith also they have to call al wilson hi is a good player the best for nalen and jackson gooooooo broncos
Our rears are still stinging after that beating. I still love the Broncos win or lose. I do not believe in booing any team no matter how bad they are. That is very disrespectiveful. These guys have to work hard out there can you imagine what they have to remember. I have children and family member that cant remember what day it is. Once I thought about how much work it is and all the changes the NFL makes its pretty hard to keep up with. My husband says let them play ball boys. Even thou it looked like they forgot the plays . We still care and love you guys and prayers to all the injuries. We are spoiled after 2 superbowls that is not going to happen every year.
With Nalen sidelined I bet the Broncos are wishing they had drafted Ryan Kalil instead of Tim Crowder in the 2nd round. Also having Tank Tyler AND Marcus Thomas would have been nice right about now.
Also Rufus Alexander (LB) is a UFA right now…might not be a bad idea to give him a try-out.
LPP: Let it go. Plummer was a good, not great QB. I predicted they’d dump him after the embarrassing highway incident. That, plus a few very costly turnovers in big games. The same trait got Portis and TBell traded.Cutler is a great young QB with mondo skills who deserves a good look. It’s funny that folks applauded his stoic style and now are claiming he has no emotion! The biggest loss at the QB position was Kubiak calling plays and I doubt Jake was silent about it. It’s taken Kubes exactly one year to put a betterteam on the field than the one he left.
Like everyone else, I was horrified Sunday with the debacle at Invesco. This team just doesn’t seem to have the spark or the enthusiasm to play ball. What happened to dedicating this season to D-Wil & D-Nash? Start playing like it! Use the loss of these wonderful leaders as fuel to kick some a$$. Be emotional!! Be physical!! Be what everyone in this league knows the Broncos CAN be. We got stomped in our house! I wouldn’t sit back and say “You’re fair weather fans & non-classy”. If you want noise, if you want support……..SHOW US! Time is ticking, dig deep and get it done! I’M OUT!….GO BRONCOS!!!!
hey!
hey
Will someone just answer my question… what’s up with Al Wilson?
Seriously people i think lpp has a point.I’ve been on this site for a year only and i can only magine what every1 else talked about before..and that was probably firing coyer.I think we should have started Cutler next season and had Plummer play in this 1(or at least half of it).I bet you all whined last year too about removing the people that looked bad. Wel i guess every1 is doing it again.You all act like my gf ( always complaining about everything ALWAYS). I’ve been a bronco fan for about 6 years now(when i first started watching football) and im not even worried cuz i know we are going to be fine (I hope). So just chill out you bunch of women.
settle down everybody
Now everybody is relizing how great of a player Al Wilson was, he pretty much single handedly (can’t spell) maintained our rush defense for years. I know that is no excuse for being soft but I HAVE FAITH!!!!!!! So should all of you. Just because we have been spoiled with having a great team year in and year out doesn’t mean you start calling for cuts and firings. Have faith in Shanny, he of all people hates to lose, and also remember we are only 1/2 game out of first place, half of the other teams would love to be able to say that. It starts against Pit!!!!! Show up, make noise and lets go get this thing back on track. We have the talent and we have the greatest coach that ever lived. IT”S ONLY WEEK 6!!!!!!! ONE GAME AT A TIME, 60 MINUTES AT A TIME WE WILL FIGHT OUR WAY TO THE SUPERBOWL!
Also regarding our rush defense, yes I know it needs A LOT of improvement, but when you have the NUMBER ONE pass defense in the league other teams are going to run more than usual (hence more yards a game)
ESPN even agrees with http://www.LetPlummerPlay.com
From Espn:
“In other football news, Denver is joining the competition to see who will be the year’s train-wreck team. Here are the Denver possession results against San Diego, a game played in Colorado, where the altitude strongly favors the Broncos: Punt, fumble, fumble, punt, field goal, interception, punt, downs, downs, downs. Last season, the Broncos were 7-4 and had an inside track to the playoffs before Mike “The Ultimate Leader” Shanahan decided to bench Jake Plummer. Since then, Denver is 4-6 — and 2-4 at home where, owing to Denver’s altitude, the Broncos have the best overall home record in the past decade.”
Someday Mason will proclaim “I’m sorry, you guys were right, benching Plummer sent the Broncos into a 3 year tail spin of disaster!”
LetElwayplay.com says- even the great JOHN had to hang em up someday. If father time wasnt a factor I’d say throw Atwater, Smith and MECK out there with the amigos and JOHNboy and lets get er done.
But Plummer is having a heck of a year, he hasnt lost a game in 07′ and his passion for the game is really something to behold in Tampa.
I now see the Broncos gameplan clearly on defense…Tire the offense out by making them run 100 yard dashes on every play from scrimmage.
“BRILLIANT”
if you look at other teams that have had this problem the one that was easy to see was the eagles. a few years back or even last year they move trotter to the outside to help out the pass it worked but they got ran all over. so on the bye week they must have watched some film and they moved him back to stop the run. the broncos have two options move dj back outside and the only guy that has ever really play middle i hate to say it but webester. if any one was really watch the game you can see that they both are having a hard time playing there new spots. the last one is to make a mid season switch to the 3-4 , 46 bear as for al wilson for me he is the best and it shows even better than ray ray. if he was healthy they might have signed him
COME ON FANS. EASY ON THE TEAM AT LEAST WE ARE NOT 0-5 GIVE THE BRONCOS A CHANCE —TRUE FANS DON’T REACT LIKE THAT WHEN THEIR TEAM LOSES … WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES! HEELLLOOOO…
GO BRONCOS I WILL ALWAYS STAND BEHIND YOU, WILL ALWAYS BE A BRONCOS FAN DAY IN DAY OUT….JUST GET STUFF GUYS…..MAY GOD BLESS YOU..
AJ
PLEASE ALL OF YOU! I AM BEGGING YOU! STOP REPLYING TO THE LET PLUMMER PLAY MORON SO HE CAN GO AWAY! PLEASE! CAN WE BAN HIM FROM HERE ANDREW?
its funny that when things go well for a team fans scream how they have the best coaches. ” Our coaches can create a magic.” However when things go bad, when your team and its leadership is tested and it doesn’t turn out the way the LOYAL fans what it, people decide coaches need fired, drastic changes are needed, do this and that….. Most fans have never played football past highschool and probably never coached past highschool level if they coached at all, but they seem to have all the answers. Every loss is tuff to take whether it by one or 100! I hate to lose, and sure some things need to change but I wouldn’t say getting rid of some great coaches is the answer, it wouldn’t only cause more problems. Trust your team, sometimes things happen for a reason. you learn more from a loss like this than a win. Only our team and staff know the best way to make the necessary changes, they’ve been there and done that. this is why us fans aren’t on the sideline on saturdays or sundays.
I went to Vegas last week, wore my Bronco hat going and coming and while I was there. And proudly I might add! You would not believe the conversation piece it turned out to be. A gentleman came across the restaurant just to talk Bronco”s in Vegas! He had just bought a Bronco hat that lights up! Awesome! But too expensive for my blood! Anyway, My hat was the superbowl hat we won at Greenbay! I will not give up on the Bronco’s! I do however, miss Trevor! We will make it again somehow guys!
we really need to work on are run defense because if you can’t stop the run then the teams are going to run all over you and it allows the opposing team to pull out big time plays. but you have to ahve faith in the broncos GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
It just gets uglier. Even the cheerleaders are starting to look ugly.
This sunday is a must win for our team.As a 35 year fan,I have never seen a poorer performance by so called professional atheletes and worse The most pathetic game plan ever. Sometimes it is time to Change leadership. Shan the man must go. Bring back Kubiak. We will be lucky to win 5. These players are being paid too much money for this kind of performance.
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