Speaking at his Monday press conference at Dove Valley, Head Coach Josh McDaniels talked in detail about the team’s erratic rush defense in Sunday’s 20-19 loss to AFC West rival Oakland.
The Raiders had eight runs for 150 yards — good for a 18.8 yards-per-carry average. The rest of the game, however, Denver’s defense was much stronger against the run — allowing a 3.5 yards-per-carry average on Oakland’s 26 other rushing attempts.
“It wasn’t all bad, but certainly on those (eight) plays, it was close to terrible,” McDaniels said. “Again, if you don’t make the plays in those critical situations this time of year, you’re going to be in close games, and ultimately, those are the plays that determine the outcome most of the time.”
McDaniels said Oakland’s drive late in the third quarter — in which the Broncos ended up making a goal-line stand on the first play of the fourth quarter — was symbolic of the team’s rush defense throughout the contest.
On that specific drive, the defense allowed the Raiders to amass 86 rushing yards on three-straight plays (18- and 40-yard runs by Michael Bush followed by a 28-yard run by Darren McFadden) to move the ball to the Denver 3-yard line. On the next four plays, the Broncos held Oakland on four consecutive runs at the goal line, forcing the Raiders to relinquish possession.
“You can break down statistics however much you want to,” McDaniels said. “The bottom line is we gave up way too many big runs, obviously.”
McDaniels said the Broncos inability to stop Oakland from making big plays in the run game mostly came on cutback runs, and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan echoed similar sentiments.
“There was a common thing from the standpoint of where it happened,” Nolan said. “It happened on cutbacks — all but two of them. And it really just has to do with the responsibility to stay home … We have to do a better job of maintaining our responsibility on the cutback. It was really just a case of us over-pursuing on the backside.”
After giving up a handful of big plays against the Raiders, Nolan and the defense are set to prepare for a Philadelphia team filled with big-play threats. At the forefront of those players is explosive wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who has given defenses headaches all season.
“He is certainly somebody we will take close notice to as we are game planning,” Nolan said. “DeSean has been a big part of the big plays. But they’ve always been explosive. It is my understanding that they will get the running back, (Brian) Westbrook, possibly back this week and if they do, he is an outstanding player. They’ve got playmakers.”
PRO BOWL VOTING
Remember that balloting for the 2010 Pro Bowl will conclude tonight following the conclusion of Monday Night Football. The teams will be announced at 2 p.m. MST Tuesday, Dec. 29 on a special NFL Total Access 2010 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network.
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: DeSean Jackson, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Rush Defense, Week 16
It one of those half full or half empty looks. We did well on somethings and crap on others. Just need to get better.
Well sunday was prob the most dissapointing game up to date next to the charger lost. The stupid raiders did this to us last year…When will it stop, when will we beat the people we SHOULD beat. ANd where was hillis? Hillis would have caught that 3rd down pass…HIllis would have done great for us. I THINK WE AS FANS deserve to know why hillis is not playing for us. LAST WEEK MCDANIELS EVEN SAID! Hillis will see carries on sunday. And i did not even see him on the field. I have no idea whats going on, besides we better beat the eagles. AND WE BETTER! WE BETTER BEAT THE CHIEFS. Because if we lose at home to another team we blew out at THEIR House. I will be disgusted X.X
Nice article and ture, but defense wasn’t the biggest problem. Leave any defense on the field all day and they will eventually give up big plays. The problem seemed to be the offense not being able to sustain drives. I cvouldn’t watch thr game in my area, but following it online, you have to ask how many times is it going to take running Moreno off guard on short yardage situations before our inexperienced coach figures it out the? Yes, the line needs to block better, but THAT PLAY ISN’T WORKING, SO STOP RUNNING IT!! Sheeezzz….
ZERO sense of urgency when these guys are on the field. They play like they practice. Half-hearted.
How about taking a little more reasonability McD!
I get pumped up for Raider games just like it was a playoff game every time every year. I paid highly at work with Raider fan co-workers and phone calls from family and friends. I can take that and gave no excuses to anyone!! I am no crybaby>> But-
I saw the forearm hit to the back of the head of Orton after he was sacked—no call. I believe it was the cause of the first team to team fight or meeting in the middle of the field two plays latter. I have proof of 7 legit holding non calls against the Raiders. And 2 from our own Broncos against the Raiders. Some say holding could be called every play but this game was called poorly. I recorded the game and just finished reviewing. The face masks are there as you mentioned also. Just saying my opinion, I am not a NFL Ref!!! But If I were McD I would file game film and a complaint. But he won’t due to me guessing his pride will prevent this. There was a second fight or foray but could not find a reason for it. Maybe something said or just frustration on our part. I say use it next time we meet.
I posted here and the DB sites this before the game.
“I think McD will have us prepared and not over look the Raiders!! I want to see my Broncos Hungry for a WIN! I think we will see what our Broncos are made of this Sunday not because we play a power team but because we are not. We again hold our future for the playoffs in our hands. I want to see Bronco Football! I want an exciting game! I want a Win!!!!”
Well we now know how that worked out. I would have felt a little better if it had been Rich Gannon and a healthy Raider team that beat us in December in a game with this importance!
But with 3 unproven Quarter Backs and one big back??? The Broncos did show me what kind of team we have. And it’s not a playoff team. I could point out lots of things as an arm chair fan. But must agree McD is young and Hard Headed. I really though we would see Hillis in short yardage and as a pass threat. I am horse and pissed due to yelling at my TV! My wife even gave me my old foam Bronco Brick in case I wanted to throw something.
Anyway it’s only a game! But I only get 16 of them a year and its important to me. So now I will get ready for the Eagles and I will still Love My Broncos whatever happens.
GO BRONCOS!!
FTR
I would love to know what McD’s standards are to BLACKBALL a player? Hillis fumbled 1 time. Moreno, I lost count. Obviously turnovers aren’t a concern. Strength and ability to make the short yardage plays must not be on the list either. Anyone know?
McD play Hillis if at least only in short yardage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
McD play Hillis as a reciving threat!!!!!
McD play him or trade him he is too good to sit your hard headed bench!!
FTR
McD I hope you have Hillis dancing to TD’s and 1st downs in your head instead of suger plums or what ever– PLAY HIM!!!
FTR
FTR,
McD, is the most unintelligent, Intelligent coach I have ever seen. How many time u gotta run it on 4th down or short yardage THIS SEASON (NOT GAME, SEASON) to know Moreno isn’t smash…he is more of dash and dance. The word for it is hard headed indeed… too hard headed to try anything but the same runs on 4th down and short yardage..and too hard headed to put a bruiser like HIllis in…He had one carry against the colts and he got stopped like Moreno after 1 yard but pushed and fell forward for 3 more yards…THATS WHAT WE NEED ON SHORT YARD DOWNS. HILLIS!!!….Didnt watch the raiders game (only 4th Q) so dunno what happened…but all i know is we shouldnt have lost to them.
FTR,good to see you here venting, I did my share last night and pretty much I’m over it by now. About asking McD to play Hillis, I had the following discussion, answering a bogger who said we had 2 problems, running the ball and scoring in the red zone, this was my answer:
you forgot our other major problem, we can’t STOP the run, remember SD, also over 200 yards or rushing against us.
At this time of year if you can’t run and you can’t stop the run, I don’t care what else you do, you are done and out! Period.
It all goes back that we didn’t address the D line in the draft, I wonder what McD will do in next draft. Let’s not tell him the D line is where we need help, we can be sure in order to show us how wrong we all are, he would not draft at that position again. It reminds me of an adolescent, in order to want him not to do something, you got to forbid him to do just the opposite. LOL. So with that in mind, coach, Hillis is atrocious, we all hope you don’t play him for the rest of the season. LOL.
BTW, the Raiders put up 241 yards on the ground against us yesterday, yeah, 241!
well said FTR and Baylin…He is just stubborn…smart but at the same time so unwise….sigh…I could do my venting thing too but yall said all I want to say.
y did he not said about off because to me that cost us the last 2 game
I could put up all the expletives I want, nothing would be uglier than the numbers, 241, nothing else needs to be said! Our D line has been pathetic the last two games.
The Colts who have no running game ran it at will against us, then the Raiders, 241, then we get the news, it looks like Westbrook will start this Sunday. We are in a heap of troubles.
our d line is pathetic because our rb can’t convert a 3rd and short to keep our defense off the field.
Guess we all know where Cutler gets his Arrogant hard headed attitude , From the new Coach, I Thought Cutler was a Big Cry Baby that couldn’t handle competition. Seems I was wrong . This Hillis thing has been going on for a long time now and The Coach will only put him in when we are up by 30 against the Chiefs. 12 carryies all yr. 7 against the chiefs in trash time. He is too good to be a clean up trash Back. Play Hillis! Loss against the Colts, Hillis 1 carry. 2 plays on 4th and less than a yard and a 2 point conversion attempt. All run with Moreno up the middle. No knock on Moreno but short yardage is not his strong point. then this week Its jordan who has been inactive for most of the year but is the coaches New England connection.
Trade the Coach! Personal vendetta’s mean more to him than Competeing! Give the Team a Chance.
Go Bronco’s
Ok, I get it you guys want to talk offense, but everyone knows our short yardage and red zone efficiency is horrible, so let’s step out of the box a bit, say something that hasn’t been said already over 100 times since yesaterday. This is why I think our O will be in a world of hurt this Sunday:
My worse fear for the Eagles game is how immobile Orton is in the pocket, he has a very below average sense of pressure in the pocket and always remains in the worse possible part of the pocket to get sure sacks, or arm pull, or hurried up, whatever. With the Eagles it will be his worse nightmare come true, they will pressure him all day, that’s their thing and I believe that in the last 2 weeks we have been seriously exposed in that depatment by the Colts and the Raiders, so much so that from now on that’s how all teams will go at defending us, pressure Orton as much as possible, it sure seems to be a good receipe for the opposition, that’s what I would do, Orton is not good under pressure, unlike all the real good QB’s, that would be his downfall to me, if there is to be a downfall. I don’t know how you teach a guy pocket presence, I mentioned to my buddies yesterday that he might want to play a little tennis on his time off, just like Drew Brees does, have you ever seen that guy in the pocket and how he always moves away from the pressure spot? It’s a thing of beauty. I know, tennis alone will not teach him pocket presence, but it would help him get out of the statue of liberty position once in a while, gotta move those legs at least a little, makes a ton of difference.
Yeah Baylin Iam done venting! Lets get ready for the Eagles and forget the playoff seating! Just want to see Bronco Football before the season ends! Regular season or playoffs!! Still depressed–FTR
Either way we look at it we are playing nowhere where we need to be to be able to beat a team like the Eagles at their home with the division title in the balance for them. At this point we are no match all across the board. The only salvation would be a total turn around in McD’s play calling, without it, no matter how we execute we are doomed. The Eagles score mega points, to win we will have to score more, FG’s won’t do it, Moreno on short yardage won’t do it, killer penalties won’t do it, Marshall alone won’t do it, you get the message, the way we’ve been doing it won’t do it, so McD, throw all that game planning into the wind and come up with something new to shock the Eagles, where everyone contributes including Hillis, and only then, maybe we can pull the upset, but deep in my heart, I know better, with McD it will be same old with a few wrinkles, not enough to tip the balance in our favor, I’m afraid. Just my humble opinion. Man, I still haven’t had to eat it about my 8-8 prediction, come on make me eat crow!!!!
FTR, I know it’s the one game at a time thing, but I can’t help it to look at the KC game who everyone seems to already put in the win column, but I have this uneasy feeling about it, just think for a minute, we beat the Chargers at their house, they beat us in ours, we beat the Raiders at their house, they beat us in ours, we beat KC at their house, they…..? Nothing will come easy is my guess, I hope with all my heart I was off with my 8-8.
Hope you get that Crow Baylin, Wouldn’t break out the Salt and Pepper yet though. Have to agree the play calling has got to change. If McD’s not going to put in our best short yardage back on short yardage situations. He should at least give The Backs a Chance by making the Defence defend down field. If you only have to defend 10 yards down field. It sure doesn’t hurt your chances of stopping the run.
This was definitely a heartbreaker. But you are way to doom and gloom. You all act like we didn’t have the lead late in the 4th quarter. What lost us this game more than anything, to be honest, was time management.
Even when we went down by one with thirty seconds left, we got to the 15 with 6 seconds left. One time out, or something, would have given us the win in all likelihood.
Well, I hope I didn’t scare off all the guys who think we have a good shot of going 10-6 and into the playoffs, you guys are cool, I always love your enthusiasm, but I feel it my duty to speak my mind when I see trouble seas ahead, but what do I know, hope we finish like we started, 6-0, that would be the last 2 regular season games, the 3 playoff games and the Super Bowl game, that’s what I need to hold onto, I’m allowed a Christmas present, right? I have been good, promise. LOL.
hope we really start to work on our off in the redzone we really need to
Baylim I think your 8 and 8 is a good forcast. We have come close to being a force but not this year. I still have hope cuz its breed into me but I can get real also. So Iam hoping for the best but expecting the worse! Still Love em no matter what!
My prediction we lose by 14.
Denver 10 Eagles 24 and thats the first time I did not pick my Broncos to win all season.
FTR
FTR, WOW, I hear you though, this is a gigantic mountain of a game we are up against, if Dallas had lost the N-O game, I’d say we have a shot, but now the Eagles must win the last two to win the division (if Dallas wins Sunday).
And of course, that goes without saying, Broncos forever no matter what.
Yup, not to mention Desean Jackson is a hell of a KR and PR. We can lose the fame in special teams alone….and he is a hell of a deep threat too. Cant believe this guy was still around after we drafted Eddie in the second round last year. The man plays like a first rounder…but so did eddie last year
as far as KC, Jamal Charles is coming into his own…and we haven’t been able to prove we can stop the run…so they could very well beat us. We just love splitting with divisional opponents every year don’t we?
And Dallas plays Sunday night against the Redskins who are right now being ridiculed by the Giants to the tune of 42- 13 or something, Zorn knows he is gone, the whole team has quit, Dallas will win and the Eagles have to beat us and hope to win the final game at Dallas to win the division, that’s exactly what we are up against, couldn’t be much worse as far as playing a more motivated team.
I better tune out, I have this weird feeling I’m depressing some folks out here tonight, sorry guys, good night.
I want to know why McD never uses the playaction on short yardage situations. It is something Orton actually sells really well and it would keep the D off balance, unsure of what play is coming. But no, he calls the run up the gut everytime with Moreno. Or even try a bootleg or something. I know Orton’s not the most mobile QB out there, but try something other then the obvious that hasn’t worked for 14 games now.
Well, I’m hoping the BDAWK gets the D fired up for his return to Philly and our O gets on track and actually scores some points early cause I know we’re gonna need every single one of them……and they can’t be all FG’s.
Even if we make it into the playoffs, we play like we have lately and we get CREAMED! But, as the raiders were saying on Saturday…..ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!
BJB – It’s not being negative, it’s called “telling it like it is”.
Josh, due us a favor and change up your play calling please. If I see one more stretch run on frist down I’m smashing my TV. Come on Josh, be creative again!
One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is sometimes Moreno runs with his shoulders above his hips. For those who aren’t familar with that term it means he is running straight up and down. When you’re running the ball you need to put some power behind you, that means getting your shoulders in front of your hips. That gives you all the power and center of gravity. If you run straight up and down you get no power and a 5 yr old could tackle you. I think that is one of Moreno’s problems with short yardage along with the o-line allowing penetration. One of the things I noticed Sunday, I don’t know if this is how it was designed, but he is stretching the run a little too much in my opinion. Even if it is a stretch play, if you see that cutback lane, which on a couple of carries I did see, you gotta take it. That’s one of the things that make a good back is vision, even in that’s not how the play is designed. I pretty sure anyone including McD would rather take positive yardage on a cutback than a loss or no gain running the play as designed.
Most poeple on here aren’t negative. “calling ‘em as you see ‘em” isn’t negative. Making ignorant comments when proof tells otherwise is negative. Believe me I’ve left some negative comments just ask Baylinorcrush. They weren’t just negative they were innapproriate. I enjoy reading everyone’s comments even if they are “negative” or whatever term you wanna use. Look we are all fans, some fair weather, and some die hard. However I think that if you don’t get upset by what the season of late has been unfolding and what our team is playing like then you’re in denial. I ain’t sayin’ they can’t make the playoffs, but being dissapointed in what is happening and how we’re playing isn’t negative.
I would jus tlike to clear something up. A lot of people were talkin’ how SD wasn’t a must win, and how OAK wasn’t a must win and blah blah. If a must win game measn they are going to bring it 100% and bring it hard then every game in my eyes is a must win, regardless if mathmatically is isn’t a must win. If we only play our hardest when it is “mathmatically” a must win then that’s crap. Regarless of how “mathmatically” it is a must win, every game, EVERY SINGLE GAME, is a must win.
Go Broncos!!!!
brian, glad to see your take on must win games, worth repeating my take on yesterday’s blog:
To this day I still don’t understand why most fans took the SD game with such ease. Ah, yeah, it’s because it wasn’t considered a must win game by all the mathematicians. LOL. I hope Mike Rice comes up with an article about the first game that he sees as a must win game, it probably will be for the KC game, but problem is winning it might not do us any good if we lose to the Eagles, but the Eagles cannot be a must win game because we wouldn’t be mathematically out of it even if we lose, right? LOL. My point is, maybe, just maybe some folks here can start to appreciate that must win games are not only mathematical, that’s a fantasy, must win games are games you have to win to achieve your goals and so far this year we already have lost three must win games. The SD one, at Washington and yesterday. Don’t bother elaborating on my way of thinking, it won’t do you any good, I have been stating this point since the SD game, and I’m sticking to it.
Memo to Coach McDaniels:
I’m going to take the FTR approach this week as well to change things up for my always beloved Broncos and hope coach Josh McD follows suit. First and foremost I will never, I repeat never, root against my team. But seeing things as they really are and going with my head and not my heart is what is going to change this week. That happened last week when my predicted score was speedlimit 55 raiders 16 and i got the pie in the sky award. Actually baylin I was right in some areas as I predicted speedlimit LOL…….It always seems to be it’s not who you play but when you play them! Raiders Super Bowl win and they probably won’t win another game.lol….
This week we get to go to Philly with a lot on the line for both teams. Broncos have never fared well on the East coast however the game being flexed to 2:15 could work in our favor. (there I go, looking for something to hang my hat on!.)
Lets face the facts people and see exactly what we have here!
Fact 1: Teams that don’t play well down the stretch sit home or don’t go very far in the playoffs. Acception to that rule was last year. I believe the Cardinals were at 8-7 before turning it on to fall one play short in the Super Bowl. ( There I go again looking for something to hang a hat on!)
Fact 2: Teams that can’t run the ball in short yardage and goalline, or stop the run, have virtually no shot at all competing with the elite teams.(sounds familiar huh!)
Fact 3: When teams keep TALKING on how they need to CHANGE things up and then keep doing the same thing over and over is just stupid. We have become so predictable it hurts. Come on coach lets see some play action, lets see some long shots down the field (We know Kyle can get it done). If Orton can’t get enough time because of our line, be creative and design a rollout where we can get our playmakers open down the field. Last but certainly not least don’t let your ego get in the way of a major playmaker in your running and passing game collect a paycheck sitting on the bench (no names needed here just go ahead and fill in the H__________S.)
I like every other true blue and orange Bronco fan on this site deserves more than what has been dished out these last several years. Wasn’t this supposed to be the YEAR OF CHANGE? Yeah right! average at best.
Broncos: 19.7
Iggles:28.7
Hope it works and Merry Christmas
Coach
Well, while you think it over, I’m out and will check back later.
Thank you.
I have a few things to say to coach McDaniels. 1. Your offensive line is the best zone blocking line in football. Use them for that purpose and you’ll see the running game improve. 2. Knowshon Moreno is not a short yardage back, he’s a breakaway runner. Use Hillis and Larson in short yardage situations. Its a no brainer. 3. Get creative with your play calling and quit being predictable. Try the “wild horses” a few times and try passing on first down occasionally. 4. Your 4-3 defensive sets just don’t work. Stick with the 3-4 that was working fine. 5. Try letting your quarterback throw more than ten yards once in a while and stretch the field. You are losing a lot of fans by being too cautious. 6. Please coach, no more of the same old same old. Run up the middle, run up the middle, short slant to the left. Everyone knows what you are calling.
whew, this is a difficult year to be a fan. The thing about this is, we were the LUCKIEST team in the NFL during our 6-0 run. Say what you will about it, we just were. I didn’t like the way this team was playing and I got blasted for it. I still do not and never will like Orton. I got blasted for it. I stated how good this team would be if we actually had a quarterback. BLASTED for it. I stated that McDaniels is not as good of a coach as he proclaims himself to be, BLASTED again. Now he team is in the midst of a 2-6 downturn and people are really seeing what this team is about. The problems that he NEVER addressed with the D-Line are coming to roost. People are enamored by the numbers Elvis has put up, but those numbers have been late in games, against bad teams, and mostly the results of coverage. That is the main reason he does not get a lot of respect even though he has a large number of sacks. If yuo ever watch the games, on most situations Elvis is not doubled. That is not the sign of a feared pass rusher. Orakpo was there for the taking. We did not take him. Instead, we signed a fumbling lightweight. They drafted a running back because they did not have faith in the QB and knew that a running game was going to be the only way that we could possibly survive. And if I hear that he is leading all “rookie” running backs again I will puke. There are essentially 3 rookie running backs playing. and he is the ONLY starter. McCoy is a back up and so is Wells. Stats can be manipulated. McDaniels WASTED a first round pick on Smith. WASTED. How do you justify using a first round pick on a guy who is not good enough to play over a Ty Law fresh off the street and more recently a guy we just signed off the practice squad. We have the OLDEST secondary in the league and nothing that says we have the depth to be better in the future. Either you build a team to win now, or you admit you are building it to win in the future. This team is set up for NEITHER. LAMONT JORDAN!!!! Are you serious. Has anyone noticed that McDaniels loses a useless challenge on something obvious the first half of EVERY game. He constantly makes boneheaded decisions. AND after 14 games, we have thrown the ball downfield twice. People ragon the OL, but we ran the ball up the middle EVERY first down. The D knew it, we never adjusted. The Oline gives Orton plenty of time, he just is so busy being smart in the pocket, that he never makes a play. The receivers are only running five yard routes, which are easily covered. Even when Marshall had 21 catches, he averaged UNDER 10ypc INCLUDING the yards he picked up afterwards. If Shanny was fired to bring about change IT WORKED. #2 offense in the NFL with Shanny, with the boy genius, #17 I thought we were supposed to get better. The only thing that has gotten better is the are that he does not coach. DEFENSE. I am done, my blood pressure is high
I understand Hillis is a fan favorite, probably because he’s made a few plays and he’s a white guy so now white fans can now relate to a skill player. I remember when McCaffrey was playing he was ten times more popular than the BETTER Rod Smith, who is a legitimate all-time Bronco.
It comes down to this, Moreno is better than Hillis. Buckhalter is better than Hillis. Jordan may not be better than Hillis, but he is more versatile and familiar in this offense.
OFFENSE IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE DEFENSE…….. McD needs to take credit and realize that this dismal offense is the issue and the defense is the one saving grace. The defense consistently gets the ball back to offense and they rarely take advantage and score points. I hate to say it but if we had this D last year we would have been 11-3 at this point in the season. I did not read everyone’s posts so I am sure that I am echoing other peoples thoughts. Also I do not understand why we will not use Hillis. It is really pissing me off. If I was one of those media guys I would just repeatedly ask that question until he gave a straight answer instead of the same ol BS.
MOD27-
I disagree.
Each of those players bring something different to the table. Hillis is obviously stronger than KM and Bucky. Bucky is faster than KM and Hillis. And Km is quicker than Bucky and Hillis. We have THREE very unique type of RB’s I’m just not sure why we don’t utilize them.
mad_orange_devil_27 :
Could not agree more. I know Hillis is a fan favorite on this blog but people need to be realistic, he is not better than Buckhalter, not better than Moreno and it is a wash between Hillis and Jordan.
As for people saying we should trade Hillis, he does not have any trade value. I do not think any teams are going to give up draft picks for a special teams player or a 3-4 string running back.
No offense to Hillis or anyone else but it just seems like everyone thinks if we play Hillis we will be a better team. I think the coaches are playing the players that give the best chance to win.
I do agree that McD should give Hillis or Jordan a shot at short yardage downs or goal line. Moreno is just not a short yardage guy and dances around too much, they need someone that hits the hole hard.
Mad_Orange
I am a fan of Hillis. Not because of his skin color, or because I can relate somehow to an NFL athlete, but because when he was in the game last year he gave 110%. He grabbed nearly every pass thrown his way, and sacrificed his body to get us a win over KC in a spectacular grab.
The other backs might be better than Hillis. I am just a fan, so I am not sure. What I can see is that this team is trying very hard to make the play calls work; they dont seem to be the right calls or the personnel in for the play calls are not the right ones.
I predicted 10-6 before regualr season started. Just because I was at the practices and saw the passion in this team. We are down, but not out. It is time to see what this coaching staff does under serious adversity.
I beleive in the players we have, Orton and all. But the play calling in coordination with what is happening on the other side of the ball needs to get better.
My 2 cents.
Hindsight is 20/20: If we didn’t have 6 HBs go on the IR last season, Hillis wouldn’t even be a topic of this blog. It was only AFTER 6 HBs went on the IR that he got carries. He did do well when he came but he was the 7th HB, and remember we drafted him as a FB not a HB. Also I think a lot of teams were more worried about Cutler rippling them apart more than our rushing attack. Therefore more teams probably prepared for 40-50 passing attempts. Since they overlooked Hillis he had some success running the ball. I like Hillis just cause he is a tough nosed runner. I don’t think he is better than Buck or Moreno. I do think he is better than Jordan. I do think he would be the best option in short yardage. Just keep in mind he is a FB, and he was the 7th back last season. Honestly if he was really that good, wouldn’t he of been higher up on the depth chart. Especailly under Shanny who has a knack of selecting HB. Just my opinion.
Go Broncos!!!!
if we dont be fire up for this game we should not be a playoff team we need this more than philly
LMFAO! We lost to the raiders @ home!…..still can’t believe it!
JMac, I love you but gotta say something!
Is there anywhere on that pretty little colorful 11 x 17 laminated sheet you use for play calling (and doubles as a lip reading deflector – nice touch) have the words SHORT YARDAGE SITUATIONS? If you see that, STOP LOOKING AT IT!
Instead, flip over this plastic sheet of wisdom and look for the category that says PLAYERS I SHOULD BE USING BUT HAVEN’T YET. Scroll down until you get the H’s. (It’s probably alphabetized cuz that’s how we roll). You’re looking for a player who’s last name starts with an H and plays the RB/FB position. You then slide your index finger across this sheet of masterful collaborations and look for #22.
If you found it, your chances of picking up your 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 multiplied by a factor of 50!
….oh and just one other little quick hit about this plastic sheet of knowledge! If indeed you use this suggestions, could you please remove #22′s name from the PLAYERS I SHOULD BE USING BUT HAVEN’T LIST? He’s better than that!
Love ya JMac,
GO GET EM’ BOYS!