In one corner, wearing red trunks with yellow trim, we have the NFL’s leader in touchdown receptions. In the other corner, wearing white trunks with blue trim, stands the league leader in receiving yards.
For the second time this season, two pass-catching heavyweights will attempt to outperform each other as Dwayne Bowe and the Chiefs host Brandon Lloyd and the Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Both receivers scored two touchdowns in the Chiefs’ Week 10 loss to the Broncos in Denver.
Bowe’s 14 touchdown catches put him in first place in the NFL in that category by three scores. He’s notched 13 of those touchdowns in the past seven weeks.
“Bowe has become as big a play receiver as there could possibly be in the league,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “On third down last week, he had seven catches — all first downs. He has been a big red-zone target for them as well, so (we have) a lot of things to deal with on their offense.”
The Chiefs will have to deal with Lloyd, who is one of only two receivers to have surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season.
His 1,122-yard total through the air is a league best, and he’s one of five receivers tied for third place with 9 touchdown receptions.
“I have a lot of confidence in (Lloyd) and he proves me right 75 percent of the time,” Kyle Orton said. “He makes great plays, makes spectacular catches.”
On Sunday, chances are both teams will look for explosive plays from their top receivers. Bowe and Lloyd both average more than 15 yards per catch for the season.
Thanks in part to the dynamic receivers, Orton and Matt Cassel are tossing up numbers that pace the league in the passing game.
The Broncos signal-caller is back in the lead with 3,370 passing yards — eight more than Philip Rivers — and Cassel has only thrown four interceptions, the same number as his former teammate, Tom Brady.
After scrutinizing the stat sheet, McDaniels voiced his respect for the quarterback-wide receiver combo in Kansas City.
“I think the last three or four games Dwayne Bowe has had the best stretch of any receiver in NFL history. One out of every four catches is a touchdown,” McDaniels said. “Cassel is one of only four quarterbacks ever to have 22 (touchdowns) and four (interceptions) at this point in the year.”
“There is every superlative that you could use in the last seven or eight weeks here in terms of where they stand in their passing offense and how explosive it has become.”
Four Broncos did not practice on Wednesday: Brian Dawkins (knee), André Goodman (hip), Darcel McBath (quadricep) and Demaryius Thomas (ankle)
For the Chiefs, CB Jackie Bates (knee) did not practice, CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring) and G Ryan Lilja (foot) were limited in practice and S Jon McGraw (head) fully participated in practice.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are photos from Wednesday’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos, Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs, Week 13
Ok, a week ago Woody was saying there is no way McD gets fired at the end of the season, that he would be here through 2011 no matter what…. Well, the “incident” has now changed everything, here is what he says today (he is answering a mailbag question):
A week ago there was nothing you, I or anybody else could say to get Josh fired. Then, lo and behold, I returned Saturday morning from Lincoln, Neb., and something had been said by the NFL and the Broncos. Everybody knows what happened. On a national conference call with NFL executives, I asked Joe Ellis, COO of the Broncos, if what happened was a fireable offense, and he said: “It is not. No.”
But not so fast there, Joe.
There are billowing clouds of smoke hanging over Dove Valley, and the situation has changed dramatically since that last mailbag. Because of what happened with McSpygate, combined with the Broncos’ results this season and what went on in McDaniels’ first year — if you add it all now — there is a very strong chance that the coach could be fired.
I think he keeps his job with victories over Kansas City, Arizona, Houston and Oakland, and it might take a victory at home over San Diego, as well. An 8-8 record would allow Pat Bowlen, Ellis and McDaniels to say there was vast improvement down the stretch. A 7-9 finish might allow the Broncos’ hierarchy to save face and McDaniels to save himself. Losses to K.C., the Raiders and the Chargers, and it’s over.
I’d say our chances of beating KC and the Raiders away and SD at home are very remote, if not totally unattainable, so if Woody has the proper feel for this thing McD could very well be leaving town at year end to the dismay of the bloggers here who still think there is no way… Really???
I have never been placed in the situation I am now in, and all because of McD:
I don’t really care that we win any of the remaining games because I want him gone and Xanders too.
Isn’t that absolutely awful, I am totally ashamed of myself…. And yet there is nothing I can do about it, if I want the best chance for our team long term, it means we are better off losing short term and forcing M. Bolwen’s hand into firing the orchestrators of this downfall.
That is what this season has come down to for me now. I must be the darnest worse Bronco fan ever found on this side of the planet, so be it, somehow I don’t give a darn.
Bay: 07elway would scold you and tell you to keep the faith. lol I’m with you and I can almost say I’m ashamed to be a Bronco fan. To say it better I will say I’m ashamed of the organization as it stands currently. I will still wear my colors anywhere on the planet. I don’t think we win at KC or Oakland either. The bolts will work us at home. Josh gets fired. We move on to better things. Are we there yet?
No announcement yet! LOL
Any of you wanting the Broncos to lose should DARN WELL be ashamed of yourselves!!! LoL
I don’t care if you do or don’t want McDaniels to go, NOT wanting the Broncos to win…. Well what can I say.. Is not very Bronco-fan-like.
I just can’t relate. I feel that a rookie head coach deserves more than two seasons to show what he can do. If next year’s record ends up being worse than what this year’s ends up being…. Then I could see a legitimate discussion. But you’re all spending waaay too much energy on thinking that ANY fans can or should be able to make ANY personnel decisions within the organization. GET OVER IT and SUPPORT THE TEAM!!!! Please I beg you, can we just get back to rooting for our team, instead of whining and complaining CONSTANTLY??? Please?
Goes something like this….
GO BRONCOS!!!! =D
Seriously no hard feelings, just enjoy what there is to enjoy from this GAME that We all love. Stop acting like you could or should be in charge of the Broncos personnel. Otherwise you really come off like you’re taking this sport and Our team entirely for granted. You know that I respect all of your opinions, but how can you excuse yourself for coming to the BRONCOS website to bit@#??? Your mother never taught you ‘if you can’t say anything nice?’ or what?
Again, no disrespect intended, but do you know – or do you even care to attempt to imagine – how it is for people who are fans of the team regardless… Just how ANNOYING it is, when other fans are constantly negative? Just try it, it’s called empathy. Let’s get back to rooting for OUR team, together! Like it always used to be. Like it should be.
rebelbronco’ I must say I think you have a good point, it is hard to not want the Broncos to win but we are not under normal circumstances and we should just cut our losses and start a new and hope for the best.
Sorry PJ, it’s just the way it is, I respect and enjoy seeing your ardor towards this team in a time of chaos and will not dare ask you to be any different, and I would expect the same in return from you. I have not put in nearly 40 years of my adult life heart and soul into this team to be told by anyone how I should conduct myself as a fan, are you kidding me???
If you don’t like posts that don’t have the tone of yours, just scroll right through them, that’s your choice, but you will not ever succeed at shutting up the masses. Don’t you realize that you are in a very small minority now?
Get real, our franchise is in total disarray and none of your positive optimist football delusions as to how we are right on track and just need to give McD time to make us win what would always be considered tainted superbowls no matter what he does from now on are going to carry any weight with us, but even so we politely read it and move on, we let you post it without assailing you, it’s a free country my friend, might as well get used to it, it will make your life easier.
Like I said, I respect all of your guys’ right to your opinion, and quite frequently get a kick out of reading your thoughts. One thing you can never overdose on is perspective. I get plenty of diversity in that, just from reading your guys’ ideas and comments.
I’m not attempting to shut up the majority. It’s more like enlighten, encourage, provide a reasonable positive perspective (especially as opposed to baseless, emotional negativity). The bottom line is, that I can’t see how so many ignore is that this team truly belongs to one Mr. Patrick Bowlen II… He has, very long ago, showed me the integrity and respect I can expect from this Broncos franchise. To this day, I have not seen anything to make me doubt Mr. Bowlen as fiercely as I am seeing the fan base do now.
When Mr. Bowlen ceases to support McDaniels, then so will I.
Cheater? Come on, did you even read the NFL’s investigation? I’m sorry, but if you paid any attention to the situation, McDaniels’ only fault was not reporting the guy sooner. Do you realize that the Patriots were fined $750,000 because they WERE cheating ($500,000 and $250,000 to team and coach, respectively). McDaniels and the organization were fined $100,000 ($50,000 and $50,000 to team and coach, respectively). This was because the only foul play, was on the part of the individual who was fired. Besides the actual NFL investigation (and of course, the Broncos own investigations), the rest is pure speculation and opinion. Cheater is a false statement.
I’m not asking any of you to change your opinions, We would then lose much of the benefit of having differing opinions. Just merely suggesting some support for Our team, as opposed to loss of hope. I don’t think supporting your team is a delusion bay. I also never indicated that We are ‘right on track’. Kind of funny bay, you say you would not ask me to be any different, yet it seems, at the same time, that you are asking me to shut up with my optimism??? Yeah, I’m obviously in the minority, in thinking that Our franchise is NOT in total disarray. That doesn’t mean I’m WRONG. None of Us KNOWS which side is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in this. Again, you seem to completely ignore the facts and lack thereof.
I don’t think any of Us can legitimately discuss whether McDaniels is the right or wrong choice for Our future, until We give the ROOKIE, that is BRAND NEW head coach, at least three seasons to show Us. I just don’t see anything definitive, at this point, that says he is or isn’t the right choice for the future… and until Mr. Bowlen, who has much more FACTS and information to go on, makes said decision (or if McD WAS actually cheating, etc.) I will continue to support him. That is far from delusional my friends. As with any rookie, one or two seasons isn’t enough to accurately judge.
i.e. Eddie Royal, year three… Still not ABSOLUTELY certain, even.
Jarvis Moss, year three… Pretty darn sure, I’d say = Bust.
Again, I respect and appreciate all your thoughts and typings! Thanks for the feedback and discussion! Let’s Go Broncos!!!
The Broncos are a respected team and everybody in the footballing universe knows that the position of Head Coach in Denver is one of the prime jobs in football. That its why it was such a surprise that the job was given to somebody without any head coach experience. Only a coach with a winning HC CV should be in charge in Denver.
Mr Bowlen has let the fans down by allowing McD to have the Broncos for his on-the-job training, and in no way should McD have been given the job in the first place. All this talk about how much it will cost to get rid of him is neither here nor there. Bowlen will have to pay it because he signed the contract with McD. Hasn’t he heard of rolling contracts where a major part of the contract is performance related? Not very shrewd business when we had so many better options for the job.
Finally I think it is more than just the results that has so many people disliking McD. It is his football philosophy. He just does not get it that Broncos fans have been brought up on the Orange Crush defence and a superb offensive line that allows anybody to run the ball. That is our MO which led to our success.
Of course we all need to be patient, but it doesn’t come so easy for those of us who are a lot older and see the chances of another Superbowl in our lifetime evaporating.
It’s time for a change. In 2 years time, McD has taken a fairly good team, ripped it apart and put it back together in worse condition than it was to start with. All he really had to do was fix the defense. He does that and the Broncos are contenders. He had a start on the defense with the switch to the 3-4, but firing his DC after the first year kinda ruined that. We still can’t run the ball. Our young O line is improvong, but I’m not sure that they are the bunch we want for a power run blocking sceme. I look back fondly on the zone blocking we ran under Shanahan and all those 1000 yards rushers we had. I don’t understand why McD decided that something we had, that worked had to to go, but…
McD appears to be a bright young coach who one day might be a winner in the NFL, but it’s become obvious that he’s not ready yet to be a head coach.
PJ,
When I see the body language of our team I know there is something fundamentally wrong.
When I see they cannot tackle, when I see they cannot finish drives, when I see their losing mentality, when I see the panic, when I see McD’s pantomime on the touchline.
Basically they are not in the mind-frame to play on too many occasions and that is down to McD.
We have an Head Coach who is not a Bronco but a Patriot at heart, and all the changes he has made have made the team a shadow of its former self. We have no Rod Smith to be the heartbeat of the team.
Sorry but if you want to watch Patriot football go to New England.
Me, I want our Broncos back, and that means getting rid of McD and X.
” you are asking me to shut up with my optimism”
And you get all that out of the following:
“Get real, our franchise is in total disarray and none of your positive optimist football delusions as to how we are right on track and just need to give McD time to make us win what would always be considered tainted superbowls no matter what he does from now on are going to carry any weight with us, but even so we politely read it and move on, we let you post it without assailing you”
“WE POLITELY READ IT AND MOVE ON’, and you turn it into ” you are asking me to shut up with my optimism” !!?!?!?!?!
There is obviously no sense in carrying this conversation any further, good day.
The way I see it, this team is not young enough to be considered ‘rebuilding’. There are just way too many veterans on this roster for this team to be going through this much of a “learning curve” as McD likes to say. Look at teams like the Chiefs and Rams. Sure, they had horrible records last year in their first year with their new head coaches. But their rosters are filled with young players who fight for their coach and look at them now, both teams are in prime position for a playoff run. The Bucs are another one.
Those teams are the definition of rebuilding the right way. What McD did is not rebuild. All those veterans means the plan was to win right now. In fact, he even said so. And sorry, but 3-8 is not winning now. Therefore, this season isn’t progress, it’s failure. Add to that all the drama and there’s no justifiable cause for not firing McD.
By the way, going to Arrowhead this weekend! That’s something We can all agree kicks a$$!!! =D
I hope to see a similar performance as Week 10′s slaughtering. Or a repeat of last year @ Arrowhead in December. But better.
If I’m not mistaken, We are currently 1 – 16 at Arrowhead in December. Last year’s outing in December, We recorded the biggest win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead, in team history!!! McDaniels is also the only Broncos coach to EVER have come out of Arrowhead, in December, with a victory. Let’s make it two! In a row even!
Anyhow the point from Crazyhorserider about some of us older fans being fed up with where the franchise is at being partly because we don’t have an eternity to turn it around is well taken, and some of the younger bloggers here first of all have no idea as to what the history of this franchise truly means to us older folks, even so they have read about it they have not experienced it, HUGE DIFFERENCE, and they have a lifetime in front of them to wait until things turn around.
88, you are correct, we are not re-building, as I always remind everyone McD has been adamant about that ever since he got here, we were supposed to make the playoffs last year according to McD’s plans…
bay – that’s why I said ‘IT SEEMS LIKE’ you are saying…. Trying to get you to realize exactly what you’re typing. Did you actually try to empathize with me and perceive how you came off? Again, it doesn’t SEEM like it?
That’s just a lame excuse if you won’t carry on a conversation with me, must be because you can’t find any legitimate thing to point to, in me being ‘wrong’… Again, none of US – KNOW for fact who is right or wrong, just using that as an example.
It SEEMS like that’s your excuse to not try to point out where I may be mistaken. That’s all I was trying to do, is provide YOU all with some perspective, like you have to me. Just because mine isn’t exactly in line with yours (I try to point out the positives, and I argue the ‘negatives’ some of you point to, are indeed not proven, just opinion, which there is nothing wrong with, just don’t come out acting like your OPINION is fact, it’s sickening when that happens), is no reason to dismiss, or discontinue Our exchanges… I mean Come on, Man! My opinions are just that too. OPINIONS! Would you care to negate any facts I have pointed to, or bring some to the table to discuss?
Sorry man you’re way too arrogant in your ways of discussing things with me, I feel some of McD’s youth arrogance there, no wonder you buy his ways, life is too short, I do this for fun, this discsussion with you has been nothing but, I move on.
Bay,
Being older I have wondered whether my dislike of McD is because of his age and the fact I think he is a punk, a bit like PjfUNK.
Anyway don’t let them knock you off your stride. I just love it when you get your teeth into things and tell it like it is.
Great write up/response by Woody in his mailbag.
Totally agree with you bay… time to cut our losses and move on!
Yeah, they both think they got the world figured out, I felt the same way 30 years ago so I know what I’m talking about.
And today I had Woody’s help like rbf1 is referring, always nice to know I’m not alone on an island, thanks both Crazy and rbf1. I just don’t like to have young folks talking down to me, call me old fashion, just because this is a blog I won’t take it lying down. He should definitely have a “P” in is handle instead of the “F”, I would of known immediately not to get into a conversation with him.
PJ-Have fun in KC supporting the team. I’ll be in Arizona next weekend cheering them on. I personally don’t think a majority of the fans hate McD or think the owner is nuts, just a majority of bloggers and sports writers. Go Broncos.!
Aren’t you the one who was here saying earlier how you couldn’t believe how many fans where booing McD at the Rams game?
The only good thing for McD now is he is playing the next three on the road.
bay – What’s up with the animosity toward me just because we have differing opinions?
I’m trying to have a discussion with some folks who I have a Broncos kinship with, who have differing opinions, to attain understanding of your perspectives.
)
All I get is hate? No legitimate rebuttal to my questions? I address your specific concerns, thoughts, points. And respectfully (besides the caps, that is ridiculous, and I apologize for that, but hey, there’s no bold font
I am a Broncos fan, and come here to have fun as well. But how is focusing on so much negativity fun for you? More importantly (not to mention quite offensive to me), how am I being disrespectful or arrogant by voicing my opinion? Or asking questions about your opinion?
On a positive note, Go Broncos!
Tread carefully PJ, I’ve see many people upset bay on this blog page and I haven’t heard alot from them since HAHA. Just express your opinion accept the criticism or support and move on, we have talked on these blogs all season about McD and you probably won’t sway alot of our thoughts on him, but it’s ok, just have fun here thats what its for; Thats what being a fan is all about!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Relax guys… Don’t let the bad momentum get into nonsence little “fights” in the Bronco blogging community!
Definitely, I believe we should turn the page on this horrible “McDaniels episode” of Broncos history, where we traded away our franchise QB, an elite WR, a playmaker TE, a fan favorite player who is a top 5 running back in the league nowadays(Hillis), wasted draft picks like we did not needed them, fired a DC that showed us improvement from the year before… Anyways, there are so many things to point out as you all know…
And I agree McD doesn’t really has his own identity yet, and still does things like the way he and Belichick used to in NE.
Sucks to say it, but again, looks like a coaching change is highly needed.. He dismantle a team, organization and started to frustrate the fans every week… Don’t really buy loosing more games for draft interest if Mr. Bowlen wants him to stay… Wasted picks probably(see Aphonso Smith).
With that being said, I won’t hope for us to loose, and still support our team in the worst scenarios, hoping better times will come again…
It feels like an eternity already! LOL
GO BRONCOS!!!!
http://www.bangcartoon.com/2010/2minute_warning.htm
LOL…So if any of you see Mr. B and Josh driving out in the middle of Denver you’ll know what is happening! LOL
Pj, I respect your optimisim, and I will also pull for our boys to win through the end. However, you keep saying we are not producing facts as to why McD should be fired. Borrachazo hit on McD stupid choices in the draft so I’ll leave that one alone. Fact number two, and the biggest of all, McD has won 11 games in almost two years. That just doesn’t cut it in the NFL which stands for NOT FOR LONG. He has not earned a third year in my opinion. If you can show me the facts as to why he should stay, other than he is young and deserves a third chance, I’m all ears. Unfortunately your opinion of this franchise going in the right direction under McD holds no water.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Bronfalls, needed a laugh after this trying morning… Loved the Shanny part too, LMAO.
All too true rebelbronco!! And thank you for maintaining what I was intending to be a respectful discussion.
The first point is still debatable, because even there, no one wants to recognize the draft hits. I dig Moreno, Ayers, Syd’Quann, Bruton, Thomas, Decker, (Beadles and Walton starting to earn a good spot) and of course Tebow. I think Xanders is more to blame for personnel decisions, but again, none of us know for sure, just how much McDaniels does control in this facet. We all do know, that besides the draft, all decisions go through Mr. Bowlen before becoming final. I would not be opposed at all to bringing in a GM with some experience for this purpose.
Second point. Here’s where you’ve got optimists like me – McDaniels even said, roughly right after he was hired “Judge me by the wins and losses”. I guess the reason I feel the way I do comes down to Bowlen having been willing to take a chance on a rookie head coach, with no head coaching experience, and is another reason I want him to get another year (I keep thinking ‘it HAS to get better!!!’ and will firmly believe it won’t if I see another year with the same or worse W/L record as this year’s ends up). Definitely faults with that logic, I agree, but you said it, it’s the optimist in me.
Some arguments on either side truly hold no water. From any of Us Broncos fans, none of Our opinions are truly objective anyway, We’re all biased for Our Broncos in one way or another
Here’s a cool quote from Winston Churchill:
“The pessimist sees the difficulties in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunities in every difficulty.”
I must admit, there are advantages to both ends of the spectrum. Which is another reason I am glad We have each other here, to gain perspective.
I’ll have to check the video later.
I went to the game and had a blast. And I will say this, I heard many and I do mean many conversations of fans saying McD has to go. The talks I heard were all a matter of fact that he will be gone. a lady sitting next to me that is a season ticket holder told me that she hates the guy. She was really blunt and angry. I never booed in the game. Thats not in my nature. But I will say this. Whats going on in Broncoland just has a bad feel to it. It all feels wrong, and I mean in everything across the board. If I was a betting man and I am, I`d say McD is going to get the axe. Whatever Mr. Bowlen doe`s after seasons end I will stand behind him. He is not going to make any illrational decisions. he`s a smart man. Right now I`m nuetral.
It makes me want to argue with myself…….lol
I just cant see where McD cheated, I mean wouldn’t we have won all those games. We beat the chiefs so bad but does that mean that the chiefs suck so much and the other teams are better that they beat us. I think coming into the bye week mcd probably guessed that haley isn’t that smart and neither is Cassel to change the terminology from last years win to this years game probably thought what worked before will work again. Also if the broncos knew exactly what they were doing then why couldn’t they stop them from scoring 29 points. All I am saying is maybe there was cheating involved but I doubt it. The camera man probably got a bribe from another coach to take the footage so that way mcd would be in trouble. Maybe haley bribed him. Not a fact but possibly could have happened. Secondly all the broncos have to do is now that the running game is actually starting to take off is if you throw it on first down always run it on second down to try to get some yardage. If you throw all three downs then you are going to end up short that is where I think the broncos beat themselves up. My opinion is let mcd have one more year and if bowlen fires him after this year then ok lets start all over again with the coaching schemes and such. I say with one more year in the system and defensive system the broncos will be much better next year, that is if mcd addresses the defense and gets some younger talent to our defense maybe someone that can get to the qb.
thanks danso. I just think We as fans should not worry so much about who should be let go from Our team. Now, if all I saw were posts of people saying who We should hire, not simply ‘give him the axe’ over and over, and over, I wouldn’t be questioning Our fan base i’s integrity.
To me, when I hear talk of ‘this once proud franchise being driven into the ground’ – I think Our actions and reactions, as fans, in the past two seasons speak volumes to that. Our fan base has NEVER been this… well.. Hopeless. And that, my friends is your fault if you are one without hope. (please note: I am not accusing anyone specifically, or saying anyone is ‘less of a fan’ because that’s ridiculous, and also why I will not own anything that says “#1 fan” because that is boastfully ignorant, just sayin’) I really hope We all see five wins to end the season, the Chiefs, Raiders and chargers all lose at least four more each, and We make the playoffs. I bet that’d bring the fan base back around.
O_C quit arguing with me. I meant yourself. No, I meant me dangit. Er, wait…
Bay,
Did you make Jimmy Hoffa disappear. LOL
This is Houston
Pj, great point and well said. Here is something the optimist in you will love. If we win out and the Charges and Chiefs lose out, Denver wins the division at 8-8 with the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs. Then we go one and done and fire McD HA Ha
PJ, I like McD’s passion, but I really want to win! I just havent seen anything other than the 6-0 start that says he can do that consistently. I want to know what it is that you see in McD that you feel is going to work out in time? I do want him to have success, but I don’t want to wait 2 or 3 more years for it. Tell me what gives you so much hope!!! hahaha
Hey guys I havent been on in a while, but I wanted to stop by and voice my displeasure with the Broncos current status. I wanted to give this regime a chance to prove that their moves were the right ones and nearly every one has failed. I am running out of patience and growing more and more frustrated with the systematic dismantling of the team I grew to love. In a joking way, it’s like Belichick has sent out his assassins over the years to go and screw up teams so theres less to worry about. Just sayin!
rebel – Yeah, I’m definitely not putting all my eggs in the ‘We win out/they lose out’ basket, LoL… I’ll sure as heck hope for it, as they say (at this point anyway) 8-8 until We ain’t!
Yovi, things I see that are promising… Off the top of my head
* 6 – 0 start to his career
* Thanksgiving win against the Giants last year. That was a great MF game. All around.
* 3 – 0 against divisional opponents on the road, so far (hey, we’re looking for positives, I know all too well that ugly home record against divisional opponents)
* Great (perhaps elite) football mind. This man can engineer the passing game, there is no doubt about it. In order to be able to do so, one must understand the contrast to the running game, therefore understand the running game. One cannot have a firm grasp on either without understanding the Defense. I see the football mind McDaniels has, Special Teams is the only questionable aspect of his overall football mind, to me. The only other thing that’s questionable, is how great a football mind does he have? (To me We have not seen enough execution to form a realistic overall view, as stated below)
* Players back him. From Brandon Marshall to Brandon Lloyd (not to mention guys who were/are with the Pats when he was), We’ve all heard them sound like they are completely behind the coach and believe in what he is laying down. B-Marsh’s actions may not have always reflect this, obviously, but I have not heard/read one player or former player say anything negative about him. Or staff/co-worker for that matter. I don’t count ‘unnamed sources’ just to be clear.
* When he sees something that works in a particular game/scenario, it seems that he can exploit the weakness(es) with adjustments thereafter, not necessarily half-time adjustments either. This is a factor that has been inconsistent throughout his tenure thus far, and is another reason I do not believe We can truly judge the merit with so many other variables involved, without seeing more execution.
* Compare Orton’s first year in the system, to this, his second. Any questions?
* He has led the team to 11 Wins. Any other rookie head coach having a total 11 – 16 record up to this point in his first two seasons, wouldn’t be viewed so negatively, methinks.
* He pisses off Todd Haley. What’s there not to like about that? ;-J
One more thing on the positive side that many seem to easily forget.
* Besides that (attempt to act like we were going to play a) game against the Raiders, the loss to SD this year, and both Baltimore losses…. We have been in every game We’ve played the last two seasons. Very competitively… I’ll go total them up and see how many We lost of the 16 so far, by less than one score, to be sure.
New blog on our rookies CB and S
Man, guess I’m in a bit more denial than I thought….At least on this one, LoL…
There were only 6 of the 16 losses that were within a score. Forgot about SD at home last year (must’ve blocked it out), and that Indy handled Us both this year and last. and about Pittsburgh last year, Washington beat Us by ten, and the Chiefs handled Us end of the year last season.
So 6 ‘close’ games (could have easily been wins), 7 games where We lost by more than two scores (obvious losses with no questionability), and 3 that were definitely in the ‘winnable’ category otherwise.
PJ, In the Skins game, If it wasn`t for that fake punt that they successfully made the Broncos would have probably won the game. IMO
Its simple lads, WIN and were all happy! Win on the trot AND YOU KEEP YOUR JOB BUT You on preformance review.
I would like to see Lloyd get major yardage over the last couple of games, he’s a major find this season. Knowshon needs to get more ball, dang when we’re in schtook, we move away from the run and increase the chances of failure with the one dimension offensive approach. Variety is in deed the spice of life.
In regards to McKinley, when that story was released my heart sunk. Its sad to think that he and many more like him get into such a situation (Nothing to do with Jersey Shore) that they think the only answer is end their life. Gutting for his family and friends that were there to support him but didn’t realise the full extent of his mental state.
Bay for some reason i was thinking that the Broncos were paying Shanny 5 per year thank you for calling me out some times you just need to know when your wrong. If this response is late well a work from 7 to 6 and no computers on the rail road.
I just wanted to clarify the amounts since it seems super important now, thanks for understanding and keep on trucking, or railroading? haha.
PJ, in response to your statement about how many players support McD, I think that can really be overstated. When any NFL player talks about any NFL coach, they almost always say positive things. Same thing when coaches talk about particular players. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they actually do support the coach, it’s just the normal PR thing to say. No matter how much a player may dislike his coach if he’s smart he will still say nice things. It’s just the ethical thing to do. And, like I said, it’s the smart thing to do. If there’s any chance you’re going to play for another coach down the road in your career you better say some nice things about your current coach so you aren’t labeled a disloyal, selfish player.
So yes, many players have said nice things about McD. But that’s the same thing as any coach saying you have to take the season one game at a time. It’s just the cliche dialogue NFL people use to promote a positive reputation. I take all those kinds of statements with a grain of salt. No matter what players say, I feel the effort they show on the field outweighs any regurgitated words they may spew out for the media’s benefit.
PJ, I agree 100% with you!! Only problem is I’m not as articulate as you are in writing form. Well written also It’s a 3 year program NFL or college, if not more. Let’s not throw McD under the bus just yet , instead
Xanders should be the one that needs to go first..