Perspective is one of those things that everybody claims to have, but which frequently seems lacking as soon as something goes against form, or what we deem form to be.
The Broncos are 6-2, and we could make a laundry list of things that have not gone right the past two weeks, of things that need to be improved dramatically, or a little.
OK, fine, no disagreement there.
But let’s consider:
We knew we had a schedule, and that it consisted of 16 games. This is something we all knew, as well as knowing that we would not play all 16 games at once, but instead playing them the very traditional one at a time. Everything is one at a time. Every single thing.
The tallest person grew a fraction of an inch at a time. The heaviest person took one bite at a time—a lot of them, perhaps, but all one at a time (you ever try to shove more than onr fork in your mouth at the same time? Didn’t think so).
So at the halfway point of the season, we are 6-2. Not many but the greatest of loyalists would have expected better, or more.
Now, it is a given that we all are real happy with a win, regardless of who we beat, and very disappointed with a loss, again regardless of who the winner was.
But beyond that, and let’s be reasonable here, did we somehow think the Ravens would be an easy team to beat in Baltimore, coming off three straight losses?
How about the Steelers? Does their sixth world championship not sort of tell us they might be a real tough opponent on Monday night football?
You have to look at the whole picture, all the time. Very tough to do, but that’s the challenge.
The Broncos are 6-2, and there is some part of that with which we are not happy. But……is there some part of that with which we ARE happy, like say, the six wins?
The last I looked, Cincinnati and New England and Dallas are first place teams, and Denver beat all of them. The Chargers would be a first place team, except…….they lost to Denver at home, on Monday night football, in a game they were desperate to win. That’s four of the Broncos’ six wins, and I defy anyone to say those four teams are not quality teams.
So, from here on, you just keep playing. No matter what, there is a game next week, and no matter how giddy or miserable you are, you have to get ready for it because preparation is the only way you can give yourself a chance to win, to get to the happy place.
Am I saying we should overlook errors or disappointing play? No, of course not, but as hard as it is to get our hands around the greased pig of perspective, we have to grab it and hold on.
Only with perspective can you see things clearly.
Big game this week, another opportunity to reach the happy place.
Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Postgame, Week 9
You’re the man, Jim!
Cheers Jim!
To tell you the truth, the L vs. Steelers was a bit bitter because SD won and they are now just 1 game behind. I know this is fool’s gold, and we should be owners of our own destiny all the way, but if we begin to win again vs. Washington and SD loose vs. Eagles, it’s 2-game lead again, heading to the game between each other at home… and the lead could grow to a 3-game (including a sweet sweep to SD), with 6 games left.
I hate this, but I’ll have to cheer SD’s rival the rest of the season.
Go Broncooos!
Great stuff, man, I’ve been trying to explain this to people.
Jim,
I totally agree, everyone needs to take a deep breath and look at where the Boncos are at, 6-2 and leading the division. It is not panic time, there is no need to bench Orton. The simple fact is the Broncos got beat by 2 very good teams coming of their bye weeks.
Denver has two games against 1-7 Kansas City and against 2-6 Oakland and 2-6 Washington.
The 4 other games are at home against the Chargers (the Broncos beat in San Diego), at home against the Giants (have lost four in a row), and on the road at Indy and Philadelphia.
No game is easy or an automatic but the schedule looks pretty good for the Broncos. They just need to continue to play hard and cut down on the mistakes.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
This is way off topic, but does anyone know where I can get a hoodie like the one McD is wearing in the above picture?
Brian, I’ve been trying to find it too……my girlfriend loves it and wants one badly. I’ve contacted the broncos online store but haven’t heard back and reebok.com, with no luck either. They got back to me but gave me a product code for a regular hoodie.
I’m desperate to find one for a Christmas present. Anyone out there know? Think McD would respond to an email? hahaha
I think will end up in 11-5 thats not a bad start in my books we just really have 2 worry about SD coming up frm behind like last year
killerkod: I hear ya my wife really wants one for X-mas also.
Not sure why it’s so hard to find. If it’s official gear, it should be available for sale somewhere. Any ideas anyone?
killerkod and brian_schneider… I’ve looked everywhere for it and I can’t find it either.
Jim – any ideas where we can find the hoodie McD is wearing???
I think Doom is gonna have one of those 4 sack games against the Skins. Just got that feeling.
Lmao @ McD “Troy was playing 35 yards down field.” Ohhh Josh. Is it me or is he smaller that Flutie?? They had to pull the camera down to where Orton’s chest was. I didn’t know he was that short. I think he got something brewing for the Skins. Remember he orchestrated that 50 Burger on them in yrs pass.
I guess was growing the beard till he throw a real int. Clean shave it is now. Maybe he’ll feel like a new man. With a new haircut. LOL @ Kyle too” Throwing it 50 yards down field sounds good. If it’s not there. It’s not there.”
I hear ya Jim, and I think most fans do as well but just the same way we take it one game at a time is the way we discuss and right now all we have to go on for the rest of this week and the past 2 is loses…Yes, there are bright spots in this team, really think they can go the distance…and even tho we lost to quality teams I wouldnt feel so bad if it was close and we played a good game and utilized all our weapons.
But you are right…6-2 alot of those wins coming from divisional leaders but I think this just reminds many of last year how we started Hot and fizzled out, some are worried we maybe figured out and maybe we are but the job of th HC is to keep his team Dynamic and McD stresses playing to the teams weakness. The past two games ive seen the same thign from the first 6 games, guess all the teams have the same weaknesses….maybe Im just missing something more intricate that coaches notice but I dont…anyway, not panicked yet. Would just like to see this team reach its potential.
I really hope to see a complete game this weekend. I want to see the offense stretch the field and put up at least 24 points and I want to see the D hold the skins to 2 FGs. Both sides of the ball need a confidence boost right now as I’m sure they’re prob questioning themselves after two consecutive a$$ whoopings on both sides of the ball.
I would still like to see Marshall more involved, and in deeper routes. I got excited to see Orton connect with him early last game, but that kind of fizzled after the first few series. He is one of the best receivers in the league, USE HIM! Orton needs to sense the pressure and step up in the pocket more…hot those open receivers down field. He always seems to panic and curls up around the ball on the ground for a sack…..better then a fumble I guess! lol
I hope they straighten out the Berger situation. This has turned out to be a horrible decision. Either he’s not in game shape yet or his leg is just dead. All I know is that his punting has been unacceptable and something needs to be done bout it soon. Can you imagine giving Rivers the ball close to midfield everytime? Can somebody say torched?
Let’s hope that the Skins are just the right medicine for this team and get them playing hi-calibre football once again. It doesn’t get easier from here!
GO BRONCOS!
About the hoodie Coach McDaniels is wearing, a hot item for sure. I believe it was only available in limited quantities. I purchased a similar one that is no longer advertised on the pro shop website. I searched NFL online pro shop as well, to no avail. Since it is official AFL 50th anniversary merchandise, if you find it anywhere else, it is sure to be a cheap knock off!
Anyhoo…how about those 6-2 Denver Broncos!!!!!! Most people had us going 1-4 through that 5 game stretch. With the 2 losses coming from the AFC championship representatives from the previous season. I am pleasantly surprised with our team at the midway point. I’m equally pleased, if not more so, with the job Coach McDaniels has done. After that tumultuous offseason, we are serious contenders for the post season. And with that secondary… In January…look out!!!!!!
Congrats to everyone involved in the organization, keep up the great work. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
People already talking like it’s all over and we’re 6-2. Slap me.
“The last I looked, Cincinnati and New England and Dallas are first place teams, and Denver beat all of them. The Chargers would be a first place team, except…….they lost to Denver at home, on Monday night football, in a game they were desperate to win. That’s four of the Broncos’ six wins, and I defy anyone to say those four teams are not quality teams.”
Enough said. Anyone unhappy with the GOOD we accomplished this season needs to open their eyes. Think outside the bun. lol
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!!
I think we’ll have an easy game against the Redskins, who are without Clinton Portis and one of their safeties. Then, next week, we’ll beat the Chargers in Denver and after that we’ll be back on track, bouncing back to our previous pace.
I’m really happy with this season. I obiously would have loved to beat both the Ravens and Steelers but those are two very very very tough defenses. There are always the nay-sayers that will always say, Cinci=fluke, Brady wasn’t on his game, and Dallas wasn’t on their game. That’s crap, are people sayin’ to the Steelers and Ravens, oh the Broncos weren’t on their A game. No they be saying we ain’t for real and we’re a fluke team. This team has put a lot of feet into peoples mouths and they’re mad at that. We’re a good football team and we’re going to continue to get better.
i like the post, and im sorry to sound negative, but the reason why some fans **me including** are worried is that in those 6 wins a few things took place.
1) people didnt know how to beat orton
2) our defense bailed us out of a few games.
3) eddie royal saved us on 2 tds. along with the defense saving us against the chargers.
4) and im sorry but i do not feel good about the bengals victory at all.
-Why are we worried to be at 6-2?
-People know how to beat orton. Why is that bad? If we cant score any more points ((the low amount we have scored)) then our defense will continue to tire and we will have a long season. I will let all this down when i see orton streatch the defense a little more, but if he continues to go down this path im going to be on the edge for the rest of the season.
NOW DONT GET ME WRONG! i have all the faith in the world and im hoping to jebus that mchoodie fixes my worries, which im sure he will. But if he doesnt we will be easily 6-10. WHICH I DONT WANT! Hopefully orton practices some deep throws against the skins. Until then, time will only tell.
I for one am extatic about this season,if you told me after preseason we were going to be 6-2,and leading our division,tied for the 2nd best record in the AFC,I would’ve told you your’e crazy.I’m thinking like TRB I guess most fans still remember last year, and it’s still eating at their gut,we just don’t want to see that happen this year.We are not whining or anything,just giving our opinion.Oh yeah -Good article Jim,good stuff.GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!
hoodies like McD’s go to nfl.com store and look under broncos,they have tons of stuff and that hoodie is about $80.00
Thanx OTD,my son has been wanting one.
just checked 562 different bronco items. hoodie is $74.99 plus $4.99 shipping
For all you fans out there that think the Deadskins are weak,their offense is pretty weak,but they play really good defense ranked like 10th or something,but we’ll bounce back and beat’em.
yea their offense is whack but their defense is pretty darn good…far from steelers good but pretty darn good….but they dont stop the run like the steelers so we wont end up one dimensional
plus I live in Maryland….I refuse to lose to another team with a stadium in maryland….Ravens was bad enough….besides…I also refuse to lose to anyone that gave the Lions their first win in 19 games or something like that lol
ps….wish i had tickets for this game
but getting their ontime with my sunday schedule would be brutal border line impossible since its at 1pm and all that
I will be their with the Jersey no one has!!! I will also reville in the victory. Like Elway to Rod smith in overtime. I will rise! Like the funk in Missy Elliot’s leather pants. I rise! I always wanted to use that.
No team we play should be underestimated, yes even the Raiders & Chiefs. No game is easy, I’d like to think that too but bottom line… when the game comes teams like KC & Oakland have lost so much believe or not they are looking for revenge and who better than a division rival like us. Our boys should not be taking this game or any game lightly. Every team is a threat, some more than others, but a threat nonetheless. I think that is the mentality this team had when they went to Baltimore. They saw a team coming off a bye with a 3 game losing streak and thought they could slack off a bit. They slacked off more than just a little. That mentality is what has cost us the AFC West in the past. I’ve noticed over the years they have a tendency to do this, especially when playing Oakland & KC. They see those teams as easy targets and honestly they should be but they aren’t. No game is a piece of cake. Takes plenty of hard work to win a game. Don’t take any game lightly.
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Sorry for the long link, but this is very close to the one he has one in the picture.
http://www.eastbay.com/product/model:106090/sku:83662211/Reebok%20Classic%20Pullover%20Hood%20-%20Men%27s%3A%3AGiants?supercat=home&cm=GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH#sku=83662101&size=XXXXL
Thanks Brian. Pretty close indeed. Only difference is this one sports the classic logo and the colour obviously. Why is it so damn hard to track down? Did McD have them custom made? lol
Yeah,I see us getting our running game going this week.Does anyone know how long Harris is out??cause we need him.
And someone tell McD to try some run sweeps this week and let Moreno use his speed and try to get to the corner and bust one,he ain’t no power back,can’t bust’em up the middle.
If we’re gonna power run we need to put Hillis in at fullback to block,and give him a few touches too.
prices for women and kids is less for hoodie
I hope no one is sleeping in the Skins! Even though they don’t have Portis, Cooley, or a decent O-line. Moss catch 2 or 3 deep. That can be 14 to 21 points real quick. Trust and believe they will throw it up. Even if it’s not there. lol I just hope we’re there though.
You cab bet your a?? Champ will play good,no way he gets beat like he did again.
The secondary is playing well,but i’d like to see the” Brute”,and Phonzie contribute more.The Brute has been plying well on special teams though,thats something we gotta improve on also.
can not cab
I think Law will play strong Sunday,with a whole week of practice under his belt.Thought he might give Goodman a run for his money,but Goodman had a strong game Monday night,maybe he thought McD was gonna bring in Law and cut him..LOL
He make too much money to cut now!! lol He safe!
Hillis is back today, his grandmother died last week and the funeral was yesterday. The Denver Post just posted that Hamilton is no longer the starter and Hochstien will be the starting LG. I can’t find that hoodie anywhere either! Can’t wait til Sunday!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
Huh? Hamilton lost his spot? That was unexpected. Are you sure he isn’t hurt, or moving to RT?
I must be missing something here, it seems some folks including the top brass of this website are talking as if many on this blogosphere are talking doom and gloom. Call me stupid, but I haven’t noticed that. Of course there are always people who come here who love to bash because that’s what they do, they were here even when we were 6-0, but the great majority here is always behind their team 100%. I give them a lot more credit than some of you are. Of course, right after the game, most everybody having partaking in what most respectable fans are expected to do when they go to the stadium or watch it elsewhere, they had a few brewskis (isn’t that the stadium’s biggest revenue outside of tickets?) and were hot under the collar with a BIG HOME loss, so they vented off, there is nothing wrong with that. Within 24 hours of the game everyone here was having great fun with a lot of humor spread around and smart discussions about what we fans think the team is doing right and doing wrong, that’s perfectly normal. The bad should be discussed, it’s the only way to get better, addressing the bad. I learn more from people who are critical of our team than from people who don’t want to discuss the wrong. So blogosphere, keep it coming, it’s all good in my eye. Remember football is just a game and blogging about it is just a passtime, and both are supposed to be fun. I am having fun, I was laughing so hard Monday pm, it hurt… Thanks everyone.
I hate to name drop in this vein, but the biggest a-hole I know, Tembe Jones, has been predicting the Broncos’ demise since Week 1. It will be a pleasure to shove his stupid logic up his rear end once we improve to 7-2 by tomahawking the Skins.
the magic is over
Hey Jim,
Once again a great article. A little perspective is needed. The Team is 6-2, which is way beyond most fans expectations. I remember when the team was 4-0 and I read that Peter King thought the team would go .500 for the next 4 games. I felt such excitement at this forecast that our team may be 6-2 at the halfway point.
I think the division will be decided in the next 2-3 weeks. If we beat the ‘skins (which we will), and we beat the Chargers (which I hope), it’s over. However, If things don’t work out that way (which I doubt), at least the team has set itself up to play very meaningful games come December, and that is all any of us ask for every year!!!
Thanks again,
MikeyD
Broncos country should be ashamed of themselves. I know we allot of people are a little short on money right now but ABSOLUTELY NO TEAM should have that many fans at Mile High Stadium…period! We will see the Steelers in the playoffs and there needs to be a gag order on as many tickets as possible! We are about to unleash some frustration on Jason Campbell..watch out!
I’m sorry but Brett Kern should still be a Bronco and so should Jack Williams! Putting in T Law with one day preparation is just flat out dumb! Also J. Williams runs a 4.3 so the Offense doesn’t know if we are in man or zone. With Law we will be in much more zone.
Side Note: 33 A. Smith was in 1 or 2 plays on Defense on Monday. 1 of those plays was the A. Goodman interception.