It has been real interesting reading the many comments to my blog posting of January 6, in which I said that the Broncos’ very success over many years is one of the reasons for frustration.
Lots of fans have written in with their comments, which is great and much appreciated.
I have a couple of thoughts regarding those who establish what they want us to believe is expert opinion.
Those opinions are largely established after the fact, not before the fact.
People know all the things that are wrong, went wrong, and will undoubtedly (in their minds) will go wrong again—but all of that is the product of what has gone before, and does not necessarily predict what will happen next.
One of the writers wrote about how the Broncos were perceived as a team in decline just after the 1995 season, when Denver had gone 8-8. Then, the Broncos went on to win 46 games in three years — the most in pro football history at that time — including back-to- back world championships.
Everyone then formed different opinions, and pronounced themselves right again.
One of the great statements I have ever heard, whether applied to the media or to any fan, is:
“I am always right. It is always now, and I am always me, so I must be right.”
We’re all guilty of 20-20 hindsight, but organizations have to live with what their records say they are, and then are forced by time and the schedule to move forward into the new year, and the new year is always just that.
It is a new year that does not correlate to the old year except in that it follows chronologically.
You can only bask in yesterday’s triumph or sulk over yesterday’s loss for so long.
Yesterday is in the history books. The future is today and tomorrow.
Tags: 2009, Denver Broncos
The only thing you can do with history is learn from it. I sure hope we learn something from it and take action to prevent it from repeating too many times.
Unless its a good history lesson, then I hope it repeats a lot.
Huh?
Well put Jim,
I remember reading posts on this website before the season started and people were predicting playoffs and 10, 11, or 12 win season. Some people are just not realistic.
I for one do not think this year was a bust or as bad as many other people do. At the begining of the year I said if the Broncos went 8-8 I would be extremely happy but I predicted a 6 or 7 win season. Although I was a little disappointed after a 6-0 start to only end up 8-8, I will still take it.
People forget about all the new things and what happend this year.
- there was a new head coach
- there were new assistant coaches
- there were new offensive and defensive systems
- there were a lot of new free agents/players
- the starting “franchise” QB was traded away
- there was a receiver that acted like a child during training camp
If you gave the above senario to any other team (think of a playoff team and take away the franchise QB, bring in a new coach with new offense and defensive scemes, then thow in a childish receiver) you have picked them to have a losing season. I agree it was disappointing to start 6-0 and then go 2-8 down the stretch, but to be 8-8 and end up second in the division is not all bad. It usually takes a head coach 2-3 years to get the right players to fit into the system.
Now we can sit back, watch the playoffs and wait for free agency and the draft to start.
Here’s one I like:
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”
Late season collapses? Locker room problems? Poor play at home? Hmm, those all sound rather familiar…
Yes, the next season is a blank slate ready to be written… but you sure as hell better learn the lessons from seasons past well in order to realize that better future.
What have we learned from 2008 8-8 and 2009 8-8?
One was a shared AFC West championship the other not even close.
The Broncos traded a 2008 #30 defense for a 2009 #7 defense. And a #2 2008 offense for a #17 offense.
What have we learned?
We had the 3rd toughest schedule in 2009 and started 6-0 but finished 2-8. And we were only 3-3 in our division.
What did we learn?
In 2008 we put 3 player in the Pro-Bowl and in 2009 it is 6 with 3 starters.
In 2008 we could not make third downs or score in the red zone and the exact same thing in 2009 with complete different backfield players.
Here is what I learned, the roster was 51% new players, with new coaches and schemes but the results were the same. So maybe the other 49% has to turned over.
I think this year had plenty of potential, as shown by the 6-0 start. New year same result. The team collapsed, choked, gave in during the second half of the season. I dk if its conditioning or what but i believe that is part of the problem
I get such a kick out of some of these comments on the blogs.
I saw this as a building year.
Shanahan didn’t win a Super Bowl his first year.
Give it time, everyone.
The reason I’m interested in being a historian is to learn from mistakes of the past. That is the primary purpose for keeping personal journals and records of what has come before. If we’re wise, then we’ll be better for our adversity. Such is also true for the Broncos. Let’s excel and overcome previous mistakes to triumph over our foes. GO BRONCOS!!!
we need t cody 4rm alabama for the future i mean we havent had a dominate nt since gerald warren and keith traylor and dat yr trevor pryce gain 30pounds went 4rm de to nt b fore going back to 290 and de we dont need linebackers or secondary cause we just seen when teams run up our gutt we couldnt do nothing wit dat wall its a double team n our pass rushers got an edge and champ and b dawk control their passing lanes oh yeah the last time champ had more than 6picks in a season was when we had warren clogging up the runnin lanes 2005-06 so pat bowlen us bronco fans r tired of seein runnin backs get 250 yrds on us corey dillion 278 n 2000 n cincy now dis kid both by the way on sorry ass teams
bronco fans we must understand this is josh mcdaniels first year as are head coach he was just tryin differnt formations out and must say there is alot of talent on this team i could understand where he is coming from this year is going to be exciting cant wait lets all have patiance
its always hard when change comes and change will come
“Patience is a virtue” thats what I was told as a child.
As a society we’ve become so accustomed to instantaneous actions. When I put the key in my car it should start right up, when I push the button on my computer it should turn on, when I put my food in the microwave it should be hot in 30 sec, when we replaced Elway we want a QB that’ll take us to a SB his first season. We’ve been on the beneficial side of instant gratification for a long time. When something doesn’t go well we freak out. Everyone is getting on all the young guys all the rookies about their mistakes, myself included (I’m cirtical). McD is a ROOKIE also, he’s got some figuring out to do just like everyone else. I’m not saying we wait 4-5 seasons of failing before we change, but he surpised us last offseason, I’m willing to bet he’ll suprise this offseason. I just hope that they’re good surpises.
…..uh at this point I simply want San Diego OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS!
I’m serious! I will lose my freakin’ mind if this group of bottom feeders go deep in the playoffs or even to the super bowl!
BEAT SAN DIEGO! BEAT SAN DIEGO! SOME ONE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING HOLY, BEAT SAN DIEGO!!!!!
I will now be a part time fan of anyone that plays these group of monkeys!
GO INDY! GO RAVENS! GO BENGALS! GO JETS! GO NEW ENGLAND!
I’m a football fan…never claimed to be an expert. But it doesn’t take an expert to know that going 4-4 at home, 0-3 vs division opponents, will not qualify you for the playoffs!
It’s just like you said Mr. Saccomano- Hindsight is 20/20. I believe this was an awesome year. For a rebuilding year. But that 6-0 start got everybodies hopes up. Change that 4-4 home record to 6-2, with a 2-1 division record…and it still doesnt take an expert to know that WILL qualify you for the playoffs. Isn’t that what iys all about!!!!!!!!!!
I agree that things need to be done to prevent history from repeating itself next season. I’m no expert by any means but I do think that the defensive line needs to get bigger. Vonnie Holiday played well this season but Denver needs a big block absorbing space taking NT along the line. Look at the teams that run the 3-4 well and the one thing they all have in common is fast linebackers and huge d-linemen. I don’t think either side of this team is in serious trouble. I think there are some things that can be tweaked offensively (playcalling) and small changes along the defensive front and the Broncos will be back in the playoffs.
I love the progress we made, especially on defense. We need more beef up front and an additional super LB that can bring the wood along with some real energy (McClain from Alabama would be choice). Youth and talent on the D and O lines would also benefit this team in a big way. McBath was a great find, Ayers will only improve, Smith made excellent plays but needs to work on consistency, Moreno will improve with O-Line play. We have so much to look forward to!! GO BRONCOS!!!
I agree that hindsight is 20/20, however you can use it to your advantage if you learn from it. As a fan you can say “Wow, our defense would have been better if we drafted Okapo and Cushing, instead of Ayers and Moreno.” That is an open ended comment, because you just don’t know if that situation would have panned out, like it did for Washington and Houston. Moving forward the Broncos have to address both the O and D lines. The O line was designed with smaller quicker linemen for the zone blocking scheme, it doesn’t work so well in McDaniels’ offensive schemes. Our defensive line was built around the 4-3, and it is glaringly obvious that there is some more beef needed in the middle, and these smaller quicker D-Linemen aren’t going to work in the 3-4. I’m still on the fence about McDaniels, because there are some things he handled well, and other things he didn’t. It was obvious that Cutler didn’t want to put the work in, that McDaniels wanted him to, to help him at reading defenses and make smart plays. The benching of Marshall and Scheffler was at the behesting of the team captains for their behavior and attitude. Tony, you just can’t twitter bad things about the coach, the team, your QB, and not expect some sort of repercussions. Brandon, you can’t say you have a hamstring issue, and then be late for treatments. Being the glass is half full kind of person, I hope that I am seeing a “team first” attitude coming out of Dove Valley, and not the “McDaniels has a big ego, and is putting his ego before the team” sentiment that I hear from alot of fans. There is no denying that the 2009 draft class was one of the better drafts for the Broncos, so I take solace in thinking that the 2010 will also be as solid.
This message angers me!!! Just because we go 8-8 doesn’t mean that we will win 46 games in three years again. We went 7-9 two years ago 8-8 last year, and 8-8 this year. So with what your saying in this column is that we should have been at least 11-5 this year and 11-5 next year and 14-2 the next year and be back to back champs in two of those years. You are crazy dude we have no John Elway this team is no where compared to that that won 46 games and back to back superbowls.
Broncfalls I agree just somebody please beat the GD San Diego Chargers. F phiplip rivers god that guy is a piece.
As far as we’re concerned it’s all about the O and D lines.
We cant run the ball cus o line cant block for crap and were getting run down our throats cus D lilne cant stop it. 250 rush yards from the KC chiefs please somebody just kill me.
Not 250, 317, you’re dead. LOL.
joelunzicker,
As the person who wrote what Jim referenced in his blog regarding the 1995 team, I have to say I don’t believe either he nor I are implying an 8-8 season is a predictor of any number of wins in subsequent seasons. I think what we’re both trying to say is that an 8-8 season, even one where we start 6-0 and then go 2-8 to finish, isn’t a predictor of a certain number of future losses, either. The point I was trying to make is that in 1995 many people thought the Broncos would be re-building for a long time. Even though we had John Elway, he was largely perceived as being the only hope the Broncos had and not far from the end of his career.
Even back in those days the organization did things that angered fans and created doubters. I mean, Denver became a running team in 1996 and that continued all the way until the last few years. There’s no doubt in my mind that when the offense changed from a run-oriented offense to a pass-oriented offense under Cutler and when Shannahan didn’t focus on the running game in his talent selection that we started going downhill as a team. I mean, a pass-oriented offense just isn’t as likely to be consistent as a run-oriented offense is, particularly in short yardage situations. Needless to say, however, many folks, (fans like me included), wanted to see John Elway slinging the ball all over the field, (like he did in 1993 and 1995), and scrambling like he did earlier in his career. I didn’t really want to watch a run-oriented offensive system. I mean, yeah they could now pick up a 3rd and six by running the ball, but I still screamed at the TV…”throw the damn ball!!”
When we won our first Super Bowl, (I cried like a baby), and Terrel Davis was MVP, not John Elway, and when the stats showed John with less than 200 yards passing, I have to admit I felt a tinge of disappointment. My favorite player didn’t win the game. He won as part of a team. At that point I realized the pride I felt was for the Broncos, the team I grew up caring about and following religiously. I cried when John retired, but his departure has never made me less of a fan. I rooted for Steve DeBerg just as hard.
When I compare the 1995 Broncos to the 2009 team, the point I’m trying to make is a team wins football games. Collections of individuals, no matter how talented, simply don’t win with the same frequency. Some people have pointed out, quite correctly, that Kyle Orton is not John Elway. Then again, the John Elway who won two championships was not the John Elway who threw for 4,030 yards in 1993 and 3,970 yards in 1995. He had only 3,635 yards in 1997, the year they finally won it all. I feel the organization is trying to build a team now, and that’s why I have tremendous optimism for the future.
p.s. some of you may remember that John Elway himself was called the “most over-rated player in NFL history” during his rookie year. Nobody thought he was any good! Even after the 1984 season when they went 13-3, people thought they should have put in Gary Kubiak instead of Elway in the divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. People called Dan Reeves “pig headed” for leaving Elway in the game, even after he pulled his groin. Let’s face it, they were probably right. Kubiak would have won that game.
im happy with how this season turned out for 1 reason, shanny was gone! shanny went 10 years and produced and average team every year, so this years average team i welcomed cause it was a change of pace. The broncos have taken on a new identity, how they develope this identity is still up in the air for years to come. Also am i the only one who had fun seeing his team go 6-0 and being on top of the word then go 2-8 and be in the dumps? What a roller coaster! And if you looking for a good ride this is the team to cheer for because you never no what you going to get. That being said, Denver is probably the only team in the NFL that lives up to the saying “Any Given Sunday”.
And on another note, im going to have to criticize jim Saccomano as respectfully as i can. For him to post a story saying you dont know what is going to happen next year (in a nut shell) I find rather insulting. the last time i saw denver play in the super bowl was Jan 31 1999, nearly 11 years ago. Until this organization proves that is can change its ways, we as the fans have a full RIGHT to think and say that we know what next year holds. I for one believe now that this team is Average until proven otherwise. So jim running his mouth like that is just his way of covering up the mistakes of this year by saying “there always next year”. So jim why dont you say something a little more honest like ” we messed up for the 11th time and were sorry to our fans” and leave out any talks about the future, and only talk about today and how they are trying to improve. Its been “next year” for 11 years, i say after 11 years they loose the privledge to talk about the future, and can only talk about today. Once again jim, nothing against you personally, but bologna like this upsets me.
It would of also been nice for Mr. Saccomano to come here and acknowledge his mistake when he mentoned in the previous post that only the Dallas Cowboys have gone to more SB’s than the Denver Broncos, and royalbroncofan1 rightly pointed out that the Pittsburgh Steelers also have been to more SB’s than us, obviously Mr. Saccomano forgot their SB last year, he was working with outdated stats. But he decide to post an answer here to the previous blog simply to reinforce the points he made that where attacked, he would have much more credibility to me if he would of also addressed his misinformation. No matter who you are and what level is your position, you always will be better received by the audience, if when you are wrong you fess up to it, rather than taking the high road, All that to say, that Mr. Saccomano can be a bit condescending at times and it would be nice if he came back down to street level some times so he can have a clearer vision of what the view is like on Main Street, with all due respect, he has done great things in his long career with the Broncos.
I was surprised that we went 8-8 on a completely new system with new coaches, new plays, and new players. Last year we went 8-8, but was used to the 2 previous years, plays, system, players and coaches. I think as fans we should expect highly of our team, and the players expect that of us, but also expect us to be patient at least till everyone has gelled, which takes more than 1 year.
It took Shannahan a few years to win a SB, and it took John Elway in his 15th season to win his first. I think we need to trust our team and QB for a little bit longer than we have recently to try and get to the Superbowl. Constantly replacing QB’s isn’t going to help much.
I’M sorry but Sac was way off base. Remember “its not whether we survive the Storm,But whether or not we learn how to dance in the Rain” All we need are some new Dancers on the OL and DL and we”ll be fine Bronc’s forever,If the line Dancers improve we’ll be dancin in the playoffs in 11
Looking forward to next season and more wins. I can recall many who said that this year we would only win 3 games!! Growing pains with a new head coach….McDaniels will be fine.
I really wasn’t surprised how we finished given the changes that we were going through. HOWEVER, It really angered me to hear the latest changes with Marshall and Scheffler. Scout Team??? ARE YOU CRAZY! Our defense sucked last year, our offense just needed a little tweeking! NO, McDaniels has to change everything all at once and look at the results! MAJOR DISRUPTION in the locker room to the point a guy can’t even voice his frustrations?!?!? What’s that? That is where you want it. Vented, in a controlled area, that stays with you and your teammates to work things out, not media fodder!!! McDaniels seems to have lost the initial trust of these players and I’m frustrated at what is going to happen next year. I can’t afford season tickets, but I do take my sons to at least three of the games!! I won’t spend the money next year!! We need get the O line back on track, and add more support to the DEFENSE!! Last comment…Stokley, Marshall, Royal, Hillis, and Scheffler, are AWESOME players to have on one team!!! We need more players like adding Dawkins to our DEFENSE, then and only then, can we really talk SuperBowl!!!!!
Jim Saccomano….Sir, with respect…Your comments lead me to believe, that not only should we, as fans, be more patient, but that we should have expected to do 8-8?!?!? I said it the day that the Bronco’s let go of Coach S and then again, hearing we took on a rookie coach McD….we would go 8-8, it’s a building year. Keep in mind, we as fans, want to look forward to a greater year next year….but hearing comments so lukewarm from the Bronco’s VP of Public Relations!
Jim,
Everytime theres a history lesson, you are always behind it and on behalf of younger bronco fans it is much appreciated…
Im with you tho…especially with the media…it is, they will stink, then they are brilliant, then they are who we tought they were (bad team) and etc…its all about what have u done for me lately but i gotta say this year was the fastest i have gotten over a dissapointing season….dunno if thats good or bad….have i learned to say “it is what it is” or have I just grown used to dissapointment…..Either way, which ever it is, one thing can be agreed on…>GO BRONCOS IN 2010
It is easy ti be critical I think I’m just uncomfotable with change in general.
http://greatestdenverbroncosfans.blogspot.com/
Some wins next year will make me comfortable again.
I guess I agree to learn form the past but to miss a 10 win season by losing at home to two ill fated teams is what makes the conclusion of the season so unfortunate and unacceptable…forget the 6-0 start that had us all going crazy. I worry the team carries bad momentum into the offseason not to mention the loss of Marshall as a premier receiver for Orton. (assuming Orton is back and do think he largely earned that chance)
No matter how you slice it, the coach was green, a little tempermental and was simply unable to get his team ready to rally and close out the season on the right note. How does that happen with a relatively straighforward task at hand? Do not see this team advancing beyond 8-8 next season. What would make the team get suddenly better unless its a knock out sensational draft? Do not see it unless it is “everyone in the same system for more then a year”? That is a pretty weak argument and hope is not a strategy. Will stay optimsitic but concerned about next season.
Dont think Marshall and Scheff will be back, Maybe the best thing. They seem as if they are poision pills. (Drama) Don’t need it. As said B4, changes everywhere. Now the rookie coach is not a rookie, and we do not have a new system. Draft and FA will bring Beef to the lines. Also a big reciever will be needed with Marshall gone. (I don’t think he will be back) Think about it, Big lineman are all we need for McDs system. I think we have all the other pieces. Mr Bowlen would not have gotten rid of Shanny if he did not want to win. They were friends and he is still paying him. Mr B wants to win one for himself. (Much Deserved)
Go Broncos
Yes, as many have stated, They “dropped the ball”. Many national media sources slated us as a 2-5 win team in ’09. I pray and hope for the broncos every week, but I hate to say it I was STUNNED by the 6-0 start. I think thats what burns the most is that we all got our hopes up. Look, The reason we went 6-0 is that McDaniels plan works, but only if the players work harder. I know its a long season, and I know you dont wanna get the most out of your body, But there is three players that defined the mission statement of this team. Brian Dawkins, Elvis Dumervil (My prayers are with his family after the tragedy in Haiti), and Ryan Clady. Do your Job, but Do it to the very best of your ability. When Shanny Cutler and everyone all left, I didnt feel the Heartbeat of this team anymore. Mr. Dawkins? Yes, yes we feel that beating in our chest. We want more. Defense WINS Championships.
Brandon Spikes from Florida and Mclain from Alabama. Go 2 LB in the Draft. We need Linebackers. Or trade up for Suh. Period.