Still getting over the fact that we ran out of time in Foxborough. You never say the “L” word. Brady and the Pats were a better team and we had to win at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to beat the Pats.
Almost a replay of the earlier game in the year and frankly I could have used the first/same post verbatim. That would be cheating though. Playoffs…man.
There’s nothing worse than get knocked out of the playoffs. It’s so incredibly tough to get here and especially the way this group got there with new coaches, no OTAs, different camp, different CBA, you name it. Tebow stepping in and the entire offensive scheme change. When I say WOW it’s an understatement.
There’s not a lower feeling on earth in sports than getting sent home. Back in 1986 when we came away from Cleveland and “The Drive,” overtime win and then on to SBXXI it was the high of highs and a few weeks later not getting it done against the Giants was the low of lows. Crazy emotional rollercoaster.
But hey!! I’m more optimistic after this season than I was last year for the off-season to start and see what it brings draft and trade-wise. What about you??
Keep checking in and we’ll chat from time to time about what’s happening this offseason and thanks for all your input. I love it.
GO BRONCOS
Coopster
Tags: Mark Cooper
This was one of my favorite seasons by far. Had a blast watching our young players kick butt. This team was full of attitude and heart and I hope they bring it again next year. Thanks a lot gentlemen, see you next year.
Yeah, the bigger the game the bigger the pain in case of a loss, that comes with the territory.
I had been waiting for either your post or Mike Rice post to comment on my season impressions so here they are:
2011 Broncos season impressions
By yours truly
So many of them, I’ll rate them from 1 to 10, starting with the best down to the worst because I always believe that if you don’t praise the good things first, there is no way you should talk about the bad, or if you did I wouldn‘t pay it any attention. It has always been how I handled things in business, you want to come in to me with a complaint and have me listen to you, you better have told me something good about my business first before you even go there, otherwise it’s in one ear, out the other.
- Entertainment level for a fan like me: 10
That’s easy, clearly a season made of utter on the edge of your seat excitement the likes we haven’t seen since the Elway era. At least since game 5 when Tebow became the starter and all the way into the playoffs with the fastest ever win in OT in the history in the NFL with an 11 seconds drive!
- Winning the AFC West and our second playoff game post Elway: 10
Just facts here, nothing to elaborate on, great results.
- The improvement from last season to this one: 10
When anyone told me in the off season that we could go from worst to best in the division, I basically brushed it off as wishful thinking because as I said many times I thought no way that feat could be realized with a shortened off season, not just us, any team. And obviously I was proven wrong, this team definitely defied the odds.
- Overall coaching: 9
Only a high rating here would explain the unbelievable comeback from the McD era ashes. While far from perfect, the current coaching staff has proved that the players will go to hell and back for them all season long. A complete opposite of what happened under McD, they folded under him as quickly as a picnic table, under Fox they showed up the best they had for him every game, it’s just that simple, they love playing for that guy, and of course the play calling would not rate that highly but when you take the end result overall with the current level of talent on the team, a 9 for the coaching is well deserved.
- Upper management: 8
Mr. Bowlen really didn’t have many options after the McD fiasco, hiring Elway as VP of Football Operations was the quickest way to regain the trust of the fans. And Elway hiring Fox was at this point the best way to lay some solid foundation to a team that was in total disarray, no b.s. Fox, plain old guy, lovable, affable, players would love him and come together once again, plus he is conservative and wouldn’t make all the bone head moves McD did, and it all worked out as planned. Xanders not so much, the thorn on the side of the organization. GM is the one position that requires the most experience on any team, and Xanders has very little, but that’s a result of the Elway hire as I always say, no way any valuable experienced GM will ever take the Denver job to work under Elway, won’t happen, they want power, Elway has it, so hence the 8 rating.
- The nitty gritty of our 9-9 overall season: 6
Sure we won the division hence the 10 above, sure it was an exciting season hence another 10 above, but this season when you study it on paper had about as many troubling things in it as positive ones. The end result only makes me tilt it to a 6 rating instead of the mediocre 5 rating that the 8-8 record alone should earn. I mean we start 1-4 and finish 1-4, talk about putting yourselves in a bind with those kind of stretches. Fox fixed the first one with bringing Tebow in, and now he has an entire off season to do something about the second. Bottom line he has got as much on his plate now as when the season started.
And that’s not exactly a good thing.
- Draft: 5
And only because I’m hoping one of the TEs works out long run, because let’s face it, so far only Miller and Franklin fully panned out this season instead of the 4 Elway wanted. Carter has the best shot of the remainder, but after that it’s “inactive” Julius, ST Virgil here and there, “No Tackle” Moore, and LB Mohamed and Irving that were suspicious picks right from the start. The reason for the 5 and not less is purely based on the immense potential of Miller and Franklin, but other than that a poor draft to this date.
- Talent: 4
We are still so far away from being a half way talented team it’s right down scary. Dawk is done, Goodman should be done, McGahee is an aging beast, McBean is a penalty prone idiot, no safety play to speak of, no depth at RB, no receiving TE play, average to below average inside of the D line, the best secondary player after Bailey is undrafted Harris, no middle LB worth much more than a backup spot on any other team and a huge question mark at QB even so I truly believe Tebow cemented his job for the off season with Elway and only due to his Steelers game stellar play. Other than that we are just fine, LOL. But seriously, our upper talent know is confined to the Oline, one all pro CB, a rushing the passer tandem, one bad arse aging RB and one WR with big potential if he remains healthy. Plus a good punter and great kicker, and that’s it folks, you can just about count them all on both your hands.
Anyhow, I could probably go on into more depth but I’m sure I already lost most of you guys, haha.
P.S: This season impression piece is by no means meant to be argued with, dissected, tore down or reasoned with since it is obviously how I experienced the whole season with my eyes and football brain wide open and no matter how clever or smart any of you Bronco fans think you may be, you are not going to sway my season impressions one way or another whatsoever. So, DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME trying, LOL.
Now if Coop has something to add I may listen, haha.
And Coop, you not getting it done against the Giants cost me $2,000, LOL, I can laugh about it now but it wasn’t funny then, I was in the Rose Bowl stadium for it too, I bet it was as hard on me as any of you players.
Excellent article Coop! I was wondering what your thoughts were on the season. Have been waiting on this. Coop, I want to add that I really appreciate all of you guys keepkng us informed on what goes on at Dove Valley with the team through your blogs. Excellent work!
Bay, I have to agree with your assesment also. So, no argument from me on yours either.
I also have to agree bay………..pretty much nailed it………
what’s your thoughts on my question about our RB situation I asked earlier? McGahee is a beast, but an aging one at that………….
Our secondary could seriously use a revamping, our MLB spot is a gaping hole, but other than that I think the front 7 did thier jobs. I think moving Chris Harris to the second starting cb spot and moving goodman to the nickel would have a posistive effect immeidiatly. I think having Rahim Moore practice tackling all offseason would help as well. Maybe draft a MLB, FS, CB, and RB in that order would bolster our team greatly. Love our O line, our coming of age recievers… especially Willis. That kid can block downfeild like a beast. TE also can be addressed. Need to trade NoSHOW Moreno as well.. maybe some value can be had from him because he does us no good fumbling and being on IR.
If we seriously go for best talent … at the end of the first round, we could seriously end up with a MLB or a DT. Should be fun. Great thoughts from coop and bay. TRB
What a ride this year. Thanks to all Broncos for the experience.
Coop, great article as always. I wished that I could’ve been in your shoes to have the opportunity to experience exactly what you did… my Dad and Brother were there at that SB, but no way could they have felt the emotions that you guys did.
I think you’ve made a great assessment Bay. Thanks again for all you do and your input. I look forward to our continued challenges in trying to assess who will be the players to choose for our beloved Broncos.
Go Broncos…get healthy…get better.
If Tebow remains the starting QB, this lifelong Pats fan will remain a Broncos fan.
I’m frankly looking forward to fewer injuries and better conditioning next year if we can get a S&C coach with a modern repertoire and updated knowledge. I know Rich Tuten is a great guy, but I’ve been really tired of all the strains, sprains and tears of the past few years.
There’s so much upside going into next year, I’m psyched to see what happens. The only bad thing will be if we lose coach Allen. I would hate to see Bailey have to deal with yet another coordinator.
Go Broncos!
This was a great season and reminded us all of the Mile High Magic. Hoping the guys get healthy in the offseason and I hope that Dawkins will give it one more go. The schedule next year is killer! We need defensive help and a balanced O to have a great shot next year. I think we’ll have a solid team but we’ll need a very good team to get back to the playoffs next year given the games on the schedule.
Great article Coop!
Great assessment baylin!
I still think you’re being too hard on Xman. I guess the experience thing is the issue. My question is, how does a GM gain experience?
The other part of the equation- would you rather have an Experienced GM or Elway???!!! Lol
My answer is easy…
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
Couldn”t agree more Coop… it was a great ride!
Very nice assessment bay!
Thanks for all you did for all us bloggers, (fans) here on the website, as you kept us up to date with the draft, FA, and the lockout, and everything else.
Reading updates and participating with all on here is the best source of information for any and all in Broncos Country!
Best wishes to all of you during the offseason.
Best wishes to the Team and the organization, who rose to the challenges presented to them, and came thru with a very memorable season!!
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cant figure out can log in and comment here but on bronco country cant log in says wrong username or password. ask to reset password says email add. not recognized.anyone else having trouble?
I’m impressed with the direction this team is headed and only common sense would tell you that after the prior diappointing regime, I think we are on our way to greatness. There are still many holes to fill along with many player who are unknowns at the moment, but the first order of the day was releasing Strength and Conditioning coach Rich Tuten. I believe this move is warranted and correct as we’ve witnessed the team decline in the last 3 or 4 games every year now for awhile. Who the management acquires will be very important in improvement of our team’s conditioning in the beginning and down the stretch…
I agree with most of your posts here. Alot of you have mentioned that the MLB spot is in need. Look no further. We have an MLB! Wesley Woodyard has the most team tackles and would have the most solo tackles if he played full time but is only used in the nickle. Respect for D. J. Williams but if he isn’t cutting it, next man up! Wesley Woodyard is a BEAST and everyone overlooks him. Why? He should be our starting MLB next year. In addition, don’t forget that Robert Ayers has come on strong! And give the rookie secondary a little slack. Everyone has growth. It wasn’t like Rahim Moore and Carter had OTA’s to transition. I think they will work up fine. No doubt Chris Harris is the best gold we have mined since Rod Smith as a UFA. And yes, Von and Franklin did earn every accolade of star rookie and showed their worth but there are guys on the team that need to be given a fair shot. Next year will prove to be an indicator of business over loyalty. These guys have gelled as a family. Don’t be so rushed to break up the family vibe unless the team buys into it!
Tebow throws the 40 yard pass like its 10 yards ,just a suggestion ,perhaps a super fast wide reciever who can catch ,would be a great pick for Tebow.Tebows was great all season on the long ball ,now he just needs another person who can get to his spot quick.This is Tebows Knock out punch pass.
Our talent level is still not there, but I love the attitude and approach this season. Fox has done a wonderful job with this team and I look forward to the draft and next seasons Broncos!!!
COOP!
It’s time for a new post!
Maybe you could do something on the up and coming Defensive Tackles in the Draft you wouldn’t want to play against. Or the up and coming linebackers you wouldn’t want to face on the field.
The Draft is almost here and I for one would love to hear your perspective on the subject.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !