Broncos-Lions: Game Notes
12:54 P.M. EST: The P.A. system played Ring My Bell as the Broncos took the field. Not sure about the significance of that.
1:05 P.M. EST: Technical difficulties forced a computer restart, but we are back now.
1:47 P.M. EST: I apologize, but the entire first-quarter blog has been erased … I type it in Internet Explorer, and the blasted thing and my Internet connection shut down … so when I saved an entry, it only saved the first few lines. I apologize for the issues today. This stadium might be gleaming, but the quality of Internet connections in this city stinks.
SECOND QUARTER:
1:34 P.M. EST: Forget what I said about this place being nice … I can’t get on the Internet. This place stinks.
1:35 P.M. EST: Second-and-28 after a holding penalty … and the Lions quickly get 20 of the yards they need on a pass from Jon Kitna to Calvin Johnson.
1:37 P.M. EST: After an incompletion, it’s the Lions’ Jason (Hanson) who tries a lengthy field goal … from 53 yards, it’s easily good, with a few yards to spare. Lions lead, 6-0.
1:40 P.M. EST: The Broncos might have found their kickoff returner … Andre Hall has shown the most consistency of any Broncos returner so far this season.
1:44 P.M. EST: Jay Cutler just hit the ground awkwardly on second down … he remains on the ground receiving treatment for over a minute.
1:45 P.M. EST: Ramsey’s first pass gets 18 yards and a first down.
1:49 P.M. EST: Things aren’t going well anywhere right now … Jay Cutler remained on the sidelines for the rest of the drive and my Internet connection is spotty, at best. I’ll try to update this as often as my connection allows, but no guarantees.
1:50 P.M. EST: Jay Cutler has been taken to the locker room for X-rays … he was hit in the lower left leg. He is questionable to return.
1:55 P.M. EST: A costly penalty … Elvis Dumervil got to Kitna on third-and-10, and then grabbed his facemask from behind. A seven-yard loss is wiped out, and now the Lions are in field-goal range at the Denver 33.
1:58 P.M. EST: Kitna-to-Furrey to the Denver 16 … Lions controlling the pace of this game … next play, touchdown, as Kitna finds Furrey for the final 16 yards, beating Karl Paymah across the middle … Furrey bounced off Paymah, used the cornerback to stop and start again and got separation from the third-year player. Broncos now trail 13-0.
2:01 P.M. EST: Still awaiting word on Cutler.
2:02 P.M. EST: Ramsey remains in at quarterback. I don’t see Cutler anywhere on the sidelines.
2:05 P.M. EST: Broncos now at the Detroit 39 after gaining 19 yards on the first two plays of the series. Ramsey’s pass to Brandon Marshall for 13 yards got the drive off to a promising start.
2:06 P.M. EST: Third down … Ramsey looks for Brandon Stokley, and the pass sails high. Denver will punt once again.
2:07 P.M. EST: Halloween may be four days in the past, but the scary part of the autumn is in the first-half stats today. So far, the Lions have an 11-3 first-down advantage, a 164-57 total-yardage edge and a 77-8 margin in rushing yardage.
2:13 P.M. EST: Lions moving again, now looking to expand their advantage before halftime … Their passing game is starting to flourish on these last two possessions, with a 17-yard Kitna-to-Calvin Johnson pass moving them across midfield.
2:15 P.M. EST: Detroit now at the 20 with second-and-5 … Clock down to 50 seconds … Kitna’s end-zone pass to Roy Williams went incomplete.
2:17 P.M. EST: Kitna’s pass to Shaun McDonald in the back of the end zone falls incomplete. Detroit settles for Jason Hanson’s third field goal of the day; Broncos trail 16-0.
2:21 P.M. EST: An illegal-man-downfield penalty, a short Selvin Young run and the clock runs out on the half … Broncos down 16-0.
THIRD QUARTER
2:37 P.M. EST: Cutler has a lower left leg contusion. His return remains questionable. I can’t see him anywhere on the Broncos sidelines.
2:38 P.m. EST: A Kitna incompletion yields a three-and-out for the Lions.
2:41 P.M. EST: The crowd begins a chant of “De-fense” as the Broncos sit in the shadow of their uprights … Broncos now have third-and-9 at their 4.
2:43 P.M. EST: Under pressure, Ramsey’s pass for Brandon Marshall falls incomplete. Ramsey is now 5-of-10 for 48 yards … Todd Sauerbrun, who has enjoyed a good day, clobbers a 51-yard-punt that is bobbled as it is fielded, thus yielding no return.
2:49 P.M. EST: Denver’s defense is now managing to give the offense some chances, with two three-and-outs on as many series this half.
2:52 P.M. EST: And now disaster strikes again as Patrick Ramsey is waylaid by Corey Smith, jarring the football loose … Dewayne White recovers the fumble and scoots three yards for the Lions score. Matt Lepsis is very slow to arise and is treated on the field for a minute before rising.
2:54 P.M. EST: Detroit’s lead is now 23-0.
2:57 P.M. EST: Lepsis is back in as the Broncos take over after a 34-yard kickoff return for Andre Hall. The first-year running back from South Florida has been a bright spot today; he’s averaging 29.0 yards per kickoff return.
3:01 P.M. EST: A nice grab by Tony Scheffler across the middle is followed by two incompletions, including one Brandon Marshall drop. With third-and-10 after the passes, Marshall then redeems himself with a 14-yard grab near the right sideline as three defenders closed in on him.
3:03 P.M. EST: Detroit calls timeout; the Lions had just 10 men on the field.
3:05 P.M. EST: Travis Henry takes over with a 7-yard run and a 22-yard carry … and then can’t walk back to the sideline, trying to get his balance before finally falling to the ground near the sideline.
3:07 P.M. EST: Henry is on his feet as trainers worked on his right hand … Meanwhile, the Lions crowd, without a care in its collective Honolulu blue world, does the wave.
3:08 P.M. EST: Selvin Young in on first-and-goal from the 5 … he is stopped for no gain.
3:09 P.M. EST: Ramsey looks for Daniel Graham amidst a thicket of silver helmets across the middle; Cory Redding swats the pass away.
3:10 P.M. EST: Ramsey looks for Brandon Marshall on the slant route … the pass is behind the second-year wideout. Broncos are going for it.
3:12 P.M. EST: The Lions had their worst field position of the day after the Broncos were turned away at their 5-yard-line … but took just seconds to get out of it .. or as long as it took Sean McHugh to go 46 yards with a pass … on the next play, Shaun McDonald gets a pass up the left sideline, follows a Mike Furrey block on Domonique Foxworth and sprints untouched to the end zone. Broncos now trail 30-0.
3:17 P.M. EST: Marshall is back in, and had a pass on the next drive.
3:20 P.M. EST: It seems as though each pass Ramsey throws is accompanied by a thunderous Lions pass rush … he continues to stand in, continues to make his throws fearlessly.
3:22 P.M. EST: Fourth-and-7 at the Lions 40, and the Broncos are going for it … but it will now be fourth-and-12 after the Broncos take a delay-of-game penalty. Head Coach Mike Shanahan sends the punt team onto the field.
3:26 P.M. EST: Lions call timeout with third-and-6 forthcoming. The Broncos have forced two three-and-outs already this half — unfortunately, the one exception was the two-play, 95-yard series that resulted in McDonald’s touchdown catch.
3:27 P.M. EST: The officials rule that McDonald trapped, and did not catch, a third-and-6 pass from Kitna. Detroit punts for the third time this quarter and the Broncos will take over at the 26.
3:29 P.M. EST: Broncos will have third-and-a-long-9 as the fourth quarter begins.
FOURTH QUARTER
3:32 P.M. EST: The fourth quarter commences with an 11-yard Ramsey-to-Scheffler pass to keep the possession alive.
3:35 P.M. EST: Glenn Martinez with a 10-yard reception in his return to Detroit; he moves the Broncos into Lions territory at the Detroit 46.
3:36 P.M. EST: Broncos continuing to move downfield … a 10-yard pass on fourth-and-1 — Marshall caught it — has Denver at the Detroit 32. Less than 10 minutes remain.
3:40 P.M. EST: With third-and-5, Ramsey let go of a pass as he attempted to avoid a furious pass rush … and disaster struck. Shaun Rogers intercepted it, sprinted into the open field up the left sideline and outran the Broncos for the 66-yard return. A bad afternoon gets worse, and the Broncos now trail 37-0.
3:45 P.M. EST: From bad to worse … and even worse. Tony Scheffler fumbled on the next play from scrimmage; Alex Lewis recovered and sprinted into the end zone for the touchdown. The Broncos are challenging the call.
3:49 P.M. EST: The challenge goes the Broncos’ way, but the fumble stands. Detroit takes over at the Denver 34 with 7:52 remaining as Lewis was ruled down by contact at the 34. J.T. O’Sullivan takes over at quarterback for Jon Kitna.
3:52 P.M. EST: Still another injury for the Broncos … D.J. Williams is hurt. He walks off the field under his own power.
3:55 P.M. EST: Williams is back in the game.
3:56 P.M. EST: T.J. Duckett plows forward, carrying defenders down to the Denver 3-yard-line on a 22-yard carry. One play later, he’s in the end zone.
3:58 P.M. EST: 44-0. Gracious.
4:02 P.M. EST: Broncos in hurry-up mode now … trying to avoid the first shutout for the franchise since Nov. 22, 1992.
4:06 P.M. EST: Broncos now at the Detroit 2 with 2:38 left after a Lions pass-interference penalty … playfake, rollout, touchdown to Brandon Stokley. The shutout is averted.
4:07 P.M. EST: Maybe not … the Lions are challenging the call.
4:12 P.M. EST: The touchdown stands … and with 2:26 to go, it’s time to pack for the locker room. More to come later.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
the run defense is killing us again
if we don’t find a cure to that soon…
November 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Anyone else get sick to your stomach when our defense is on the field??
November 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
great field position has been rare for us this year….we have to convert into points here
November 4th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Yeah, I think that defensive line and injuries will make this a season to forget.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Broncos D is horrible once again
November 4th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
The run D seems going in for a long day !
November 4th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Kitna 1/6 for 8 yards
Running Game 10 carries for 68 yards
November 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I wonder if Bates has told his players, a la Parcells for the Giants, ‘for us to win this game, Kevin Jones must gain 100 yards’….
November 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
at this pace , Detroit will amasse 300 yards on the ground . we can’t win .Please stop the run !!!
November 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
this is a great formula for a loss
November 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Big loss coming our way
November 4th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
We are plagued with too many injuries
November 4th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Jay cutler injured, probably season ending at this rate, how uncommon.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Perfect, Injury to Cutler. Perfect ending to a messed up season.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
hey maybe we’ll end up with a top draft pick.. we could use Glenn Dorsey
November 4th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Can’t even score yet
November 4th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Longest drive is 18 yards
November 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
i hope Cutler is coming back….although this season had been painful so far, the one really bright spot in my opinion has been the maturity and growth of Jay Cutler
November 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Mason, what happened to Cutler, I had to answer the phone and now the blog has been erased
November 4th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Cuttler injured , what else can happened now ?
November 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Daniel Grahm sucks!!! Hit in the hands and can’t make the catch. This will truly be a season to forget. But there is no quick fix here. Denver has made too many personell changes to often and it’s catching up with them.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
how’s this for a personnel change:
fire Shanahan, bring in Bill Cowher, get the attitude back.
Because Shanahan isn’t looking like a genius this year: see the 17 points per game
November 4th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
This is the worst d in football. No pass rush, cant stop the run and our “strength” pass d is just as bad as our run d. We cannot even line up on d. How much did we spend on a TE that cant catch and jumps off sides on third and short give him a raise.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
How exactly can you grab a facemask on accident and get 15 yard penalty, but someone hits the quarterbacks ankle while he is on the ground and injures him and that is fine?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
they gave up! No heart
November 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
So what about that Jim Bates defense… I think I finally understand it. It appears we let the other team run all over us and score as many points as possible. then we hope oour offense scores at least one more point than that..
Now that’s pretty darn tricky….
Can we fire this idiot now????
November 4th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
13-0 : game over , season over , too many injuries .
November 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Well if the offense can’t get score, we are doomed. This Broncos team is the worst in the NFL. They are lucky to have the 3 wins they have. There are so many disadvantages to this team. It seems as though it’s a college team with a couple of pro’s on it. What a sad year to be a Broncos FAN. And whats more disturbing is Shannahan abandons the play action. HELLO!!!! the play action is successful 58% of the time. Now I’m no rocket scientist but, even I know that if it works keep doing it. I think those of you who believe a draft pick will help, please look where our draft picks are this year. Injured and on the bench. Dissapointing season.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I am not worried about this game. Just because we have no d, all back ups in on the o line and qb. Think we would beat Oregon.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
WOW!!!!! That was close. Almost blocked, would not of been surprising though.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Why punt?!?! Down 13-0, shown really nothing at this point. Really, what do you have to lose by going for it on this 4th down? the way I see it, go for it and try to give the team a spark. If they don’t make it, it’s not the end of the world, but at least going for it would show some HEART
November 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
All we can hope is to get a high draft pick… Last week we were thinking about a playoff spot… WHAT A MESS!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
ANY1 WANNA BET THAT WE ARE GOING TO WIN?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Apparently the sky is falling too, World War 3 has started and they’re planning on banning all alcohol.
But I do agree it is pretty frustrating, you have to think, there’s only so much adversity that 1 team can be subjected to, Nash and Williams clearly are the biggest issues but the injuries to moss, smith (always a source of light) ekuban, lynch, cutler, walker, suspension of henry…
This has just got ridiculous, there can’t be many more unfortunate teams in all of sports?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
no
November 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
SuperBowlBoundBroncos,
I really wish you were right
November 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Even when we succeed we fail. When you have them in trouble and still can’t capitalize on defense. something is wrong, very wrong. Uhm, lets see Jim Bates???????? Larry Coyer was a much better def. cordinator. OK, so if I’m the head coach, I would of recognized the weaknesses on defense, addressed those with Coyer and would of been successful. Not fire him!!!! And replace him with this idiot. These guys are not even coached well. Stupid penalties, and are always playing from behind.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Mason can you flip off Jim Bates for us!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I know we have had alot of injuries and bad luck, but that is just a scapegoat. There are plunty of other issues. The whole team looks lost. There are so many problems on this team. They are just picking us apart.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Defense is on the ropes. Partially to blame is the offense. They give them nothing to defend!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I bet any1 we’ll come back for a comeback in Ramsey. If not, GO LAKERS!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
God this is going to be painful. I’m having to follow it on the internet right now so thankfulyl I don’t have to actually watch this pathetic D. Since I can’t watch and judge for myself, is ANY player giving any heart?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
total yards
219 to 57
November 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
raiderhater: No.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Guess what???? The lions will be getting the ball first in the second half!! Our offense can’t even score against the LIONS. Here goes another field goal.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I thought college football was played on saturdays. I dont think we would be bowl elligible.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
A COMEBACK??? A COMEBACK??? the only thing Denver is going to comeback from is an ass whippin and comeback to denver. I Love the Broncos, but even as long as I’ve been a fan I’ve seen nothing to support any come backs.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
YEA BOI A COMEBACK!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
does anyone know the extent of cutler’s injury yet? the fact that we don’t know yet is driving me crazy. =/
November 4th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Mike Shannahan is really missing Kubiak. I guess now we all know who was responsiblr for the offensive production. Cause he’s not getting it done. Injuries and all, the offense is still a talented unit, and yet they still can’t produce. This has been happening since pre-season.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
PLEASE FIRE BATES!!! I think Jim Bates may be the worst deffensive coordinator to ever step on the field. Why is shanny puttin up with this man. He obviously doesnt know how to fix an issue. Coaching is not all bells and whistles sometime there is adversity and this idiot doesnt know anything about adversity. Please can we wake up and throw this idiot out of denver. Also did anyone else see the late torpedo to Cutler’s left knee? I love the no call on that one.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I have a question…………….why is mike shanahan suck a feaking wussy when it comes to playcalling. Oh lets see were down and have no momentum hmmmmmmm LETS RUN THE BALL AND GET ONE YARD YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! Seriously wheres the deep ball? And Jim Bates u suck. how do you even have a job get the heck out of denver you bum. Oh and now the only resonably bright spot of the team is out (Cutler). This season sucks. worst ever
November 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Ya know, I really like the Broncos, but this team is making me sick. THey could not stop a nose bleed. THey can’t score on themselves, the only think that is remotely positive is the special teams and well they are not all that great.
I really think they need to fire Bates and start over there.
Offense needs a work over too, but that defense is so bad it has to start there, I mean Detroit has scored on EVERY possession.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
PLAYOFFS!!?? PLAYOFFS?????!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
WOOOOOW!!!!…. MIKE LEACH TAKING SOME SNAPS AT QUARTERBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
can we get kubiak back
November 4th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
He might be able to bring us back. LET LEACH PLAY! LET LEACH PLAY!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAH REALLY^?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
He’s got that look in his eye. I can see a 300 yard, 100 rush game out of him.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Bates can suck my dick, and if cutler is out for the season, im gonna kill someone!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Question for everyone - Should Shanahan be back next year?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
He should come back as a linebacker. That would be fun. Not coach though.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Guys calm down. Listen I am a angry as everyone else. However, Bates’ record speaks for himself. The defensive issues are a lot bigger than Bates. Bates has nothing to do with players missing tackles. Shanahan can’t make Graham catch the ball. Itss a rebuilding period and its not going to be fun
November 4th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Cutler: lower leg contusion.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
DENVER Sucks
November 4th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
ITS KIND OF FUNNY WATCHING U PEOPLE COMMENT SOME FUNNY @## $@%^
November 4th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Travis is on fire….
November 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
If cutlers leg wasn’t broken he’d be back in there by now…season over
November 4th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Just give the guy a break. It’s hard as hell to run the ball when you just smoked 3 bowls.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
It is really going to hurt loosing Henry. How are we going to make up for his 10 yards a game. By the way I love Shanahan, but watching Harris punt and paymah get beat consistinly, and watching Foster play for the Lions just reminds me how bad our drafts have been. Thats why when we say we are rebuilding i get really concerned.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
or maybe hes worn out from doing you know what with another woman that hes never met before.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
It’s not just Henry, the whole team’s playing like crap at the minute. I mean excluding Cutler and Marshall, nobody’s stood out this season.
Missing Wilson more than everyone thought we would too.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!! BroncosGeordie
You made my day
November 4th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
good luck getting that signing bonus money back from all those babymamas
November 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
If Cutelr’s leg was broken I don’t think he would have WALKED to the cart. The Broncos are probably being very cautious and careful. Players leave the game all the time with contusions. If thats all it is I will be extremely relieved. Andrew, whats your take on all this? Are the Broncos hiding the information or do you suspect they are just being cautious?
November 4th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Even if Jay is ok to go back in the game, I bet Shanny won’t let him…..
Why??
Because Shanny just found another excuse for this loss to the Lions.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Can’t even move the ball up the field!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
November 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Matt Lepsis injured
November 4th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
………….lol
November 4th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Too many turnovers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Fire Jim Bates and find someone else!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
This is awesome… yeah what A great Job Bates is doing. He may have had a good record somewhere else, but it’s pretty obvious he is not capable
November 4th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Can i somehow hack into that mic of the coaching staff and tell them all that they are &%#ing stupid idiots and maybe call some of my own madden plays. I’d just call all pure fake spikes and we’d WIN!
November 4th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Fire Shanahan, Bates, Hinekindinky or whatever his name is, sell the team, relocate to Mexico!!!
Arriba!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Broncos rushing game is horrible today
November 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Can we boo Brandon Marshall now
November 4th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Larry Coyer did a better job, at least he was able to stop the run. Gain offense lose defense, I guess that’s the shanny way.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Broncos offense AND defense is horrible
November 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
what offense did we gain exactly?
At least we might not get shut out
November 4th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Barely any hope left for them. Must win at least 8 games for them to get into the playoffs.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I know that the injury bug has made I home in Denver. The play calling ahs sucked for more than this season. We are horrible!!!! It is just about embarrassing to be bronco. I bleed blue and orange but these blowout losses are sucking you know what. We need to clean house when it comes to coaches. I would rather have this season with a rookie head coach than guy that is past his prime. We have a team that can beat anybody on any given sunday. Injuries or not!! I believe this comes back to a lockeroom presence when they let Al Wilson go. I think that and the deaths of two team mates have left in a daze. Almost like the team dont know when they might be cut. Promising season down the drain. The Lions for gadsake!!!!!!!1111
November 4th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
offense that was able to drive down the field as opposed to last year, i think they looked a whole lot better this year than last, if we had defense people wouldn’t complain about offense as much.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Good news is the Broncos might have a chance to draft Darren McFadden. I want him.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
22 yard run aaaaaaaaaaaaaand travis is hurt :S
Constantly bad overshadows the little good
November 4th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Travis Henry is injured. Big blow to the offensive squad
November 4th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
WE SHOULD TRADE FOR ADRIAN PETERSON THAT GUY IS LOOKING A LOT LIKE TD
November 4th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Finally in the redzone!!!!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
well no effort today i really think travis is not trying to run get your mind on football we better hope cutler isnt hurt to bad i still believe this team can win some games but to many injurys and were not playing with any pride. if jays alright its not the end of the season yet. we need to get ahead early if not we have no chance. go broncos1!1
November 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
W T F
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
November 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
…..4yard line and we still can’t score
Can we trade Ramsey for Cleo Lemon? lol
November 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Probably the worst redzone offense in the league.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
46 yard play. Just like the Chargers game
November 4th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Have the officials been watching BOTH teams?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Just like the Chargers game. Except its not at Invesco Field
November 4th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
WOW we just flat out suck
November 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
2 plays 95 yards. there really isnt anything to say. we are really bad. remember the lions lost by 40 to the eagles and now we are getting killed. we are terrible and it really looks like we have quit.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Don’t believe it !!!! 46 yard play followed by a 49 yard play! How Pathetic?!!?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
There is no passion from the team. We wont win another game with this lack luster of a performance. We SUCK!!! So basketball started this week. This a bad bad bad bad bad bad year. FIRE SHANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are the walking dead out there. Wow we suck!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Is it possbile to get beat by 30 points against detroit? I’m sceptical
November 4th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Ok, we have a decent team, we are just playing horrible.
I think a few changes and recovery from injuries and we are for sure good enough for playoffs imo.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
SO EMBARRASSING… BRONCOS GAME SWITCHED “FOR A MORE COMPETITIVE GAME” FOR THE 2ND TIME THIS YEAR.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I hate to admit it but Shanny needs to move on. I doubt he will get fired but I hope he does!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
At least Steve Ramsey could come off the bench (not start, but come off the bench) and get things going. Patrick must not have the Ramsey bloodline.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Patrick Ramsey: 9 out of 21 so far
November 4th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Y?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
LOL playoffs better buckle up I am think more like the fourth or fifht pick overall in the draft. Is it possible to have the raiders finish higher than us in the division. Thanks alot Shanny. DUMBASS
November 4th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
WHERE IS THE PASS INTERFERENCE??? Marshall was being choked before the ball was even to him. You can tell REFS in the leagues really dont give the Broncos many breaks!!! Roger Goodell needs to look at this game and fine the bastard on the Lions who torpedoed Cutler’s leg when he was on the ground. If you hit Manning like that there would have been a flag. I love how no one even noticed that late hit!!! I am &^$$ed off at our red zone O and all the DROPPED PASSES!!! I think the first change is to bring an offensive coordinator in. NEXT IS TO GET BATES THE *&%& out of DENVER!!! This man SUCKS!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I wonder if the Pats would accept a team-for-team trade? (Except keep Cutler and Bailey of course)
November 4th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I’m not able to see the game, but what the heck is the diff between 4th and 7, and 4 and 12 when you’re down 30 points??? Go For It!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
San Diego is losing to Minnesota right now. GB is driving against KC. If SD and KC loses, even with a loss today the Broncos will still be just one game behind them for the division lead. For a rebuilding year, not too bad. I’m betting that shanahan will right the ship and the broncos will turn out just fine.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I think there are alot of reason for this bad year. They have had tons of injuries, deaths, some bad luck, but there is no reason for the Chargers game and this Lions game. When a professional team plays this bad two out of the last 4 games there is no excuses. They must change something.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Isn’t Rubin Carter coaching in the NFL somewhere? New Defensive Co-Ordinator, Gradishar & Louie Wright as special assistants….hmm. At least the defense would be hitting hard and showing some heart. Is Joe Collier still around?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I think rubin studdard would be better than what we have.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Just think, if we score 5 touchdowns in less than 10 minutes, we might win!
This is soooooooooooooooo embarassing!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
So, here it is….
Shanny is a great coach when has more than 4 guys healthy. Keep him. Bates sytem doesn’t fit. good bye. Rice gets the arse, Henry goes too. We are a character team and he aint. Brandon gets humble and listens to Rod Smith. Put DJ back outside, Webster can stay but needs to learn not to celebrate a tackle when u are down 40 to 3 - there is no celebrating down 40 - 3 period….
Get Johnathon Vilma esq type mlb. Get people back and healthy. Let backups play rest of season to blood them for next year. Graham signed for the $$, that what free agents do. Its not his fault they threw the bank at him. He will get better. He and Scheff stay. Selvin and Hall are the light for next year.
Leave Cutler alone..let him grow. Everyone hated Elway at times too when he wasnt 36 years old and wining superbowls…… its game 11 for him…some slack please
Set up now for the draft and look forward, not back. Try and win respect for the rest of the season…games too but respect first… Play with heart and try.
Lynch can coach next year. Corners are and will be great. They will get beaten some times. It happens but they need help. 2 v 11 aint fair. We have alot of talent on the bench in plaster right now…let them heal….
Call Coyer, im sure his system with a bit of tweaking and the talent, albeit raw that we have on the D Line will make waves next year.
the short term fixes didnt work. Let it go and move on. I’ve bled Orange and Blue from Australia since 1981 and yeah, it hurts but look at the bigger picture people…we cant be brilliant ALL the time…..as much as it sucks…..
Just beat the Raiders twice…its all I ask…
November 4th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
THIS IS JUST TOO MUCH
November 4th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Anyone ever consider our O line needs looking at? Shanny needs to fire Bates
November 4th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Can we just forfeit already?! This is un-f***ing-believable!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Wow, I’m just shaking my head in disbelief, is this really happening. Cutler goes down, Defense sucks again (but what else is new), can’t wait for Foxworth’s blog about how he kept getting beat all game long, Marshall talks a big game but he couldn’t hang on to a ball, we spent how much on Daniel Grahamn oh yeah enough for him to have stone hands, let’s call a meaningless run play into the back of our offensive line for a whopping 2 yard gain, Andre Hall should return kicks the rest of the year, sha’ll I keep going??????…..nah I’m sure ya’ll watched the game, next week at KC this should be fun, um fire Bates….please…..oh wait just got a text update from Verizon……a defensive lineman just returned an interception for a Touchdown……????…Huh? Awesome season so far…….I’m a fan and I expect excellence and this is untolerable, the fans need to be heard, the front office better have something up there sleeves because some folks ain’t coming back next season! Embarrassed, pretty much sums it up. Keep dreaming avsbroncos01 Shanahan ain’t righting no ship….it’s called reality and in reality we suck something bad! we maybe win 6 games this year. Nighty night!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Wow it’s so bad they switched to a different game… well i guess that is for the best?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Hey, we won a challenge!!!! Or half of one, I guess. WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO
November 4th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Never gonna dog the Broncos. They have been my team since the 60’s and I have seen alot of ups and downs. We will get through this, although its a hard pill to swallow!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
That’s a SAD statement for ANY defense: John Kitna (yes, John Kitna) having shredded your defense so badly sits out the final 8 minutes of the game!
Wow! What defensive play calling. That bates guy is a genius!
He’s a Genius in that SOMEHOW he is getting paid an enormous amount of money for a job he is PLAINLY not qualified to do and he apparently manages to keep the job despite the fact that MILLIONS of people see his failure every single week.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Now DJ’s Hurt!??!?!!?!?!?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Amen DieHard…Anyone who has followed a team FAITHFULLY has seen seasons like this before. I would like to see them actually keep a core of guys and not go crazy in free agency. I don’t know, it’s frustrating, but with how bad/competitive the AFC West is, you never know.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
At least young showed heart trying to tackel the big man on the int return. Why do the to top int leaders in the league only have 3 pics between them Bates?
November 4th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I’m with you DieHardMike. I’ll support the Broncos no matter what. So suck it up people! We’re gonna get through this and once again be a great team someday.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I expect Jim Bates to sign his resignation papers tomorrow morning.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I have never ever been ashamed to be a Broncos fan. Until today. 40-0 to the LIONS?! This is pathetic and things need to change.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I agree, keep the the players, needing to play together more is one of the problems. If you’ve ever played on any sort of team, you know that an important part of any team sport is getting to know your teammates on the field. Their tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, etc. We have the talent.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Going to have to add my voice to those who support the Broncos through thick and thin.
Been through worse times with the Broncos and seen worse play.
It will get better and we will be back in the run for the championship soon enough.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I will always be a bronco fan and i will of course be faithful, but we have every right to be mad and embarassed. To have two games like this in just the first half of the season is beyond anything than i can imagine and there has to be changes right now. We have players that are terrible people, we can not even line up on d, and we have no heart. I can will and am &^$$ed. One game like this from a pro team is unacceptable but two is just unreal.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
This is sickening.
Shanahan doesn’t block and tackle, catch the ball or run with it. The team has no heart right now. Too many injuries and youth being served on a cold platter.
Maybe instead of fire Shanahan maybe time for a new GM? Denver selected Willie Middlebrooks over Shaun Rogers in 2001. George Foster over Nick Barnett in 2003. Terry Pierce in 2003 2nd round? Nobody from the 2003 draft on the roster. Darius Watts in 2004?
This team would not be where they are now if they used the draft right. I know it’s a crapshoot, but their percentage of hits in the top rounds suck. If it was bad coaching alone, there would be lots of castoffs on other teams playing today. There are very few.
My last point relates to my last post. The last time the Broncos had a dominant defense was when they ran the 3-4 under Collier and then Wade Phillips. Athletic and fast work here, not fat and slow here and fast over there. Fill the hole quickly, hit and strip the ball.
OMG, 44-0. Humiliating wake up call?
November 4th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I just hope that we can put some points on the board.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Well, LLP got his wish; get cutler out of there, there ya go anti-cutler fans.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Not that we will win next week, but if we do we would be tied for first because the chargers play the colts next week. to bad we probably wont have cutler and list have this d
November 4th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
igorbstrange,
Might I add that we selected Ashley Lelie one pick ahead of Ed Reed, when we despirately needed a safety….
November 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Also, from the half-full perspective… The NFC North is dismantling the entire AFC West… Vikings have dominated the mighty Chargers on both sides of the ball. (want to talk about heart??) And Favre is doing his thing to the Chiefs…
November 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
its about time!!!!!!WE FINALLY SCORED!!!!!!!!! Anyone think Martz would look good on the sidelines next year?
November 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Well, the Broncs scored! The non-shutout streak continues.
Take pleasure in the small things during rebuilding processes.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Tough game but if present scores still hold- we will still only be one game out of first with a lot of games to play- who knows. Win or lose …and as frustrating and stomach twisting as this season is … a fan to the end. Go Broncos
November 4th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
It’s a loss. So what? Every team (EVERY single one of them) has “down” seasons. We’re obviously having one, but remember: We’re only ONE GAME OUT in the AFC West, everyone! Keep the faith - things can only go up from here, right? ONE GAME OUT…remember that. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Packers have defeated KC, The Vikes are going to beat SD, Adrian just shy of the nfl rushing record
November 4th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
one game out, i know. anything can happen like loosing 44-7 at detriot. It is becoming more clear though that we are really bad and now me may be without are qb.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Very proud of the fans that are still behind OUR Broncos. WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Keep the faith TRUE Bronco fans. Seasons can change quickly with a few wins and some momentum. Yes, it looks like rock bottom now, but stranger things have happened. They’re talented, just playing badly. Keep the heads up.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Apparently the AFC West is doing its NFC West impression as a tribute to Halloween.
Hard to believe that the division is playing this badly as a whole this weekend…
As people have pointed out though, it puts us only one game out of first place, which is really kind of frightening.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
This was another brutal game… I was hoping we wouldn’t relive SD @ Denver but that’s how our red zone offense is… just blah. We have got to change, I can’t take this playing like crap. What is wrong? I don’t know what’s wrong but I know firing Shanny IS NOT the answer. Bates maybe but not Shanny… just b/c Cutler isn’t in (he better come back) you can’t blame all this on one single person. We win as a team & we lose as a team. End of story. If Cutler was in there playing this bad (which he wouldn’t) you all would be blaming only him… he has to take control on when & how to throw the ball but the catchers have to follow through & actually catch the ball and HOLD ON TO IT!!
I’m glad we finally scored… the last thing I wanted to see was a shut out. But we have to play WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better if we want to even think about beating KC. I saw the GB @ KC game and KC almost had it. We have only there like once in a blue moon — I’m DEMANDING our guys kick the crap out of them.
Step up the offense, play smart; defense you have a simple job — DEFEND!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe you would actually let another team beat us around like today!! Come on, sack the QB, tackle till the game is over, don’t stop b/c you’re tired — if you want to quit in the middle of the game you’re playing on the wrong team, more like you have the wrong job. I’ll always have faith in my orange & blue, but give me a reason to be a proud Broncos Fan.
GO BRONCOS!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
i still support the broncos and cheer them on every sun/mon, and hope we do not get humiliated like this on thanksgiving or any national tv game :(. i just dont understand ow you can look so good againts the packers, and the steelers, and fall apart against the lions? jim bates should be gone, cause there is no reason our D should get blown up like this, and hopefully cutler is back next week!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
shanny definitly needs to step down after this year. this team need a new approach a new attitude. (hello bill cowher) i just hope they can somehow beat the vikings as i am stuck here in vikingland which sucks almost as much as the broncos right now
November 4th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I agree completely with Elway07
November 4th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
There is always another game, another season, another year and I will be here as a fan watching and cheering them on.
GO BRONCOS!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
on the bright side San Diego and Kansas City lost, so playoff hopes are still alive
November 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I just hope Cutler returns well
November 4th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Shanahan cant control injuries, the only coaches that need to go are the offensive and defensive coordinators
November 4th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Someone needs to explain to me the irrational attraction to Cowher a coach with fewer Super Bowls and a lower career winning percentage than Shanahan.
I think there are talent and experience issues all over the team right now, the coaches have some responsibility but I see alot of other issues as more pressing- our safeties, 2 of 3 LBs, and we need more experience and a pickup or two on the defensive line.
Also, our offensive line is having more issues than at any time since Shanahan took over that I remember.
These are not coaching issues as much as talent issues. Our last two drafts were decent but we have alot of ground to make up as far as personnel.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I live in the hillbilly hills of Misery and I’m gonna hear it all week about the KC and Denver game. I got my Broncos gear and this week I’m painting my new windmill orange and blue.
My Broncomania goes back to the days of Tripucka, Gonsoulin, Taylor and McFadden and is strong to the BabyBroncs of today.
I tell my neighbors that this is the last year that they have a chance to win because the baby will grow up quick and slam the door in their faces.
Yes this season has been and will be hard, but for us old timers, we’ve seen much worse. At least there’s talent out there, it just has to grow and adjust some.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
bill cowher bill cowher bill cowher!!!!! Lets get him
November 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I was just in the BRONCOMAINA room, and was it was the worst experience I have ever had, since 1960. I remember the bad days when we were fighting to keep the BRONCOS in Denver, that old red line wet up so slowly, but in the end, the Broncos were saved, and we eventually went on the win a Super Bowl and then two! I remember all the losing seasons, I remember the bitter losses to Dallas, New York, Washington, and then, San Francisco, who can forget that one? But in the Broncomania room today, I saw fans ridiculing the Broncos, calling for the dismissal of Shanney. I saw a group of so called fans running down the BRONCOS, a bunch of fair weather fans, bandwagon fans, nay sayers, and just miserable attitudes that made me sick. I guess it is part of the reason we have empty seats now and the absent handful of fans, don’t get booed anymore, and why we have fans from the opposition team being featured on National Television in our house! I have never seen this degree of the lack of fan loyalty in the history of the Denver Broncos. I am glad, that I will not live to see the Broncos ridiculed on the streets of Denver, or the team being lost to another city, who truly know how to be fans, win or lose. My days are numbered, and I only hope that I am gone before My BRONCOS are run out of town.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Win or lose. Something very drastic must change in this organization.
I have been a life long Broncos fan, and have rarely been this disappointed in the way our team performed. If its the coaching, the coaches need to take responsibility and make the appropriate changes, even if they are uncomfortable to their tried and true systems. If its the youth of the players, somebody must step up and start leading this team. What ever happend to watching other teams success (Colts, Patriots, etc.) and learning from their way of doing things. Shanny may be beyond the time where personal pride does not prevent trying new things or trying to learn new systems. Hopefully a humbling season, if he remains head coach Shanny will let this break his will a little and allow him to adjust.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Hey Mason, how is Cutler’s injury? The game today was absolutely horrible. I think all of the injuries have hurt us this year. The good news is that San Diego and Kansas City both LOST!!! They are just one game ahead of us.
Even thought the game was absolutely horrible, I still support the Broncos. I still have my Broncos jersey on and I will NOT take it off just because they lost. I still wear it with pride.
I support my orange and blue regardless of how good or bad the Broncos play.
I really hope the Broncos win next weekend in Kansas City!
I think Bates needs to leave Denver!!!
If our season keeps going like it is, at least they will have a high draft pick.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Wow, you mean none of you can find a way to blame this on Jake Plummer too?
November 4th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
There is something lacking. The essential but vital WILL TO WIN. That is the coaches fault. There is no excuse for it.
The Broncos are our family. We love them. But loving our team does not mean we sit by and hold back criticism when it’s deserved.
This team deserves this criticism. It’s playing badly. We have watched this team be built up into a SuperBowl contending team. Expectations are high. And rightly so. To not question what is happening and be disappointed is unrealistic and does not negate any fans love for the game or their team.
We as fans just want to see a positive series of changes and hope to end the season with the hope that next year will be much different.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Russ2553, yeah that’s right, we need a change, we need a group of coaches that will make it crime to be injured, or to drop a pass, or to be tackled, or to in any way blow a game and hurt your poor little feelings. Imagine a group of coaches that would allow a team to preform this way, without one little thought about how it would all effect you? You really know who a Fan is these days don’t you?
BRONCOS FOREVER, WIN OR LOSE!
YOU CAN’T BEAT THE INJURY BUG! BUT YOU CAN BE A REAL FAN!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
NWBroncFan …The reason fans are wanting Cower is because not only can he get it done with a very youg QB but he fails to make excuses for poor play, poor coaching and poor play calling like Shanny does week after week. . Sure Shanny won 2 superbowls but that was because he had Elway and T.D….What has he won since, how about 1 playoff game. We are a poor excuse for an NFL team right now and something needs to be done. Bring in Bill Cower
November 4th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
we need jake plummer
November 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Cowher won with Ben Roethlisberger, who many think is one of the best QBs in the league (young or not), right behind Brady and Manning. Cowher also had Bettis and Willie Parker both of whom are excellent backs.
How is this any different than the Elway and TD comparison? And we are excluding Pittsburgh’s defense which was and is substantially better than Denver’s under longtim coordinator Dick LeBeau.
How did Cowher do with O’Neill? Or Maddox? Or Stewart? I don’t see any of these guys as any better or worse than Plummer and Griese. And the results are similar.
I don’t think the coaching staff is completely absolved of any responsibility but I think people are being blind to more serious problems and ones that no coach will solve.
If you want to conflate talent evaluation with coaching performance, I will surrender that point, historically we have not had very good talent evaluation and thus weak drafts.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
When looking at his drafts that have not exactly been stellar, the difficulty in coming up w/a stout defense, and an offensive scheme that is puzzling to say the least, esp with all the weapons they have - I can’t help but wonder if Shanahan has basically just lost the team, which has happened to other coaches. It’s just a thought.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Totally agree with you westcoast……
Shanny spends more time to find excuses/or hide the truth for his losses than to fix the problem.
Too bad, he just found a long term excuse (Cutler’s injury) for this losing season!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
worst denver team i have ever seen in my many years as a fan! season is over. way too many problems. Draft McFadden!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
What a load of whingers we have on this blog. Complainers win nothing, they are just a bunch of losers.
All true Broncos back Shanahan, the only man to win a Superbowl for the team. Every so often you are bound to have a bad season. You need to have patience and humility. The Broncos do not have a God given right to keep having winning seasons. When you bring in new coaches and new/young players you need to give them time. This isn’t baseball or basketball where you have loads of games to get things right. 16 games is the shortest season in sport. The injuries to key players have killed us at times but the fight in the players is unquestionable. These men are true professionals and deserve our respect even if they lose games.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I don’t think Jake Plummer is the solution at the moment.. If we look at what the D did last year and the year before in support of Plummer it was a big difference. If Jay Cutler had the kind of supporting cast that Plummer had, it would be a very different discussion right now.. We’re in a very similiar situation that the TB Bucs were in a few years ago; they had a growing offense, but there D was getting old and too many young guys. Fear not Bronco Fans, the Chiefs and Chargers both got creamed today (especially the strongest team in our division), if Cutler is fine then we might be able to make a run for it since we still have to to play those two teams at least two more times. If it turns out that Cutler is out for the season (I didn’t see the hit and see how bad it was), we signed Ramsey for a reason and hopefully he can pull it together while cutler recovers.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Since when are a team’s talent issues, not a coaching issue? Last time I checked Shanahan was involved in roster moves.
I’m not saying he needs to go, but a tweak in the game plan may be needed.
All in all though, the injury bug in destroying our season. Even if we did make the playoffs out of the God awful AFC West, I’m pretty weary of watching another playoff Bronco blowout.
November 4th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Yeah, so Cutler went down, which made a difference of maybe 1 or 2 scores. Cutler’s youth and experience aren’t the problems, it comes back to what many of us have been saying: Shanahan is not a developmental coach. Cutler didn’t get hurt because of Detroits “vicious” D. The Detroit D is average at the line level.
Cutler got creamed (and almost Ramsey as well) because the speed-first, power-second offensive line is still geared to making holes for runners and not protecting the QB. It’s an offense he’s been using since before he became head coach here and its further proving he’s not the man to coach this team. Shanahan’s schemes work if you have a GREAT scrambling QB…Steve Young, John Elway…maybe a Cunningham. They do not work with second-tier QBs, guys who need a little more protection. Jay Cutler and Jake Plummer, like Michael Vick, are/were not on Elway or Young’s level and can’t be expected to LEARN what those guys were NATURALLY better at. Cutler has a gun, but he’s best suited as a pocket QB with decent scrambling skills and occasional rushes. Shanahan’s offense MURDERS pocket QBs and he fails to change it to suit his roster.
Whether or not he’s a better overall QB, Jake Plummer was a better BRONCOS QB because of this. Does this mean he should automatically have been “Let Play?” Maybe not. But if you bring in a new QB and make him run the old offense with (most importantly) the same “make a quick RB hole, then collapse” O-line, he’d better ALREADY be as good as Elway/Young/Cunningham and in the same scrambler vein. Otherwise the QB will not only be pulverized, but if he’s young and malleable, he’ll be SCREWED.
You want to get behind Cutler? God bless. Want to get behind Shanahan? More power to you. But you can’t have BOTH. Shanahan can’t MOLD an Elway or a Young. He can REFINE a great quarterback but his stubborness and refusal to change with the NFL times ruined the post-Elway era and threatens to turn the Broncos into a Raider-esque joke that is only numbed by all those great rings from last century. I respect Shanahan. I appreciate what he’s done.
Get him out.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Elway can be the Offensive Co for all I care. Just open it up already.
CUTLER SHOULD BE RUNNING OUT OF THE SHOTGUN…
JUST LIKE BRADY!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
I am sick of all of the whining. Listen! We are all frustrated, but do you really think cleaning house will do anything?! No! Shanahan had the best winning pcercentage of any active coach heading into this season. His record speaks for itself./ Bates has been successful in Green Bay and Miami. It takes time. This is what rebuilding does. And this ” I bleed Blue and Orange, but we are losing so everyone should be fired garbage” is ludicrous. Its frustrating, yes but it is a process and it may last a few years. We have lost alot of key people and have youth that still need to know how to win. Its a part of every teams history. So just calm down everything will be okay.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I know this might be a little cliche, but, look at the Rockies. Those guys came up together thru the minors and they played fantastic baseball all season. Some may know if they didn’t jump on the bandwagon in September. Mike Shanahan needs to come up with a game plan and pick players that he wants to execute it, then hold on to them. There is no reason that we should have a completely new lineup each season. Another baseball analogy: the NY Yankees.
I agree with everyone on this blog. Jim Bates needs to be fired. He should’ve been gone before the bye week. This is ridiculous.
Henry, Graham, Bly and Webster are among the players that I wouldn’t mind seeing walking out of Denver.
I hope that the Broncos can find their old magic before too long. Either way I’ll be sticking right by them.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
“So just calm down everything will be okay.”
That’s all I’ve heard for the past decade. It doesn’t take 10 years to rebuild.
I’m a realist though. I don’t expect Super Bowls every year or even the division title every year. I do expect to field a team that’s competitive, and doesn’t lose by nearly 40 points every few weeks.
Again, I still believe that the injury bug has ruined our season thus far. Losing Al Wilson, Tom Nalen, Rod Smith for the year, and having John Lynch, Javon Walker, Champ Bailey and what seems like a dozen offensive linemen in and out of the lineup is bound to take it’s toll.. Wilson and Nalen are the biggest losses IMO. The offense will continue to struggle without Walker. Marshall is talented, but he’s not ready to be a #1 Stokely, is a slot guy playing outside which isn’t what he’s suited for. Throw in that we’re probably going to be losing our starting TB soon, and it really doesn’t look good for the Broncos.
November 4th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Dude? you might want to fix this:
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id…
“The Broncos had another chance at a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, but Brian Clark fumbled the football into the end zone while stretching out in an attempt to score his first NFL touchdown. Idrees Bashir recovered for the Colts, and after an instant-replay delay, the Lions ran out the remaining seconds.”
Last I checked, there were no Colts playing in the Broncos/Lions game.
November 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
This team is stinking up the field!
November 4th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I agree in part with WhiteHoss and bluediamond. We have all seen how Cutler’s QB rating shoots up at the end of a half or a game, and he looks much better in those moments than earlier in the game. I think part of it is that he is just good in the clutch, and his calm demeanor lets him stay calm in the clutch. A bigger reason, though, is because he is operating out of the shotgun almost exlusively at those points in the game. It’s clear to anyone who watches that Cutler is much more comfortable and much more effective in the ‘gun. I’m not saying the running game should be abandoned altogether, but Cutler was drafted, partly for his big arm, to be the future of this franchise. Instead of trying to force him into a scheme not as well-suited for him, why doesn’t the team experiment with more shotgun early in the game? Sorry for rambling…..
November 4th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Does anyone know whats up with Mike Bell I never see him on the injury report but he has been inactive for the past couple of game? I would like to see him on goal line running play seemed to be pretty good in those last year.
November 4th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Recovered for the Colts? It’s obvious what game you were watching as you wrote the Top Story “Insult to Injury”
November 4th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
For all you idiots living in the past: Not even Jake Plummer thinks the Broncos need Jake Plummer.
Reached for an interview today (the reporter suffered cuts and bruises after tripping over a “let plummer play” shrine outside of Plummer’s home, complete with an effigy of #6 hanging from a scaffold) Mr. Plummer said, “I retired from football. I don’t want to play anymore. Why don’t you idiots get lives and move on. I did.”
The Broncos do need a defensive coordinator that can buy a clue or at least borrow a working brain. The injuries suck and there have been more than our fair share of them this year, but the defense (with a few notable exceptions) has played all season like they were sleep-walking and new to the concept of tackling. For what these guys get paid, every single play should end with a text book tackle.
I would love to have Rod Smith on the field, but for that matter, I would like to have John Elway, Terrell Davis, Ed McCaffrey and a few others that did not give up the minute they got behind.
Last week we saw that Cutler does not give up (although I still have a few doubts about whoever is calling the plays in the red zone) and those of us who remember know that John Elway had some heartbreaking losses as well. What I don’t recall, however, is a Denver team routinely giving up 30+ points in a game. That tells me that injuries aside, the defense is not getting the job done and the way it works is that someone is responsible for that failure.
Shanahan needs to address that now. He should have addressed it before the end of the preseason and certainly not later than the bye week. But if there was any question about bates not being able to field ANYTHING resembling an effective defense, today’s game answered that question.
I have said it before, this defense can’t stop a troop of girl scouts selling cookies and I believe it’s the coaching staff that is responsible for fixing that.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Wow… how bad do we miss Al Wilson?
November 4th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
relax everyone look at the division
sd 4-4
kc 4-4
DENVER 3-5
were right there, we can still sneak into the playoffs but first off i would love to hear on whats going on with cutler and how bad the injury is? any word mason?
November 4th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
WAKE UP PEOPLE! WE ARE NOT LOSING, WE ARE GETTING HUMILIATED! SNEAK IN THE PLAYOFFS? WHY? SO WE CAN PLAY NEW ENLAND AND LOOSE 250 -3? I WOULD RATHER LOOSE EVERY GAME FROM NOW ON AND GET A BETTER DRAFT PICK HOPING THAT THE GENIUS WILL NOT WASTE!
November 4th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
can anyone say 3 & 13?
November 4th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I’d be interested to know-
How many people wanting Denver to “tank it” for a better draft pick are SEASON TICKET holders?
It would mean a lot more if you had financially committed to Broncos season tickets and wanted us to play for a “draft pick”!
Interesting, …
That’s all.
November 4th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
How come NO ONE is talking about how much our defense… rather, whole team, misses the former unofficial team captian, Al Wilson?
Blown assignments, 12 men on the field, 10 men on the field, absolute chaos… That never happened when Al was in there.
How come no one is talking about how DJ Williams isn’t cutting it, and with no Wilson or Lynch in the game, our defense is like a chicken with their head cut off?
November 4th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Elwayred - Some things are SO obvious, they go without saying!
November 4th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Touché my friend… touché
November 4th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Broncos D-Underconstruction,
It has nothing to do with US fans wanting a high draft pick, but thats about all we can look forward to with the way this season has gone and is continueing to go. I’d give my left nut to see this team win the SB this year but thats not going to happen obviously with the way they are playing. So I suck up my pride, I accept the team is rebuilding, and I hope for a better season next year because like I stated after the charger game, this one is going nowhere, fast.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
As of right now, all I can hope for is that Cutler is okay. I hope this injury is not season ending — I cannot take another one of those, I just can’t. This is killing me, someone on this website better have something on how Cutler is doing tomorrow and it better be good. I really believe he’s becoming the anchor of this team, the one that will improve beyond belief and carry us to many good seasons in the future. If he’s out, and Ramsey is in — we’re done. If our 2nd string QB can’t even make completions to save his life then how the heck are we supposed to win a simple football game. This is absolutely ridiculous.
One little tip for our offense, every last one of them — change the RED ZONE OFFENSE. I really don’t care what they have to do but do something different. I can tell you it would help if you worked as a team — oh look at that, what a thought. To think it actually might work — try it sometime, its practically fool proof. Secondly, our defense needs MAJOR help — figure out what’s wrong and fix it will ya? You guys are driving me nuts, I could tackle those 300lb. linebackers with my eyes closed!!!! Get with it. I’m trying to be as nice as possible but I hope this comes across as strict to any player that reads these things. Give us a reason to keep coming to the games, give us a reason to keep faith and hope in you guys — do you guys really want to be playing at home in front of a record audience of ZERO!!! Today was just another big embarassment like SD, I was praying to God we wouldn’t relive that but you all seemed to enjoy it and I can’t figure it out. Help me out here. And all those penalities were just plain dumb. I was probably fortunate not to be able to watch the game b/c TV stations here in KC don’t air any games other than the Chiefs but by watching this play by play on nfl.com, I’m glad didn’t watch this — I would have been more ticked off than I already am. PLEASE for the love of God, don’t let another team embarass us like that ever again. Unless you all want to lose like this and play like a bunch of girls… I still don’t get it. You all are nuts and are completely outside your minds. Get a grip and change the way you guys are playing… you about gave me a heartattack today. I don’t feel like dying just yet… spare me another week or two.
I’ve still got faith but I don’t understand why you guys are letting yourselves get beat up like this. I wish you guys had a tactic to this stupid theory of getting slaughtered but there’s no excuse for playing like you guys did.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
November 4th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
For the guy who asked. I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND I FLY IN FROM ANOTHER STATE SO DON’T QUESTION MY COMMITMENT! i WOULD RATHER HAVE A GRAET DRAFT PICK THAN SNEAK IN THE PLAYOFFS WHICH IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BY THE WAY! 5-11 IS THE BEST THAT THIS TEAM WILL FINISH!
November 4th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
You know its bad when our offense can’t stop their defense from scoring!!
November 4th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
The problem is that we flat out suck. We have the worst run defense of any team in the last 5 years. When our D coordinator was canned last year we got the losing not acceptable speech. Is Shanahan and Bates going to be held just as acountable? As I see it we suck 10 times worse on defense then we did last year. Oh, and if I hear one more excuse about our injuries Im going to puke.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
If f&^%ng Bates does not resign tomorrow morning or gets fired the hell with it. This is the worst i have ever felt as a Bronco. The players are trying the system does not work.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:38 am
let’s just begin with this. FIRE Bates first and foremost. His system sucks. I’m tired of everyone saying , give it a few more weeks, they’ll catch on , they have been playing much better. bull$%#&!!!!!!!! Denver’s defense sucks. I would say, and have said before to fire Shanahan but after long thinking on this, I don’t think that’s the solution. Shanahan needs to fire EVERY coach he has!!!!! I have been a die hard Denver fan since 1977(30 years for all of you that aren’t very good at math)and I have never seen a Broncos team this BAD!!!! Over the years, I have seen some pretty bad years, but this one is by FAR THE WORST!!! There is no team chemistry at all. there are too many OLD players. They need to get rid of ALL OF THEM. Let’s start with NICK FERGUSON, IAN GOLD, JOHN LYNCH, DRE BLY(WORST OFFSEASON TRANSACTION), TRAVIS HENRY, ROD SMITH(SORRY ROD, BUT MAYBE YOU WILL BE HIRED AS A COACH) JAVON (BUST) WALKER, AND SAM ADAMS!!!!!!!!!! Dre Bly was paid pretty darn good to get BURNED EVERY GAME. We’re too SLOW on the defensive side of the ball!!! Can’t you coaches see that???? I am so disgusted at this point, we should be 0 and whatever. I’m hoping that Cutler is out for the season, so that maybe we’ll get a decent draft pick, if they don’t mess that up too!!!I love the broncos but,right now WE SUCK!!!! They should have drafted some good young talented safeties instead of all these defensive linemen that don’t even play. We are so old at that position. It’s the same thing every game. We have the most BORING OFFENSE in the NFL!!!! Today’s game was the first time in 30 years that I didn’t watch the Broncos!! I sat and watched Brett Favre and company BEAT the chiefs(not that it mattered anyway). that’s pretty sad when you would rather watch a game where one of our biggest rivals was playing and not playing the Broncos. Much less a game on FOX now how boring is that? Brandon Marshall I’m sorry but, NOW IT’S TIME TO BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! SORRY BRONCOS FANS BUT MAYBE???NEXT YEAR!!!!!! PAT BOWLEN SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW HIS PHONE NUMBER????
November 5th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Im throwing in my hat for the season as well. I really cant remember ever being this disgusted with a Broncos team. I’ll always love the Broncos, but this season has hurt bad.
I say give Bates another year, as much as we all want to run him out of town, his track record deserves a second year.
Shannahan should stay, I still think hes a great coach…and would you really want someone else on the sideline? Who? Gross Andy Reid with his man boob sweat and cop moustache?
November 5th, 2007 at 3:39 am
the worst season I ever endured with our team..I am 30..and bleed orange and blue for 23 years…but todays game broke me…worse then the super bowl lost to the 49ers some years back…I’ll never throw the towel in..but we are screwed. our injuries..our lack of play callin…our players lack of concentration….I see a dark time comin to bronco country..but I will be here to weather the storm…even if i have to wait 15 years again for a sb win….now people have to be listening when i said I didn’t want Dre’ bly….who misses #56????????….But most of all who misses #27…atleast he never gave up back to back big plays…we’ll bounce back again…shanny will find it again…and i just want to beat the raiders twice again…and maybe Santa claus will bring us larry Coyer back again…and maybe will have another Davis, Elway, Sharpe, Smith, and McCaffery tandem……in Young, Cutler, Sheffler, Marshell, and Stokley….but who knows…we’lll have never have a d like we did…our LB suck..without a great mentor…what do I know..I only have cheered and booed them for 23 years…
November 5th, 2007 at 4:38 am
So the Chargers game was not an accident ! The victory against Pittsburg looks now like a miracle and so is a miracle that we still are in the race fo the division tittle , let’s be honest we can’t go to the playoffs with this team .There’s too many injuries but it’s not the only problem .I think we gonna win one or two game on the pride of the players but we are overmatched , our defense is non existent and more important , when things are starting to degenerate like this nothing can stop it from getting even worse . The mindset of our team is like ” what’s next ” and you can’t win in the NFL whith that so , i expect nothing from this season exepted playing time for the young players and i really hope Jay will be back soon to continue his developpement .See you next year .
November 5th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Again, this team is a joke. Shanahan has done a &^$$ poor job of coaching this year and the playes he’s brought in are washed up. Nice job Shanny, way to usher back in the Wade Phillips era.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:15 am
This is one of the best articles I have read about the Broncos. I think this writer should probably be our coach. Just Kidding on the coach part but anyway let me know what you guys think about it and if anyone has Shanny’s e-mail address please forward it to him. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nf…
November 5th, 2007 at 9:18 am
just one last word : Al Wilson , in my opinion was one of the best linebacker in football , a Ray lewis caliber , he was the anchor of our D , now he’s gone and i can’t really understand how the coaching staff let him go , i really need some explanations here , Pryce , OK , i understand but in Al’s case …..If he was injured severely , then put him on IR and let him take a year rehabing , so get rid of him ????I don’t see the Colts get rid of Manning or Freeney , the Pats pat ways whith Brady or Seymour , the hated chargers saying go anywhere to LT , Gates or Meriman . There are players you just keeep in your roster , healthy or not just beacause they are above the pack . I’m not in the coaching staff but some thing need to be said in this case .
November 5th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Hey France, maybe you missed the memo but Al’s career is probably over. This wasn’t some small injury he had to deal with, he has not been cleared by doctors to play football. I do agree though, the only LB actually playing football this year is Williams. Webster and Gold are better off leading the cheerleaders, there’s playing like school girls anyway, might was well dress accordingly.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:41 am
yeah , i missed , anyway , very sad to loose a guy this caliber and will be very hard to replace him , one of the main reason we’re struggling this year especially on D .
November 5th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Can people now finally admit I was right?
4-12 people
believe it
November 5th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
This season has gone tits-up. A top draft pick is nothing to be excited about in my opinion. Poor play all round, can’t really be helped though with an injury list almost bigger than the number rushing yards given up.
Peace…
November 6th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Hesky, You got it right on the $. but a draft pick is all we have to look forward to.. Could this be are worst year in history?? Change is in the air??
November 7th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Absolutely Pathetic. Lets get Kubiack back as coach and start Paying players on a performace per game standard. Pro sports are out of control with the money,and the coaching Stinks. Oh well Deer hunting starts this weekend.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:46 am
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