The 2011 season was hardly as conventional as the Broncos’ 8-8 record might indicate. It was a season of ups and downs. It was a season during which the unexpected became the routine. And it was a season that leaves fans eager for 2012.
Through all of the drama, the Broncos definitely took steps forward in their efforts to build a championship contender. No doubt, it is a process. The Broncos are one step farther along in that process.
Several things stand out from the Broncos’ 2011 season.
1) THE BRONCOS HAVE THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP IN PLACE. Vice President of Football Operations John Elway made a smooth a transition to the front office. He was in charge of the process that brought a quality head coach to Denver. He was in charge of the draft, which turned out pretty good. He stepped to the fore and was present when the quarterback situation got, well, interesting. And he’ll only get better in his position.
In addition, head coach John Fox did a masterful job at establishing a new culture and maximizing the production from his new team. I said it during the season and nothing has changed my opinion: John Fox was absolutely the right coach at the right time for the Broncos. He did a terrific job. While the Broncos will have another defensive coordinator next season, Coach Fox’s presence and his previous working relationship with new coordinator Jack Del Rio should mitigate the loss of Dennis Allen.
2) THE BRONCOS GOT BETTER. Yes, they were up and down. I, however, focus on the big picture. They made the playoffs. They won a playoff game. I didn’t think they would do either one this year.
Despite many changes to the roster, a major shakeup at the quarterback position and their fair share of injuries, the Broncos battled. In many ways, they overachieved. That is to their credit. That speaks to their toughness and their resiliency.
Many people will point to the job Tim Tebow did and believe that is the reason the Broncos improved. Tebow was a big part of it, to be sure. But the defense got better as the season went along. Young players contributed. The success the Broncos had was a due to a team effort.
3) THE BRONCOS GOT THE BANDWAGON ROLLING AGAIN. There is no denying that fans are rejuvenated and re-energized. They should be. They were able to follow a team that not only turned around a season going south, but did so in dramatic fashion. They did so by relying on an unconventional offense and a defense that found a way to make plays in big situations.
All of that is worth getting excited about, not to mention as thrilling of a playoff win as one could imagine. The Broncos got the fans excited again. They got them dreaming of what could be.
The Broncos gave people a taste of success they haven’t had for some time. The fans want more.
The good thing is, so do the Broncos.
2012 can’t get here soon enough.
What stands out for you from the 2011 season? Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: Mike Rice
Moore would be a safe late round pick.imo.
Turtle…..
I like Moore he could really be a bonus and help Tebow with his throwing mechanics
Smart money would be to sign Ray Rice or Arian Foster. Sign Brandon Carr and Tracy Porter both 25. Move Champ to FS Dawk back for 1 more year at SS and Moore and Carter compete for time at saftey. Mario Williams I think is also available… and Panthers may cut Thomas Davis a 1st rounder of foxes… just a few ideas at least 50Mil in camp build a winner
A rookie QB help the 3rd year tebow with his mechanics? lol no. Jim Zorn could help as a former HC OC and current QB coach who is a southpaw
Hey Lax…keep bringin’ in the ideas bro!
I’m just sitting here drinkin’ cold beer and eating good soup at 1:30 AM,LOL.
Oh yeah,and listening to some AC/DC!!!!!
When does FA start?
For those who want a RB.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4yCMXMK-bY 2nd round maybe in the 3rd?
Hey BFE, what album/period ACDC?
For Those About to Rock (We Salute you)!!!!!!!!!
mex, I’m REALLY liking Martin as a 2nd or 3rd rounder, although I’m also holding out to get a Gator reunion with Rainey and Tebow. So I guess either one’s good with me
All of them bro!!!!!!!!!
AC/DC has never made a bad album in my book!!
FIRE!
Good point, was just curious if you were more a johnson or scott fan
I love me some Bon Scott,and I love me some Brian Johnson!!!!!
I believe the rock gods will smile on you for that response!
I thought Bon Scott was the best and had no equal,but then Brian Johnson stepped in and didn’t skip a damn beat,imo!
KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
The story about why Johnson replaced Bon is hilarious, you ever heard it?
I’ve been an AC/DC fan since the 70s,so let’s hear it dude!
Just my 2 cents on Champ, he is the best corner that I have seen play since Mel Blount. Forget about Deon, yes he could change a game, but he couldn’t tackle a practice dummy let alone a running back with the ball. Hell,Champs shadow can tackle better than Deon ever could. Champ might have lost a step, but he is still one of the best if not the best all around corner in the NFL.
Figured you’d have just a few years on me haha.
Bon went to a concert a few weeks (or maybe months I’m a little foggy on the time) before he died and came back telling the band how incredible the show was. it was this little known glam rock band playing dirty clubs, but their singer was just collapsed on the floor screaming the lyrics! that was Johnson’s previous band. So after Bon passed they called up Brian for auditions (the rest is history). But when they told him why he got a call he was flabbergasted! He told them that he was only screaming like that because his appendix was on the verge of bursting and he was in INCREDIBLE pain. Hell of a way to make an entrance.
PB…..well said!!!!!!!
Scott did have a slightly better voice, but both fit that band to a T.
Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a die-hard Scott fan, but some of my all-time favorite songs are with Brian so I agree
Although my liking of Scott might just be he’s a SLIGHTLY easier singer to cover haha
Hey lax maybe you should read up on Moore hes one of the most accurate passer ever to play the game. Yea i think there is a few areas he could help Tebow saying his accuracy is rather poor. As for your signings and what not, Rice and Foster both will remain with there current teams. Carr is a possibility and Porter will stay with his team. As for Williams i would love for Denver to get him. But its a long shot.
Never heard that before,good story,glad it happened tho!
Thought it was pretty cool too BFE glad I could share something new.
Holy crap, when my appendix was about to burst I couldn’t have sung anything let alone make it sound good. Course I was horizontal for a full day until they took mine out.
Guys I won’t speculate on FA just yet,but I will put out my wish list and mock draft soon!!!!!
SWB…….Thanks for sharing!
Good Night Broncos Country!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a font of random music trivia, so feel free to test me in the future haha. As far as the draft and FA go, I’m really behind the 8-ball so I’m just throwing out players I’m interested in and doing more research
Hey alaska, Tebow’s completion percentage was close to if not better than Moore’s…I kno they were close to each other, but what can a rookie really teach tebow especially wit a totally different throwing motion
SEASON CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
2011 326 439 3800 74.3 8.66 71 43 9 7 175.2
2010 273 383 3845 71.3 10.04 83 35 6 6 182.6
2009 277 431 3536 64.3 8.20 67 39 3 5 161.7
2008 281 405 3486 69.4 8.61 80 25 10 13 157.1
Tell me how those are even close to Tebows stats.
There is no way you can look at that and say their stats are comparable.
43 tds 9 ints. 74% completion percentage. For Moore
12 tds 6 ints 46% for Tebow.
You have no idea how much players can learn from a rookie. Learning the game goes both ways. When i started playing football i stepped on as a freshman and taught the starting QB a senior a couple things and he taught me a lot.
Wow..Check Moores stats versus the SEC and ur comparing Tebows NFL stats to Moore’s college stats….
Tebows college career stats:
661-995 66.4% 9285yds 88TD 16INT 170.8 RAT
then pair that with:
692 rushing attempts for 2947 yards and 57 TD
in other words… Moore may be an accurate passer BUT… Tebow is a football god lol
you need to be more specific von…….
COLLEGE football god……….
He’s got a heck of a ways to go to becoming a great NFL QB………let alone god status! lol
I’m still not completely on the TT bandwagon. Sure, I think he deserves a shot to be the guy next season……….But I’m far from annointing him our franchise QB for years to come.
His performance next season will tell us all if he will be the guy. I would love to see him succeed, but I’m not holding my breath on it at the same time.
I’m stiill holding on to my BBBP that TT will be traded to the Jags come draft time………..lol
I also hear Champ is not too thrilled about the Safety Idea … and if he is not. Im not. A happy player plays at his best and he is still the best CB in the league to me.
At this point, 2 FA signing would make my Free Agency. Just 2.
Brandon Carr CB (6’0 208 sounds great)
LaRon Landry SS
Landry is a risk because by FA time (March 13) his healing will not be completed. And since he opted for the non surgery route Redskins aren’t to keen on bringing him in not unless its a short term contract. Something we can offer as well. Either him or Tenneses FS Michael Griffin. Either way, if we can get these 2. Safety and CB … then we can go for the beef in the first round, Doug Martin in the 2nd … etc.
Those 2 don’t seem out of reach which is the good part. Im hoping but I rarely get my way.
TRB
what I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall in the boardroom with EFX……….and listen to their conversations about the direction they’re planning on going in with FA and the draft. Might give some of us bloggers heart attacks! lol
TRB…………do you think champ’s reluctance to move to safety is cause corner is all he’s played and moving to that position is something he just doesn’t feel comfortable with……..as in performance wise?
I personally think he could be an even bigger playmaker in the safety position……….