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
D O did you when the Orange Bottle ?
It’s laughable that Brady Quinn uses the platform of GQ magazine to cast doubt on Tebows humility…
Quinn-B-Gone!!!
Ha, I made a funny… Anybody know what a Quinby is?? LOL…
Is it like a Looney?
Quinn’s probably mad because GQ originally wanted Tebow in their mag but he declined because it wasn’t the “humble” thing to do so they went to the second string guy…..LOL
Looks like everyone already saw the article about Quinn. That irritated me as well. Good riddance.
Fans did have a lot to do with Tebow going into the San Diego game. I won’t even try to pretend that it was based on practice. When Orton got hurt, they were gonna put Quinn in because they thought they were still in the game. In the SD game, they figured it was over and they threw in Tebow to appease the fans.
BUT SOMETHING INCREDIBLE HAPPENED! We almost pulled it out. And then we had the miracle in Miami. And then he got the nod to see if he could do something against the Lions. We got blown out. And after that it was a week to week decision. All Tebow had to do was fail again, and Quinn would have a shot. But guess what!? Tebowmania hit its stride and we won 6 straight games.
Quinn can whine all he wants, but he never once in his career showed the fight and big-play ability that Tebow showed this season. Fans may have got Tebow a shot, but Tebow kept it and maintained it all on his own. Sorry Quinn, but you will just have to go somewhere else.
0723, exactly right, Tebow made that position his own and Quinn was never good enough to take it away from him.
Brady Quinn is backtracking his comments about Tebow………
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/21/brady-quinn-disappointed-with-completely-inaccurate-portrayal/
***BREAKING NEWS***
Brady Quinn Disappointed by Door Hitting him Square in the A*S…
Have fun trying to find another place to hold a clip board hostage
Haha Quinn….fail
Quinn is just frustrated. No doubt he thought he was gonna have a chance to be a starter here, and Tebow had him take a backseat. It is possible to read what he said out of context due to our love of Tebow however. He could have been very calm and just saying his opinion in a manner that was not spiteful. But he still said what he said, and he has to stand by it. But for this to be his only “dramatic” moment in what would be a hard situation for any QB, he wasn’t too bad.
I shall backtrack my comments that said good riddance and calling him a whiner lol. But what I said was true, and Quinn was voicing his opinion.
Unfortunately for him, he voiced his opinion in a GQ magazine that had pictures of Mark Sanchez in a bathtub. Probably not the magazine I would have talked to haha.
http://twitter.com/#!/BQ9
Quinn clarified his comments. I have backed Quinn in the past and will not shy away from it
This whole Quinn deal is a joke. Quinn = fail. He failed in college. Couldnt beat USC (<–cheaters LOL strand). Never won a championship. Draft stock fell horribly because teams realized he wasnt that great. Went to a uber bad browns team and had to rely on injuries and failures of other players to get any playtime. Didnt play well in the time he had. Got traded to a team that was being dismantled and wasn't good enough to earn the starting or 2nd string spot. He will always be someones back up because thats his skill level. Now proving to be a cancer in the lockerroom isnt a great way to interview for your next back up roll. Your only value in this league is as a spy for other teams to give them insite as to how to beat our team. You will probably fail at that too and be outa the league come 2013. A back ups role is pretty simple……be ready to play and support the starter. Get it right or get the F out!!!!
BTW is dont hate Quinn. Just disappointed.
How you can be so ignorant when making comments to a national magazine is beyond me?
3 months ago Being Quinn and watching Tebow continue to struggle and pull out wins with clutch play and good defense must have gotten to him. Quinn Earned the 2nd string job… anyone who attended Training Camp knows Quinn was the best QB in camp. He was also the best in the Pre Season aside from the 4th game where he was average. That said Tebow was made the starter and earned the right to keep it Quinn understands that. I still like Quinn and he has NEVER recieved a fair chance to succeed. Tebow still needs to earn this job and competition should bring the best out of him. This offseason will be pivotal in showing if Tebow is a Starting QB
From Tides article.
“I thought it was refreshing to hear a player speak honestly for once, but Quinn isn’t enjoying the sudden attention. Quinn backpedaled Tuesday on Twitter faster than Blaine Gabbert on a 13-step drop.”
Thats funny LOL.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7597853
Obviously Mr.Quinn does not possess the mental aptitude to be a starter in this league.
money. I saw that earlier today, while I’m a huge fan of Bayless supporting Tebow, he gets really ridiculous at times. Saying that Decker was a horrible receiver? Tebow shouldn’t have competition? Tebow THRIVES on it! He’s earned the right to be the starter and will be, but the more competition he has the better he is, look at the Steelers game!
New Blog.
Another new blog!
sorry money, that was directed at LAX
LOL Kengro!! Classic. I swear, I can`t stand lane kiffin, he`s even a bigger cheater. LOL again!!
I don`t hate Quinn either, I think he`s just a poser! HaHa!!