This is not where they Broncos wanted to be or where they thought they would be. But it is undeniably where they are. The Broncos will be sitting home for the post-season.
The Chargers made sure that would happen with a convincing 52-21 win Sunday night in San Diego.
So many of the issues that have plagued the Broncos cropped up again.
–The Denver defense just could not stop the Chargers’ offense. San Diego scored on six of its first seven possessions. The Chargers set a franchise record with 289 rushing yards. Their two running backs, LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles combined for 211 yards on 28 carries to score five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving). The Chargers had 10 possessions, scored seven touchdowns, kicked a field goal and punted once. The first half ended on one of their series. That is a really good night at the office.
“We were behind the 8-ball most of the night on defense and we just couldn’t slow them down,” head coach Mike Shanahan told 850 KOA right after the game.
–The Broncos’ offense bogged down after a quick start. They started the game with a 10 play, 73 yard drive that Tatum Bell capped with a 26-yard touchdown run to put Denver ahead 6-3. In the Broncos’ next three drives, they ran 14 plays for a net 67 yards, punted twice and had a series end with an interception in the San Diego end zone.
“We knew what we wanted to do but just didn’t get it done,” wide receiver Eddie Royal said. “We started out the way we wanted to, got some points early, but we didn’t finish.”
–The Chargers won the turnover battle by forcing two and committing none. Not only did the Chargers intercept Jay Cutler twice, but one of those picks came in the San Diego end zone and the other came at the Broncos’ 14 yard line. Tomlinson scored on the next play.
The fact is that the Chargers were the better team on Sunday night and they deserve to go to the playoffs. Despite their 8-8 record, the Chargers are playing like a playoff team.
The Broncos close the season with three straight losses and they surrendered a three-game lead in the AFC West with three games remaining. They miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
“I told them (the team) that it just takes one game,” Shanahan said. “We had our opportunities to put it (a playoff berth) away and didn’t take advantage of it. It’s really disappointing to end the season the way we did.”
And so it is. It’s not hard to figure out why:
–A 4-1 start crumbled into a 4-7 finish, with a loss at Kansas City and losses at home against Jacksonville, Oakland and Buffalo during the course of the year. Those four teams had a combined record of 19-45.
–The Broncos allowed an average of 146.1 rushing yards per game, 27th in the NFL. Meanwhile, their leading rusher, Michael Pittman, had only 320 yards. The Broncos put seven running backs on injured reserve. That’s not an excuse, that is a fact. If a team cannot run the ball consistently, it will likely have trouble winning consistently.
–The Broncos intercepted only six passes all season. Only the 0-16 Lions had fewer. The Broncos recovered only seven fumbles all year, tied for 26th in the league. The Broncos were minus-14 in the turnover department. Christmas cannot last for four months in the NFL.
–They also lost their best defensive player (CB Champ Bailey) and their three starting linebackers for a good portion of the year. Again, that is not an excuse; they were hardly a stellar defense early in the season when those guys were healthy. But it didn’t help.
Despite all of that, the Broncos still had a terrific opportunity to get to the playoffs. But now that is gone, the biggest disappointment from a maddening 2008.
The offseason is here for the Broncos. When it comes to player personnel, what should be their top priority for the 2009 season?
Thanks for reading all year long and posting your thoughts. Keep checking back, I’ll likely have some thoughts through the playoffs and the off-season.
All the best,
Mike
Tags: 2008, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers
This year’s Broncos are the most pathetic team they have put on the field in a long time. Don’t be misled by their 8 wins–most of the season they looked like a bunch of bumbling idiots and wimps who didn’t really want to be on the field. How can a team with the talent and resources they have play such a feeble and mindless brand of football?? They didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs and would have been a big embarrassment if they had even made it to the first round. Any defense that even stop such powerhouse offenses as Kansas City, Oakland, Buffalo, and Jacksonville is going to get you killed week after week. The Orange Crush is dead and has been replaced by a bunch of limp d—–s in serious need of Viagra. How many new defensive coordinators and complete “rebuilds” is it going to take before the Broncos come up with a defensive scheme and some players who can tackle and stop a mediocre NFL offense?? I think the league should add a post season game this year for the Broncos and Cowboys–it would be called “The Stupid Bowl”, for the two teams with the most talent who couldn’t find their ass with both hands. And I would also tell Detroit to see if they can’t schedule the Broncos for at least one game every year–that will guarantee that they won’t repeat their winless debacle in the future. It’s high time for some serious housecleaning for the Broncos–apparently Shanahan and his defensive cohorts can’t get the job done anymore. Let’s find some coaches and players who can. The Broncos are seriously broken and need an overhaul of coaches and players who know how to win and have the stones to compete in the NFL. PS–please don’t tell me I’m not being loyal or I’m just a fair weather fan–I’ve loved the Broncos since 1960, but this season has been enough to alienate even the most devoted of fans. Enough is enough!
Very disappointing and actually I’m still in shock at how we played. We acted like a doormat to their playoff run. Our D got way too soft… they lost their aggressiveness… we’ve had to go without Champ for more than half the season and they acted like they could do nothing without him while we got his elbow looked at. They need to start to learn that it is okay for them to depend on themselves when things like that happen. They need to get tough, aggressive and FIGHT for the wins. They didn’t fight for it at all last night… a few plays here and there but that was it. I’m glad they took down Rivers at least once but we’re supposed to hassle him ALL NIGHT, not just a few plays.
Our offense… not too shabby. I’ve seen them at better times but we could’ve been alot worse. Cutler was awesome last night, this guy is a keeper. He’s got his issues to work out and he’ll get there… again I am VERY willing to have patience with him. We can’t just shuffle players in and out of our team b/c they can’t produce what they need to on one play or in one game. If we did that we would never learn to improve with the players we already have and that have plenty of potential. We’ve got some great players on all sides of the ball.
And you cannot possibly sit there and tell me that we didn’t do an at least halfway decent job considering our injury status all season long. We handled that pretty well… better than most other teams would’ve handled it. We did our best… that’s not an excuse and I’m not making excuses for them, but injuries almost completely wiped out our RB corp and for what we did with what was left for us to use we handled that situation very well. And its not just on our offense that we had that issue of injuries… we had to do without some key defensive players that we really could’ve used and ones that we really needed. The injuries again are not an excuse nor should they be used as one… but the way we handled that is being completely underestimated by some people. The magnitude of it all is mind-boggling that we even made as far as we did with all our injuries.
This was a very tough loss and I’m not so sure I can swallow it but someday far far from now I’ll get over it. We have much brighter days ahead of us… hopefully we’ll have another great draft get some much needed players and have a great ’09 season. Now that this season is over, I can’t wait for the next one. I love this team with a passion… I will always have faith that they will improve, learn from their mistakes and we’ll get to the Promise Land at the most unexpected moment.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Have faith Broncos Country!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
I noticed The TEAM hasent released the gamebook yet, they must be as emberaASSed as all the FANS are. I AM JACKS INFLAMED SENSE OF REJECTION!
GO AVALANCHE ! ! !
Digustingly embarrassing!!! It was pure dumb luck we managed to hold on to first place!!
Well I could moan about a whole lot of things but it won’t heal the pain of another pitiful end to yet another poor season, but I won’t.
I feel sorry for the players that we puppets to poor offensive and defensive schemes and calls.
All the best to the players for a new year and a new season
Bronco fan through thick and thin
It’s easy for us to do like Jim Mora said back in the day…. COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA, but the fact is we didn’t. When 07elway said we lost our agressiveness I was gonna disagree and say that we never had agressin on the D side. The fact is we did have agression but a little too much @ times! Late hits, over pursuit, more late hits, and more personal fouls. Yeah our D couldn’t stop anyone but it was 50% the players and 50% the scheme. Every coach has to know what he has as far as personel and come up with the right scheme.
As far as the O goes we need to stop being scared and @ least attempt to run and don’t put it all on Cutler. B. Marsh needs to get tougher and stop letting the db’s take him out the game. I remember Rod Smith and easy Ed Mccaffery found ways to get the ball and make things happen. I’m not knocking B. Marsh but @ times he acts just like a baby T.O.
I know it don’t matter but I’d give season game balls to the O-line and a game ball to T. Bell for the job he did last night. Though the season is over I’ll still find a way to rep that ORANGE AND BLUE! See yall here and there on Bronco Country!
This team proves that a team can’t win with the defense they have.
I don’t care how much passing you have. You NEED a run offense and a solid defense to win games.
What I hope to see next year:
Offense- Nothing changes. I want to see Hillis and whoever else at RB. Hillis would have been the key for the broncos to make the playoffs this year. Cutler is the man, he’s not our problem. He’s the key to a super bowl once we put a real team around him. The O-Line is great. Clady will be a Ring of Famer!
Defense- I could go on forever but for now. One word. DRAFT! I want to see 8 new defensive rookies next year. I really want to see a new LEGIT MLB (2 good rookies coming out). I think our d-line needs some help, mostly a pass rush. (Peppers) NO BLY. I think our defense needs the most change in the pass defense. The players they have WON’T WORK! Bailey is the only player there.
Special Teams – I think our current defense wouldn’t start for the Ravens special teams. Yeah they are that bad. And is Elam willing to come back???
Good luck in ’09!!!
Has anyone else figured out who the genius is behind those god damn wide receiver screens we started using way too frequently about 4 weeks ago? What happened to the go with what works and drop what doesn’t mindset. Props to the guys that showed heart this year, and yes…tatum bell deserves the gameball if we can ever get it back from phillip rivers paws
i think the game was paid off after what happened in week 2 and as far as all yall broncos haters dont worry that lil p—y rivers and the rest of his boyfriends on the team will get rubbed out by the colts this saturday!! the Broncos will be back next year and shut them up for good!! i guarantee if i was a player for the broncos rivers wouldnt have walked out of the stadium last nite he would have been carried out after i threw a football in his face and then kicked him in the face!!! but i guess he got his reward when his b/f’s all f—ed him in his a–!!!! as far as the refs last nite i would have taken a page out of adam sandlers movie and hit them in the nuts and made them call a fair game!!
Were we playing a prevent “D” last night? The coaches have to know the front four of our defense sucks and can’t pressure the QB straight up so they they should have had a zone scheme with a blitz package prepared. What the hell is Nate Webster doing covering downfield? What’s he doing on the field period? Can Bly give a bigger cushion? Everyone says DJ is good but I can’t tell. Champ gets beat by a TE? Our DE’s have no containment plus the overall aggresion of the players is weak…..they looked scared to get beat deep so they give up everything underneath.
The play that summed up the game for me was in the first half Rivers is throwing to LT in the endzone and their fat TE (not Gates) goes after the pass and catches it while four Broncos stand around like lawn chairs waiting for the play to come to them. We need guys on D that read and react, like Champ was back in ’05.
This whole draft should be dedicated to defense especially MLB, DE and Safety.
The D could have used some of Nightwolf09′s fire!
I also think we should get a veteran qb to backup Cutler like Brian Griese or bring back Jake Plummer! but if anything maybe trade a pick for Colt Brennan from the Redskins or draft a qb like Colt McCoy, Sean Glennon, or even Tim Tebow! but for the love of jesus get rid of Ramsey and Hackney
thanx kb3073
Look, we all knew it was going to end badly last night.
The Chargers are a legit team that many had predicted to win the Superbowl.
And lately, they have been playing like it.
On the other hand, we are a young team with a few very nice pieces.
But defense wins in December, and that is our weakness.
But there is a bright side.
For a long time, our drafting was horrible, but that was the past, we are now doing a great job.
Picking at number 12 is a blessing, we now have a legit shot to move up and get a guy like Arron Curry, who is the best LB to come out since AJ Hawk.
A cornerstone on defense is needed, especially for the future, Champ is getting older and his body is starting to break down. A player like Curry can ignite the fire that is lacking on defense.
I was very angry with Slowik at the beginning of the season, but, from a scheme standpoint, he did get better.
I believe we need to open the checkbook for a stud d-lineman.
I believe we need to pull out all the stops and get Curry.
I believe we need to draft a guy like Louis Delmas for FS.
3 studs = much better defense.
Draft should be DT, CB, Safety, DE, LB, DE, Guard, in that order. Our O-line is Very good, just getting a little old at guard. Our Defense need some serious help. SERIOUS. I am excited for Peyton Hillis, Ryan Torain, and our young offense for the next 5+ years!
Heres the deal,
1) Open up the checkbook for a stud d-lineman.
2) Do whatever it takes to move up and draft Curry.
3) Draft Louis Delmas for FS.
That would begin to fix things in a hurry.
For the love of God, fire Shanahan
demonstrated that its system is outdated
maybe we should also sure up a receiving core by drafting Tiquan Underwood (WR) Rutgers, along with Travis Bright (OG) BYU, Alex Fletcher (C) Stanford, Nader Abdallah (DT) Ohio State, Aaron Curry (OLB) Wake Forest, Pat Maynor (ILB) Stanford, Domonique Johnson (CB) Jackson State, Myron Rolle (S) Florida State, Dan Kelly (K) Hawaii, and finally either a QB from Stanford or Sean Glennon (QB) Virginia Tech!!
r u crazy RNST? if we get rid of Shanahan we’ll never see the playoffs or superbowl again! its the defensive coaches that need to be fired and bring in a former player from the 80′s like the niners did with singletary! and if anything bring in Hot ROD as our receivers coach and maybe ELWAY as QB’s coach and assistant coach to shanahan
Hey is it time to say shanahan what is wrong with greg robinson oh let see nothing time to check your ego coach get back our DC and turn the dogs loose I would rather lose kicking someone in the teeth than being bent over lets start with woodyard where the H___L is he oh thats right can’t keep my hat on webster is MLB and bly cut him save 10 million get back fox he at least has heart I would like to see wood play free saftey be like old times with atwater and lynch recievers would alway’s wonder where he is at that kid brings the hammer every time we get a player like fox we lose him because coach and his staff see a idiot like bly out there did not like him with the rams or lions T bell deserves to be next year cut can’t play torian what a waste of a pick and the off play calling bell rips off those big runs who say’s we can’t run the ball I tell you shanahan ego is out of control
AKDavie…. You’re right about those damn WR screes. It’s one thing to waste a play running them, but then to run them on 1st and 2nd down when we nedd positive yards!! Nightwolf09…… I like that idea about bringing Rod in as the WR coach. We need a DT who can clog the middle and be some what of a force during pass rush. I know we need alot on D but damn even Detroit, St. Louis, KC, and Cinci had a big DT causing problems up front.
We have a lot of positives for next season. A great young talented offense with a few crafty old vets on the o-line. I think all in Bronco country have to salute the o-line for a tremendous season! We have some great young talent on defense too that have a year under there belts. I say Woodyard will start on defense next season and if we can a couple more like him in the draft we will have some fire on that side of the ball.
Prater will be better next season,Elam wasn’t the greatest his rookie year either!
We’ve had a lot of different defensive coordinators all with the same results. I’m thinking there is a rotten apple or two in the defense that have been here too long ,time for them to move on.
We will never know how good our DB’s are until we have a pass rush. When you get pressure, you get picks. We didn’t get no picks! We need more playmakers in key spots on defense. I miss having players that the opposing offense fears. I don’t want to point fingers so I won’t. What I worry about is the evaluation of prospects on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe the key to next season is having someone in the office who can elvaluate defensive talent. If none of the new guys are capable of doing that we better get someone and quick! The season is over for me and I doubt I will watch much of the playoffs . Hopefully , the boards will keep rolling along keeping us full time fans informed on what’s going on in Bronco country. Go Broncos !
Very disappointing season hopefully we focus on the D in the draft and free agency….but i honeslty believe we will dominate next season even with injuries and all we still came out and won games so lets not lose faith…we are a young team it takes time to build chemistry and we got a majority of it this season so next season we should be set…
Well, what can any of us say…it’s time. It’s time to have to see some heads roll. I know it’s not all the coaches faults, and I believe Shanahan should at least stay. BUT, let’s try to get some competent coordinators in who know how to strategize and inspire. Let’s stop bringing up the “young talent” thing, the “injuries” thing, and everything else, and let’s look at the last three years, including this year. Nothing has happened, and I mean nothing. Denver has been nothing more than mediocre and that’s it. Nothing ever seems to change. Players come and go, and we get some good ones, too, I really mean it. But in all seriousness, I believe it’s the coaches job to get them ready to play week in and week out. Shanahan, I think, should probably be in the hall of fame some day, but he needs to either have the VP of personnel tag taken away, or figure out who to get in there. Also, the GM? What happened? What in the world is he doing? I really don’t know, but he sure isn’t helping any, whatever it is, maybe he needs to go, too. I am really disgusted with this mediocrity stuff, let’s either be absolutely terrible (like the Lions) or let’s get serious and get back to the Super Bowl days-ways of playing…
Greg Robinson!
Its like this, I.m very optimistic about our rookies on defense. But our coaches man are making some bonehead ass decisions! Why in the hell was Wood on the bench! Look, I don’t care how much the starters are getting paid, if the rookies are doing the job and making plays(and they did at ATL,N.Y)then oh well,they on the bench! Next season,Larson,Wood,Winborn! Champ,Fox,Barett! Hillis,Torain,Bell! Bly.bye!D.J.no way!Web,go to,well u get the point!
I won’t be crude or crass. I just believe that the defense needs to be revamped. Some nice draft picks and a new coordinator (Romeo Crennel’s available, hint hint…) can make all the difference in the world. With Jay Cutler at the helm, the Broncos can join the Ravens and Dolphins in AFC dominance for years to come. Enjoy your glory while it lasts Queer Felipe (that’s Philip Rivers for non-Spanish speakers) because Freeney and Mathis are going to rock your world as will we next season. GO BRONCOS!!!
You know, I hadn’t though about it, but Crennel IS available and he did well in NE, that could be a very cool fit in Denver. Also, speaking of crude or crass, it seems to be getting bad on these forums. But, I digress, everyone’s a critic, including myself, and we are all frustrated with the lack of production and (dare I say) even passion this team has been showing. Anyway, I really don’t think any of the players on this entire team are all that bad, they don’t have any motivation, and very little leadership, though the latter may be slowly developing, who knows. That and they need some coaches who are inspired and have a good knowledge of the game and bring a spark to the play calling and gameplan. Greg Robinson was great, and who knows, maybe could still be great – he must have done something right, he helped win Super Bowls. But there have got to be many other people out there that can get the job done, Denver just needs to be better at finding them. Anyway, watch the playoffs, enjoy the great games, enjoy the rest of the holidays, and always look forward to where Denver hopefully will soon go.
Broncos,
we still are here,, all yor fans,, with a very disappointing taste in our mouth that we cant get rid of, because when it comes to defense we suck in all phases, we will wait again to see what comes of the draft but when we play defense that bad, we can’t expect to contend for anything, Ro
yal is m
y new favorite receiver. and Marshall runs sideways when he should be able to run straight ahead and power over defenders, royal is the slasher not Marshall but royal plays with more balls the Marshall, yes Marshall tries hard, but he is not using his body to create seperaton, or break tackles, Our defense needs a complete overhaul i would keep champ Bailey and maybe Elvis D. but the rest are worse then a 2$ bill torn in half, Shanny where’s the fire????? the mile Hi Fire is gone???? weve become a team of crybabies, winers, with no fire no playmakerson “D” Champ is the best, but e can dump the rest… I’ve been disgusted for 1/2 the season watching all that offensive talent go to waist because our defense lets any team score at will, all i can say is good luck, because i doubt we can fix this disaster in one off season… is the TUna still available????
The defensive coaching / playcalling is utterly abysmal. If this coaching staff remains intact, we will see very little improvement in ’09 regardless of any other attempts to improve the D via the draft or FA.
I think they should draft in this order:
MLB, S, DE, DT, CB, DE, S
Maybe even pick up a Julius Peppers in free agency or make a trade for a top MLB, DE or Safety.
Hell I’d trade Sheffler for Laron Landry!
Let’s cut the fat on defense. I can only see 4 starters next year from this years D. Bailey, D.J., Dumervil, Marcus Thomas (maybe). Everything else is up for grabs. But please get rid of bly and webster.
I’d bet that Webster led the team and the league in missed tackles and assignments!!!
CARAMELLO, nice post about the OLine and T.Bell for the season, but I would add one more name at least fir the game any way Chad Jackson had a good game with 8 kickoff returns for 162 yrds. Him, bell, and the OLine were the bright spots in this game.
and i still say it was a TEAM loss not just the D.
TOP 23:53 36:07
8 run plays 49 pass plays ( this is the NFL not Madden 2008)
2 interceptions + three 3&outs = FIVE poor possessions
Not just the D, but the whole TEAM.
I’m as disappointed as everyone about this whole season. I have to say though the Broncos made their bed, now they have to sleep in it. Regardless of who is calling the plays or what plays, it’s still comes down to assignments, gap control, angles for tackles, wrapping up when tackling, catching passes, hustling. I think that there was little of the fundamentals this season. I know these guys are professionals but lets not let them off the hook from performing the most basic techniques. Maybe they should go full pads all season long…
What happened to Jarvis, Thomas, and Crowder? Are those guys busts or what? I’m seriously asking a question. I thought that these two guys were going to be good D-line guys, but I haven’t seen much of them.
I’m anxious to see what happens on draft day. Hopefully Shanny won’t try to put a square peg in a round hole, if you know what I mean. We need to beef up our D most importantly. Hopefully our RB will be healthy again so we could probably let some go. I don’t know what our salary cap looks like but I know were spending some big bucks for players to just sit they worthless A$$ on the bench. Either play em or get rid of em.
I think there is a certain appeal to calling the Broncos abysmal.
The problem is, it makes Jay Cutler look bad, and he´s awesome.
Now the trick would be to keep him content, but to alter the
personell around him in a way that is acceptable to the fans.
Royal, Marshall, Stokeley and the O-line seem beyond reprimand.
It´s so quaint. Everything is just flawed enough, so you can
make new half hearted decisions. A lot of these players made
themselves tradable during the season, through inconsistent
play to the extent of almost looking fraudulent.
But now they´re like safe into the off-season. I followed
and rooted for this team, because I like Jay Cutler, and I
saw some spirited play on defense, yes defense. Do I mean,
don´t replace them? No, because apart from plenty of heart,
they are average. I say if you put them on the kickoff team,
it would be the best unit in the NFL. And I bet they would
take the pay-cut just to remain in the NFL.
Believe it or not, I would start on offense, because the
fate of the franchise revolves around Jay Cutler. He´s
the reason the recievers have decent stats. He makes
anyone look better. I say trade Stokeley, Royal and
Marshall for some fat trades. What´s your problem
with Hackney? He´s a monster.
Jack_Fan you said it all. The D is got to go. Except Champ. The O will be even better when they know they have a solid D waiting to come in. Why is the D coordinator not axed already? Sorry Ofense I feel your pain.
Bronco fan till death…
Our defense was putrid last year and even worse this year. Slowick has to go or we will be a scrub team again in 09
Mooncamping, dude I think your just talking out of frustration cause realize that O units as well as D units has to mesh and develop together. these guys on offense has their timing down and know where to be at all times, if you bring in new personnel then you have to start all over. As for the D, I agree woth you guys who said go after crennel,hell i’ll even take Wade Phillips cause you know he’s out of there. But Greg Robinson was money with his schemes. I also agree with revamping the entire D. personnel except champ cause he has 2 good pro bowl years left and he needs a ring. But the conditionong coach dude needs to go study on strecting! Like I said earlier the rookis on D are solid, and I think that Wood at MLB will bring that fire we missed form Al.
Bronco no matter what!!!
What happened? In 2005 denver had one of the top five defenses in the NFL. That started to go down hill as soon as Denver let go of its defensive leader Al Wilson. The guy was a beast and as soon as he was gone the defense went down hill then John Lynch got less playing time because we bring in a saftey that is a bit faster but he didn’t bring the intesity that John did and Nate Webster doesn’t bring the pressense that Al did. The point is you need a vetran to bring some intesity and to intimidate the offense. Maybe Albert haynesworth will be available but the point is you need someone to bring the heat to set that tone on the defense. You also need a defensive coordinator to teach discipline to stay in your gaps to just do your job not try and be superman on defense and loose your reciever while you go after a quarterback that cant run.
I love the broncos, and I’ve followed them like a hurt puppy dog all season. We started off looking like a team out of a movie, and all the way through the season we’ve given up games that we certainly should not have (KC, anyone?) and a lot of it has to do with our defence. Cutler and Marshall did make a couple untimely mistakes (INT’s, fumbles, etc), but consider the mindset that they must take the field with.
I imagine as a FREAK OF NATURE like Marshall is, he would be thinking something along the lines of: if I touch this ball, I have to get points, because my defence is definitely not helping us out any.
I believe firmly that our problem starts with our run stopping. WE NEED A REAL RUN-STOPPING MLB. Nate you have great range, and can make the tackle by the sideline, but we need you to be huge and plug the interior gaps when your number is called. Teams will pass more when stop their run, naturally. When this happens, we need to develop a little something referred to as PRESSURE. We have to get licks on the QB, we have to make him scared to take anything more than a 3 step drop, and when that happens, he makes errant, bad-timed, ineffectively-placed throws. When that happens our secondary will be LIGHTS OUT.
Personally, I would like to see a re-vamp at both safety positions, an improvement at DT (from our current rotation would be fine) a dual-threat DE, MLB (as I’d already mentioned), and maybe bring back foxy for our regular nickel package.
PRATER – You’re not allowed to go home this winter, I’m afraid you get to live between the 30 and 39 yard lines until you get it right.
Hind sights 20/20 but we should have kept Elam. He might not have had the kickoff range but some of Praters kickoffs weren’t that great either. You can make damn sure he wouldn’t have missed that extra point. Prater better work on your accuracy.
Mooncamping-
Did I read that right… you said trade Marshal, Royal, and Stokely. You must be camping on the moon, that was the silliest junk I have ever read on these blogs. Stop smoking that moon sand! Stop it!
Get rid of every one on “D” with the exception of Woodyard. Keep Bailey, but know this: He is no longer a shut dow corner, but he is a sound tackling corner. Teams no longer fear the champ. Why Woodyard and Larson did not get on the field in the last few games is beyond me.
Mr. Rice,
These bloggers can rant, complain, criticize, or whatever about the Broncos, but there is only one element missing from the Broncos staff and that is;
A DEFENSIVE TALENT EVALUATOR
Mike is VERY effective on the offensive side but SUCKS on the defensive side. Just check the records.
-2008, great draft (5 offense high contributors, 4 defense no contributors). CFA very good with 4 contributors). FA bad, all defense (Robertson, Boss, Niko).
-2007 half a draft (good Harris, Thomas, bad Moss, Crowder) FA Stockley very good. FA Bly Green?
-2006 great draft (5 offense 1 defense) no FA left from Browns
ENOUGH SAID
Heres my take. Cutler had to take it all on himself, IMO didn’t have a probowl season, plenty of poor throws, but he was up against it all year, no respect for the run, and the defense non-existent. He’s the heart of the team.
Selvin’s 2k year set the tone for the backs. (When will they learn to shut up and play?) Hillis will be a GREAT fullback. (NOT tailback) Pittman is a good, not great, short yardage back. The rest of the backs didn’t get to show much, so I’d expect we’d take another gamble in the late rounds of the draft. Not much in the way of a feature back available, imo.
O-Line: Wow. I hope Nalen comes back, but I don’t think he could have played much better than CW. Ben still builds a fire, and Kuper is a good young player. it still wouldn’t hurt my feelings, though, if the best player available in the fourth or fifth round is a versatile future probowl interior lineman. As to tight ends, I love ‘em. Graham became a pass catching threat, and Tony, when healthy, is scary good. (outside of a few dropped passes)
WR – The first group is as talented as any in the league. Seems like they lost a little focus, though. Guy drops balls and then cry when they’re open and the QB can’t deliver. And who is teaching this catch and dive technique? Goes well with the catch and dance! Turn it up field and get what you can. Eddie is a future probowler, but proved late that he’s human.
Defense – Here’s where I might disagree with some of you.
First on my list of problems is the system/coach. They supposedly simplified it. BOY, I’LL SAY!! Every QB in the league drooled to play us. They knew what was coming and knew they’d have no pressure! Imo, a defense can’t operate in “take what they give” mode. A defense has to surprise and be DISRUPTIVE! In all fairness, though, defensive playcalling might have just been a response to the lack of talent.., healthy talent, anyway.
DL – I don’t believe the situation as dire as some of you. Thomas is a good young tackle. His numbers would grow with a few more producers around him. DR, imo, is a very good second tier talent, valuable for rotation and situations. The other tackles played hard, but nobody in there is getting penetration or pressure consistently. Sure, Haynesworth is available, but I wonder how the payday he’ll get will affect his play. i don’t see but a couple of DTs in the draft who could help (Jerry/ Marks?) but maybe a trade (Woodyard?) or a sleeper would be the answer.
DE – Everybody loves Doom (me too), but I see him as more of a situational player; a difficult matchup for many pass blocking tackles and more of a change of pace with a more traditional run-stuffing-pass-blocking-induce terror type of end. But wait, we haven’t got one of those… Eng and Ek are journeyman ends with lots of experience and show-up-every-down talent, but neither is exciting (very often), and while you need veteran leadership and knowledge, you gotta have some crackle at end. I thought we’d drafted some a couple years back, where’d those guys go? This off season will tell a lot, there.
LB – Who PLANS to lose your whole starting linebacking corps? DJ is as good as it gets, period. Boss showed promise. The other guys got some some serious experience, and, I agree, brought some energy we hadn’t seen for a while. What’s missing is the “presence” that Al brought. Nate works hard, maybe too hard, missing often and sacrificing a tackle for the spectacular hit more than I’d like. I think he’s gone anyway, but this is the place change could make the most difference next year, imo, and it looks like a good draft year for middle backers.
DB – I still think we have two elite cornerbacks, but only two. Qbs in the league today will abuse ANY corner when given 10 seconds to casually peruse their options. It also helps when you can count on safety help, which was not usually the case this year. Lynch leaving, as it turned out, hurt a little, but only because the guys we brought in weren’t all that special either. He probably would have made many of those huge breakaway runs much smaller breakaway runs, but, while I thought the world of the guy, he’d more than likely have been average or less this year, not like him, and better he got out when he did. Barrett has the physical tools, and may be a good safety if he catches the learning curve. The game experience he got can’t hurt. Woodyard, if they are serious about making him a safety, might really help situationally. I wish they all had his motor. The other safeties and corners are average, or haven’t had the chance to show much, imo. I wish we could have melded Foxworth and Paymah. Fox is smart, a model citizen, good in coverage, and never hit anybody. I watched him play again this year, nothing’s changed. Paymah is a good tackler who’s always a step or two out of position to break up a pass. I’m guessing he’ll play a bit elsewhere.
Prater – Was he hurt? More than cold balls (sorry) are to blame for his kickoff prowess falling off. I wasn’t expecting field goal perfection, but it sure looked like he would be a weapon on kickoffs. And Kern? The fact that nobody is talking about him speaks volumes. Seems to be a keeper.
Coaches – Some here wonder if the team might benefit from Shanahan taking a “general manager” position, much like Parcells at Miami. I think it’s clear that play calling has been less successful since Kubiak left, and the defense has been unimaginative and ineffective since Al was scuttled. I don’t think the GM thing is a good idea. Mike got a lot from the team he had left this year. He made decisions this year on fourth downs and clock management where a lesser coach might haved feared repercussions. While fans love gimmicks, Mike, imo, showed some real creativity over the last couple of years in a talent/health drought. I’d sure love to see what he can do with another good draft and another years experience. As to Slowik? Well, I suggest Bob try skydiving or bungie jumping this offseason. The conservative approach didn’t work this year. We gave up long runs all season. QBs settled into their pockets and played pitch and catch. The line seemed to be playing a “stand your guy up and maintain your lane” game instead of penetrating and causing havoc. Blitzes were rare. Sacks were rare. Corners seemed willing to give up on anything in front of them, gambling rarely. I might be alone here, but it seems to me that Rivers will keep his smirk until someone can knock it off, and that may require some gambling and playmaking from the defense.
Fans – Still the best fans in football.
Sorry to vent at such length, but it kinda feels good. thank goodness nobody reads this cr*p anyway. T
Thanks monodono, yeah gotta give one to Jackson as well. If they would’ve had him in there early in the season I think he could’ve broke a few bc he was on the verge of breaking one or two sunday night. Like you always say… T.O.P is a mutha and so many pass plays with so few run plays. Esp. when the running game was working.
THAT;S RIGHT NOT ALL DEFFENSE!
I WANT ALEX GIBBS ! ! !
watch what you wish for you might just get it shanny is gone now i just hope his replacement doesnt screw up this offense now it gets interesting
I REALLY WANT ALEX GIBBS ! ! !
Alex Gibbs???? Was way in over his head in Washington. He’ll stick to watching cars go in circles for a while.
I’m looking for a lesser known name. Maybe a Kubiak return?
ALEX GIBBS Not Joe Gibbs. Get your facts straight before you correct.