Sunday’s game against the Chiefs is a prime example of why staying off the emotional roll-coaster is a wise thing to do. Teams have to remain steady, not getting too high after wins and not getting too low after losses. For the first time this year, the Broncos will have the opportunity to see if they can stay on an even keel after a disappointing loss.
I am still a firm believer in the Broncos’ ability to be a good team this year. But they are still a young team. And young teams go through growing pains. Sunday certainly qualifies as that.
Among the issues:
–TURNOVERS. Going into the game, I found it hard to come up with a scenario in which the Chiefs won without getting at least a couple of turnovers. They came up with four and that was more than enough.
–RUN DEFENSE. It wasn’t there. Larry Johnson finds a way to have great games against the Broncos. After 198 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, he had another one. He set the tone with his 64-yard run on the second play from scrimmage. While the Broncos kept him in check at times, he still had a huge day.
–RED ZONE STRUGGLES. The bottom line is that the Broncos could not consistently execute in the red zone. But I’m not concerned this will become a regular occurrence.
–SPECIAL TEAMS BREAKDOWN. After closing the gap to 23-16, the Broncos gave up a 51-yard kickoff return to Dantrell Savage. That set up the Chiefs at the Broncos’ 49 yard line and then went on to kick a field goal and go back up by 10 points. That was a big momentum swing and not the first time it has happened to the Broncos.
–PREPARATION. After the game, cornerback Champ Bailey said he can tell when they have a good week of practice and when they don’t. Last week, he didn’t like what he saw in practice and it apparently showed. Maybe a generally young team simply had to learn from its mistake in order to get better.
–LOCATION. For whatever reason, the Broncos usually do not play well at Arrowhead Stadium. We could discuss the possible reasons all day long but it would accomplish nothing. Mike Shanahan has had only two sub-.500 seasons in 13 years as Broncos’ head coach, but he is now 3-11 at Arrowhead. The Broncos are 13-35 against the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Sometimes you’re up against more than just the opposing team.
I’m actually not that surprised to see the Broncos struggle against Kansas City. I didn’t predict it but it doesn’t shock me, either. I believe the Broncos are a much better team, but they had a bad day. Time will tell if that becomes a trend.
I’m not betting on that happening.
Do you believe the Broncos will rebound this week against Tampa Bay? I’d love to read what you think.
Thanks for reading and have a great week.
Best,
Mike
Tags: 2008, Kansas City Chiefs
Greetings Mr. Rice
I would like to share your optimism about this team, particularly the defense ,but this defense has not shown me anything but failure .I hope they can turn it around but will not be holding my breath. Will just get prepared for more heartbreak instead.
The Defense sucks! We need help NOW! Use some of those extra draft picks and get some help before it’s too late.
Hey there Mike,
I agree with you. I am an optimistic fan and a die hard at that. However, with that said I think some big things happened yesterday.
The most important thing was, don’t for one minute think that your’re #1 ranked NFL offense can bail you out of games when the D is having a bad day. Because when you the offense have a bad day……well, we saw what happened.
Also, I’m getting a little concerened with Jay and B-Marsh’s relationship on the field. There is no doubt that this could very easily be the next best tandum in the league, but we’re leaving a lot on the field. For example, did you see how wide open Tony was when Jay went for Marshall again after throwing interception #1? He missed Tony WIDE open and threw interception #2 trying to go for B-Marsh again. It was like they were avenging the first interception. Not to mention that TV showed the two talking between throws and it was almost like it was predetermined that they were going to try to hook up again.
I love this team, I love the youth, the coaches etc…..I know there is going to be growing pains. Actually I know we are the better team on Sunday, I just want to know….why? Why are we pitching balls to Marshall in the backfield? Where was Nate yesterday and Tony. The run game…what happened?
I really think that the Broncos got a healthy dose of “you’re not there yet” medicine. Are they capable? You bet, but until you hold that trophy just go out and dominate like we all know you can.
Mr. Rice remember this post. I think the Broncos learned a very valuable lesson yesterday. I believe you’re going to see the level rise.
I would hate to be Tampa Bay Sunday…They’re going to have some pissed off horses to deal with!!!!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
P.S. Champ you’re the reason I dawn your Pro Bowl jersey!!!!! guy was awesome yesterday!
Yes the defense sucks. The bigger question is what can be done about it right now. First and formost, abandon the 3-4. The 3-4 can only be effective if you have 3 large defensive who can clog up the lanes to 4 fast linebackers. We certainly have more than 4 fast linebackers. We do not have even one defensive lineman capable of clogging up the lanes. Three are needed. I don’t know if the tradine deadline has passed, if so, then we’ll just have to do the best we can with what we currently have. If it hasn’t then a trade is possible, but, any team willing to trade an outstanding defensive lineman will know how desperate thr Broncois are and the price will be extremely high. Would you be willing give more than what your getting than that person is worth? Not me.
Where’s the running game???? Are Young and Hall that bad that we’ve had to abandon the run game?
Like Mike said, this is a very young and inexperienced team. They will be inconsistant on a regular basis. I look at this year as having 20 pre-season games that are preparing ther Broncos for an exceptional 2009 season. Finishing 8-8 will be a good year.
I would say I don’t have faith they’ll bounce back, at least not against the next 2 teams. The next two teams are quality teams that have good defenses. But I say they lose the next 2 games and then they really focus and win in New England. I could be wrong. I didn’t see the focus by the coaches in preparing a good gameplan and preparing the team, and I didn’t see the focus in the players, especially Cutler. Stop throwing it to Marshall all the time! If he has over 100 yards a game that should be good enough, he doesn’t have to have 18 catches every game. My prediction after yesterday is they finish 7-9. I think the main problem is they don’t run it enough. All the passing makes it easy for a defense, blitz blitz blitz. You have to keep them on their toes, like they did against the Raiders. That was a great game plan.
Well, that was a painfull, unexpected loss. I’m not ready to push the panic button yet. Let’s see how they respond next week at home against the Bucs. There were alot of mistakes made and they need to learn from them and improve. The Broncos cannot be happy with the performance of the defense AT ALL. Improvements have to be made. When Damon Huard slices you up and LJ runs for almost 200 yards it’s pretty obvious something is wrong. There were some bright spots, though. I thought Boss Bailey played pretty well for the most part and Champ, well he was Champ. Bowe was open ALL DAY and why we didn’t move Champ to his side is still completely beyond me. I’m not sure Dre Bly is talented enough to start opposite Champ Bailey. He hasn’t shown it if he is. Anyway, they’re 3-1 and have a big test Sunday. Let’s get it together. GO BRONCOS!!!
How about we don’t focus on the defence for a second and instead look at the ridiculous play calling that is taking place … since when do the broncos go to shotgun on 3rd and 2 at the 7 yard line!!! Is there something wrong with the running game that we dont know about? We have gotten away from everything that made our passing attack and bootleg so potent in the past, no one respects the play action if you cant get the running game going!
I agree with nacho… All this Pass pass pass on short yard killed us. . They should forget about the big plays and go after first downs when we need it the most. . .and Jay needs to make better decision with his throws sometimes..B-Marsh isn’t the only weapon he have on the field. . .Ryan Torrain need to heal quick!!
Mr. Rice I will put our defence up against any High school JV in the world and I would bet you 1 dollar to a doughnut that we would hold them to under 30 points.
we could not stop anyone last year and we can not stop anyone this year, you can be the biggest Bronco fan in the world which I am, I leave in Detroit and has never been to Denver in my life and I am 50 years old and I have been a Bronco Fan since I was 12 years old, I have never been a fan of any team other than the Broncos, but the fact remains we can not stop anyone with the defence we have no matter how much of a fan I or anyone else is.
This defense SUCKS! Boss can’t cover a tightend. D-line can’t rush anyone. Bly can’t cover anyone. Bly SUCKS! What the hell Cutler you had a tightend down the middle and you throw back across the field to Marshall with three Chefs in the area? Out played and out coached. The play calling SUCKED! Shanny or Bates or who ever called that crap! You guys don’t get the day off today nor should have last Monday. I don’t see any grit or fire with this team. Come on guys let’s go! This is the NFL. AFC WEST FOOTBALL. IT AIN’T INTRAMURALS!
We need to make some changes on defenes. Because they stink.
Right we cant even stop and middle school team on defense. I dont know if its the scheme or players not playing up to there ability, but whatever it is I hope the fix it fast. If they dont Tampa is going to be giving alot of touches to Warrick Dunn and Earnest Graham. I wouldnt be surpised if they both have a 100 yard day. We made Damon Huard look like Joe Montana yesterday, so i say Griese looks like Tom Brady next Sunday.
I hope Cutler brings his “A” game the REST of the year because if not we wont win another game.
Oh well, while I might not be quite as passionate as some of the blogs posted previously, I can’t certainly share my concerns. It was a TEAM loss. Inconsistent play/turnovers by the offense, followed by relentless short field situations presented to the defense. The defense was asked to do the impossible. It would be difficult for any GREAT defense to stop them everytime. We’re a series by series defense. We can have great series, followed by a bad series. This up and down gives us hope that we’re getting closer to consistent each week, but as yet, we have nothing concrete. not. Given the defense was put in some impossible situations, they should’ve played better. The offense SHOULD of played MUCH better. I think we should consider some outside help to bolster a young defense that’s learning it’s identity. Dont be afraid to make yourself better over worries about chemistry. The changes could be slight, but impactful.
I’m with BroncFalls. He articulated what I think better than I could. The Broncos did learn a valuable lesson and we’ll play much better against the Buccaneers and Jaguars, because we have to. 3-1 is a nice start, but let’s move on and get better.
Yes, the defense didn’t play well, but it isn’t all their fault. The field position battle was easily won by the chiefs. The defense had it’s back against the wall all day long, especially with the 4 turnovers. You can’t turn the ball over 4 times and win in the NFL even if it is to the garbage of the league. There were a couple positives to take out of the loss and they will rebound because they are still a good and young football team.
Yes, the defense didn’t play well, but it isn’t all their fault. The field position battle was easily won by the chiefs. The defense had its back against the wall all day long, especially with the 4 turnovers. You can’t turn the ball over 4 times and win in the NFL even if it is to the garbage of the league. There were a couple positives to take out of the loss and they will rebound because they are still a good and young football team.
Larsen and woodard should be playing linebacker in the future….these guys are heart players that know how to tackle….lets get this ball rolling….we need to go after defense big time in this years draft…..and free agency….dt’s,,,de’s and safteys……id say put larsen in middle….he is a beast….woodard on edge and williams…that would be solid…but hey what the hell do i know….
our defense is horrible, and we might have the worst d line in the nfl. for those of you that think we are going to get better your crazy. elvis cant even get to the qb let alone anyone else. we also better get back to runnign the ball or this ship will sink fast. i think jay is great and so are the receivers but if your not balanced its to easy for defenses to stop. what i dont understand is why champ has to stay on the same side of the field every play. al teams are doings is putting there best wr on the oppisite side and picking on dre or our nickel. put champ on the best wr a team has and shut him down. we need a big nasty strong d lineman and a premier saftey before we can start making strides, quit worrying about niko getting palying time he sucks just watch him on special teams he doesnt do anything. START RUNNING THE BALL AND MAKING GOOD DECISIONS AND START BLITZING MORE WITH LB AND SAFTIES, WHY HAVE DJ ON THE WEAK SIDE AND NOT BLITZ HIM HE SHOULD BE BREAKING QB’S BACKS NOT DROPPING BACK AND COVERING.
I agree that we put our defence in some bad spots yesterday, but my point is we have played 4 games, 3 of them we gave up 30 plus, if we can hold the Bucs under 30 then we can look for improvement, if not we will know what to look for the rest of the season.
I now see why the Chargers had NO PROBLEM letting McCree go this past offseason. He and Manuel are pathetic. We dumped Lynch for these guys? I know Lynch was losing a step and couldnt cover tight ends – but neither can these 2. At least I enjoyed rooting for Lynch. These 2 guys are bums.
No LB’s – No safties – no D line = Embarrasing Sundays. Unless our offense pumps up 40 points a game – we have zero chance of beating anybody. Worst defense in the NFL – and there isnt even a close second. The frickin Chiefs put it on us!!! They were 0-12 in their last 12 games – and they put it on us!!! Disgustingly embarrasing!!
One thing I did notice is that our red zone defense is pretty potent. Sure we let them run it up the field very quickly, however when they got in the red zone, our defense executed. That to me is a bright spot in a pretty gloomy day. Yeah, we let them get 33 points, but how can we blame the defense when the offense kept turning the ball over. of course they are going to eventually get some TDs when they get the ball 70% of the game. At least we can see that the defense is getting better slowly but surely, and I highly doubt that the offense will perform that terribly again this season. I think were still very much in this race for the playoffs, teams with our kinds numbers on offense dont just go .500 for the season. Even after that terrible performance, we still rank in the top 2 for passing yards, total yards and points scored. So lets stop losing faith after only week 4 and believe that we will still be a force to reckon with this year.
Let’s just face it. We don’t have enough talent on the defense. Champ is our best player with D.J. a distant second. After maybe Elvis what’s left? On offense has talent and potential in a few areas except running back because we still don’t know what Torain has to offer. Let’s face it our defense is full of back ups and role players.
I second that, we do not have enough talent on defence, we went from the Orange Crush to the Orange Slush and the ice in a Slush melts very fast watch our defence play and it is just like that other teams seems to run right threw us just like melting ice.
Our defense really does suck but the play calling was just as bad in that game. 4 turnovers only resulted in 10 points so I dont want to hear that excuse. We gave up almost 400yards to the Chiefs and please dont tell me thats acceptable. Our players and coaching staff should be ashamed. Also why is Larsen not starting at linebacker? Obviously hes a playmaker which is what this team needs. Shoot, why not start all the rookies. If our defense is going to suck each week at least the kids will get better after each game. Just an opinion from a 35 year fan….West Coast
It’s simple, the offense can’t win every game for the team the d has to step up.
It was more of an offensive loss than the defence yesterday, the turnovers, short fields, even the special teams had it out for the defence to leave the cheifs with a short field.. fact is, the offence could finish in the red zone and thats why denver has its first loss of the season.. did everyone see that.. FIRST LOSS.. we’re 3-1 people and last time i checked we’re top of the AFC west
All pro corners? Where?
Oh, were do I begin. We had so many problems, it literally made me sick to my stomach. First, the players on our side who thought they could actually waltz right into Arrowhead, of all places in the NFL, and just grab a win out of their butts – you’re seriously mistaken. It doesn’t happen not there and not against the Chiefs. For the love of cheese, 2 weeks ago the RAIDERS beat them at Arrowhead and we beat the Raiders. What is wrong with that picture???? If the Raiders could beat these guys at Arrowhead, where in the world did we go wrong?? The attitudes of the players has to change BIG TIME. You can’t have the mind set they obvioulsy had going into this game and just grab a win. YOU HAVE TO EARN IT!!!!!!!!
Second, our offense played better, I think, than our D but both put together against KC and we looked like the Raiders against us in the first week. In no way, shape or form is that anywhere near a compliment. We have so much to work on now, that we’re falling behind… just like we have every single year. We always struggle and I can’t figure out why. I knew we had things to work on, on both sides of the ball after we beat Oakland but now it’s like we just fell into a sinkhole and we have got to pull ourselves out of it NOW!!!!! We’re gonna look like last year if we keep playing like crap. We are SOOOOOOOOOOO much better than whatever it is we tried to do yesterday. We looked lost. And I love Cutler, what he’s done with this team, how he’s handled taking over the QB spot, how he plays the game, his health and I mostly love how that guy can flat throw a football like a rocket. BUT I think he was trying a little too hard yesterday and especially when we began to fall way behind. He was trying too hard to keep up and it didn’t work. I really do believe though that he’s one of the few that showed up to do his job yesterday. The fumble and interceptions didn’t help and didn’t make him look good at all but that aside I felt that he was trying to send a message to his teammates that they need to work as a team and it really didn’t help that they all clearly felt rushed to get ahead and win. The offense though needs a talkin’ to, I don’t care who does it or what is said – I don’t ever want to see our offense like that again. I about lost my voice and mind, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Third, our defense… I’m sure what I’m thinking about them I’m not allowed to say and I won’t. The D needs 5 times as much help than our offense. Champ Bailey was a blast to watch when he got himself into the game and that was about as exciting as the game got for me. I’m so speechless, really I am, about our D that was just a sad, sad performance.
Fourth, Arrowhead stadium – not the greatest place to play a football game. I swear that place is cursed. No matter how well you think you’re gonna do playing there, it hardly ever works. Our record there is 3-11, I see that and I cringe every time. All I can say to those Chiefs is, you just wait your turn come December… this IS NOT over!!!!!!!!!!
And fifth, yes I’m almost done. I just thought this was the funniest moment of the whole game. When Cutler pushed that other guy and I think he fell down, it shouldn’t have happened but I almost fell out of my chair laughing and in shock that he actually did that. I probably would have done the same thing too. Well, that laugh didn’t last very long but at least I laughed.
Ok, ok I’m done writing my novel for the week. I just hope and pray we come back ready to play against Tampa Bay – HA that rhymes!!! Anyhoo, I hope Bailey feels good about what he sees in practice this week, I can’t take another loss not like what happened yesterday. And I hope they have a good practice during the week, after what I saw they need all the help they can get!!!!!! I still have faith in this team.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denver, the DR. FEELGOOD of the NFL. Down on your luck? Play Denver! They do this every year. Hail to the Orange Slush defense………
Can anyone tell me why on those 3rd and longs either Dre’ Bly or Jack Williams was covering the Chiefs best and biggest wide receiver in Dwayne Bowe? Where else was Huard going to look on 3rd down when he needed a catch, Davard Darling? Give me a break here!!! I love when the annoucer chimed in and said “and the Broncos waste no time, here they go on Defense with a 3-4″, what happened next, Larry Johnson for 70 yards up the middle, nice defensive scheme! It was just embarrassing to see us get exposed over and over and over………blah, blah, blah. I was going to go on here and rant like everyone else upset with our Defense, I was just going to take it for what it was and shut up but i couldn’t. Or how about in the 4th quarter when we needed stops and we knew the Chiefs were going to give it to LJ and we still couldn’t stop him. We are lucky to be 3-1 and I said it last week when I called in to a radio show “the first time Jay has an off game, we will lose because our Defense can’t bail anyone out or control a game on it’s own”. We are a bad defensive team and defense wins Championships, we ain’t going to win nothing if we don’t get the defense playing together. Our offense is there but our defense is no where near ready to bring a Championship (and I’m just talking Divisional right now) to Denver. Thank goodness for 2 straight home games because I believe this year we don’t lose at home. Go Broncos!
Um, I think i’ll start just like most of you.
Where the hell was our defense!?!?! How did we give up such a long run to LJ in the second play? Can Champ not play on the other side of the field or what, cause that is the only thing that comes to mind when I saw Bowe burn Dre and Jack. I say that we reorganize our defensive depth chart. Who here agrees? So far there only 4 guys who I think have earned a spot on the defense and deserves to be a starter. Champ, D.J, Doom, and Boss-Man. Aside from D.J, the other guy that I usually see making tackles from the LB spot is the Boss-Man, he has some good speed and can actually tackle. Champ………..well, he’s Champ. Doom seems like a shadow of last year but I’ll wait a couple more games before I say take him off. D.J has been playing exceptional. To me, Peterson has played better than Doom, he has gotten some penetration on the line. Webster…….bench the guy cause we all know he can’t play good enough to be a starter. We have other guys on the bench who are waiting to get a chance to play, just give them(Woodyard, Larsen, Niko) a chance, I doubt we can get any worser than now. The safety’s suck!!! Manuel can’t caver anyone and I think that Lowry or what-ever the other guy is can play better…….wait…..why not put Barret. I can see the bolt let McRee walk.
Can someone tell me why we have almost completely abandon the run game? I don’t care if we are waiting for Ryan to come back, RUN THE DAMN BALL!!! Atleast then we can do some believable play-actions. Hey Cutler, we all know you like B-Marsh……..so does the other teams defense. Don’t always try going for the homerun, take what the damn defense gives you. Well, that’s my two cent…….till next time.
All it took was one bad game for all of you start thinking the worse for us. WE WILL BE FINE!!! Yea, the chiefs served us…but can you honestly tell me they looked like the Denver Broncos we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the past 4 weeks?
I agree with most of you that we need to be done with the 3-4. Cover 2 is the way to go. Until we can find some lineman who can constantly pressure the QB, we’re gonna have to give our corners some help. (oh, and there’s nothing wrong with the 2 we’ve got. Put em on a team like Minnesota, with some ends that headhunt, there wouldn’t even be a debate as to who’s the best.)
10-6 and the AFC West Title. I’d bet on it
I sat in the beautiful heat before the game, tailgating and “discussing” the games predictions with the opposing fans. I even said to one guy in line at the urinal, I hope the chiefs play well and actually make this fun to watch. Boy was I wrong. I sat there basically holding my head in my hands with disbelief. Arrowhead gets very loud, and there is nothing worse than walking out of the place after we lose to them wearing my orange and blue. Why cant we have such letdowns against anyone but the chiefs. Division rivalry, huge one at that, and we cant get ourselves ready, sort of relax like its a piece of cake. Thats what i thought all week, but im not the one getting a paycheck. We have got to find a better way to get the teams ready for games. Defense, Special Teams, Red Zone offense. It was as if we got overconfident, because watching the chiefs first 3 games i didnt think there was ANY way I would walk out of that stadium listening to the rudest fans in the NFL scream in my ear that the Donkeys suck (plus other vulgarities)… We had better bounce back and fast if we want to prove this league wrong
Man I am honestly SO DISGRACED WITH ALMOST ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS! I have to admit I lost my login probably sometime over a year ago and I just had to make a new one after reading all the smack posted on here!
First of all, if you think you can do better, GO DO IT! Put your money where your mouths are! Get off our Defense’s back for crying out loud! You all act like you are playing Madden on a video game. You CAN’T WIN THEM ALL, THERE IS NO RESET BUTTON OR “JUST DON’T SAVE” OPTION THEN GO BACK AND PLAY THE GAME AGAIN TIL YOU WIN! I mean there is a reason why teams haven’t gone 16-0, then won the Super Bowl! Yeah it’s possible but let’s be realistic, ok?
Yeah our defense has been bad, but you CAN NOT put this loss on them! It was a team loss, and like someone said (i’m not scrolling up to post names) “we had 4 turnovers, and only 10 points came from that!” Ya we gained a turnover, but still -3 in the T.O. ratio and OUR D ONLY GAVE UP 10 POINTS OFF THAT!!!! I will tell you what I think our D’s biggest problem is that we CAN FIX! THIS IS WHAT WE MUST FIX!
Field position: And I am going to tell you it starts with special teams! I am honestly scared to watch our kick off team, think back guys to week 1, if not for champ in there it’s a different game from the start cuz that kick off is going back for 6. Tied 7-7. Week 2 we give up a kick for 6, and darn well might have given up 2 or 3 if not for who? CHAMP! Week 3, same frickin story! Week 4, what happens to switch the momentum rice?? Need I say more?
SPECIAL TEAMS THERE ISN’T ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT OUR KICK OFF COVERAGE! If we can keep our opponent from starting near the 40+ after each time we score we will be a lot better off. Especially with our “bend but don’t break philosophy defense”
Come on guys stop jumping ship, we have had this defensive philosophy since the playoffs with Portis when we couldn’t stop Indy! For sure the 05 season. We will give up yards, and lots of them, we don’t have the d line for a stingy defense. So I’m ok with yards given up, just limit the points.
Another thing, get off a lot of our starters backs! We have more than 4 solid great starters, and most of them will not be in danger of losing their position. Champ is SOLID, DJ is SOLID, Boss is SOLID, Doom is SOLID, Bly I will admit I jump on him a lot in the games, but give him a break guys, he is a top corner! Look at it this way, how often do teams throw to Champ? Ok, so if they are going to throw they have to throw at Bly, he will get beat, I’ve seen Champ get beat. You have too, the difference is it’s not as often, he is better, but he also not thrown to as much so he doesn’t have the chance of getting beat as much. I don’t like Bly and Williams having covered Bowe anymore than you did. I miss the days when Champ’s first season with us, I remember making him cover Gates, Gonzalez, Porter/Moss and EVERY teams top receiver in man coverage play in and play out! I will stop ranting now if you guys stop smacking on our team. We’re 3-1, don’t panic now, don’t even pull that button out yet. Let’s see how we respond, and not bail early on our team guys, keep the faith and give the support they need. I could rant for hours, thats how mad you made me! I hate long posters, so I’m going to go make 2 more new accounts so you can’t tell it’s me! lol
Ok now to respond to Rice, (and I’m not really make more accounts I made this one cuz I lost the other one) I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS!
Rice I think as far as our team goes, I give credit to our D, they have not performed up to our expectations at all. But I have reasons for that:
1. Doom is being game planned against after last year, we really need someone else to step up, Moss, Engleberger, Robertson, hell the guy in the 3rd row 2nd section 4th seat from the right!!! Look at any good pass rusher, if he stays good its because he is healthy, and he has a compliment somewhere else on the line. Freeney has is it Mathis? Vandenbosch and Haynsworth also have Kearse! I think why the cheifs let go of allen is cuz who did they have to compliment him? He wouldn’t be as effective as he was last year, and even in Minnesota he isn’t! Panthers Peppers had Jenkins, now what’s happened to Peppers, besides being injured!?
We need someone to step up and help Doom so he can’t be constantly doubled and forced to find ways around that on his own! Especially in a 3-4!
Now, I think we need to get away from the 3-4, we honestly don’t have the personnel for it. If we can’t get pressure with 4 guys, and Doom being doubled and planned for, how are we going to with 3 and Doom being tripled and just not a factor? Plus it puts us in a lot of zone!
Also, we are not built for a complete zone D, are safeties are not great cover safeties from my sight, which isn’t 20/20 but they can’t cover man either. Our linebackers are built for speed for two reasons, 1 to keep the edge from running and backs receptions. 2 to actually cover! Plus we have lock down corners, WHEN THEY ARE IN MAN!
Go back to a 4-3 D, and play more man, zone just gets picked apart if you aren’t applying pressure, which we aren’t yet! Man will keep receivers covered longer, which gives us more time to apply pressure! And put our safeties in cover 2, I like that much better for them. Why did we get rid of Hamza Abdullah? He was way better than Manuel, I think I saw it on Shanny’s face when Manuel got hurt, great I just cut the preferred back-up.
Back to Special Teams, like I said before we need to cover better on Kick offs and limit them to inside their own 35 if we can, especially better, come on Matt you have a leg, get some Touchbacks, help the D cuz our cover sucks! If not for Champ we’d have allowed atleast 4 kicks for 6 by now. Which I also say cuz of him being on kick offs, he’s more tired for his up comming defensive series. Which hurts us more! Also, Shanny knows we needed help with Special Teams, thats why we got Niko, which hasn’t impacted that I’ve seen, and drafted Eddie!
I see that we don’t want him hurt so returning kick offs might be out of the question, but he’s the best we’ve got. I saw it this week, Jay can drive us 80 yards quite often which we knew, but he can’t do it every time. I think he got drained down doing that so much in 3 weeks. Let’s get better offensive field position. Shanny said when we drafted Darrent Williams that we need to win the field position battle, hence why the same year we signed Sauerbraun.
Finally “the bend but don’t break defensive philosophy” I saw it against Indy in the season game when we still had Portis and years after before 05′. We were great before that against every team with it, but the problem with that defense is there is a deffinate time and place for it. I like the way we play it in the first part of the game, cuz we are best when we’re ahead. Build a lead and then let the defense work is how we’ve won in the past. We can build the lead with our offense, and it helps to build it when we play that style cuz we tend to trade touchdowns to field goals in our favor! But the problem is we stick with that defense, when we need to stiffen it up at the end of the game. The time and place for that defense in my mind is at the first of the game, build the lead! But don’t just nurse it in the second half like we did against S.D. and N.O., keep adding to it but stiffen up on D. Which we can do!
Rice I ramble too much, and I’m sorry to everyone reading if you still are. But I don’t know how to complain or suggest without offering my solution to the problem and explaining it. “If you don’t have an idea to fix it, don’t point it out OR offer to fix it” is what my dad says…. So those are the problems I see and the possible solutions to them I think.
Stay with it Broncos! Make the proper adjustments no matter what they are!
I BELIEVE!
if were going to get burnt on defense we should at least be aggressive and try to get turn overs. sitting back and waiting on something to happen is killing us. send the house on every play and see what happens. it cant get any worse than it already is. blitz blitz blitz!!!
Shanahan/Slowik,
You say you play your best players, right? So why do we see 2 of our best hitting LB’s only on ST? Marcus Thomas had a good day but where are the linemen with motors? Remember a guy name Mallard?
Bob, your early assesment of Josh Barrett was that he needs experience, playing him would develope that, won’t it? At least he is fast enough to cover a bad read, right?
I think we fans are angry because you do not show us anything different each week. Where is the blitz. The DB’s are getting beat because the QB has too much time. Lets put pressure on him. Each Monday morning story is that the defense did not tackle and gap assignment were blown.
How about on 10/6 you say something like, “we really got after the QB and made a difference”.
Bob, make a change that will help you keep your job, do not play it safe and hope to keep your job.
2champ4pickSIX, dude, quit writing books. So Rice, what do you think about these comments? Where is Cooper’s blog?
JAY NEEDS MR. PITTMAN AS HIS MAIN RUNNING BACK SUNDAY WE NEED A BALANCED ATTACK. AS FOR THE DEFENSE PUT 8 IN THE BOX AND MAKE TAMPA BAY BEAT US DEEP. OUR MIDDLE LINEBACKER NEEDS TO MAKE SOME BETTER DECISINS. GO BRONCOS.
dlmyers… That was right on. Nice
Where is Joe Collier when you need him, this defense smells alot like if not worse than last years!
4 TURNOVERS
14 POSSESSIONS
4 TOUCHDOWNS
4 FIELDGOALS
dont even mention time of possession, and shotgun in the RED ZONE?
Offensive line forgot how to run block, to much passing on first down.
I’m not angry this is what the TEAM, the COACHES, the FANS needed to get better. This TEAM has to much tallent and to much heart.
GO BRONCOS ! ! ! Practice Practice Practice…
Has anyone heard about Clifford Russell how is he?
unfortunately the defeat of Denver vs Kansas
really shows the condition of the defense of the Broncos. In short they have no defense, so they will not get anywhere. just shows the foolishness of Shanahan and the mediocrity that has characterized Denver in the last 10 years
I’ll try not to repeat what everone else said, but damn I feel just like everyone else…… Our special teams is TRASH, our Offense has run AMNESIA, and it seems like every team we play n will play seems to have LOOSE BOWELS. Because all they do is PISS and S**T on our Deffense. Does our deffense even have 1 or 2 blitz packages?!! O wait they don’t bc I play with the Broncos on Madden and the Deffense SUCKS on there as well.
I live in New Orleans and it KILLS me to see the Aints I mean the Saints Deffense and Special Teams are wayyyyyyy better than ours. Also before I go and just like many others have said……. Dear Cutler, Shanahan, and whoever else it may concern……..B. Marsh isn’t the only damn person on our Offense who can catch passes and IT’S OK TO RUN THE BALL, US FANS WONT BE MAD IF WE GET FIRST DOWNS AND TD’S VIA THE RUN!
go broncos
Well first of all most of you guys have the right idea about a pass rush! I don’t understand it either. Doom is getting close to qb’s but we need a blitz or two here or there. It really pisses me off to see all three of our linebackers pretty much right next to eachother, thats cause for some bad defense. I also agree that CHAMP should have been put on BOWE. For what reason I don’t know why they didn’t. I think our defensive coaching staff sucks!!!! We have all the personel to dominate on defense except maybe at middle linebacker. If they would blitz more often it will solve a lot of problems. But you know what we wont see it because our coaching staff just doesn’t get the hint. Maybe they should look at the Chicago Bears defense and see what they do. You can’t tell me that the bears defense has more talent than us they just have a good defensive gameplan week in and week out. I would take the bears defense over our offense any day at least we would be able to stop somebody. Your right graham and dunn will probably both have huge days against us. Which is why I am going to put one of them on my fantasy team. And that hurts me to say that but we suck and I wouldn’t be suprised if after this year Shanahan is not fired!
jmatty I aplogized for the Novels, not books. Anyway as for the guy playing Denver on Madden, I do the same thing, and you wanna know what works? Doing a defensive audible to the fireman blitz, and audible the coverage to press. Also what I just found a few days ago, is change your defensive playbook to another team that does blitz. I used the Eagles which was weird cuz its a lot of 3-4 for some reason, but they actually BLITZ atleast 1 or 2 lb’s in that formation each time!!!
Sandyballz, Shanny will NOT be fired, and if he is I fear for next year! We just need a defensive cordinator that wants to win and win big, our recent d-cordinators have no drive or heart in my opinion. A good comparison for Shanny’s job security is Jerry Sloan’s for the Utah Jazz. Neither of them will leave unless they retire! Which both deserve it, difference is Sloan’s assistants have the drive to win! Winning attitude reflects a lot!
Look the problem with our defense is our pass rush. It seems any QB has almost 5 seconds to throw the ball and that is why it seems we haven’t even been close to a pick yet. They always seem wide. Also with such a high octane offense our defense is on the field for quite some time and we are generally tired. We need to establish a better run game instead of constant bombs to Marshall, which are nice, and control the clock more. Give our D some rest. With that, we can attempt to improve our pass rush, because we have the secondary to get a few picks from a rush QB (except Paymah the most easily burned corner in the NFL). Also, we need to stop switching defensive coordinators. Slowik is very well respected among the defense and I feel we need to give him a chance to work out the kinks and get his defense used to his system. Our offense can hopefully keep us afloat while our defense gets better, and I am confident it will happen. Another switch would put us right back to square one, like we have for the past 3 seasons. Lastly, this loss brought the Broncos back to reality and this week of practice will show. We are going to be ready and not make the same young mistakes we made last week. The Broncos will win and Selvin will have his first 100 yard game!