Patience is not a virtue in the NFL. It is an unknown. It’s not necessarily fair but it’s the way it is.
It is also true that in many cases, there is simply no substitute for time. And that’s where the Broncos find themselves three games into the season.
The Broncos have played well for a good portion of their last two games, both of which were losses. During the course of a season, a team cannot have a good year if it regularly does good things but still loses.
But the 2012 season is only three games old, far too soon to assume the Broncos have established a negative pattern that will continue. Do they have issues to figure out? Absolutely.
They have to play better at the beginning of games. They need to avoid falling behind early. They need to find a way to make key third down stops, especially late.
I think all of that and more will happen. Here are a few reasons why.
1 – THE BRONCOS HAVE GOOD TALENT. At some positions, it is really good talent. At other positions, it is young talent. But I don’t buy for a minute that this team lacks good players. On both sides of the ball, the Broncos have significantly better players than they had a year ago.
2 – THE BRONCOS ARE STILL COMING TOGETHER AS A TEAM. This takes time and there is usually no way around that, regardless of how good the players are. There are plenty of new faces on this roster and while I know people do not want to hear this (and some people will consider it an excuse), it often takes a lot of game reps for new teammates to develop chemistry, rhythm and unspoken communication.
3 – THE BRONCOS’ EARLY SCHEDULE IS A BEAST. Houston and Atlanta might be the two best teams in their respective conferences at this point. There is also a better than average chance that each of them will make a deep run in the playoffs this year. Yet, in each game the Broncos fought back and were one stop away from having an opportunity to win late.
I know, the Broncos lost those games. Even though the Broncos fell behind 20-0 to the Falcons and 21-5 to the Texans and didn’t play their best in either game, they nearly had the chance to win at the end. That means something. It might not mean anything at the end of the year. But we’re not at the end of the year yet.
Pittsburgh, while having some issues, is never a pushover. Same goes for New England and New Orleans, two teams looming in the coming weeks. The Broncos get to play some of the marquee teams in the NFL right out of the gate. That is never easy.
4 – THE AFC WEST DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A GREAT DIVISION. Right now, all the teams in the division have issues to straighten out. Early on, there is not a dominating team. The Raiders have been up and down. So have the Chargers. I’m still not convinced about the Chiefs, despite the fact that they were the chic dark horse pick before the season began.
I’m not down on the Broncos at all. They just need to stay positive, keep working hard and continue to focus on executing. It is hardly the time to write them off. It’s time to stay the course. There is a whole lot of football remaining to be played.
How concerned are you about the Broncos at this early point in the season? Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Best,
Mike
Supermanning will find his groove and the defense will get meaner. Confident of that but concerned about the when. Factor will turn from when to win!!
No reason to push the panic button yet………but I’ll tell you one thing. This game coming up at home against the faiders is a MUST-WIN IMO.
Well Said!! Never giving up on that Orange and Blue!! We wil have the last laugh!
As @mortreport is reporting, an agreement between NFL and NFLRA is at hand and both sides will work to have officials working this weekend. – Adam Schefter
Well said Mike, “Stay the Course”. Here is how I see things….The Texans and the Falcons are very, very good teams and they didn’t get to their level of play overnight. Its taken both teams at least 3-4 years of building chemistry, communication, hard work and filling void positions. Now turn to the Bronc’s. How long have they been together?? I can tell you this not 3-4 years. More like 3 games. We are trying to be great NOW! It will take time…will we struggle, we’ll win some and lose some, we’ll get better and we’ll make the playoffs. Superbowl would be a bonus. Things will start to come together just “Stay the Course” and be patience.
I have been a Colts fan for the last 14 years but like many of my Indy brethren, I consider myself a Broncos fan now. And you know the reason why. Trust me folks, don’t underestimate Peyton… He is the hardest working guy in football and even if he was at 50% arm strength (although I say he is at 95% now and climbing), his game management skills alone would win games for the Broncos this year. I only hope that Moore, Decker, and his other receivers can step up their game to match him. Even Ron Jaworski said that none of the three interceptions at Atlanta were Peyton’s fault, which I believe. His receivers need to be where they are supposed to be and Peyton will do his part, I guarantee it. BOTTOM LINE: I predict a division title and 11-5 for the Broncos this year. GO BRONCOS!!
I’m right there with ya Mr. Rice. Thanks for the post.
I agree with you on Peyton Pentagoner, but I think Peyton needs to get rid of the ball a little sooner early in the games. It seems He’s a little slow early, and get’s rid of it quicker as the game unfolds. just an observation.
Anybody got an up date on McGahee or Moreno? is Hillman gonna be the Man? Please don’t say Ball is all we got…
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but I think Peyton needs to get rid of the ball a little sooner early in the games. It seems He’s a little slow early.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
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Mike, I agree with you. On every single thing you said. Thanks for always reminding us to stay positive.
Guys, Peyton and coach have press conferences on Wednesday, so if there is any news about McGahee or anyone else he will tell us. This is what Lindsay Jones said:
@PostBroncos: Willis McGahee (ribs) is at practice for broncos. Full roll call to come.
@PostBroncos: Chris Kuper is practicing too. First time since breaking arm in mid August
@PostBroncos: Not practicing: Nate Irving, Matt Wills, Quinton Carter.
@PostBroncos: Tracy Porter (knee) and Jacob Tamme (groin) are practicing
Mike,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. We are working out some kinks. What gives me hope is how the Broncos handled themselves in the last two games down to the last second ticking off the clock. They never gave up and competed. That right there separates the real deal from the posers. Both offense and defense went into 5th gear in the second half of both those games and as a fan, I thought they had the potential to win both. I won’t blame the defense for not making a 3rd down stop because they shouldn’t have had to have that 800 lb gorilla on their back that late in the game. The offense, on the other hand needs to gel and score early and often instead of 3 and outs in the first half. I am confident that they will right the ship and with Payton at the helm, will start getting going early. I think the conservatism of the play calling early on is a detriment. Let Payton run the no-huddle from the get-go. All in all, I love my Broncos and there is no way I am giving up. No matter what happens this year, if they play with the determination they have, good things will happen. A shout out to my man, Wesley Woodyard, who has the most tackles and an INT. I don’t care if D.J. comes back after suspension or not. Wesley earned the starter job and although I liked D.J., he’s created this world for himself and must accept the consequences. Broncos never tolerate distractions and if he wants to be one, then he needs to know he ain’t got an icecube’s chance in hell of getting his starting job back, especially since Wood is gettin’ it done!
Mike, thanks for the well balanced perspective. I’M IN!!
Mike, agree with you… We have a very good team led by Peyton… Should stay positive and support the team. Go Broncos!!!
THNX tlcat06, I’ve been waiting for this I just thought some one might have some other insight.
I really wanted to know why Knowshon was a scratch last week. Is He ready to go?
Totally agree with Mike. We have leadership in Peyton and give the Broncos a chance to sync. A true Bronco fan does not waiver! Still loving my season tickets! Considering Broncos have the second hardest schedule in NFL for 2012 and a new quarterback, I think we have done okay.
Wish Peyton would be allowed to take control and be able to run no huddle offense from first possession though.
ESPN First Take bashed Porter and said, he was removed from the game due to his bad playing? Guess they didn’t watch all the tape to see he had a knee injury that sidelined him.
Ladies, don’t forget Oct 4th; the night for us gals to be VIPs at the stadium meeting players, watching film in the review room, on field activities, and of course the infamous tour of the locker room.
GO BRONCOS!!
Here is all we need. Kuper to come back…. I feel Manny costs us a chance at about 14 – 17 points a game. Other than that, And I would like you all to think abouit this for a second. What if when he got off suspension, we threw good ole Mr. Reliable in at middle LB. He played it when we went to the 3-4. I say we put our linebackers as Von, Wesley, And DJ in the middle. Our LB core would be so fast… back to the days of AL Wilson, Dj William, And Ian Gold. They were so fast that side to side you couldn’t beat them. You had no chance. And DJ is a hell of a vetran. With Woodyard’s play being STELLAR like I have been saying for year it would be, we only have a chance to make our LB”s better when he comes back. Whoever I told to sthu when he said why is woodyard on this team better be eating his shoe right now. I TOLD YOU SO!!! hehe.