R.I.P. my beloved Denver Broncos. Another year down the drain…full of promise never quite realized.

After they way they’ve played over the last month plus I’m not sure I wanted to watch another game in the playoffs (OK, I lie…I wanted to see it). Like everyone else, I am sickened and confused by the Bronco’s end-of-year meltdowns, this time with almost an entirely new cast of characters.

But now that it’s over, this is the team we thought we might get at the start of the year. In fact, few people gave them a chance to be this “good”. Most thought my prediction at the beginning of the year (read it here) of an 8-8 season was a fantasy…most thought they’d be lucky to get 4-5 wins. That 6-0 start got us all excited and hopeful that a miracle had occurred.

But the bubble was burst.

Reality set in.

These Broncos are who we thought they were…mediocre.

It was still fun to watch most weeks (setting aside losing to the stinkin’ Raiders and Chiefs!!). And the Defense was better, although I’m not sure how it could have been any worse, and has room to continue to improve. I was a little surprised by the offensive line play at times during the year. The running game never got the traction it needed. And there was too much off-field drama (blame both sides there).

Here’s hoping for a better off-season, a great draft, and a better 2010…we gotta keep the faith Bronco Nation!

I’d like to buy an “O”…as in: “Offense”…as in: what the Broncos are severely lacking right now.

Painful.

It’s was hard to watch the Broncos dominate field position, time of possession, yardage, etc, etc (at least in the first half)…and come away with only three offensive points for the entire game. I don’t care how good or how bad your defense plays (and ours is playing very well), if you only score three points in this league you will lose.

I am no offensive genius…heck, I’m no genius in anything…but here are my two major issues with our offense right now:

1. Our Running Game. As in…we have none! How did we go from having one of the most dominant running teams in the league to have no running production what-so-ever? By dropping the zone blocking scheme in favor of a power running scheme. One worked. One hasn’t. We should bring the zone scheme back pronto! We have the coaches (Dennison) and the personnel to run it…so why don’t we? Good question. Don’t have an answer, but I know that a short passing game does not substitute for a solid running game…we need ours back.
2. The Long Ball. I could count on one hand the number of times we have thrown the ball down field…and so can the defenses we continue to face. They know we aren’t going to go long so they don’t have to defend it. We should at least try it once in awhile. You never know…Brandon might even catch a few, or at least get a penalty. Defenses simply don’t have to plan or watch for this part of the game. Orton is no long-ball thrower, but he can give it a try…he just hasn’t been asked to do it (he does everything else he’s asked to do).

Come to think of it…these two go together. The running game sets up the passing game and the long ball helps with the run by keeping the safeties and linebackers honest. They get to cheat right now…and they are calling the bluff (nice poker reference huh?).

Is this team over and done? Not by a long shot. Am I giving up on them? Never!

Out of the next eight games we have four that we should win easily and should be able to at least split the remaining four…which would leave us at 12-4. And even if we split all eight games we’d be 10-6 (both FAR above anyone’s expectations heading into the year).

Up next? The Washington Redskins…that should cure what ails us!

Go Broncos!!!

Football is officially back (great game last night…gonna see both of those teams in the playoffs). Yesterday, Grant beat me to the punch by posting his 2009 Broncos prediction. The schedule this year is not kind to my beloved Donkeys…not exactly what McD and Company needs, but you play the cards you’re dealt. I think they will be a better team than their records indicates at the end of the year…but you never really know this early (I’ve never been right so this entire blog is an effort in futility…but it makes me feel better). So here goes…

1. @ Cincinnati – W: I put the W here, but I’m not sure I believe it. This team is still learning, but Cincy sucks so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.
2. Cleveland – W: If you can’t beat this team…
3. @ Oakland – W: See Cleveland above
4. Dallas – W: I know most are predicting a Dallas win here, but it’s at home, the Broncs will be riding a winning streak and I just don’t think Dallas is that good (which is why Shanny will be coaching there next year).
5. New England – L: I want to put the W here, but just can’t do it. I have to give the edge to the Master. I will say the NE doesn’t usually play well here…so the Broncos might be able to steal this one.
6. @ San Diego – L: I’m not as high on SD as some are (read…Norv Turner), but I’m not naive either.
7. @ Baltimore – L: The schedule just keeps getting worse.
8. Pittsburgh – L: And worse.
9. @ Washington – L: I want to put the W here to help stop the November slide, but it’s hard to win on the road after four straight loses.
10. San Diego – W: I think we split with San Diego, but what do I know??
11. NY Giants – L: This team is good.
12. @ Kansas City – W: This is more an indictment on KC than anything else. It’s tough to win at Arrowhead, but I think we get it done this year (they may have a new coach by then).
13. @ Indianapolis – L: This one could be ugly, you might not want to let the little ones watch it…but can it get much worse than it was under Shanny?
14. Oakland – W: Oakland, the perfect cure for what ails you.
15. @ Philadelphia – L: I don’t think it will be a blow-out, but tough to win here.
16. Kansas City – W: Come on…this one could be ugly in a good way.

After totaling up the W’s and the L’s…my prediction for 2009 is that the Broncos will go: 8-8.

There is a lot of unknown here and I think there are a few games that can make this number go up a little or way down: Cincinnati, Dallas, San Diego, and Washington specifically. Can they steal one more win? Will they lose a few more? I can’t see anything more than 9-7 (and that would be a miracle) and could see them slide to 5-11 if they don’t get their act together at the start of the year.

Gonna be fun to watch! I think the DEF is much improved over last year…meaning they will be average with some upside for the future. The schedule is brutal in November…so buckle up. Football is back!

Listening and reading about the QB comparison between Orton and Cutler this past weekend made me wonder how the two compared in their respective games. Mainly because Broncos fans have a “the sky is falling” attitude about Orton while the Bears fans have a “second coming of Montana” attitude about Cutler. I know that the circumstances over the off-season are leading to the comparisons…but wanted to take a look at the actual stats from the last game.

Here they are:

It’s not hard to figure out which player is which just based on the passing attempts, but take a look at some of the others numbers and they aren’t that different. The completion percentage is very close and they both threw one TD. Yes, Orton threw the interception but it was bogus…and should have been a TD on the play before (which would make the numbers look that much better for Orton).

Am I saying Orton is better than Cutler? No. I’m just saying the numbers are not really that much different and Orton is playing in a different kind of offense. Also, the Giants had over half of their DEF players out of the game…so it wasn’t exactly like Cutler was playing the SB Champs of last year.And Orton plays in a style of offense that is going to yield lower passing averages than Cutler will…not better or worse, just different.

Just an interesting observation on the perspectives for each of these two players. Similar numbers with two VERY different reactions. I for one am not freaking out yet…and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday.

After this atrocious draft, the Broncos are currently dead to me!! I am too much of a fan to let it last too long, but I am not going to mention them again at least until the NBA Playoffs are done. I will spend my “fan energy” on the Nuggets…let myself cool down from this stupid draft…and trust that when I wake up again is a couple of months that this was all a bad dream and Cutler is still our QB and we drafter five Defensive front players in the draft. I hope am proven wrong, but McDaniels does not seem to have any clue what he is doing in the draft. It could be along decade.

Until then…the Broncos are dead to me!

I didn’t used to be much of an NFL Draft “watcher”. I would just listen to the news that night and see who the Broncos picked up (and who was the #1 pick that year). Fantasy Football has changed all of that. I am now a big fan of draft day…and I hope to be able to watch at least most of the first day this Saturday. I love the startegy and all of the “guessing” and predicting that happens before draft day.

Thanks to “Cutler-gate” the Broncos now have two…count them, two…first round draft picks: #12 and #18. They also have five picks within the first 84…the first time in franchise history on both accounts. So who will the Broncos pick up? Are they going to trade up and take Sanchez? Are they going to trade down? Will the stand pat? Here is my prediction…

First, I do not think they are going to move up to take Sanchez. One one hand, I think McD thinks he can groom one of the QBs he already has. One the second hand, they are being way to vocal about their interested to actually be interested (this is the ultimate poker game…and you can’t trust anything being said or done this month). On the third hand (I don’t’ know where the third hand comes from), if they pick a QB instead of defense I might just drive down to Dove Valley myself and TP the place!

I am predicting defense, defense, defense with both of these top two picks. I would LOVE for them to get B.J. Raji but I just don’t think he will be there at #12 (but if he is…Merry Christmas!). I wouldn’t even mind if they traded up as far as #8 to grab Raji (but he may not be there then either). So who do I like? I like a lot of players, but here are my predictions…well see how they pan out come Saturday…

#12: Tyson Jackson, DE from LSU
#18: Ron Brace, DT from Boston College

Anything close to this (i.e.: two good defensive players) will make me very happy. Anything offensive and I will just shake my head and join the “Does McDaniels Know What He’s Doing?” crowd. One thing is for sure…it’s gonna be fun to watch!

How about you? Any predictions of your own? Do share…

I have had a few people ask me what my take is on the whole “Cutler situation” here in Denver. I haven’t blogged on it because I keep hoping it goes away, but that just isn’t going to happen. My initial reaction over the trade rumors was, “WHAT?!?” I don’t have an issue with McDaniels listening to trades, but I think it was a little more active than that. But he’s the coach and it’s his job to do everything he thinks is right to make this team the best it can be…whether I agree with it or not. Stupid? Yes. Handled poorly? You bet. My biggest issue? Nope.

Which leads me to my biggest issue with this whole thing: Cutler’s Attitude. I can see getting upset. Heck, I would be upset. I might even whine about it a little. But when I first heard Jay’s reaction, it rubbed me the wrong way. He’s supposed to be the team leader but he doesn’t always act like it (on and off the field…last year and now). He needs to grow up, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen here. I would have even forgiven his initial reaction but he just won’t let it go—and I am sick of him running to the media when something doesn’t go exactly like he wants it to. Sit your butt down with the coach and work it out. Be the leader. Quit yer cryin’ or take your blankie and pacifier and go home. Enough already dude…get over it and get back to work!

Here’s my final take. I am a Bronco fan…period. I love Cutler and wish he would work this out, but I don’t see that happening. The jury is still out on McDaniels, but overall I like what he’s been doing. The drama must come to an end and I am afraid that means Jay C will be in another uniform next year (which upsets me because I JUST bought his jersey). I wish he would man up and be a leader, but that doesn’t look likely. I think he will be a Cleveland Brown next year (maybe Detroit)..and he will find out that things weren’t so bad here after all. Will McD be the coach we needed? Only time will tell but I am hopeful. I bleed orange and blue and I hate this drama—please make it stop! Here’s looking to the draft and a brutal schedule in 2009!!

A few people have ask me what my take is on the whole Mike Shanahan firing. Of course, my initial reaction was one of shock and awe because I seriously thought he was Bowlen’s “Coach for Life”…but this just proves that nothing is really forever (except maybe diamonds?).

I refrained from posting right when it happened because I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about letting Shanny go. On the one hand, the man simply has not gotten the job done in the past few years. He has had some terribledrafts in the past and has only made one serious playoff run since Elway left (that loss to the Steelers a few years ago still hurts!). On the other hand, is there a better coach out there right now? Can we really replace The Mastermind with something better? And the last two draft classes have been fantastic.

After some reflection I think the time was right for a change. Is there a better coach out there? Probably not. Is there a better GM/Coaching combination? Absolutely! I think this firing was all about Shanny as GM, not Shanny as Coach. He had taken off more than he could chew (can anyone do both jobs effectively?). And it was becoming obvious that the time had come for a change…hopefully the change will be for the better.

If there was anything outside of the GM role that got Shanny in hot water it just might have been the terrible defense the Broncos have put together since…well…the Superbowl years (and even that defense was just above average). Shanny was an offensive genius that I think we will miss. But he proved that offense alone does NOT get it done…you need at least a passable defense.

So what’s next?

For Shanny, I wish him the best of luck as long as he coaches outside of the AFC West (and preferably the AFC altogether). My guess is that he is back coaching soon…he will have his pick. Maybe he even heads to the college ranks as has so often been rumored lately? My nightmare scenario? Dungy retires and Shanny takes the helm in Indy. Shudder to think it!

For the Broncos, I am putting my money on Steve Spagnuolo. I highly doubt we will be getting a head coach with experience (i.e. Cowher) and I would bet the ranch that the next coach s defensively minded. Keep the offense in Bates’ hands and let the new guy focus on building a tough defense…that’s what I’m talking about!

I have one dark-horse pick for the job that would be both ironic and intriguing. I haven’t heard his name mentioned yet so it’s probably not likely, but how about Marty Shottenheimer? You know how the old saying goes…if you can’t bet ‘em join ‘em. Now that would be irony of irony (and he would be motivated to beat my much hated Chargers!).

One thing is for sure…my predictions don’t mean a thing. Only one guy’s opinion matters and that’s Mr. Bowlen. But it can’t get much worse than we’ve had it the past few years…can it??

Today my beloved Broncos hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. The announcers have said it more times than I can count, but if they win they are in and if they lose they are out. It is unbelievable that they have put themselves in this position since they were up three games on the Chargers just two weeks ago!

As an avid fan, I, of course, want them to win the game. But here’s the thing…I’m not so sure I want them to get into the playoffs. They just aren’t ready. The offense is close—very close. All they need is a little more time together. The defense on the other hand? Where to begin?!? They need help at so many positions it’s almost impossible to know where to start, but I do know that they are not a playoff caliber defense. Pick anyone who actually earned the right to be there and this defense will be picked apart by that team.

My prediction for today? I actually think they might be able to pull this one off…I think it’s going to be a close one. In the end, I think they will lose the game. The Chargers are playing their best ball right now (not great, but their best so far) and the Broncos are on a slide they can’t seem to control. I also kind of hope they lose and miss the playoffs. Whichever team makes it in will likely play the Colts at home and I’ve seen the Broncos lose to them quite enough already. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Chargers dealt the same fate!

The one wild-card today that could change the outcome of the game is Mr. Jay Cutler. If he has a great game and manages to protect the football…he might just avenge the loss to the Chargers last year and wipe this stupid look off of Mr. Rivers face…

I haven’t talked much football yet this season, so here are a few musings and thoughts that have been rolling around my brain…feel free to comment on any and all that you like…

1. Will the real Peyton Manning/LaDanian Tomlinson/Terrell Owens please stand up!
   
   Seriously, would you have bet anything that these guys would perform so poorly this year?  In the meantime we have guys like Trent Edwards playing lights out? Something just isn’t quite right with universe right now.
2. How exactly do these guys still have jobs: Romeo Crennel, Marvin Lewis, and Herm Edwards?
   
   This is especially questionable given that the 49ers just fired Mike Nolan. These coaches have had plenty of opportunity with plenty of talent to make stuff happen and they are not getting done.
3. The Denver Defense should be forced to wear pink jerseys until they man-up and start playing “big boy” football. 

   It’s getting downright embarrassing! How many years do we have to put up with this garbage? They have talent (as much as most other NFL teams) so is it coaching or is it simply desire?

4. Jay Cutler needs to shut his mouth about John Elway and Philip Rivers and FOCUS on football. 

   Hopefully he got a little slice of humble pie last night once again and he decides to screw his head back on and do what we’ve seen him do…tear defenses apart. It seems like once he started getting some attention it went straight to his head and then his head exploded.

There ya go…I feel much better now!