Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 10/21/2008 at Tue Oct 21 09:15.
Tagged: ,,,,,.



The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Posted Tue Oct 21st by

Jay Cutler tackled by Pierre Woods (Reuters photo)
Jay Cutler is tackled by Patriots LB Pierre Wood in the 2nd quarter. (Reuters photo)

THE GOOD:
* Jay Cutler is one tough hombre. I have always thought that coming from Vandy he had to be, so it was nice to see him suck it up and get back out there. He even refused to blame the injury in his post-game interview. Way to go Jay!

* We got Eddie Royal back. It was good seeing him run routes again. Having him healthy is only going to help us out.

* Pretty good protection. While I think Cutler was pressured more this game than most, he was still given time in the pocket by our O-line. It was harder to judge their job in the running game, as we abandoned that pretty early on.

* Let’s not blame the LBs. I’m going to say that Nate Webster, DJ Williams and Boss Bailey (with Jamie Winborn filling in much of the game) got burnt a few times, but generally looked good. I don’t know what our defensive plan is (neither do the players it seems), but I don’t buy into the idea that we’re weak at MIKE. I like Webster and I think he brings extreme passion to the LB unit. DJ is playing at a Pro Bowl level (leading tackler again last night) and Boss has been very good… when he’s not injured.

* Decent pass rush – sorta. I feel like this was a bit hit-and-miss over all, but we did get six sacks this game! Go Elvis!

* Michael Pittman still managed to finish with 88 rushing yards. That’s not stellar, but considering the game we played and the lead NE had, that’s not too bad for the old man.

* WARNING: POSTIVE PATRIOTS COMMENTS… Did you see #44 last night? Damn, that FB can block! Check out replays of those running plays and you’ll see Heath Evans making huge blocks for their backs. You all know I’m a sucker for full backs, but when I see someone doing a great job in that position I can’t help but point it out. Those 257 yards were made possible, in part, by ole #44. Now, back to the Broncos…

THE BAD:
* We let NE run 257 yards. And while it’s the D-line and LB’s that are primarily responsible for this, I refuse to lay this 100% in their laps. I mean, the jersey I saw most often missing the runner was 37 (see below).

* Injuries. I know, I know – no excuses. But Champ Bailey going down counts toward something. I mean, Bailey was putting on a ‘THIS IS THE WAY YOU PLAY CORNER’ display prior to going out injured. That does effect the game.

* Special teams gave up some big returns. I’m not even going into this… you all know it’s my pet peeve.

THE UGLY:
* TURNOVERS! Holy Cow, man! What the heck is up with Andre Hall?!?! I honestly don’t know if he will ever get a chance to come out of Shanahan’s dog house at this point. wow. just wow.

* Who the heck is Calvin Lowry and why is he on a NFL playing field? Seriously, ‘You’re fired!’ Can someone please hire me a decent Safety? Please? Does anyone have Lynch’s cell number? This is bad. We need this fixed two weeks ago!

* Coaching. They had it… We didn’t. As much as I hate Bill, he had his boys ready and took advantage of every opportunity we gave them. They stayed cool and kicked field goals early. They converted a fourth down with ease. They switched to throwing it to Randy Moss as soon as Champ was out. They went no-huddle when our Defense was tired and down. They played perfectly against our weaknesses.
We, on the other hand, did not. We didn’t take advantage of their injured O-line by stopping the run. Yes, we racked up 6 sacks, but we gave up 257 yards rushing to do it… I’d rather have stopped the run, personally. We couldn’t find missing links in NE’s injured safety unit. We couldn’t sell the threat of the pass enough to free up running yards late in the game (we got totally stuffed on the ground in the second half).
We were simply out coached… and I hate to say that. :(

So, there’s my take on the Good, the Bad and Ugly from last night’s game. Now, let me ask you a great bye week question…

What would you suggest Denver have as a top priority over the bye?

Would you hire a new safety? Heck, would you hire a real DC? Would you duct tape a football to Andre Hall’s hands for two weeks? Would you prepare a throne for rookie RB Torian in hopes he can save the team single handedly? What would your highest priorities be over the next 12 days?

  • Triston27

    Absolutely need some safety help. Lowry was horrendous. The only tackles I saw him make was when the RB’s ran over the top of him.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    Yeah, Lowry was credited for serveral ‘tackles’ but when you get dragged for 10 yards on each of those tackles, I don’t think they should count.

  • http://81trucolors.livejournal.com/ Truman

    Beating a dead bronco here but Abdullah was better than these scrubs. So frustrating. This is kind of crazy but what about trying Spencer Larsen out at Safety?

    I liked how we run blitzed up the middle but the OLBs, Defensive Ends and Corners must contain the edge. All the big runs went to Dre Bly’s side. He needs to learn to tackle like Champ (ie hit em low).

    As for fumbles, it’s a downward spiral. Get a rep for fumbling and teams key in on it even more. Only way out is to hang onto the ball and burn em for an extra 4-6 yards cause they’re trying to strip it.

    Cutler needs to man up and make better decisions. I think he’s starting to remember now that he’s mortal. I’d also like to see more short patterns. He’s holding the ball a little too long to suit me. With our run game going well, all we need are the four yard passes.

    Finally? Take Lowry and Hall out behind the woodshed….

  • AKscott

    and we gave Foxy away for a 7th rounder.. ouch

  • Boisebroncoguy

    I think Matt Cassel is an absolute quarterbacking machine that cannot be stopped. We need to hope and pray that that Tom Brady guy is back next time. We can whoop him!

  • andy b.

    My biggest concern is the team’s general mental toughness. It wasn’t just the turnovers, it was stupid penalties early in the game, too. Winborn’s stupid facemask letting the Pats off the hook, dumb personal fouls… and then there was the poor tackling.
    This is the reason why in the last 3-4 years I’ve started wondering about Shanny. Our teams seem to hit mid-season and fall apart mentally, just unable to get their collective heads on straight. I think Shanny is a great tactician but I’m beginning to think he’s losing his ability to get the team together mentally, and if he can’t do that, nothing much else will matter.

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    #1 priority is a no brainer. Make sure Champ is on the field in 12 days.

    I wouldn’t worry about miami. Its not like they’ve got anyone who can run the ball have they ;) they won’t even need to resort to their wild turkey offense or whatever its called. Just run off left tackle all game.

    Tatum Hall will be in houston next month, will Calvin Lowsy meet the media this week and say he hits harder than Atwater?

  • S WINDER

    I got in trouble with my oldest son when I predicted the Bronco’s would go into their bye 4-3. I never predict they loose and really do not want to. The Bronoco’s are not having fun and are forcing things. It is obvious of the talent on offense, but the focus and trust in each other is not there.

    The defense is not bad as they seem. Champ gets more and more of my respect. That guy plays with a lot of heart. The Orange Crush was one of the best defenses I ever saw and it was not the talent, but the support they gave each other (they seemed to know what the others were doing) was awesume. This defense needs to pick it up and support each other.

    What the media or other say is immaterial (good or bad) it doing your best for yourself and helping others do their best is what life at it fullest is about.

    I believe that during the bye the Bronco’s will get their heart back and enjoy their run toward the playoff’s.

    Yes I believe they can make it, but it up to them. Hustle, hustle and have fun doing it!!!

  • cor924

    #1 Priority would be to get some cornerbacks that can tackle when the run comes their way. Dre Bly needs to sit a couple weeks just to figure out what he wants to do. There was a Sports Illustrated article about Andruw Jones of the Los Angeles Dodgers underperforming and therefore should return part of his enormous salary. I think Dre Bly should do the same and donate it to a charity or to the Broncos so they can go and get a replacement for him!

  • robtink242

    i think barret should get some time at saftey. And manuel/calvin/marlon aren’t good at all. hall roster spot should be barret’s. spencer should get some time at middle Lb in 3-4 cases. And get ready for the 2009 NFL Draft.

  • Bronco Fan in AL

    Too bad Greg Robinson is the head coach of Syracuse, otherwise I’d say kiss his butt to get him to come back. Can’t be any worse than what we’ve got now…

  • orangecrush74

    Let’s hear for J. Moss! He played very well. Can’t say the same for the LBs. Webster sucks, he over pursues and misses tackles. Even on his sack, he passed up Cassel and then waited, then sacked him! DJ was all over; I mean all over. He doesn’t know if he wants to race the ball carrier down the field or make a crushing hit! Wrap up for crying out loud. B. Baily if soo fragile. You guys are right Barrett should get PT, he can’t do any worse than what is out there. I personally think that Niko or Larson should get a crack at the mike. I am going to chaulk this season up as a learning experience for such a talented by yung group and hope that Shanahan hires Mike Nolan as DEF. Coordinator.

  • pwsbronco

    Top priority, would to put the entire defense on game to game notice, you screw up your escorted right out of the game to the street, so along with bringing what you need to play the game make sure you also bring your car because you may be out of the building and driving home before the end of the 1st.
    And that is not harsh enough, we have given this bunch of failures enough chances. Either they play and stay or we cut until we don’t have enough players to play, which i really don’t think we would see a difference on the field, that is how bad this group is, they do not deserve to be on an NFL field, hell they should be banned from watching any games for at least a year……
    As far as Hall goes, he should be leaving the building as we speak, I don;t care if we are short on rb’s, my 3 legged dog could hold on to the ball better than this guy, he had his chances, he blew them…. I say let him run right now….
    The offense, well they are on a continous spiral down the drain, another week or two and this squad will either be back on track as far as moving the ball and putting up points or they will be the biggest turn around failure in NFL history, how can a group look soooo promising the first 3 weeks and look so pathetic the next 4. Could it be thier heads got to big for their own good, that would be my guess. So if they improve keep them, if not send them down the road, no more excuses and bs, play and stay, period. As a team hopefully, we don’t need any me me players at all.
    Coaches, they should be on an hour to hour notice, plain and simple, the buck stops at the top, so I sure hope Mr Bowlin has put his boys on notice…… But we know that won’t happen, but it should. We are playing like the worst NFL team and not by just a little, we, hands down are the most discusting NFL team in the league at this point…
    These boys don’t desreve to be heard or seen by the media and to take it a step farther, they should not be allowed to be seen on tv, they are just to embarrassing for the game of football.
    One thing for sure, we could very easily get a top 5 pick in the draft…Go Bronco’s make someone proud…….NOT

  • Mac

    The major problem with the Broncos is simple. It is their lack of a quality defensive coordinator. Every quarterback that plays against Denver looks great. When was the last time you seen our defensive back play some man-to-man coverage and actually lock up a receiver. Plus, the Broncos is a soft team that never have full contact practices. So much for lets keep the players fresh stuff.

    Get a real Defensive Coordinator Denver! Get aggressive Broncos and get rid of all the soft players like Boss Bailey, Dre Bly, Louis Green, Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Selvin Young, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, Patrick Ramsey, Andre Hall, and Lowrey. We need playmakers and players with attitude.

  • BroncoFan18

    It’s simple. I would duct tape EVERYONE’s hands. Turnovers are the sole issue here, trust. Our defense is not as bad as it looks. The biggest problem I see on defense isn’t safety play or tackling. Rather, we need help desperately on the perimeter. Dumervil is a great player, but he’s too easy to take out of the game. All throughout that game, we had the runner initially stopped, but he bounced outside where we had no containment whatsoever.

    Too often Bailey and Bly are the ones coming up to seal the corner and unfortunately Bly isn’t that good of a tackler compared to Bailey and too often he gets beat. The DE are supposed to be the ones to do that, not the corners. When Cutler rolls out and the other team sniffs it out, it is a DE that is in his face.

    Bottom line? We need help on the perimeter of the d-line.

    But that’s just the X’s and O’s. Another problem I’m seeing with this team is a lack of leadership. No one is on sidelines getting the team fired up. The reason I have a lot of respect for QB’s like Peyton Manning is that they don’t hold anything back. If their offense is playing bad, they tell ’em on the sidelines. Same goes for the defense. Cutler has been doing a little of this (Marshall over the summer), but not enough, especially on the field.

    We are missing players like Al Wilson and Rod Smith who can be leaders and put the team mentally where they need to be.

    So what do I do if i’m Shanny over the bye?

    1) Get them to hold that ball like it’s their firstborn child.
    2) Focus on the DE’s. Preach containment.
    3) Tell the safeties it’s not their job to stop a big play, it’s their job to prevent one. Look, sure maybe we need new safeties. But at this point we’ve got them and we need to make the best of it. Use schemes on defense that highlight their strengths, not their weaknesses.
    4) Most important, let Cutler know he’s the man and it’s his team. He needs to be a leader and step up to the plate. Give Cutler the keys to the team. It’s now or never.

    If he can do all that, we will be back on the winning track.

  • broncoguy

    I’m so damn sick of Mike Shanahan’s coaching style. Get the damn team fired up to play! So some damn passion on the sideline, get in someones face when the screw up. Stop makeing those winey little faces, yell at someone! This team has no fire, 4 years of the same old rotten D. No passion on prime time, no excuses. I have been a Bronco fan for 40 years and this is as bad as I have seen. Shanahan has got to be the worst motivator in the NFL, he needs to get out of town and find someone who can light a fire under these under acheivers. I have had enough!

  • aaron

    need to get a new defensive coach call john lynch and say we are sorry

  • g-money

    I agree alot of what bronco fan 18 had to say. all I know is football is a tough man sport and one thing about shanny is he doesn’t instill toughness. ther comes a time when you just have to have some pride! who is this calvin lowry? he looked like a high school player trying to play in the pros! I think we need to scrap this 3-4 defense and play robertson and thomas in the middle with moss and crowder at the ends and bring in dumervill with passing situations. let our high draft picks play themselves into form. they certainly couldn’t do any worse. we have to find someone to play safety with some physical mentality. it is time for some emotional leaders to emerge and lead by example!!!

  • Rick

    Broncoguy, your so on the money with everything you said! The announcers discussion at the beginning of the broadcast also said it all…Shanahan is not a genius without Elway. Time to find a new, young coach!

  • melvin

    I think theres a difference in being tough and being dumb im glad cutler didnt have a serious injury or irritate his injury any further …

    i dont really think the defense is as bad as everyone says i do have to agree that they tackle about as good as my grandma maybe we can pickup some mall security guys … those guys can tackle (ive seen them) … also maybe a little more endurance training or something cause man do they need it our front seven is decent at best but our secondary needs to step the f*** up … i dont think we need to wait till draft day to address these needs … the players are there but sometimes i wonder if the coaching is

    all the problems are obivious on offense … maybe this loss will knock cutler back to earth sometimes a loss teaches you more than a win …

    all in all im sad :(

  • dbroncos

    Yea Champ was a big reason for this game going the way it did. Not blaming him as i would never blame a player for getting injured. But there was a play early where he left his guy and actually helped cover another guy’s man and that is great leadership. Once you lose that and have Dre Bly covering a team’s #1 you are screwed. It messes everything up. Bly cant cover a #2, forget a #1.

    Lowry was also a terrible embarrassment.

  • Scott

    It was just reported on the Denver Post by Mike Klis:

    It wasn’t exactly Bloody Tuesday at Dove Valley, but the Broncos are tinkering with their roster in the aftermath of their New England disaster.

    The Broncos released defensive tackle Steven Harris and running back P.J. Pope from their practice squad.

    The team is discussing other moves, including what to do with the roster vacated by the suspension of defensive tackle Josh Shaw.

    This seems so eerily familiar to last season. Keep your ears open to new roster moves this week. (My quote)

  • Scott

    It was also reported that Boss is out for the year, maybe requiring Microfracture surgery on his knee.

    The bigger news is that Champ is out at least a month maybe more after tests from an MRI revealed damage near his manhood.

    Warm up the rookies Woodyard and Williams.

  • kerry

    ok lets get down to the bottomline. Shanahan needs to go. his act and lack of ability to build a team on the defensive side of the ball is getting worn thin. its time for a change. seriously. when you have rotting wood in a house you dont keeping using glue to hold it together. you replace the dead wood with new wood. seriously its about time for someone new. given the right situation im sure Bill Cowher would return. that would give us some fire on the sidelines and some leadership. this team team has neither. Cutler is flat at the QB position now, no running game to speak of, and definetly not a shred of defense can be seen. i never thought id say shanahan needs to go but its time.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

    Wow kerry. I do not think at all that Shanny needs to go. We are having a good season but we have hit a snag. It is not Shanahans fault. Honestly, Cutler has done very well and that is due to Mike Shanahan. The man is a QB coaching master. That might be the worst thing to do right now.

  • rcsodak

    Mike Nolan for DC! And HURRY, before someone else in need of defense beats them to him! Shanny needs to be on the phone with him pronto, and use the next two weeks to start righting this sinking ship!
    They’ve worked together before, so there’s that going for the idea.
    We need MIKE!

  • Riverscanbl&wme

    I agree with most the comments on the board, but I disagree that Webster is a good MLB Kyle. I honestly think Spencer Larson should get a shot, he lays the wood and was a stud in the Pac-10 for a reason. The safety job should go to Barrett. The kid is a beast, let him learn on the fly. Lowry was in position but got juked or plain ran over. Manuel is a step slow and never raps up the ball carrier. I also like Engleberger and his ability to run down the line and stop the run. His absence was obvious last night.

  • rcsodak

    As for the practice squad releases, that tells me that Harris will be on the active squad after he clears waivers, and Shaw is HISTORY! Pope? He may be replacing Hall, after last night.

  • Riverscanbl&wme

    PFT just reported that Champ is out 4 to 6 weeks with a torn groin and Boss out for the year with a knee injury. Again though, the source is PFT.

  • Mark

    I just watched the post game videos on the Broncos website, and they left me speechless. I understand it was right after the game, and people may be upset, but here is what I saw:

    Cutler is there, acting like a child, rolling his eyes, being a dick and not giving any real answers.

    Marshall is acting mature and giving good answers, keeping his cool and being reasonable.

    Does anyone else think this is something that we should worry about? Our young gun is responding poorly to these losses, while B-Marsh is looking like a seasoned veteran. Shouldn’t the QB be the leader? Anyone think that this may be due to Rod Smith and his mentoring of B-Marsh? Jay doesn’t have a Rod Smith, and it looks like he really really needs a good mentor. Anyone agree?

  • OC Bronco

    Seriously, WHO is Calvin Lowrey? Poor dude is in WAY over his head.

  • meomy

    I think Denver’s D played much better than everyone thinks.
    Pats 1st possession Denver holds them to 19 yards and a field goal.
    Pats 2nd possession Denver hold them to 1 yard and a field goal.
    Pats 3rd possession Denver holds them to 27 yards and forced to punt.
    Pats 4th possession 56 yards for a TD converted on a 4th down. Short yardage set up by a bogus penalty on Marshal.
    Pats 5th possession (after Denver’s 3rd turn over of the game on offense) Denver has them stopped on a 3 and out when they take a dumb facemask penalty. Then they go 84 yards 30 on penalties then score again on a 4th down to randy moss (Bailey is now injured and not covering him)
    Pats 6th possession held to 41 yards and forced to punt.
    Pats 7th possession 28 yards for a TD by Moss (still no Bailey on him)

    Granted from this point on the Denver D just fell apart but by then they are down 27 points. Take away the stupid things that happened on offence and some stupid frustration penalties and patriots maybe have 7-10 points at this point in the game.

    I’m not saying that Denver’s D is anything great. There were a bunch of missed tackles and a few people who clearly had no clue what they were doing. I’m just saying you can’t blame this on the Denver D. They did their job early on.

  • http://www.getyourtinton.com precisiontint

    The bye week should be used to heal up, remember that you play a child’s game for a lot of money, and take pride in what you do as football players. I hope the Broncos do that. All Ready!

  • http://www.search-this.com mark

    Nate Webster is a guy the loves to run fast and hit hard. Too bad the middle linebacker needs to be more disciplined than that.

  • bronconinjax

    Look I probably more so than any one is pissed off at this loss. One cuz I’m a die hard Broncos Fan and Two cuz they killed me in my Fatazy leagues (lost by .7pts) I have Cutler Marshall and Prater!!!!!!!

    In reality I dont think Lowry was horrible.. Bad yes but not horrible after all it was his first game as a bronco and only 2 weeks after being brought on… Anything is better than McCree taking bad angles and giving up 60-90 yard runs and passes.

    Our biggest concern is a new scheme we have 2 of the best corners in the game and we run a zone D instead of Man/press Let out 2 Corners take their top WR out of the game and drop 2 LB over the middle and bring the heat with a our line and Webster/Williams since Boss is our “Best cover LB”

    But who am I…. Just a Bronco fan.