Posted Tue Mar 3rd by Jonathan Douglas
Now before I get flamed for not being a TRUE fan, let me explain…
I fell in love with this team when John Elway was losing Super Bowls, so I know I’m not a fan just because the Broncos might win another ring.
I fell in love with this team when Dan Reeves was the Head Coach, and I felt just as devoted to Denver through this last transition to Coach McDaniels. So I know my fandom isn’t tied to one coach.
I continued to love this team when John Elway left… and then Brian left…and then Plummer left. So, I’m pretty sure I’m not following any one QB.
I continued to love this team after Mile High was turned into a parking lot and Invesco bought the naming rights to the new stadium, so I know it’s not a sacred building that I love.
I continued to love this team when Rod Smith, TD, Al Wilson, Eddie Mac and recently Tom Nalen retired. So, I know it’s not any one player that draws my heart to the mile high city.
That begs the question… What changed over this last weekend that made me almost want to quit following the Broncos? Cause it happened, folks. I’m not lying about this to you… it’s real. I consider myself to be a DIE-HARD fan, but this Cutler crap had me feeling like I could walk away and not come back.
So, what happened?!?
I think it’s because I’m finally realizing the team I love may be changing in ways I don’t understand or like.
When Josh McDaniels was brought in I was excited at having a new coach and new ideas. When the Armstrong’s were fired and Xanders was hired as GM, I was excited that we’d have a very young and forward-looking front office.
But recently I feel like what we might be creating is simply the Patriots West — a win-at-all-costs, screw-team-loyalty, cheat-if-you-can-get-away-with-it kind of philosophy.
And, no offense, I’m just not a fan of the Patriots and the they way they do business.
I don’t mind–and completely understand–knowing players from your old team and wanting to bring those elements to your new team. But the sort of sneaky underhanded dealing that was done (as well as the not-so-sneaky cover up afterwards), goes to the issue of business here at Dove Valley being done in a different way…. and not one that I’m all that excited about.
I have had the deepest respect for Pat Bowlen and the kind of organization he built in Denver. However, Pat seems somehow missing in action — even when he’s efforts could be the most helpful.
I don’t think it’s just this Cutler thing either… I mean, it might be a combination of kicking a young and talented offensive mind like Bates to the curb and gutting a scouting department that brought you Cutler, Marshall, Royal, Clady, et al. And even silly little things like paying way too much money for new long snapper just because he’s from New England.
These moves just seem so far outside the normal Broncos business model that I’m having a hard time identifying with them.
My hope is that I simply can’t see the full picture and by the time the season starts we might all have a better understanding and appreciation for these moves. I also hope that Cutler stays and can motivate himself to be happy again (his reaction, while understandable, is also bothering me a bit). In a perfect world I would also hope for Brandon Marshall to join a monastery and swear off women for good so we don’t have to put up with his BS every year… Ok, maybe that’s pushing it.
What I really want more than anything is to FEEL the way I used to about my Broncos. Because, even if we win 17 straight games and the Super Bowl in 2009, yet lose that special something that made me a Denver Broncos fan… I’ll have to hang up my Orange & Blue for good — and that would feel like something inside me died.
Scared… but hoping for the best,
Jonathan Douglas
Published on 03/03/2009 at Tue Mar 03 07:28.
Tagged: Broncos fans are the best in the world,Denver Broncos,Josh McDaniels,New England Patriots,Top Stories.