*** Official 2009 Denver Broncos Offseason Thread *** (1 Viewer)

[thatguy]

It's crazy to think Denver could go 3-7 the rest of the way and likely win the division. I think they go at worst 6-4 over the remaining 10 games, and probably get a first round bye - it's not likely they get homefield advantage given the cakewalk that is Indy's remaining schedule. That said, the Denver/Indy game later in the season should be a fun one, and could potentially have homefield ramifications.

 

[SoCalBroncoFan]

With the Broncos already having 6 wins, it looks like they have a great shot at being 11-5 at worst heading into the playoffs. The bolded games below SHOULD be wins for the Broncos, and I think they have should have at least 50/50 odds in the games against the Steelers and the Giants since they are at home.

@Baltimore

Pittsburgh

@Washington

San Diego

NY Giants

@Kansas City

@Indianapolis

Oakland

@Philadelphia

Kansas City

It looks like they have a shot at a first round bye, along with Indy, unless Pittsburgh and New England seriously step up.

 

[moleculo]

rough game today...Broncos looked pretty flat I'm comparison to an amped up Ravens team.

my comments:

it should have been obvious that Broncos WR's are better than Ravens DB's, but with the Ravens pass rush, Orton never had a chance to take advantage. No time to throw, and that hurt. IMO McD has got to find ways to open this up or Pittsburgh will eat Denvers lunch next week. If we thought Baltimore had good pressure, I shudder to think what Pittsburgh can do, especially if Harris can't go next week. Offensively, this team does not look good enough to overcome a good blitz. You'd think the screen game could take care of that, but when Ed Reed (or Polomau) blows that up so quickly, it all breaks down. That's why Orton has got to take some chances down the field - keep the safeties away so the screen game can work. That's how I see it anyhow.

Defensively - not a bad effort. 23 points allowed; I'll take it. It looked like Bal was running a hurry up to keep the DL from rotating - I think that's what it was all about, and it worked to wear them down because by the end of the game they could run the ball right down their throats. Outside of that, I really liked what I saw out of Andra Davis.

Special Teams - terrible. Berger took way too long to kick the ball 30 yards. Kick coverage was awful - one TD allowed, lucky the Ravens didn't have more success returning punts. punt/kickoff returns - Royal is trying too hard. Towards the end I was rooting for a touchback - just take a knee, Eddie.

Frankly, as a fan I can't get down too much because this team has already exceeded expectations on the season...any wins the rest of this season is gravy.

 

[moleculo]

9News in Denver is reporting that Barrel Man, Tim Mckernan, has 2-6 months to live due to a bout with lung cancer. Barrel Man has been going to Bronco games wearing only a barrel and a cowboy hat for as long as I can remember. I guess he retired in 2007.

The man was an icon at Mile High and Invesco. Rain, sleet, snow, freezing temps...nothing could stop Barrel Man from making the rounds.

Godspeed Barrel Man, and hopefully the Broncos can bring you some happiness in your final days.

 

[Buffaloes]

9News in Denver is reporting that Barrel Man, Tim Mckernan, has 2-6 months to live due to a bout with lung cancer. Barrel Man has been going to Bronco games wearing only a barrel and a cowboy hat for as long as I can remember. I guess he retired in 2007.The man was an icon at Mile High and Invesco. Rain, sleet, snow, freezing temps...nothing could stop Barrel Man from making the rounds.Godspeed Barrel Man, and hopefully the Broncos can bring you some happiness in your final days.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Sad news, indeed.

 

[KoolKat]

Very sad.

I just took a picture in front of his exhibit at the CO History Museum a few months ago.

Definitely an icon.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Ugly night by the offense last night, but I'll still take 6-2 at the halfway point.

Everyone is all nervous about the Chargers now, since they are 5-3 and only a game back now, but the Broncos already won at San Diego, and if they can beat them again at home in two weeks, all will be okay.

A road game against the putrid Redskins should get them back on track next week. The struggles of the last two weeks have been a bit eye-opening, but if this team is seriously going to contend, they need to make a statement against Washington. They need to win that game in dominating fashion to get their swagger back. Eking out a win, or, God forbid, losing the game, will send them reeling into the San Diego with very little momentum and confidence.

 

[Buffaloes]

So what's the deal with Ben Hamilton? Guy has had some very good years but he's just getting manhandled this year. I'm not sure if Hochstein or another backup would be any more effective, but Hamilton and the interior OL have been pretty disappointing this year.

And what about the zone blocking scheme? Denver kept Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison but it seems the offense seems content running mostly power running plays and traps. Some of the biggest runs of the year have come when Buck got on the edge and made 1 cut and went behind a zone scheme. Just a couple trends I've notice and hope the Broncos fix by next week.

 

[moleculo]

So what's the deal with Ben Hamilton? Guy has had some very good years but he's just getting manhandled this year. I'm not sure if Hochstein or another backup would be any more effective, but Hamilton and the interior OL have been pretty disappointing this year.

And what about the zone blocking scheme? Denver kept Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison but it seems the offense seems content running mostly power running plays and traps. Some of the biggest runs of the year have come when Buck got on the edge and made 1 cut and went behind a zone scheme. Just a couple trends I've notice and hope the Broncos fix by next week.

Hamilton out, Hochstein in.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated.

 

[moleculo]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated. :(

how about the special teams TD? The redskins were kind enough to even give a preview that something fishy was up the play before. Absolutely turrible. special team coach should be fired - not only that, but I'm getting a bit tired of the Berger 16 yard punts. Granted, he had some nice kicks today too, but you cannot get by with 16 yard kicks.second half D was terrible again today. This team is officially exposed.

 

[Courtjester]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated.

how about the special teams TD? The redskins were kind enough to even give a preview that something fishy was up the play before. Absolutely turrible. special team coach should be fired - not only that, but I'm getting a bit tired of the Berger 16 yard punts. Granted, he had some nice kicks today too, but you cannot get by with 16 yard kicks.second half D was terrible again today. This team is officially exposed.

As I have said in the game threads, Berger WILL cost Denver a game we should have otherwise won,I think next week is THE season defining game--bottom line.

 

[moleculo]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated.

how about the special teams TD? The redskins were kind enough to even give a preview that something fishy was up the play before. Absolutely turrible. special team coach should be fired - not only that, but I'm getting a bit tired of the Berger 16 yard punts. Granted, he had some nice kicks today too, but you cannot get by with 16 yard kicks.second half D was terrible again today. This team is officially exposed.

As I have said in the game threads, Berger WILL cost Denver a game we should have otherwise won,I think next week is THE season defining game--bottom line.

agreed. Next week is the season. Loose at home to SD, and it's over. Orton better heal, and Nolan better get his groove back.

 

[thatguy]

I hope that now all of those calling for Simms to get a shot (Woody, I'm looking at you) will shut up.

 

[Sebowski]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated.

how about the special teams TD? The redskins were kind enough to even give a preview that something fishy was up the play before. Absolutely turrible. special team coach should be fired - not only that, but I'm getting a bit tired of the Berger 16 yard punts. Granted, he had some nice kicks today too, but you cannot get by with 16 yard kicks.second half D was terrible again today. This team is officially exposed.

As I have said in the game threads, Berger WILL cost Denver a game we should have otherwise won,I think next week is THE season defining game--bottom line.

agreed. Next week is the season. Loose at home to SD, and it's over. Orton better heal, and Nolan better get his groove back.

Not agreeing or disagreeing, but I live in San Diego and find this funny since they were saying the same thing around here when the Broncos came to town. Well, the Broncos won, but the Chargers season didn't end as predicted. Long way to go guys.

 

[Buffaloes]

Denver could have used Major Applewhite off the bench in the 4th quarter yesterday. That performance by Chris Simms made Jamarcus Russell look like a decent NFL QB. Oh well, here's to a week of preparation for Simms before what might be Denver's biggest game of the season.

And I know Simms played terribly, but the run defense looks like it's beginning to revert to last year's version.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Pathetic. Losing by 10 to a Redskin team that had been terrible all season is just pathetic. And Orton getting hurt is not an excuse. Orton doesn't play on a defense that allowed 174 rushing yards (to a team that had been averaging 98 yards per game) and 27 points (to a team that was scoring 14 a game, and hadn't scored 27 in a game since week 2 of last season. Pathetic. Yes, I am aggravated.

how about the special teams TD? The redskins were kind enough to even give a preview that something fishy was up the play before. Absolutely turrible. special team coach should be fired - not only that, but I'm getting a bit tired of the Berger 16 yard punts. Granted, he had some nice kicks today too, but you cannot get by with 16 yard kicks.second half D was terrible again today. This team is officially exposed.

Yeah, that special teams TD was terrible. I know this is a different coaching staff, but this reminds me of 2006. In '06, the defense was pretty sick for the first month and a half, and then in a game against the Colts, the defense played well in the first half, but got lit up repeatedly out of nowhere in the second half, which is pretty much what happened last Monday to the Steelers. And then they got ran over by a pitiful Redskins offense this past week. Horrible feelings of deja vu are running through my head right now. Considering how good this team looked a month ago, this collapse is nearly as shocking as their 6-0 start was.

 

[BusMan]

The Broncos are neither as good as their 6-0 start nor as bad as their recent three game slide. If they want to be a playoff team, this is the week to prove it, at home against their rival for the AFC West crown.

With a win, they roll into the last six weeks of the season up two on the Chargers. Lose, and you're likely going to need help to get in.

Injuries are starting to rear their head, to boot. Even if Orton is ready to play on Sunday, will he be his usual, "effective" self? The OL is a bit iffy now with Hochstein and Polumbus integrating with the other three long-term starters.

The defense needs a shot in the arm, and I'm hopeful they'll get it from the Mile High crowd. Dumervil needs to get a hit or two on Rivers early. They need to prevent LT2 from having early success.

They need to play with the lead. San Diego's offense is too potent to run away from, so we might need some special teams help like the earlier meeting.

The more I think about this game, the more it seems like a loss. This week will certainly illuminate a thing or two about this team and McDaniels.

 

[moleculo]

Best game I've seen Denver play in a really long time - best game of the season for sure. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. O, D, ST, coaching, passing game, running game, pass D, run D, heck, even Mitch Berger. A complete game.

And, thank God for that - if Denver has any playoff aspirations for 2009, it was time to bring it.

 

[ffldrew]

Best game I've seen Denver play in a really long time - best game of the season for sure. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. O, D, ST, coaching, passing game, running game, pass D, run D, heck, even Mitch Berger. A complete game.And, thank God for that - if Denver has any playoff aspirations for 2009, it was time to bring it.

Red Zone efficiency could have been improved.

 

[thatguy]

If they win 3 of their last 5 (KC, KC, Oak), they have a decent shot at a playoff berth. If they win 4 of their last 5 (I'm assuming the aforementioned 3 + the Philly game), I think they're all but assured a playoff berth. They win all of their remaining games (it's not out of the question that they could beat Indy), they likely win the division. No idea what will happen, but I'm cautiously optimistic after tonight's game. As Moleculo said, they played fantastic football in every aspect of the game.

Marshall is an absolute beast. Orton looked very good. Moreno looked very good. And that defense, especially Dawkins and Dumervil, looked amazing.

What a great addition Dawkins has been - amazing that in his first year as a Bronco, he is the unquestioned leader of not only the defense, but probably the entire team.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I just don't get this team. How do you not even show up in a huge game for the division lead against the Chargers, only to turn around and play so well just four days later? This is one weird team.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Thinking ahead here, IF the Broncos can manage to not trip up and lose any of the three games against KC and Oakland, and get to 10-6, the playoffs should be doable.

Baltimore and Pittsburgh both have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver, but still play each other twice. Baltimore needs to split with the Steelers, win a tough road game at GB, and take care of their other three games (all of which are very winnable) to get to 10-6.

Jacksonville, Houston and Miami still all play each other once, so that is a huge advantage for the Broncos. Plus, the Jags, the only 6-4 out of those three, still have to play Indy and at NE, so 10-6 will be a very tall order for them. I don't see Houston or Miami going 5-1 or 6-0 down the stretch.

Tennessee could go undefeated down the stretch, to get to 10-6 and make the playoffs, as they do have four home games out of the six, but they still have to play Indy on the road. I don't see it.

So, yeah, 10-6 would most likely get the Broncos into the playoffs. Considering the offseason turmoil and the mid-season slide, I think most fans would be happy with a playoff appearance, even if it is a one-and-done situation.

 

[shredhead]

Thinking ahead here, IF the Broncos can manage to not trip up and lose any of the three games against KC and Oakland, and get to 10-6, the playoffs should be doable. Baltimore and Pittsburgh both have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver, but still play each other twice. Baltimore needs to split with the Steelers, win a tough road game at GB, and take care of their other three games (all of which are very winnable) to get to 10-6. Jacksonville, Houston and Miami still all play each other once, so that is a huge advantage for the Broncos. Plus, the Jags, the only 6-4 out of those three, still have to play Indy and at NE, so 10-6 will be a very tall order for them. I don't see Houston or Miami going 5-1 or 6-0 down the stretch. Tennessee could go undefeated down the stretch, to get to 10-6 and make the playoffs, as they do have four home games out of the six, but they still have to play Indy on the road. I don't see it. So, yeah, 10-6 would most likely get the Broncos into the playoffs. Considering the offseason turmoil and the mid-season slide, I think most fans would be happy with a playoff appearance, even if it is a one-and-done situation.

Hell yeah I'd be happy with one and done. I wouldn't normally say that, but considering my own expectations for this team before the season started, one and done would be a tremendous overachievement. For that matter, considering I picked them to be 5-11, any wins from here on out (including the one last night) are just gravy.

 

[KoolKat]

I just don't get this team. How do you not even show up in a huge game for the division lead against the Chargers, only to turn around and play so well just four days later? This is one weird team.

Chargers>>>>>Giants this season.

 

[KoolKat]

Hell yeah I'd be happy with one and done. I wouldn't normally say that, but considering my own expectations for this team before the season started, one and done would be a tremendous overachievement. For that matter, considering I picked them to be 5-11, any wins from here on out (including the one last night) are just gravy.

Any sort of playoff appearance would be similar to what the Dolphins did last year. I agree with Ghost Rider , I am still not sure what to make of this team. My hopes were soaring after 6-0, but I was brought back to reality by the losing streak (similar to Rob Schneider in the Water Boy). This may be wishful thinking, but I could see the Broncos putting together a run if the O and D Lines can play like they did last week, every week. I could see 11-5, and a playoff win. The mediocrity of the league is such that it warrants a team like the Broncos getting hot, and making a run. Despite this, I think Colts V Saints is inevitable.

 

[moleculo]

RIP Barrel Man.

Tim McKernan, "Barrel Man" to Broncos fans, dies at 69

Tim, "Barrel Man", McKernan, an avid Broncos fan who was known for wearing a barrel, cowboy hat, cowboy boots and not much else, died in his sleep this morning of lung failure. He was 69.

McKernan, a former United Airlines mechanic, began wearing a barrel in 1977 after making a $10 bet with his brother, Scott, that by wearing one he could get on television.

McKernan won the bet and the barrel he had painted to look like an Orange Crush soda can became his signature costume and resulted in him becoming one of the Broncos' most recognized fans and a popular mascot.

"He liked the attention, he loved inspiring the fans and had a take-charge attitude," said Tim's son, Todd McKernan, who said he was 17 when his dad first donned the costume.

"My kids grew up knowing grandpa in the barrel," he added.

The elder McKernan had attended Broncos games since 1967 and had only missed four. In 2003, an aneurysm left him in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction . He was confined to a wheelchair and placed on oxygen, but later recovered.

About six years ago, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or scarring of the lung. this past September, his breathing became more difficult. He was hospitalized, but came home three weeks ago to receive hospice care, his family said.

In 2007, McKernan retired his barrel and was honored by the Broncos during a halftime show where he was presented with a team football and other gifts and lots of fan appreciation that moved him to tears.

A memorial service for McKernan is pending.

Glad the last game he watched was one of the Broncos better games in recent memory. If I get a chance, I'll post a picture I had taken with Barrel man @ Mike High back in 2002.

 

[ffldrew]

My thoughts and prayers to the Barrel Man's family

Nothing like climbing up the narrow South Stands entryway and coming out into the stands underneath that scoreboard and seeing and high 5ing the Barrel Man right there on the landing as you headed to the fraternity known as the South Stands....the Barrel Man made it that way and you had to bring it up a notch as a fan.

How many fans of a pro football team get a front page(not the front of the sports page - THE front page of the Sunday Edition) column written on them ... this from Dave Krieger of the Denver Post. Just like the article says ..the corporate era has made fans soft. The Barrel Man was a true original FAN.

Krieger: Broncos worship became fanatical art form

By Dave Krieger

The Denver Post

Posted: 12/06/2009 01:00:00 AM MST

Tim McKernan, the Barrel Man, died Saturday at age 69.

The whole thing was slightly nuts, of course. That was the genius of it.

Here was a grown man — a tough, burly airline mechanic, for crying out loud — running around in nothing but boots, a hat and an aluminum barrel on football Sundays cold enough to turn his exposed skin Broncos orange and blue.

It was a getup that could have gotten Tim McKernan arrested, or at least detained and given a sobriety test, almost any place except Mile High Stadium. But there, in the Broncos' temple, it made him an icon in a cowboy hat, ultimately recognizable all over the country.

Broncos great Randy Gradishar spoke for many fans when he recalled seeing the Barrel Man for the first time: "Tommy Jackson and I were like, 'What is this guy doing?' We were only guessing what he had on underneath that thing."

On Thanksgiving, his family sent out word that the ailing McKernan, no longer able to attend games, would get a kick out of receiving fans' Barrel Man recollections. I sent out a message on Twitter with the address. A stream of affection flowed back. No Broncos-related message I've sent out before or since received such a unanimous response.

I have a feeling McKernan's family will be getting mail at that post office box long after they've said their last goodbyes to the venerable Barrel Man, who died Saturday morning at 69. Somewhere along the way he became a community touchstone, a high priest of our state religion.

He was just a fan, he always said. And he was too. Only one thing distinguished him from the other 75,000 members of the congregation who gathered in north Denver on select Sunday afternoons: They could sit down.

Let's face it — as apparel, the barrel was wildly impractical. This could be why nobody else thought of it. Yet, extending from mid-paunch to tastefully above the knee, it had a certain panache on the Barrel Man, especially with that neck strap that came down across his chest like suspenders.

In a lark, on a dare, McKernan came to embody all the commitment, passion and questionable sanity of America's football fans.

To see the occasional bunch of shirtless, alcohol-fueled young men spelling out the object of their devotion on their chests was to remember your first hangover.

To see the distinguished Barrel Man stomping up and down Mile High Stadium's risers in those cowboy boots week after week, exposed except for that barrel, raising his arm in that salute, was to watch an artist at work.

The Barrel Man was a performance artist before performance art was cool, a naked cowboy long before that dude in his underwear on Times Square.

Like many of the all-time greats, he tried to walk away. But the barrel always pulled him back in.

In 1992, he showed up in the Broncos' media room to hang up the barrel for the first time. "I just want to go out on top," he said.

Dan Reeves posed for pictures with him. The wretches covering the ceremony didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The Barrel Man often had that effect.

He was back almost immediately. "I missed it," he explained.

To think that it all started 32 years ago because of a bet with his brother. "He wanted to see me on TV out in California," McKernan explained to 9News when he hung up the barrel for the last time.

"I had painted a barrel to make a drum out of it to look like an Orange Crush can, told him about it, and he bet me 10 bucks that I didn't have the guts to wear nothing but the barrel to a ballgame."

For 10 bucks, McKernan assumed an alter ego that would galvanize Broncos fans in the days before scoreboards told them when to galvanize. "The more I can get the fans into it," McKernan said, "the better the team plays."

It certainly seemed that way. No one has ever had a better rookie year.

After 17 years of futility, the Broncos went to the Super Bowl following the Barrel Man's first season. A barrel signed by members of that team now occupies a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For 30 years, he prowled those risers, moving with the Broncos from Mile High to Invesco Field, where he symbolized a simpler time, before marble-topped club level bars and corporate suites.

He was one of a kind, a Colorado original. And he died with the affection of thousands who never knew him, forever a part of Broncos lore.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Today's win combined with Pittsburgh's loss means 10-6 should definitely get the Broncos in the playoffs, so beat Oakland and KC, at worst, and they should be in the playoffs. wOOt.

 

[Ghost Rider]

New coach. New players. Same old Broncos.

Sadly. Yesterday reminded me of the 30-23 loss to Buffalo last December in week 16. Just like that loss would have given them the division title and a playoff spot, winning yesterday would have all but put them in the playoffs, but they couldn't stop JaMarcus Russell. Just pathetic.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Even worse than giving up the TD to JaMarcus was having first and goal from the two and not gaining a single yard on three of the most uninspired playcalls you will ever see.

Ugh, I know. 4 field goals and 1 touchdown yesterday. Impressive, eh? At some point, McDaniels' inability to get Eddie Royal involved in the offense has to be taken into account. McDaniels has basically made the Broncos second best wide receiver completely useless this season. And no, I am not some bitter FF fan who is pissed about Royal's season ruining my FF team. I am a Broncos fan who continues to wonder why the boy wonder new head coach is incapable of getting this talented wideout involved at all in the offense.

 

[Buffaloes]

New coach. New players. Same old Broncos.

Sadly. Yesterday reminded me of the 30-23 loss to Buffalo last December in week 16. Just like that loss would have given them the division title and a playoff spot, winning yesterday would have all but put them in the playoffs, but they couldn't stop JaMarcus Russell. Just pathetic.

Had a bad feeling when they let Oakland pick up that 4th and 10 to keep their comeback drive alive. Jamarcus freaking Russell.

 

[Ghost Rider]

And we could go back to '06, too, when they lost the final game of the season at home to an under .500 49er team, when winning would have given them a wild card. What is up with the Broncos not winning winnable home games in December when the playoffs are on the line?

 

[BusMan]

Even worse than giving up the TD to JaMarcus was having first and goal from the two and not gaining a single yard on three of the most uninspired playcalls you will ever see.

Ugh, I know. 4 field goals and 1 touchdown yesterday. Impressive, eh? At some point, McDaniels' inability to get Eddie Royal involved in the offense has to be taken into account. McDaniels has basically made the Broncos second best wide receiver completely useless this season. And no, I am not some bitter FF fan who is pissed about Royal's season ruining my FF team. I am a Broncos fan who continues to wonder why the boy wonder new head coach is incapable of getting this talented wideout involved at all in the offense.

On this vein, WHERE IS PEYTON HILLIS?

 

[BusMan]

And we could go back to '06, too, when they lost the final game of the season at home to an under .500 49er team, when winning would have given them a wild card. What is up with the Broncos not winning winnable home games in December when the playoffs are on the line?

The simplest answer is that the Broncos have been a mediocre team the past five years or so. Starting fast and running cold down the stretch is just brutal on the fan base, though. Get us all hot and bothered in September and October and then leave us with painful blue balls come the new year.

 

[moleculo]

I was going to bump this thread yesterday, but I decided against it. I probably would have broken the language filter. Losing to the raiders, at home, with a 3rd string QB, is the absolute worst. Completely terrible. Playcalling was possibly the worst I've seen in a really, really long time.

In the second half, the Br_nc_s had 19 yards on the ground (on called rusning plays), in 14 attempts. 1.35 YPC. half of these carries went for zero or less yards. This, against a team who is 28th in the league in rush defense.

When Denver had the lead in the 4th quarter, they managed to run for a total of zero yards in six attempts. this was in three meaningful possessions (not counting the final 30 seconds) where they managed to eat up a whopping 5:25 of clock and net a single FG, despite having a first and goal at the 2 following the huge Stokley play.

I put the blame squarely on coaching for this one. The running game was unimaginitive. Pounding the ball up the gut for no gain is Reevesesque. When you don't have Elway to bail you out, you are left with what we saw yesterday. The D was pretty terrible as well - I don't know what they could have done differently to fix that, but clearly the Br_nc_s we saw yesterday are not playoff material.

 

[Buffaloes]

I was going to bump this thread yesterday, but I decided against it. I probably would have broken the language filter. Losing to the raiders, at home, with a 3rd string QB, is the absolute worst. Completely terrible. Playcalling was possibly the worst I've seen in a really, really long time. In the second half, the Br_nc_s had 19 yards on the ground (on called rusning plays), in 14 attempts. 1.35 YPC. half of these carries went for zero or less yards. This, against a team who is 28th in the league in rush defense. When Denver had the lead in the 4th quarter, they managed to run for a total of zero yards in six attempts. this was in three meaningful possessions (not counting the final 30 seconds) where they managed to eat up a whopping 5:25 of clock and net a single FG, despite having a first and goal at the 2 following the huge Stokley play.I put the blame squarely on coaching for this one. The running game was unimaginitive. Pounding the ball up the gut for no gain is Reevesesque. When you don't have Elway to bail you out, you are left with what we saw yesterday. The D was pretty terrible as well - I don't know what they could have done differently to fix that, but clearly the Br_nc_s we saw yesterday are not playoff material.

Where was the defense too? This looked like last year's version against the run.

 

[BusMan]

Where was the defense too? This looked like last year's version against the run.

They broke out last year's red carpet defense yesterday.Oakland Raiders: Average Gain per Rushing Play 7.1

 

[moleculo]

Marshall benched, Scheffler benched...anyone have any idea what is going on?

 

[BusMan]

Marshall benched, Scheffler benched...anyone have any idea what is going on?

McDaniels carrying his big stick.

 

[moleculo]

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Marshall was late for therapy before benching

Posted by Josh Alper on January 3, 2010 11:57 AM ET

Ed Werder of ESPN had a lengthy report Sunday morning on the decision to send Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler to the bench for Week 17's Broncos-Chiefs clash in Denver.

According to Werder, Marshall was benched after he was late to therapy for his injured hamstring on Friday. That followed an MRI on Wednesday that showed no structural damage to his hamstring, something that contributed to the team's feeling that he might be exaggerating the extent of his injury.



The decision to bench Marshall and Scheffler, both of whom are banned from the locker room and sideline on Sunday, follows a meeting McDaniels had with several Broncos players on Monday. Werder cites Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins and Kyle Orton as some of the players who urged the coach to stress accountability in the run-up to the game against the Chiefs.

Chris Mortensen, speaking on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, said that this indicates that there isn't much disagreement with McDaniels's decision even though the team is playing a game with playoff implications.

Should the Broncos make it to the postseason, Werder reports that there are no assurances that either Marshall or Scheffler would be back on the active roster.

interesting. Gotta trust Champ, Bdawk and especially Orton on this one.

 

[Young 8]

Marshall benched, Scheffler benched...anyone have any idea what is going on?

Josh SMUGdaniels

 

[moleculo]

I may have been McD's biggest supporter since March, but I can't defend him any more. The once dominant running game is no more, despite the same OL and an upgrade at RB talent wise. The passing game from 2008 has been driven out of town and/or ostracized. The D did improve, but in the end the epic collapse is all too familiar.

I'm not seeing the brilliance in play-calling; I'm not seeing successful adjustments. What we've seen is force-feeding the ball, a heavy reliance on the screen, a lack of a vertical attack, and no holes in the running game. Right now, I don't see any difference that McD made.

Some think that all of our ills (going back at least 5 years) is the OL and DL - we all know that our DL has been terrible for years and the OL has been undersized. Well, our DL is no better and the OL is now misfitted for the schemes that McD stubbornly insists upon. This is where we must have upgrades via the draft - bigger linemen on both sides of the ball that won't wear down in games or the season.

I think McD enters 2010 on the hot seat. If he can't improve and get this team into the playoffs by next year, he should see the door.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think McD enters 2010 on the hot seat. If he can't improve and get this team into the playoffs by next year, he should see the door.

The mirage 6-0 start is the worst thing that could have happened for Bronco fans in the long run. McDaniels should see the door right now.

 

[FavreCo]

It's crazy to think Denver could go 3-7 the rest of the way and likely win the division. I think they go at worst 6-4 over the remaining 10 games, and probably get a first round bye - it's not likely they get homefield advantage given the cakewalk that is Indy's remaining schedule. That said, the Denver/Indy game later in the season should be a fun one, and could potentially have homefield ramifications.

Got that right, they couldn't muster up 3 wins. FAIL.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I may have been McD's biggest supporter since March, but I can't defend him any more. The once dominant running game is no more, despite the same OL and an upgrade at RB talent wise. The passing game from 2008 has been driven out of town and/or ostracized. The D did improve, but in the end the epic collapse is all too familiar.I'm not seeing the brilliance in play-calling; I'm not seeing successful adjustments. What we've seen is force-feeding the ball, a heavy reliance on the screen, a lack of a vertical attack, and no holes in the running game. Right now, I don't see any difference that McD made.Some think that all of our ills (going back at least 5 years) is the OL and DL - we all know that our DL has been terrible for years and the OL has been undersized. Well, our DL is no better and the OL is now misfitted for the schemes that McD stubbornly insists upon. This is where we must have upgrades via the draft - bigger linemen on both sides of the ball that won't wear down in games or the season.I think McD enters 2010 on the hot seat. If he can't improve and get this team into the playoffs by next year, he should see the door.

He may be on the fans hot seat, but not Bowlen's. McD won a game or two more than expected. The shellacking at home today is embarrassing, but the simple fact is that Denver just isn't very good. They overachieved big time early, and fans overacted.That's a 7-9 ballclub in Mile High right now in need of some serious talent. If Al Davis brings in a competent QB, Denver will be battling KC for 3rd place for the next 5 years.

 

[moleculo]

I may have been McD's biggest supporter since March, but I can't defend him any more. The once dominant running game is no more, despite the same OL and an upgrade at RB talent wise. The passing game from 2008 has been driven out of town and/or ostracized. The D did improve, but in the end the epic collapse is all too familiar.I'm not seeing the brilliance in play-calling; I'm not seeing successful adjustments. What we've seen is force-feeding the ball, a heavy reliance on the screen, a lack of a vertical attack, and no holes in the running game. Right now, I don't see any difference that McD made.Some think that all of our ills (going back at least 5 years) is the OL and DL - we all know that our DL has been terrible for years and the OL has been undersized. Well, our DL is no better and the OL is now misfitted for the schemes that McD stubbornly insists upon. This is where we must have upgrades via the draft - bigger linemen on both sides of the ball that won't wear down in games or the season.I think McD enters 2010 on the hot seat. If he can't improve and get this team into the playoffs by next year, he should see the door.

He may be on the fans hot seat, but not Bowlen's. McD won a game or two more than expected. The shellacking at home today is embarrassing, but the simple fact is that Denver just isn't very good. They overachieved big time early, and fans overacted.That's a 7-9 ballclub in Mile High right now in need of some serious talent. If Al Davis brings in a competent QB, Denver will be battling KC for 3rd place for the next 5 years.

Bowlen gave Wade Phillips 2 years to get better than mediocre - he couldn't do it. Shanahan got the team better than mediocre in year 2, and he stuck around for a while. I know - the general thought is that Philips was really just keeping the seat warm until Shanahan was ready to take the reigns, but Shanahan turned the team around by year 2, Phillips did not.

 

[candymanvandyfan]

Talent on the offensive side of the ball isn't as fungible as Josh thinks it is. He prizes it too little, and as a consequence, the young, interesting offense of '08, which ranked second in YPG has been almost totally dismantled.

The new offense emphasizes the screen pass and getting the ball away quickly, but went from a team that gave up 11 sacks in 08 to a team that gave up 34 sacks in 09 with no real change in its o-line.

This all seems to be one big power-play for the young man, and it's too bad.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Talent on the offensive side of the ball isn't as fungible as Josh thinks it is. He prizes it too little, and as a consequence, the young, interesting offense of '08, which ranked second in YPG has been almost totally dismantled. The new offense emphasizes the screen pass and getting the ball away quickly, but went from a team that gave up 11 sacks in 08 to a team that gave up 34 sacks in 09 with no real change in its o-line.This all seems to be one big power-play for the young man, and it's too bad.

And yet Denver won just as many games this year as last year with Shanny and Cutler. That "interesting" offense was way, way overrated.