LINCICOME: Fact is, Broncos might not get there
By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published December 14, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
Photo by Joe Mahoney © The Rocky
With a new coach, Jay Cutler is in the same situation as Ben Roethlisberger was when Bill Cowher left the Steelers.
How disappointing was the Broncos' loss Sunday?
Uh, oh. Suddenly, there is an Apollo 13 vibe about the Broncos. The playoffs, like the moon, are just outside the window, almost close enough to touch. And yet . . .
Pick the "Houston, we have a problem" moment. Or in this case, I guess, the "Denver, something's wrong" moment, the point where realization met expectation. The Broncos might not yet get there.
It could be the Selvin Young fumble just before the half, possibly the last time he will ever touch a football for the Broncos. Or Mike Shanahan's choice to let him run the ball instead of running out the clock.
Or possibly it was the 56-yard waltz for a touchdown by Carolina's DeAngelo Williams early in the second half, hardly a Broncos defender near enough to him to feel the breeze.
Maybe the missed field goal by Matt Prater after the only honest defensive play of the day by the Broncos, a tipped interception to safety Josh Barrett, and the only real threat by the Broncos in the second half.
"Too many three-and-outs," grumbled Shanahan, picking his own moments.
My candidate is something that happened in another time zone, in Kansas City, about the same time the Broncos-Panthers game was getting under way.
In 36 seconds, the San Diego Chargers scored two touchdowns to steal a game from the Chiefs, then withstood a 50-yard field goal try at the end, maybe the first time all year that luck has gone their way.
Up until that point, it seemed that all the Broncos needed was to stay healthy and hope there was enough hot water in Bank of America Stadium. All on this gloomy day would be moot and plans could be made for the home playoff game.
It would not matter that the battered Broncos running game, now in its seventh edition, would clatter along on the legs of someone named P.J. Pope - who caught his first pass and scored his first touchdown as a paid football player.
Or if the feeble pass rush of the Broncos continued to be so much lean and lurch, once again managing not a single sack, allowing Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme to expose the patchwork Broncos secondary and give receiver Steve Smith enough highlights for a home movie.
It would be irrelevant that the linebackers let the secondary do their tackling for them, even with D.J. Williams back, or that the odd placement of linebacker Wesley Woodyard at strong safety only seemed another bit of insufficient spackling.
Jay Cutler could be ordinary, which he was at least, maybe awful under the weight of responsibility, and the offensive line could do something it had not done in three games, give up a sack of Cutler, and by the end, it had managed to allow three.
It could be OK for the Broncos to be a visiting prop for the more ambitious Panthers, who were trying to go undefeated at home and keep alive a chance to take home-field advantage away from the New York Giants next week.
Everything was going swell until it wasn't.
In fact, just as the Chargers won, the Broncos were winning a replay challenge, not a fumble by Cutler on the second play of the game but an incompletion. It would be the last encouraging moment of the day for the Broncos, not counting at least three interceptions off Cutler dropped by assorted Panthers.
"We can't wait for other teams to win for us," said receiver Eddie Royal. "We have to take care of our own business."
That would be the way to do it, to roar into the playoffs rather than creep, and roaring is almost out of the question with only two games to go and none of the essential repairs possible.
Guard Chris Kuper has a broken hand from the game - not necessarily vital to an offensive lineman - and Champ Bailey again watched from the sideline, his return as vague as ever.
Most of the Broncos said they were unaware of the doings between the Chargers and Chiefs, not that it would have mattered. Shanahan knew but didn't gossip.
And now the Broncos have the same circumstance next week, with the Chargers in Tampa Bay (which was beaten by a Jason Elam overtime field goal for Atlanta; not to rub it in, but Elam has missed only two field goals all year), the Broncos at home against Buffalo.
The way to end the agony is to beat the Bills, and once again the Broncos will know how the Chargers did before they play.
Were the season to come down to the end, as it was always imagined it would, with the last game in San Diego, it might more resemble two beggars fighting over scraps rather than a just reward for a first-rate season.
So close, and yet so far.
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Broncos cheerleaders
December 14, 2008
8:16 p.m.
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bronco4428 writes:
look at you bernie right off the bandwagon as usual.....its like i think u root against the broncos....as if you want them to lose so you can write these articles
December 14, 2008
8:31 p.m.
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Panthersfan writes:
Did you guys really expect to come into our house and win, really.
Wow, that thin air really does mess with your reasoning.
December 14, 2008
11:35 p.m.
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Mark13 writes:
The rocky wonders why they are going out of business when they have columnists like this writing for them. It's kind of like watching Tony Kornhieser on MNF. You just wonder who hired this guy and why do they keep him?
December 15, 2008
12:19 a.m.
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Bigg_Nuggets writes:
This is so stupid. What a waste of an article. Useless. I can't believe I read it. That little voice kept telling me not to, but like the train wreck you can't help but watch I finished reading it and now I can't get that time back. It's gone forever. If they weren't going out of business I'd sue the Rocky for the hole in my head. I hope Bernie is part of the cutback and his is the first check to bounce. I tell you what if the Rocky was serious they would have a fire Bernie fundraiser and they'd be able to buy themselves out of trouble for years. Even in this harsh economic climate what self-respecting Denver sport's fan wouldn't shell out a few dollars to see Bernie canned?
December 15, 2008
5:39 a.m.
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Winthrop writes:
The truth always hurts when it comes to the Broncos, Bernie.
Great article telling it like it really is!
Playing against those soft AFC defences, gives the Bronc's a tendency to lay down when up against a tenacious team.
December 15, 2008
7:31 a.m.
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MrWright writes:
We will beat the Bills and earn a place in the playoffs, it will be sweet to do it at home in front of the home fans. We will be amped up and ready to burst wide open!! Go Broncos!!!
December 15, 2008
7:37 a.m.
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Broncody writes:
And then my dog will get hit by a car and my family will leave me and I will lose both of my jobs and then I will have a heart attact. Optimism is great huh?
December 15, 2008
7:57 a.m.
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The_KIMN_Chicken writes:
He's actually right. This is setting up as a huge choke. It all comes down to next week because there is no way they lose two straight and then go into San Diego and win with everything on the line. If anything has taught us in the last 10 years of Bronco football when it's all on the line they falter.
And for next year no Selvyn Young or Prater, both terrible.
December 15, 2008
8:21 a.m.
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jersey writes:
Bronco4428: I fully realized that it is a foreign concept in this town when it comes to the "Donkeys" but Bernie's reporting is call "Objectivity" rather than "Blind support". Been living here for 28 years and it is refreshing. Just hope they don't run him out of town like they did Jay Mariotti years ago for having the unmitigated gall, the nerve of him, to not follow the other Sheep reporters of this town down the same path of "Brainwashing" you fans. After constantly listening to and reading their biased reporting as the gospel it's no wonder the vast majority never expects the locals to lose a game. Who could blame you?
December 15, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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Broncofan_in_Boston writes:
Mr. Young, may I introduce you to Mr. Mike Bell.
Shanny doesn't react well to backs that fumble, especially at a stupid time like that. Unfortunately, Shanny needs to look in the mirror on that one.
They should have taken a knee. And if they took the timeout, he really needs to take responsibility. That whole sequence was stupid.
But, its up to the players to execute the play called and know when to protect the ball. Honestly, Andre Hall will probably not be back either. His last game was the Pats game and he had two killer fumbles early in the game that cost Denver points and started them towards a major meltdown.
They will probably be in camp, but they'll have to show a heck of a lot to make this team
December 15, 2008
8:42 a.m.
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piano3 writes:
I don't normally comment on these type of colums, opting instead, to consider the source. This is different. Bernie is just rubbing salt in the wound, simple as that. The fact is, Denver is going to destroy Buffalo and play very well in the playoffs. Hopefully, this hack writer will soon be spewing his drivel in some other town.
To quote a well known comic book character, ..."Nuff said".
December 15, 2008
8:45 a.m.
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jersey writes:
Bronco_fan_in_Boston: Just curious. Have you ever carried the ball at any level? If so ever give it up after being rocked? RBs will fumble, QBs will throw interceptions, WRs will drop passes, DB's will give up passes etc. Were not talking about a video game here. There was more than ample time to make up for Selvyn's miscue. The last time I checked the opposing team gets paid to create that mishap. Give them their due. The bottom line is the locals got beat by a better team, pure and simple. The Cougars being undefeated at home was not an anomaly.
December 15, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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jersey writes:
Piano3: See my 8:21am post. I rest my case!
December 15, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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LarryB writes:
Well, Bernie, after all the homers have castigated you, you remain standing. It goes back to the adage, "the truth hurts," doesn't it? Much as I would like to join these people who would like to stake you down to a fire ant hill and cover you with honey, I have to admit you are correct. All the Broncos have to do is to buck up for one game -- next Sunday. Whether they will may not only be in question; it may be in doubt.
And for those who want to accuse ME of rooting against the Broncos, first tell me that you saw the first game they ever played, then weathered their first fourteen years, as I did. If not, then you are not qualified to comment on my loyalty.
December 15, 2008
9:37 a.m.
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xxx writes:
First of all...BIGG that was funny stuff. Second... Jersey... Bernie
writes as if he's trying to get a piece approved for Readers Digest.
Oh and Jersey it was the PANTHERS.
December 15, 2008
10:15 a.m.
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MargofromFargo writes:
I just hope Prater didnt buy a home in Denver....he has to go!
With the Broncos in jeopardy of not winning the Division...it might be a good time for Shanny to evaluate his career too!...He just isn't getting things done and as the lead dog allot of this still falls on his shoulders...now we all know we're playing real banged up with some unknowns and rookies getting the reps, but the Broncs still need to make the necessary moves in the off season. Were not out of this thing. I see us winning vs. Buffalo and winning the division...but we have to stop the bleeding....
December 15, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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slickwilly writes:
This team hasn't nor will they EARN a place in the playoffs. If by some miracle they do get there it won't be by their own merits it will be because San Diego underachieved so much that their coach should be fired.
For those of you who claim that the columnist is wrong for writing this...WAKE UP!!! The Broncos looked terrible yesterday. They had a chance to get into the playoffs and they blew it. There wasn't anyone making impact plays at all. Slowik didn't blitz Delhomme one time and let Smith have a highlight reel day. And they still couldn't stop the run.
This team is going to get dismantled by the Chargers in the last game and if they do happen to get into the playoffs they will be destroyed by whoever it is they play. They aren't even better than some teams who will not make the playoffs at all.
Don't call me bandwagon either...it is called reality.
December 15, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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Andy writes:
Panthersfan:
No, not really. This may very well be the Panthers' year. They're peaking at the right time. The Broncos are building and they've also been racked by injuries this year. Still, they have beaten some pretty good teams (and lost to some lousy ones).
But I don't think anyone in Denver is surprised by the result, no.
December 15, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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golfdoc writes:
the good news with the rocky mountain news being sold or going out of business: maybe bernie will have to leave the state and find another job.
December 15, 2008
12:01 p.m.
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jersey writes:
xxx: My bad. You're right it's the Panthers rather than the Cougers in my haste. My first mistake this year. Hell, if I was in the NFL they would have to open up Fort Knox to afford me!
December 15, 2008
12:05 p.m.
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LarryB writes:
Oh, golfdoc, it's good news the RMN may go out of business? What the hell are you reading it for, then?
I grew up with the RMN. Delivered it as a paper boy a half century ago. It is a cornerstone of the community and still my favorite paper.
Maybe a new paper will be started that is much more to your liking. They can call it the Homer Tribune.
Meanwhile, may you only incur what you wish on this paper and those whose families depend on their jobs there . . .
December 15, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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piano3 writes:
Jersey' I appreciate your comments. There is two huge differences however, between LINCICOME and Mariotti. Jay didn't blindly attack the Broncos (and their fans) just for the heck of it and oh by the way, he could write.
December 15, 2008
1:08 p.m.
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Spider writes:
Bernice, if the RMN goes under the Ignacio Chieften will hire you as a cub reporter. If they sell out, the new owners won't keep you. You can always write the obituaries in Bumfok, Iraq.
December 15, 2008
1:48 p.m.
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jersey writes:
Piano3: Thanks. I appreciate yours as well. As we all know when it comes to perception, rarely if ever, there is a right or a wrong. Just like beauty, It's in the eye of the beholder.
December 15, 2008
1:58 p.m.
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jersey writes:
Margofromfargo: If Prater keeps going the way he is he's likely to suffer the same fate as Rich Karlis did years ago after missing a game winning FG against the Raiders. Garbage was dumped all over poor Rich's front yard. I can still see him crying on TV. Now that was one for the books!
December 15, 2008
2:44 p.m.
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KCBRONCOFAN writes:
Unfortunately, I had to watch the entire sorry end of the Chiefs game before I got to watch most of the sorry Broncos game. You can't depend on the Chiefs to do anything right. The Broncos might beat Buffalo and sneak in. Only to be soundly spanked in the first round. However, I have hope. A few healthy millionaires in the backfield will help. I think they ought to leave their wallets at home on game day. Carrying around all that cash in the hip pocket has to play havoc with tendons, ligaments and hamstrings. Just a thought.