Broncos' first defeat gives fuel to critics
With 3-1 record, team won't panic despite problems
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 29, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
Photo by Joe Mahoney
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, getting taken down by Chiefs linebacker Demorrio Williams and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey late in the fourth quarter, said the team "can't go into a panic" after losing its first game. The Broncos will face the Buccaneers, another team with one loss, Sunday.
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First they were lucky.
Now they're terrible, hapless on defense and mistake-prone on offense.
The Broncos know what the critics are saying.
"As fast as people jumped on the wagon, they're jumping off just as fast," tight end Daniel Graham surmised.
Actually, style points and deficiencies aside, what the Broncos are is 3-1 in black and white.
And on Monday, the locker room appeared to be following the lead of quarterback Jay Cutler, who Sunday suggested the Broncos "can't go into a panic," even after one troubling loss at previously winless Kansas City.
"I had a feeling what was coming as the game was ending," long snapper Mike Leach said. " 'See, they really aren't as good as people think they are . . . ' Look, if you go 3-1 in each quarter, you're 12-4 and most likely you have a home playoff game and win your division. The sky's not falling. We played a terrible game. We have to make sure it doesn't happen again. There's no good in panicking and infighting."
There are concerns.
The defense, after two weeks of getting strafed through the air by elite NFL quarterbacks, yielded 213 rushing yards to a run-first offense and a 100.3 quarterback rating to Damon Huard, a career backup.
The offense, so efficient close to the goal line the first two weeks, is 3-for-9 the past two games in the red zone scoring touchdowns and turned over the ball four times Sunday.
Coming this weekend is a meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South, so the Broncos will need a solid week of preparation to forge a turnaround.
"It's going to be interesting to see how we respond this week because they're a good team," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "They're 3-1 for a reason."
As is Denver. But its young roster is facing the unknown for the first time.
Benefiting from a blown call and a missed field goal helped pad the Broncos' early record and boost confidence, along with some solid, wide-open play.
There's no telling how they'll bounce back after Sunday's 33-19 loss.
"Are we ready to hang it up for the season and quit because we are 3-1?" coach Mike Shanahan said. "No, we'll keep on working."
The biggest fixer-upper is the defense, which is 30th overall in total yards, 24th against the run and 31st against the pass.
Shanahan and others insisted things aren't as bad as they seem, even if work is necessary. They pointed to two long Larry Johnson runs Sunday as the group's undoing but also to nine straight Kansas City drives that covered fewer than 40 yards.
Still, the Broncos allowed 17 fourth-quarter points and now allowed 48 of 117 points in the final period, a troubling sign.
"We know exactly what the problems are," Bailey said. "We've got to be better against the run, not turn the ball over and make more plays, plain and simple."
Missed defensive assignments continue to hurt the Broncos.
"It wasn't tackling so much as schemewise we weren't in the right places, and when you overrun a running back or don't follow your keys, that's when big plays happen," Bailey added.
Shanahan actually appeared more perturbed at the Broncos' giveaways and red-zone issues than anything on the other side of the ball.
"Everybody wants to throw it at the defense . . . but any offense that does that to their defense, there's no chance," he said.
Once again, the Broncos went with a pass-heavy game plan for a fourth straight week. Its running backs carried 19 times as compared to 49 Cutler pass attempts.
Shanahan said a wrist injury suffered by Andre Hall, who had been in a largely rigid rotation in the backfield with Selvin Young until being forced out Sunday, had no bearing on that mix.
"Looking at film, we played with great effort," said receiver Eddie Royal, who led the Broncos with nine catches and 104 yards. "Some of the execution and technique was a little off. But it's not something we can't fix."
It begs the question, though, whether the team is beginning to put too much stock in its air attack with a 61 percent/39 percent split to date.
"The one thing I like to do is score points," Shanahan countered. "And, obviously, if we don't throw the ball better than we did, we are going to be running a lot more."
The latter is precisely what all the Broncos players were doing Monday.
Wind sprints are a mandatory part of the day after games following a loss, so they were experiencing that punishment for the first time this season. They were sweating that, but not much else, on the surface.
"We've got a lot of faith in each other," Royal said.
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September 29, 2008
11:22 p.m.
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deezBroncs1127 writes:
All you critics and writers stay away from our Broncos. Before the season started nobody was giving the Broncos a chance in hell of doing anything this year....too young...too inexperienced...Cutler's diabetes...Marshall's off the field problems...but all of a sudden they go 3-0 and they are one of the better teams in football & everyone & everybody hopped on the band wagon, but they lose one game and they are quick to jump off.
Every NFL season is up & down...I don't hear anybody talking about the Cowboys losing to the Redskins, who are by the way favorites to go to the Super Bowl. So Bronco fans, don't give in to these critics & writers that don't know anything about our Broncos. Stick the course and the Broncos will win a fare share of games and make that playoff push. That game is in the past and could it get any worst than 2 fumbles, 2 interceptions and still score 19 points. I don't think so.
September 30, 2008
12:17 a.m.
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Superchiefs writes:
The critics lurk because there is so much to criticize
The bandwagon fans are jumping ship because they realize that Denver should actually be 1-3 right now, and not 3-1
If Denver repeats their other 4 game quarters like they did the first, they'll end the season as 6-10, nothing to crow about....
...but you my friend, keep the faith! You've been exposed and it's all downhill from here on out! Don't be the last guy on the wagon...it will be a long, lonely season!
September 30, 2008
6:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Littleboyblue writes:
SWITCH TO THE 3-4 SCHEME...WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T HAVE 4 DESCENT D-LINEMEN. AND IS IT ME OR IS THE YOUNGMAN THAT WE ACQUIRED LATE OFF WAIVERS FROM THE RAIDERS OUR BEST TACKLE? GET SOMETHING FOR MOSS WHILE WE CAN. MY SON IS A SOPHMORE DE AND PLAYS HARDER THAN MOSS...BUSTER!
September 30, 2008
7:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
xbfan writes:
No matter the changes we see each year the defense is always the "biggest fixer-upper". Why is that?
September 30, 2008
7:30 a.m.
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SouthernBuff writes:
it always amazes me how people can draw conclusions about something they do not witness... I am mostly neutral on the Broncos but Chiefs fan, you obviously did not watch the NO game. Let's say Grammatica hits that field goal. The way the game was going, the Donkos get it back at 2:00 or so, drive the field and at a minimum get the field goal to win it. Very, very likely scenario given the way that game was going. No one would be crying about luck and everyone would be talking about the brilliance of Cutler, how he looked like Elway in the 4th, etc. Tons of games are lost every season, often each week, because of missed field goals. Blah, blah, blah.
While I agree the SD win was luck (never mind SD still could have stopped the Denver TD and two-pointer, the lowest odds play in the NFL), the NO game was not. Lots of teams get lucky in this way. It's because the game is imperfect and therefore beautiful... The Giants won a title last year in part because of that fact. It's drama we all like as NFL fans.
Broncos lose to Chiefs in KC... Gee, that never happens! No matter how bad the Chiefs are they usually beat Denver in KC. Trivia time: 1997, Denver wins Super Bowl. Did they lose in KC that year?
By the way, good luck to the Chiefs when they play in Denver. Please. That team is horrible.
While I am skeptical I still see Denver as a good team. If they win this week against a good TB team then I think they should be considered a likely playoff contender. They do have a lot of tough road games ahead, though.
September 30, 2008
7:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Rutabaga writes:
I think we should stop giving the fuel the the critics. Fuel is too expensive... That's my joke for the day.
Here is what I think... The Broncos should not worry so much about the critics. They should worry more about tackling people and doing stuff that wins games. Leave the big worries to us, the guys who like to write things here. We worry when you play good. We worry when you stink. We just like to worry. It's fun. So Broncos, you guys play football and leave the worrying to us. We are the experts at this.
Go Broncos... To The Championship and Beyond
September 30, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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can_am_broncofan writes:
i like what southern buff wrote itsvery true. also i don't think people are trying to be mean with their comments we're trying to be helpful and maybe coaches will actually read this stuff and maybe take some of these suggestions under advisement. wishful thinking right? i/we just want the best for our broncs! its a long season.
September 30, 2008
10:08 a.m.
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incognitoboy writes:
block.
tackle.
cover.
score. (often)
stop the other guys.
don't let the other guys stop you.
pretty simple, right?
as the old college adage goes, and i believe this was bought up during the last game, "the other guys are playing on scholarship, too".
GO BRONCOS!!
September 30, 2008
10:32 a.m.
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BigRedCelt writes:
I too agree with SouthernBuff. And Can_Am, unfortunately people are trying to be mean. The sad reality in a forum such as this. People spew all kinds of garbage they wouldn't have the sack to do in person.
So we're 3-1. Right where I figured we would be after four games. Only I thought the loss would be to SD. Anyway, going into the season I was just looking for improvement. A sign the team was heading in the right direction. We've seen that. The O is dynamic and I really think Torain will ad dominance to the running game.(I would really like to see Pitman running it now). Yep the D stinks, but guess what? You can't fix all the problems in one off season. As young as the O is it looks as though we can count on that performance for years to come. That youth is also going to cost them a few games this year. Sunday being a prime example.
The doorknobs on here spewing SB talk was just silly. Possible? Sure, but not realistic. I love the direction of this team. I'm looking for a playoff birth this year. A win in the first round would be hot. Full focus on the D in the off season and this team has the makings to be a solid SB contender for the next 10 yrs. Fret not real fans...I've been on the bandwagon for almost 40 yrs. Up and down it's been a great ride.
Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 30, 2008
11:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
philvysor writes:
The Broncos should be 1-3 at this point, Lucky call from ref. Missed field goal and another lucky break against SD. The Broncos will be 9-7 at the end of the year. All Bronco fans just accept the fact your team is not that good, 1 of the worst defense's in the league and no special teams coverage. The offense is par at best, once the Broncos start playing the above average teams you will see how bad your team really is.
September 30, 2008
11:22 a.m.
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BroncoBrad writes:
I agree with BigRedCelt. Last season we looked absolutely terrible in most games. A few games, we looked like we could play with the best of the teams in the league. There were a number of glaring weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Offensively we needed a RB, WR, OL. Defensively we needed DL, SS, FS, LB. Shannahan attempted to address all these needs in the offseason. As any loyal fan of the Broncos can see, you cannot build a team by filling numerous holes through free agency as we have attempted to do in the past. The key to building a championship team is to draft wisely. Give these current Broncos a chance to develop. Shannahan has finally realized this over the past few years. Unfortunately, since the Broncos have done reasonably well over the past twenty plus years, we rarely get into the top 15 in the first round. Three years ago, we were fortunate to break the top 15 and look at the benefits of that draft. We get Cutler in the first round, and draft Scheffler and Marshall in the later rounds. Last year we pick up Ryan Harris and this year we get Clady in the first and Royal in the second. We picked up Torain, who reports during training camp indicate he is the real deal. The offense is set for a long, long time. The Defense will take some time to revamp. We still need two safeties, a corner opposite Bailey (Bly is overrated), three D lineman to play with Elvis, and at least one LB to pair up with D-Wil. Not to mention that Bailey is getting closer to the end of his career than he is the beginning. Our focus in the next several drafts need to be Center on the O-Line, three D-lineman, and a hard hitting safety. A great pass rush goes a long way to making a defense tough to line up against. A great front four also makes the secondary much much better (see NY Giants superbowl victory). We don't need a dominant Defense to win, just one that can bend but not break like back in 97-98.
Most importantly, keep the faith loyal Broncos fans. There will be bumps in the road. As much as I hate the close games, I'll take the shootouts over the 15-12 games any day! I've been a loyal fan for 25 years (I'm 31 by the way) and I'm much more excited about the current and future prospects of this team now than I have been since the days of number 7. The Defense will improve. It improved last year down the stretch. Keep in mind they are back to a new scheme this year with a new D-Coordinator, again. Give them time. They'll make adjustments and keep building from the draft. In my opinion, we are only a few defensive players away from a potential Dynasty. With the offense we have ,with hardly a starter outside of their mid to late 20's, a few good defensive starters will go a long way to restoring our position at the top of the AFC.
September 30, 2008
11:34 a.m.
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SouthernBuff writes:
Philvysor... I guess some people don't like certain teams. I love San Diego and would definitely not call them below average (using your silly argument). I don't think New Orleans is below average, either.
The fact is it remains to be seen if this team is good or not. This is true for a lot of teams after four games. Defenses come together and offenses get figured out by opponents, so who knows... Look at the Chargers the last several years or the Giants last year -- they were 2-2 after four games and their defense was just awful, allowing 30 points/game or something like that and playing terrible. I think things worked out for them. My point is not to parallel the Donks and G-men but to say that four games in things are far from settled.
Plus there is a big factor no one is looking at right now -- Torain is due back for Denver soon. If he returns to form the Broncos can play a more balanced game and control the clock better than they have so far, which helps the defense. I read a national columnist who made the same point (about Torain) yesterday. The kid could be a beast. The same columnist identified how the Umpire in the KC game did not call the spear on Cutler -- the guy had two steps AFTER Cutler threw the ball and STILL hit him in the back! No call. Happens every week.
Let's all check in again after eight games. We'll be talking either playoffs or next year's draft! NFL football is great.
September 30, 2008
11:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
blysucks writes:
Shanny and these defensive players are in fantasy land. This defense is horrific and no offense, especially one full of young players, can overcome having to score 35 a week to win. The excuses are almost Wade Phillips like. This season, the offense may allow the team to sneak into the playoffs. But nearly every free agent dollar and every draft pick needs to go on defense as the offense is set for years. But anyone called SUPERCHIEF should look at his own team. Enjoy the win, it will be your last until at least week 16. You could win your last 2 games, but that means 3-13 AT BEST! That Chief team may truely be one of the worst of all time. Unlike other bad teams like Detroit, Oakland, or Miami, the Chiefs not only are young and bad, but nearly devoid of talent. Those other teams have some talented young players and some hope. The Chiefs have a past his prime Gonzalez, a slightly past his prime LJ, Bowe,and hope for Dorsey. THAT IS IT! Any Chief fan should shut the hell up about all other teams. Mizzou would be a 7 point favorite on that high school team, and I'd lay the points. It only tells how bad the Denver d is that they're sorting to the laughable "other than those 2 60 yard runs we gave up..."
September 30, 2008
3:58 p.m.
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philvysor writes:
Buff, I understand what you are saying and I agree with you to a certain extent. But the question still remains can the Bronco's defense stop the points from adding up? The toughest part of their schedule is coming up:
Sun. Nov. 16 — at Atlanta, 11 a.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Nov. 23 — OAKLAND, 2:05 p.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Nov. 30 — at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Dec. 7 — KANSAS CITY, 2:05 p.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Dec. 14 — at Carolina, 11 a.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Dec. 21 — BUFFALO, 2:05 p.m. (KCNC)
Sun. Dec. 28 — at San Diego, 2:15 p.m. (KCNC)
Only one of these games should be a guarantee. The Raider game. And they play the BUCS this week no easy task.
September 30, 2008
8:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
cutlerscrew writes:
3-1 thats what the record is and thats what it should be ....enuff of this 1-3 b.s. every team has at least 2 games a season where the other team can say...if it wasnt for this or that bla bla bla....bad calls and missed kicks are part of the game....every game otherwise they would just award 3 pts to a team when they get inside the 30....DUH! im sick of hearing it we are one of the highest scoring teams in the league...end of story .
deal with it we will be in the playoffs and anything can happen then so,jump off or stay i dont care just dont be doomin and gloomin my team,cuz i waited all offseason for this and its gonna be awesome!
GO BRONCOS!