Young Broncos show veteran maturity.
by The Gun Young on Oct 8, 2008 4:41 PM MDT
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PrintFlash back to pre-season criticism of the Broncos. Amidst all the commentary about the poor defense, poor D-line, poor LBs, poor O-line, Cutler being inconsistent, and the lack of receivers, the one comment which I thought was most bogus was "Who are the leaders on the Broncos?" "They have no one to lead them." "Where will the leadership come from when they are in a tight game, or face adversity?" Blah, blah, blah.
Well, our Young Broncos have shown as much maturity and leadership as any Bronco team in years. Yes, the 2005 team was very poised, but I think this team has so far shown just as much. Think about it.
We start the season on the road in hostile territory on Monday Night. Most home teams play lights out on Monday Night, especially against a division rival. Sure it was the Raiders, but we had a lousy rush defense, and the Raiders were one of the best rushing teams the previous year. Plus we had a new offensive line, and the Raiders actually had a decent pass rush (see Derick Burgess). SO WHAT HAPPENED? WE JUMP OUT TO A 27-0 LEAD AND GO ON TO KILL 'EM 41-14. SOME REAL MATURITY AND FOCUS WAS DISPLAYED IN THIS GAME.
Then we face SD, who had owned us for over two years. They had demolished us by more poinsts than any of us want to remember. The previous four games were not even close.
SO WHAT HAPPENS, WE JUMPT OUT TO A 21-3 LEAD. We then proceed to lose the lead, and lose the momentum, after some good SD offense, and a turnover by JC. SO HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THIS ADVERSITY OF LOSING THE LEAD AND TURNING THE BALL OVER? WE MARCH RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD AND NOT ONLY SCORE A TD, BUT ALSO CONVERT A 2PT CONVERSION TO WIN 39-38. OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP WAS DISPLAYED BY THE TEAM RESONDING TO ADVERSITY!
Then we face another one of the top QB's and offenses in the league - New Orleans. SO WHAT HAPPENS? WE JUMP OUT TO ANOTHER 21-3 LEAD FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW. However, once again, due to great offense by the opponent, they make a comeback, and the game gets within 34-32. Then as we are driving to put the game away, we have another late turnover (fumble by Scheffler). SO HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THIS ADVERSITY? OUR DEFENSE STOPS N.O. ON THIRD AND SHORT, AND WE FORCE A LONG FG, WHICH THEY MISS. EVEN IF THEY WOULD HAVE MADE IT, WE HAD 2 MINUTES AND OUR TIMEOUTS LEFT TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER WINNING FG, WHICH WE WOULD HAVE DONE, AS N.O. HAD NOT REALLY STOPPED THE BRONCOS ALL GAME. SO OVERALL, ONCE AGAIN, GREAT MATURITY AND PERSEVERANCE WAS SHOWN!
Then in week four, we have the bad game, most experts prior to the season had expected us to have 2-3 times by now. So, everyone says the Broncos are over-rated. They say they can not run the ball, that JC can not manage a game, that our defense can not stop anyone. And here comes the hot 3-1 Bucs. SO WHAT HAPPENS? WE HOLD THEM TO SIX POINTS UNTIL MID 4TH QUARTER, AFTER WE HAD BUILT A 16-6 LEAD. JC MANAGES THE GAME AND DOES NOT THROW A SINGLE INT. OUR DEFENSE GETS THREE SACKS AND AN INTERCEPTION. PLUS WE RUN THE BALL WHEN IT MATTERS MOST - AT THE END OF THE GAME, WHEN RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK. ONCE AGAIN, OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MATURITY SHOWN BY THE BRONCOS!
SO FOR THE SEASON, THE BRONCOS HAVE HAD ONE BAD GAME, BUT SHOW OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MATURITY IN FOUR OTHERS.
THEY SHOW THEY CAN WIN MANY WAYS (OUTSCORING THEM, BLOWING THEM OUT, OR WINNING A CLOSE LOW SCORING GAME).
THEY SHOW THEY CAN OVERCOME ADVERSITY (LIKE WINNING ON THE ROAD ON A MONDAY NIGHT, LIKE COMING FROM BEHIND AFTER BLOWING A LEAD, LIKE OVERCOMING SPECIAL TEAMS OR DEFENSIVE LETDOWNS, LIKE BEATING A GOOD TEAM AT THEIR OWN GAME- THE BUCS).
THEY SHOW THEY CAN WIN WITH DIFFERENT PLAY MAKERS (CUTLER, MARSHALL, ROYAL, STOKELY, PITTMAN, SCHEFFLER).
ALL THIS SEASON, THEY SHOW GREAT CHEMISTRY AS A TEAM. NO ONE IS SELFISHLY ASKING FOR THE BALL MORE. NO ONE EVER BLAMES THE OTHER UNITS OR PLAYERS. NO ONE MAKES EXCUSES, OR BLAMES THE REFS.
THIS TEAM IS TIGHT. THEY ARE A REAL TEAM. THEY HAVE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND MATURITY. THEY WORK HARD. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. THEY BELIEVE IN THE COACHES. BEST OF ALL THEY ARE YOUNG.
THEY DESERVE TO BE 4-1, BUT THEY AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET. THIS TEAM HAS GREATNESS WRITTEN ON IT'S FUTURE! GO BRONCOS!
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Love your work, Gun, but could you lay back off the caps lock? Your words are too great – ya don’t have to shout ;D
Fullbacks Rule
Broncos are 3-0 in games decided by 3 or less!
That is outstanding. If they keep winning the close ones, we will win the AFC West and possibly a bye in round 1 of the playoffs.
The whole Rookie thing is over rated and a croc of CRAP....
I dont believe that rookies cant be good and team leaders…this is horse hockey. Look our military….we send 18 year old kids to war, they lead platoons as 22/ 23 year olds…..sheez, my dad was a squadron leader at 19 during WWII…all I am saying is this.
Young guys will step up if you give them the chance…I coach kids in a different sport and by giving them the OPPORTUNITY and FRAMEWORK to work in they will surprise you EVERY time.
Shanny is trusting these young guys….I am SO impressed with the maturity that Jay Cutler is showing. The 2 I am most impressed with: Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall. Watch them interviewed, watch their answers…2 true team guys that come across as mature, team leaders.
Compare the way they hold themselves compared to TO, Chad Johnson, Roy Williams….its AWESOME!
Sorry for my rant, but this gives me the absolute S H I T s when all these experts say you cant be a leader and mature because it is your first year in the NFL as a 21 year old…..RIDICULOUS!!!
Agreed..............
I coach football and basketball and it has been proven over and over again that most kids or young people(not all but most) will rise to the expectations put on them, especially if they have a patient coach that is willing to help them learn to be leaders. People are usually pretty resilient if you give them the chance to be.
The player who thinks he can and the player who knows he can are two different players, which one are you???
ummmmm
I disagree on the youth in the miliatry being leaders at 18 or 19. WWII is a different animal than today. Granted there are EXCEPTIONS to every rule. But to say a 19 y/o can lead others into battle is a little niave. I SERVED and I know that are 18 an 19 y/o that could not lead you to head. Sure but also realize a rookie in the NFL is also 21-22 so your analogy is wrong. Plus in the military they have boot camp which goes from anywhere to 8 -13 weeks long and its breaking someone down and rebuilding them into the military;’s version. This strikies a cord with me. My son is 18 and I would not want him to lead soldiers or Marines into combat, cuz he doesnt have the experience or the knowhow to do such a huge task. As I said so I dont want this misconstrued, times were different in WWII compared to today.
I also believe that it is the individual that can be leader. Would you want to follow in the footsteps of Pacman Jones, TO, Plexiglass Burress, or someone like Cutler, Royal. I do believe it takes an extraordinary person to be a team leader as a rookie. There are veterans that will want to see these kids prove themselves first and I buy that.
Also one thing about the militay it a rank based profession. (sorry this analogy bugs the crap outta me)
somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong
by broncfanstuckinsd on Oct 9, 2008 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions
Often the young are more willing to learn,
which ends up leading to better maturity and leadership
Good post Gun
I think we are pleasantly surprised—especially with the play of our OL. I think Clady may just make it to the pro-Bowl this year.
The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.
I have to respectfully disagree
I think the fact that the team had two 21-3 leads, in consecutive weeks no less, and let the opposition back in the game is indicative of how there’s a serious LACK of maturity. I certainly appreciate the talent necessary to jump to 21-3 leads, as I appreciate the ability to flip the switch when the games became close again, but it seems to me mature teams keep their foot on their opponents throat until the game’s over. Blowing consecutive 18 point leads (and coming into KC extremely unprepared and losing to an inferior opponent) does not display maturity, in my opinion.
I miss Al
Some of both, I agree.
Blowing leads does show some lack of leadership, but coming back from behind and keeping your composure in close games (3-0) shows even more leadership, in my opinion.
The bottom line is wins, and that is the tipping point. If they blew leads and lost, then that is clearly a lack of leadership and immaturity. But the poise it takes to hang on or come back and still win outweighs the negative, and makes the overall evaluation a positive.
As Bill Parcels has been famous for saying, “You are what you are,” referring to wins and losses as the only evaluation and judgment which matters. The Broncos are 4-1, and 3-0 in games decided by 3 points or less. So the overall evaluation favors an example of leadership and poise.
by The Gun Young on Oct 9, 2008 4:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Gun, I think you have a good argument for the positives of this team!!
This week with Jacksonville and Monday Night at NE will tell us a story. I think you are right…I think you are right.
The best defense is a good offense!
I hope.
Broncosfan is SD
Did not mean to offend at all……I just will NEVER by in to the fact because a person is young they cant handle responsibility and leadership.
There are 1000’s upon 1000’s of people every day that have to grow up before their time.
My father was fighting in the Kokoda Trail as a 16-17 year old and was a squandron leader in WW2 as a 20 year old.
My only point is that their are situation where younger people will have the opportunity and the need to step up…..
Much respect to you and all that have served for their countries.
Lets go Broncos!
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