Chargers Take AFC West, Broncos Head Back To The Drawing Board
by John Bena on Dec 28, 2008 9:19 PM MST
in 2008 Denver Broncos Post Game Notes
Email
PrintFINAL
| Category | Broncos | Chargers |
| Score | 21 | 52 |
| Rushing Yards |
90 | 289 |
| Passing Yards |
316 | 202 |
| Total Yards | 406 | 491 |
| T.O.P | 23:40 |
36:07 |
There will be so many things said, so many things written and read over the next few days and weeks that there is no need to be first, or to pile on. The Denver Broncos season, circa 2008, has come to an end, and while we are all disappointed, and it is ok to be pissed as well, there are alot of things we will take away from the 2008 season and move forward with. We'll be getting to that in earnest as the days and weeks click by to free agency, then the draft. For now, let's focus on tonight.
I'll start by sending a message of Congratulations to the San Diego Chargers and to DaBolts over at Bolts From The Blue. I said three weeks ago that whom ever won the AFC West would be a deserving champion. While we had hoped that would be the Broncos, in the end it just wasn't to be. The Chargers maintain their stake to the division and are deserving.
Tonight's game was much like the entire season for the Broncos. They started fast, seemed to be able to move the ball at will, missed some kicks, threw some interceptions, in each Red Zone, of course, and just didn't have enough when it mattered most to get over the hump. Some of that is youth, some health. The Chargers have more talent in their locker room, and the NFL is a talent-driven league. The Broncos are on their way, and I think the Chargers have taken notice, but there is still work to be done and it will fall, we assume, to the Goodman's and Mike Shanahan to build a youthful defense with as much talent as the offense seemingly has.
One thing to be proud of was the resiliency the Broncos showed throughout the evening. There were several times the Broncos could have packed it in but they didn't. They played the entire 60 minutes with premium effort. That was what The Quest was all about for me -- to see this team grow, mature, and give premium effort for 60 minutes. The final results weren't always what we wanted, and there were times when the effort could have been questioned, but to me the Quest has been a success and tonight was a big reason why.
Talk about the game here, and try to remember the good we found but about the Broncos in 2008. The Pro Bowl quarterback and wide receiver. The rookie class they may be among the best ever in Denver history. There are others and we'll have plenty of time to talk about it so for now I thank all of you and the Broncos themselves for the roller coaster ride that was 2008. We know what we have to do, now let's go do it.
88 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
im not worried
if we give him a contract extension…which i think he deserves…i think he will be fine. But he could be making a statement to bates or something….he needs to be involved more. I dont care how many guys are on him, we need to feed him the ball
"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards
With some help from'....
“Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville”* —’ the Broncos have struck out..’
“Wait until next year!”…… LOL
*Ernest Thayer
Oh there is good...
A lot of great things did happen this year and the Broncos have a lot to build on for next year. Lots of positives on offense, we’ll get our tailbacks back…so on.
There are several individual players on defense who will be bright spots but without a solid overall unit even these guys will continue to look ordinary.
I believe Denver has nine draft picks. They won one more game than last year. The great players they DO have are young and should be here for a long time.
Yeah there’s always an upside.
But it will be a couple of days before I can feel positive about any of it. LOL
I'm Done
Mike Shanahan has to go. I know, everyone who suggests that is derided as not being a real fan or met with ‘Who are we gonna get that’s better?‘. Well, the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons are in the playoffs with coaches that no one knew anything about. I’m tired of the excuses and tired of the faulty promises.
The assumption that we can attract top-quality free agents to plug in the holes is a fallacy which has been proven the last two off-seasons. This is a franchise living on reputation alone, and that is fading fast. While he is still no Al Davis, Pat Bowlen has a lot more in common with Jerry Jones than he does a Kraft, Irsay or Rooney.
I will not buy into this rebuilding project. Outside of the elite players, the young talent is not developing and our quality veterans best days are behind them. I will always lift my glass to Mike Shanahan for the memorable Super Bowl years and all that he did for the franchise in the ’90s, but he is no longer the man to lead this team.
I agree
The taboo subject of Shanny’s job security should at the very least be up for debate in my opinion. This is not an emotional reaction to a horrible game we just played either. The guy is getting figured out. The league knows him now. I don’t know if it would be the best thing for the organization yet. But, I think the question should definitely be up for debate.
Very good post and totally even keeled...
But I think Shanny needs one more year with these provisos:
1/ GM duites taken from him.
2/ Bring in Scott Pioli and hire TOP FLIGHT co ordinators that will develop the enormous talent we have in our young coaches and players
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Count me in......
…I’m a fan of recognizing time/effect has passed him by. The team record now for three years supports that……
Who said “"will not miss the playoffs”…………I can’t remember a season where most everything was trying to give you the playoffs . ….
by rockymtnfan on Dec 28, 2008 10:01 PM MST up reply actions
Look at it this way
I mean God forbid we let go of Shannahan and all the great things that have come with him. I would hate to replace 3 straight non-playoff seasons and one playoff win in ten fricken years. Not to mention his teams routinely collapsing as the season wears on. That would be just too much for me to handle. This guy deserves to be treated like royalty, obviously. No one mention a thing about his job security. He is the mastermind after all, right?
We are in a rebuilding process, that's a fact.
Did you seriously expect this team to compete for a SB this year? If so, I can see your disappointment. I agree that the subject of firing Shanny shouldn’t be taboo and you make a good argument, but let’s let Shanny steer this rebuild through along with the Goodmans and his coaching staff. If we are not SB contenders in two years, then his time is up.
"Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."
The good....
- Clady and for that matter the pass protection for the whole season. It was stellar. Cutler could not possibly ask for anything more from that department.
- Eddie Royal. Who would have thought we found a legit number 2 when we drafted him in April? Not me.
- Marshall continued his excellent play. The guy is a stud.
- Cutler is going to be good, very good. Give him a running game and a top 15 defense and he will win big here.
- Stokely continues to be a viable 3rd down option
The problem is
that all of the good is on the offense.
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
Guru, your posts always make me feel better...
But I can not agree with you reagrding the effort of this team.
Yes, O and St tried all night, but the D was a disgrace. It flowed from coaches, who gave up first, to the veterans who helped to piss the game away early, and then it engulfed the whole D.
This was an EMBARASSING, NO EFFORT loss by this team. I have been hard on Jay Cutler, but tonight I felkt REALLY sorry for him. BM dropping balls, Eddie dropping balls…..the weight of the world on your shoulders…try the whole galaxy!!!
The only shining lightsd for this team were Jay and Tatum….with Stokes and our TE’s being solid…apart from that, a horid effort across the board, starting withg the coaching staff.
I dont want to start on my theory, but I will make a post in the next couple of days.
The only thing i wanted to see from our team was effort, keep the game close and play with some heart and passion.
Instead, I saw a team that was uninspired, led down the gutter by veterans, that ws complimented bu UNINSPIRED play calling on both sides of the ball.
the only positive from this game: Getting bblown out by 30 points in the most importnat game of this young teams life by a VERY ordinary San Diego team.
Shanahan better be in Pat Bowlen’s office tomorrow, pleading fro leniency, and handing out pink slips by the dozen, starting with Slowik.
On Tuesady, hire a DC, build a roster around his concepts, get rid of our veterans, and bring back the menbtality og the orange crush and Steve Atwater.
I will always be a BRONCOS supporter, but this was down right embarassing for our fans, our town, our state and our team.
Have a great news year everyone!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Don't confuse effort with lack of talent...
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
It was both...
and thats disturbing. When your best and most INSPIRATIONAL players are riding the bench and you thickhead, out of their depth, clueless coaches cant recognize this, then it leads to demorilization.
All the veterans, including Champ, need to go….and I never thought I would say that. My opinion of Champ has dropped, and his open support of Slowik has led me to those conclusions.
Sorry, thats the way I see it.
Give the Raiders, Champ, Dre and Slowik and we will take Nmandi, pair him with Bell and bring in a aggressive DC like Nolan and we are all set.
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
We need to Trade the following players for a bag of footballs...
Boss Bailey
Nate Webster
Dewayne Robertson
John Engelberger
Dre Bly
I would give both DJ and Champ another year..
I would throw Champ in that trade as well
Get the Bailey Bros. out of town. I’m sick of the Champ love.
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
I am starting to buy in on this after this season
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
nate webster is a free agent no
i think. so thats one less player we have to worry about :)
"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards
Don't forget Lowry
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
Detroit maybe Cleveland, they owe us for unloading their junk on us
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
8-8 is not deserving, being the least suckest team in a division is a hollow win
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
Biggest lesson at next years training camp
CORNERBACKS…PLAY UP ON THE RECEIVER! DON’T GIVE THEM 10 YARDS ON YOU!!!
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
Thats schematical and why Slowik has to go
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Also the reason
That Champ has to go. He has that mentality and he passes it along to everyone else.
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
Agreed. He is Slowik's biggest supporter.
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
oh yea..
and Defense, put up a fight in the most important game of the year!!!! But i think they might have learned that lesson now, or not
"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards
Does anyone have a complete list of all our free agents?
Jules: Tell 'em, Vincent.
Vincent: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese.
Jules: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese! You know why they call it that?
Brett: Because of the metric system?
Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart mother******. That's right. The metric system.
Not much to say after watching that game.
While I didn’t think we would win the game, I did think our defense would be better. Yes, I know they are bad, but 52 points….come on now.
I have really disliked the Chargers, however I without a shadow of a doubt, HATE them completly. I mean they were up 45-21 and were going for it on 4th down with less than two minutes left in the game. That shows they have absolutely NO CLASS whatsoever.
I really hope the Broncos are thinking about this the whole offseason.
Let the countdown to the draft start and hopefully we can get some solid defensive players along with a RB.
"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan
Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 9
Cutler needs to get the whole team together for off season workouts
instead of just him and scheff and marsh
They should start drawing up
Some team bonding activities. Bowling, anyone? I’ll bet Cuts would beat everyone in a good game of bowling.
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
hehe
at least when he bowls he can’t throw a red zone int
by Sneaky Sean on Dec 28, 2008 10:19 PM MST up reply actions
He'd probaby find a way
To do that. I’ll bet Brandon Marshall drops the ball just before he throws it down the lane. Then Jamie Winborn celebrates for every pin he knocks down.
The Adventures of King Royal and Phyllis The Jester
by Greyson on Dec 28, 2008 10:23 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
ha! nice.
hear me, perpetrators of bread crime, your punishment is at hand.
taste my blintzkrieg!
all i want for xmas is blitzen.
Out of all our free agents, I think the only one we keep is kenny peterson
…he’s not a great starter but he’s perfect if you have a nice rotation, which is something we need to strive for…
And how much will it cost to cut Niko K?
Jules: Tell 'em, Vincent.
Vincent: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese.
Jules: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese! You know why they call it that?
Brett: Because of the metric system?
Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart mother******. That's right. The metric system.
Such a horrible deal...
…let’s dump him off like Colbert..
Jules: Tell 'em, Vincent.
Vincent: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese.
Jules: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese! You know why they call it that?
Brett: Because of the metric system?
Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart mother******. That's right. The metric system.
Now that I look back at that deal
were we trying to get back at them for the niko deal :) I know they cut him, but holmgren was prolly taling him up to shanny
by Sneaky Sean on Dec 28, 2008 10:23 PM MST up reply actions
Can't cost us as much as wasting a roster spot for him next year
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
true, but we have PLENTY of others
that are more of a roster spot
by Sneaky Sean on Dec 28, 2008 10:21 PM MST up reply actions
He aint that bad on special teams...
…he’s just the highest paid special teamer in the league….
Jules: Tell 'em, Vincent.
Vincent: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese.
Jules: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese! You know why they call it that?
Brett: Because of the metric system?
Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart mother******. That's right. The metric system.
Larsen was better on ST from what I saw, and makes a hell of a lot less
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
slowik and atleast 8 starters should pack their bags and never come back
by Northern_Bronco on Dec 28, 2008 10:21 PM MST reply actions
They should go straight ot the CFL
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
That's too good for them, I say ship them to Raiders
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
How much money will we have?
And what’s the biggiest contract coming off the books?
Jules: Tell 'em, Vincent.
Vincent: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese.
Jules: A (Eddie) Royale with cheese! You know why they call it that?
Brett: Because of the metric system?
Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett! You're a smart mother******. That's right. The metric system.
From what I saw, we should have about 30 million under the cap, doesn't count signing draft picks
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
we should get a refund from bailey(both) for this year.
How much of Champ being a “shut down” corner had to do with him not being thrown at than his actual ability? And will he ever be able to do what he did the first year he was here?
by Sneaky Sean on Dec 28, 2008 10:29 PM MST up reply actions
He got thrown at plenty tonight and was sorely wanting
Tonights game will effect his value…even being injured.
he got tore up tonight by Jackson and Gates,
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
I will for Nmandi and Micheal Bush
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
repeat after me.
“slo must go, slo must go,…” and the guys that can’t tackle with him. get some reinforcements, and boom, middle-of-the-pack in a year. one way of doing it, anyway. we will have to earn the d back in enver.
hear me, perpetrators of bread crime, your punishment is at hand.
taste my blintzkrieg!
all i want for xmas is blitzen.
We will have a new DC next year
We need a vote on here sometime in the next couple of weeks from available (and realistic candidates)
Greg Robinson is my choice- and I don’t care what shanny thinks at this point
Bowlen needs to pick the DC
I am sorry, but from what I can see, Shanahan doesn’t want anyone to challenge his authority, I think we need something like the old bears and have Mike soley responsible for the Offense and ST, and a true defensive coach like Buddy Ryan who will kick ass and take names and have ultimate responsibility of the defense but doesn’t answer to the HC. Shanahan can say this isn’t his fault, buthe has fired and hired all the DC and this is what it has gotten us.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
Not ready to give up on Shanahan
Yes, he’s the one who keeps hiring the defensive coordinators, but this team DOES have a real, quality offense for the first time in a long time. The 2008 draft was one of the best – perhaps the best we’ve ever had here. The 2006 class I think most would agree has worked out just fine. The jury is still out on 2007.
Denver has a lot of draft picks and room to maneuver under the salary cap. You build a long term contender through the draft and I think Shanahan finally bought into that over the last few years. Let’s see what they do with the defense over the offseason with the draft, and perhaps free agency.
You’ve seen the offense they’ve built here. You see what’s possible if you draft the right guys and work them into a suitable system. At least on one side of the ball this is without question the best team we’ve had here in years. Let’s give them a chance to work on the other side of the ball.
If we’re still having this conversation this time next year then I’ll have a harder time not agreeing with everyone who is ready to panic.
Wanted to get some things out of my head
I am completely over this year and looking forward to FA and the Draft. I was just looking at the standing and there are 11 teams that have better records then 8-8. Denver, Houston, Washington and New Orleans all have 8-8 records. They will all pick between 12-15. I think it is then decided by Division record. Houston and NO both are 2-4 in their Division so they will pick 12 & 13. Now Washington’s Division record is the same as ours at 3-3 but their conference record is 7-5 where Denvers is 5-7. So Denver will pick 14th.
Now I believe we have 10 picks in the upcoming drafts and I think the coaching staff is going to clean house on the defensive side of the ball. If it was up to me I would would only keep Doom, Marcus Thomas, DJ, Woodyard, Josh Barrett, Josh Bell and Champ. Now as the season has gone on I have been one of the people saying do not trade champ but now that the season is over I may have changed my mind. Now I do not trade Champ for draft picks because draft picks are unproven but if we can get a quality/star player for the from 7, more preferably for the front 4 then I say we trade him. These past couple of years have show that even one of the best CB’s ever cannot cover his guy when the front seven gives the opposing QB all day to throw. I am still back and forth on this subject.
In the next couple of month we will start to hear a bunch of info about draft prospects but i think we all agree we need a stud RB, DT, MLB and Safety the most. We also have to wait to see what underclassmen are leaving early. I want to give a couple of my favorites at each position.
DT 1. Alabama Terrence Cody 6-5 365 lbs. The kid is a run stuffer and thats about all he will do. He just takes up blockers so other guys can get the mismatch. This is exactly what we need because that would leave doom 1 on 1 and would allow our LB to run free
2.Peria Jerry 6-2 305 lbs This kid runs a 4.94 in the 40 at 305 pounds. He is crazy talented. This year he had 39 tackle, 10.5 TFL and 3 sacks and was one of the main reasons Ole Miss upset Florida.
Also throw in DeMarcus Granger out of OU in the second round if he drops. He has some off the field problems with shoplifting but he is a beast.
MLB. We all know about Maualuga and Laurinaitis and at least one of them should be there at 14. Also watch Brandon Spikes out of Florida. Spikes has 80 tackles, eight TFL, two sacks and four picks (two returned for touchdowns.)
Safety
1. Taylor Mays USC 6-4 225 4.45 40 which is said to be faster and seems to play faster then that. Watch him in the Rose Bowl Jan 1. I think he goes in the Top 10 but if he is there at 14 there is no way we pass on this kid.
2. William Moore 6-1 227 4.45 40 I know Mizzou has a horrible D but this kid is one bright spot he is big and fast and lays out people.
RB I really don’t know with this one there is a bunch of great backs that might come out this year. My favorite has to be Shonn Greene. The kid is 5-11 235 but only runs a 4.5 in the 40. However this kid is a one cut type of back that Denver needs. He also ran for over 100 yards in every game this season. His season total 278 attempts 1729 yards 6.2 avg 17 TD. He is the only reason Iowa is going to a bowl game this year. Watch this kid in the Outback Bowl on Jan 1 Iowa vs South Carolina. You will be impressed. Also a mid round steal I think will be Demarco Murray out of OU the Kid is an absolute beast for how only weighing like 200 pounds. For being smaller this kid runs with a lot of power
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 29, 2008 12:59 AM MST reply actions
I think they pick at 12
The tie break is based on Strength of Schedule. Denver (I think) had the easiest out of the 4 teams at 8-8. This gives them the highest pick.
Darren Bennett... check
Ben Graham... check
Sav Rocca... check
Now if only we can find an Australian who can run and tackle in the NFL and show these Yanks what we're made of.
by orange&blue_aussie on Dec 29, 2008 6:02 AM MST up reply actions
Also Watch
Mitch King in the outback bowl. He will be a second day pick. At 6-3 280 he is undersized for a DT but has a non stop motor and is super strong. The gives his all on every play. His heart and determination remind a lot of DOOM. I Think he would be a good pick in the 4-5 round
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 29, 2008 1:03 AM MST reply actions
We also need to bring in a good GM
Scott Pioli from the patriots would be great. he would bring some direction that this team desperately needs
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 29, 2008 1:45 AM MST reply actions
DONT FORGET
Ya the D was bad this year but don’t forget the O went 3&out WAY to many times and the turnovers were UNACCEPTABLE! not to mention the Total lack of TIME OF POSSESSION! Special Teams wasn’t much better.
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
YOU CAN'T BLAME IT ALL ON THE D THATS WHAT SHANAHAN KEEPS DOING. HE NEEDS TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR
Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!
The problem is
We have the talent on the OFF side of the ball. Its a lot of pressure knowing you have to score every time because your D can not stop anyone. The D is the weakest link on this team
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 29, 2008 2:31 AM MST up reply actions
Also sooner or later
Cutler needs to show he can win the big games. He has not won any big games in his 3 years. He always chokes and throws INT
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 29, 2008 2:34 AM MST reply actions
This just in...
According to the Denver Post, Mike Shanahan has announced that defensive coordinator Bob Slowik will stay.
You read that right.
I would normally be all for giving a guy at least two shots at something like this but as I’ve mentioned in here ad nauseum, his two predecessors were fired for fielding defenses not even HALF as bad as the 2008 unit.
There’s something to be said for continuity because switching coordinators and schemes as often as Denver has certainly contributed to the problem. But I am more than a little shocked to her Shanahan announce a personnel decision like that one minutes after a season ending 31 point beatdown to a division rival.
We’re through the looking glass here people. Someone make me believe we can be better with the same guy at the wheel next year.
Right on, I can live with this.
Continuity trumps everything here. I realize the coach of one of the worst defenses in team history has culpability, and I’m so pissed with how the last quarter of the season went that it would be nice to see Slo’s head on a pike outside dove valley; however changing coordinators and systems every year can be devastating to young players.
"Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."
I am OK with Slowik staying but not as DC
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Buncos Botch Another Season
What a despicable display of athleticism don’t you all think? The Bronco’s made me ashamed to be a fan and ‘something’ has got to change, I don’t necessarily think it is Shannahan but something has to be done so the Bronco’s can at least be contenders in the games they play. I’d ditch Cutler before I’d ditch Mike.
Personally, I was appalled last week by their display at home against the Bills and the fact that they could have sown up the AFC West three weeks ago, I simply knew they would lose to the Chargers on the road and they surely lived up to the Broncos reputation!
Only positive now is that I don’t have to watch them lose in the playoffs!
Yes, Cutler Sucks!
They should have never benched Plummer, I mean come on…one game away from the SB and the next season Mikey sits down Plummer and starts then rookie Cutler and Jay has never shown anything to me to make me believe he is a legitamate NFL caliber QB and he still hasn’t!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mile High Report
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Getting Social With MHR
Web Stuff
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
