Suprised?

by ejruiz on Dec 28, 2008 8:55 PM MST

When the dusts settles, we'll see that this team was lucky to finish 8-8.

We won five games by a combined 14 points (none of those by more than four points) and never lost a game by fewer than seven. In other words, this bunch was a whole heck of a lot closer to 3-13 and the #4 pick in the draft than to 9-7 and a playoff appearance.

The defense looks like a bottom-feeder unit in a middle school flag football league, the special teams are the wrong kind of "special" and the offense is a double-edged sword that the coaching staff seemingly hasn't learned how to wield yet.

I was quite literally sick to my stomach watching this disgraceful performance tonight. For the first time in my fandom, I am embarassed of my team.

There is simply no excuse for this. Not the slew of injured RB (wait, Torain and Young got hurt; who could have seen that coming? A converted FB carrying the load for the first time since highschool got injured... really?? A few scrap-heap, undrafted FA-types failed to hold up to the rigors of #1 RB on an NFL team???) or any other injuries because they were just as predictable.

This franchise is now 24-24 in the last three years, without a postseason appearance. The defense has gotten progressively worse (from bad in 2006, to terrible in 2007, to downright putrid in 2008) and the offense, while finally taking another step forward, is likely maxed out now (honestly, do you think any unit on that side of the ball could get much better?) and it's no where near consistent or powerful enough to make up for the D. While there aren't any offensive players I'd like to get rid of, I wouldn't lose sleep if our entire defensive roster was expunged in favor of some lucky assortment of random season ticket holders.

This team isn't a game away from playoff contention, it's a few lucky breaks gone bad away from irrelevance. We need AT LEAST one additional impact player at every single layer of the defense, an upgrade to special teams via improved depth and perhaps some new coaches to boot.

Wow, that was depressing. I hate writing that sort of negativity, but I couldn't possibly hold it in this time. Before the season, I thought this team would be like the 2007 Browns, give or take a game here or there. Well, we mixed the worst parts of that Cleveland team and the effort that likely got a bunch of their management fired this year instead. It was the most frustrating season I have ever experienced as a Broncos fan.

I know better days are coming and I intend to focus on that starting tomorrow, but for now I can't stand it. I wish I could say I was surprised...

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

In a word....

NO..

-TSG

SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport

Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com

by John Bena on Dec 28, 2008 9:21 PM MST reply actions

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 28, 2008 10:45 PM MST up reply actions

Lot's to fix in the offseason.

Defense has to be priority number 1.

Again.

by binford04 on Dec 28, 2008 9:22 PM MST reply actions

all i can say is.........

well i dont know what to say….we had a huge lead with four games left and we blew it…….this taste is going to be in my mouth for a long time

"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards

by broncoboy on Dec 28, 2008 9:30 PM MST reply actions

Shanny must see the light now, right?

How many times will defense kill this team? Will he go get a premium pass rusher now?

Touchdowns win championships?
Hillis for starter (next year). He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Dec 28, 2008 9:33 PM MST reply actions

lets hope so....

they def. have cap room to spend….right?

"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards

by broncoboy on Dec 28, 2008 9:34 PM MST up reply actions

They have it to spend.

Question is, will they spend it in the right place? Go get Peppers, please!

Touchdowns win championships? Seriously, get a freakin defense!
Hillis for starter (next year). He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Dec 28, 2008 9:36 PM MST up reply actions

and haynseworth while they're at it!!!!

"You play to win the game!"- Herm Edwards

by broncoboy on Dec 28, 2008 9:38 PM MST up reply actions

We can dream

Touchdowns win championships? Seriously, get a freakin defense!
Hillis for starter (next year). He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Dec 28, 2008 9:48 PM MST up reply actions

It made me sick

to hear Al and John say how horrible our defense is. And they took it easy on us. They could have been much more cruel and unusual.

52 POINTS!

Touchdowns win championships? Seriously, get a freakin defense!
Hillis for starter (next year). He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Dec 28, 2008 9:40 PM MST reply actions

Well, two things

I think the offense can get better, get a solid RB and more consistency out of the QB as far as fewer bad throws, Royal should get better, and I think Marshall can get more consistent. I agree that we need a total upgrade and over haul on defense, but I think there may be some gems that need to be polished on D like Larsen, Woodyard, and Barrett, but otherwise I have to agree with you.

Simply put, when we lose to Oakland and KC, there is nothing positive about the season.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Dec 28, 2008 9:54 PM MST reply actions

"Royal should get better,"

Just thought I’d point out that Eddie Royal had 91 catches in his rookie year, 2nd best for a rookie in NFL history.

To bear up under loss, to fight the bitterness of defeat and the weakness of grief, to be victor over anger, to smile when tears are close, to resist evil men and base instincts, to hate evil and to love love, to go on when it would seem good to die, to seek after the glory and the dream, to look up with unquenchable faith in something evermore about to be, that is what any man can do, and so be great.

Zane Grey

by bradley on Dec 29, 2008 11:34 AM MST up reply actions

Inspired post..

And took the word out of my mouth.
When mike Clark signs off at the end of the hald, thats a sign of a SHITHOUSE effort.
Yep, I am embarassed by our team, and the buck stops at Shanny and his pro coaches.
We should call his staff “Mini Vans” because they are half coaches.
I want to see hwolesale changes on D in both co0aches and players, starting with “players” coach Slowik.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Dec 28, 2008 10:06 PM MST reply actions

defense is lacking

The lack of run defense, and pass rush has killed Denver all season. Denver finished
28th in team defense in the NFL, which was behind the Raiders in 27th. Champ was
injured most of the season, and the lack of pass rush led to teams picking apart the secondary. The Broncos need another Al Wilson like Middle Linebacker, and they need
to bring in an all pro caliber defensive end.

by todd7 on Dec 28, 2008 10:17 PM MST reply actions

How many of the 30 year old defenders should we keep?

This current roster has 13 defensive player that are currently 29 or older. Champ is the only one I might consider keeping. Bly, Webster, Green, Ekuban, Engleberger, McCree, Manual, Fox, Shaw, Peterson, Winborn, and Boss Bailey. Send them all over the hill.

by DBinKC on Dec 28, 2008 11:26 PM MST reply actions

Keep Bly.

He’s only got one year left on his contract. And who are you going to replace him with? Jack Williams? Or an undrafted free agent like Josh Bell?

Keep Ekuban for the same reason. He’s our best run stopping end, and we can’t stop the run. Do the math…

Keep Winborn as well. He impressed me late in the year, even if I hate his celebratory antics.

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 29, 2008 11:29 AM MST up reply actions

They didn't quit

For the first time in my fandom, I am embarassed of my team.

I’m not for one simple reason, They didn’t quit. I saw this team quit 3 times last year, and I saw it at least in the NE game this year. Quit right there in the middle of the game. They didn’t tonight. even when the game was over midway through the 3rd quarter, they kept fighting. That is something I’m proud of them for.

Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960

by Darin H on Dec 28, 2008 11:27 PM MST reply actions

Absolutely.

I don’t know how everyone is pulling this “no effort” card. We were beaten by a team that was 100% better than us. They had an answer for everything we tried. Sometimes that just happens. Even though it doesn’t make me ####### hate them any less. Phillip rivers can _____________________. Fill in the blank with whatever you like.

"During MHR Radio we laugh, sing, listen, shed a few tears, and learn all of Papi's dirty secrets." -TSG 12/7/08

by papigrande on Dec 29, 2008 11:32 AM MST up reply actions

Over And Done With.

I needed to vent (I could have used a dozen Coor’s Lights last night to try and wash the taste of that blowout out of my mouth) and I did, so that’s behind me and I can focus on the future. I’ll be analyzing out efforts this season, the draft and free agency, as well as anything else I can get my hands on so I can manufacture some hope. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on this post, especially since I was given the space to vent completely without being called out for anything. Now, on to the offseason!

Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/

by ejruiz on Dec 29, 2008 10:07 AM MST reply actions