It appeared as if he had a receiver running a deep curl that was far more open than Moreno. I think Kyle’s worst throw of the night was when he got Buck laid out at the end of the game.

Luvd the guy but the team became stale with him. I am happy to see that we are headed int he right direction. Defense, miracle in my eyes after all of the non movement in the offseason and to have them playin the way they are is outstanding. They hung in there even this week (except for 3 long runs, which will hurt any time). I saw effort almost every play. From last year to this year is great. Our offense needs a kick start, Establish the run damn it, Knowshon needs to hit the hole and hit it hard. Its there but only for a split second and he has the skillz to do it. One thing I did notice about him in the last couple of games is that he doesn’t pop up after the play and run back to the huddle with that youthful enthusiasm he had early. BUT all is not lost brothers and sisters. I still have a good feeling we can bounce back. Washington came at a good time to get tuned for the stretch run. RUN IT DOWN THEIR THROATS BOYZ!!!!!!!!!!!

My replies were not directed at you. I understood what you wrote.

…your post reminds me a lot of the growing pains experienced in the transition to the Shannahan philosophy. He brought in players that were widely doubted— Eddie Mac and Rod Smith (Rod was already around but hadn’t been given much of a chance or a shot) come to mind (especially since they unseated proven guys like Anthony Miller and Mike Pritchard), and he had this wacky idea that he could build a running game with smurf offensive linemen and late round running backs. His ‘ineptitude’ was somewhat proven by his 8-8 start. I remember this, because I was one of the Shannahan detractors. His unconventional ideas split the grain of then conventional wisdom….and everybody knew that his way wasn’t the way you did business in the NFL. It wasn’t long before Dave Logan was screaming “Can you believe it!?!? They’re going to win this thing!!! You can go ahead and say it: The Broncos are world champs!!!!” I was very happy to be so wrong about the the doofus with stupid ideas.

So I get the sentimentality for what we are used to. The fact is, this is a new philosophy, and no matter how much we all rattle the cage for what we are accustomed to, this franchise is headed in a different direction and driven by a new way of thinking. I would have liked to see McD stick with the status quo in the running game— it certainly worked. But thats up to point where I realize that it doesn’t mesh with the direction he wants to go. He does not believe, for example, that the QB transcends the team and that the position is the alpha and the omega of a great offense. He likes cerebral, disciplined drop back passers that make solid decisions. Moving the QB or the pocket— which is a necessity when you have small offensive linemen— does not mesh with the type player he wants pulling the trigger. He passes to set up the run. He is not interested in forcing his will on a defense, but rather exploiting what the defense offers. I could go on and on…but it leads to to the same point.

Which is, in the words of Bill Parcells: “Stop kicking the dog, its already dead.” This isn’t Shanny ball anymore— this isn’t old school NFL thinking anymore— this is a different philosophy and as soon as ‘Bronco Country’ reaches a level of acceptance on that matter, its going to be very difficult and frustrating to enjoy your favorite team.

I say a 6-2 start should bring at least a level of optimism and patience. The kid seems to know at least a little bit about what he’s trying to do. I can’t wait to see what happens when all the personnel fit his philosophy, but I think its unrealistic to expect that to happen in one off season and half a regular season.

Nobody is questioning your credentials as a not-for-profit humanitarian. I’m sure you recycle, drive a Prius, donate to "save the baby fur seals foundation", and are a wonderful human being in general. I don’t mean to make this a personal attack.

If you truly didn’t, then why even post it at all? Surely you recognize, at least, how snidely this comes across?

As to the rest of your post, I’m with PO- Shanahan’s gone. I, as one long-time fan, am glad for that. I appreciate what the man did for the team, but the fact was that it was time to move on, and I’m glad we are.

You’re just looking to express your opinions (entitled) and have chosen to pick some sort of fight with me over it. Why? I have no idea. I’m not going to get into one with you. As I mentioned in my original post, and in my first response to you above, I don’t really think I was defending Kyle Orton or making a ton of excuses for him.

I was criticizing Legwold and Krieger for the sloppy manner in which they went about trying to make their points about the passing game. That’s it. Notice, that has nothing at all to do with Kyle Orton or what I think of him.

You’re welcome to share your feelings on Orton here. I just don’t know why you’re trying to get a rise out of me in doing so…

You achieved it pretty effortlessly.

Nobody is questioning your credentials as a not-for-profit humanitarian. I’m sure you recycle, drive a Prius, donate to "save the baby fur seals foundation", and are a wonderful human being in general. I don’t mean to make this a personal attack.

All personal remarks are out of bounds. Period. Your views on the Broncos are welcome, but setting them up with personal snark isn’t. Thanks.

Orton cannot be as good as Brady. That is outrageous.

I will never understand why some people won’t give Brady the credit he has earned. Brady was the QB on three Super Bowl winners and one loser. He also was the QB the best offensive in the NFL history during 2007. His team has been good to amazing every year he was the starting QB. It’s not lucky at this point.

Brady is one of the best QBs ever to play in the NFL. He has got the rings and stats to prove it.

Brady > Orton.

Don’t be a homer to the point of embarrassing. Sheesh.

Orton can be just as good as Brady

And I am as good looking as Brad Pitt. Seriously, there are times where a reality check is warranted. And this is definitely one of them.

Agreed, with one exception: Brandon Marshall. For my money, he has been much better this year. He’s dropped fewer balls, catching 67% of passes thrown to him, vs. 57% last year. Even if you’re not statistically inclined, the eyes confirm the evidence. He’s been better in the red zone (On pace for 3 more TDs in a much less pass-happy and lower-scoring offense). No fumbles (vs. FOUR last year). And he’s really starting to use the system to his advantage. Fewer overall yards, sure, but the logic of the system says to spread the ball around. He’s a very efficient player within the system.

I’m as baffled by Hillis as anyone. I mean, why wouldn’t you send short passing plays in his direction, then see who’s strong enough to tackle him?

Royal has looked lost. But he’s shown improvement of late. And in general, he seems like a sound enough player that I’m willing to guess it takes some time to learn the new system.

Or are they not being utilized correctly? Even Moreno, the 12th pick in the draft, hasn’t set the world on fire. Does it also have to do with utilizing a blocking scheme, and other schemes, that don’t fit the skills we have?

I still think McD must be one heckuva coach to have started 6-0 and put together such a competitive team so quickly. However, we have yet to see too much of his offensive genius on display.

I need a cloning machine for work anyways… =P

But what I was just trying to say is that it’s unfair to label some fans’ obsession with another Elway as being unreasonable or embarrassing. It’s not… it’s in my mind still perfectly understandable, even if we are a decade removed from #7 stepping off of Mile High for the last time.

And I can freely admit that I myself am still guilty of this from time to time… he was the greatest ever, it’s hard to let go.

FWIW, I was never one of the fans that ever called for Elway to be benched or traded. No matter the odds, I always felt like we had a chance to win with him under center (or guard even, lol).

Unless that pigeon comes back. That is the Raiders’ secret weapon.