Potent Quotables - Raiders 20 - Broncos 19
by John Bena on Dec 20, 2009 7:20 PM MST
in 2009 Denver Broncos Game Recap
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PrintDENVER BRONCOS HEAD COACH JOSH MCDANIELS
General
"I give the Raiders credit. We knew coming in, it would be a good, tough-fought hard division game, similar to the first one. They certainly did more than we did at the line of scrimmage. They took advantage of the opportunities down low in the red zone, we struggled to do that. Any time you have to kick field goals in a game it's going to be close, it's going to be costly in the end. They made a few more plays than we did and I give the coach credit. And their staff, they did a nice job and had a good game plan and I give them credit, we have to go back to work."
On the Raiders running game
"They have good backs. We didn't play the running game nearly as well as we would've liked to. There's no question about that. They had a bunch of big runs and that was really key. They changed the field position in two or three plays there on two or three drives. We had them backed up at the eleven and three plays later they are in the end zone. Any time you are going to give up 25-30 yard runs or more in a game, those are going to pile up on you. I think they may have had half their yards on four carries. We didn't play sound enough. We didn't play fundamentally as well as we would like to play and they took advantage of it."
On Kyle Orton's pass to OT Ryan Clady
"It was a gadget play...I wouldn't have called if I didn't think it would work."
On missing two players at Safety position
"From what I was able to gather during the course of the game I didn't feel (S) David Bruton let us down at all, he wasn't a big liability today. That's not an excuse for the ball to continually get to the secondary. We need to do a better job before it gets there and we didn't do that today."
On having to settle for field goals
"We got it down there to the two and I think negative runs first of all, I think the first or second drive there had a negative run, a negative play. Took a sack, had a penalty in the last drive there and at the 2-yard line went backwards again. Any time you end up in the red zone and you end up in second and longer or third and longer, it's trouble because you don't have enough space to do a lot in the passing game to try overcome that. We had three shots within the 3-yard line at the end and didn't get it in. We've got to execute better and find a way to punch the ball in there whether it be in the running game or the passing game and we didn't do that today."
On if delay of game affecting their play
"It didn't. It was both teams. It was green light that was hitting players in the face so they were taking every precaution to make sure we were safe out there."
On the playoff race
"I have no idea what else happened today so I'm not sure I can comment properly on that. You go from being able to win three and get in automatically to now you've made it hard on yourself, there is no question. Winning two is the best we can do know. We are going to get ready to play Philadelphia and that is going to be a difficult challenge to go there and play a team that is playing really well right now. "
On RB Knowshon Moreno's play
"We've got to get more of a running game, not the back. The back's got to help them, the line's got to help them, the tight end's got to do better, the fullback's got to do better. We can do better. The running's game is everybody, when it works well, it's a lot of people working well together and when it doesn't work well it's a lot of people that need to do something different. Something a little bit better and today we struggled."
On Oakland's game-winning drive
"We were playing tight coverage and trying to take away the things that we thought they would go to, got them in third down situations, one fourth down situation. We also made some really plays, stayed in there and took some hits. I give them credit for coming in the game in the situation late and being able to play well and drive the football down there and make some really key throws. That's what decides a lot of close division games late in the year. They made the plays in the two-minute drive, we didn't."
On running the first play of each drive with RB Knowshon Moreno
"If you have a bad player in the game I don't think you can just cancel the running game the rest of the day. We have to block better, you've got to run better, you've got to call better plays. There are a lot of things that go into football to make it work. I'll be the first one to stand in line to say we have to do a better job."
On concern about the team's mental state
"No, every team in the same situation in term of having to deal with all the other distractions. We put ourselves in a situation where we've got to win two games and see what happens. There are a lot of teams that aren't in this situation. If we're concerned about our mental state now, we've got other issues. We're excited about the opportunity that we have."
On the decision to go with CB Tony Carter
"Tony's earned the opportunity, he really has and with what he's done in practice. I think he represented himself well today and for the most part I don't know how many balls were thrown at/or caught on him but I know he really played some key plays. I don't think he did a whole lot today to discourage us. A young guy playing his first National Football League football game and he held up well."
QB KYLE ORTON
On the frustration following the loss to Oakland
"It's frustrating. Losing at home to a division opponent is frustrating. We had already beat them once this year, and really (when we) started off the game, it looked like it was going to be kind of the same thing. We let them hang around, hang around, and they came back and got us."
On missed offensive opportunities
"We've got to start putting teams away, no question about it. All year, we've kind of let teams hang around, and we've been fortunate enough to win most of those games. You do it long enough and you don't put teams away, it comes back to bite you just like it did today."
On not putting the game out of the Raiders' reach
"(We had chances to put the game away) early and late. We had a chance to put them away in a four-minute offense (in the fourth quarter). We couldn't execute and didn't get anything done. We could've scored a touchdown down there at the last goal-line stand and couldn't get anything done and kicked a field goal from the 2(-yard line). When you do that and you just let teams continue to hang around, I don't care who they are, they're going to beat you."
On not executing in the red zone offensively
"That's the only problem (in the red zone) is execution. (We've had) good play calls, good looks-looks that we practiced against all week-and no execution."
On if the Broncos overlooked the Raiders
"I prepared for (the Raiders) harder than I have anybody all year, and I know the focus and the effort that we practiced with all week. We knew this was going to be a dogfight, and we knew we had to have it and came up short."
On not scoring a touchdown with first-and-goal at the Oakland 2-yard line in the fourth quarter
"We knew we had a chance to end it. This is the NFL, and when you've got a chance to end games and put them away, you've got to do it. This is a prime example of what happens when (you don't put teams away)."
On having only one big passing play on a 63-yard completion to WR Brandon Stokley in the fourth quarter
"That was a good play. We talked about it on the sideline. We got the look that wanted and we executed that one. That's great. I wish we could have stuck it in from there. I don't understand. They're good in the back end. I'll give them credit. They've got a good secondary, and it's tough to get away from those guys. Most of your big plays that you see on these guys throughout the year are runs and not necessarily passes. We were hoping for some explosive plays and really didn't get them, except for the one to Brandon."
On the Broncos' red-zone play selection showing a lack of confidence in the short-yardage running game
"I don't think so. We had the (quarterback) sneak early in the game from third-and-short and converted that one. (We) didn't get the next one. No, I don't think it was the lack of confidence in the running game. I think our running game has done pretty well, for the most part. Obviously, we've struggled in short yardage-I would say that we're searching. We're trying to find something that works down there. We're not just sitting here beating our head against the wall. We're trying to find things that will work, and it's just not happening right now."
On the implications of next week's game at Philadelphia
"We put ourselves in this predicament, so we've got to get ourselves out of it. (There's) only one way to do that, and that's work your butt off and work harder than you have all year to make sure that you're ready to play come Sunday, and I know we will be."
S DAVID BRUTON
On the penalties
"They just kept their drive alive. We just kept moving the ball for them when we had them stopped. The penalties just kept them alive."
On Oakland's quarterback change
"It didn't change anything, we treat every quarterback the same. They all have the same tendencies. [QB Charlie] Frye is the more athletic one, and we knew that [QB] JaMarcus Russell wasn't going to leave the pocket as much, so they might not use as many boots. But we stuck with the same game plan."
On the atmosphere in the locker room
"The atmosphere is low. Guys are not happy with the way things turned out. We should have pulled it out. We played well in the first game against them this year. We wanted to come out with a victory."
On a possible playoff berth
"We still have a chance. We feel that if we would have won this game and the next game, we would have been able to control our own fate instead of putting it in someone else's hands."
TE DANIEL GRAHAM
On the game
"They executed and made the plays. We have to do a lot better. We want to get the wins these last two weeks and we have to do a lot better and that is going to start tomorrow."
On playing in Philadelphia next week
"We are not worried about being underdogs. We have to take care of our own business. If we don't do that then we won't get the win. We have to put this one behind us and get ready for the next one."
On confidence level coming into the game
"We were not overconfident. We came in here with a good game plan. They just executed better than we did tonight"
OLB/DE MARIO HAGGAN
On the loss
"It was an important game for us versus a division rival, and we just did not have enough bullets to finish the game. You have to give credit to the Raiders, they came in with a game plan and made more plays than we did to win the game."
On the Oakland Raiders
"They just made more plays. We had a game plan that was tight and we thought it worked, and it did for most of the game. This game comes down to making more plays than the other team, and obviously today they did that. We just didn't have enough points at the end of the game."
On Oakland's game-winning drive
"It is definitely hard to believe. We still have opportunities to do some things. We have Philadelphia next week. This one right here was in our hands and we had it. It was a situation you want to be in when you try to build a great defense, but today we didn't prove that we were a great defense at the end. "
WR BRANDON MARSHALL
On what needs to be improved
"It is the same thing that has been wrong off and on all year. It is a number of things. We have to execute better and just do a better job."
On the results from the earlier games
"I don't pay attention to any of that stuff. I think that everyone was focused on our game."
On how Oakland covered him today
"They doubled me a couple of times, it depended on the down and distance. But they did a good job of just switching up their coverage on me today."
On struggles in the red zone
"Every game is like that. We have just been mediocre in the red zone and it is killing us."
On wearing a Chris Henry jersey during warm-ups
"He was just a buddy of mine."
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Awful game
I was there, and I knew when we didn’t score on that last drive we were screwed
only good things to come out of this day is my fantasy bye, and jay cutler’s extreme suckage
by lolcopter on Dec 20, 2009 7:50 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I didn't know that Moreno was given the ball to start the drive, on EVERY drive.
You talk about predictable. That is ridiculous.
"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".
"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.
+1+1
one in a string of very poor coaching decisions of late.
by Whidbey Bronco on Dec 20, 2009 9:29 PM MST up reply actions
he wasn’t, look at the drive chart
A truth can only be expressed and enveloped in words if it is one-sided. Everything that is thought and expressed in words is one-sided, only half the truth; it all lacks totality, completeness, unity.
why right?
I don’t have an issue with Moreno getting it – especially when we are trying to work the clock. But why did we have to run right every time? It obviously wasn’t working, but we didn’t try left once.
were we running away
from Seymour?
"All we're trying to do is win the *********** game!" -- Josh MF McDaniels tearing into his offensive line after three false starts in the red zone. The tirade turned the tide of the game, and the Broncos dominated from that point on.
by broncosmontana on Dec 22, 2009 8:35 AM MST up reply actions
Thanks for posting these
I like what everybody said here. I just didn’t like the game. Possibly the most frustrating loss of the season, at least to me. Have to give credit for the Raiders, they played well on defense for the most part. It’s just frustrating to lose to them at home. No excuses, and no scapegoating of anyone else, but missing Buckhalter really hurt them today I think. They could’ve had the 1-2 punch the Raiders had but instead they just had 1… Really frustrating. Oh well. Gonna forget about it and hope for the best in the last 2.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Thanks John
This was a disappointment to say the least.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
Predictable and very ridiculous
Same reasons after every loss. It is very easy to poke fault and to critic all the things we should have done but what the hell, if it is going to be the same ol same ol then suck it up and take the beating like men.
Who would have thought that since the raiders were coming out with their 3rd QB that they might be looking at running a bit? I know, that is easy to say after the game and after they embarrassed our D, but what the hey?
Who would have guessed that we once again would fail completely when it comes to scoring, only if we could have kicked our 5th FG… who would have thunk it?
It just shows we have a long long way to go to play with the big boys. Hell we only lost 6 of the last 8 games since the buy but we are still a 500 team no matter how we do here on out. So that is really way better than what I expected in Aug. But I really expected a lot more of us when I saw us play this year and then a complete tank out after the buy.
We are probably one more game away before our pts/against passes our pt/for catagory but that is neither here or there. We are getting to be known as a team that just can’t do it when it counts. Pisses me off…. but we have done better than most believed we would and that is always comforting…yea
So, now that the playoffs are pretty much shot, but then again maybe not since we should have a couple of easy games ahead of us..hmmmmm
Why not at least activate our rookie QB to play a bit in the last 2 games and maybe even try that Hillis fellow a couple of times and maybe throw in anyone that is waiting to try on the O line and see what we have because what we got going for us right now is not working all that great right now.
I guess if we had better calls by the refs, better execution of the O and O line and a bit more pressure by the D and a few more TD’s or just a couple more FG’s we would be 11-3 right now ……Love living by the would of, could of, should of and the only if parts of the game….yeah, if only…. We need a few more parts and I am sure we will be at the top again. We just are not there yet.
It is my own fault for my disappointment because I really truely beleived we were there already and then we do this…. Next year… Damn it man, I feel like crap but most of all I really feel for our team because they are a damn bunch of good young and older guys… I love this team, just feel like shit
If
Lamont Jordan got more playing time than Hillis today…. Hillis has no shot.
by Bustafluff on Dec 20, 2009 9:03 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed, sadly enough.
He’s gone.
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
bluh!! awful
This was purely painful to watch and gets worse I as I rewind the DVR and see parts again. Some of this play calling is simply putrid. These quarterback sneaks are far too many for the good that they did us. For two weeks now our runs seem to be going backwards, why are we no longer running the reverses or even fake reverses to slow them down on the inside pursuit, like we were back in the day when we were winning games?
I love this team and will stick with them, and even continue defending them to my last breath with all the heckling I receive from other team lovers, but it still sucks to know that they controlled their playoff destiny going into this and they couldn’t even get pumped for that.
Please win the next two! (and all the teams that can help us stay in it, please win or lose accordingly)
Broncos
The BIGGEST losers this holiday season
loooooooooooosssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Just to be clear
Is this serious, or sarcastic because Smith was covering on the final touchdown? If it’s about that last play, he got picked. He was rubbed off, I think by Higgins coming across the formation. There wasn’t a whole lot he could do.
I really thought Smith played very well today, for what it’s worth.
"I intend to kick your ass today." - Denver Broncos legend Tom Jackson
You thought Smith played well? Really?
I have to say, I had the opposite impression of Smiths play. He was constantly missing coverages, making poor decisions, and his tackling was nothing short of terrible. I know he is a rookie playing a difficult position, but considering the Broncos gave up a first and second round pick to draft him, I think you would have call his play to this point in the season a real disappointment.
-1
You are making judgements based on incorrect thoughts. Regarding drafting Smith, the Broncos gave up next years 1st round dreft pick for Smith – that’s all (no 2nd round pick). Perhaps your judgement of his on field performacne is flawed too?
SMITH
wow cohiker I hope that makes you feel better about the deal. The fact that all we gave up for him was a 1st rounder. LOL. I dont care how you slice it, that was an awful move.
by johnnyurrotten on Dec 21, 2009 11:18 AM MST up reply actions
Please get your facts right.
Sir, YOU are incorrect. The Broncos gave Seatle next years first round pick AND this years second round pick in order to move up eleven spots in the second round to draft Smith. This is doubly puzzling since most were predicting Smith to go early in the third round. Please make sure you have your facts right before posting in the future. Bad facts make for bad judgement.
Alphonso played well this game. It’s just too bad he was illegally picked on that last Oakland TD.
by lolcopter on Dec 21, 2009 11:50 AM MST via mobile up reply actions
So! Where do we go from here?
10-6, 9-7 or 8-8? Seems pretty clear where wwe aren’t headed. Guess they didn’t believe BDawk about not being a “TRAP” game. You silly fools…And all along you mimiced a real team…
One thing I think this does do, is that it focuses us for Philly. The Eagles clinched the playoffs and have to deal with Dawkins coming back, there could very well be a letdown.
One the our side, we just took a beat down from an awful team, now add a team that really wants to win this for Dawkins.. I think we come out and win this one with a very good effort.
in the end though, let's relax
We are who we thought we are…
I predicted 9-7
Coach is screwing the pooch a bit… he’s a rookie too.
He’s given me a thoroughly enjoyable season thus far.
I’m HATING his draft choices and much of his play calling of late but…
I’m not forgetting the games where I loved the play calling and our direction in general;…
Our O-line is hurt.
Our D-line was simply never that good.
Maybe we get a punchers chance in the play-offs? That’d be fun!!
Go Broncos!!!
I am still stinging from this defeat.
I am having trouble with my computer. This is the 3rd time I am trying to post. Sort of like our team today.
Kyle Orton was right when he said that if you allow a team to hang around, it will come back to bite you. We allowed the Raiders to get into their rhythm. Scoring a TD after Stokley’s catch was imperative. It would have sealed the win.
Their running game brought them back and got both their D and O into a rhythm. We need more than about 50 yards out of our RBs. Buck was sorely missed. We need a 3rd one of those guys. Jordan seemed out of sync today and not really healthy. Our running game could have helped us dictate the terms of the game in TOP, rhythm and in points scored. Like McD said, it is not all on the RBs. I guess that is the biggest weakness right now.
Hope our guys rally for Philly. 10 wins is still possible. We need a heckuva effort next Sunday.
Jordan?
Are we talking about Lamont Jordon? I don’t know anything he has done to warrant a spot on this team. He is essentially useless
I guess you'll have to settle for a FG
:-)
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Dec 20, 2009 10:19 PM MST up reply actions
This one hurts like H E double hockey stix
The only thing worth commenting on to me was the play of Tony Carter. That kid made some plays today and looked pretty fired up to be in the game.
Also, props to Bruton for being ALL OVER THE PLACE and to Mitch Berger for shrugging off the shank and nailing those awesome deep balls. If only we’d been able to stop the run today… but i’m miserable enough, I’m not going to dwell on it.
If I don’t talk to you again before hand, Merry Xmas everyone. Sincerely. MHR is one heckuva gift that just keeps on giving. Thanks to you all for making this such a great place to hang out, win or lose.
"All we're trying to do is win the *********** game!" -- Josh MF McDaniels tearing into his offensive line after three false starts in the red zone. The tirade turned the tide of the game, and the Broncos dominated from that point on.
by broncosmontana on Dec 20, 2009 10:04 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Amen Montana
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Dec 20, 2009 10:20 PM MST up reply actions
+ many
Sometimes the coaching has shined.
Sometimes individual players.
Sometimes the team as a whole – and that’s new this year.
MHR remains a great place to be. Thanks to eveybody, without reservation. I still think this has been an exciting and fulfilling season to be a Broncos fan. We have a hell of a lot to look forward to. And I guess breaking two “curses” (@ SD and @ KC late season) a year is all young Jedi had in him. Avoiding the end-of-year agony’ll have to wait.
"Aggression, discipline, accountability, effort" Brian Dawkins 9/29/2009
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace
by PositivIntegral on Dec 21, 2009 1:43 AM MST up reply actions
McDaniels gets a C so far
So far I’d give Josh McD a grade of C. I think he made an excellent choice in hiring Nolan as defensive coordinator. His free agent acquisitions have also been very good – particularly the Dawkins signing. However, most of the free agents he has signed are older players – meaning they are stop gap measures and will do nothing to address the long term needs of this team. McDaniels has overseen a serious decline in offensive production. This is inexcusable considering they are much better off at running back this year, have more consistent quarterback play, a much better defense that gives the offence more opportunities in better field position, and otherwise the same offensive talent that they had last year. However, what I find most discouraging is the performance of this draft class. I had high hopes considering Denver went into this draft with five picks in the first two rounds. Sadly, EVERY one of those picks has been a disappointment – some of them terrible disappointments. (Alphonso Smith for instance) This does not bode well for the long term future of this franchise.
Actually I would give McD a C too
But not for the same reasons that you do. He acquired all the right players (free agents and rookies) for his system but he didn’t make provisions for a transition year, at least not enough. His system is meant to be adaptable to his opponent, yet his game plan, even when key personnel is not available has remained the same. I do believe that this will serve him well in the long run but only if he admits to himself that he is not the creator of his team…His team is assembled to play according to its strengths and not what his will submits….. This is not a power running lineup. Its a zone running one. If you don’t have oversized linemen, use a fullback for god’s sake ( the ‘g’ is small so that I don’t take His name in vain).
He seems very rigid as far as calling plays that suit his philosophy rather than his personnel and its nowhere more apparent than in the run game. I get it McD, you come from a power run structure. But you don’t have it in Denver. When the center is 285 lbs and the biggest man on your OL is small compared to the D-line you are facing, you are not making a statements running power run plays (without the fullback) and having them implode. Try to adapt to your personne and not run up the middle for no gain or a loss, jesusl.
Otherwise, you are just Shanny v2.0 and that don’t get you into postseason. All season long, I’ve been patient with him, but today I just felt the need to unload, because we are facing the prospect of another postseason-less future.
god created earth in 6 days....on the 7th day, he took a break and created elway
"It was a gadget play...I wouldn't have called if I didn't think it would work."
That was playstation play calling. Get away from the gadget play calls and gambling. Call plays your players are actually good at running.
Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal.
Yet, if it would have been a good chunk of yards, would you be saying this?
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
Girl, you don't need to be a 10, as long as you have a good smile and smell like bacon.
by Troy Hufford on Dec 21, 2009 1:44 AM MST up reply actions
If the gamble payed off then of course I wouldn't.
But what were the odds that play was going anywhere? I’m thinking real slim.
Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal.
by MrFNSunshine on Dec 21, 2009 2:22 AM MST up reply actions
Yes, I would.
Don’t risk hurting our franchise Left Tackle and arguably the most important player on our offense for the sake of a trick play that might gain 10 or 11 yards at best. Way too easy for a LB or S to take a shot at Clady’s knees on that play if he makes the catch.
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
Bruton stated the reason we lost perfectly..
On Oakland’s quarterback change
“It didn’t change anything, we treat every quarterback the same. They all have the same tendencies. [QB Charlie] Frye is the more athletic one, and we knew that [QB] JaMarcus Russell wasn’t going to leave the pocket as much, so they might not use as many boots. But we stuck with the same game plan.”
When Jamarcus the Hut came in, we should have immediately started blitzing his ass off. He sucks. 45 QB rating, and we are playing deep safety coverage with NO pressure.
Nolan owns this loss in my book, with alot of help from the interior O line.
takes a deep breath
OK, now we really need to get our head’s focused on Philly! Go Broncos!
A proud prognostication of 10-6 in 2009!!! (April 2009 prediction)
Revised to 11-5 due to reality!
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
John Adams
Interesting point
I hadn’t considered. Along with our poor showing on the run D, that would seem to put this game on Nolan, you’re right. But there was plenty on the O side to be bummed about as well.
Let’s hope our guys have learned that the best way to get that foul taste out of their mouths is to get a big win against a good team.
"All we're trying to do is win the *********** game!" -- Josh MF McDaniels tearing into his offensive line after three false starts in the red zone. The tirade turned the tide of the game, and the Broncos dominated from that point on.
by broncosmontana on Dec 22, 2009 8:32 AM MST up reply actions
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