Horse Tracks 12/28/09 - Broncos need plenty of help to get into playoffs after falling to Eagles 30-27

Yeah it stinks the Broncos may fall out of the playoffs, but at the start of the season people were calling this a 3 win team.

I think this has been a very positive season. The team at least has some fight and attitude and can hang with the elite teams rather than getting drubbed by teams like Indy (as we did several times this decade).

I love all Shanahan did for this team, but he devastated the defense and made a bunch of questionable personnel moves the last several years (Dale Carter, Gardener, Clarett, etc…). There is a serious talent/depth problem that needs to be rectified.

It takes time to dig out of that hole. I think we are well on our way!

Great field position on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter, and the offense came up with three points. The offense simply couldn’t get it done and it’s extremely disappointing. Yes, there were many terrible calls (the worst, imo, was the phantom illegal shift in the RZ), but this team had many opportunities to “take it”, and couldn’t come through.

At this point, the playoffs are a longshot, but this team will be a contender for years to come. I’m a firm believer that it is very difficult to play effective offensive football when a team is in its first year in a new system. Teams that are constantly switching OCs, HCs, and offensive systems are usually inconsistent. When a talented QB under performs year in and year out you always hear “he’s had four different OCs in four years”. There is some truth in there. Shanny used to always say, “it’s not until the third year in the system until a QB is completely comfortable in the system”.

It is the offense that let this team down this year, no question about it. You could blame the playcalling, the OL, Orton, Knowshon, Royal, Marshall, no Hillis, and on and on, I’ve heard it all. All are valid criticisms, but, to me, there appeared to be a systemic issue in the ability of the offense to function consistently. The lack of complete understanding led to an offense that was not dynamic enough to adapt once teams catch on to what you’re doing in the second half of the season.

The good news is, this team was able to play well enough to be playing a meaningful game in week 17. Capitulaiton, schmapitulaiton, I’ll take a competitive, heartbreaking team over a team that is out of it by mid season every year (see: Cle, Buf, KC, Oak, Det, SL). This team showed flashes of greatness this year and I believe there will be more to come. This team took a huge step forward this year. You may look at the similar record and the big possibility of missing the playoffs and think that we remained neutral. Well, last year 11-5 wasn’t good enough to earn an AFC wildcard spot. There are a large number of teams that took a big step back and most of the league is mired in mediocrity. I believe we’re in good shape. Here’s why:

We got rid of Jay Cutler and don’t have to worry about paying that bum $15 mil a year for the next six years, the guy is not a winner. Whether it was luck or genius, we’re lucky he’s not a Bronco. We brought in a base of affordable, veteran free agents, who will keep this team competitive in the short run until the draft picks develop. We brought in a young, bright offensive coach who will provide excellence and stability for years to come (think Andy Reid, whose offense is always competitive year in and year out). Although the 2009 draft picks didn’t dominate, I thought most of the guys showed they have the skill, but need to develop and expect great things out of Moreno, Ayers, and McBath. Smith struggled, but I’m hopeful he’ll be a player in two years when we’ll need him. Bruton didn’t play much, but looked to be solid, same with Quinn. It looks like we’ll have a top ten pick this year.

Although playoffs are a long shot and I’m very disappointed about yesterday, things are looking up around here.