Horse Tracks - 12/7/09 - Broncos beatdown Chiefs in Historic Fashion
by John Bena on Dec 7, 2009 8:34 AM MST
in Horse Tracks
58 comments
Good Morning Broncos Country! Doug is off enjoying the fruits of his labor...errrr..celebrating his first year of marriage so I will be filling in. I know, Horse Tracks was one of my earliest ideas at MHR but there is no way I can match what Doug brings to the table. I will certainly try, so let's get to it on this 8-4 Monday Morning!
NFL.com - NFL Game Center: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
It was over when ... Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno raced 18 yards for a touchdown to give Denver a 41-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.
DB – Firing on All Cylinders(Zach Eisendrath)
They controlled the line of scrimmage. They made big plays at opportune times. They displayed toughness and intensity from start to finish.
DB - Asserting Their Will(Gary Caldwell)
Football changes when the calendar reaches December. As the weather gets colder, the play gets a little more hard-nosed, a little more physical, and a little more about pounding the ball.
DP - Broncos crunch Kansas City, improve to 8-4(Mike Klis)
Stephen Alexander and Jeb Putzier were the tight ends. Charlie Adams was the No. 3 receiver. Courtney Brown was a defensive end. Kyle Johnson was a frequently used fullback.
DP - McD pick of the litter(Woody Paige)
The Broncos are very lucky. Very lucky they got to play the subterranean Chiefs on Sunday. Very lucky that they get to play the Chiefs again this season in what could be a critical final regular-season game for them — the Broncos, not the mouth-breathers. Very lucky that Haley is in Kansas City, not Denver. And very, very lucky that they chose Josh McDaniels over the myriad other coaches who were available for employment after Mike Shanahan was dumped.
DP - Even cliches fail with awful Chiefs(Dave Krieger)
Arrowhead Stadium ain't what she used to be. The Broncos' December house of horrors has become a wax museum.
DP - Broncos in driver's seat for playoff spot(Jim Armstrong)
True story. Did an article for The Post the other day about a Chiefs fan living in Denver who couldn't take it any more. He was so distraught and disgusted, he e-mailed the paper and asked if we could arrange to have him hypnotized into becoming a Broncos fan.
DP - There's no halt in Buckhalter(Lindsay Jones)
For a moment there, Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter was sure he had broken free. Buckhalter dashed untouched through Kansas City's defensive linemen and linebackers early in the second quarter of Sunday's 44-13 victory at Arrowhead Stadium, but a push from safety Mike Brown knocked Buckhalter off-balance. Buckhalter had gotten past all of the Chiefs' defenders but couldn't stay on his feet and fell near midfield after a gain of 26 yards.
DP - Quinn's deflection on K.C.'s trick play, Royal's returns elevating unit(Jeff Legwold)
There are times when an NFL special-teams coach is like a carnival barker, constantly reminding those who pass by to come inside and see the wild, the weird and all of life's mysteries discovered in the far corners of the world.
DP - Royal's all-purpose show stuns K.C.(Mike Klis)
His commercials call for the Royal Treatment. The Broncos should call him All-Purpose Eddie. Eddie Royal had a busy game during the Broncos' 44-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, totaling 182 all-purpose yards.
DP - Briefs: Orton's odd day: Red-zone pick, fumbles lost, win - The Denver Post
Kyle Orton knows when to pick them. Ordinarily, when a quarterback commits three turnovers in a game, he finishes it on the losing team.
ESPN.com - Cassel tanks in front of mentor(Bill Williamson)
This couldn’t have been the Matt Cassel whom Josh McDaniels tried to trade for, completely changing the complexion of his new organization in the process.
ESPN.com - Rapid Reaction: Broncos 44, Chiefs 13(Bill Williamson)
The Denver Broncos excel at not playing down to the level of their opposition.
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Thanks John
I was suffering withdrawal this morning and debating trying to put together Horse Tracks myself. YOur version is better.
Thanks, John.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Dec 7, 2009 8:48 AM MST reply actions
Pork Chop actually nailed it about this Broncos team
The Broncos have played three terrible opponents this year — the Raiders (Jamarcus the Hutt version), the Chiefs and the Browns. They clubbed them all. Am I alone in feeling like that hasn’t happened since 1998?
Somebody will probably bring up the Redskins, to which I’ll say a) their point differential is just -38 and they play most teams well, and b) Chris Simms
Even that 1998 Monday nigh game in which Bubby Brister ran for like 60 yards and Derrick Thomas (classy guy) tried to spin Shannon Sharpe’s head around like the exorcist didn’t end with this kind of point differential. I never thought they’d beat any Chiefs team on the road that badly, ever.
No, not alone!
For the past decade (and frankly, before 1996-98), even when we did get a fast start on a lousy team, we’d take the 3rd quarter off and make it closer than close in the 4th.
Nice, decisive win here despite the mistakes.
Woody Paige is lucky...
Lucky that his bosses allow him to be a fool. Lucky that his other bosses allow him to be a fool. Lucky for the First Amendment. Lucky to still be relevant enough to get a press pass while most bloggers cannot.
God, that article was nonsensical.
Thanks John!
A happy morning to us all.
Apparently John Clayton didn’t think the Broncos worthy of even passing mention in his Last Call column on ESPN; pretty much every other game gets a mention. Only nod to the game’s existence is his crediting Hali of the Chiefs as Defensive Player of the Day. And no mention of Colts playing them next week in his long bit on them, too.
Jerkface.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
it's hardly garnered a mention anywhere
there were a lot of other big games elsewhere this weekend. I like it, it leaves us flying under the radar. The one time we were actually considered legit by the MSM this year, we followed up with a 4 game skid, I’m happy where we are
True
and I’d certainly be fine if no one gives the Broncos a chance vs Indy or talks about them much. Feel free to look past your game next week, Colts! ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Hey,
I been wonderin’ Where’s Sweet Polly these days? She could cover the broncos :D
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
Heehee. My real life version of sweet polly
doesn’t follow sports much but her family is in Chiefs country, so she probably won’t have much interest. But she still thinks I’m shoeshine boy so what does she know? ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Broncos landslide away win… Yummmmmmm.
Moreno is doing exactly what a good rookie does, get better and better with each game. It sure seems like he learns from his mistakes. I’m impressed with him. If this team can run and pass, we’ll be a threat in the playoffs, even on the road. Our running game was AWESOME!!!
Other than his whiff on an easy sack, I thought Ayers had a pretty good game collapsing the pocket and hurrying Chef QBs. I was also impressed by McBath, he is around the ball often when he is subbing in on D.
The Cons – not many here, but if not for Richard Quinn making an excellent play, we would have been smoked for another ST catastrophe on the fake punt. We were AGAIN totally unprepared to deal with a trick play. Priefer is a nightmare as the coach of that unit. If that guy is retained for 2010, my head might explode.
I watched the Florida vs Alabama game and came away thinking Denver really should look hard at Joe Haden (CB from Florida) with our 1st round pick (should be around #11 overall). I’m going to keep beating a dead horse, but Alphonso Smith – what the ****? Three penalties yesterday! Champ and Goodman are not long term guys at CB and I don’t feel good AT ALL about Smith stepping in. In fact, Smith is going to find himself a healthy inactive if he keeps hurting his team.
This is my favorite website.
Ryan Harris getting hurt again is a negative. Hali came in from the strong side a lot. My feed was comically bad, so I couldn’t tell what happened on a lot of the plays, but as long as Polumbus is in there, opponents will be able to direct pressure that way.
If I’d had a better picture to look at — really, it was 4″ × 4″, and had about 2 frames per second, I’d be offering some options on what has changed with the run blocking. The issue isnt’ just Moreno. There are holes, and reliable, for anybody. Demoting ben was obviously a good idea. I’m going to find a way to re-watch the game later this week.
I have to quibble with the con on special teams. Why accentuate the negative? I’d put it like this: Richard Quinn, whom we haven’t seen much of this year, made an excellent play. McD’s comments after the game wre interesting, too. He basically said that when a team comes out in a gadget formation like that, there are so many different things each player might be doing that coverage will inevitably be confused. Essentially, the only way to guarantee success is to have someone doing the exact thing Quinn did.
The intended receiver was WIDE OPEN on the fake punt. More so than Sellers on the Washington fake FG. Quinn saved Preifer’s bacon on that one. One positive and one negative. Just truth, no spin.
Hali got two of his sacks on Clady, but one of the sacks was entirely Orton’s fault for pulling an Aaron Rodgers. Orton does several things well for a QB but scramble is not one of them. Scheff gave up the other sack to Hali. Polumbus has a great game IMO.
Clady destroyed Dorsey in the running game. Just wasted him. Bet the Chefs wish they had a do-over on the 2008 draft.
This is my favorite website.
Agree on Clady and Polumbus,
Clady got beat once in pass protection, but was absolutley dominate in the running and screen game all day, and TP looks like he will provide solid depth on this line for years to come.
That settles it. I’m going to a bar to watch next week’s game on a big TV. I’m apparently missing everything that happens in the trenches. When someone makes it into the backfield, I’m reduced to guessing who he beat in pass protection. No more.
How did Scheffler end up begin assigned to block the Chiefs’ top pass rusher?
Ha... I took a week off from the bar this week as well
I’ve been spending so much money on food and beers… ugh. Yet, I forgot how bad the quality can get on the streams, that I’ll be back at the bar next week. Especially for such a huge game!
The intended receiver also snapped the ball.
The human condition— its fallible. Its not like Pfiefer has hours a day to work through every possible look and progression a team might show. Its impossible to fully prepare for the irrationality of desperation.
Haden wouldn’t surprise me at all…my logic is different, but I’m thinking Haden will certainly be on the short-board.
by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions
It’s possible to be somewhat prepared for trick plays. Yet we are not. Teams are running these types of misdirection plays at our ST because they know we over-pursue and leave ourselves vulnerable on the back side. The play looked exactly like the fake FG. We didn’t learn anything from our 1st fiasco and that is the Preifer way.
It’s always just more excuses for that unit and his coaching.
This is my favorite website.
I agree with PO
The confusion came from the formation. The way they lined up made the long snapper an eligible receiver, but his eligibility was not at all obvious by the strange formation. I agree that Pfiefer needs to be shown the door at the end of the season, but there is sure to be some confusion when a team lines up like that.
We confide in our strength without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. -Thomas Jefferson 1793
What was that formation called?
I think it was discussed over the summer by HT in one of his university posts.
Also, I think it was the formation that is used almost exclusively at the HS level and has barely even seen its way into the college game. Again, I’m not making excuses for the Preifer, but I can see where something as random as that can cause some chaos on our ST players. Maybe a TO might have been prudent there…
I'm not positive what it's called
But I think it was a variation of the Swinging Gate formations that are used commonly at the HS level.
We confide in our strength without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. -Thomas Jefferson 1793
Crazy me.
Sorry. I got all caught up in the fact that Denver stopped it, and somehow managed to eek out a 31 point road win. For some reason, it always slips to mind to look for heads to get to rollin’ in those moments.
by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 12:28 PM MST up reply actions
I only called out two guys. Priefer and Smith.
Priefer’s head MUST roll after the 2009 season. He has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the ST coordinator job is well beyond his capabilities. Denver being totally unprepared for another fake punt or FG was just another example of his ineptitude. Fortunately, Brodie Croyal and the Chefs royally suck (like Priefer). We dodged a bullet and I’m happy.
This is my favorite website.
That Florida vs Alabama game was great
there are a lot of players on that team that could play at the NFL level right now. Joe Haden looked good and looks like he could step in at the NFL level and play right away however Rolando McLain was an absolute beast in that game. Andra Davis has been a very good surprise this year but a talent like McLain is hard to pass up. He did everything that game and is a really good tackler and has some good speed. Alabama also has the best 1-2 punch for running backs in college football. Both their RB are stellar and they are only a sophomore and freshman. Nick Saban has done a great job down there. So happy to see florida lose. Alabama is going to run over Texax in the NC game.
by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 7, 2009 3:07 PM MST up reply actions
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/DMN-Raiders-find-their-passing-game.html
The Broncos rushed for 245 yards against the Chiefs. The Chiefs are bad on defense, allowing 87 points the past two weeks.
Well, it obviously has nothing to with the teams they’ve faced in the last two weeks having, you know, good running backs (and O-line).
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Dec 7, 2009 9:25 AM MST reply actions
Oh, and having defenses that caused turnovers and points of their own.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Dec 7, 2009 9:25 AM MST up reply actions
8-4 looks awesome to me...
This team looks like it will finish well, and I actually feel good about Indy this week. Lesser teams have had them against the ropes this year and simply fail to put them away. The league has learned that you can’t let up against the Colts, or the Saints for that matter, and our coaches must be willing to stay extremely aggressive if we get a lead. The fact that we have run the ball so well of late makes me feel even better.
If Green Bay folds in the second half tonight
I’m not sure the Broncos make the playoffs.
Thanks John.
Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM
Thanks John
Yep, Clady got beat twice, Polumbus had a few Pancakes, and Quinn has been noticeable on ST’s. Scheffler was in motion on that play and needs to seal the edge rusher. He has missed a few of those this year with an Ole’ block, resulting in sacks. Graham has missed at least one also. I’m not sure, but I think they are turning up field too soon, instead of trying to square up on the defender. Orton did hold on to the ball too long on those two plays. You can credit that on Brandon’s Carr and Flowers. Those two CB’s are better than average defenders.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
Nice observation Kirk.
Quinn making his own niche on the team. Also, seems like A. Smith has the rookie “jitters”. He may be trying to do too much when he should be just playing within himself. I suspect he will be our nickle corner of the future. With the size of these wide receivers coming into the league, he would never fit on the sides. Does anybody feel like Eddie should be the next welker?
That’s why I see at least 3 glaring needs on the Broncos want list during F/A and the draft. A big Guard/Center, an elite CB, and a tall, tough WR.
I’d add a D-Lineman to the list, but I agree with you many times over. We all agree on interior OL (especially if McDaniels goes back to trying to trap and straight-up power-run — I never want so see somebody Ben Hamilton’s size trap for the Broncos again). But wide receiver is a real area of need, no matter where Marshall plays net year. I’d even like to see them draft two, of the talent is there — another possession receiver, and someone with speed to stretch the field.
McD’s comments about the value of a good secondary were interesting. His argument was that good DBs are worth the most in high-leverage situations: third down, the two-minute drill, and the red zone. That’s also why I’d be surprised to see them take somebody like Rolando McClain (whom I love) — an ILB would come off the field in some of those situations.
Iupati! Iupati! Iupati! Iupati!
That’s my draft chant…for now at least.
by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 2:11 PM MST up reply actions
TDs = playoffs
From Klis:
Marshall is on pace for 86 catches and 1,077 yards — well off his individual production of the past two seasons, but still impressive given the more balanced, share-the-ball system this season. Marshall has already tied his career-high with seven touchdown catches. And that run-dominant offense may be more conducive to winning as Marshall is closing in on his first playoff appearance.
Imagine that — worry more about touchdowns than yards and suddenly you’re a legitimate playoff contender.
We’re not there yet, of course, but I’m sure this correlation isn’t lost on the stars that made the transition from last year’s Broncos to this year’s.
"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.
Yahoo's Charles Robinson's "Winners and Losers" column today
includes the Broncos running game as one of the “”http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ao4JkhtemXbn.TzYbnn9xmpDubYF?slug=cr-winnersandlosers120609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns" target="new">winners":
• The Denver Broncos running game
The Chiefs shot themselves in the foot a few times, but Denver’s 44-13 win reminded us what this team looked like early in the season. The Broncos were dominant running the football, stacking up 245 rushing yards and suffocating the clock en route to a 36-24 advantage in time of possession. That kept the defense fresh in the fourth quarter, and should bode well heading into next week’s game at Indianapolis. If the Broncos can run this way against the Colts, they can win in Lucas Oil Stadium.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
(Sorry about that broken link.)
oh well, you can find it on Yahoo.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
MarshallMcCard - you
nailed it about Paige. You know, for being such a loud mouth, I used to like Paige a few years ago. Now, he’s just another media hack fool who I will never care to listen to.
by NxtYrNvrArrives on Dec 7, 2009 12:11 PM MST reply actions
Royal
Thanks John!
I have no idea how I overlooked Eddie quietly having such a good game. I was very excited that he appeared to be a focal point early, then he kind of tapered off (as far as the offense goes). That said, I wish he would quit running backwards on punt returns. Makes my heart feel like it’s stopping…
Also, in the very last line of his Snap Judgments column, Don Banks gives a pretty nice thought on Barrel Man. Forgot to grab the link, but wanted to mention it before I forget…
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
You can thank me for Eddie's great game
since I’d benched him on one of my fantasy football teams. :-/ (And I dropped the Denver defense a few weeks ago, but in that case I really did think maybe that would unjinx them, and it did!)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Never fear, underdog is here!
In that case, thanks for the double un-jinx. Especially with the D!
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
Me too
I released him cuz I got tired of him having poor showings
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
Woa... don't look now...
But the Raiders are making a push! lol…
Seriously though, they seem to be playing decent football all of a sudden. Beating Philly, Cincy, and Pittsburgh is no easy task. Granted, I have not watched any of their play so it could all be that the other teams are laying big fat eggs, but we should not overlook them next week.
First thing’s first though… let’s crush P-E-Y and his laser rocket right arm!!!
Good news (for me): The only time I've ever put money down
on the Broncos paid off yesterday. And I don’t mean I bet on the game itself. No, before the season I bet on the Broncos “Regular Season Wins Over 7 Wins”. The odds given were too hard to pass up; Vegas was paying too much attention to John Clayton. They won their 8th game yesterday, winning me $200. I’m not usually a gambler in general, just one or two little ones a year, and as I said I made it a rule never to bet on one of my teams, but that one just felt way too tempting to pass up.
That was my show of faith bet and it paid off. So thanks, Broncos!
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Nice! Way to show your faith and trust your instincts!
"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 7, 2009 4:39 PM MST up reply actions
Way to go underdog
Nice bet, and fairly safe I assume since you say great odds got you 200 bucks.
I just wanted to note and sorry if someone already said this somewhere. Denverbroncos.com has put a shot of Barrelman saluting in their top of page banner. Very, very classy I think!!
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
Agreed. DB needs a rec.
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 kentuckybronco on Dec 7, 2009 4:57 PM MST up reply actions
This is Off-Topic
but a co-worker of mine who loves the Steelers and gave me hell when the Metalheads won 28-10 in Denver that fateful Monday evening, walked in and it felt good to razz her about losing to the Raiders. Until Oakland finally emerges out of their decade-long slumber, fans who lose to the Faiders waive the right to make fun of those squads who do what they should to Jokeland, beat the tar out of them
Brad James
Also, off-topic, but ... EJ Henderson
Thoughts and prayers to EJ. His injury last night looked absolutely horrific and almost made my wife vomit. His leg injury looked worse than McCaffrey’s. I can’t imagine how much pain he was in while on the field. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery!
Definitely. That was a sick injury. I wish the best for him in his recovery. That one was nasty.
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 kentuckybronco on Dec 7, 2009 7:18 PM MST up reply actions
Absolutely.
May God, Lady Luck, good doctors, great friends, and any good vibes that are around all be with EJ and his family. Get well quickly and fully!
In better news... Ravens down 17-0.
Hope that continues!
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
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