Growing Brave by Reflection

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 11:53 AM MST

"You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing for you."

-Walt Disney

A couple of weeks into our losing streak I posted about adversity.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/11/10/1125006/the-real-man-fan

Now after achieving some success and rising out of the ashes a bit, I think it is time to reflect on where we have been as fans and where the team has been with an eye toward what lies ahead of us.

The psyche of the team and most of us fans prior to the game in Baltimore was based soley on wild success after extreme public criticism. We felt like- there, put that in your collective pipes and smoke it! In a way, we felt like we were done with proving them all wrong- a grave but necessary mistake. Making that mistake allowed us to enter a world of pain. You can't know pleasure without knowing pain.

If McDaniels could have had the fore-sight to engineer that losing stretch, with prior knowledge of what it could actually get his team, I think he would have done it. I don't believe for a second that McDaniels wanted to lose those games, but I think in hind-sight he (and we) will realize that it was the best thing that could have happened to the Broncos this year.

On Sunday we get the chance to see our Broncos face the undefeated Colts in their house. This is a huge opportunity for the team. In my mind it feels like a conference championship caliber game for us. What more could fans ask for than, in a time of resurgence, to face the best- to find out what we've really got in the Denver Broncos this season?

GROWING BRAVE BY REFLECTION

If you can't get fired up about this game, you don't have a pulse! After what the team has experienced this season, wouldn't it be awesome to see them go into Lucas Oil Stadium and destroy the Colts in their back yard? This is not an impossible scenario. I am waiting with baited breath for the Upon Further Review team's breakdown of the matchups. I'm quite sure there are chinks in the armor of the Colts that McDaniels is all-to-willing-and-able to direct his team to exploit.

For a team that has experienced the highs and lows and plowed through, the ultimate reward is to beat the best now while gathering steam for even greater things ahead. How unstoppable would the Broncos be with that under their belts? They won't forget what it was to lose, lose, and lose a couple more. They will carry that experience with them into the post season along with the confidence bred out of pounding the Colts into oblivion. That's swagger...

Get brave friends and put your game face on. Get MHR fired up this week!!!!

EFF 'EM UP, EFF 'EM UP, GO BRONCOS!!!!!!

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

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Comments

I can't wait for Sunday!

and Rec’d

by PoorPoppy on Dec 7, 2009 12:16 PM MST reply actions

thanks GJHS alumni

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 12:29 PM MST up reply actions

"enter a world of pain" ................ reminds me of 'nam.

Anyways, I think you pretty much summed it up, right there. This season was the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. However, wherever we end up at seasons end, it will be higher than where we started, given the expectations that were placed on the broncos at the beginning of the season. What were we expected to do, anyways? 3 wins? 4 wins?

It’s all gravy, at this point. Winning in Indy would be a cherry on top. Wait…….. a cherry on gravy? Nevermind.

Anyways, I would love it if we won on sunday and I think we have a legitimate chance of doing so. Whenever I think of the colts, I think of 2003 and 2004 playoff games, where the Broncos were destroyed and sent home in the wildcard game. Both of those games were lost because we did not have the secondary to match their receivers and tight ends (Clark). In fact, the Colts are a main reason why Champ Bailey is in a broncos uniform, at this point.

This year’s game is very different from those games. The Broncos actually can matchup with their receivers. Amazing, right? Couple that with the ability to rush the passer and we now have a team that matches up quite well to play the colts, defensively.

Offensively, we can pound the rock, something the colts haven’t shown they are very good at stopping. Let’s look at the colts versus Miami game.

The Dolphins put up 239 yards on 49 attempts rushing on 4.9 yards per attempt. They had 45 minutes TOP. Unfortunately, they couldn’t stop Peyton Manning’s quick strikes because we took two keys of their defense, Hill and Goody. Sorry, Miami.

So, we matchup well against them on paper. However, we do need to eliminate mistakes. The Colts don’t turn the ball over, very often. The Broncos do. If we can hold on to the rock, we have a very good shot of winning.

So, let’s go do it. This time next week, you’ll see a 9-4 Broncos team.

Sorry Walter. I kinda started off talking about your post and then went on one of my brain tangents. Rock on, man. Great post, once again.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Dec 7, 2009 2:21 PM MST reply actions 6 recs

Hey, no problem man.

I like when you put up your lengthy tangents on my posts. I’m gonna rec the son-of-a-gun too. Thanks for your thoughts buddy.

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 2:31 PM MST up reply actions

haha, yeah, I noticed that too.

Not sure what it is about your posts, but they always seem to make me ramble. Keep them coming.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Dec 7, 2009 2:39 PM MST up reply actions

So did I

In fact, I had to rec’d them both!

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Doc Bear on Dec 7, 2009 4:16 PM MST up reply actions

+ 1!

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and someone else oughtta have a 'fair' shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Dec 8, 2009 1:05 PM MST up reply actions

Turn green

Now!

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Dec 9, 2009 5:29 PM MST up reply actions

nice!

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 9, 2009 7:53 PM MST up reply actions

Am I going to get to read a nice long Upon Further Review article tomorrow?

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 9, 2009 7:53 PM MST up reply actions

yes

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Dec 10, 2009 8:05 AM MST up reply actions

Awesome analogy Kentucky! received.

by bfree2bronc on Dec 9, 2009 8:17 PM MST up reply actions

Reasons for Confidence:

1) Classic trap situation for Indy. They clinched by beating Tennessee. Theoretically, Denver has more to play for.
2) The Law of Averages. Manning and Crew have treated the Broncos like rented mules. They’ve handed out some blow outs, and won all the close ones. Denver is due its day.
3) Pride. Denver has a chance to silence the detractors again by beating a big dog. That can be a bulletin board type motivator…especially for this team.
4) Indy’s 4-3. The strength of the Colts defense is DE end rush. Losing Harris again hurts, but Clady has proven his worth against the Freeney’s of the world. Denver’s o-line, as a whole, matches up well. Denver can run the ball and can protect against these guys.
5) If Manning has a chink in the armor, its dealing with blitzing 3-4’s. Hit him enough, and he starts to get as ordinary as he ever gets. I’d expect the Broncos to put a lot of eggs in the pressure basket.
6) Denver’s secondary gets better every week.

I’m certainly not holding my breathe that Denver will win, but I’m not even close to looking towards the Raiders as the light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel following a sure loss.

How about a little love for Moffat County HS!!! We’re back to fair fights, but back in my high school days, our puny butt had to play the western slope big-boys….we did pretty darn well, too.

by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 2:33 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

good points

You’ve got to think Clady is gonna want to make a statement after his letdown in KC. He will be out to prove himself.

I’m am stoked about this game!

I hear ya on Moffat County HS, respect…

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 2:40 PM MST up reply actions

I used to live for districts basketball...

…I didn’t play basketball, Grand Junction was the BIG city to us, and we had some good basketball teams back then. Those were some wild and fun times.

by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 2:46 PM MST up reply actions

I did a lot of hunting near Craig, Meeker, Rifle areas...

How ’bout you?

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

agreed

Not sure about points 1 and 2 as Indy is an experienced team that has been unbeaten for long streaks before. I just don’t seem them overlooking anyone ever. That and no team is due a win, they have to TAKE IT!!! :)

by BroncoInExile on Dec 7, 2009 3:10 PM MST up reply actions

Yep

That’s why I put the ‘theoretically’ in one, as Indy is such a high-character team.

I’m not sold on two either, but the idea gives me hope, at least.

by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 3:19 PM MST up reply actions

so you were

theoretically covering your butt with that call. :) You’re right that Denver does have more to play for. Indy is playing for the division clinch, but sewing up their division can wait till after this week.

by BroncoInExile on Dec 8, 2009 1:22 PM MST up reply actions

7) Game 13

How many times have undefeted teams lost their 13th game after going 12-0? It seems like the 13th game is the hardest to win.

by TR3X on Dec 7, 2009 10:34 PM MST up reply actions

Grew up in Craig...

…and hunting is just part of the lifestyle. I miss this time of year especially. Every kid had a .22, a shotgun, and we got off a day for elk hunting. We did most of our big game hunting in Axel Basin— between Hamilton and Meeker, basically.

by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 2:48 PM MST reply actions

Peance Creek for deer and White River Forest for Elk- heck all over the place really. I miss home….

I too dabbled in pacifism once...

by waltersobchakbronco on Dec 7, 2009 3:13 PM MST up reply actions

My first couple of years Elk hunting were up in the Flat Tops area (just under Dunkley)...

…then we got permission on in ranch in the Axel Basin area— awesome duel habitat with Elk high, deer low, and some serious, but elusive, monster bucks in the middle. You can pretty much get a run-of-the-mill buck ten minutes in any direction out of Craig. They are thick around there.

by PredominantlyOrange on Dec 7, 2009 3:22 PM MST up reply actions

I agree we match up better than other years

both in scheme and player quality. However, I would predict that both offense and defense will play hard……but with no really new wrinkles that we have not seen already this year…I think McD holds those cards for the post-season.

by idahobronc on Dec 7, 2009 11:00 PM MST reply actions

That's right!

What fan couldn’t get riled up for this one!?!?!?

Good post and if we see Hillis with any carries in this game, it is an assured victory ( =

I loved seeing him eat the last six minutes plus, off the game clock. Words cannot describe how awesome that was…. ‘ah, just keep giving it to Peyton. Yes EVERY down.’

Thanks again for the rile-agge. ( =

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and someone else oughtta have a 'fair' shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Dec 8, 2009 1:11 PM MST reply actions

I think we were ready to come out of the losing streak in week 11 (Redskins), but it’s probably just as well that we really hit bottom because we came out with a will to play much better football after the embarrassment against San Diego.

by Orange Rush on Dec 8, 2009 6:22 PM MST reply actions