Horse Tracks - 2/9/10 - The Saints Go Marching Home

by John Bena on Feb 9, 2010 6:04 AM MST in Horse Tracks Comment 28 comments

Good Morning Broncos Country! Obviously, most of the news in the NFL is focused on the Saints in the aftermath of their 31-17 win in SB44. With the Combine just a couple of weeks away, however, that will soon be changing. As for the Broncos, they lost Herb Taylor to the Giants, but quickly replaced him with RB Bruce Hall.

Oh yea, there was that juicy little rumor about Donovan McNabb as well. My first instinct is to say no, but some parts do excite me. People talk about McNabb being 33 years old - so?? Look at Favre<cringe>, or Warner, playing into their late 30's, early 40's. McNabb could easily have 3 or 4 more good years in him - an eternity in the NFL. If anything, this proves the Broncos are covering all their bases - exactly what they SHOULD BE DOING this time of year - and what Jay Cutler couldn't handle last February.

Champs enjoy Sainthood - The Denver Post
Clearly exhausted from a late night of post-Super Bowl celebrations, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton leaned on a podium Monday morning, clutching the Vince Lombardi Trophy in his right hand.

Sunday's Super Bowl sets viewing record - The Denver Post
The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in television history.

Saints' Brees savors Super victory - The Denver Post
Drew Brees turned to his wife when he woke up and asked: "Did yesterday really happen?"

Krieger: Money talks with Broncos' Marshall - The Denver Post
Now that the Super Bowl champion Saints have reminded everyone how useful a 6-foot-4 wide receiver can be — thank you, Marques Colston — let's set our imaginations free for a minute.

Diner morning news: Saints think outside the box | National Football Post
All season, Saints head coach Sean Payton loved to bring in different people to give pregame speeches to his team — people with a unique flair, a unique message and a unique perspective. Had Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, been alive, he clearly would have given the Saints their Super Bowl XLIV pregame speech. To beat Peyton Manning and the Colts in the Super Bowl, Payton knew his team needed to think unconventionally. He learned that from the Patriots’ failure and all the other teams that had leads in the fourth but who thought conventionally and were unable to put the game away. The Saints had the wisdom to try something unconventional, to reach for victory, to leave it all on the field, to dare mighty things.

Not everyone is happy for the Saints | National Football Post
I am scheduled to fly to New Orleans on Thursday to judge the finals of the Tulane Sports Law Moot Court competition. What a time to go -- smack in the middle of the Who Dat Saints winning it all and Mardi Gras. I wonder if I’ll find a town that’s hung over from the Saints’ Super Bowl victory or just revving up for Mardi Gras. The answer, of course, is both.

Breaking down Saints' Super Bowl win | National Football Post
Let’s check out my game notes from Sunday night’s 31-17 Saints win in Super Bowl XLIV…

The work behind the scenes | National Football Post
Miami was not all fun and games for a handful of professionals at the Super Bowl. Like many other agents who were there, I was busy playing concierge for my clients.

Super Bowl endorsement winners | National Football Post
As part of my Super Sunday, I was asked by Advertising Age magazine to provide some reaction immediately after the final gun about potential winners in that other game within a game -- the marketing and endorsement competition. Since I’m usually breaking down some business aspect of the game for NFP readers, this seems like the perfect one to share today, while the joy of football is still fresh in our minds, before we move on to off-season issues like the draft, free agency and the 800-pound gorilla in every room -- the ongoing labor battle.

Biggs: Giants claim OT Taylor from Broncos | National Football Post
The New York Giants were awarded offensive tackle Herb Taylor off waivers from the Denver Broncos.

Biggs: Redskins name Hightower special teams assistant | National Football Post
The Washington Redskins named Richard Hightower a special teams assistant under Danny Smith today.

Wilson: Small crowd greets Colts in Indy | National Football Post
A small crowd of faithful fans greeted the Indianapolis Colts following their Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Wilson: Chiefs cut pair of linebackers | National Football Post
The Kansas City Chiefs announced today that they have released linebackers Weston Dacus and Justin Rogers.

Wilson: Browns cut Stallworth | National Football Post
The Cleveland Browns made it official today, cutting ties with wide receiver Donte' Stallworth.

Saints return to Crescent City, where fans' joy, hope haven't waned
People lined up by the hundreds to buy Monday's Times-Picayune, which hollered "AMEN!" from its front page. The Saints' Super Bowl victory was a prayer answered in this struggling city, which seemed different because of it.

NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Former Colts coach Dungy shocked that Indy lost "
Tony Dungy said last week that he would be shocked if his former team, the Colts, lost Super Bowl XLIV to the Saints. And after it happened, the retired coach told Dan Patrick on Monday morning that he was, indeed, surprised the Colts lost and that they managed to score just 17 points.

Unconventional thinking has served Payton, Saints in Super fashion
In 1997, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was tired of offensive coordinator Jon Gruden's flirtations with the Oakland Raiders' head-coaching job and instructed me to find a young coach the organization could groom to become the next offensive coordinator.

Super Bowl loss reveals uncomfortable truth about Colts
All of a sudden, you find yourself grappling with some questions about the Indianapolis Colts.

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Thanks!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Feb 9, 2010 6:09 AM MST reply actions

Thanks for the Tracks, John.

106 million people watched the Super Bowl? Wow.

I know of 9 people, with whom I talked yesterday, that didn’t watch it. It just blows my mind. I can’t imagine “not” watching the Super Bowl, even if two teams I despise are playing.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
"I think we’re past that. I love the city of Denver. I started there and I’d like to finish there." - Brandon Marshall at the 2010 Pro Bowl

by kentuckybronco on Feb 9, 2010 6:19 AM MST reply actions

May have been the best matchup since Broncos/Packers

Of course it’s hard to be objective about that.

by admill on Feb 9, 2010 8:58 AM MST up reply actions

There've been a few good match-ups since then but truly this one was close.

For all the folks questioning the colts after this game… If it were played again this Sunday, the Colts would be favored again. It was a well played, well coached game by the Saints.

I was given a Saints cap by some drunk during the game… I wore it yesterday for my foot surgery… Dr. was a Chargers fan who ‘liked it very much’ I’d be calling myself a front-running non-fan if I weren’t planning on giving it back when I can get hold of it’s rightful owner. Just another difference between Dolts fans and BRONCOS FANS.

by Whidbey Bronco on Feb 9, 2010 9:18 AM MST up reply actions

gotta work on my formatting...

by Whidbey Bronco on Feb 9, 2010 9:18 AM MST up reply actions

So, I'm guessing you are looking for a new doctor, now?

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
"I think we’re past that. I love the city of Denver. I started there and I’d like to finish there." - Brandon Marshall at the 2010 Pro Bowl

by kentuckybronco on Feb 9, 2010 10:01 AM MST up reply actions

well ...in no hurry to return, if that counts.

by Whidbey Bronco on Feb 9, 2010 11:29 AM MST up reply actions

lol, that works.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
"I think we’re past that. I love the city of Denver. I started there and I’d like to finish there." - Brandon Marshall at the 2010 Pro Bowl

by kentuckybronco on Feb 9, 2010 11:55 AM MST up reply actions

A Dolts Fan Showed Up at my Workplace Today

and I said, “Congratulations” for being the only true fan the franchise has. She was wearing a Charger hat AFTER the team’s gag job against the Jets. My cousin is getting married at Newport in May and if I go, I bet I’ll see no Chargers propaganda, hats, jerseys or anything with the yellow bolt anywhere. Loser “fans.”

Brad James

by the new Bradfather on Feb 9, 2010 2:55 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks John

-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

by BroncoSense72 on Feb 9, 2010 7:02 AM MST reply actions

Thanks John

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Feb 9, 2010 7:20 AM MST reply actions

Thanks John

Thats a lot of people watching the game. I think the blizzard on the east coast had a lot to do with it.

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Feb 9, 2010 8:27 AM MST reply actions

Thanks John, good stuff here.

"A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do" Walter Gagenot
"Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible."

by bchiper on Feb 9, 2010 8:41 AM MST reply actions

Loved this observation re: McNabb & covering the bases:

If anything, this proves the Broncos are covering all their bases – exactly what they SHOULD BE DOING this time of year – and what Jay Cutler couldn’t handle last February.

Thanks John

We live in an age when instant gratification isn't fast enough

by BShrout on Feb 9, 2010 9:19 AM MST reply actions

interesting... I'd rather have Kolb

http://broncotalk.net/2010/02/13979/broncos-buzz/denver-considering-donovan-mcnabb/#more-13979

by Whidbey Bronco on Feb 9, 2010 9:20 AM MST reply actions

Defintiely....

Common sense would be to go with the young guy with all the upside. I think teams are investigating the Eagles and McNabb to see if they can get him “on the cheap”. A 2nd Rounder + other compensation?? No way. But teams are likely going to try and talk the Eagles down….

-TSG

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by John Bena on Feb 9, 2010 9:28 AM MST up reply actions

agreed. and we'll take him for a 2nd and 4th but what a dis to McNabb!

by Whidbey Bronco on Feb 9, 2010 9:38 AM MST up reply actions

These rumors make me quite frustrated..

I understand McNabb is a potential upgrade over Orton… but it makes NO sense to me to put an old qb in a completely new system… he will completely have to go through the learning process like Orton did last year.. and besides.. he will be playing behind the same O-line that desperately needs (not even talking about D-front 7 yet) an upgrade but wont be getting one for a while if we spend our high draftpick on an old QB…

Like John said.. the Broncos are probably just looking for a bargain pick-up… but if we end up paying a high price for him, I’ll be extremely disappointed. McNabb himself is not the differencemaker to get this team to the Super Bowl.

Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands

by BroncosNL on Feb 9, 2010 10:23 AM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Krieger's so annoying....

Now that the Super Bowl champion Saints have reminded everyone how useful a 6-foot-4 wide receiver can be — thank you, Marques Colston — let’s set our imaginations free for a minute.

Yeah, that one first down pass that he dropped sure set my imagination free! Definitely reminded me of B-Marsh.

by Gristle McThornbody on Feb 9, 2010 9:53 AM MST reply actions

I thought Colston picked up his game well after that drop.

He’s a very good receiver and I don’t think the physical parallel with B Marsh is without merit.

And while I’m not a bit fan of Krieger, I did agree with these bits:

the important thing to remember is that this is not like the Jay Cutler situation or the Tony Scheffler situation or the Peyton Hillis situation. Despite the soap opera surrounding Marshall, this is not fundamentally about personality or performance. This is about money.
…
The Broncos could yet decide to pay one of the NFL’s top receivers a fair salary. In fact, it’s likely to be their best option.

We’ve had our share of headaches with B Marsh, but I’ll continue to argue that it would be a shame if the team that stood by him through all of his troubles and guided him, whether by carrot or stick, into maturation was not the same team to reap the benefits of a mature Brandon Marshall.

"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 Feb 9, 2010 10:20 AM MST up reply actions

Good points bro.

I agree with most of that. What’s an uncertainty in my mind, though, is will B-Marsh ever mature? In 4 years he has not. Will he stay this “current model citizen” once he’s seen his big pay day?

by Gristle McThornbody on Feb 9, 2010 6:33 PM MST up reply actions

Totally feel you there

but I guess, in view of what we’ve already risked and received in return for our faith, I’m willing to trust him. I don’t do so easily or blindly, but for a guy to become a man, you have to “give him his head,” in horseman’s parlance.

by broncosmontana on Feb 10, 2010 8:18 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks John

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

by KaptainKirk on Feb 9, 2010 10:07 AM MST reply actions

Oh Krieger

So a Marshall trade still is the way to bet. But all the recent happy talk offers a reminder that it is not inevitable. The Broncos could yet decide to pay one of the NFL’s top receivers a fair salary. In fact, it’s likely to be their best option.

I’m not sure I agree with Krieger’s assesment, but then I rarely agree with the professional pot stirrers over at the Denver Post. The option he suggests of giving Marshall a raise for the year without extending him is probably more like the 2nd worst option available in this whole situation. It could keep Marshall productive, hungry, and happy, but it would also leave us with ZERO leverage.

Right now, management holds all the cards in the Brandon Marshall contract/trade negotiations. But giving him a HUGE singular season raise (2-3 times his salary last year, as Krieger suggests) without extending him just serves to hand those cards over to Brandon. Not wise IMO.

The Broncos would lose all leverage, as the looming lockout would have already passed by the time Marshall sits back down to the table, if he ever does, becuase let’s face it… Why would he sit down to negotiate during the ‘10 season when he’s already getting paid and set to freely negotiate the open market once the season ends.

We would no longer own the rights to BM, so we would get no picks or players, and his price would go up even further in the free market next year, as teams are more likely to spend bigger money when they’re not also giving up draft picks to attain the player. Think Albert Haynesworth. In hindsight, the Titans should have traded him in the prior year, instead of just letting him just walk over to the Redskins for nothing. We should not make the same mistake.

Good luck with the Redskins Mr. Mike! I'll be watching and cheering for a non-Bronco team for the first time in my life. Well, except when they play the Broncos!

by Alex on Feb 9, 2010 10:47 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

good observations!

Bleeding Orange & Blue in The Netherlands

by BroncosNL on Feb 9, 2010 10:53 AM MST up reply actions

I don't hold much credence in what Kreiger says.

He’s friggin’ idiot!

by bfree2bronc on Feb 9, 2010 2:59 PM MST up reply actions

I Love McNabb

but Orton deserves the job for as long as Mr. Bowlen and McDaniels say he does. Orton is excellent for us and perhaps McNabb wouldn’t be in this system. It’s always best to go with the most sure thing. Of course, Orton has thick skin and doesn’t whine like a certain diabetic psychologically-12-year-old quarterback who we sent to Chicago and speculation is fun. Sometimes, I imagine I can date ESPN Deportes hottie Adriana Monsalve and while this doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Phoenix of happening, it’s still fun and breaks up the monotony. Thank heaven the MSM (yet) isn’t making a big deal of Mac 5 allegedly coming to Denver.

Brad James

by the new Bradfather on Feb 9, 2010 2:52 PM MST reply actions