Handing Out Horseshoes - Broncos Week 15 Edition

by KaptainKirk on Dec 19, 2011 4:00 PM MST in Game Ball of the Week

A Bronco loss means there won't be any Game Balls doled out this week, but in keeping with the rather new tradition of this series, I will be handing out Horseshoes to the achievers from the Offense, Defense and Special Teams Units. A -3 Turnover differential will get you beat Every Given Sunday and the Broncos needed a mistake-free effort to have a chance to beat the New England Patriots on Sunday. But they are young and in a rebuilding year. Rebounding from a 4-12 season a year ago into what is currently an 8-6 team tells me that the conditions are favorable for a return to post season runs instead of dwelling with the has-been teams in the land of "Have Nots."

This one is going to be short and sweet as I have one Horseshoe for each of the three Units.

OFFENSE

The Horseshoe on Offense goes to Wide Receiver Demaryius Thomas. Thomas caught 7 passes for 116 yards after being targeted a team-high 13 times on Sunday. More importantly, he didn't drop one ball. Five of Bay Bay's seven receptions made a 1st down. His long of the day was a 39-yard catch on the sideline with 9:39 left in the 4th Quarter. Two plays later, Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow scored on a 2 yard run. That was the last time Denver got into the End Zone on Sunday.

Demaryius is starting to put together consistent games in his sophomore campaign. Perhaps not to the justification of his draft status, but if his injury concerns are behind him, the outlook for his future is very promising. On the season, Thomas has 25 Receptions for 441 yards, a 17.6 average and 4 Touchdowns.

DEFENSE

Chris Harris gets the defensive Horseshoe this week. He led the Broncos with 9 Tackles including a stuff on RB Stevan Ridley running around the right end for a 2-yard loss on 4th and 5 in the 4th Quarter. Harris had another stuff in the 1st Quarter on RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis for no gain. Chris wasn't assigned one specific player to defense on Sunday as Broncos Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen tried to create the best matchups. Harris guarded Patriots Tight Ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski at different times throughout the game. He also defended Wide Receivers Tiguan Underwood and the NFL's leading receiver Wes Welker. Chris allowed one catch for 1 yard to Hernandez and chased him down another time in the 1st Quarter, when Quinton Carter whiffed on a Tackle, then Champ Bailey and Wesley Woodyard missed Tackling Hernandez. Rahim Moore was blocked by Chad Ochocinco and all four players got tangled up. Carter got up and pursued downfield. Andre' Goodman moved to contain the play and Harris made the Tackle, but not after Hernandez had run for 46 yards.

Rob Gronkowski was held without a catch because of penalties when Harris drew his assignment. But Chris did make a play in the 4th Quarter on the Tight End. At the 8:10 mark, Gronkowski is wide open, takes the short pass over the middle from Tom Brady and takes off. Harris ran him down, but the play went for 38 yards. This was not Harris' responsibility, there was a break down in coverage and Gronkowski was unaccounted for.

Harris allowed Tiguan Underwood's only catch of the day, for 13 yards and Wes Welker caught 3 passes for 36 yards.

The 22 year old Undrafted Free Agent Cornerback out of Kansas has done a stellar job with his opportunity with the injuries to last years CFA surprise Cassius Vaughn and Syd'Quan Thompson in the Broncos secondary.
Harris' totals this season, are 61 Tackles, 5 Pass Break Ups and one Interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Special Teams Horseshoe goes to Britton Colquitt this week. Britton had 3 punts average 55.0 yards on Sunday. His Net average was 47.3 yards because all three were returned an average of 7.7 yards. Colquitt put one Inside the 20 yard line and his longest went 60 yards. That was the 5th time this season Colquitt had at least a 50 yard gross average and the sixth game he has had a Net average of 45 yards or better.

Britton has made 85 punts this season for a gross average of 47.9 and a Net of 41.7 yards. His longest punt this year is a 66-yarder. Colquitt has placed 27 punts Inside the 20 yard line and has forced 24 Fair Catches. A mere 6 punts have gone for a touchback and the coverage Unit has downed 9 punts and helped his Net average by holding the opposing Punt Returners to a 9.31 average on 44 Returns.

There isn't much left that I haven't already said about Britton Colquitt. He is having a great year. Colquitt isn't likely to get a Pro Bowl nod this year due to his competition in the AFC West, but he has certainly played at a Pro Bowl worthy level this season and has been a consistent contributor for Denver.

That concludes this weeks Horseshoes. It's time to prepare for the Buffalo Bills.

Go Broncos!

Follow Me on Twitter!

Like Me on FaceBook!

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 7 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The lack of horseshoe's really show this was a team effort to lose

coaches n’ all

The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl.

by Broncs55 on Dec 19, 2011 4:11 PM MST reply actions

everyone please hand your horseshoes in.

work hard you’ll get them back next week.

"It’s embarrassing to think the Broncos could win with Tebow." — Merril

by oxmouth on Dec 19, 2011 4:39 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

LMAO!

Don’t sugar coat it ox.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Follow @MHR_KaptainKirk
KaptainKirk on FaceBook

by KaptainKirk on Dec 19, 2011 4:44 PM MST up reply actions

Nailed it on every horseshoe.

-Champ Bailey's calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Champ Bailey-
-The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese -

by Automatik41 on Dec 19, 2011 5:12 PM MST reply actions

Not really happy about the botched hold for Colquitt

He made the punts (as usual), but that could have been a very costly mistake.

by Da Bum on Dec 19, 2011 5:14 PM MST up reply actions

That was a bad snap

It is even officially listed as such in the Game Center post on NFL.com

by KaptainKirk on Dec 19, 2011 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Give me a break

… even Romo could have placed that kick. He was in la la land for sure.

#CatchDaBallDude

by jimmyray on Dec 19, 2011 10:28 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Bounced the snap.

It’s all of a sudden like trying to pick up a fumble.

by idahobronc on Dec 19, 2011 5:56 PM MST up reply actions

Except that the snap has a fair amount of momentum on it.

A squirting football is not easy to place for a kick, even for a professional.

by Tezcatlipoca on Dec 20, 2011 7:20 AM MST up reply actions

BTW does anyone know if Bunkley injury was serious?

-Champ Bailey's calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Champ Bailey-
-The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese -

by Automatik41 on Dec 19, 2011 5:14 PM MST reply actions

Fox said that anyone who was hurt ended up coming back...

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Dec 19, 2011 5:57 PM MST up reply actions

I hope Bunkley is all right!

Brad James

Follow me on Twitter

With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Dec 19, 2011 5:56 PM MST reply actions

Pet Peeve

Nice article, Kaptain. Thank you.

One general pet peeve (not really directed at you) – why does it matter whether someone was drafted 1st round or 5th round this year or last or the year before?

I hear this comment made all the time in various posts, and it seems to me that the only thing that matters is how the player is performing NOW as a member of the team.

Maybe somebody could have been drafted later, for less money. Who cares? So the owner makes a little more or a little less than they might have. Let’s praise or critique the players for their performance now. If they’re a solid member of the team, I couldn’t care less what position they were drafted in, years ago. I just care that they’re trying to help my team win now!

(Whew – thanks for letting me get that off my chest)

Anyway, thanks again for all the interesting posts you make on this board. It makes for very interesting reading.

by bill2975 on Dec 19, 2011 7:26 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Lol. I get your meaning

and agree you have a point. There are others who believe that it matters. I suppose it is all how you look at it.

by KaptainKirk on Dec 19, 2011 11:29 PM MST up reply actions

I think it gives a general sense of a team's talent evaluation process.

If the team is getting solid production from its high draft picks and a few diamonds in the rough from undrafted or low round guys, that says a lot of good about the franchise.

by Tezcatlipoca on Dec 20, 2011 7:21 AM MST up reply actions

Dead on Kaptain

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby

by Calikula on Dec 19, 2011 7:54 PM MST reply actions

Good job Demaryius Thomas!

I am happy to see him healthy and playing well.

Floyd Little: HOF Class of 2010.

2009-10 back-to-back NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009-10 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Dec 19, 2011 8:00 PM MST reply actions

Bottom Line Up Front

Broncos are doing much better that I (Life long Bronco Fan) thought we would be doing this year. Tim is leading a mediocre team, with a motivated defense, to do things no one thought they could do. Tim is passing and running well. Surround him with elite recievers and RBs like other great QBs and he’ll be a force. Our defense is young and old. Bring along the young guys and reinforce the old guys, we’ll do well. No matter what, be a fan, cheer on what we have. I believe playoffs are a possibility and success is within reach. Coaching staff is seeing something no other coaching staff has seen in years, if ever. They will figure it out and drive forward. I’m excited. We have the tools and we have a full off season coming after a possible post season experiance…….Thanks Kirk for the help on my Masters Thesis, I got an A…..
Merry Christmas

by MajorG on Dec 19, 2011 8:34 PM MST reply actions

You are very welcome sir.

by KaptainKirk on Dec 19, 2011 11:30 PM MST up reply actions

Is that all we need?

Elite WRs and RBs? Those should be pretty easy to come by.

REVELATION 6:8
And I looked, and behold a pale [Bronco]: and his name that sat on him was [Tebow], and [a Ferocious Defense] followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth [Quarter of the Game], to kill with [the 1st ranked run attack], and with [clutch plays], and with [bone crunching sacks], and with the beasts of the [Mile HIgh City].
Follow @TrappedInOC

by Trapped in O.C. on Dec 20, 2011 11:25 PM MST via Android app up reply actions

Think Virgil Green deserves a horseshoe

Dude was beasting his side of field blocking the edge in the running game

by knoepke84 on Dec 19, 2011 10:11 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Speaking of TE's...

… of which Mr Brady is so familiar… where are ours in the receiving game? Put Tebow in a Bekichik offense that utilities slow developing screens and delayed TE drops and he’d thrive.

by jimmyray on Dec 19, 2011 10:38 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

I think you underestimate Tom Brady...

and the fact that they have been running pretty much the same system with the same guys for years. Actually you are under estimating Bill Belli too. Pats get stopped a lot on offense and make adjustments to keep the chains moving. They all are on the same page b/c most of them have been doing it for a while together. Coach Qb, online, wrs… why do u think dien branch is a starter and ocho can barely get on the field?

by Triz06 on Dec 20, 2011 6:45 AM MST up reply actions

Agreed

You want to seee Tebow’s completion % go up, and an easy way to keep drives alive? Get him a TE pass-catching threat. It would also take coverage away from Decker and DT. It would be so valuable for a TE to release once Tebow scrabmles out of the pocket. Where are you, Julius Thomas? Can you become a football player please!

by RoxWS2014 on Dec 20, 2011 9:11 AM MST up reply actions