Colts 38 - Broncos 20 - Post Game Stats and Quotes

by John Bena (aka TheSportsGuru) on Sep 30, 2007 8:21 PM MDT in Strictly My Opinion Comment 2 comments

Mike Shanahan --

General Comments -- "We knew going into the game we had to limit Indy's possessions. I think we did limit their possessions, but obviously they did a great job of making some plays, running and throwing the ball. I think they were 5-5 in the red zone."

On Broncos offensive performance -- "When you have the opportunities inside the 20, you've got to turn them into touchdowns, not field goals. We had a couple of opportunities down there and couldn't convert."

On Broncos' special teams play -- "Obviously, we're going to keep working on that. We lost field position today. That's something we're going to have to improve on. The first couple of drives, we didn't have to go very far."

On Colts offense -- "We know they're a very good offensive football team. They have been stopped, but obviously we didn't do that today. I shouldn't say stop, slowed down."

QB JAY CUTLER --

On the Colts' offense -- "Peyton (Manning) controls that offense. He does an exceptional job. They don't turn the ball over and don't make many mistakes. We got going early but we needed touchdowns instead of field goals."

On not getting touchdowns in the red zone -- "We will have to go back and look at it and see what our problem is. On third downs, we need to move the chains. As a whole, we need to look at everything we are doing."

On being first in their division -- "Doesn't feel like we are. We are 2-2 and there is still a lot of football left. We need to keep working and looking for ways each week. We have a good team. We will go back and look at the film and keep working."

S Nick Ferguson --

On preparing for Peyton Manning -- "He's been around the league for a long time. He's seen a lot of different defenses. At least he got into his game plan and made adjustments the second half."

On the Colts team and offense -- "It's not just all about him (Manning). He is not the offensive coordinator making the calls. Those guys did well as a unit making adjustments. So you can't give Peyton all the credit. After half-time, they came out with a different plan."

On waiting for the big play to happen -- You want to try to force turnovers on defense, create a spark, but we weren't able to do it today. They didn't really get long throws, but their running game worked and they were able to get outside."

RB Selvin Young --

On needing to play the "perfect game" against the Colts -- "You try to play a perfect game. You don't want to come out on the field not knowing your assignments and not trying to play the perfect game. The closer you play the perfect game, the more chance you have to win."

On needing to play the "perfect game" against the Colts -- "I feel like a team like that (Colts), of course you have to be on your game and you have to come out ready to play and understand what they are capable of doing."

On combining for nearly 200 yards with Henry and losing the game) -- "Most definitely, I'm shocked. If you get over 150 yards, I feel like you're supposed to win the football game."

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Defensive Tackle

It's hard to believe that Ian Gold has gotten so old so fast, but the evidence is there.

That said, the number one issue with this team, I believe, is the defensive tackle position. I'm a believer in the "it all starts inside" philosophy on both offense and defense. On the offensive side of the ball, things seem to be gelling alright. The running game is solid and Cutler is getting time to throw. On the defensive side, well, it's clear when you see guys like Kenton Keith gashing through the guts of the defense that there are issues in the middle. As far as the LB's, it's hard to know if they just stink that bad or if they're having troubles because of the DT's. We all know Bates' system is predicated on the tackles clogging up the middle, holding down the line, freeing up the backers to roam. And that is no where near happening. The warning signs were evident during the preseason when BOTH presumed starters couldn't even make the roster (Warren and Kennedy) and the old man signed to add veteran experience and provide the starters with a breather for a few plays a game (Adams) becomes the main starter expected to anchor the whole operation.

So what's the solution? I hate to be only 4 games into the season (well, it started after 3 games), sitting tied with the Division lead and talking about "next year" but that's the reality of the it. The stopgap for this season is to get gimmicky, which is like getting a root canal to watch. The good news is the rookies are getting valuable experience and looking OK. The last 3 years' drafts are looking pretty good, actually. Plus, Denver has a decent supply of draft picks again this year. They're sitting pretty good on offense, QB, WR, RB, TE are all in capable young hands. Corners still have some years as well as MLB. So, they can spend the whole draft on defense, tackle and safety (maybe take an OL in there, too). I think given the colossal a-swing-and-a-miss this season on the DT position (not including Thomas, who will pan out), it's not really possible to judge how Bates' system will work out. He has a proven track record so he deserves another season to make it work here.

This is why I'm not totally down-trodden about yesterday. I knew that Indy was going to run on us, they're not stupid, just follow the blueprint laid out. So, with low expectations, it was easy to see progress in the offense and hold out hope for "next year."

by MN Bronco on Oct 1, 2007 8:34 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeez...

""Broncos linebacker Nate Webster was just as upset as Bailey, and agreed that something needs to be done.

What, specifically?

"Everything," Webster said. "We have to go back to the drawing board."

Webster said he is sickened by the defensive performance because he believes the Broncos have quality players but the same mistakes keep getting repeated.

"We need to tighten it up," Webster said. "It's just football stuff. We just have to man up and get it done." ""

Change all the "We"'s in the above exerpt from the Denver Post and change them to "I"'s. Webster is awful. He is making DJ Williams look bad and I truly think DJ has been doing fairly well thus far. It isn't his fault Webster overpursues and misses his gaps all over the place.

by Zappa on Oct 1, 2007 11:15 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs