the    sides

Haven’t blogged in a week and this one is going to be about sports. I’ll post some pics later today - after I upgrade my WP.

BUT…the Denver Broncos stumble into the off-season just like they stumbled into the regular season - relying on Elam to bail their underperforming offense and defense out for a win against a team they should have blown out.

Then again, maybe they shouldn’t have blown them out. All in all, this Bronco team was just….bad.

Bad karma, bad talent, bad coaching, bad chemistry….just bad.

Our local beatwriters will point to the deaths of Williams and Nash, the rash of injuries (name me an NFL team that didn’t have injuries), and a ‘new defensive system.’

But let’s face it…this is a bad team with guys of questionable character. And when things go bad with guys of questionable character - it only gets worse.

Javon Walker says he wants out of Denver because he doesn’t fit. Ironically, the team he says he fits best with is Green Bay. He didn’t feel that way 2 years ago. My hunch is he doesn’t like being the number 2 WR. Which is too bad.

So, package him and Travis Henry to the Atlanta Falcons or Baltimore Ravens. Heck, call the Dolphins while we are at it. We’ll take anything - draft picks, timeshares, free gift cards to Home Depot. We’re just looking for places where these guys can fit…and be close to their families…however large and as many moms as they may have.

Second, on draft day…don’t get cute. Don’t try to outwit, outlast, or outplay the media. Pick the best player available with your highest pick…probably number 12. I don’t care what position he plays (other than QB). Pick him. Don’t get cute and try to hit a home run with THE sleeper pick of the year. Pick the most talented guy on the board. Period. My hunch says it’ll be a safety or an OL. Now if some idiots in front of the Broncs don’t happen to pickup the lineman from Michigan or the linebacker from Ohio State - draft him.

But with the number 12 pick…I don’t want to have to Google his name to figure out what he played where. Draft a guy that performed on the field…not has impressive numbers.

Third…special teams coach. Find a new one.

I’d say fire the Defensive Coordinator but that’s probably not going to happen. Would be too embarrassing for the team to fire the guy less than 9 months after he was tagged the guru we needed. Bates has a track record of excellence so giving him the benefit of the doubt may be prudent but his first impression has been terrible. As a coach, you’re supposed to take what you have and make it better…not worse. And that’s exactly what he did. On paper, he’s had more talent than Collier ever did and managed to take the Denver D from fourth in the league to 30th.

That kind of fall makes for a great postcard image and is one that even the Dolphins can’t compete with.

Instead, try these changes on for size. Make the move official for John Lynch to outside linebacker in a 3-4 set-up. Keep Moss and Dumerville on the line, return DJ Williams to his native outside backer position. I want Lynch’s toughness and leadership on the field. He can still pop but he can’t cover wideouts. That was made painfully obvious this year. The good news is with Bailey, Bly, Foxworth and company - we shouldn’t need him in coverage anyway.

In the second and third round of the draft - draft defensive players who produced on the field. I don’t care what the watches and weights said.

Finally, strength and conditioning coach. Go to Indianapolis and figure out what they are doing. They play on turf and have traditionally been one of the healthiest teams in the league. Whatever we are doing isn’t working and hasn’t worked for the last few years.

That will do for now. Call me when you’re finished.