Tag Archives: NFL

sports ramblings

The First of Many

August 7, 2009 – 9:40 am

Posts on my beloved but confused Broncos.

They had a live practice at Invesco Field last night. At first I thought it would have been awesome to be there. After reading the reports…I’m not so sure.

My good friend David has blogged about his experience at training camp this year. I went last year with him. I love David very much. He is a godly man, godly father, and great leader. But I have to take issue with his perspective on things.

Kyle Orton
I realize he looks good in practice…with no hitting…no helmets…no fans…no screaming…and against a defense that has yet to put pressure on any quarterback. This is not going to be a good year at the QB position for the Broncos. It just isn’t. All Bronco fans just need to accept this fact and move on.

Eddie Royal, et al
Our receivers do look awesome…in practice with a quarterback who gets the ball near them with no helmets, no contact, no fans, and no pressure. Seeing a pattern here?

Bronco running game
I understand there is hope among the Blue and Orange that this is the year they return to their normal run dominance. Wake up. As long as Knowshon is a no-show…look at last year, rinse and repeat. With no passing game to threaten the deep part of the field, get used to seeing 8 men in the box.

The best, most rested secondary in the NFL
Panic may set in with the news that Dawkins broke his hand last night. Relax. First, he’ll be ready for the opener. But with Champ and crew in the secondary, no need to panic at all. Teams can’t pass on this secondary.

Of course, they aren’t going to need to pass because when you rip off 7 to 8 yards a carry…

The Phantom 7
No one can tackle on the front 7 of the Broncos. No one. I’m so glad we drafted a RB, a corner, and a tight end. I do think McDaniels needs to run the offensive line and backs through tackling drills this summer as they will have a chance to have as many tackles as the defensive front 7 with the INTs that are coming.

The Schedule
Makes you really wonder why McD traded the 1st round pick for a 2nd this year now. Had to be financial considerations because we’ll have a top 10 pick next year. It’s just brutal and honestly, I’m glad. Just a huge wake up call as to the talent level difference between the Broncs and the rest of the league at this point.

Coaching
I’ll reserve my comments on this until I actually see a game. For all we know, he’s going to be a genius. Let’s hope for that and MAYBE it will make up for the interpersonal relationship problems and draft decisions he’s made so far.

Back to normal life…at least we’re not the Raiders.

Tags , , | Permalink | Comments (3)
sports ramblings

Training Camp Around The Corner

July 17, 2009 – 10:45 am

With training camp looming near, all I’m getting on the radio around here is Chief’s news. KC just signed Matt Cassell to a long term deal, which is good but I still wonder how in the world are the Chefs (misspelled on purpose) going to protect him? Who’s going to catch the ball? Who’s going to run it?

Of course, Denver’s problems aren’t that much better, just on the other side of the ball. Who’s going to tackle? Who’s going to lead the defense? Who’s going to put pressure on the QB? I’m not sure which problems are better to have…this is why we play the games.

Cutler Saga Continued…
This week, KC Joyner got slammed because of his comments about Cutler as a Bear. For Bronco fans – nothing really new in the article. We were getting tired of the sulking on the sidelines after a bad play, 4th quarter red-zone picks and turnovers. We chalked up the first 2 years as inexperienced, this year they got harder to swallow especially down the stretch with a 3 game lead.

I think the coaches and fan were hoping that he’d grow up and out of that stuff, that Cutler’s maturity would eventually rise up to the level of his talent. It didn’t in Denver. Chicago is hoping it does there. It could happen. Plenty of stories have played out that way.

What I think is bizarre is that particular class of QB’s is turning out to be the Head Case Class of all time. Leinart, Young, and Cutler have not been the most stable bunch of QB’s. All have had their off-field issues and attitude issues. None have exactly lived up to their hype.

Other Random Training Camp Thoughts
The Broncs – Orton doesn’t thrill me but if he can protect a lead, not turn it over in the 4th quarter – I’ll take it. Knowshon Moreno is going to be fun to watch. The defense of Denver is going to be painful to watch. Addition of Dawkins is huge but not sure if it’s huge enough. He’s not a defensive lineman.

Jokeland is pathetic. They already cut their 6th round pick from this year’s draft. I have a few Raider fan friends. I pity them. It’s getting to the point when I see them, I don’t even rag on Oakland even more because it’s just too easy and painful. I just shake my head and move on. I think JaMarcus Russell will back up Garcia this year and gain 75 pounds. I hope McFadden can stay healthy so when he becomes a free agent, he can go to a team with a prayer of a chance to win.

San Diego – getting older, still have ridiculous talent to win. Still not convinced that Norv Turner is the guy to take them there but he manages to scrape by. Last year again – scrapes into the playoffs and makes some noise in the first round. The problem for the Chargers is they don’t come to play every single game. I don’t know why. It baffles my mind with LT, Rivers, and Gates how that can happen but it has the last two years.

The NFL season can’t get here fast enough.

Tags , , , , | Permalink | Comments (4)
sports ramblings

NFL Offseason Thoughts

June 14, 2009 – 2:00 pm

The Bronco Soap Opera
Has to be the biggest story of the offseason – Shanahan fired, McDaniels in, Cutler gone, Marshall in trouble with law…again, the questionable draft of the Broncos. Marshall not showing up for a mandatory camp was a stupid move by an immature player. Yes, he’s underpaid but there is no way any team is going to give him a larger contract right now with his track record with the law and his injuries. So his only real course of action right now is to shut up, show up, and grow up.

McDaniels as coach — I still don’t get it, honestly. I’m hopeful, just like the next fan but he’s got a lot to prove and he shortened his window to prove it in when the Cutler debacle went down. His draft wasn’t awesome either, neither was the offseason signings. Heck, one of the RB’s he signed didn’t even pass his physical. Trading a next year’s first for a this year’s second on an undersized CB…the list goes on but I also know that if Moreno turns out to be the next TD, everyone will forget the rest.

I’ll dance in the streets if the Broncos break .500 this year.

The Favre Chronicles
It could be argued that this is the number 1 story. I wouldn’t argue a whole lot. It’s just…it’s tiring. Just retire, 4. Look at how 7 did it and just quit. The Jet Experiment left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, going to the Vikings is just going to get worse. It would have been like Elway going to the Raiders. Unthinkable. Plus, the more he sticks around, the more he looks like a prima donna, the exact opposite of his legacy at Green Bay.

Brady Returns
I don’t fully understand the love affair with Tom Brady. He’s a great quarterback, don’t get me wrong. I’d love to see him in Blue and Orange given the options we’ve got. But Cassell took the team to 11-5. Not shabby. To be fair, Brady takes advantage of every mismatch ever on the field…due to coaching or talent or smarts – on one hand it doesn’t matter. He gets it done. On the other hand, I don’t think he’s the greatest ever, I don’t think the Patsies would be done if he got hurt or wasn’t there. Just saying…

Todd Haley at KC
Living in Topeka, I’m flooded with the Chefs info. It’s mildly irritating as they have little to no talent on this team. Their past drafts make Denver and Oakland look like geniuses…and that’s saying something. The biggest problem KC had was addressed this year – their GM and they got a great one. So over the next few years, I expect the Chefs to reach the level of annoyance that they traditionally have – having the ability to show up in your house and just hand it to you for 60 minutes. Making both the fans and the players that they’ve been in a car wreck when the game is over.

(As an aside – one of the most wicked hits I’ve ever seen was Dale Carter lighting up Elway on a roll out pass. It was a late hit, it got a yellow flag…but the entire stadium went silent waiting to see if 7 was getting up.)

But they’re not there yet. Most of the stories around here focus on Todd Haley – the fired up coach from Arizona. It’s been interesting to see the progression of him being a jerk, to just a tough guy, to a good guy who demands a lot from his players over the last few weeks on sports radio. Who knows what he’s really like, he’s in the same boat as McDaniels is in on one hand…but less pressure at this point, I think. Fans here are giving him the benefit of the doubt so far.

What’s been your favorite/least favorite moment of the offseason so far?

Tags , , | Permalink | Comments (6)
sports ramblings

Understanding the Bronco’s Draft, Day 1

April 25, 2009 – 11:04 pm

First, hire the youngest, most arrogant offensive minded coach you can find. Never mind you already had an offensive guru and that defense was your biggest problem. Minor details.

Second, allow him to trade the franchise the QB for 2 first round picks.

Third, we don’t really need the number 2 rated DT in college football. I realize he fell, should have been drafted higher. But draft a RB after you already signed 2 in free agency and have 2 2nd year backs that looked great. It doesn’t matter. You’re missing the point.

Remember those 2 first round picks? Now trade one of them away for a 2nd round pick so you can get a short CB. Why? Because we really missed the Dre’ “Toast” Bly era.

It’s not even worth walking through the logic of the draft this year…

This is how Raider fans feel every year.

Tags , , , | Permalink | Comments (2)
sports ramblings

I Got A Letter From Pat Bowlen…

April 3, 2009 – 1:51 pm

Okay, it’s a form letter that he sent to season ticket holders and those of us on the waiting list.

Here’s what it said…

Dear Broncos Fan,

I am writing this letter today because I feel compelled to give our community and our fans an explanation regarding the Jay Cutler situation.

One of my directives to Josh McDaniels upon his hiring was that he consider everything possible to return the Broncos to the level which you and I both expect, and this certainly includes making a fair evaluation of every opportunity presented to us which might improve the team. He and General Manager Brian Xanders have had my complete support throughout, and they have it now. It is important that you know that at all times we represented ourselves to Jay with honesty and integrity.

I assure you both Josh and I made repeated attempts to reach out to Jay, and I can not speak for him as to why he chose to limit his response. Ultimately, given his unwillingness to speak with either of us directly in the last 12 days- at the same time his agent clearly stating to us Jay’s intentions- it became very apparent to me personally that he no longer wanted to play for the Denver Broncos. As such, we elected to trade him.

Understand this: it remains about team. Our franchise has gone to the Super Bowl six times, with three different coaches and with many different players. It has never been about one player, and it never will be. Coach McDaniels shares this vision, and everyone in the organization—players, coaches and staff—must understand and accept this unconditionally. If anyone does not, that person will not be a part of this franchise.

I am extremely proud of our franchise, its accomplishments, and the region and fans that we represent. We have an illustrious history, one which we are all anxious to add to, and if someone does not wish to be with us as we head in this direction, then we will move on, and move forward.

Over 96% of our season ticket holders have chosen to renew their tickets for the 2009 season. This is once again a compelling statement of support and trust by the greatest fans in the NFL, and I assure you my only goal is and always will be to compete at the highest championship level.

The Denver Broncos will move forward in 2009 as one team, united with the most loyal and passionate fan base in football, towards the only goal we will ever pursue.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your understanding and continued support.

Sincerely,
Pat Bowlen

Good letter. Is it damage control? I don’t think so. I think it’s a return to sanity and class after a 30 day hiatus. I admire Pat Bowlen saying – hey, Jay doesn’t want to be here and lead? Fine. We’ll find people who do. Then he and his team went out and got the best deal they could get.

Nice letter, Mr. Bowlen. Good to have you back.

Tags , , | Permalink | Comment (0)
sports ramblings

The Morning After

April 3, 2009 – 11:42 am

I’ve had a night to sleep on the Cutler trade and here’s what I think I think about it.

Chicago gave up a lot to get Cutler. A team with major needs at WR and on the defensive side of the ball needs draft picks. Chicago gave those picks up. It’s a risk but the flipside of the argument is that they sucked at picking players in the first round anyway and Cutler is a known commodity. If Jay Cutler grows up, it could turn out to be a win-win trade for everybody.

Denver got picks but blew their offense up to do it. Marshall will be coming off of hip surgery and more police escorts. The O-line is still great. We’ve got some above average to good running backs in the mix. Can’t replace Cutler’s talent but maybe the offense can do without the interceptions as well. Orton/Simms isn’t going to scare anybody but if one of the 4 first round picks in the next two years produces a franchise quarterback…most would be forgiven.

Draft Picks are the best commodity to have. The picks will only be as good as the person drafting. So far, McDaniels and company have not shown well in the discernment department. If the picks hit, there is a possibility of looking at this like the Cowboys look at the Herschel Walker trade. If it doesn’t…there is always 2011 when we’ll have a new coach.

Seats at Mile High should be easier to get. It’s official, the Broncos are rebuilding and it will get worse before it gets better. Champ Bailey must be shaking his head wondering what happened in a short 4 years – from the AFC Championship Game to this. From a top 5 defense to this. From a top-rated offense to this.

Most fans don’t mind rebuilding when there is a clear direction and progress can be seen. But watching a team self-implode is ridiculous. Watching grown men behave worse than high school students is detestable. Like or not, we’re here and it’s not going away. We’ll watch more 45 to 50 point games this season with the knowledge that we can’t keep up with them anymore.

But if the picks hit and Mike Nolan coaches the D like he has in the past…there’s some hope. So far every light at the end of the tunnel has proven to be a train in the McDaniels era.

Tags , , , , | Permalink | Comments (5)
sports ramblings

Kyle Orton…

April 2, 2009 – 5:10 pm

[shakes head....nearest cliff to Topeka is where??]

I’m so glad I moved to Kansas City Chief country this year. Couldn’t have picked a better time to be a Bronco fan.

So let’s review the McDaniels Era thus far…

A failed three way trade for Matt Cassell in which a division rival gets said QB.
Lies to starting QB.
Fumbles the make-up so bad, owner has to step in.
Says he wouldn’t trade Cutler.
Signs spleenless Chris Simms.
Trades Cutler for Kyle Orton and 2 first round picks, 3rd round pick for a 5th rounder.
Simms and Orton can now compete for starting job.

The Bears just became a playoff team. The Broncos have just become a lottery team. The good news? We’ve now got enough picks to get a defense.

Glad this drama is over.

Tags , , , , | Permalink | Comments (2)
leadership ramblings sports ramblings

Million Dollar Victim

April 2, 2009 – 10:35 am

“I didn’t want to leave Denver.”

Really, Jay? That’s why you quit answering your phone, not showing up to meetings, put your house and your parent’s house up for sale in Denver, and had your agent demand a trade?

It pains me to say this but maybe we’re getting to see why McDaniels didn’t want Cutler in the first place. Leaders lead, they aren’t victims. They don’t deliver excuses, they deliver solutions and their presence. Cutler’s done none of this.

I’m still not a huge McDaniels fan either. He’s got plenty of fault in all of this as well but he seems to have learned one thing well from Belicheat – it’s better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you’re an idiot than to open your mouth and prove them right.

Tags , , , , | Permalink | Comment (1)
leadership ramblings sports ramblings

The Dark Years…

April 1, 2009 – 12:28 am

The Broncos officially begin the dark years with the impending trade of Cutler.

McDaniels – you are off to the worst start a rookie head coach has ever had and you haven’t coached a game yet. So far, I’m missing the Wade Phillips era. You have zero people skills. I’m praying to God you’re better with a headset on.

Bowlen – you’ve gone from the best owner in the league to needing an intervention and therapy. Broncs will be lucky to win 8 games next year. You’ve made Al Davis look stable the past two months. One hand, I appreciate bold moves and empowering your coach to lead the team. So far, your decisions seem to lack some major discernment.

Cutler – you are a brat. You alone could have healed it all and been a leader but you didn’t. Perhaps you couldn’t. Perhaps you really are as immature as you appear and I hope one day your maturity catches up with your talent. Seriously, not returning calls to the man who signs your check? What grade are we in? 7th?

Everybody loses in this deal but mostly Cutler. I’m not terribly worried about the team. We’ve survived Bubby Brister, Brian Griese, and Jake Plummer. We’ll survive this. I’m not worried Bowlen. I believe once the McKid and Cutler drama broke he did all he could do to fix it. When it couldn’t get fixed, he had to side with the coach regardless of the bone head in the position at the time.

But Cutler will get what he wanted – out of Denver – and he will be less of a man and leader because of it. Send him to Detroit and see how long the pouting after a loss is tolerated. Or Cleveland. And for his sake, let’s hope he grows up. The quarterback class of 2006 doesn’t look all that stable now, does it?

Tags , , | Permalink | Comment (1)
sports ramblings

McDaniels and Xanders Are Idiots

February 28, 2009 – 8:01 pm

It didn’t take long for this to blow up…

Both the Denver Post and ESPN are reporting that Cutler was mentioned in a deal that would have sent Matt Cassel to Denver instead of KC.

First – that trade would have been ridiculous.  Denver gets the shaft, Tampa wins the lottery, NE gets to unload a large salary.  Instead, Kansas City gets a decent QB that is going to have to run for his life this next season because no one over there knows how to block.  But they didn’t really give up a lot to get him.

Secondly – Jay Cutler – I seriously doubt you read my blog…(you should, by the way…) but if you do.  Listen to me for just a second.  Relax.  Don’t go postal just because your new coach and GM are idiots and they don’t know how to handle the press or other teams for that matter. Rise up above them, it’s going to be alright.

There is no way Pat Bowlen lets you leave this town.  He knows the value of a quarterback and you’ve got the goods to be one of the best of your generation.  Man up…buck up…smile and save your venom for the brass behind closed doors.

Lastly, McDaniels/Xanders – how the heck do you screw up this badly after doing so well the first 48 hours of free agent signings?  Would San Diego entertain trading Rivers?  Indy Manning?  Pittsburgh Big Ben?  No.  And maybe all of the reports are wrong and misquoted – fine.  How do you not pick up the phone and call your QB and say – “Hey man, they offered us the moon for you, we turned them down because you’re more valuable than that but in the NFL rumors get out and we wanted you to know the real deal.”

Instead, you cut off communication with his agent?  You can’t be that stupid.  You guys need to listen to the words of Shannon Sharpe to Bubby Brister when he subbed for John Elway for a game or two during their first Super Bowl – “This offense is a Ferrari, Bubby.  All you have to do is start it up, keep it out of the ditch and we’ll score points all night long.”

We all get to wait and see where this goes but for every great step that was taken, to alienate your Pro Bowl QB would undo all of it.

Tags , , | Permalink | Comments (4)

« Previous Page — Next Page »

« Previous Page — Next Page »