News First Defeat Gives Fuel to Critics

[lawdog93]

Broncos' first defeat gives fuel to critics
With 3-1 record, team won't panic despite problems
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 29, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.

First they were lucky.

Now they're terrible, hapless on defense and mistake-prone on offense.

The Broncos know what the critics are saying.

"As fast as people jumped on the wagon, they're jumping off just as fast," tight end Daniel Graham surmised.

Actually, style points and deficiencies aside, what the Broncos are is 3-1 in black and white.

And on Monday, the locker room appeared to be following the lead of quarterback Jay Cutler, who Sunday suggested the Broncos "can't go into a panic," even after one troubling loss at previously winless Kansas City.

"I had a feeling what was coming as the game was ending," long snapper Mike Leach said. " 'See, they really aren't as good as people think they are . . . ' Look, if you go 3-1 in each quarter, you're 12-4 and most likely you have a home playoff game and win your division. The sky's not falling. We played a terrible game. We have to make sure it doesn't happen again. There's no good in panicking and infighting."

There are concerns.

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[jjflr]

well, anyone who DIDN'T see the weaknesses in the Broncos prior to this game wasn't paying attention to them or doesn't understand the game of football. All of us here at PSH, which contains the greatest football minds in the world, have been talking since week 1 about the problems facing the Broncos, which are their defense in general and their running game. And, very simply, their weaknesses finally caught up with them because Cutler didn't play a perfect game, as he had in their first 3 games.

[lawdog93]

Originally Posted by jjflr

well, anyone who DIDN'T see the weaknesses in the Broncos prior to this game wasn't paying attention to them or doesn't understand the game of football. All of us here at PSH, which contains the greatest football minds in the world, have been talking since week 1 about the problems facing the Broncos, which are their defense in general and their running game. And, very simply, their weaknesses finally caught up with them because Cutler didn't play a perfect game, as he had in their first 3 games.

Exactly. Cutler will have to be nearly perfect every game if the D and running game don't pick it up. That being said...they DID only run the ball 22 times. They didn't give it a shot. I hope Ryan Torain heals quickly.

[jjflr]

Originally Posted by lawdog93

Exactly. Cutler will have to be nearly perfect every game if the D and running game don't pick it up. That being said...they DID only run the ball 22 times. They didn't give it a shot. I hope Ryan Torain heals quickly.

lawdog, I have a question. I didn't say this in the first 3 games but it's been running through my mind. Does the 2008 version of the Broncos remind you at all of the Elway-led Broncos of the 80's, where the Broncos lived and died with Elway carrying them on his shoulders?

[lawdog93]

Originally Posted by jjflr

lawdog, I have a question. I didn't say this in the first 3 games but it's been running through my mind. Does the 2008 version of the Broncos remind you at all of the Elway-led Broncos of the 80's, where the Broncos lived and died with Elway carrying them on his shoulders?

obviously, but I do think there is more talent on the offense than there was when Elway was carrying the team on his shoulders. The only part that may be lesser or equal is the RBs. Back then it was Winder, Sewell, Humphries now its Young, Pittman and Hall. The TEs are better now with Scheffler and Graham than with Orsen Mobley and Clarance Kay. And I think it is obvious that Marshall, Royal and Stokley > The Three Amigos.

[myshkingfh]

The defense was better in the 80s (by a lot) and the non-QB talent was worse then. We had some damn good defensive players back then. Mecklenberg, Simon Fletcher and Dennis Smith were genuinely great players. They relied on Elway to bring the team back, and they could do that because the defense kept it close. They also struggled with Reeves calling a really conservative game until the end of the 4th quarter when he had to turn Elway loose or lose.

Now we have better targets, a better line and a coach who is more in tune with the abilities of his offense. The similarities are there in that both teams needed a lot to go right, and rely heavily on their QB in order to win games.