October 1, 2007 6:39 AM
Team that's not Rockies loses in Indy
Who'd have thought that on the first day of October, the town would be batty for the Rockies and ho-hum about the Broncos, who fell to 2-2 after Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Thanks to the rampant mediocrity of the AFC West, the Broncos remain in what Jeff Legwold calls "a rather homely tie for first place" with Kansas City and Oakland in the AFC West.
But the space between the Broncos and the best of the AFC was glaringly illuminated in the RCA Dome.
Bernie Lincicome says the Broncos have failed to turn the page.
Tomorrow looks very much the same as four years ago.Nothing has changed for the Colts, except some Super Bowl jewelry, and the Broncos are as they were then - back when both teams considered themselves on the rise - outclassed, outplayed, outfutured and still footwipes for Peyton Manning and his friends in blue.
Are the Broncos just not very good? Are the Colts that much better than the rest of the AFC?
October 1, 2007
8:30 AM
Mondo writes:
I don't know about you but I'll take the "Live by the blitz...Die by the Blitz" defense that helped us beat the Patriots in the playoffs. Cmon Shanny.....get CREATIVE!!!
October 1, 2007
12:29 PM
John Crist writes:
Mike Shannahan's play calling inside the red zone is awful. Third and nine and you run the ball? And he wonders why they are kicking a lot of FG's rather than scoring TD's. It's time to take the hand cuffs off Cutler and let him go make some plays!
October 1, 2007
2:47 PM
Anonymous writes:
"Are the Broncos just not very good? Are the Colts that much better than the rest of the AFC?"
Answer: How about them Cowboys?
October 1, 2007
3:00 PM
DR - Formerly David (R) writes:
My view:
Cutler's rookie season, essentially.
Lots of new faces on O and D.
Several key injuries, including Walker, Hamilton, and Lynch.
New D scheme that seems to be improving but needs more time.
Play calls on O and D need some work.
Look for 10-6 at best, 8-8 more likely, and a lot growing up between now and next season when I have far higher hopes.
And, regarding the question of the Colts being good or not, yes, they are.
October 1, 2007
3:56 PM
jay writes:
Agreed.
Banged up squad. Rookie QB. Questionable play calling.
Cowboys aren't contenders until they buy a defense.
Until then...the most overrated team in football.
October 1, 2007
5:49 PM
Jose Gonzalez writes:
Bates should watch the New Negland films against the Colts. The Patriots defense has always played well against Manning.
October 1, 2007
8:32 PM
Kiyo writes:
Essentially the Broncos are comparable to an expansion team. New players, new coaches, new system on offense, defense, and special teams. Best way to start winning is open up the offense and let Cutler learn his job through mistakes. Protecting him with conservative play calling will only delay his development or could even ruin him.
October 1, 2007
8:37 PM
Dave W writes:
I've heard 'give the defense time to gel' for how long? 7 years? And how many def. coordinators have we had since then? How long has the red zone offense been a problem? 3-4 years? And how 'bout those special teams? Horrible as always...After a 7-9 season, time for a coaching change.
October 2, 2007
6:51 AM
Mike writes:
No improvement in defense for several years. Is Cutler over hyped? One INT per game. Safe to say one of the worst defenses in NFL?
October 3, 2007
7:33 AM
Anonymous writes:
Gee lets bring Plummer back.
I sure loved watching him roll out.
.... and throw an interception.
lol
October 4, 2007
4:17 AM
Anonymous writes:
This time Mike Shanahan tinkered with the defense too much. This is not a very good unit and Bates does not appear to be a very good coach. This team will be lucky to go 8-8....but perhaps we'll be able to draft a future replacement for John Lynch...he's not getting any younger.
October 4, 2007
7:32 AM
cahill_usmarshall writes:
No defense.. A Shaky offense. The calls Shanny seems to be making are confusing at best..Travis Henry runs for over 100 but we need Cutler to be throwing for 400 because our defense (or lack thereof) cannot stop anyone. The first two games were telling and now we go through a stretch where the Broncos can honestly come out 2 – 5 on the other end. Home field advantage means nothing anymore..Mile High Magic is gone. This team is not good and we are all in for a long season. The high hopes of the preseason have been dashed by a highly overrated defense that lacks heart and a lethargic offense. Tough to say this for a lifetime fan, but reality reared its ugly head last week when we could not even keep Indianapolis within striking distance in the second half. San Diego will be able to run all over this defense and Culter will throw an interception in his umpteenth straight game. Play for the draft pick I say, hang the jersey’s up and root for the Rockies..God I hate baseball!