September 17, 2008 9:41 PM
Broncos slowly breaking in Invesco Field?
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan gave his team the "2-0" speech on Wednesday morning.
Later, when I asked Shanahan during his press conference how much he speaks to the team about establishing home-field dominance, he answered . . . with excerpts from his "2-0" lecture.
"I think after a game that you play and you win - especially a tight game when you meet a team like San Diego - the players get a chance to enjoy it for a day," Shanahan said.
"You come back to work and you understand how tough of a business this is. I could go through a lot of the stats with 2-0 teams. Since 2000, how many have been in the playoffs, how many teams haven't?
"This is a week-by-week business and if you get too carried away with yourselves you can go back very quickly as we proved last year."
There was plenty of information in this space last week about 2-0 starts. The coach's stats might not jibe with mine, but I've got 66 NFL teams (since 2000) starting out 2-0, with 39 of them making the playoffs.
Last season 10 teams started 2-0. Three, including Denver, missed the postseason.
Back to the original question about establishing - or re-establishing - dominance at home. Since moving into Invesco Field at Mile High for the start of the 2001 season, the Broncos have gone 41-16 in regular season home games. That includes an 8-6 mark against NFC opponents.
The Broncos went 60-20 (.750) at Mile High Stadium during the 1990s and 58-19 (.753) there during the 1980s. Denver won nine of its 16 home games (.562) the past two seasons at Invesco Field.
"At the beginning of the year, every year since I've been here, (Shanahan) likes to address the fact that our winning percentage at home is among the highest over the last 20-something years in the NFL," tight end Nate Jackson said. "We need to maintain that, take that seriously . . .
"As long as we remember that, we can take advantage of it."
September 17, 2008
10:47 PM
Dynamicdave writes:
Like when Jon Keyworth did "Make Those Miracles Happen", we just need to believe and bring back the "Mile High magic" to Invesco. These kids are hungry and I see good things for the Broncos, this year. The 1st 4 weeks are crucial. Win those and we will be in good shape. Maybe then, it will silence the critics (and some of the "bandwagon fans", as well). Nobody is believing with the exception of a few who write into the Denver blog. Me, I believe and I put my money where my mouth is, here in Las Vegas, every week at the Sports Book. My faith is paying off and I also look at what we have to offer to the plate and who the opposition is. So far, so good. But for all of those "Randy Quaid" attitudes (Major League II), that type of attitude explains you well. You are bandwagon fans and don't believe.
September 18, 2008
10:08 AM
Anthony1979 writes:
There is a big difference between this years and last years 2-0 start...we are one of the highest scoring teams so far (if not the highest, I haven't checked). Last year we couldn't make the paydirt. and I think almost ALL of our victories were by a field goal. Of course the Chargers game was decided by one point, but the fact that we were able to WIN by a point in a game decided at over 30 points, that's saying something!
GOOOO BRONCOOOOS!!!
September 18, 2008
10:54 AM
Thomas Swafford writes:
I'm very excited on how the broncos started 2-0 this year. Our offence is looking great but!!! Where only gonna go as far as the defence takes us?
September 18, 2008
11:45 AM
zlink writes:
I'm excited too. FYI, it's spelled 'offense and defense'. I agree we need to establish home field dominance. I just hope the wine and cheese crowd at investco field at mile high, decide to step away from the LCD/Plasma screens and sushi bars in the carpeted area to come scream and get crazy for the home team! I'll be there sunday pushing the new conduct rules to the limit!
BRONCOS ROCK!!!
September 18, 2008
5:11 PM
CourtneyBrown98 writes:
Hello Sam?
Question about and Brandon Marshall Suspention!!
He got suspended for what they are talking about now right??
September 18, 2008
7:36 PM
Dynamicdave writes:
CourtneyBrown98, yes, he will not be punished any further by the league. His ex is just reaching for straws in hopes of setting herself up for a lawsuit against Brandon. I doubt if it will fly with the courts. She and her punk lawyer, have already shown that they tried to extort him for money. The courts won't take her seriously. They will see her ruse. The charges were filed because the police cannot refuse to take the complaint when she finally decided to file it. But have you noticed that they waited over 6 months to file? That won't help her cause, either. Brandon will be fine.
September 18, 2008
10:45 PM
SamAdamsSportsTalk writes:
The league knew about this situation when it was making its decision to discipline Brandon Marshall ... now that charges are formal, it's headline news for ESPN ... But's not etched in stone that he won't receive further punishment from the league ... If he's found guilty, the league will consider more action -- but I think he was told that during meetings with the commissioner