Why didn't the offense play this well against Miami or San Diego? It's certainly not a question of having offensive players "gel" as it has returned ten of eleven starters from 2004.
Also, here's something to ponder.
Think about how well Trevor Pryce played tonight. Then think about the fact that had any team in the NFL offered up a second rounder for him he would be playing in another color jersey this year.
9/23/2005
Here's a great letter I received
I stumbled on your site while searching for articles on Shanahan and I can't agree with you more. I have been a Bronco fan since '77 and I have seen the bad and good years of this team. Having been a part of their two Superbowl victories, I have tried to overlook his fault in our failed seasons and many humiliating losses. But enough is enough, his record speaks for itself and its results are undeniable. He has not lead this team to prominence in a time where parity allegedly dominates the league. He has not produced any improvement in areas where this team has weaknesses. The secondary as it has for years, continues to be suspect and vulnerable to the deep ball, the defensive line still fails to pressure quarter backs and good running backs seem to rip off chunks of yardage at will in big games against this team. Their offense has no reliable go to receiver except for Smith and he just isnt what he used to be. The offense is dreadfully predictable and conservative. In fact, the only consistent success they have had on offense has been in their running games and that is a result of a blocking scheme and philosphy implemented by Alex Gibbs. Shanahans personell decisions have been attrocious and his pregame play scripting lacks any sign of the genius he is credited with. They have become the NFL's perennial underachievers and do only enough to give their fans hope or the disillusion that they will reach their potential. But the first good team that comes along or big game they play..they fold like a cheap deck of cards and all of their weaknesses are exposed. No offensive punch, no defensive bite and a special teams that produces almost nothing. In a time when there is supposed to be so much parity in this league, year after year they find a way to lose when it matters and be subpar to the parity. I am tired of everyone one else being subsituted and blamed for his failures, ineptitude or just not being the right coach for this team..whatever the problem is.. it exists and it must be changed. Personally, I think its incredible that so many players performed well before joining the Broncos and so many have success after leaving the Broncos, but yet under Shanahans system they could only produce little. Im no genius or expert in coaching but It occurs to me that the common denominator is Shanahan and his particular system.
I cant deny that Shanahan is knowledgeable and runs his team as respectable organization. I think he is among the top coaches in the NFL when paired with the right players for his system. In fact, he was the perfect coach for the Broncos while Elway was at the helm, particularly while they had a a supporting cast in Davis, Sharp, Smith and a few other standup defensive players. But it seems defenses have learned how to play against his offensive schemes and his personell decisions on defense produce nothing but false promise. Moreover, regardless of what coach or player changes he makes the result are the same which further deepens my beliefs that it is his system and not so much the talent pool in the Broncos that is the problem. Ownership have been loyal to him for his past success, but six years is more than enough for a team of this potential to ride the underachievement train. Its time to change the one thing that hasnt been changed since their last success run and that is the head coach.
With last weeks debacle at Miami and this weeks near loss at home to San Diego, no matter what this season brings, Pat Bowlen has to realize that its time for success or time for change. I think this team needs a strong, no nonsense coach, perferably a younger one.. who can relate or appeal more to his players, one who coaches based on current defensive schemes and philosophies. One who is hungry and who isnt afraid to open up his offense and take risks. Someone who will let his team have some fun and a chance to realize its potential.
I hope more people become vocal about this and the frustration of Bronco fans reach Pat Bowlens ears in a way that he can't ignore. So, from a Bronco fan fed up with disappointing seasons and unjustifiable humiliating losses, I thank you for your effort in posting this site.
Best of luck to you and the Broncos,
Johnny
I cant deny that Shanahan is knowledgeable and runs his team as respectable organization. I think he is among the top coaches in the NFL when paired with the right players for his system. In fact, he was the perfect coach for the Broncos while Elway was at the helm, particularly while they had a a supporting cast in Davis, Sharp, Smith and a few other standup defensive players. But it seems defenses have learned how to play against his offensive schemes and his personell decisions on defense produce nothing but false promise. Moreover, regardless of what coach or player changes he makes the result are the same which further deepens my beliefs that it is his system and not so much the talent pool in the Broncos that is the problem. Ownership have been loyal to him for his past success, but six years is more than enough for a team of this potential to ride the underachievement train. Its time to change the one thing that hasnt been changed since their last success run and that is the head coach.
With last weeks debacle at Miami and this weeks near loss at home to San Diego, no matter what this season brings, Pat Bowlen has to realize that its time for success or time for change. I think this team needs a strong, no nonsense coach, perferably a younger one.. who can relate or appeal more to his players, one who coaches based on current defensive schemes and philosophies. One who is hungry and who isnt afraid to open up his offense and take risks. Someone who will let his team have some fun and a chance to realize its potential.
I hope more people become vocal about this and the frustration of Bronco fans reach Pat Bowlens ears in a way that he can't ignore. So, from a Bronco fan fed up with disappointing seasons and unjustifiable humiliating losses, I thank you for your effort in posting this site.
Best of luck to you and the Broncos,
Johnny
9/18/2005
Different week, same problems
The Denver Broncos' defense won this game. The defense just happens to be the part of the team Shanahan has the least control over.
The Denver Broncos offense on the other hand had the same problems they had last week against Miami. An inability to run (until late in the game, an inability to score in San Diego territory, and penalties costing the team field position and points.
Until Ron Dayne came into the game Denver had less than fifty yards on the ground. Their longest run was eight yards. Even with Dayne's excellent performance added in they still rushed for less than 100 yards as a team and their longest run was 13 yards. Last week Denver only rushed for seventy yards, thirty of which came on one play. If the Broncos cannot run the football they will lose.
Once again, the Broncos could not score in the red zone and lost too many opportunities to score while in San Diego territory. They left at least 17 points on the field today.
Denver was completely undisciplined on the field on offense with penalties calling back two touchdowns. One of which is just inexcusable, that being the 12 men on the field penalty that negated Darrent Williams' punt return. Well coached teams do not have these kinds of problems.
Well coached teams execute when they need to, well coached teams do not commit stupid penalties that cost their teams points, and well coached teams do not leave almost twenty points on the field.
If the Broncos play this way against Kansas City next week, they will most certainly lose. If they think that they can make this many mistakes against New England and Philadelphia and come away with a win they are also in for a rude awakening.
The Denver Broncos offense on the other hand had the same problems they had last week against Miami. An inability to run (until late in the game, an inability to score in San Diego territory, and penalties costing the team field position and points.
Until Ron Dayne came into the game Denver had less than fifty yards on the ground. Their longest run was eight yards. Even with Dayne's excellent performance added in they still rushed for less than 100 yards as a team and their longest run was 13 yards. Last week Denver only rushed for seventy yards, thirty of which came on one play. If the Broncos cannot run the football they will lose.
Once again, the Broncos could not score in the red zone and lost too many opportunities to score while in San Diego territory. They left at least 17 points on the field today.
Denver was completely undisciplined on the field on offense with penalties calling back two touchdowns. One of which is just inexcusable, that being the 12 men on the field penalty that negated Darrent Williams' punt return. Well coached teams do not have these kinds of problems.
Well coached teams execute when they need to, well coached teams do not commit stupid penalties that cost their teams points, and well coached teams do not leave almost twenty points on the field.
If the Broncos play this way against Kansas City next week, they will most certainly lose. If they think that they can make this many mistakes against New England and Philadelphia and come away with a win they are also in for a rude awakening.
Week 2, the right calls
Before I go to my criticisms of this week I will preface it with some compliments.
1) I was wrong about Darrent Williams. I will admit that. But one player does not waive Shanahan of responsibility for his constant failures in trying to draft players in the secondary.
2) The decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game was the correct one to make.
That's it
1) I was wrong about Darrent Williams. I will admit that. But one player does not waive Shanahan of responsibility for his constant failures in trying to draft players in the secondary.
2) The decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game was the correct one to make.
That's it
9/12/2005
It's always somebody else's fault, right Mike?
In his Monday press conference that you can at the moment view on the home page at Denverbroncos.com Mike Shanahan rode Ashley Lelie for dropping the third and goal pass on the drive when the Dolphins stopped us on fourth and goal.
Hmm Mike, whose fault was it? Lelie, who dropped a high pass after getting drilled in the back. OR The coach who ran a play for a third time after being stopped for no gains on two consecutive plays.
"It's totally Lelie's fault, I mean who wouldn't run Tatum Bell between the tackles three times in five plays after not gaining a yard on the first two tries?"
Hmm Mike, whose fault was it? Lelie, who dropped a high pass after getting drilled in the back. OR The coach who ran a play for a third time after being stopped for no gains on two consecutive plays.
"It's totally Lelie's fault, I mean who wouldn't run Tatum Bell between the tackles three times in five plays after not gaining a yard on the first two tries?"
9/11/2005
Bright idea of the day: LET'S ABANDON THE RUN!
In the last thirty-six minutes of the game (the last six minutes of the second quarter and the entire second half) the Denver Broncos ran five running plays.
All told, Broncos runningbacks today had seventeen rushing attempts.
Shanahan did what he does best, he got the Broncos into an early hole and completely abandoned the run. Plummer threw nearly fifty passes today.
All told, Broncos runningbacks today had seventeen rushing attempts.
Shanahan did what he does best, he got the Broncos into an early hole and completely abandoned the run. Plummer threw nearly fifty passes today.
2004 Broncos: 29th in Redzone TDs 2005 not any better
A Denverbroncos.com article earlier in the year talked about how the Broncos were spending "more than half" their QB Camp workouts working on red zone situations.
So there is absolutely no excuse for the Broncos complete and utter inability to score inside the redzone today.
Failure #1: 7:31 left in the second quarter. Denver has a First and Goal on the three yard line. Mike Shanahan runs the ball between the tackles with Tatum Bell for no gain. Second and Goal on the Miami three yard line, Mike Shanahan runs the ball between the tackles again with Tatum Bell for no gain. Two third and goal tries are incomplete passes. With the Broncos down by six points with half the second quarter remaining Mike Shanhaan decides to go for it on fourth down instead of taking the sure three points. What does he decide to do? Why of course he rushes between the tackles with Tatum Bell for no gain.
Failure #2:At the end of the second quarter Denver had a First and Ten on the Miami fifteen yard line and had to come away with a fieldgoal. With a chance to take the lead at halftime the Broncos stall on a third and four and have to settle for a fieldgoal.
Failure barely averted: In the fourth quarter the Broncos have the ball First and Goal on the one yard line and Shanahan decides to run with Tatum Bell between the tackles again. It takes the Broncos four plays to gain one yard for a late game touchdown.
So there is absolutely no excuse for the Broncos complete and utter inability to score inside the redzone today.
Failure #1: 7:31 left in the second quarter. Denver has a First and Goal on the three yard line. Mike Shanahan runs the ball between the tackles with Tatum Bell for no gain. Second and Goal on the Miami three yard line, Mike Shanahan runs the ball between the tackles again with Tatum Bell for no gain. Two third and goal tries are incomplete passes. With the Broncos down by six points with half the second quarter remaining Mike Shanhaan decides to go for it on fourth down instead of taking the sure three points. What does he decide to do? Why of course he rushes between the tackles with Tatum Bell for no gain.
Failure #2:At the end of the second quarter Denver had a First and Ten on the Miami fifteen yard line and had to come away with a fieldgoal. With a chance to take the lead at halftime the Broncos stall on a third and four and have to settle for a fieldgoal.
Failure barely averted: In the fourth quarter the Broncos have the ball First and Goal on the one yard line and Shanahan decides to run with Tatum Bell between the tackles again. It takes the Broncos four plays to gain one yard for a late game touchdown.
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