Here is Part 3 of my season-ending mailbag where I focus on the offseason for the Broncos and the preparations for the 2014 season.
Who are the Broncos notable free agents heading into the offseason?
The Broncos have a lot of free agents on their roster, and they have a lot of key decisions to make regarding each one. The big name free agents are WR Eric Decker, RB Knowshon Moreno, G Zane Beadles, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, LB Shaun Phillips and LB Wesley Woodyard. CB Chris Harris will be a restricted free agent.
Out of that group, which ones will the Broncos likely keep?
It is hard to say, but it looks like for sure Decker will leave. The Broncos look at him, rightfully so, as a #2 WR, but he will get #1 WR money on the open market, and I just can't see Denver signing him to such a huge deal. Moreno will probably leave too because you just can't throw a tremendous amount of money at a running back unless he is Adrian Peterson. Rodgers-Cromartie might go too if he gets blown away by a huge deal somewhere else. I think in the end, Denver will end up keeping DRC and Phillips at a reasonable price, and I think they will end up signing either Beadles or Woodyard at the right price too.
Who are the likely cuts due to the salary cap this year?
According to most websites, Denver has about $12 million in cap space before they start cutting contracts. There have been some rumors about Welker getting let go, but I don't see that happening. Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen could easily get cut if they don't restructure. Champ Bailey is a $10 million cap number, so either he will be restructured or he will be let go. They aren't paying him that much to come back next year.
What are Denver's needs in free agency?
I think the Broncos need to look at help at Cornerback and Safety. They could lose Mike Adams, DRC, and Champ Bailey all in one offseason. I think they need to look at veterans to come in and take one year deals at linebacker and defensive end as well. On offense, they need to look for some interior line help-especially if Beadles leaves. Also, they need to add to their receiving corps and a veteran running back to spell Montee Ball.
Who are the Broncos 2014 opponents?
They will host the Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs from the AFC West. They will also host the Colts, Dolphins, Bills, Cardinals, and 49ers. They will travel to the Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs of course, and they will head to Cincy, New England, the Jets, Seattle, and St. Louis.
How many primetime games will they have in 2014?
If Manning comes back, then they will have 5 primetime games. They will get at least 3 on Sunday Night Football, and 1 on CBS' new Thursday Night package, and 1 on Monday Night Football. I'm guessing that the Colts, Seahawks, and Bengals will be Sunday night games, the Chiefs could be a Monday night game, and the Chargers could be a Thursday night game. I think the Patriots game will be given to CBS in November for one of their marquee doubleheader games. This is all contingent on Manning returning in 2014.
Please tell me that they won't open the season on Thursday Night at the defending champion Seahawks??!!
I really hope not. The Seahawks earn the right to open the season at home on the Thursday night opener to kickoff the the 2014 season, and the Broncos are apart of their home schedule. It would be enticing for NBC to get that game to start the season and bill it as a Super Bowl rematch, but the way that Seattle killed the Broncos in the Super Bowl makes me think that the NFL and NBC might be hesitant to do that. If the Super Bowl was close, then they probably would have done that, but with the way that game played out, I don't think it will happen. I see Seattle opening up against San Francisco in a rematch of the NFC Championship Game. I could see Denver hosting Indy on NBC's Sunday Night Football to start the season to be quite honest. That would be my pick at this point.
Now that everything is all said and done, what are you going to do as far as the Blog goes this offseason?
I'm still recovering mentally from the disappointment of the Super Bowl. I'm going to take the rest of February off from writing. There is no sense in previewing or recapping the Scouting Combine. The Broncos pick 31st in the 2014 Draft, so the Combine will not be a main focus for me this month. I will add my annual Free Agency List of the best players available at every position sometime before the start of Free Agency on March 11th. Once Free Agency begins, I will post about the moves that the Broncos make. If they lose key players or add key players, I will post my thoughts about each transaction. If there is any big news regarding the team before that, then I will blog about it. If Peyton Manning retires, then of course I will post and write about that, but if everything remains status quo, I will take a break and return when Free Agency kicks off. I am still reeling from the aftermath of the Super Bowl, and I need time to get away from football and the Broncos. As Mike Tyson once said, "I'm going to fade into Bolivian." Go Broncos!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Broncos Mailbag Part 2-The Regular Season
I continue with my look back at the 2013 Broncos season with a review of the regular season. I have already covered the postseason in part 1, so the focus here will strictly be on the 13-3 regular season.
Where would you rank the 2013 Broncos as far as regular seasons go?
This is up there as the third best Broncos team next to the 1997 and '98 teams. This team was better than the 13-3 team from 2012, and it was better than the 1996 team, and it was certainly better than the Super Bowl teams from '86,'87, and '89. This team scored 606 points, won 13 games, another AFC West title, and homefield advantage in the AFC. It scored over 30 points in 13 of their 16 games. They scored at least 50 points three different times. It routed opponents on a weekly basis, and went 5-1 in a division that sent two other teams to the playoffs. This is hands down one of the best regular seasons a team has had in recent memory (The 2007 Pats and their 16-0 record might be the only one with an argument there.) To make it even more special, they did it fighting through constant adversity. They lost Von Miller to suspension for the first six games. Then, they lost him in Week 16 to an ACL injury. They lost 6 starters on defense. They lost Ryan Clady for the year in Week 2. They lost John Fox to heart surgery for a month in November. Despite all this, they still finished 13-3 and #1 seed in the AFC.
How fun was it to watch this team all year long?
It was amazing to watch Peyton Manning and this team every week. I can't remember a year in which I wasn't mad or upset with the Broncos as the year went on. Even when they lost, it wasn't the end of the world. When they lost to the Colts, they fell to 6-1. When they lost to the Pats, they were 9-2, and still in control of the AFC West, and when they lost to the Chargers, they were still 11-3 and in control of the top spot in the AFC. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this team week-to-week. It was a dream season, that unfortunately didn't pan out with a Super Bowl, but it was a great year from Week 1 all the way to Week 17. It was a joyride from start to finish for me.
Did this team live up to expectations in the regular season for you?
It definitely did. They started the season as the odds-on favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and they followed throw on it. They were the consensus pick to win the AFC, and they backed it up with a 13-3 record. I was a little skeptical going in because of the injuries and the suspension to Miller, so I had them going in as a wild card, but I knew that deep down they could be the kings of the AFC, and they were. To back up all those expectations coming off a 13-3 year in 2012 is pretty amazing in today's NFL.
How good was this offense led by Manning?
It is the best offense the Broncos have ever fielded in my lifetime. This team and the 2007 Patriots are the two best offenses I have ever watched. They scored over 600 points. They scored 76 touchdowns. They averaged 37.8 points per game. They scored at least 30 points in 13 games. They scored 40 or more 6 times, and they scored at least 50 points 3 times. In their 13 wins, only 3 games were decided by 8 points or less. Manning was just incredible with this group. He finished with 450 completions in 659 attempts with a percentage of 68.3. He threw for a NFL record 5,477 yards with a record 55 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions and a passer rating of 115.1. He deserved his record 5th NFL MVP. His receivers were just as accomplished. Demaryius Thomas had 93 receptions for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns. Eric Decker had 87 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wes Welker had 73 receptions for 778 yards and 12 touchdowns. Julius Thomas had 65 receptions for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns. Four receivers added at least 10 touchdown catches. That is just remarkable. Their ground game wasn't too shabby either. Knowshon Moreno finished with 1,038 yards rushing and had 10 rushing touchdowns. To have five players get at least 10 touchdowns on an offense is amazing and it is something that we probably won't ever see again. It was just beautiful to watch on a weekly basis.
Why was this defense so inconsistent?
The Broncos defense was just never healthy all year long. It started with losing Champ Bailey in the preseason. That injury sidelined him for most of the regular season. Von Miller missed the first six games due to a suspension. When he came back, they lost Rahim Moore, Kevin Vickerson, and Derek Wolfe. The defense was never together as a unit, and it just never seemed to get into a consistent rhythm like they did in 2012. They would put together a few good weeks, and they put together some bad weeks. They would look great for a quarter, and they get torched for two quarters. It just never seemed like they could get going the whole year.
What is the one game that stands out in 2013?
There are so many to choose from. It started with the 49-27 thrashing of Baltimore on opening night when Manning threw 7 touchdowns. It continued with the 41-23 blowout of the Giants in the Manning Bowl in Week 2. There were so many other great games throughout the year, but the three others that will stand out are the two wins over KC and the 51-48 win over Dallas. The Dallas game was in Week 5 and the Broncos were 4-0 heading in. It was the late game on CBS, and the rating was a huge one. the 51-48 shootout was probably one of the signature games of the entire year. The first KC game was a SNF game in Denver, in which the Broncos at 8-1 knocked off the 9-0 Chiefs in what was the game of the year in the AFC at the time. Two weeks later, Denver traveled to Arrowhead with both teams at 9-2 and the AFC West lead at stake. Denver rallied from a 21-7 hole to win the game 35-28 on the heels of 5 Manning touchdown passes. Those three games will resonate from the 2013 season.
*Next up-Part 3: The offseason
Where would you rank the 2013 Broncos as far as regular seasons go?
This is up there as the third best Broncos team next to the 1997 and '98 teams. This team was better than the 13-3 team from 2012, and it was better than the 1996 team, and it was certainly better than the Super Bowl teams from '86,'87, and '89. This team scored 606 points, won 13 games, another AFC West title, and homefield advantage in the AFC. It scored over 30 points in 13 of their 16 games. They scored at least 50 points three different times. It routed opponents on a weekly basis, and went 5-1 in a division that sent two other teams to the playoffs. This is hands down one of the best regular seasons a team has had in recent memory (The 2007 Pats and their 16-0 record might be the only one with an argument there.) To make it even more special, they did it fighting through constant adversity. They lost Von Miller to suspension for the first six games. Then, they lost him in Week 16 to an ACL injury. They lost 6 starters on defense. They lost Ryan Clady for the year in Week 2. They lost John Fox to heart surgery for a month in November. Despite all this, they still finished 13-3 and #1 seed in the AFC.
How fun was it to watch this team all year long?
It was amazing to watch Peyton Manning and this team every week. I can't remember a year in which I wasn't mad or upset with the Broncos as the year went on. Even when they lost, it wasn't the end of the world. When they lost to the Colts, they fell to 6-1. When they lost to the Pats, they were 9-2, and still in control of the AFC West, and when they lost to the Chargers, they were still 11-3 and in control of the top spot in the AFC. It was an absolute pleasure to watch this team week-to-week. It was a dream season, that unfortunately didn't pan out with a Super Bowl, but it was a great year from Week 1 all the way to Week 17. It was a joyride from start to finish for me.
Did this team live up to expectations in the regular season for you?
It definitely did. They started the season as the odds-on favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and they followed throw on it. They were the consensus pick to win the AFC, and they backed it up with a 13-3 record. I was a little skeptical going in because of the injuries and the suspension to Miller, so I had them going in as a wild card, but I knew that deep down they could be the kings of the AFC, and they were. To back up all those expectations coming off a 13-3 year in 2012 is pretty amazing in today's NFL.
How good was this offense led by Manning?
It is the best offense the Broncos have ever fielded in my lifetime. This team and the 2007 Patriots are the two best offenses I have ever watched. They scored over 600 points. They scored 76 touchdowns. They averaged 37.8 points per game. They scored at least 30 points in 13 games. They scored 40 or more 6 times, and they scored at least 50 points 3 times. In their 13 wins, only 3 games were decided by 8 points or less. Manning was just incredible with this group. He finished with 450 completions in 659 attempts with a percentage of 68.3. He threw for a NFL record 5,477 yards with a record 55 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions and a passer rating of 115.1. He deserved his record 5th NFL MVP. His receivers were just as accomplished. Demaryius Thomas had 93 receptions for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns. Eric Decker had 87 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wes Welker had 73 receptions for 778 yards and 12 touchdowns. Julius Thomas had 65 receptions for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns. Four receivers added at least 10 touchdown catches. That is just remarkable. Their ground game wasn't too shabby either. Knowshon Moreno finished with 1,038 yards rushing and had 10 rushing touchdowns. To have five players get at least 10 touchdowns on an offense is amazing and it is something that we probably won't ever see again. It was just beautiful to watch on a weekly basis.
Why was this defense so inconsistent?
The Broncos defense was just never healthy all year long. It started with losing Champ Bailey in the preseason. That injury sidelined him for most of the regular season. Von Miller missed the first six games due to a suspension. When he came back, they lost Rahim Moore, Kevin Vickerson, and Derek Wolfe. The defense was never together as a unit, and it just never seemed to get into a consistent rhythm like they did in 2012. They would put together a few good weeks, and they put together some bad weeks. They would look great for a quarter, and they get torched for two quarters. It just never seemed like they could get going the whole year.
What is the one game that stands out in 2013?
There are so many to choose from. It started with the 49-27 thrashing of Baltimore on opening night when Manning threw 7 touchdowns. It continued with the 41-23 blowout of the Giants in the Manning Bowl in Week 2. There were so many other great games throughout the year, but the three others that will stand out are the two wins over KC and the 51-48 win over Dallas. The Dallas game was in Week 5 and the Broncos were 4-0 heading in. It was the late game on CBS, and the rating was a huge one. the 51-48 shootout was probably one of the signature games of the entire year. The first KC game was a SNF game in Denver, in which the Broncos at 8-1 knocked off the 9-0 Chiefs in what was the game of the year in the AFC at the time. Two weeks later, Denver traveled to Arrowhead with both teams at 9-2 and the AFC West lead at stake. Denver rallied from a 21-7 hole to win the game 35-28 on the heels of 5 Manning touchdown passes. Those three games will resonate from the 2013 season.
*Next up-Part 3: The offseason
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Broncos Mailbag-Part 1: The Postseason
Now, that the Super Bowl is over,
and the Broncos season is officially complete, it is time to look back on the
2013 Denver Broncos season. I am still licking my wounds from Denver’s 43-8
beatdown in Super Bowl XLVIII by the Seattle Seahawks, but it is time to look
back on the entire season and look forward to the future. I figured I would
break down the season-ending mailbag into three different parts. Part 1 will
focus on the playoffs and Super Bowl. Part 2 will focus on the regular season,
and part 3 will focus on the offseason and what lies ahead in the future for
the Broncos. Let’s start with part 1 focusing on the playoffs and the debacle
of a Super Bowl…..
Now that you have had about a
week to deal with the loss in the Super Bowl, how are you feeling at this
point?
-In one word: depressed. The game
was such a blowout that Sunday night I was coming to grips with it. Monday was
worse. Depression set in. Each day this week has gotten a little better, but
anytime you see anything on television about the game, it really gets you down.
I just can’t believe how bad they got smoked in this game. It is one thing to
lose, but to lose the way they did is just awful.
Is there anything that has come
out of the game that surprised you?
-I think the fact that the crowd
was so loud in favor of Seattle to start the game really surprised me. It led
to Denver not being able to hear the snap count and resulted in the safety to
start the game. It was surprising to hear that Denver had to go to a silent
count in the Super Bowl after that. I wasn’t surprised to hear how confident
the Seahawks were going into the game because you could see their defense
having a big day. I don’t believe that Seattle was able to figure out all of
Peyton Manning’s audibles and signals. By the time the Super Bowl occurs, a
team has at least 18 games on tape of their opponents, so they are going to
know what the other team likes to do. I doubt Manning and the offense didn’t
make changes for this game. The game was a blowout so quick that Manning probably
couldn’t use all of those new wrinkles. It was simply the fact that Seattle was
better and executed better that’s all. I was surprised at how badly outcoached
the Broncos were? Didn’t they expect some sort of jet sweep from Percy Harvin?
Why not kick the ball deep to start the second half instead of pooch kicking
it? John Fox had a bad day, and the team looked really unprepared for this
game. Inexusable all around.
How does game rank with the other
disappointing Super Bowl losses?
-It is right there with the
blowouts to the Giants, Redskins, and 49ers. This was a carbon copy of one of
those blowout games that I witnessed as a kid. I don’t think it matters how you
lose a Super Bowl, but to not be competitive might be the worst way to go out.
This game is now lumped in with those other three blowouts for sure.
Is this worst that the Baltimore
loss last year?
-Right now it feels worse, but by
the time the summer hits, I will probably say no. At least the Broncos made it
to the Super Bowl last year, and after the loss to Baltimore in the divisional
round, you wondered how far they could have gone had they won that game. I was
able to rewatch the Baltimore game last summer, and it proved to be
therapeutic. I will never watch a single play of this Super Bowl every again
though.
Let’s move on from the Super
Bowl, do you still feel a sense of accomplishment since Denver won the AFC
Championship and two playoff games?
-Yes. I definitely do. I would
rather make the Super Bowl and lose, then not make it at all. The Broncos
played very well in their two playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl. They
dispatched a very dangerous and feisty Chargers team in the Divisional
Playoffs. Remember, there were a lot of people that they picking the Chargers
to upset the Broncos in that game. Denver dominated the game for 3 and a half
quarters. They held on for a 24-17 win, but it was a tremendous breakthrough
for this team and the organization. How can you not enjoy what Denver did to
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in the AFC Championship? Once again, there was a
lot of support for New England going into this game, and Peyton Manning and the
Broncos put that to rest. The final score of the game was 26-16, but it was as
close as that score. Put it this way: During this long offseason, I will be
rewatching those two playoff games many times and enjoying every second of them
while I watch them. Whenever I get depressed about the Super Bowl, I will
rewatch the celebration from the AFC Championship to see confetti spraying down
on Peyton Manning and John Elway, and I will kick back and smile at that sight.
To see Denver once again on top of the AFC and have the Broncos win the AFC
Title at home in Denver will always be very special to me and other Broncos
fans.
*Next Up: Part 2- The Regular Season
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Seahawks Rout Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII
It was over before it even started. The first play of the game set the tone for the entire day. Manny Ramirez couldn't hear Peyton Manning and he snapped the ball when Manning wasn't ready, and the ball went over his head and it was recovered by Knowshon Moreno for a safety. 2-0 Seattle just 12 seconds into the game. It never got any better from that point for the Broncos and their fans. The Broncos got whipped by Seattle 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. The game was basically over from that point on. I never got a chance to even cheer and get excited during this game. It was one of the most embarrassing games the Broncos had played in recent memory. 2-0 turned into 5-0 which turned into 8-0. 15-0 became 22-0 after Malcolm Smith intercepted a Manning pass and returned it in the 2nd quarter for a touchdown. To cap it all off, Percy Harvin returned the second half kickoff for a 29-0 lead and that was it. Seattle dominated, intimidated, and stifled the most prolific offense in NFL history. Manning didn't play well at all, and he looked frazzled and rattled. It was one of the worst performances by a team in Super Bowl history. Give credit to the Seahawks because they were the better team and it showed. In an era where the Super Bowls are usually good and competitive games, this one was a throwback to the one of those 1980s Super Bowls where the NFC just completely dominated the AFC representative. I couldn't really bring myself to write about the game on Sunday or Monday night, but I have been able to comprehend what happened and it is stunning that the Broncos went out like this. Here are my thoughts and observations about the debacle that is known as Super Bowl XLVIII.....
I) There isn't much to breakdown, but the fact that the Manning wasn't ready for the snap and the offense couldn't hear the cadence is inexcusable. How does that happen on the first play of the Super Bowl.
II) Give the Broncos defense for actually forcing two field goals on the first two Seattle possessions. Instead of 8-0 it could have been 16-0. They did a nice job of stopping Marshawn Lynch, but they got cut up by Russell Wilson. Wilson started hitting third down conversions, and Denver forgot that Percy Harvin was back because he burned them early with a sweep play around the end.
III) Down 2-0, the Broncos went three and out on the next series, and the Seattle defenders punished Denver's receivers. The tone was set early, and the Broncos looked like they couldn't answer the bell.
IV) In regards to Manning, he had a bad game. Forget about the final numbers (34-49 for 280 yards 1 TD and 2 INT) because most of those yards were when the game was out of reach. Manning was pressured and attacked, and he couldn't respond. He threw an awful early interception to Kam Chancellor on the Broncos second possession, and he threw an interception on tipped pass to Malcolm Smith on the next possession, and he never recovered. He had one of those days that he can have when he gets pressured. He never got into rhythm, and he was toast from that point on. If you are a Manning hater, this game was another feather in your cap. I feel bad for him, but there is no way around it because he didn't play well at all in this Super Bowl. Even when he put a decent drive together at 22-0, he missed Wes Welker running wide open for a touchdown and instead he tried to force one to Julius Thomas and it was incomplete.
V) I had no problem with the Broncos going for it on 4th and 2 in Seattle territory down 22-0 before the half. I had a problem with the play call. Manning threw a pass to Demaryius Thomas that was incomplete but he was covered by two guys. Even if Denver kicks a field goal there to make 22-3, they weren't coming back at that point.
VI) I really didn't think Denver would come back to win the game down 22-0 at the half, but I thought they would at least get a few scores to maybe make it a 29-17 or 22-13 kind of game entering the 4th quarter, but once Percy Harvin took the kickoff back to start the half, then all hope of any comeback was over. On the next series with Denver driving, Thomas caught a pass over the middle and fumbled and that really gave Denver no shot of getting this game closer at all.
VII) Once the game got to 29-0, everything from there was meaningless. I know Denver's defense gave up two more touchdown passes from Russell Wilson, but they had checked out at that point. It looked like they just wanted to get the game over with and go home in the second half.
VIII) Seattle's defense knocked around the Denver receivers, dominated the line of scrimmage, and harassed and pressured Manning without blitzing at all. They were so much faster than any defense that Denver faced all year long. They tracked down screens, blew up crossing routes, and completely stifled the Broncos passing attack. All my worst fears were confirmed in the first half. It was one of the most dominating defensive performances I have seen in a Super Bowl. It was on the level of the 1985 Bears, the 2000 Ravens, and the 2003 Bucs.
IX) Going into the game, I thought it would be a competitive game. I figured that if Denver and Seattle played a best of 7 series, that the series between these two teams would go six or seven games. After watching the game, I think the Seattle would either sweep Denver or win the series in five games. That is how much better they were than the Broncos. The sad part is that I have seen this story before. I remember growing up and watching the Broncos get routed in Super Bowls XXI, XXII, and XXIV. This game felt exactly the same way that those games felt. It was like a nightmare revisited. It was like Deja Vu back to my childhood.
X) As the game became a rout and I realized that the Broncos were going to lose Super Bowl XLVIII, I was able to be at peace with it. The day after was worse. I don't think that there is anyway to soften the blow of losing the Super Bowl. I don't care if you lose 43-8 or 27-26, it doesn't matter. It hurts either way. Depression starts to set in, and Monday was worse than Sunday night after the game. The Baltimore loss last year was brutal, and I'm still not over that game. This is just as bad, and it will take me a long time to really get over this game because of how bad the Broncos got beat. This was a 13-3 team that scored over 600 points this year. They were the #1 seed in the AFC, and they went wire-to-wire as the favorites in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl. To go out like they did was just plain awful.
XI) John Fox did a nice job this season, and he has done a good job in his three years in Denver, but he did an awful job in this game. The team didn't seem prepared, and Fox gets the blame for that. How do you account for any noise to start the Super Bowl? What exactly was his gameplan on defense? Fox needs to take blame for this game too. I am starting to get a little worried about Fox. He is a good coach, but he is shaky in game management, and when your team gets killed by 35 points in a Super Bowl, you have to take blame. He got completely out coached by Pete Carroll.
XII) The injuries to Chris Harris and Von Miller really showed up in this game. Champ Bailey got beat for big plays in the first half, and not having Harris out there limited us. We needed a guy like Miller in this game to get after Wilson, and maybe even contain him. Our pass rush wasn't there when we needed it early on those third downs in the first half. It would have been nice to have Ryan Clady out there as well, but our offensive line was overmatched by Seattle's front that I don't think having Clady out there would have changed anything.
XIII) A lot of people are questioning the play calling early on, but I didn't have a problem with that. The Broncos ran a lot of the same stuff that got them to this point. There offense is based on execution, and they ran into a defense that matched up with them, and they were out-executed by that defense plain and simple. As complex as football is, an offense can move the ball and score points by keeping it simple and out-executing the other team. The Broncos did that all year to the tune of 606 points and 76 touchdowns. Of course, Seattle's defense knew their tendencies. They 18 game tapes to watch and figure that out. You don't think San Diego or Bill Belichick knew the Broncos tendencies. The difference was that Denver out-executed those teams because they were better. Seattle's defense was the best defense that Denver faced and they couldn't win a lot of the match ups that were presented.
XIV) As I look back on the Broncos season, there is a lot of smile about. They won the AFC West, finished as the top seed in the AFC, won their two playoff games at home, and beat Tom Brady and the Pats in the AFC Championship. There will be a time this winter, spring, and summer where I will sit down and watch the great regular season wins that they had. There will be a time when I kick back and have a beer and watch the playoff wins over the Chargers and Pats, and I will smile and enjoy those moments forever. Unfortunately, now is not that time. I need time to comprehend and reflect on the bitter defeat that they suffered in this Super Bowl. I still would rather go to the Super Bowl and lose than not get there at all, but this loss will burn me until they win another Super Bowl.
XV) It was an absolute pleasure to watch this team for 18 of the 19 games that they played this year. It was even more fun rehashing every game and every week with this team on this blog. I plan on writing a season-ending mailbag that reviews the regular season, post season, and the upcoming offseason. There is a lot to look back on and there is a lot to talk about regarding the future of this team. I will get to that later in the week. I will lick my wounds on this, regroup and focus on the 2014 offseason as we get closer to free agency starting in March. On a final note, I just want to thank the Broncos for a great ride in 2013. It is easy to be a fan of a team when they are winning, but the true measure of a fan is when your team loses. The Broncos are such a big part of my life, and that won't change. There will be a day when the Broncos are once again hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Hopefully, that will happen next season in Arizona at Super Bowl XLIX. Go Broncos!
I) There isn't much to breakdown, but the fact that the Manning wasn't ready for the snap and the offense couldn't hear the cadence is inexcusable. How does that happen on the first play of the Super Bowl.
II) Give the Broncos defense for actually forcing two field goals on the first two Seattle possessions. Instead of 8-0 it could have been 16-0. They did a nice job of stopping Marshawn Lynch, but they got cut up by Russell Wilson. Wilson started hitting third down conversions, and Denver forgot that Percy Harvin was back because he burned them early with a sweep play around the end.
III) Down 2-0, the Broncos went three and out on the next series, and the Seattle defenders punished Denver's receivers. The tone was set early, and the Broncos looked like they couldn't answer the bell.
IV) In regards to Manning, he had a bad game. Forget about the final numbers (34-49 for 280 yards 1 TD and 2 INT) because most of those yards were when the game was out of reach. Manning was pressured and attacked, and he couldn't respond. He threw an awful early interception to Kam Chancellor on the Broncos second possession, and he threw an interception on tipped pass to Malcolm Smith on the next possession, and he never recovered. He had one of those days that he can have when he gets pressured. He never got into rhythm, and he was toast from that point on. If you are a Manning hater, this game was another feather in your cap. I feel bad for him, but there is no way around it because he didn't play well at all in this Super Bowl. Even when he put a decent drive together at 22-0, he missed Wes Welker running wide open for a touchdown and instead he tried to force one to Julius Thomas and it was incomplete.
V) I had no problem with the Broncos going for it on 4th and 2 in Seattle territory down 22-0 before the half. I had a problem with the play call. Manning threw a pass to Demaryius Thomas that was incomplete but he was covered by two guys. Even if Denver kicks a field goal there to make 22-3, they weren't coming back at that point.
VI) I really didn't think Denver would come back to win the game down 22-0 at the half, but I thought they would at least get a few scores to maybe make it a 29-17 or 22-13 kind of game entering the 4th quarter, but once Percy Harvin took the kickoff back to start the half, then all hope of any comeback was over. On the next series with Denver driving, Thomas caught a pass over the middle and fumbled and that really gave Denver no shot of getting this game closer at all.
VII) Once the game got to 29-0, everything from there was meaningless. I know Denver's defense gave up two more touchdown passes from Russell Wilson, but they had checked out at that point. It looked like they just wanted to get the game over with and go home in the second half.
VIII) Seattle's defense knocked around the Denver receivers, dominated the line of scrimmage, and harassed and pressured Manning without blitzing at all. They were so much faster than any defense that Denver faced all year long. They tracked down screens, blew up crossing routes, and completely stifled the Broncos passing attack. All my worst fears were confirmed in the first half. It was one of the most dominating defensive performances I have seen in a Super Bowl. It was on the level of the 1985 Bears, the 2000 Ravens, and the 2003 Bucs.
IX) Going into the game, I thought it would be a competitive game. I figured that if Denver and Seattle played a best of 7 series, that the series between these two teams would go six or seven games. After watching the game, I think the Seattle would either sweep Denver or win the series in five games. That is how much better they were than the Broncos. The sad part is that I have seen this story before. I remember growing up and watching the Broncos get routed in Super Bowls XXI, XXII, and XXIV. This game felt exactly the same way that those games felt. It was like a nightmare revisited. It was like Deja Vu back to my childhood.
X) As the game became a rout and I realized that the Broncos were going to lose Super Bowl XLVIII, I was able to be at peace with it. The day after was worse. I don't think that there is anyway to soften the blow of losing the Super Bowl. I don't care if you lose 43-8 or 27-26, it doesn't matter. It hurts either way. Depression starts to set in, and Monday was worse than Sunday night after the game. The Baltimore loss last year was brutal, and I'm still not over that game. This is just as bad, and it will take me a long time to really get over this game because of how bad the Broncos got beat. This was a 13-3 team that scored over 600 points this year. They were the #1 seed in the AFC, and they went wire-to-wire as the favorites in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl. To go out like they did was just plain awful.
XI) John Fox did a nice job this season, and he has done a good job in his three years in Denver, but he did an awful job in this game. The team didn't seem prepared, and Fox gets the blame for that. How do you account for any noise to start the Super Bowl? What exactly was his gameplan on defense? Fox needs to take blame for this game too. I am starting to get a little worried about Fox. He is a good coach, but he is shaky in game management, and when your team gets killed by 35 points in a Super Bowl, you have to take blame. He got completely out coached by Pete Carroll.
XII) The injuries to Chris Harris and Von Miller really showed up in this game. Champ Bailey got beat for big plays in the first half, and not having Harris out there limited us. We needed a guy like Miller in this game to get after Wilson, and maybe even contain him. Our pass rush wasn't there when we needed it early on those third downs in the first half. It would have been nice to have Ryan Clady out there as well, but our offensive line was overmatched by Seattle's front that I don't think having Clady out there would have changed anything.
XIII) A lot of people are questioning the play calling early on, but I didn't have a problem with that. The Broncos ran a lot of the same stuff that got them to this point. There offense is based on execution, and they ran into a defense that matched up with them, and they were out-executed by that defense plain and simple. As complex as football is, an offense can move the ball and score points by keeping it simple and out-executing the other team. The Broncos did that all year to the tune of 606 points and 76 touchdowns. Of course, Seattle's defense knew their tendencies. They 18 game tapes to watch and figure that out. You don't think San Diego or Bill Belichick knew the Broncos tendencies. The difference was that Denver out-executed those teams because they were better. Seattle's defense was the best defense that Denver faced and they couldn't win a lot of the match ups that were presented.
XIV) As I look back on the Broncos season, there is a lot of smile about. They won the AFC West, finished as the top seed in the AFC, won their two playoff games at home, and beat Tom Brady and the Pats in the AFC Championship. There will be a time this winter, spring, and summer where I will sit down and watch the great regular season wins that they had. There will be a time when I kick back and have a beer and watch the playoff wins over the Chargers and Pats, and I will smile and enjoy those moments forever. Unfortunately, now is not that time. I need time to comprehend and reflect on the bitter defeat that they suffered in this Super Bowl. I still would rather go to the Super Bowl and lose than not get there at all, but this loss will burn me until they win another Super Bowl.
XV) It was an absolute pleasure to watch this team for 18 of the 19 games that they played this year. It was even more fun rehashing every game and every week with this team on this blog. I plan on writing a season-ending mailbag that reviews the regular season, post season, and the upcoming offseason. There is a lot to look back on and there is a lot to talk about regarding the future of this team. I will get to that later in the week. I will lick my wounds on this, regroup and focus on the 2014 offseason as we get closer to free agency starting in March. On a final note, I just want to thank the Broncos for a great ride in 2013. It is easy to be a fan of a team when they are winning, but the true measure of a fan is when your team loses. The Broncos are such a big part of my life, and that won't change. There will be a day when the Broncos are once again hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Hopefully, that will happen next season in Arizona at Super Bowl XLIX. Go Broncos!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII Preview!!!!
Time to ride has been the slogan for the Broncos all postseason. Now, it is time to ride into the Super Bowl and take on the Seattle Seahawks. The first Super Bowl in New York/New Jersery will be a memorable one because it features Peyton Manning and his quest for another Super Bowl against the #1 rated defense in the NFL. As I have done all during the playoffs, I will point out the different things that scare me about this game from a Broncos perspective. Although I am nervous about this game, I have enjoyed the week of hype leading up to the game. Actually, I have been basking in the glory of the Broncos winning the AFC title for the last two weeks, and I have soaked in everything from this week in preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII. There is nothing better than the two weeks following between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl when your team is in it. Everything is congratulating you, and your team is the focus of the entire sports world during that span. There is nothing like that feeling knowing that your team will be playing on Super Sunday. It has been quite a ride this season with the Broncos, and there is more stop. This will be a very tricky game for Denver and here are the reasons why the Seahawks put fear into me for Super Bowl XLVIII....
I) Seattle's defense is legitimate. Make no mistake because this defense is nasty and physical. Denver has not faced a defense like this at all this year. If anyone can shut down this Broncos offense, this Seattle defense can do it. Top defenses always seem to stop top offenses in these big games, and it will not surprise me at all if Seattle shuts down Manning and the Broncos.
II) The weather has to bother you as a Broncos fan. It might not be as cold and windy as people thought it was going to be earlier in the week, but mid 30s and high 20s is not exactly ideal for the Broncos and Manning. Put it this way: I wouldn't mind if this game was in a warm climate or a dome. I am sure the Broncos wouldn't have minded that either.
III) Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle running game might just overpower and grind out the Broncos. Denver's defense has done a nice job against the run in the regular season and in the playoffs, but this is a different kind of running attack. Lynch could go off on the ground, and that spells trouble for Denver. Can Denver's defense hold up one more game without all those key guys? I'm not so sure they can.
IV) Russell Wilson might not get as much hype as Manning, but he is the real deal and budding star in the NFL. Wilson can kill you when he gets out of the pocket, and he can make some big time throws. He has done it his whole career so far, and he will be a pain in the neck for the Broncos to contain. Wilson could rise up and make this his moment.
V) Seattle has the better team overall. Pound-for-pound they are the better team, so that will give them the advantage to win this game. They have been the best team all year long, and I felt that whoever won the NFC Championship Game between them and San Francisco was going to be a tough matchup for Denver. The Broncos have Peyton Manning, but Seattle is simply better up and down the roster.
VI) The pressure on Manning is tremendous in this game. Even after outplaying Tom Brady and getting the Broncos to the Super Bowl does not take the pressure off Manning. The Broncos and Manning have a small window to win the Super Bowl, and if they don't get it done on Sunday, then it will be a very bitter pill to swallow. The Seahawks can play fast and loose as the up-and-coming team, and that can be very dangerous in these situations.
VIII) The lack of experience of the Seahawks doesn't seem to matter. In fact, they have no Super Bowl experience with any of their players on their roster heading into this game. I really don't think they care about that, and to me the experience factor is overrated. The last time a team entered a Super Bowl without a player with any Super Bowl experience was the 1990 Bills. They lost to a Giants team that had already won a Super Bowl a few years earlier, but they lost on a missed field goal. I think that lack of experience could actually help the Seahawks play better.
IX) It seems like pubic opinion is siding with Manning and the Broncos. I think a lot of people believe that this Manning's year. That scares me. I would like to see more people pick the Seahawks to win this game. I wouldn't even mind if this line changed in favor of Seattle and made Denver the underdog. I hate the fact that the Broncos are favored at this point.
X) The Broncos are wearing their home orange jerseys for the game. The four Super Bowls that Denver lost all featured games in which they were wearing their orange jerseys. The two that Denver won featured their blue and white jerseys. I know people dismiss certain superstitions, but this one can't be ignored.
XI) Seattle is due for a championship for their city. The last time a Seattle franchise won a title was in 1979 when the Supersonics won the NBA Championship. That franchise doesn't even play in Seattle anymore. It just feels like Seattle is on the verge of breaking through and getting that elusive sports championship.
Playoff Record: 4-3-3
Last Week's Record: 0-2
Prediction: Seattle (+2) over DENVER: As much as this pains me, I just think that Seattle has the better team. I keep playing the game over and over in my mind, and I have to side with history here and think that Seattle's defense will stifle the Broncos offense. I just think that the Seahawks are too tough of a matchup for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this game.
Final Score: Seahawks-30 Broncos-17
I) Seattle's defense is legitimate. Make no mistake because this defense is nasty and physical. Denver has not faced a defense like this at all this year. If anyone can shut down this Broncos offense, this Seattle defense can do it. Top defenses always seem to stop top offenses in these big games, and it will not surprise me at all if Seattle shuts down Manning and the Broncos.
II) The weather has to bother you as a Broncos fan. It might not be as cold and windy as people thought it was going to be earlier in the week, but mid 30s and high 20s is not exactly ideal for the Broncos and Manning. Put it this way: I wouldn't mind if this game was in a warm climate or a dome. I am sure the Broncos wouldn't have minded that either.
III) Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle running game might just overpower and grind out the Broncos. Denver's defense has done a nice job against the run in the regular season and in the playoffs, but this is a different kind of running attack. Lynch could go off on the ground, and that spells trouble for Denver. Can Denver's defense hold up one more game without all those key guys? I'm not so sure they can.
IV) Russell Wilson might not get as much hype as Manning, but he is the real deal and budding star in the NFL. Wilson can kill you when he gets out of the pocket, and he can make some big time throws. He has done it his whole career so far, and he will be a pain in the neck for the Broncos to contain. Wilson could rise up and make this his moment.
V) Seattle has the better team overall. Pound-for-pound they are the better team, so that will give them the advantage to win this game. They have been the best team all year long, and I felt that whoever won the NFC Championship Game between them and San Francisco was going to be a tough matchup for Denver. The Broncos have Peyton Manning, but Seattle is simply better up and down the roster.
VI) The pressure on Manning is tremendous in this game. Even after outplaying Tom Brady and getting the Broncos to the Super Bowl does not take the pressure off Manning. The Broncos and Manning have a small window to win the Super Bowl, and if they don't get it done on Sunday, then it will be a very bitter pill to swallow. The Seahawks can play fast and loose as the up-and-coming team, and that can be very dangerous in these situations.
VIII) The lack of experience of the Seahawks doesn't seem to matter. In fact, they have no Super Bowl experience with any of their players on their roster heading into this game. I really don't think they care about that, and to me the experience factor is overrated. The last time a team entered a Super Bowl without a player with any Super Bowl experience was the 1990 Bills. They lost to a Giants team that had already won a Super Bowl a few years earlier, but they lost on a missed field goal. I think that lack of experience could actually help the Seahawks play better.
IX) It seems like pubic opinion is siding with Manning and the Broncos. I think a lot of people believe that this Manning's year. That scares me. I would like to see more people pick the Seahawks to win this game. I wouldn't even mind if this line changed in favor of Seattle and made Denver the underdog. I hate the fact that the Broncos are favored at this point.
X) The Broncos are wearing their home orange jerseys for the game. The four Super Bowls that Denver lost all featured games in which they were wearing their orange jerseys. The two that Denver won featured their blue and white jerseys. I know people dismiss certain superstitions, but this one can't be ignored.
XI) Seattle is due for a championship for their city. The last time a Seattle franchise won a title was in 1979 when the Supersonics won the NBA Championship. That franchise doesn't even play in Seattle anymore. It just feels like Seattle is on the verge of breaking through and getting that elusive sports championship.
Playoff Record: 4-3-3
Last Week's Record: 0-2
Prediction: Seattle (+2) over DENVER: As much as this pains me, I just think that Seattle has the better team. I keep playing the game over and over in my mind, and I have to side with history here and think that Seattle's defense will stifle the Broncos offense. I just think that the Seahawks are too tough of a matchup for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this game.
Final Score: Seahawks-30 Broncos-17
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