SB Nation User Blog: BideshiBronco

Berman MNF McDaniels interview

BideshiBronco — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:31:58 -0000

Berman MNF McDaniels interview

some recognition....hope we defeat the ambush set by SD on the next MNF

As story unfolds...doubters beware

BideshiBronco — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:41:53 -0000

It seems like every week the Denver Broncos have hurdled another obstacle left in place from their tumultuous offseason. It seems to be playing out like a storybook. In Week 1, many fans wanted McD and his faux arrogance put into place. This new Denver team was no good. Even, no wait, especially, our own Denver Post writers, the home of the fan base, wanted us to refuse to believe.......The result was held in suspense until the final seconds and for those who believed our faith was justified..

In week 2 & 3, every Bronco-hater was waiting for last year's inconsistency, a slip against a weaker opponent, anything to demonstrate the need for McDaniels to placate and pamper his players to victory. They were certain his leadership was all wrong. The Broncos continued their winning ways with no individuals to promote and no clear strength to demand respect.

In week 4, the skeptics hoped that McD and this "fluff" team would be brought to its senses by "true" NFL star power and talent. The Broncos stood firm and displayed their toughness, physicality, and resilience. By the end, every fan could see McDaniel's reason for "tough love" and how it transformed one of our own lost superstars.

So is the story over? The Broncos stand "born-again" as a new team ready to move forward, right? Have we excised all the demons from the offseason? Not so fast. The story, our walk, has only just begun. I see this week forcing us to confront more demons, deeper scars. OUR faith, even the team's faith, may be tested. Of course, this is the way a walk of faith always goes. You never completely arrive. There is always something more to learn about yourself and your identity.

So, who seeks to attack our faith and how? Arguably, I believe we have demonstrated some weaknesses in the passing game. I am of the strong opinion that Belichick, in his strategy to defeat this team, will focus his efforts on the run game and forcing Kyle Orton to win the game. The stage is set for a beautiful act where the lights will shine on Orton. This is exactly the way that Belicheck develops strategies and I hope for the sake of Denver and the Broncos he is successful.

What? Why? Because we are still hounded by one question and one doubt that still threatens to weaken our solidarity and belief both as a team (I speculate) and as a fan base.

For fans: Why did we trade Jay Cutler? Are we a better team without Cutler? If only we had kept Cutler, we would have both this "great" defense and a "franchise QB"? A certain Super Bowl contender, right?

For the players: How much pressure can the defense handle? Can we rely on Orton "to carry" the team on offense if we need it?

I know how I and, I imagine the players, would answer those questions, but every week these questions will be presented and performance on the field must answer them. On the field of play, performance speaks for itself. At this point, I have been let down by Kyle Orton. No, not because he doesn't do enough to win, because he obviously does. I have been let down because I had far greater expectations. All last year, I was surprised by Chicago. I didn't understand how they won. When we traded for Orton, I started to research last year. The guy was a stud. I don't believe in the limitations he is given or his "weak arm". I thought for sure he would become a superstar right away. There has been injury and he needs to learn the system. The fact remains, he has not "carried" this team to victory, yet.

Yes, we could become the Baltimore Ravens of 2000 and win a SB with a superior "D". However, that would not satisfy me. I have developed so much faith and belief in this team that I just KNOW we are capable of anything and everything. I also have faith in Kyle Orton and believe he can still be the player I envisioned. I don't think there should even be an argument. Kyle Orton IS better than Jay Cutler.

Here is the test Denver fans and players: This week when the pressure mounts on Orton, will we believe? Will we stand firm in our faith? Will we recognize that something special is happening and redemption will come this week just as it did the last few weeks? It may all depend on OUR belief.

I'll be rooting hard this week, not just for a Bronco victory, but for another demon to be excised as our team redeems itself......in a manner that the fan base can come together and stand with the Broncos in FULL faith and allegiance....in a manner that the team's weaknesses are challenged, causing the team to become stronger and never complacent....in a manner that causes even Woody Paige to feel compelled to eat crow and call this Bronco team the "real deal".

Thought I'd share my thoughts for this week......Happy rooting!!!

Surprises...WK4 & AFC West

BideshiBronco — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:31:54 -0000

I love to talk about the emotional and the mental side of the game......I also love to identify and pick underdogs or under-respected teams, players, whatever.

Week 4:

AFC West:

KC is in a perfect spot against the NYGs this week. For those that only look at the play and strategy of each team, the NYGs are a lock. I really expect KC to play tough here. Not only are they going against NY at home (in a very tough place to play), benefit from the "who do we fear on this team?" syndrome that NY will find it hard to defeat, and from Haley's prowess as an offensive guru. Haley started sticking with the run late in the Phi game, despite the score......what does that mean?? Well it could be a lot of things, but based on how poor the protection was, I expect he conceded that he did not prepare his team to protect well enough for the Phi blitz. I expect KC to be fully prepared this week. The offense only now coming together is conceivable based on Haley's poor organization and the OC fire. The NYGs are notorious for laying eggs against poor opponents. I blame Coughlin and expect to see his dry "nuts & bolts" coaching leave the team lackluster for this week.

OAK....now I don't think OAK can truly beat anybody because the cohesion and team synergy are not there. How can they be? Competition really doesn't happen amongst players on this team and the coaches don't hold the final say. For some reason though, I think this team has a little more than people give it credit for (close games against KC and SD). HOU is about a good a matchup as they can get and it comes after an AFC West thumping by us......If JaMarcus can't manage to be focused for this game and pull something off....along with McFadden, then this team is already starting its nosedive

SD.....is, as everyone says, the best team in the AFC West??? No, SD is a team that is carried by who I consider the best QB in the NFL. They will be in every game no matter what. I think they will give us fits too. PITT is so ripe to get beat here though. They have been surprised the last two weeks, but I don't think that surprise has sunk in. They still think they are really good....defending CHAMPS, right! They aren't....good talent, but its obvious they are missing the focus and killer instinct this year. I am going to enjoy watching Tomlin coach under fire. SD can pull this out and I hope they do. It will give them big heads and the media will be hypeing them way beyond their level of play.

To include Denver, this could be an AFC West sweep week. I know, its the weakest division, but that stuff is way overrated at this point. I like the positions of all these teams and their opponents (overconfident). We'll see how it plays out.

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Josh Johnson......I hear Morris, his own coach say, "he's my Jason Garret"......What?? Why play him then? Lets get to Freeman. The reason is this guy can be good....in fact, I think great. Read up about his play in college. I don't wanna hear about the competition. Its like the Broncs domination (well on D at least) of three bad teams....its still domination. He looked very good last week in a series vs. the NYGs. They blitzed him twice and he picked 'em up and made great decisions. He should have had a TD, but his WRs were surprised someone could get the ball down the field.

Jim Harbaugh coached this guy in college and said he was a top D I talent.....Why is he playing?? Because the OC, Olson, knows he's good and he gives TB a chance to win now...someone wake up Morris so he can stop telling other NFL coaches, "We just wanna grow up and be like you....good!" WHAT??? It is too bad Johnson is in this situation. I expect him to play great against WAS and for the season. TB is terrible though.

Enjoy the games!!!

Hilarious....Simmon's continues hype of Broncos as sleeper

BideshiBronco — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:38:36 -0000

Hilarious....Simmon's continues hype of Broncos as sleeper

Funniest lines:
I'm like Charles Barkley going coast to coast with a full head of steam in the mid-'80s. Do NOT take a charge from me. Broncos, 10-6, book it.)....Simmon's gloat having selected Broncs as sleeper
"Who will be the most screwed-up celebrity kids in 2025?" Fantasy draft
(The Oakland Raiders … where "Just Win Baby" has given way to "Hey, Dad, can we not have the Raider tickets be part of my birthday present next year?" Al Davis, I think it's time to sell.)

Week 2 Emotional analysis

BideshiBronco — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:22:24 -0000

@DEN vs CLE; DEN is favored by 3; I think this will be a very tough game. I watched the CLE/MINN game and if Favre is not on MINN, then CLE wins. CLE is a tough team that wore down against a very good team in MINN. CLE played like last year's team. After a couple calls and drives stalled, they just started to wear out.....they lost belief. They will start to perform to their potential when they shake the stigma from last year's team. This requires pulling out a tough win. If Quinn does it, even better. The NEW identity will be set and they will start to challenge for the AFC North.

This is a game between two future playoff teams....don't tell the MSM. It will be a tough fought game and the winner has the potential to really start to hit a stride.....especially if the victory is close. When teams are pulling out close wins, then belief just soars. These teams are deciding their identity for the year in these early games. Right now DEN has the advantage and I hope they keep it....I'm of course rooting for DEN all the way!!

@KC vs OAK; KC is favored by 3. This is a standard spread for a home team. I don't think either team has found an identity despite their surprisingly tough performances in Week 1. OAK was getting abused by the MSM prior to the SD game. I think that abuse and the absolutely pathetic preseason performance, especially towards the end, caused them to reconsider their approach going into Week 1. I think they played well and SD was not prepared. If OAK already thinks they are a tough team, KC will punish them. They have to play like they have something to prove. The longer this game stays close the greater the chance KC wins........I like Haley to pull this victory out big or small.

@NYJ vs NE; NE is favored by 3.5. I like Ryan as a coach, but doesn't he know that his father's demeanor was what kept him from being a "great" head coach. This is a great spot for NYJ to surprise NE. Instead, Ryan has his whole team talking smack to a "proven" NE team. It just doesn't make any sense. The NYJ never played NE scared the last several years.....what's the benefit here?? The result is Ryan has added tons of pressure to Sanchez, who Belicheck will cook up a difficult scheme for (I think it will be heavy on 8x man pass coverage). NE wins handily (may be a close score)

@WAS vs STL; WAS is favored by 9.5. This is a great spot for STL. WAS is a team of talent with no focus or cohesion. Its hard to build a team when D. Snyder makes his coach apologize for being the HC and making decisions (like benching a whining Portis). WAS will have little respect for STL going into this game just like everyone else. STL really struggled against the pass in Week 1, but Campbell can't really pass. Besides, Spags knows WAS very well. I expect him to have his team ready in a game that STL will fight hard to avoid meeting everyone's expectations. STL covers easily and could win.

PITT vs @CHI; PITT is favored by 3; Wow, no respect even @ home for CHI. There is no QB in the NFL with more pressure on than Jay Cutler. Everytime he says last week was no big deal, he actually makes the pressure worse. I'm sure everyone has seen someone who deals with pressure by not dealing with it. WR scramble assignments aside, it is going to take a very strong hand by Lovie Smith to avoid disaster in this game. Chicago must run the ball and take the pressure off Cutler. He shouldn't throw a pass in the first quarter. Let him get a feel for the game and keep the calls simple. If he gets pressure on him, its gonna be INT after INT after, etc. If Forte doesn't rush over 30 times, then CHI loses, probably big.

IND va @MIA; IND is favored by 3; Pennington failed MIA in Week 1. They need better QB play. He rarely plays poorly two games in a row. IND is not the same IND. This year will not be like the last several. They were really lucky to beat JAX at home last week. MIA's D is gonna bring the wood to Manning. Expect some fireworks. MIA is one of the best trained, toughest football teams in the NFL. This is their TEAM mentality.They will challenge IND from the beginning and I expect IND to falter in responding....its not business as usual. IND needs to find its NEW identity. MIA wins at home and roughs up IND.

McDaniel's & family

BideshiBronco — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:44:36 -0000

McDaniel's & family

Mostly regurgitated info, but some new tidbits about how much McD is relying on his father thru his first year experience. Also, some light on how much pressure McD experienced growing up and around QB controversy

Inside the NYG

BideshiBronco — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:36:47 -0000

Inside the NYG

Good insight to a future opponent.....With only minor changes, I think it is fair to say this team is adapting its identity a bit with the loss of Spags and Burress. Just something to keep watch on, despite clear personnel strengths, they may not be the same team....we'll see

The Emotional (analyzing the NFL beyond tactics/strategy)

BideshiBronco — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:30:32 -0000

I've done a poor job communicating why I like to emphasize the emotional aspect of teams and players when it comes to performance. I've had some good back and forth with several people, but I have been searching for something to clarify my position. I finally found it and I'll reference the information below.

I feel strongly about communicating the significance of the emotional aspect because whenever there is lots of analysis on tactics, strategy, and skill sets we begin to lose respect for the emotional side. While tactics, strategy, and skill are significant, they are less significant in outcomes than the emotional condition of a team or player. We tend to analyze tactics, strategy, and skill sets more because they are things we can observe and critique the easiest.....as observers of the NFL. However, as Seth Godin will point out below, these things are not the most important aspects of SUCCESS. I am grafting Godin's notion of "attitude & approach" as the foundation to what I have tried to argue is the "emotional" aspect of coaches, teams, and players.

The difference in a team's emotional state, both game to game and for the season, are things that separate playoff teams from mediocre teams, great teams from playoff teams, etc. The COACH and all most completely the Head Coach has the responsibility for this aspect of every team. Consequently, the Head Coach's emotional state is a significant factor on his team's performance......His attitude and his approach become the team's attitude and the team's approach. Singletary is hammering this home with SF....as is Norv Turner with SD (see my post HERE about SD's future). Sometimes players with significant personalities can take this on (Ray Lewis, P. Manning, and yes, J.Cutler). From game to game, because of the emotional side, any team can beat anyone on any given Sunday. The inverse is also true that teams that should lose in a given week (ie. Pittsburgh, NE, SD (I give Rivers credit for these victories)) find ways to win because of the attitude and approach of their players and their coach......it starts all most always with the coach though.

I believe that McDaniel's approach and his attitude are what will determine our success this year. I think those aspects of his leadership are already coming through after just one game......physicality, resiliency, preparedness, fighting for respect.....certainly there are players that are demonstrating these traits as well. Hopefully, we will start to see more and more players exhibiting these traits and belief. For this reason, a new coach turns over a roster. The indians have to be willing to follow the chief to make success a possibility. We have far more pieces in place and a coach (of only 33) far more prepared than many people realize.

HERE is the link to Godin's blog and the stuff below is only just below the entry at the top of the page. I highly recommend reading Godin's blog.....this guy has phenomenal insight about the world today, ideas, leadership, people, etc. A well published author as well. Lombardi mentions him often.....I highly recommend reading Lombardi's notes, especially, Sunday at the Post HERE as well. Mucho props to nycbroncos for his work each morning because if it was not for HIM and MHR, I would never have found these great information resources.

THE BELOW IS FROM http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ BY THE AUTHOR SETH GODIN

The hierarchy of success

I think it looks like this:

Attitude
Approach
Goals
Strategy
Tactics
Execution

We spend all our time on execution. Use this word instead of that one. This web host. That color. This material or that frequency of mailing.

Big news: No one ever succeeded because of execution tactics learned from a Dummies book.

Tactics tell you what to execute. They're important, but dwarfed by strategy. Strategy determines which tactics might work.

But what's the point of a strategy if your goals aren't clear, or contradict?

Which leads the first two, the two we almost never hear about.

Approach determines how you look at the project (or your career). Do you read a lot of books? Ask a lot of questions? Use science and testing or go with your hunches? Are you imperious? A lifehacker? When was the last time you admitted an error and made a dramatic course correction? Most everyone has a style, and if you pick the wrong one, then all the strategy, tactics and execution in the world won't work nearly as well.

As far as I'm concerned, the most important of all, the top of the hierarchy is attitude. Why are you doing this at all? What's your bias in dealing with people and problems?

Some more questions:

How do you deal with failure?
When will you quit?
How do you treat competitors?
What personality are you looking for in the people you hire?
What's it like to work for you? Why? Is that a deliberate choice?
What sort of decisions do you make when no one is looking?

Sure, you can start at the bottom by focusing on execution and credentials. Reading a typical blog (or going to a typical school for 16 years), it seems like that's what you're supposed to do. What a waste.

Isn't it odd that these six questions are so important and yet we almost never talk or write about them?

If the top of the hierarchy is messed up, no amount of brilliant tactics or execution is going to help you at all.

THE ABOVE IS FROM http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ BY THE AUTHOR SETH GODIN

There are many ways to look at this and probably many good arguments against my application of this "hierarchy" to the game of football and coaching. I welcome your comments and, as always, I love to hear from different opinions. It is in discussion and disagreement that I learn both about my ideas and my ability to communicate them.

Never Underestimate the Rookie HC

BideshiBronco — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:02:16 -0000

MYTH: When a new coach comes to town, sometimes it takes a little while before things begin to look up.....No, no it does not.

Starting in 2004, lets review the last several years of coaching change in the NFL.

2004: 7 coaching changes occurred; within 2 yrs Coughlin, Gibbs, Lovie Smith, and Jim Mora had taken their teams to the playoffs; one (Mora) to the AFC Championship in his first year..... 4/7 were a success.

2005: 3 coaching changes occurred; all three coaches are now fired

2006: 10 coaching changes occurred; 3 coaches had their team in the playoffs within 2yrs and a 4th reached the playoffs in his 3rd yr; two (Mangini & Payton) reached the playoffs in their first year, two (Payton & McCarthy) reached the NFC Championship within 2yrs.....Childress reached the playoffs only last year...... 4/10 were a success

2007: 7 coaching changes occurred; within 2 yrs Tomlin, Whisenhunt, N.Turner, and W. Phillips have all reached the playoffs, two were in last years SB, one (Norv) went to the AFC Championship his first yr.... 4/7 were a success

2008: 4 coaching changes occurred: within the first year Smith, Sparano, & Harbaugh all reached the playoffs, one reached the AFC Championship.... 3/4 were a success

In 2009, 11 coaching changes have occurred.....surprised?? If I was looking at the numbers above, I would be quick to pull the trigger on a new coach as well. 15 of 31 went to the playoffs within 2 yrs Of course, in years where 10 coaches are hired, you have to expect a thinning of talent. I think this year's crop of coaches is extremely talented,

If you look closely at each year, other than 2005, a new coach has taken his team to the conference championship game in his first year. That is quite a stat,

Since 2004, in four of five years in the NFL, a brand new head coach led one of the four best teams.

Now a lot of factors lead to such a finish and certainly the HC does not deserve all the credit. Sometimes it can even happen despite the HC. This year, many reporters and pundits are calling last year an aberration. They say, "Don't expect that again!"

Every year since 2003 at least one team and many times more than one, go from worst to first. From '03-'07, the last place team won the NFC South division.....five years of worst to first in one division??

In the MSM, I only hear Indy and Seattle as potential division winners who have new coaches (safe bet, whudda thunk it?). Is it fair to assume that reporters and pundits are well-informed about all things football? Apparently not? In fact, I would argue that most of their time is spent creating story lines and avoiding real evaluation. Lets face it- real evaluation involves being a "true" student of the game and these guys make too much money to be students of anything. It also means your analysis will be critiqued and your success can be quantified. Under these circumstances, why stick your neck out from the crowd?

While considering the success rate above, what team has the best chance of success this year?

McD (Den)- It appears McD handled all coach hires. He seems to have hired with a focus on talent, length of experience, and experience in the AFC West, He has demonstrated a hands on approach that steers both sides of the football team. He inherits one of the best OLs in football, bought an experienced secondary, and has added leadership to his team. If the team has bought into his leadership, then the MSM story lines are only just that.

Haley (KC)- His organizational skills are suspect. If you want to succeed against the odds on day 1, you have to know what you're getting into. When you fire the OC, Chan Gailey, you should have a backup plan.....you can't just make yourself the QB coach, OC, and HC. Just getting into the situation strikes me as naive. I'm not sure how much he is ready to coach both sides of the football.

Cable (Oak)- Hanson's jaw, Al Davis, Heyward-Bey, Jamarcus Russell.......do we need to say more.

Schwartz (Det)- This is a completely new team. I wonder who has more personnel turnover Denver or Detroit? I can't say I know too much about what is going on here, but their personnel moves seem sound. I am overly optimistic primarily because this team has nowhere to go but up.

Spagnuolo (STL)- I love Spags.....in fact I think he was a critical piece to the NYG team. While it is not clear what type of team he inherited, he did not make many changes to the roster. Devaney and him have made tweaks, but it appears they are satisfied to progress slowly. I read on the STL website that bystanders were surprised when S.Jackson went down from his first hit in practice. They thought he would get upset.....a RB upset about a tackle?? Apparently TC was very light in STL the last couple years. This sounds like primadonna stuff though. Thank goodness then because Jackson did not get upset.....whew, good! I think Spags has more changes to the roster to make before the team culture changes though.

Morris (TB)- It doesn't make sense to fire Gruden and select a lower coach that grew up under Gruden. It appears the NFL "copycat" rule went a little too far. Morris is not Tomlin and TB is definitely not Pitt. I think Gruden was holding together a poor team.....It will be tough to beat 9-7 from last year.

Ryan (NYJ)- Ryan gets his players to play for him....Mangini gets his players to play through other methods. I think the new coaching atmosphere and additions on O and D could make this team tough to beat.

Singletary (SF)- This team just shows toughness on the gridiron. I can't help but believe the team is buying into Singletary's leadership. His QB and ILB (Willis) both seem extensions of his personality. The expectations are very low and I see a potential surprise.

Mora (Sea)- He is a proven winner, but the team is essentially the same as last year. The blame fell on the injury to Hasselbeck, but I think more issues exist. Expectation are high for a rebound.

Mangini (Cle)- He takes over a team who last year appeared to visibly struggle from lack of focus, unity, and belief. I can't think of a better coach to follow Romeo Crennel. Furthermore, this team won 10 games two years ago. They have talent....can Mangini get these guys to play? He has been successful in his first year with less talent (NYJ '06).

Caldwell (Ind)- A lot of coaching turmoil in the offseason. I think losing Meeks from the DC position will have more of an effect than people realize. This is not the same team it was in 2006. A lot of pressure on Caldwell, he is filling big shoes.

In my opinion, the key for the above teams to shock the NFL will be low expectations, some inherited talent, a dynamic leader that brings something missing to the team, and players buying into the coach's leadership. I think McD, Schwartz, Ryan, Singletary and Mangini demonstrate this potential. They are capable of taking their team far in the first year.

Schwartz and Ryan's team will improve and could go very far.....its just so difficult to assess a team with a rookie QB. While last year showed promise for rookie signal callers, history doesn't give rookie QBs the same love as rookie HCs. I see potential, but am somewhat skeptical. The beauty of having a rookie under center is the expectations and pressure from the outside immediately go down. This is an important factor to beating conventional wisdom about your potential. The big requirement is that the QB can handle pressure. In that case, I like the NYJ's to finish better than Detroit.

Denver, SF, and Cleveland are my big surprises for this year. This may mean the playoffs, but it may mean only 8-8. No less than .500 win pct though.

Of course, it will be Denver in the AFC Championship game to continue the first year HC trend stated above. For me, the big questions are not about Denver's D and Clevland's QB. I wonder how much TENN, NYG, NE, BAL, and ARI will miss their old coordinators. The teams losing highly successful coordinators are the teams with question marks......but, these teams offer very few story lines....those are all in Denver.

What do you think of the rookie HCs?

I honestly started to get dizzy reviewing NFL seasons (they comprise two years), so let me know if I made a mistake on the coach stats.

Cleveland may be seeking BMarsh?

BideshiBronco — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:19:56 -0000

There are plenty of rumors circulating. I think many teams could be positioning for BMarsh, recognizing that once a player does something like BMarsh did, he can't remain with that team. Its a shame though if the tactic is proven to work, but Denver has to worry about whats best for its season and not the NFL in general, right?

I was very surprised to see Cleveland listed as a team that requested O'Connell off the waiver wire. They have two QBs that are starter level quality (arguably mediocre to good) and Ratliff who Mangini knew prior to going to Cleveland and traded for already. It makes absolutely no sense to claim O'Connell off waivers unless they are looking to trade someone.

Who could that be??? Well it could be a Quinn/Anderson trade to another team and O'Connell adds depth, but that seems unlikely. Based on their lack of an elite WR, they could be looking hard at angles to get Marshall. O'Connell is a nice sweetner for any deal, considering how McDaniels likes his former pupils. I haven't heard any rumors linking Cleveland and Denver in trade talks, but this waiver claim will surely start raising eyebrows.

We'll see.....any thoughts??

Read source article on O'Connell waiver claim HERE.