SB Nation User Blog: Disco_Stu

Report from the Game

Disco_Stu — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:49:15 -0000

Here now, my take on what I'm sure everyone was waiting to hear: just how good was the half-time entertainment, Antigravity?

I can honestly say: it was okay. Those odd jumping boot thingies were interesting, and we got to see a new world record set on consecutive backflips using them. History, folks. Then they had four guys, two trampolines, and a wall. Fun to watch, overall.

Other than that, it was a pretty tame afternoon. *twitch, twitch*

My voice is gone, and I nearly took today off to recover. I have never, NEVER been in a stadium going as berserk as INVESCO Mile High after the 2-point conversion. Here are my REAL thoughts after the game.

Keep in mind the following. We were at the top of the stadium. Literally. No one behind us. Great for seeing the field, not so great for fine detail. I have read little and seen less on the controversial plays. Therefore, I don't have much to add on those plays.

Jay Cutler wa a little too amped up at the end of the game. I believe this game as personal, and he was trying just a bit too hard. The interception and "fumble" seemed to be results of Jay pressing more than he should of. I don't expect to see those mistakes very often.
Sproles' return for a TD changed the game. Before that point, the crowd was going crazy. After that, it took awhile to bring the noice back up. Without that return, the Broncos roll the Chargers.
There were some shaky calls going both ways. I added a new "how can they not call the block in the back?!?!?!" incident to my memory, right up there with some of Dante Hall's returns.
I was disappointed in Prater's lack of touchbacks. I was expecting more in the thin air. A 52-yard field goal will earn some forgiveness, however.
Kerns' few punts looked great. Great distance, and pinned the returner into a corner. Special teams aren't there yet, but they're improving.
The defense needs to find ways of getting off the field on 3rd and more-than-three.
On many of the painful long receptions, one name kept showing up (to me, at least): Karl Paymah. I could be wrong, but it seemed like SD found the weak spot and kept attacking it. Not sure if this was bad play by Paymah or...
...the lack of pressure on Rivers. I kept hoping for it. I kept praying for it. It never came. We're in for a heart burn-inducing season if the QBs have that much time all season. We are saved by...
...the offense. It is for real. I can't speak highly enough of the offensive line. Others have mentioned this, but a line that young should not be playing that well. The play calling is...crazy. The receiving talent is incredible. And given time, Jay Cutler will dissect any defense.

One little story, just to re-emphasize how draining that game was. Crowd is off the hook after Eddie gets the 2-pt conversion. In the middle of that, I'm the first person around to notice we have a man down...and I'm pretty sure it's Eddie. The crowd slowly starts to go quiet...just in time for Eddie to jump up, pump his fists, and start the party over again. That should be it...only, there's still 24 seconds on the clock, Broncos only lead by 1...and we have to kick to Sproles. Stomaches tighten up again, and they won't relax for another five minutes or so (the solid ST stop helped a bit).

I won't forget this game, and I doubt anyone else (SD fans included) will either.

The Other Side of Sports

Disco_Stu — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:09:55 -0000

First, an admission: this post really doesn't have much value, other than allowing me to channel some of my excitement for tomorrow's game. If you're looking for a discussion about the on-field events...I would suggest heading to the other posts (all of which are excellent, as per usual).

Tomorrow's game will be special, and not just because Denver has a very real shot of going up 2-0, and taking a two-game lead over San Diego in the division (only a 1-game lead over the winner of KC-oakland...but that doesn't really matter). Tomorrow, I get to attend the game with the following people:

My Wife. It will be our first Bronco game together (her first ever!); we attended a Chiefs-Patriots game a few years ago at Arrowhead while visiting some friends (sidenote: i wore my away Ed McCaffery jersey to that one). She was a big Avalanche fan when we met, and she's become an incredible football fan; she even beats me at fantasy football. Plus, she's the one who pointed me to the Brazilian twins in the Good Luck Bikini thread...she's an incredible woman, and I can't wait to share this with her!
My Dad. My football fan-dom is directly attributed to him. He's always been a friend and a role-model, and this will be his first NFL game...ever. A real father-son moment.
My cousin, a Navy vet who worked on the last operational F-14 Tomcat unit. His girlfriend is currently in the process of shipping out to Afghanistan, so it's awesome that the pregame will include a salute to the armed forces.

Like I said...this is just an emotional outburst, but it gets me thinking: how many other such stories are out there? Jonahsilas is in town for his bachelor weekend (which sounds like an awesome time!)...there must be hundreds or thousands of such stories, all bringing an insane energy to a relatively small spot of land during a 3.5 hour stretch of time. It connects one special moment (me with my family) to all the other special moments, all with the energy generated from pride in our team, and pride in our city and state. I don't know where this is going...but it feels special.

Go Broncos, and I hope everyone on MHR enjoys the ride tomorrow!

Why ESPN is Stupid

Disco_Stu — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:39:52 -0000

A few weeks of family in town/vacationing in Yellowstone kept me away from the inter-tubes, but I return just in time to see a quick break down of the Broncos Training Camp:

• What John Clayton says: The Broncos train at their headquarters near a suburban airport. What's amazing is the amount of parking spaces available, which is important because Broncos fans flock to the summer practices. There are plenty of workers there to funnel the cars to a lot within walking distances of the facility. Places to eat are located more than a mile away, which is appropriate. Broncos practices are all about football. Coach Mike Shanahan wants it that way.
• What to do besides training camp: The peaceful, scenic area is home to a number of recreational parks, as well as Pirates Cove, a family aquatic center. Englewood Golf Course offers visitors an opportunity to work on their swing when not attending practice, while the CityCenter Englewood Amphitheatre will play host to free outdoor concerts as part of the Sounds of Summer series. Another point of interest is Merrill Engineering Laboratories – where, if you aren't already aware, the world's first electronic dynamic wheel-balancing system was invented in 1945.

Full Article Here

Very cool that they provide alternative activities. But...wait a second. Pirates Cove? Englewood Golf Course, CityCenter Englewood Amphitheatre? Merrill Engineering Laboratories? Yes, they are all in Englewood, as is Dove Valley. But Englewood, CO is an odd place that stretches between Santa Fe and Arapahoe. Most of the "attractions" listed in the article are on the OTHER SIDE of Englewood, and no where close to Dove Valley!

I do believe someone at ESPN just Googled Englewood, grabbed a few tidbits, and left it at that. Stupid.

Good Article on Javon Walker

Disco_Stu — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:46:29 -0000

Good Article on Javon Walker

Ignore who the author is. While this isn't exactly "new" news, it is still a pretty good introspective article. Puts some pieces together that I hadn't yet connected.

Good News for Marshall

Disco_Stu — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:53:10 -0000

Good News for Marshall

Ahead of schedule on making catches with both hands: this bodes well!

Dallas Writer has Denver ranked 28th

Disco_Stu — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:14:26 -0000

Dallas Writer has Denver ranked 28th

Also has Dallas ranked #3.

Can't say I'm "upset" really. Just chuckled, rolled my eyes, and wondered how Kansas City is better than Denver right now.

This team is REALLY going to surprise some people...

Winds of Change

Disco_Stu — Sat, 31 May 2008 03:50:18 -0000

This FanPost has no factual content. There are no statistics, no tables, no analysis (although, I am a huge fan of all of the above!) No, this post is about a difficult-to-describe event: Shivers down the Spine.

See, I've been getting them recently, and with greater frequency. I don't know what, precisely, happens when I get that feeling. Something with the brain and central nervous system, I'm sure...but I'm a Software Engineer/Math Geek, not a doctor.

(If anyone knows WHY you get shivers down your spine, or hiccups for that matter, let me know!)

But these shivers...they keep happening. They happened when I looked at the sum of Denver's 2008 Draft (both in talent and character.) They happened when I realized Jay Cutler was a Top 10 QB in 2007...with untreated diabetes. Then again when I see quotes like (paraphrasing) "his blood sugar is down, his spirits are up, and his fastball is back." They came when Brandon Marshall "mocked" Cutlers comments, with Jay not missing a beat in making a come-back (term used on purpose.) It happened again when Champ sounded impressed by Jay's recovery, and again when Stokley and Jackson sounded impressed. Again, when Shanahan promised Rosalind Williams that Denver would "make her proud" this season.

Fellow Broncos fans...the winds of change are blowing. Nothing flashy, but Denver is getting back on track. The team is coming together. And most importantly: Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to present Jay Cutler's Denver Broncos.

And there go the shivers again. :o)

RB Dominic Rhodes re-signs with Colts

Disco_Stu — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:36:55 -0000

RB Dominic Rhodes re-signs with Colts

That takes care of that question. :o)

Peter King's Power Rankings

Disco_Stu — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:31:51 -0000

Peter King's Power Rankings

Now, I don't necessarily begrudge Peter King for putting Denver at #23. Last year was bad, and taking a "show me" approach to this year isn't wrong. I feel better than he does, but that's just me.

What DOES bother me is that, instead of examining everything Denver did in the offseason, King says this:

23. Denver. Just whom exactly do you count on in Denver? The courageously diabetic quarterback? The who-knows-what-to-believe star wideout Brandon Marshall? Or the coach who might be running out of tricks with his magic wand?

The Broncos gave up 26 points a game last year. And just how embarrassing must it be to surrender more than 30 to Houston, Chicago and the Oakland Raiders, for God's sake, all in the span of 18 days? The Broncos' most important acquisition to help that defense has never started an NFL game. Niko Koutouvides will play middle 'backer after backing up strong linebackers for four years in Seattle. Not too much pressure on him, is there?

So the reloading season for Denver amounts to the following:
-Cutler has diabetes, so you can't count on him
-Marshall had his "fall" so you can't count on him
-Shanahan is out-dated
-Niko Koutouvides is expected to solve all Denver's problems

I guess it was too much to ask that he mention the following:
-Cutler's diabetes should be a non-issue this season
-The trade for DRob and drafting Carlton Powell
-Drafting Eddie Royal and signing Colbert, Parker, and Jackson
-A deeper offensive line, with Ryan Clady on board
-Bates is gone
-The young defensive line has more experience

*sigh* Maybe I'm just expecting too much from a MSM writer...

Player Musings - Peyton Hillis

Disco_Stu — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:16:18 -0000

May 1st, and it's a cold, snowy day in Colorado Springs. Very few fellow employees are in today (for reasons not related to the snow.) I have a Nalgene bottle full of warm green tea. Yep, time to put down some thoughts on a draft pick that has my attention: Peyton Hillis, FB out of Arkansas.

First, the measurables (with comparables from Owen Schmitt and Jacob Hester), courtesy of NFL Draft Countdown and FFToolbox :

6' 3/4" 240 lb, 31.5" arms, 9" hands
Schmitt: 6' 2" 247 lb, 32" arms, 9 3/8" hands
Hestor: 5' 10.5" 226 lb, 31" arms, 10.5" hands

40 time: 4.58 (Schmitt 4.70, Hestor 4.60)
Benchpress: 26 reps (Schmitt 26, Hestor 23)
Vertical: 30" (Schmitt NA, Hestor 27)

The scouting report on Hillis labels him as a 'tweener: he's faster than most fullbacks and a better blocker than most running backs...but he's not exceptionally fast, and he's not as strong as the stereotypical fullback. He can run the ball, but isn't the best power/short-yardage back you will see. He projects more as Brian Leonard of St. Louis.

What does he bring to the table then? In a single word: versatility. Sharing the backfield with Darren McFadden AND Felix Jones (both 1st round selections this year), he still managed to rack up 347 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. He also snagged 49 catches for 537 yards and 5 TDs. He has lined up at fullback, H-back, tailback, tight end, wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner for the Razorbacks. Peyton is smart, with good awareness and a non-stop motor. He has had some injuries, but I do not get too concerned with injuries (it is football, after all) until a single injury becomes chronic.

So, what does this mean for Bronco fans? Initially, his best bet for playing time will be on special teams (as is the case for most lower-round picks and UDFAs.) But the big hope relates directly to something HoosierTeacher has been discussing for quite awhile: the near-mythical 3-TE Set (if you haven't read this piece, please do so!) To run 3-TE sets, you need (ready?)...three good tight ends! HT points out that both Denver and Pittsburgh are the teams most likley the field the 3-TE Set soonest, with both teams capable of running effective 2-TE Sets right now. Denver has aniel Graham (excellent blocker, respectable receiver), and Tony Scheffler (so-so blocker, excellent receiver.) Peyton Hillis could be the hyprid do-it-all in this set. He could potentially line up anywhere (out wide, in tight, as an H-Back, or back as a Fullback.) He could motion out to any other spot, creating mismatches and improving Cutler's reads on the defense.

But that is probably still a year to so away. In the mean time, Denver has a fullback that can block better than the converted RBs over the past couple of years, and is a legitimate play action receiving threat in the redzone. While the improved blocking is nice, I see the receiving threat out of the backfield as being even more important. Once a staple of the Denver offense, the play-action pass to a fullback out of the backfield has been a rarity lately. WIth Hillis, I see it coming back.

Okay, I think that's it for now. My curiosity was piqued with the Hillis pick, and I've cleared my head (for now.) I love the discussion of defensive vs. offensive systems...if I've missed something (likely), let me know!