This just in...

 

CBS4 Sports has learned Jay Cutler and the Broncos have finally spoken.  It was not face-to-face, but rather by conference call on Monday with Cutler, head coach Josh McDaniels and even owner Pat Bowlen among those on the line.

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The 2008 Denver Broncos had one of the easiest schedules, as far as strength of schedule is concerned. Their opponents went a combined 114-142 in 2007 with a .445 win percentage.

The Broncos went 8-8 against those teams, in an up-and-down season, resulting in a historic collapse that we are still reeling from around these parts. Well brace yourselves Broncos fans, 2009 does not get ANY easier. 

Follow me after the break for my thoughts on next year and how much we should really expect from the new coaching changes.

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Breaking news out of San Diego, it looks like Shawn Merriman will elect to have season-ending knee surgery. It's getting picked up now by ESPN and other sources, I found it first on Foxsports.com

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8543520/Merriman-will-have-season-ending-surgery

FOXSports.com has learned that San Diego linebacker Merriman's season is over, as he has elected to have surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. Several Chargers players have said that their Pro Bowl teammate had informed them of the decision.

Several calls left for Merriman have not yet been returned.

Merriman had reportedly been told by four different doctors that reconstructive surgery would be needed, but instead opted to play in Sunday's opener against the Panthers in order to test the knee.

Immediately after Sunday's game, Merriman told FOXSports.com the knee was pretty sore, but otherwise felt OK. He gave no indication at that time that he would elect to go this route.

But apparently, the knee did not pass Merriman's test.

Obviously this will factor significantly into the Chargers defense for the rest of the season. While they have a strong linebacking corp in general, Merriman was the X-factor in creating a pass-rush on the QB. 

It will be hard to tell what the immediate impact will be on this Sundays game. Merriman saw very limited preseason action and the Chargers still went 3-1 so we will see how the SD defense will hold up when Merriman is gone for good.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ak7NGIFBIalqJaSSsc.0qnQ5nYcB?slug=ms-bradyoutforyear090708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

BIG news Broncos/NFL fans. This isn't offical, obviously, but they say "it's bad". 

 

"It’s bad," a team source said. "We’re going to have to play without him."

Brady was hurt as he stepped up in the pocket to make a throw to wideout Randy Moss. Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, who was on the ground, lunged forward and struck Brady’s leg, which buckled as he released the ball.

Brady was helped off the field and was later led down a staircase by team officials, presumably to undergo tests.

UPDATE 1: TORN ACL - Yeah he's done.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/patriots/index.php/2008/09/07/weei-brady-has-torn-acl/

WEEI’s Ron Borges is reporting that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a torn ACL today, citing an NFL source close to the situation. If true, Brady is likely done for the season.

 

http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/turner-moves-practice.htm

Ah to be in the NFL. Multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements and, of course, getting practice off so you can go to the WATER PARK! Woohoo!

Every day when the Chargers start their team meeting, at least one voice from the offensive line suggests that Head Coach Norv Turner take the team to a water park. It became a running joke … until today.   Thursday morning when the team gathered for their 8 a.m. meeting, rather than watching film and speaking X’s and O’s, Turner canceled the meeting as well as the team’s 9 a.m. practice and told them to get on the bus.
As soon as Turner made the announcement, his players erupted in cheers and ran out of the meeting room. They spent roughly an hour and a half riding water slides and tube rides and enjoyed the wave pool at Knott’s Soak City in Chula Vista. 

Maybe Merriman tore those knee ligaments from running from the wave pool to the lazy river...

 

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I have nothing better to do this afternoon so why not liveblog our AFC West rivals go at it and try to lose again in the playoffs! The score so far is TEN 6, SD 0. The first half was kinda of a snoozer, but the second is always better. Here we go!!

SD - First Drive

• LT takes it for four after SD starts at their own 15
  
• LT gets smooshed and stopped for nothing on second.
  
• Rivers rifles one to Chambers for 19 and a first down. Rivers stepped into the pocket and didn't get sacked for once this game. 1st down SD
  
• LT takes it on first for 1. He hasn't been able to break a big one yet. Titans have held the D-line really well. 10 carries for 11 yards so far.
  
• Pressure gets to Rivers on 2nd down and ball gets whacked incomplete. Rivers moans again.
  
• On 3rd, Rivers pumps and throws deep to Vincent Jackson for 34 yards. One of the TEN corners is down.
• 1st down on the TEN 31, pass to Chambers makes first and 10 at the 11.
• Second down pickup of seven by Chambers brings the ball closer to the goal.
• LT stopped on second down for nothing. 3rd and 3 on the 5. And Rivers calls a timeout, great commercials...
• For those who missed the first half, Gates got carted off the field with an apparent foot injury. We'll see how it affects them.
• Pass to Jackson is SHORT! Brings up 4th and 1, Norv elects to kick a field goal. The crowd is BOOOOING! Kick is good.

  TEN 6 SD 3

  TEN - First Drive

  • Wow, turns out liveblogging is not easy. That play clock is killer.
  • 1st down Titans at the 24, Vince goes play-action and picks up 3 with a pass
  • I missed the last play, either way, it's 3rd and 2 and Vince passes to the Tight End
  • Ugh, I missed the last two plays fiddling with the formatting. It's 3rd and 6, Vince has plenty of time in the pocket, but throws to a no one because of a broken route. Punt to Sproles goes for 40 yards.

    SD - Second Drive

  • Ok, commercials let me catch up. Sorta..
  • Rivers wings one to LT who makes his first catch for five yards.
  • SD looks like it's getting back into rhythm.
  • LT gets one yard on 2nd down. Looked like his was about to break free, but got tracked down quickly.
  • 3rd and 4 - LT falls forward for the 1st. Almost was stopped, but slipped out of a tackle. First down!
  • Turner takes it for 3. Vince does not look amused.
  • Here we go! Rivers changed the snap count, Haynesworth doesn't give a shit and roughs up Rivers. This draws not one, but TWO penalties bringing the ball all the way inside the TEN 30. That was fun watching Rivers fall on his butt.
  • LT dives off tackle for 4.
  • Dammit. Play-action for Jackson = SD touchdown. He was wide the hell open. Rivers gives his regards to Haynesworth.

    SD 10, TEN 6

    TEN - Second Drive

  • I wonder if Vince is just waiting for the 4th quarter to make some epic comeback or something. Titans offense has done squadoosh today.
  • Wooooo. Just like that Vince floats a beauty to Troupe for a hugemongous gain.
  • Ball in SD territory now.
  • Some trickery, Chris Davis takes the end-around for the first, and takes a hit.
  • Titans moving good now, but can they get it in the endzone? Or are they pulling a Broncos?
  • White runs the ball short. 3rd and 1 coming up.
  • An 11 yard gain ends the 3rd quarter. It looked like the fullback would be stopped, but spun, threw some magic and scampered free. Could have picked up more, but slipped on a turf monster.
  • 4TH QUARTER STARTS! Raining!!
  • Shawn Phillips was all over that one and tackles White for a loss.
  • 2nd and 13 on the SD 20. Vince emulates Rivers by doing the "jump-pass" over the middle and almost gets intercepted.
  • Just a bad pass from Vince, and Bironas comes on for a field goal. And it's a SHANK! WTF? That was a chipper. Either way, SD gets the ball back.

    SD - Third Drive

  • Nothing equates to losing like missing easy field goals in the playoffs, you know, so I've heard. Can the Titans D step up? Will Rivers mock Vince Young? Will Norv Turner manage to screw up somehow?!? So many questions.
  • Feeding LT now. And he gets nothing.
  • Woop. Now LT breaks one for 11. He's warming up. Now he's up to 27 yards!
  • Again to LT for 5. I bet Rivers enjoys handing off.
  • Rivers trys Chambers, but Finnigan has him well covered. IN-COM-PLETE!
  • Out of the shotgun, Rivers passes for a 1st down as Titans defenders slips and fall all over the place. Jeff Fisher does not look amused.
  • Rivers passes, andddd it's way too high.
  • 2nd down, Rivers gets plowed good trying to three step drop while the Titans blitz. Pass is no good, brings up 3rd down!
  • The Titans D took that play off, Chambers was uncovered! That was wayyy too easy. First and goal.
  • LT does some spins and stiffarms, but loses yards. Titans have a quick D.
  • 2nd down - Rivers has lots of pressure in his face and throws to no one in the endzone.
  • 3rd down - LT gets short by a inch! Possible challenge?? They only have one TO left... T
  • Norv challenges the play. They spot it just short, but LT fell in the endzone. If they reverse this I'll be shocked!
  • Upon further DVRing, his elbow was down short of the goal, ball didn't break the plane of the goal. Looks like the Chargers will be out of timeouts with just under 9 minutes left in the 4th.
  • Upheld. Chargers are going for it on 4th. Exciting!
  • So here's what happened. LT goes vertical. Gets stopped initially, forward progress stops. He's still kinda floating on the pile and extends the ball over the goal line. Fisher is challenging, but I think it'll stand.
  • Yup it does. TD!

    SD 17 TEN 6

    TEN 3rd Drive

  • Still lots of time, but for TEN to have a chance, they need points on this drive.
  • Vince's first pass is off. I still can't believe how high LT jumped. Sheesh
  • You can't escape steroids and Vince is sacked.
  • 3rd and 15, and ANOTHER sack. I guess you go for it here.
  • Punting and things for TEN are starting to look bleak.

    SD 4th Drive

  • Handoff to LT, Haynesworth eats him up for no gain.
  • 7 minutes now, LT speeds around the edge and stays in bounds for a 1st down. Tick...tick...tick
  • Turner replaces LT and runs for 11. Yeah, TEN is struggAling.
  • Turner gets nothing on 1st.
  • Holding on Vincent Jackson negates a 1st down, AND stops the clock. Some guy yelled, "NOOooo!" in the crowd. Haha.
  • More running and more timeouts. Simms is yapping about something unrelated, again.
  • Wow. You know what. It must suck to be a Chargers fan. We complain about not winning a playoff game in two years, they haven't won one since 1994!!! Holy crap.
  • Anywho, SD punts and TEN has a long way to go. Down on their 5.

    TEN 4th Drive

  • Basically you need to throw deep. But I'm no coach.
  • SD is giving everything underneath, obviously.
  • Noooooooowwwwwwww it's over. Young picked by Florence.

    Welp, that's enough yammering about this game. Looks like SD will taste playoff victory tonight and will travel to INDY Saturday in the Divisional Round.

    Remember that Indy basically blew the game and SD won when they played this season. Manning threw SIX picks and Vinateri missed a game-winning chip shot field goal. Indy is sure to want vengeance and SD will have a 7 game win streak behind them. Should be fun, take it easy Mile High Report!

So for those who couldn't watch the game the other night. Rivers and a few other Chargers were jawing at Cutler from the sidelines after he threw an incompletion on 4th down. Here's the video.

A couple of comments about this:

1. Cutler looked pretty glum and beat up during the game (no thanks to the O-line) but he stuck in there, despite getting sacked and pushed around.
2. Rivers, on the other hand, basically handed off to LT the whole night and let him do the work and took the 2nd half off.

The MNF crew said it best (for once) saying would Manning or Brady do something like that? No, because PM and TB have some class and wouldn't berate the opposing QB of a team that isn't in the playoffs and playing for pride.

Here is what Champ had to say about River's shenanigans:

"And I don't really care for the guy, first of all,'' Bailey said of Rivers. "He's not a respectable guy right now, because you talk too much trash and do this and that, but you're really not a great player in this league right now. "You're surrounded by great players, but you're not a great player. I think he needs to understand where he stands in this league – where he stands on his team first and foremost." http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/26/bailey-calls-out-classless-qb-rivers/

Anyways, no one knows who started talking first and all that, but it still irks me to see Rivers punk-ass face grinning like an idiot in a basically meaningless game. Have some class dude.

Let's remember this moment when next year comes around, and more importantly, when the Chargers get spanked by the Steelers/Colts/Pats in a few weeks.