"Clutch quarterback" is not a formally defined term, but in common usage it refers to a quarterback who makes important positive plays for his team at key moments in games. (Those key moments are sometimes described as being "in the clutch.") This term is particularly descriptive if the games are important (i.e. playoffs, Super Bowl). 

Some announcers use the term to describe a QB who has performed well just a few times. Personally, I would only use the term to describe a QB who has done this several times over a period of several years. Eli Manning made several great plays to lead his team to a come-from-behind win in the last Super Bowl, but in my opinion he hasn't done this often enough to deserve the title of "clutch quarterback." He has also made some very bad plays at key times in his career. Guys who do deserve the term in my opinion include Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and - going back further in time - John Elway and Joe Montana. Being a "clutch quarterback" doesn't guarantee having a great performance at every key moment, but a clutch quarterback is someone who has a good chance of delivering a game-winning performance in a tight or important game.

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One great thing about being a Bronco fan is the fan base and all the enthusiasm that comes from Bronco fans. Since the great slide after losing to the Steelers in the 2006 AFC Championship game, it has been hard to stay positive, and let's not even go into the McDaniels debacle!

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I know last night's awful game has left me bitter and feeling pessimistic about this season, albeit one game in 16, but I wanted to honor what I thought were a few bright spots for the Broncos last night. Firstly, Eric Decker was exceptional all night. Of course his TD return was nice, but his routes were crisp and his hands were sure, he looks to be a great player for this team. Second, Brian Dawkins was all over the field making big plays, he is amazing and inspiring. Finally, I was curious about letting McBath go and keeping Bruton, but Bruton played a good game last night and had that great end zone knock down to save a TD, very well done. I do think this year's team will improve game to game. There are good pieces in place, but many holes tonyet fill. I would rather see Tebow running this offense and spend the offseason getting a solid running back. Until the Broncos can seriously run the ball they will falter, IMO.

With DDay right around the corner, and the knowledge that our beloved Shannon Sharpe will be attending the 2nd round, I have decided to share my current thoughts regarding the #2 pick, so here it goes...

I have a strong feeling that we will trade the #2 pick in this draft, likely with Arizona (Blaine Gabbert) or New England (Von Miller), both AZ & NE hold many picks in this draft and have some big needs. It is my opinion that the Broncos will become better quicker by adding as many defensive players as is possible, as opposed to adding 1 or 2 "great" players, not unlike KC did last year. As tempting as Dareus or Miller or Peterson are, it would be wise to pass and stock up on DT's, DE's and LB's, all of which are plentiful in the 2011 NFL Draft. As we all know, EVERY player taken in the draft is a 50/50 bet, there are plenty of 4th, 5th & 6th rounders who have become stars (Terrell Davis, Tom Brady) and plenty of 1st rounders who have been a BUST (Gerrard Warren, Jemarcus Russell). The more players you add to your team, the better the odds that you get 3-4 impact players who will contribute every week.

With that said, I really don't see how the Broncos can lose in this draft. Since our glaring need is defensive and this is one of the more lopsided defensive heavy drafts in recent memory, Denver is sure to score at least 2 long-term studs for their rebuilding D. 

Here's one possibility:

1. Trade #2 pick to AZ for #5 pick, #69 pick and #103 pick.

Arizona gets their QB, Newton or Gabbert. The Broncos are moving in the right direction...

2. With the #5 pick, Denver selects either Dareus, Peterson or Miller. One of those 3 will be waiting at #5.

3.With the #36 pick, Denver selects DT Stephen Paea, he likely will be gone if we wait until #46, and he has the potential to be dominant, this man is POWERFUL!

4. With the #46 pick, Denver selects LB Martez Wilson, great potential  NFL LB at a good value and a team need.

5.With the #67 pick, Denver selects DT Kenrick Ellis. This BIG man somehow slips down to us here and we are smiling the rest of the day!

6. With the #69 pick, Denver selects LB Casey Matthews, c'mon man, he's a Matthews! Do you really think this kid is gonna fail in the NFL? Sorry, but I don't. He may not become the force that his brother has, but he'll be as good as A.J. Hawk and we get him at good value here.

7. With the #103 pick, Denver selects RB Roy Helu. He may not be here, but if he is the Broncos make their first Offensive pick in this draft taking the solid, big back to pound short yardage and balance duties with Moreno.

8. With the #186 pick, Denver selects CB Jalil Brown. A VERY underrated  and fast CB who could slip past other teams radars.

9. With the #189 pick, Denver selects TE Julius Thomas. I think Denver has this kid's number and plan on taking him no matter what ay a position of need.

10. With the #247 pick, Denver selects TE Schuylar Oordt. SUPRISE PICK! Another TE???!!! Yep, this guy is in the John Fox TE mold and he acts as insurance at a thin position.

So there you have it, the 2011 NFL Draft with a little twist! I'm curious to see what y'all think. In the end, I have a really good feeling about the new regime in Denver and I think we are going to have a great draft and watch one of the quicker turn-arounds in NFL history! GO BRONCOS!!!

For well over a decade, The Denver Broncos have largely suffered from the same problem...a lack of Defense. The 1997-98 Superbowl teams had John Elway, Terrell Davis, Rod Smith, Ed McCaffery, Shannon Sharpe and that studly O-line, but it also had a VERY good Defense with some big hitters and smart players like Steve Atwater, John Mobley,  Neil Smith and Bill Romanowski to name a few. That team had leadership in bucket-fulls, as well. The 2005 Broncos had something good going on D, Al Wilson and a young Champ Bailey, but from the Superbowl teams to the present, Denver has been WAY to overly focused on Offense, whether Shanahan or now McDaniels. The lack of focus on Defense has meant passing on 1st round draft talent and the carousel of D coordinators. It is no surprise the 2010 Broncos are in a big hole. McDaniels inherited a big hole from Shanahan and has only spent the past year and a half digging it deeper. Shanahan's offenses were top notch and could put up points and stats, but the Broncos couldn't get into the playoffs that way playing teams like Indianapolis and Pittsburg. I'm still amazed that Pat Bowlen hired Josh McDaniels. I'm sure he loved the kid's upside for making quarterbacks excell and offenses hum, but what about the Achilles heel of the Broncos? It is hard to imagine Denver getting it's Defensive focus under McDaniels, now maybe I'm wrong, maybe he just wanted to get his Offense in place before turning his focus on the Defense...but I'm not so sure. Fans are so disgusted with the 2010 Broncos they want action, fire the coach. Well, not likely. Bowlen is still paying off Shanahan's contract while he pays McDaniels, hard to see him paying three coaches, and who would replace McD? Honestly. I just don't see it happening. Then the fans want to trash Kyle Orton, or call for Tim Tebow to start. Well, Kyle Orton may not be John Elway, he may not be elite and he can't carry the team on his shoulders, but that really shouldn't be necessary. That's asking too much. The current Offense is VERY good and talented, but the Defense is REALLY BAD and you can't play complimentary football that way, whether your Mike Shanahan or Josh McDaniels. Tebow will get his day and I suspect he will be VERY good when that day comes, but unless he has a good Defense to compliment him, it will be all for naught. I just pray that somebody somewhere in the bastions of the Bronco organization finds a way to get the train back on the track and build a Defense that is worthy of the Orange Crush name again. Until then, we will all have to suffer through more seasons of mediocrity, I'm afraid.

Howdy fellow Broncoholics!

I am feeling more and more like we will be sitting on the 14th overall pick in the upcoming draft, and that Marshall AND a player will be in Seattle come draft day. So...who goes with Brandon to Starbucks land and WHO do we take at 14?!

I still feel that McClain is a must for us in this draft, will he be there at 14 or do we move in at 11? Iupati at 14? I have been greedy for Taylor Mays for 2 years now, he reminds me of Steve Atwater and I get goosebumps thinking about him having a year to get his sea legs under Dawkins! Imagine that!

I'm eager to hear your thoughts and predictions...

I've been thinking a lot about this pivotal game against the Steelers Monday. I have read several articles discussing how the Steelers could/should go with the no-huddle offense, like the Ravens did, and keep the Broncos on their heels unable to rotate their D players. Now I'm guessing Coach McD has been preparing for this scenario, but here's my GRAND idea...the Broncos should surprise the Steelers by running the no-huddle! Think about it, get Orton & the offense into a good rhythm early, perhaps put some points on the board in the first quarter and begin the inevitable process of wearing down the Steelers defense in the Mile High air. If I had Coach McD's cell number! 

Go Broncos! 7-1 and having fun!