SB Nation User Blog: pubkeeper

Question of the week for these Broncos

pubkeeper — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:47:13 -0000

As I'm sitting here still giddy from the Dallas game, I'm considering a point that styg made in his recent article Stretch of the Imagination:

for every challenge that the Broncos rise to meet, the "real" test will still be a game away, a future point where dreams and facts will finally meet.

As soon as the Dallas game had ended, immediately my mind was filled with the possibilities of the season, as it is after every game. "Where do they go from here?" Obviously, that question is more exciting to consider after a game like yesterday's.

So, it is with that in mind that I pose the question for this week:

Can the Broncos do it 2 weeks in a row?

This is not a question asked in doubt, but it is also not a question to be p-shawed out of hand. In any sport, emotion plays a very integral, though not complete, part of the outcome. In most of the upsets you see, the underdog team came out and played with more purpose and passion than the favorite. I'm not revealing anything new to anyone here by saying that. Look at how Marion Barber started the game yesterday, It was obvious that he felt like he should've been active fo the 'Boys last week and he came out on fire wanting to prove that he was up to the task. I would say that the entire Broncos' defense came out with that same passion and determination. "Are they for real?" was the question last week. Like it or not, agree with it or not, it obviously dominated the conversation when the topic turned to the Broncos. So, when it came time to strap it on, the Denver Broncos came out to prove they are for real.

But, just as I'm sure most would agree that playing with a greater sense of passion and purpose will fuel great performances, I think most would agree the only downside is the challenge of replicating that emotion 2 weeks in a row. There was clearly a boatload of emotion spent in yesterday's game. From the sense of meeting the challenge of disrespect leading up to the game, to the tension naturally embroiled in a tight battle, to the over-the-top exhilaration of the manner in which they won, it was a beautifully exhausting day. It met every expectation in the anxiety leading to the game.

"Now can we get a little respect?"

And therein lies the rub. The challenge for the Broncos this week will be to put the Dallas game with all of it's emotion and the conclusions that the players themselves will be tempted to draw in perspective and get focused, determined and eventually pumped for another "test" against New England.

This has historically been a significant challenge for our boys in predominately orange. Just about the time they start to believe the hype, they come crashing down to earth, losing to a team like the Lions a couple years ago. Just last year, coming off of an emotional win against KC only to get it handed to them by the Panthers. This week, the Broncos will get a lot of love from the press, and deservedly so. Can they overcome that to get up for next week's game?

My argument is yes, they can. As Brian Dawkins would ask, "Can you win a Championship by winning 4 games? I'm not trying to play with you here, that's just real." I think the combination of the veteran leadership on this team and the team-first mentality that McD has clearly been able to instill and the focus on situational football that he brings to the table, will equip them in addressing this exact challenge. I fully expect them to come out next week with a determination to prove that their 4-0 start is no fluke and I sincerely hope that the Patriots will be favored by the talking heads to help to fuel that. The Patriots, in my mind, are clearly the best team they have faced so far, so they will need to bring their "A" game again this week.

Can the Broncos do it 2 weeks in a row?

Wow! Thanks, Jay... I guess

pubkeeper — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:10:04 -0000

So now the truth comes out, check out this article by John Clayton.

Here's the best part:

His (Cutler's) knowledge of the passing game and receiving talent might equal his arm strength. Cutler and a bunch of his former Denver Broncos teammates remembered watching Eddie Royal make remarkable plays on special teams during the opening of 2008 organized team activities and telling Mike Shanahan, "Who's this guy? I think we need to get him over here." Within days, Royal was working with the offense and ended up catching 91 passes.

If it wasn't for Jay Cutler, poor Eddie Royal would be languishing on the bench just waiting for his chance to return punts all season. Clayton forgot to mention the unsurpassed humility of the man, too, by including "a bunch of his former teammates". C'mon, John, you know as well as we do, it was Jay. The Denver Broncos and their fans obviously owe a huge debt of gratitude for Cutler's unmatched eye for receiving talent. If he hadn't woken Mike Shanahan up to the completely unforeseeable talent of Eddie Royal, who knows if he would've even made the final roster.

Unfortunately for us, he is now using his superior ability in personnel evaluation for da Bears, seeing Devin Hester as his new Eddie Royal and Earl Bennett as, even better!.. a hybrid of Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall. I sure hope Clayton didn't mess himself while pondering the possibilities.

And like I said, thanks Jay!.... I guess.

Dennison too!

pubkeeper — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:36:39 -0000

The Rocky Mountain News has again scooped the Post, an idea unthinkable in the days of Adam Schefter, reporting that offensive line coach Rick Dennison will also be retained.

Each day McD impresses me more and more. To not only see the value in keeping Dennison and Turner, but to be able to sit down with these men and earn their respect enough so they want to stay is encouraging to say the least. Jedi McD indeed. I, for one, am glad that the very best part of Shanahan's system will be retained in Denver, keeping alive the plug-n-chug tradition built over the past decade.

Turner still in the fold

pubkeeper — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:54:49 -0000

The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that RB coach, Bobby Turner, will stay with the Broncos.

This is GREAT news! Denver's running game has been unquestionably the best in the league for over a decade and Turner is a huge reason for that. The list of no names that he's turned (get it, Turner turned?) into solid, even spectacular producers goes on and on.

Personally, I am pumped about the idea of marrying Denver's traditionally excellent running game with New England's high-powered passing game. Here's hoping Dennison will follow suit.

Chiefs just got better

pubkeeper — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:35:53 -0000

According to ESPN, the cheeves just hired Scott Pioli to run the show. They even mention Spags as the first candidate to take over for Herm Edwards. This is not good news at all. I was bummed when King Carl took the bullet and now Edwards getting ousted completes it. Addition by subtraction, unfortunately. This means the cheeves will be in the running pretty soon, too. If I were a charger fan, I'd be bummed seeing my best days in the rear view mirror and no rings to be found.

Speaking of San Diego...

pubkeeper — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:00:53 -0000

It looks like Ron Rivera has opened a few eyes with the job he's done since taking over for Ted Cottrell. I was disappointed when they let Cottrell go because I knew he was the issue with that defense's underperforming. I remember watching how much better the Vikings' defense got when he left here. Anyway, I still think it'd be great to see Rivera land a HC gig somewhere and leave them in the lurch again. SD's window is starting to close and whatever can speed the process con only be good news.

SPAGS!!!

pubkeeper — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:25:18 -0000

Sweet! Now that Philly has bounced the Giants from the post-season, it's time for Bowlen to make that call.

"Steve, sorry about that game. How would you like to coach a team with a really good offense already in place? Well, let's chat then."

Seriously, even if Spagnuolo is not the guy who the Broncos end up getting, it's great to know that it won't be just because he was unavailable. I've personally shifted my choice a couple times, but have really come back to Spags as my #1. Watching not only the scheme his defense employs but the overall attitude of that defense is impressive. I'd even like to see our offense play with that kind of intensity.