Key to the Game? ... when Rod goes down!

[Hulamau]

I hate to say it but it was highly revealing to see how our passing game really got on track big time ONLY after Rod went down and Jake was FORCED to look at his other options!

Jake was glued to Rod most of the game and stared him down on both when JAke tried to hit him for the 7 yarder along the sidelines and Jard Allen tipped the pass at the line and then again on the next play when Jake stared ONLY at Rod while he was calling the snap as well as the whole time the play unfolded while KC drifted both the saftey and corner to double Rod and yet Jake still throws that soft floater that was off target and got INTed!

Rod has been great for us but he's presence on the field has also inadvertantly turned into Jakes security blanket and its gone too far making Jake and our offense much too one dimensional ... and predictable... in the passing game.

Its one reason Lelie bailed on us and we were well on our way to losing this game until Rod was forced out and JAke suddenly discovered that some of the younger legs can play too!

Rod will always be our #1 class guy and great team motivator, but he is now SLOW and doesn't get much separation ... and Jake NEEDs someone who is quicker and can still catch. I'm all for Rod coming back, but maybe not in his primary role as #1 option for Jake.

Perhaps Rod would do better for the whole team as a #2 or #3 option (as well as a kind of player coach) and let Walker, Kircus, Scheffler and Marshall come into their own as Jakes (or Jays) main receiving weapons. I know it would be good for Jake to break this really bad habit of only depending on a aging icon when his back is against the wall.


Incidently, San Diego looks like Super Bowl champs at this point in the season!

[Clockwork Orange]

As good as San Diego has looked, it's been against two of the absolute worst teams in the NFL. They're good, but let's see how they do against a bit tougher competition.

If anyone hadn't forgot about Lelie yet, they have after watching Javon Walker today.

[DomCasual]

I was going to rip you when I saw the thread header, but you make some good points in your post. The plays to Walker and the slant to Kircus were huge plays. I want Rod in there (obviously), but Plummer relies on him to a fault sometimes.

[yerner]

rod looks like he aged 10 years since last fall.

[freak6]

On the post game Charger radio show, they said "Charger fans might want to make reservations for Miami".

lmfao

Anyway, you are right about Jake. He seems to have taken a dramatic turn for the worse compared to last season. He looked awful until Rod went out.

It was like a lightswitch went on, and he could see the rest of the open recievers. He did alright after that.

WTF was that cross up with Javon on 3rd and goal from the 5. It was so obvious from the formation it was a jump ball to Walker. Oh well. 1-1 !!

[Paladin]

I do agree with you. Another issue, I think, is that there appears to be a decided difference this year in Plummer's passing. I know that statement is a sure fire storm prodcer, but I am thinking more along the lines of the loss of arm strength. That's why the ball floats so much and looks like something that Pete Liske used to throw. High archers to WRs that have been locked on is a sure-fire INT recipe. That is a function of the aging process, not of past skills.

I agree that SD seems to be the front runner now for the Division and to get on in the Playoffs unless Denver can somehow compensate for the reduced passing options. It would not be helpful to scream for Cutler. Jake is still servicable, only that the plays called must be mnore creative, and he has got to stop focusing on one primary reciever. I thought two reverses in a row was a good call, and I would have liked to see more of the screens to the TE, middle shovel pass, etc.

Maybe Morgan can spice up the return game. He's supposed to sign with Denver tomorrow.

[Paladin]

I posted later, and I think we see the same things.

[Man-Goblin]

I was going to rip you too, but I ended up agreeing with you all the way up until you said Smith is slow and doesn't get separation anymore. That's not true; he's still a damn fine receiver.

Good post, though.

[Hulamau]

I was going to rip you when I saw the thread header, but you make some good points in your post. The plays to Walker and the slant to Kircus were huge plays. I want Rod in there (obviously), but Plummer relies on him to a fault sometimes.

Its always tough to see a near permannt fixture and icon start to slide, but it is no shame at all on Rod that age is finally catching up to him ... as it does to us all!

It's is a shame, though, if as a team we fail to realize the march of time and don't recognize when its time to have Rod take more of a back seat and let Walker be THE guy along with more agile, very eager and capable guys like Kircus, Marshall and Scheff get some of the touches Rod would automatically have been the target for, based on his rep and seniority.

I know for one thing, if Jake is going to have a ghost of a chance to stay the starting QB the whole year (slim as that chance looks now) he's going to have to make Walker the number one target and look Rods way a lot less often in the clutch.

[JoRo]

I was going to rip you too, but I ended up agreeing with you all the way up until you said Smith is slow and doesn't get separation anymore. That's not true; he's still a damn fine receiver.

Good post, though.



You guys are ignoring the game, Rod hasnt gotten clear seperation consistantly for two weeks now. I love Rod but its the truth

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

[QUOTE=Paladin;1276141] That's why the ball floats so much and looks like something that Pete Liske used to throw. High archers to WRs that have been locked on is a sure-fire INT recipe. That is a function of the aging process, not of past skills.

QUOTE]

Pal - I'm not making excuses for Plummer, but there were wind gusts to 40 MPH out there today. Blew the top right out of a big maple tree in my neighbor's yard just before half time.

[telluride]

Rod does look creaky this season. Wonder how much of Plummer's troubles are related to that....

[Hulamau]

I was going to rip you too, but I ended up agreeing with you all the way up until you said Smith is slow and doesn't get separation anymore. That's not true; he's still a damn fine receiver.

Good post, though.

The difference between 'slow' and 'fast' in this league is one step ... and Rod has certainly lost that one step.

Rod is still a great route runner and all, but also way too big a target in Jakes mind when Plummer feels pressured for his own good and that of the team.

When we start getting three young and talented receivers really active it will make all the defenses hesitate that one critical first split second on pass and run plays and the whole offense suddenly will start clicking.

[freak6]

That int to Rod was a terrible terrible read, and an even worse throw.

I say start Cutler.

[BroncosMT]

Rod does get some separation on slants but not much. He took a beating out there today and I tend to agree that Jake sometimes relies on him too much

[Hulamau]

Cutler's not going to start until and unless Jake blows a couple more. As long as we win, even if Jake plays terrible, it will defer that transition date at least a couple more weeks.

I do think it would be creative and effetive to put Cutler in there in certain situations, like when its freaking 2nd and goal from the 5 and we decide to throw back to back "timing" fades into the endzone!

That is the very play that Jake has completed more of to opponent defenses than to any of out WR ... talk about wounded ducks!

Jake cant throw that pass if his life depended on it, while Jay makes it look routine both at Vandy and in the preseason.

[spdirty]

Hulamau I couldnt agree with you more. Good post. One thing I noticed in this game is that Jake has 1 READ!!!! And By God whomever he keys on thats who he's throwing it to whether he's open or triple covered. Yeah Im guilty of that in madden but you can't do that crap in the real game.

[Northman]

As good as San Diego has looked, it's been against two of the absolute worst teams in the NFL. They're good, but let's see how they do against a bit tougher competition.

If anyone hadn't forgot about Lelie yet, they have after watching Javon Walker today.


Problem is, the Chargers are crushing the teams their supposed too. We on the other hand are struggling mightily against competition that we should be steam rolling. I know they have played some cupcakes but at least give them credit for coming out and annihilating them.

[STBumpkin]

Sorry if this has been explained, but I missed the game tonight and can't find any info in game stats, injuries, etc. Was Rod taken out of the game or was he injured? Did something happen to my favorite bronco tonight?

[UboBronco]

I could not agree more with what is stated in the title of this thread. It has always been my problem with Jake, even when playing well, that he does not look at another receiver. He always just predetermines that he is going to Rod, no matter the coverage, as was the case with the interception today. I hope that when Jay gets his time, and no, I do not believe it is that time yet, he can look at the situation, and throw where a receiver is open, and just not hope. I think we have great days ahead with Jay, but we need to be patient and let him learn, just like Carson Palmer. But if Jake only looks one way, well..... Lets hope that is not the case.

[Dedhed]

STB,
Rod took a hit in the 1st qtr that sent him to the sidelines pretty woozy. He returned, but got hit in the 2nd half and left the game. It was precisely tat moment when Walker took over the game, and the Broncos had anything resembling a passing game. It hardly seems coincidental.

[STBumpkin]

STB,
Rod took a hit in the 1st qtr that sent him to the sidelines pretty woozy. He returned, but got hit in the 2nd half and left the game. It was precisely tat moment when Walker took over the game, and the Broncos had anything resembling a passing game. It hardly seems coincidental.

Thanks Dedhed

[Dedhed]

Hula,
I completely agree. I've been harping for weeks that when Jake is any pressure situation he completely locks in on Rod. I hardly think it's a coincidence that as soon as that option was removed, other receviers began to get open. Maybe, just maybe, those other receivers were had been getting open all game and Jake was blind to them. Maybe.

[plummershelper]

Look in St. Louis. Tory Holt and Isaac Bruce. The change of guard came and Bruce was able to continue to be productive BECAUSE Holt was the focus. It opened him up to use his craftiness. I think the same could be said of the Rod and Javon situation. I think we'll be seeing this with Harrison and Wayne in the near future. This is no indictment on Rod though. He was our only #1 last year with Lelie playing soft. Who knows, if he moves to #2 now he could last a few years longer for us. Regardless, Rod remains the epitomy of everthing Bronco. He is a class act showing the true attitude and drive that we could only hope all athletes would show.

[ORANGEJARHEAD]

Very good points, Hulamau. Like some of the rest, I was going disagree at first, but I think anyone in Plummers situation would tend to focus on a future hall of famer like Smith and rely on him too much.

God, I hate to say this but I think Rod may be slowing down a little.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I hate to say it but it was highly revealing to see how our passing game really got on track big time ONLY after Rod went down and Jake was FORCED to look at his other options!

Jake was glued to Rod most of the game and stared him down on both when JAke tried to hit him for the 7 yarder along the sidelines and Jard Allen tipped the pass at the line and then again on the next play when Jake stared ONLY at Rod while he was calling the snap as well as the whole time the play unfolded while KC drifted both the saftey and corner to double Rod and yet Jake still throws that soft floater that was off target and got INTed!

Rod has been great for us but he's presence on the field has also inadvertantly turned into Jakes security blanket and its gone too far making Jake and our offense much too one dimensional ... and predictable... in the passing game.

Its one reason Lelie bailed on us and we were well on our way to losing this game until Rod was forced out and JAke suddenly discovered that some of the younger legs can play too!

Rod will always be our #1 class guy and great team motivator, but he is now SLOW and doesn't get much separation ... and Jake NEEDs someone who is quicker and can still catch. I'm all for Rod coming back, but maybe not in his primary role as #1 option for Jake.

Perhaps Rod would do better for the whole team as a #2 or #3 option (as well as a kind of player coach) and let Walker, Kircus, Scheffler and Marshall come into their own as Jakes (or Jays) main receiving weapons. I know it would be good for Jake to break this really bad habit of only depending on a aging icon when his back is against the wall.


Incidently, San Diego looks like Super Bowl champs at this point in the season!

Gotta agree with you here.

Today's game was like the AFC title game all over again, i.e., Plummer looking down the field and finding no one open. I was hoping we would do what needed to be done to address the WR situation during the off season, but so much for that, I guess.

[Dudeskey]

Sounds foul, but its true... Plummer has had a tendency to look toward rod waaay too much. I hope Rod gets well, but at the same time Plummer needs to give his other weapons a chance. I'd like to think this offense is more than just a one trick pony.

[Ron Mexico]

I hate to say it but it was highly revealing to see how our passing game really got on track big time ONLY after Rod went down and Jake was FORCED to look at his other options!

Jake was glued to Rod most of the game and stared him down on both when JAke tried to hit him for the 7 yarder along the sidelines and Jard Allen tipped the pass at the line and then again on the next play when Jake stared ONLY at Rod while he was calling the snap as well as the whole time the play unfolded while KC drifted both the saftey and corner to double Rod and yet Jake still throws that soft floater that was off target and got INTed!

Rod has been great for us but he's presence on the field has also inadvertantly turned into Jakes security blanket and its gone too far making Jake and our offense much too one dimensional ... and predictable... in the passing game.

Its one reason Lelie bailed on us and we were well on our way to losing this game until Rod was forced out and JAke suddenly discovered that some of the younger legs can play too!

Rod will always be our #1 class guy and great team motivator, but he is now SLOW and doesn't get much separation ... and Jake NEEDs someone who is quicker and can still catch. I'm all for Rod coming back, but maybe not in his primary role as #1 option for Jake.

Perhaps Rod would do better for the whole team as a #2 or #3 option (as well as a kind of player coach) and let Walker, Kircus, Scheffler and Marshall come into their own as Jakes (or Jays) main receiving weapons. I know it would be good for Jake to break this really bad habit of only depending on a aging icon when his back is against the wall.


Incidently, San Diego looks like Super Bowl champs at this point in the season!

:thumbs: Damn fine post. I was telling everyone I was watching the game with the exact same thing.

[broncsyanks]

i can see your point about rod. but i dont think its rod all the time. i think its jake. i see jake being weak and taking the easy way out. i also see jake eyeing to throw the ball so quick and for some strange reason he wont scramble anymore. That was awesome to watch when he did that when he first came here. also rod is still a great wr but yes you are right jake looks to him all the time and doesnt give the others a chance. good game javon 2day