Kizla on the SD game

[Hulamau]

mark kiszla
Truth be told: Broncos are desperate


Do not look too closely. Do not ask, because the truth is discouraging. Do not tell a soul in the NFL, which preys on the weak.

But, in a 35-27 loss to San Diego, the Broncos let their dirty little secret slip.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan has masterfully and artfully masked his team's flaws for weeks, covering for a quarterback he does not trust, a defensive line that cannot generate pressure, a running game that relies too much on players off the street.

But what is revealed underneath the mask?

Desperation. The desperation of the Broncos was all too evident Sunday night. They are brave and tough. They are also pretenders. The Broncos are beautiful pretenders trying to hide behind Champ Bailey and Javon Walker. But they are championship pretenders.

What caused the Broncos to go for it on fourth down, from their 38-yard-line, trailing San Diego by a single point with more than three minutes left in the fourth quarter?

Pure desperation.

"I felt like we needed to do something," said Shanahan, who could have chosen to punt with two timeouts in his pocket and the ability to stop the clock with the two-minute warning. Why not? The Chargers, he said, "were controlling the tempo of the game in the second half. They were 4-for-4 in the red zone. They were moving the ball and we were behind. We wanted to go for the win and it didn't turn out very well."

Rather than punt and take his chances with his defense, Shanahan was so desperate, that needing 4 yards for a first down, he put the football in the hands of quarterback Jake Plummer, who to that point had such a miniscule role in the game plan that the veteran had completed only 10 passes all night.

Bad idea.

Plummer threw an interception directly into the waiting hands of San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence.

"It was a bad play," Plummer said.

It was another bad game by Plummer, who would finish with a meager 183 yards on 13 completions. I now count seven of 10 games this season in which Plummer deserves a grade of "C" or worse. No offense designed by Shanahan should accept barely average as acceptable.

Denver's cover has been blown as completely as the 24-7 advantage San Diego wiped out in the second half with such scary dominance that at least 50,000 Broncomaniacs could not stand to watch, leaving the stadium before the final gun.

The invincible confidence of this defense, cracked by Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, was shattered by the 179 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns by Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Shanahan has tried every trick in his black book. But he's a football coach, not a magician. And you tell me if a Super Bowl has been won on sleight of hand.

Despite a 7-3 record, this is a Denver team whose identity has been shaken, a team that doesn't know the name of its most reliable tailback, a team that came undone and lost its poise as penalty flags flew when San Diego pounded home a final TD.

But know the most desperate piece of knowledge of all?

Even the most ardent supporters of Plummer, the diehards who love him even after he drops the snap on a key third down in the red zone or blindly throws an interception, must know he is a dead quarterback walking.

Shanahan will do anything to win and fears nothing. But it would be foolhardy to risk the brilliant future of rookie quarterback Jay Cutler by asking him to learn on the job now.

Plummer cannot beat the best teams in the AFC at home. How can anyone reasonably expect him to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl on the road in January?

Cutler is the future of this team. But to begin the future now would be grossly unfair to Cutler. The stretch drive to the NFL playoffs is not the place for a baptism. It would be more like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

So the Broncos are stuck. Stuck with a lame-duck quarterback with a nasty habit of throwing too many dead-duck passes.

Count on the Broncos in the playoffs. It's almost unfathomable Shanahan would allow even a deeply shaken team to collapse.

But desperation is in the denial.

Shanahan cannot tell center Tom Nalen, receiver Rod Smith or safety John Lynch, all on the wrong side of age 35, this team needs to wait until next year.

The Broncos are afraid to tell the truth.

Staff writer Mark Kiszla can be reached at 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com.

[Turf Shaman]

How would playing Jay risk his future? I know it's Kiszla but that actually seems to be a fairly popular argument. I figure the fact that Jay handled himself for four years at a school that was constantly overmatched is a pretty good indication he can take some heat. He may not be able to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl his rookie year, but I think even if some of us don't want to admit it, the Broncos aren't going to the Super Bowl with Jake and without a defensive line that can consistently put pressure on the QB.

[wolf754life]

100 percent agreement Turf!

BOTTOM LINE...

Cutler will play better than Mistake...

That makes us a better team....

[theAPAOps5]

Cutler could not do any worse. At least if he throws a pick he has an excuse of being a rookie

[Sassy]

The fans tried to run Elway out of town when he was playing crappy...you think they won't try and do the the same to Cutler...

[Popps]

What caused the Broncos to go for it on fourth down, from their 38-yard-line, trailing San Diego by a single point with more than three minutes left in the fourth quarter?

Madden said it best.

If you trust your defense, you punt.

My 12 year old son responded to that... "well, maybe Shanahan trusts his offense."

"Maybe so," I said... attempting to keep it positive.

But, I mean... it couldn't have been any more obvious that Shanahan went for it because he was scared ****less of his own defense. I mean, they already blew a 24-7 lead in the half. Why would they start playing all of a sudden?

The Chargers, he said, "were controlling the tempo of the game in the second half. They were 4-for-4 in the red zone. They were moving the ball and we were behind.

That doesn't need any translation.

[Sassy]

But, I mean... it couldn't have been any more obvious that Shanahan went for it because he was scared ****less of his own defense. I mean, they already blew a 24-7 lead in the half. Why would they start playing all of a sudden?

That was my ?... no one answered...or I put it somewhere that why trust the D after they had given up 5 TD's already...

[Popps]

But, I mean... it couldn't have been any more obvious that Shanahan went for it because he was scared ****less of his own defense. I mean, they already blew a 24-7 lead in the half. Why would they start playing all of a sudden?

That was my ?... no one answered...or I put it somewhere that why trust the D after they had given up 5 TD's already...

Down by only 1 pt, with TO's left and 3:00 on the clock... that decision was alarmingly evident of what Shanahan thinks of this defense.

But, who can blame him?

[atomicbloke]

Jeez... I am not an expert on football like some other posters here but c'mon it's only one game.... the sky is not falling....

KC struggles against the fade at home.... indy got beaten despite 2 vandershanks.... the bears got their asses handed to them by miami... the bolts crapped in baltimore and KC....

C'mon all teams have weaknesses in the salary cap era....

Hell, the Steelers lost 3 in a row to divisional opponents last year to go from 7-2 to 7-5.... I guess they should have just called it a season and packed up then and there....

[Sassy]

Jeez... I am not an expert on football like some other posters here but c'mon it's only one game.... the sky is not falling....

KC struggles against the fade at home.... indy got beaten despite 2 vandershanks.... the bears got their asses handed to them by miami... the bolts crapped in baltimore and KC....

C'mon all teams have weaknesses in the salary cap era....

Hell, the Steelers lost 3 in a row to divisional opponents last year to go from 7-2 to 7-5.... I guess they should have just called it a season and packed up then and there....

The argument would be...Jake wasn't their QB ROFL!

[atomicbloke]

The argument would be...Jake wasn't their QB ROFL!

Well my arguement isn't a pro- or anti-jake stance....

i am just saying all that happened was we lost a tough close game.... the sky isnt falling and 40% of the season is still ahead of us....

[Sassy]

I know that...I'm just saying don't be surprised if that comes up! LOL!

[Taco John]

Jeez... I am not an expert on football like some other posters here but c'mon it's only one game....

This wasn't "only one game." We just blew control of a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. This one game was actually *MUCH* more than just one game. And that's not the worst. It only takes one game to miss the playoffs entirely. They don't just reserve those spots for the teams that they like. You have to have more wins than your opponents to get those spots, and we have to play those guys again in THEIR house, after facing KC in their house (a place we haven't won at since 2002), and then taking on the NFC Champs in Denver. We need two of our next three games, meaning we HAVE to steal one on the road. If we drop two of our next three, we could miss the playoffs entirely.

[atomicbloke]

This wasn't "only one game." We just blew control of a bye week and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. This one game was actually *MUCH* more than just one game. And that's not the worst. It only takes one game to miss the playoffs entirely. They don't just reserve those spots for the teams that they like. You have to have more wins than your opponents to get those spots, and we have to play those guys again in THEIR house, after facing KC in their house (a place we haven't won at since 2002), and then taking on the NFC Champs in Denver. We need two of our next three games, meaning we HAVE to steal one on the road. If we drop two of our next three, we could miss the playoffs entirely.

True, true and true. You are right on all points.

This was a very important game and we lost it. Too bad and I am very unhappy.

But please don't tell me to write off the season. The difficult games ahead that you talk about, they still have to be played. Just because we haven't won at arrowhead lately, doesn't mean that we won't give everything and maybe get lucky. Same with the Hawks and @SD game.

You can argue about who to play at QB and what to do about the D. But I am not willing to accept that the season is over like Kizla is implying.

We might not get homefield and we might have to play on the road. That doesn't mean the season is over.

[Taco John]

I'm not telling anyone to write off the season. That's crazy talk. I think we have a good team. I just want to see the quarterback replaced.

[elsid13]

Remember this is the famous Shanahan mid season swan. I expect a rebound and strong finish to the season. We need to pick up at least 3 wins to make the playoffs.

[atomicbloke]

I think the QB switch will come for the Hawks game like Kaylore mentioned in the othet thread.

The time is too short for the Chiefs game. The playbook is probably already drawn up for that game and it's too late for Shanny to change it now.

The Hawks game is at home and we have 10 days to prepare Jay.

But yeah the season is not over and Kizla is an idiot for suggesting it.

[Taco John]

But yeah the season is not over and Kizla is an idiot for suggesting it.


This is where you're wrong. Kiszla is an idiot for far more things than this. ;) :thumbsup:

[eddie mac]

I think we are toast this year, especially if we have to face any more good offences.

[OrangeShadow]

kiszla is an idiot at times but he is dead on here.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The fans tried to run Elway out of town when he was playing crappy...you think they won't try and do the the same to Cutler...The hell if we did!!!!! I went to many of the games in the 80s. The Bronco fans knew what we had in Elway.

[Barry Ramey]

The Chargers let Rivers sit for two years and didn't rush him in there. The NFL has had a ton of rookie QB's thrown into situations they were not ready for and it damaged their careers. Putting a rookie QB in there who can not be ready considering it took two years for a 10 year vet in Elway to get comfortable with the offense and if the team failed to make the playoffs, that would be risking the psyche and confidence of Cutler that possibly could never be fixed. I don't care about what he did in college, that's not even the same thing. Cutler won't fix the revolving door at RB, won't make Rod any faster, doubtful makes Alexander a great receiving threat, and surely doesn't make the defense any better either.

[SteveTensi13]

The fans tried to run Elway out of town when he was playing crappy...you think they won't try and do the the same to Cutler...

I followed the Great ones career since he arrived as a rookie. I dont ever recall anyone trying to "run Elway out of town". If anyone did it was Reeves, but the fans always had Elways back through good and bad.

He was booed when he would throw multiple INT's during a game, but those were few and far in between. I think any QB, regardless of which team he played, on will get booed if he threw 3-4 picks in a single game. It comes with the job, but to imply that it was a gesture to run him out of town is a bit reaching.

[SteveTensi13]

The Chargers let Rivers sit for two years and didn't rush him in there. The NFL has had a ton of rookie QB's thrown into situations they were not ready for and it damaged their careers. Putting a rookie QB in there who can not be ready considering it took two years for a 10 year vet in Elway to get comfortable with the offense and if the team failed to make the playoffs, that would be risking the psyche and confidence of Cutler that possibly could never be fixed. I don't care about what he did in college, that's not even the same thing. Cutler won't fix the revolving door at RB, won't make Rod any faster, doubtful makes Alexander a great receiving threat, and surely doesn't make the defense any better either.

Well, lets fix one thing at a time first. Starting with the QB position. Shanahan can fix the other problems later. The QB position is the most glaring need RIGHT NOW!

[dsmoot]

kiszla is an idiot at times but he is dead on here.

99% of the time, I disagree with Kizla. In this case, I agree with the premise of what he is saying, not with the degree of it. This game did expose the Broncos for what they are. They are a good football team, even a playoff team. As in recent years, it ends there. The Chargers are a very good football team, with some key defensive personnel back, probably a great football team that is why they were able to stick to their game plan and win last nights game. Denver is what it is, a team that has hope but not much future, this year. With a 24-7 lead, a championship team puts another very good team away at home in an important game. Denver is not capable. This team does not have the ability to make the key play against other playoff bound teams in tight games - this team will always be a play or two away in critical spots. So that sums up what Denver is, another good but not great Shanahan team.

Up to now I have always held hope that Jake would hit his stretch, this has truly been a season of regression for him.

There is no threat at TE.

No consistancy at RB

Good play at OL but not consistant enough game to game, see Foster.

I love Rod. I love Rod. However, the bell is now tolling for him.

No consistant pass rush.

Other than Javon. No WR threat.

Coaching - Heimerdinger has not left a mark on this team.

[chrisp]

I think we're forgetting that whilst a playoff bye is very important, it isn't essential and in the modern era we have seen more wild-card teams in the superbowl than we did before - what happens these days is that despite games like these the gulf between the best and the rest is never that huge; teams need to get hot at the right time.

Don't get me wrong, yes it is extemely disappointing, yes we now have a much tougher road to the playoffs and yes Jake's current play resembles that of a rookie to quite an alarming and perplexing degree......but this league has never been more topsy-turvy than it is these days, so it doesn't matter how much you suck, as long as you are in the playoffs you have a shot.

I mean, home field advantage didn't help either Indy or ourselves last year did it? Or have we forgotten so soon?

[bloodsunday]

The fans tried to run Elway out of town when he was playing crappy...you think they won't try and do the the same to Cutler...

EXACTLY!!!!!!!

Don't give me the Vandy crap! There are NO EXPECTATIONS at Vandy. Anything he did there was a bonus. The people of this town EXPECT him to be the golden boy. The minute he touches the field every game is going to be his and his alone to win or lose. Some pretty mentally-tough men have struggled with that (Plummer and Elway). It drove Brian Griese out of town.. although he clearly wasn't that mentally tough.

We need to be patient.

[bloodsunday]

What caused the Broncos to go for it on fourth down, from their 38-yard-line, trailing San Diego by a single point with more than three minutes left in the fourth quarter?

Madden said it best.

If you trust your defense, you punt.

My 12 year old son responded to that... "well, maybe Shanahan trusts his offense."

"Maybe so," I said... attempting to keep it positive.

But, I mean... it couldn't have been any more obvious that Shanahan went for it because he was scared ****less of his own defense. I mean, they already blew a 24-7 lead in the half. Why would they start playing all of a sudden?

The Chargers, he said, "were controlling the tempo of the game in the second half. They were 4-for-4 in the red zone. They were moving the ball and we were behind.

That doesn't need any translation.

starting to frighten me how much we agree on. This Defense went for being our only chance to have a good season to a flat out embarrasment.

I don't know if any of you are listening to AM 950 right now, but Sandy has his Cutler pom-poms waving. He is totally shutting down anyone that criticizes Denver's D on the argument that their total yards were not that bad and they only scored because of poor special teams (field positions).... and HE'S PISSING ME OFF! This D has given up 100 pts in FOUR GAMES. DEFEND THAT! I never thought our D was gonna stop them... whether they had to 40 yards or 400. And apparently neither did Shanahan.

[Turf Shaman]

The fans tried to run Elway out of town when he was playing crappy...you think they won't try and do the the same to Cutler...

You know who will be leading the charge with this? The Plummer homers. Anytime Cutler makes a rookie mistake, the Plummer supporters will come out with something like "Oh, so he was supposed to solve all the problems in the world eh? What do you say now Cutler lovers?" Take it to the bank.

How about an acknowledgment that Plummer's play has some kind of correlation to the criticism he is recieving?

[Turf Shaman]

The Chargers let Rivers sit for two years and didn't rush him in there. The NFL has had a ton of rookie QB's thrown into situations they were not ready for and it damaged their careers. Putting a rookie QB in there who can not be ready considering it took two years for a 10 year vet in Elway to get comfortable with the offense and if the team failed to make the playoffs, that would be risking the psyche and confidence of Cutler that possibly could never be fixed. I don't care about what he did in college, that's not even the same thing. Cutler won't fix the revolving door at RB, won't make Rod any faster, doubtful makes Alexander a great receiving threat, and surely doesn't make the defense any better either.

Another flat argument that gets regurgitated endlessly. Elway didn't play that well as a rookie, but he was a rookie and he's not playing worse than our current 10 year vet is playing this season. And exactly how badly was Elway's psyche damanged by having played as a rookie? Peyton Manning started as a rookie, Eli Manning, and Donovan McNabb all started as rookies. Aaron Brooks, Brian Greise, and Dante Culpepper sat their rookie years. Did them a lot of good. If you're going to make this argument, you better be prepared to make the argument that Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Kyle Boller, and Joey Harrington would have all been great QBs if only they had sat a year or two, or that Tom Brady and Carson Palmer would have turned out to be basket cases if they had played as rookies.

A good QB will be a QB, regardless of when he starts playing. It would be ideal to let Jay Cutler wait a year. It sure would be nice. But we got a problem... the starting QB is playing horrible football. The rookie can't be worse, regrettably. His psyche will be fine if he plays. And a rookie starting after 10-11 games is not the same as a rookie starting the first game. Think of all the things he's learned what not to do this season by watching Jake for 10 games.

[Sassy]

You know who will be leading the charge with this? The Plummer homers. Anytime Cutler makes a rookie mistake, the Plummer supporters will come out with something like "Oh, so he was supposed to solve all the problems in the world eh? What do you say now Cutler lovers?" Take it to the bank.

How about an acknowledgment that Plummer's play has some kind of correlation to the criticism he is recieving?

This is what pisses me off...while Jake fans are acknowledging that he has sucked...Cutler fans are saying Jake fans are putting the blame on everyone else...while hating on Cutler...neither are the case.

[dnvrbrncos]

Madden said it best.



Interesting that you mention this. Madden hasn't been nearly as irritating this year. In fact, he's even made sense a few times. Anyone else notice this? Perhaps he's on some of those anti-alzheimers meds....

[Turf Shaman]

You know who will be leading the charge with this? The Plummer homers. Anytime Cutler makes a rookie mistake, the Plummer supporters will come out with something like "Oh, so he was supposed to solve all the problems in the world eh? What do you say now Cutler lovers?" Take it to the bank.

How about an acknowledgment that Plummer's play has some kind of correlation to the criticism he is recieving?

This is what pisses me off...while Jake fans are acknowledging that he has sucked...Cutler fans are saying Jake fans are putting the blame on everyone else...while hating on Cutler...neither are the case.

You're not illustrating your point well by implicitly comparing Jake's critics to Elway's critics then, and talking about how Jay will get the same treatment. That implies that there's nothing that Jake can do to win over the people who are roasting him now, when in fact all he needs to do is actually play well. There are some fans who will always roast the starting QB, sure, but the majority of the criticism of Jake this season has nothing to do with that.