Swagger is back!

[Taco John]

Broncos’ confidence, playoff aspirations restored with win

By Associated Press
December 18, 2006
With a four-game losing streak over and Jay Cutler looking more and more comfortable at quarterback, the Broncos can actually mutter the word aloud — playoffs.

Before a 37-20 win over Arizona on Sunday, postseason aspirations seemed remote.

Now the Broncos’ confidence is soaring.

"To get your swagger back you have to win, and we won," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. "To keep that swagger, you have to keep on winning. Our players know this is a week-by-week proposition. There is a lot of work to be done."

However, a loss against the Cardinals would’ve all but crushed Denver’s playoff hopes. Yet the Broncos never looked at it as a must-win situation. Same with Cincinnati this Sunday.

"It’s all about our attitude in the locker room," cornerback Champ Bailey said after the game. "We know what type of team we are and we have a lot of confidence and a lot of pride in this locker room."

The Broncos also have a surging amount of faith in Cutler, who took over for Jake Plummer following a loss to Kansas City on Thanksgiving. With a pair of touchdown passes against the Cardinals, Cutler became only the third rookie in league history to throw multiple touchdown passes in his first three starts, joining Miami’s Dan Marino (1983) and the New York Giants’ Charlie Conerly (1948).

Shanahan isn’t surprised by Cutler’s recent play as much as his poise under pressure.

"You can watch him in preseason, but when the games are live, how does he handle himself?" Shanahan said. "He’s very calm, cool, collected."

The throw may become the stuff of lore one day. On his 54-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker, Cutler drifted back and launched the football a good 63 yards on a line.

"I think it was all coaching," Shanahan said with a laugh. "That was a heck of a play, and you don’t see that too many times."

Cutler finished the afternoon by throwing for 261 yards and had a quarterback rating of 101.7. Arizona’s Matt Leinart, who was drafted a spot ahead of Cutler in last April’s draft, threw two interceptions and his QB rating was just 51.4.

And while Cutler clearly outperformed Leinart, that wasn’t on his mind after the game.

"We’re in a playoff race right now and I’m not really worried about that," Cutler said about comparisons. "I’m starting to play better and hopefully we can get in the playoffs."

Cutler wasn’t the only rookie making history Sunday. Mike Bell rushed for 61 yards against Arizona and now has 542 yards for the season, making him the fifth undrafted rookie to rush for at least 500 yards since the inception of the common draft in 1967.

For the feat to come in Bell’s hometown made it all the more memorable.

"It was definitely a great coming home," Bell said. "It was really important, the team needed it. We all knew we had three games left and we knew we needed all three, so this is a starting point. I think everybody’s confidence is high right now."

ETC.: Walker suffered a first-degree separation of his shoulder in the second quarter Sunday, but Shanahan didn’t think it was serious. "According to (trainer Steve Antonopulos), if we were playing today, he could play, so that’s a good sign," Shanahan said. ... TE Stephen Alexander has sore ribs. His status for Sunday is uncertain. ... CB Darrent Williams (sore toes) didn’t play Sunday and his availability for next week is unknown. "It is feeling a little bit better than it did last week," Shanahan said.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5222928,00.html

[theAPAOps5]

Is it bad that I am hoping DWill can't go. I know that is bad to say but I kind of lost faith in him. I can't wait for this weekend, I'll be there loud and proud.

[BroncoSoja]

Is it bad that I am hoping DWill can't go. I know that is bad to say but I kind of lost faith in him. I can't wait for this weekend, I'll be there loud and proud.

I don't think its bad at all, when I say he was doubtfull for last weeks game a big arse grin came across my face..

I hope I get to grin this weekend...

[Kaylore]

I'm still a bit worried because it was the Cardinals. I like our odds against the Bengals at home, but I'm cautious of totally emotionally investing myself in this just. Right now I'm of the "enjoy it because it's all going to be even better next year" mind set. Whatever happens this season, I'm just going watch the Broncos, root for their success, and win or lose I'm just going to enjoy the season. :bronxrox:<------ Root beer

[DBroncos4life]

I've never seen board turn on players so fast ever.

[BroncoMatt]

I hope D-Will can play, hopefully at nickel but with Johnson/Housh/Henry/etc we really need all the help we can get. Also hopefully we get some help from the front 7, Cinci's o-line is a mess right now.

[Taco John]

I'm still a bit worried because it was the Cardinals. I like our odds against the Bengals at home, but I'm cautious of totally emotionally investing myself in this just. Right now I'm of the "enjoy it because it's all going to be even better next year" mind set. Whatever happens this season, I'm just going watch the Broncos, root for their success, and win or lose I'm just going to enjoy the season. :bronxrox:<------ Root beer




Not me. I'm excited because I think we're going to the playoffs. I was serious when I made the argument that Jay gives us the best chance to win this season. I wasn't just hating on Plummer because he disappointed us so many times. I honestly think that Jay gives us the best opportunity to win it all this year. I'm not saying that we are going to win the Superbowl... A rookie has never done that. But what I am saying is that Jay gives us our best shot at winning any given game. Yeah, he took six quarters to get out of the starting blocks. Yeah, maybe Plummer could have plummered his way through a Seattle win. But we were going nowhere with Plummer. With Jay, the sky is the limit.

Oh, yeah, I'm sure I'll take criticism for saying I'm optimistic, because I'm not properly bashing our defense like a smart Broncos fan is supposed to. But I think they'll be able to get more agressive now that our offense can actually be aggressive and EXECUTE themselves.

We're getting hot right at the right time. The sky is the limit.

[Taco John]

I've never seen board turn on players so fast ever.



Darrent brought it on himself. I was a supporter until he had that bad game, and then came out of it talking crap about people giving up. Did it look like people had given up to you this last week?

I just can't get behind that kind of stupidity. I want to like Darrent, and I want to believe in him. But all he does is talk. He talks about how he's dominated on every level. He talks about how he wants to be like Champ. He talks talks talks... But he isn't executing. And when he isn't executing, he should shut the hell up and focus on why he's not executing. He shouldn't be telling the media the players quit. He should be saying "I don't know about them, but I know about me, and I'm going to give it my all."

I want to support Darrent, but I also don't want to support a punk. Right now, Darrent is coming off like a punk-ass chump. He's pressing and he's getting burnt. He's basically starting to look like Delthea Oneal out there. Scared.

I'd love to see Darrent turn it around, but what he's shown so far is that the pressure of being opposite Champ is too much for him, and to make up for it, he's running his mouth.

[watermock]

Your hurting his feelings! Your a mean man.

[-Slap-]

What a bunch of swaggering quitters.

[brncs_fan]

Now the Broncos’ confidence is soaring.

"To get your swagger back you have to win, and we won," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Monday. "To keep that swagger, you have to keep on winning. Our players know this is a week-by-week proposition. There is a lot of work to be done."


Good, they are going to need confidence this week. And a big game from the defense.

[dbfan21]

Darrent brought it on himself. I was a supporter until he had that bad game, and then came out of it talking crap about people giving up. Did it look like people had given up to you this last week?

I just can't get behind that kind of stupidity. I want to like Darrent, and I want to believe in him. But all he does is talk. He talks about how he's dominated on every level. He talks about how he wants to be like Champ. He talks talks talks... But he isn't executing. And when he isn't executing, he should shut the hell up and focus on why he's not executing. He shouldn't be telling the media the players quit. He should be saying "I don't know about them, but I know about me, and I'm going to give it my all."

I want to support Darrent, but I also don't want to support a punk. Right now, Darrent is coming off like a punk-ass chump. He's pressing and he's getting burnt. He's basically starting to look like Delthea Oneal out there. Scared.

I'd love to see Darrent turn it around, but what he's shown so far is that the pressure of being opposite Champ is too much for him, and to make up for it, he's running his mouth.

I agree with you TJ. I think it's up to the coaching staff to tell DWill that he ISN'T Champ Bailey and that he must work on his technique and study film much, much more. If he gets back to basics and studies the opposition's gameplans, he can put himself in a position to make more plays.

[Rock Chalk]

Funny how beating down a crappy opponent does that to you.

[bronco_diesel]

I'm still a bit worried because it was the Cardinals. I like our odds against the Bengals at home, but I'm cautious of totally emotionally investing myself in this just. Right now I'm of the "enjoy it because it's all going to be even better next year" mind set. Whatever happens this season, I'm just going watch the Broncos, root for their success, and win or lose I'm just going to enjoy the season. :bronxrox:<------ Root beer


I agree with your assessment. I am cautiously optimistic.

I think one of the best things for a struggling team is to get a weak opponent. The Cards are that - they are terrible on defense with a terrible offensive line. Thats a pretty good matchup for us.

Could this game be a momentum builder - you bet. I think things are lining up for them to make a run...

Cincy at home is going to be a huge game - if they play lights out, this will be a team to fear. They should finish up the season with two victories and nobody wanting to face them. We'll see...

[Mile High Shack]

Funny how beating down a crappy opponent does that to you.

the true test is this weekend.........I'll be more optimistic if we can beat a good team

[Rohirrim]

10/6 gets it done.

[Mile High Shack]

10/6 gets it done.

funny thing is, if we manage to keep the #5 playoff seed, we'll play the Pats

you think the Pats want to see us come to town?

LOL :welcome: Pats

[epicSocialism4tw]

the true test is this weekend.........I'll be more optimistic if we can beat a good team

That's the opinion I'm holding. We have beaten good teams this season, but the 4 game losing streak took a bite out of us. The Bengals arent as good as the Pats or the Ravens, but they do have the kind of offense that can walk all over our lack of a pass rush.

We'll see if the offense can keep step.

[epicSocialism4tw]

funny thing is, if we manage to keep the #5 playoff seed, we'll play the Pats
you think the Pats want to see us come to town?
LOL :welcome: Pats


Bring on the Pats. Brady's worried about Champ Bailey right now.

[Hotrod]

funny thing is, if we manage to keep the #5 playoff seed, we'll play the Pats

you think the Pats want to see us come to town?

LOL :welcome: Pats


LOL I was thinking about that this morning. I bet there are alot of Pats fans who are rooting for the Bungles and 9ers in the next 2 weeks :giggle:

[brncs_fan]

funny thing is, if we manage to keep the #5 playoff seed, we'll play the Pats

you think the Pats want to see us come to town?

LOL :welcome: Pats

Especially as inconsistently as they have been playing lately. Their mystique is gone. No one fears playing them in the playoffs anymore. A lot of that has to do with a certain playoff team last year beating them.

Wish I could remeber who they lost to last year ???

[epicSocialism4tw]

I tell you what, if Jay finishes out the season similar to what he looked on Sunday, we have reason to be optimistic about every potential playoff matchup.

[SoonerBronco]

funny thing is, if we manage to keep the #5 playoff seed, we'll play the Pats

you think the Pats want to see us come to town?

LOL :welcome: Pats

Rep...isn't nice that our opponent would be the one team that is "scared" to play us?

Bring on the Patsy's!

[DBroncos4life]

Darrent brought it on himself. I was a supporter until he had that bad game, and then came out of it talking crap about people giving up. Did it look like people had given up to you this last week?

I just can't get behind that kind of stupidity. I want to like Darrent, and I want to believe in him. But all he does is talk. He talks about how he's dominated on every level. He talks about how he wants to be like Champ. He talks talks talks... But he isn't executing. And when he isn't executing, he should shut the hell up and focus on why he's not executing. He shouldn't be telling the media the players quit. He should be saying "I don't know about them, but I know about me, and I'm going to give it my all."

I want to support Darrent, but I also don't want to support a punk. Right now, Darrent is coming off like a punk-ass chump. He's pressing and he's getting burnt. He's basically starting to look like Delthea Oneal out there. Scared.

I'd love to see Darrent turn it around, but what he's shown so far is that the pressure of being opposite Champ is too much for him, and to make up for it, he's running his mouth.

Its not even just Darrent. I saw the threads about our coaching staff, Mike what have you done for me lately. Warren sucks, Plummer is Plummer, and Tatum is great while he is running well till then he isn't a typical Broncos back.

[Master___Pain]

We're getting hot right at the right time. The sky is the limit.

We're hot? I'd say luke warm perhaps. I like the way the TEAM played on Sunday, but it's a bit of stretch to say this team is hot. We beat the freaking Cardianls for crying out loud. Thump the Bungles and hot may be more accurate.

[SoonerBronco]

We're hot? I'd say luke warm perhaps. I like the way the TEAM played on Sunday, but it's a bit of stretch to say this team is hot. We beat the freaking Cardianls for crying out loud. Thump the Bungles and hot may be more accurate.


There is so much parody in the NFL...and if that damned aggie Bell doesn't fumble, we probably win by 20 on the road. I still wouldn't say we are "hot" but, we are leaps and bounds above where we were 2 weeks ago. If we finish out the year 10-6 and roll into gillete with a 3 game win streak, i think we will definately be the team that no one wants to play. Look out!

[Master___Pain]

There is so much parody in the NFL...and if that damned aggie Bell doesn't fumble, we probably win by 20 on the road. I still wouldn't say we are "hot" but, we are leaps and bounds above where we were 2 weeks ago. If we finish out the year 10-6 and roll into gillete with a 3 game win streak, i think we will definately be the team that no one wants to play. Look out!

I completely agree, but I'm not quite ready to crown their asses just yet.

[SoonerBronco]

I completely agree, but I'm not quite ready to crown their asses just yet.

Quote of the week! Seriously, I wonder what my coworkers think of me when I laugh at you guys!LOL

[Bob's your Information Minister]

We're getting hot right at the right time. The sky is the limit.

OH MY GOD!!!

ROFL!

This is truly amazing. You beat the Cardinals, your first win in a month, and suddenly the Broncos are "hot."

[Master___Pain]

OH MY GOD!!!

ROFL!

This is truly amazing. You beat the Cardinals, your first win in a month, and suddenly the Broncos are "hot."

Nice, original thought there Bozo.

Enjoying your last few days on the mane are you?

[SoonerBronco]

OH MY GOD!!!

ROFL!

This is truly amazing. You beat the Cardinals, your first win in a month, and suddenly the Broncos are "hot."

When was the last time you guys won???

[Rohirrim]

OH MY GOD!!!

ROFL!

This is truly amazing. You beat the Cardinals, your first win in a month, and suddenly the Broncos are "hot."

If you had paid attention you would know that the Broncos always cool off in November, and then pick it up in December and get into the playoffs. It's the Chefs who get hot in September and are ready to fold in December. It will be particularly entertaining watching the Faders kick their asses. ;D

[Mile High Shack]

OH MY GOD!!!

ROFL!

This is truly amazing. You beat the Cardinals, your first win in a month, and suddenly the Broncos are "hot."

should we bring up the posts when you guys beat the cardinals and 49ers and declared your defense among the best in the NFL?