And for the fourth consecutive season...

[Popps]

Our lack of pass-rush destroys our hopes.

The QB distraction is out of the way... we got a nice game from our RBs, and Cutler even played through horrible protection.

I mean, does anyone have any doubts what the real problem is at this point?

If you do, watch SF's last drive.

We can get serious about the defensive line or we can do this again next season.

What a bummer way to end the season.

[elsid13]

Hey Popps when you only run the ball 4 times in the second half this is what happens. The defense didn't lose the game, the piss poor play calling did.

[bpc]

I won't say it was the only problem but a key contributor.

Where was big money when the game was on the line? Our line was getting knocked three yards off the ball.

The LB's sucked. I loved seeing Nate Webster pumping his fists after making A tackle... before that he had missed two. Way to deliver. DJ and Ian's impacts on the game were pathetic.

[Broncos4Life]

I'm really pissed. Yet we won't draft a DL.We'll pick up some rookie FA guy off the street. And then release him after the preseason. We'll also sign like 4 or 5 FA DL guys that are in their 30's. And the same will repeat for the rest of eternity until I die...........

[BroncoInferno]

Dinger was the culpret in this debacle.

[footstepsfrom#27]

We can get serious about the defensive line or we can do this again next season.
I'm fairly sure we'll be doing it again next season.

[RhymesayersDU]

Our team ain't half bad, we just need to fix both lines. There's always next year.

[oubronco]

i am so f$%#@& dissapointed with the way this season started and finished shanahan had better not ignore the defensive line and safety position this year or i'm going to flip the f#$%#@ out

[maven]

Our lack of pass-rush destroys our hopes.

The QB distraction is out of the way... we got a nice game from our RBs, and Cutler even played through horrible protection.

I mean, does anyone have any doubts what the real problem is at this point?

If you do, watch SF's last drive.

We can get serious about the defensive line or we can do this again next season.

What a bummer way to end the season.


I thought it was fitting to end the season the way the Broncos did. The DB's have been drafted. Some of the offense has been drafted. It's about time the Broncos select DL and a true gamebreaker RB.

[cabronco]

I just hope we keep Tatum. I also hope we can find some more Brownie castoffs. And Foster has alot of upside. Oh ya Cutler sucks.

[Popps]

It certainly wasn't the ONLY problem, but when you let Alex Smith sit back in the pocket and pick you apart at crunch time, that's what you get. Absolutely no pressure on that third down play.

Blame the line, blame Coyer... I don't flippin' care. Just fix it.

The bloody QB distraction is out of the way, and we get yet ANOTHER example of why it doesn't matter who is your QB when you can't smother opposing offenses.

[maven]

Denver is no better than the Raiders, Packers, Falcons, jaguars, Dolphins, 49ers, etc...

It's time to overhaul the team and go with young and new blood.

[maven]

It certainly wasn't the ONLY problem, but when you let Alex Smith sit back in the pocket and pick you apart at crunch time, that's what you get. Absolutely no pressure on that third down play.

Blame the line, blame Coyer... I don't flippin' care. Just fix it.

The bloody QB distraction is out of the way, and we get yet ANOTHER example of why it doesn't matter who is your QB when you can't smother opposing offenses.

It wasn't the only problem, but it's time to address a MAJOR problem. New blood on the lines, S, RB.

[cabronco]

Denver is no better than the Raiders, Packers, Falcons, jaguars, Dolphins, 49ers, etc...

It's time to overhaul the team and go with young and new blood.

I think Shanahan has a real dilemma on his hands as far as what areas he can fix, with the cap and all. O-line & D-line need much help. A true RB for sure. Have to look at a future safety. To me D-line needs priority for next season.

[TheChamp247]

yea it would be awsome to get some good d-linemen this year in the draft or FA, however i think we are gonnna suffer another dismal year there, cuz we need O-linemen more

[DBroncos4life]

thats crap. We had pressure during the first half. Its on Coyer now.

[wolverine]

As a first priority I'd like us to draft a right tackle that can pass protect. Cutler's too valuable to have him getting pounded like we saw today.

[maven]

I think Shanahan has a real dilemma on his hands as far as what areas he can fix, with the cap and all. O-line & D-line need much help. A true RB for sure. Have to look at a future safety. To me D-line needs priority for next season.


Well riding that line with the cap has to eventually go one way or the other. He finally started drafting well the past 2 seasons. Continue the youth movement because the current level of veterans is not getting it done. There's a lot to do to this team. Denver is no longer a playoff team. Time to shake it up. Our future is bright with the young QB. Time to add more parts to the puzzle. Start with a gamebreaker RB. This team clearly does not have one. Fix the OL/DL line. Safetey will be needed with the age of Lynch and the injuries to Brandon/Fergy.

[cabronco]

We better have a solid back up qb for next year, if the O-line problems still exist. Plummer was lucky in the fact of staying healthy and had pretty good pocket prescence. I dont know if Jay does, or if he will learn to. If not he may be subjected to more concussions without good protection.

[x123z]

We didn't run the ball because we do not have a running back'''''.

[ScottXray]

We didn't run the ball because we do not have a running back'''''.

AND we don't have an offensive line that can push the defenders...or even hold their own ground.


it is time to REBUILD and change the SCHEME!

[OrangeShadow]

to even be close to the playoffs with the young and inexperienced offense we have is amazing.

[Kaylore]

Actually Popps is wrong. We didn't lose because of a lack of pass rush we lost because we couldn't stop the run today. Alex Smith was pretty crappy today and he had a lot of players bail him out. No, the passing game didn't beat us it was a our "we can't last four quarters" run defense.

[Taco John]

Actually Popps is wrong. We didn't lose because of a lack of pass rush we lost because we couldn't stop the run today. Alex Smith was pretty crappy today and he had a lot of players bail him out. No, the passing game didn't beat us it was a our "we can't last four quarters" run defense.


I thought we actually had pretty good pressure today. But up the gut, we had a hard time stopping the run.

[bloodsunday]

Our lack of pass-rush destroys our hopes.

The QB distraction is out of the way... we got a nice game from our RBs, and Cutler even played through horrible protection.

I mean, does anyone have any doubts what the real problem is at this point?

If you do, watch SF's last drive.

We can get serious about the defensive line or we can do this again next season.

What a bummer way to end the season.

Pass rush was a HUGE problem. I would add to it that our run D was HORRIBLE the last 7 or 8 weeks. We played some good backs granted, but everyone of them owned us. San Fran was a one trick pony today and we had no answer.

I also disagree about our backs. We had okay stats, but there was zero consistency in our run game today. If you don't believe me, see our first 3 redzone possessions.

[Popps]

Actually Popps is wrong. .

Yea, pop the tape in and watch it again, kid.

Alex Smith sat in the pocket, untouched on the most crucial 3rd down of the game.

Even the commentators were stunned that we'd just sit back in passive mode in a situation like that.

Obviously, a rush from the front four is out of the question.

But, I won't say you're "wrong," completely. We couldn't stop the run, either. It's just that when it comes crunch-time and teams NEED to throw on us... they always can.