HEAV
10-30-2007, 02:18 PM
Shanahan losing his play-calling nerve
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 10/30/2007 12:58:59 AM MDT
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Oct 30:
Eye on ... the LionsFavre wins duel with Cutler, salutes Broncos' young QBThrowing theories out the windowExtra points: Bests, worsts & more from Packers-BroncosSuper showing ends in revengeCornerbacks miss out on TDsIn the NFL, the red zone is where coaches earn their money.
After all these years with the Broncos, is coach Mike Shanahan bankrupt of new ideas?
On a Monday night when the whole country saw our local heroes are not ready for prime time, Denver lost to Green Bay 19-13 on such a heart-stopping touchdown pass in overtime by Packers legend Brett Favre that it felt like sudden death for any dreams of a Super Bowl that had been entertained by Broncomaniacs.
"It's a tough one to lose," Shanahan said.
But the truth is: With Denver trailing by three points and a golden opportunity to win the game in the final seconds of regulation, Shanahan lost his nerve.
That's not the innovative, gutsy Denver coach we remember as brighter than the diamonds in a championship ring.
The creeping middle-age conservatism in Shanahan is causing Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to lose his faith, not to mention his temper.
Cutler groused he is being asked way too often why this Denver red-zone offense too often plays out like a meek game of Mother, may I?
"We talk about this every week," a grumpy Cutler complained.
Can't blame the guy for being ticked. Nothing ever changes.
Rather than place the game in the strong arm of Cutler on third down with the football resting at the 4-yard line and 22 seconds showing on the scoreboard clock, Shanahan called a conservative quarterback draw, hoping to fool the Packers' defense.
It was a play that might have worked 15 years ago, when John Elway was quarterback of the Broncos.
But anyone who believes that asking Cutler to imitate the legendary No. 7 is unfair had to be offended at the decision.
Cutler should have been given the run/pass option that a rollout play would have allowed.
Instead, the draw play left the young quarterback with nowhere to run or hide, and Cutler stumbled, failing to gain so much as a yard.
So Denver place-kicker Jason Elam and his Keystone Cops were forced to scurry helter-skelter and boot a field goal that meekly tied the game at 13-13 on the final play of regulation.
The Broncos never saw the football again, with Favre adding a fresh coat of bronze on the statue that awaits him in Canton, by firing an 82-yard TD strike to Greg Jennings on the first snap of overtime.
Denver cornerback Dré Bly admitted he never saw the lightning bolt from the gray-bearded NFL god that hit him. Old Favre remains so stupid good, the veteran can make even a shutdown corner look like an oxymoron.
"Anytime you're 1-4 in the red zone against a team that's 5-1 and playing pretty well, it's hard to win those types of football games," said Shanahan, now coaching as if he does not completely trust his players.
With 8 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Denver behind 13-10, the Broncos faced a fourth down at Green Bay's 37-yard line, needing to gain six to keep the drive alive.
Remember when Shanahan had the offensive weapons and gambling spirit that made defenses sweat in precisely such tense situations?
"The wind was blowing, and it's a 55-yard (field goal)," explained Shanahan, "and I'm saying, 'Hey, that's when the percentages are going the other way."'
So he punted.
Shanahan, once the most fearless offensive genius in the game, did not even consider letting his quarterback throw the football on fourth down.
That's sad. The Broncos have become the same play-the-percentages, hope-and-pray, no-risk, no-reward team that makes parity just another word for mediocrity in the language of the NFL.
With leading receiver Javon Walker and top rusher Travis Henry both injured, Shanahan wore a bad poker face on national TV. Every time he inspected his offensive options, the coach looked like he wanted to fold his play card. And rip it to shreds. And stomp on it.
With a record of 3-4 and a tough road ahead, the Broncos can no longer play it safe.
This is a Denver team that's going to tax all the gray matter in Shanahan's beautiful football mind merely to avoid the red-faced embarrassment of a lost season.
Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 10/30/2007 12:58:59 AM MDT
Related Articles
Oct 30:
Eye on ... the LionsFavre wins duel with Cutler, salutes Broncos' young QBThrowing theories out the windowExtra points: Bests, worsts & more from Packers-BroncosSuper showing ends in revengeCornerbacks miss out on TDsIn the NFL, the red zone is where coaches earn their money.
After all these years with the Broncos, is coach Mike Shanahan bankrupt of new ideas?
On a Monday night when the whole country saw our local heroes are not ready for prime time, Denver lost to Green Bay 19-13 on such a heart-stopping touchdown pass in overtime by Packers legend Brett Favre that it felt like sudden death for any dreams of a Super Bowl that had been entertained by Broncomaniacs.
"It's a tough one to lose," Shanahan said.
But the truth is: With Denver trailing by three points and a golden opportunity to win the game in the final seconds of regulation, Shanahan lost his nerve.
That's not the innovative, gutsy Denver coach we remember as brighter than the diamonds in a championship ring.
The creeping middle-age conservatism in Shanahan is causing Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to lose his faith, not to mention his temper.
Cutler groused he is being asked way too often why this Denver red-zone offense too often plays out like a meek game of Mother, may I?
"We talk about this every week," a grumpy Cutler complained.
Can't blame the guy for being ticked. Nothing ever changes.
Rather than place the game in the strong arm of Cutler on third down with the football resting at the 4-yard line and 22 seconds showing on the scoreboard clock, Shanahan called a conservative quarterback draw, hoping to fool the Packers' defense.
It was a play that might have worked 15 years ago, when John Elway was quarterback of the Broncos.
But anyone who believes that asking Cutler to imitate the legendary No. 7 is unfair had to be offended at the decision.
Cutler should have been given the run/pass option that a rollout play would have allowed.
Instead, the draw play left the young quarterback with nowhere to run or hide, and Cutler stumbled, failing to gain so much as a yard.
So Denver place-kicker Jason Elam and his Keystone Cops were forced to scurry helter-skelter and boot a field goal that meekly tied the game at 13-13 on the final play of regulation.
The Broncos never saw the football again, with Favre adding a fresh coat of bronze on the statue that awaits him in Canton, by firing an 82-yard TD strike to Greg Jennings on the first snap of overtime.
Denver cornerback Dré Bly admitted he never saw the lightning bolt from the gray-bearded NFL god that hit him. Old Favre remains so stupid good, the veteran can make even a shutdown corner look like an oxymoron.
"Anytime you're 1-4 in the red zone against a team that's 5-1 and playing pretty well, it's hard to win those types of football games," said Shanahan, now coaching as if he does not completely trust his players.
With 8 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Denver behind 13-10, the Broncos faced a fourth down at Green Bay's 37-yard line, needing to gain six to keep the drive alive.
Remember when Shanahan had the offensive weapons and gambling spirit that made defenses sweat in precisely such tense situations?
"The wind was blowing, and it's a 55-yard (field goal)," explained Shanahan, "and I'm saying, 'Hey, that's when the percentages are going the other way."'
So he punted.
Shanahan, once the most fearless offensive genius in the game, did not even consider letting his quarterback throw the football on fourth down.
That's sad. The Broncos have become the same play-the-percentages, hope-and-pray, no-risk, no-reward team that makes parity just another word for mediocrity in the language of the NFL.
With leading receiver Javon Walker and top rusher Travis Henry both injured, Shanahan wore a bad poker face on national TV. Every time he inspected his offensive options, the coach looked like he wanted to fold his play card. And rip it to shreds. And stomp on it.
With a record of 3-4 and a tough road ahead, the Broncos can no longer play it safe.
This is a Denver team that's going to tax all the gray matter in Shanahan's beautiful football mind merely to avoid the red-faced embarrassment of a lost season.
Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com