BowlenBall
09-17-2008, 09:16 AM
More props from the national media (not used to this kind of attention!)
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8569350/The-Schein-Nine:-Broncos-have-a-bright-future
1. Ed Hochuli made an all-time gaffe that cost the Chargers a win and maybe more.
We will rip him later, but for now we are here to praise Mike Shanahan.
Before the go-ahead drive, the future Hall of Fame coach told Jay Cutler that he would go for two after the quarterback completed the crucial scoring drive with 24 seconds remaining.
That's guts. That's beautiful. That's Shanahan.
Think about it. You have a back-and-forth game. Then a major controversy takes place. And then a head coach eschews the tie with a simple extra point and goes for broke with the two-point conversion.
Shanahan wouldn't have it any other way.
Cutler and the Broncos benefited from Hochuli's putrid call on a play even Cutler admits was a fumble. But then Cutler drilled a touchdown pass to Eddie Royal crossing in the end zone. Instantly Shanahan gave Cutler the sign to go for two. Hearts were stopped all across America.
But Shanahan knew what he was doing. In his mind, he had the Chargers right where he wanted them. Shanahan's defense was exposed in the second half. A coin flip is too much of a risk.
Most especially, the coach finally had his quarterback. Let's not overlook that. Denver isn't going for two with Jake Plummer. Shanahan had his stud quarterback, his next John Elway, in Cutler (who is bound for stardom and major growth in year 3) on the 2-yard-line. Who knew if the Broncos would get down there again in overtime? All Cutler had to do was make a play, something he did all game long. Sure, the improbable call put pressure on his young gunslinger. But it put San Diego in a collective vise.
And Shanahan has the job security, the moxie, and the respect of his players to roll the dice. Nobody makes that call! It was the perfect storm.
Cutler hit Royal again. It was sheer pandemonium in Denver. It was all due to the guts and genius of Shanahan.
It drives me bonkers every time I hear someone criticize his player moves in Denver. Where is the credit for the 2006 draft with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall (18 catches, 166 yards), Tony Scheffler (two touchdowns) and stud defensive end Elvis Dumervil? The 2008 draft with Royal and Ryan Clady is going to go down as a fantastic one, too.
Denver is flawed. The defense needs to be tightened. But there's a reason I picked Denver to make the playoffs in the preseason.
Mike Shanahan.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8569350/The-Schein-Nine:-Broncos-have-a-bright-future
1. Ed Hochuli made an all-time gaffe that cost the Chargers a win and maybe more.
We will rip him later, but for now we are here to praise Mike Shanahan.
Before the go-ahead drive, the future Hall of Fame coach told Jay Cutler that he would go for two after the quarterback completed the crucial scoring drive with 24 seconds remaining.
That's guts. That's beautiful. That's Shanahan.
Think about it. You have a back-and-forth game. Then a major controversy takes place. And then a head coach eschews the tie with a simple extra point and goes for broke with the two-point conversion.
Shanahan wouldn't have it any other way.
Cutler and the Broncos benefited from Hochuli's putrid call on a play even Cutler admits was a fumble. But then Cutler drilled a touchdown pass to Eddie Royal crossing in the end zone. Instantly Shanahan gave Cutler the sign to go for two. Hearts were stopped all across America.
But Shanahan knew what he was doing. In his mind, he had the Chargers right where he wanted them. Shanahan's defense was exposed in the second half. A coin flip is too much of a risk.
Most especially, the coach finally had his quarterback. Let's not overlook that. Denver isn't going for two with Jake Plummer. Shanahan had his stud quarterback, his next John Elway, in Cutler (who is bound for stardom and major growth in year 3) on the 2-yard-line. Who knew if the Broncos would get down there again in overtime? All Cutler had to do was make a play, something he did all game long. Sure, the improbable call put pressure on his young gunslinger. But it put San Diego in a collective vise.
And Shanahan has the job security, the moxie, and the respect of his players to roll the dice. Nobody makes that call! It was the perfect storm.
Cutler hit Royal again. It was sheer pandemonium in Denver. It was all due to the guts and genius of Shanahan.
It drives me bonkers every time I hear someone criticize his player moves in Denver. Where is the credit for the 2006 draft with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall (18 catches, 166 yards), Tony Scheffler (two touchdowns) and stud defensive end Elvis Dumervil? The 2008 draft with Royal and Ryan Clady is going to go down as a fantastic one, too.
Denver is flawed. The defense needs to be tightened. But there's a reason I picked Denver to make the playoffs in the preseason.
Mike Shanahan.