4-0 turns 0-7 - The Orange Mane

broncohaven · 09-13-2005, 05:45 AM

Filed under: General— broncos.mostvaluablenetwork.com @ 6:18 am

It would have been impossible to imagine a more woeful opening day performance by the Denver Broncos than the one they put on against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Inept in every phase of the game, the Broncos showed why the pre-season counts for nothing in the NFL. If you went by the 4-0 record in the pre-season you would be likely to consider the Broncos among the contenders for the Lombardi Trophy this year, but after seeing their performance yesterday you would be forced to think that they are closer to contending for the first overall pick in the 2006 draft. With their flop against the Dolphins the Broncos dropped to 0-7 in Miami under Shanahan, and 0-1 for the 2005 season. It’s a resounding 0-1 to say the least.

A week one loss is no reason to panic, but the Broncos performance was so awful that it would be difficult not to be concerned. The heat was stifling in Miami, reaching 115 degrees at field level. The Broncos, baking in their dark blue uniforms were at a distinct disadvantage to the Dolphins in their sun reflecting white. The fatigue of the Denver defense was painfully clear midway through the 3rd quarter. Lenny walls and Darrent Williams were both sidelined with cramps, leaving the Broncos secondary almost completely depleted having already lost Champ Bailey to a shoulder injury. Despite the limp performance by the offense Denver was still in the game through three quarters, but the defense fell apart in the fourth. Note to the Broncos: when playing in Miami in September you may want to opt for the orange jerseys in the future.

The heat cannot account for Jake Plummer’s inability to complete a pass through nearly an entire half of football. I’ve called for Jake to be more conservative and willing to sit on the ball when things aren’t there, but Jake seemed paralyzed by the Dolphins’ defense. It was hard to see, but I’m not sure there were actually receivers on the field for the Broncos. If they were there, they weren’t getting open. Ashley Lelie didn’t catch a pass until the game was already decided, and Darius Watts was no where to be found. Rod Smith did make a couple of great catches, but didn’t seem able to get open consistently. The play of tight ends Jeb Putzier and Stephen Alexander left much to be desired. Both dropping balls when Denver was desperate for someone to make a play.

The most disappointing and alarming performance was turned in by Denver’s vaunted offensive line. They were unable to open any holes in Miami’s defense, and they were unable to give Jake any time to survey the field on passing plays. Not a stellar combination. The real concern has to be the offensive line’s inability to get a push in the red zone. Twice the Broncos weren’t able to score a rushing touchdown given a first and goal inside the five yard line. Tatum Bell may not be a power back, but on each attempt inside the 5 there were a handful of Dolphins in the Denver backfield, and Bell didn’t stand much of a chance. You do have to wonder whether Ron Dayne may have proved more effective in the “hippo” package. Perhaps the glory of the undersized offense line is coming to an end. It seems that every year the holes get a little smaller, and the throws need to get off a little quicker.

The Broncos may have already been looking ahead to next week’s game against the San Diego Chargers, figuring they had a walkover against a team that won only 4 games in 2004. Next week’s game is a big one, but you don’t contend for Championships by looking ahead on the schedule. Fortunately for the Broncos, it seems the Chargers may have been guilty of the same thing, losing to Dallas. The Chargers loss may be even worse than the Broncos’ given that it was at home, and that they have to travel to Denver next week at the risk of getting off to an 0-2 start. A fate the Chargers will easily avoid unless the Broncos bring an entirely different attitude into Mile High Stadium next week.

There is no defending the Broncos impotence, but Denver can count themselves lucky that they are still tied for second place in the division. They trail only the Kansas City Chiefs, who looked formidable in their opener against the Jets. If the Broncos can turn things around against the Chargers next week they will have the chance to take the division lead in week three when they play host to the Chiefs. The next two weeks are already must win games for the Broncos, and there will need to be some serious soul searching if they don’t want to find themselves 0-3 and on the outside of the division race looking in.

Rohirrim · 09-13-2005, 06:11 AM

"Ashley Lelie didn’t catch a pass until the game was already decided"

That's his standard operating procedure.

epicSocialism4tw · 09-13-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

"Ashley Lelie didn’t catch a pass until the game was already decided"

That's his standard operating procedure.

Unfortunately, that is true. He doesnt seem like anything more than a #3 WR who can run the fly routes.

fontaine · 09-13-2005, 06:20 AM

We're not going to do any better against San Diego's strong 3-4 D unless the offense can be more creative on running plays rather than what they called in miami:
run up the middle,
run up the middle,
run up the right tackle.

orange 4 life · 09-13-2005, 07:27 AM

well said fontaine.

creativity was GONE on sunday, and that needs to change this week.

we need to get the ball in the air early and often to set up the run.
we need to call some running plays OUTSIDE the tackle box.
we need to call some passes in the 10-15 yard range instead of going for the homerun early.

i suspect we'll see a much different gameplan sunday.
we need to.

Broncoman13 · 09-13-2005, 07:32 AM

We struggle bad with the 3-4. Shanny is going to have to figure out a way to beat it and it better happen soon! In other words, hey better put his damn thumb on it!

Popps · 09-13-2005, 11:46 AM

It's a little early for "make or break" talk... but this is close. Divisional, another AFC game and a chance to keep ourselves out of an early hole with a very brutal schedule coming up. I'd say this is as close to must-win as you get in week 2.

Bolts-Chefs-Jags.

Ballhawk · 09-13-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

It's a little early for "make or break" talk... but this is close. Divisional, another AFC game and a chance to keep ourselves out of an early hole with a very brutal schedule coming up. I'd say this is as close to must-win as you get in week 2.

Bolts-Chefs-Jags.

Actually, I think this is make or break Mentally. We just got our ass handed to us by, "inferior talent". We are at home and need to bounce back and get our mind right for the season. Losing a division game at home is almost as fatal as it gets.

09-13-2005, 05:45 AM	#1
broncohaven Ring of Famer I'm Orange Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Green Mountains Posts: 2,250	4-0 turns 0-7 Filed under: General— broncos.mostvaluablenetwork.com @ 6:18 am It would have been impossible to imagine a more woeful opening day performance by the Denver Broncos than the one they put on against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Inept in every phase of the game, the Broncos showed why the pre-season counts for nothing in the NFL. If you went by the 4-0 record in the pre-season you would be likely to consider the Broncos among the contenders for the Lombardi Trophy this year, but after seeing their performance yesterday you would be forced to think that they are closer to contending for the first overall pick in the 2006 draft. With their flop against the Dolphins the Broncos dropped to 0-7 in Miami under Shanahan, and 0-1 for the 2005 season. It’s a resounding 0-1 to say the least. A week one loss is no reason to panic, but the Broncos performance was so awful that it would be difficult not to be concerned. The heat was stifling in Miami, reaching 115 degrees at field level. The Broncos, baking in their dark blue uniforms were at a distinct disadvantage to the Dolphins in their sun reflecting white. The fatigue of the Denver defense was painfully clear midway through the 3rd quarter. Lenny walls and Darrent Williams were both sidelined with cramps, leaving the Broncos secondary almost completely depleted having already lost Champ Bailey to a shoulder injury. Despite the limp performance by the offense Denver was still in the game through three quarters, but the defense fell apart in the fourth. Note to the Broncos: when playing in Miami in September you may want to opt for the orange jerseys in the future. The heat cannot account for Jake Plummer’s inability to complete a pass through nearly an entire half of football. I’ve called for Jake to be more conservative and willing to sit on the ball when things aren’t there, but Jake seemed paralyzed by the Dolphins’ defense. It was hard to see, but I’m not sure there were actually receivers on the field for the Broncos. If they were there, they weren’t getting open. Ashley Lelie didn’t catch a pass until the game was already decided, and Darius Watts was no where to be found. Rod Smith did make a couple of great catches, but didn’t seem able to get open consistently. The play of tight ends Jeb Putzier and Stephen Alexander left much to be desired. Both dropping balls when Denver was desperate for someone to make a play. The most disappointing and alarming performance was turned in by Denver’s vaunted offensive line. They were unable to open any holes in Miami’s defense, and they were unable to give Jake any time to survey the field on passing plays. Not a stellar combination. The real concern has to be the offensive line’s inability to get a push in the red zone. Twice the Broncos weren’t able to score a rushing touchdown given a first and goal inside the five yard line. Tatum Bell may not be a power back, but on each attempt inside the 5 there were a handful of Dolphins in the Denver backfield, and Bell didn’t stand much of a chance. You do have to wonder whether Ron Dayne may have proved more effective in the “hippo” package. Perhaps the glory of the undersized offense line is coming to an end. It seems that every year the holes get a little smaller, and the throws need to get off a little quicker. The Broncos may have already been looking ahead to next week’s game against the San Diego Chargers, figuring they had a walkover against a team that won only 4 games in 2004. Next week’s game is a big one, but you don’t contend for Championships by looking ahead on the schedule. Fortunately for the Broncos, it seems the Chargers may have been guilty of the same thing, losing to Dallas. The Chargers loss may be even worse than the Broncos’ given that it was at home, and that they have to travel to Denver next week at the risk of getting off to an 0-2 start. A fate the Chargers will easily avoid unless the Broncos bring an entirely different attitude into Mile High Stadium next week. There is no defending the Broncos impotence, but Denver can count themselves lucky that they are still tied for second place in the division. They trail only the Kansas City Chiefs, who looked formidable in their opener against the Jets. If the Broncos can turn things around against the Chargers next week they will have the chance to take the division lead in week three when they play host to the Chiefs. The next two weeks are already must win games for the Broncos, and there will need to be some serious soul searching if they don’t want to find themselves 0-3 and on the outside of the division race looking in.

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09-13-2005, 06:11 AM	#2
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 48,843	"Ashley Lelie didn’t catch a pass until the game was already decided" That's his standard operating procedure.

09-13-2005, 06:20 AM	#4
fontaine Ring of Famer Go John Manning! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,429	We're not going to do any better against San Diego's strong 3-4 D unless the offense can be more creative on running plays rather than what they called in miami: run up the middle, run up the middle, run up the right tackle.

09-13-2005, 07:27 AM	#5
orange 4 life Old School Orange Home team qb homer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Anywhere, CO. Posts: 8,642	well said fontaine. creativity was GONE on sunday, and that needs to change this week. we need to get the ball in the air early and often to set up the run. we need to call some running plays OUTSIDE the tackle box. we need to call some passes in the 10-15 yard range instead of going for the homerun early. i suspect we'll see a much different gameplan sunday. we need to.

09-13-2005, 07:32 AM	#6
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,961 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	We struggle bad with the 3-4. Shanny is going to have to figure out a way to beat it and it better happen soon! In other words, hey better put his damn thumb on it!

09-13-2005, 11:46 AM	#7
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,785	It's a little early for "make or break" talk... but this is close. Divisional, another AFC game and a chance to keep ourselves out of an early hole with a very brutal schedule coming up. I'd say this is as close to must-win as you get in week 2. Bolts-Chefs-Jags.