Kudos to the offense

[Mediator12]

The offense exploited every weakness in INDY's defense yesterday and had a Fantastic game. The Gameplan was Shanahan at his finest and the Players executed it perfectly minus the One TO. The rollout design was just awesome. The WR's and Scheffler did an excellent job in creating seperation and Plummer was pretty accurate today.

Great to see Mike Bell's development after what we saw in TC. He has skills people and when the line did its job he was outstanding and broke a bunch of tackles. You could see how the turf toe hurt Tatum today. He could not make those hard cuts and was a total team player telling Shanahan he was not helping the team at halftime.

Overall, the Offense did way more than their share to win that game.

This was all on the defense. They were pathetic when they needed to be just average to win this game.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Great post as usual Med.

We just needed ONE stop from the defense to take this game and they couldn't give that to us. It's a shame.

Anyway... they won the other 5 games for us, so...

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

The offense exploited every weakness in INDY's defense yesterday and had a Fantastic game. The Gameplan was Shanahan at his finest and the Players executed it perfectly minus the One TO. The rollout design was just awesome. The WR's and Scheffler did an excellent job in creating seperation and Plummer was pretty accurate today.

Great to see Mike Bell's development after what we saw in TC. He has skills people and when the line did its job he was outstanding and broke a bunch of tackles. You could see how the turf toe hurt Tatum today. He could not make those hard cuts and was a total team player telling Shanahan he was not helping the team at halftime.

Overall, the Offense did way more than their share to win that game.

This was all on the defense. They were pathetic when they needed to be just average to win this game.

Great post Med. Shanahan said the lack of pressure on Manning was the difference. Also have to give credit where credit is due. The Indy offense played a great game and Manning was able to see and exploit the weaknesses.

[Hotrod]

Question Med

At the end of the game when M Bell broke free leading to a go ahead FG do you think Tater would have gone the distance?

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Question Med

At the end of the game when M Bell broke free leading to a go ahead FG do you think Tater would have gone the distance?

If he was not injured, maybe. He was ineffective all game long with his injury and it showed. He was man enough to admit that at halftime though and put his ego at the door and for that he just earned my respect. He put the team over his stats.

In contrast, Lenny walls tried to insert himself in MIA last year when he knew he should not have played and cost the Broncos any chance by allowing Booker to score an easy TD. I lost all respect for him after that.

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

The defense looked like Deer in the headlights again at that point and I would have rolled the dice for a TD lead instead of that FG. Oh, Well...

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

The offense exploited every weakness in INDY's defense yesterday and had a Fantastic game. The Gameplan was Shanahan at his finest and the Players executed it perfectly minus the One TO. The rollout design was just awesome. The WR's and Scheffler did an excellent job in creating seperation and Plummer was pretty accurate today.

Great to see Mike Bell's development after what we saw in TC. He has skills people and when the line did its job he was outstanding and broke a bunch of tackles. You could see how the turf toe hurt Tatum today. He could not make those hard cuts and was a total team player telling Shanahan he was not helping the team at halftime.

Overall, the Offense did way more than their share to win that game.

This was all on the defense. They were pathetic when they needed to be just average to win this game.

I agree. Someday, we'll have a pass rush. Actually, I don't know that. I don't know if I even believe it anymore. It's been so many years. Being a Bronco fan and hoping for a pass rush is kind of like Faderfan hoping that someday they'll have a real coach, or a real FO. Anybody ever think that Shanny doesn't really believe a pass rush is necessary? After all, in all the years he's coached, he's never put one together.

[Bronco Bob]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

If he was not injured, maybe. He was ineffective all game long with his injury and it showed. He was man enough to admit that at halftime though and put his ego at the door and for that he just earned my respect. He put the team over his stats.

In contrast, Lenny walls tried to insert himself in MIA last year when he knew he should not have played and cost the Broncos any chance by allowing Booker to score an easy TD. I lost all respect for him after that.

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

The defense looked like Deer in the headlights again at that point and I would have rolled the dice for a TD lead instead of that FG. Oh, Well...

The way Manning and the Denver Defense were playing, even if we would
have gotten a TD, Manning probably would have just responded with
a TD when they got the ball back.

[Mile High Shack]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

If he was not injured, maybe. He was ineffective all game long with his injury and it showed. He was man enough to admit that at halftime though and put his ego at the door and for that he just earned my respect. He put the team over his stats.

In contrast, Lenny walls tried to insert himself in MIA last year when he knew he should not have played and cost the Broncos any chance by allowing Booker to score an easy TD. I lost all respect for him after that.

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

The defense looked like Deer in the headlights again at that point and I would have rolled the dice for a TD lead instead of that FG. Oh, Well...

what's up with the D not trying to change up coverages, bump the receivers at the LOS to change the timing...ANYTHING

why in the world would we stick in zone, constantly when we know it wasn't working
and blitzing from 10 yards back is stupid

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

That's pure BS. The offense didn't go conservative, it did the exact same thing it had the entire drive. Run the ball. But Tatum slipped and Mike Bell got tripped up into Hamilton. And then Jake had to run for his life to advoid a sack just to stay in FG range.

[Man-Goblin]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

If he was not injured, maybe. He was ineffective all game long with his injury and it showed. He was man enough to admit that at halftime though and put his ego at the door and for that he just earned my respect. He put the team over his stats.

In contrast, Lenny walls tried to insert himself in MIA last year when he knew he should not have played and cost the Broncos any chance by allowing Booker to score an easy TD. I lost all respect for him after that.

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

The defense looked like Deer in the headlights again at that point and I would have rolled the dice for a TD lead instead of that FG. Oh, Well...

I don't know if they really even went conservative. They were eating up the Colts on the ground, so it kind of made sense to run. Plus, it looked like both Bells had holes on first and second down but both slipped at the line.

[Hotrod]

Either way this one hurt old Hotrod I was so happy at halftime. Im yelling at everyone..."We just held the mighty colts O to 6 freaking points. This D is for real blah blah blah...needless to say after the game I was a bit pissy...

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by Rascal

That's pure BS. The offense didn't go conservative, it did the exact same thing it had the entire drive. Run the ball. But Tatum slipped and Mike Bell got tripped up into Hamilton. And then Jake had to run for his life to advoid a sack just to stay in FG range.

I hope this is just perception talking here, but he did not put the ball in Jake's hands with the game on the line until it was third and long. The defense was the definition of Suckitude at that point and the Colts safeties were cheating up with eight and even nine in the box on both those running plays.

Is trying to get more than a FG by throwing the ball to Walker over the top with PA that had worked all game such a stretch at that point. He did it in NE when they crowded the LOS, why not against the Colts hapless secondary that had been abused all game as well? Was it because he was not confident in Plummer to beat the blitzes that were coming or did he just go conservative? What other explanation is there?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

I hope this is just perception talking here, but he did not put the ball in Jake's hands with the game on the line until it was third and long. The defense was the definition of Suckitude at that point and the Colts safeties were cheating up with eight and even nine in the box on both those running plays.

Is trying to get more than a FG by throwing the ball to Walker over the top with PA that had worked all game such a stretch at that point. He did it in NE when they crowded the LOS, why not against the Colts hapless secondary that had been abused all game as well? Was it because he was not confident in Plummer to beat the blitzes that were coming or did he just go conservative? What other explanation is there?

The other explaination was that at that point, Mike Bell was getting wherever he wanted to go. It was worth two shots to move the ball forward with Bell. He was literally racking up the first downs.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I wonder whether or not Shanny had been holding back the offense before this game. There were several new wrinkles thrown in there. The moving pocket, the designed scrambles, the naked boots tied to a pulling line, Mike Bell, etc.

The offense was not the same as far as the scheme goes. Plummer was given the opportunity to make plays deep, and with his feet, and it paid huge dividends.

The offense was either augmented over this last week, or these plays had been collecting dust.

[ScottXray]

I don't think Shanny went too conservative...and I don't think
he was afraid of Jake screwing up. On the other hand....we were in FG range, and we needed one to tie. He played it a little safe.

The play that should have been different was the first down...

Mike had just ripped off 50 and the O-line was gashing them. When Tatum had to go in for Mike, based on his previous plays, we should have used play action and passed on that down. Rod or Walker there would have been easy.

Instead Tatum slipped and ran into the line (again).

Then Mike slipped ( the hole was there again).

Then Plummer makes a great escape, but panics and dumps the ball in the dirt. He made both great and dumb decisions on that play.

Three bad plays....bad luck! We needed that 1st down...

The Gods smiled on Indy yesterday. Maybe this is theri year!

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

I hope this is just perception talking here, but he did not put the ball in Jake's hands with the game on the line until it was third and long. The defense was the definition of Suckitude at that point and the Colts safeties were cheating up with eight and even nine in the box on both those running plays.

Is trying to get more than a FG by throwing the ball to Walker over the top with PA that had worked all game such a stretch at that point. He did it in NE when they crowded the LOS, why not against the Colts hapless secondary that had been abused all game as well? Was it because he was not confident in Plummer to beat the blitzes that were coming or did he just go conservative? What other explanation is there?

When did I say they put the ball in Jake's hands? We had been running the ball at will regardless of how many guys they had put in the box, it just happens that both runs are RB's fell down.

On that third down it might have been a deep pass to Walker, but due to the blitz Jake never had the chance to even look at it. Jake was lucky to escape enough to not get sacked and not even give us a chance to tie it.

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by angryllama

The other explaination was that at that point, Mike Bell was getting wherever he wanted to go. It was worth two shots to move the ball forward with Bell. He was literally racking up the first downs.

Word.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

I have absolutely no qualms with the offense in this game. I do however question Shanahan for going conservative when they were in FG position to tie. That said he had more confidence in the defense, at that point, than he did in Plummer getting a FD or TD throwing the ball.

Exactly, why was Tatum Bell in at that point at all unless going to be used as a decoy on play action or a bootleg (which is what they should have run)? The guy could barely walk all game long let alone run.

[riiiiick]

m bell was gassed. let the play clock wind all the way down and call a time out for bell to get his lungs back. then run him on first and roll out second down. i agree that would have been the play on second down there. it was open all game and especially after that big run.

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Exactly, why was Tatum Bell in at that point at all unless going to be used as a decoy on play action or a bootleg (which is what they should have run)? The guy could barely walk all game long let alone run.

I agree with this. We should have called a time out, and let Mike catch his breath.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Rascal

I agree with this. We should have called a time out, and let Mike catch his breath.

If you call a timeout there, you let that defense catch its breath too.

We had two consecutive slips on first and second down. Im sure that somehow those mistakes can be attributed to Jake Plummer, so maybe we need to spin the conversation in that direction.

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by angryllama

If you call a timeout there, you let that defense catch its breath too.

We had two consecutive slips on first and second down. Im sure that somehow those mistakes can be attributed to Jake Plummer, so maybe we need to spin the conversation in that direction.

Well I've already heard that it was jake's fault for not doing enough to get that third down.

In that instance I would prefer to have a healthy mike then a injured tatum regardless of the defenses catching it's breath or not.

[Hulamau]

Mike Bell does need to do something about his conditioning ,, maybe hes got small lungs! :-)

Or perhaps he just gets so jacked up he hyperventilates, but whatever the reason he has to come out after every three plays and that wont cut it.

I agree with you totally Med on not mixing it up on that last drive enough. The whole 4th quarter Shanny seemed not to want to let Jake pass much and I can understand that earlier on when we were trying to run down the clock, and had a small lead, but we were also behind at that point and that third down was clearly the ball game as everyone knew 3 points with 2 minutes left wasn't going to cut it.

Jake made a nice break away from the sack attempt at 3rd and 9, but the two would be sackers fell down and Jake had clear sailing to either run easily for the first down or set up a nice pass for a first and probably win the game,
or at least get it into OT where we had a 50% chance on the coin toss, but he inexplicably rushed that dirt ball as if he was still trying to avoid the sack and apparently lost sight of the fact he was free and clear and that ended the show.

Jake played more than well enough to win up until that crunch time moment.

Its those kind of little things, though, that separate the good QBs from the truly great ones. If Jake had made that one play he could have buried forever the questions about getting it done in the clutch.

But I am encouraged that he played much better throughout the first half and that the entire offense came alive. Its obvious Jake is much more effective passing out of the counter roll outs and we can win a lot of games still yet if we let him play more like the first half.

Lets see what happens in the next 4 weeks as the Colts defense with all their injuries was easily the worst we have faced, so lets see if the O can play like that even next week against Pitt.

Overall though, in spite of the loss, there were a lot of positives yesterday with M Bell, Scheff, Plummer coming more alive etc, but we have to see them repeat that kind of performance against an intact starting defense before declaring the offense back and firing on all cylinders.

[dbfan21]

As disappointing as the loss was, I was loving the revived offense.

I hope we can right things on D and bring the same tenacity on O versus Pittsburgh.

Go Broncos!!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by Hulamau

I agree with you totally Med on not mixing it up on that last drive enough. The whole 4th quarter Shanny seemed not to want to let Jake pass much and I can understand that earlier on when we were trying to run down the clock, and had a small lead, but we were also behind at that point and that third down was clearly the ball game as everyone knew 3 points with 2 minutes left wasn't going to cut it.
Jake made a nice break away from the sack attempt at 3rd and 9, but the two would be sackers fell down and Jake had clear sailing to either run easily for the first down or set up a nice pass for a first and probably win the game,
or at least get it into OT where we had a 50% chance on the coin toss, but he inexplicably rushed that dirt ball as if he was still trying to avoid the sack and apparently lost sight of the fact he was free and clear and that ended the show.
Jake played more than well enough to win up until that crunch time moment.
Its those kind of little things, though, that separate the good QBs from the truly great ones. If Jake had made that one play he could have buried forever the questions about getting it done in the clutch.

You could have made this alot easier on yourself and just posted: "Jake is not John Elway", and "Im still bitter over the fact that Shanahan thought that Lelie was the problem"