Optimism vs. Pessimism

[telluride]

So, here's the dilemma. As excited as I am about our offense, I'm equally if not more distressed about our defense. Which makes each Sunday a dicey proposition. For instance, last week I was optimistic we'd win pretty easily, thus the loss was especially depressing. (This seems always to be the case: lose to a team you expected to lose to, and somehow it's not as wounding; lose to a team you know you should beat, and it's crushing.)

So, how do we balance our optimism against our pessimism as the season goes forward? I'd jokingly say it's easier to simply go the pessimist route, and expect to lose virtually every game, which would make any victories that much sweeter. But the fact is, our defense is so very very bad that this scenario doesn't seem so far-fetched. Can anyone give me anything optimistic about our defense to cling to?

(And I should have prefaced all this with my shorthand assessment of the defense: We have undersized, underachieving, mostly mediocre players being coached and schemed by an aging defensive coordinater who has failed every time he's been tapped to lead a defense. Argh.)

[ludo21]

our D kept us in that game after our offense continued to turn the ball over and struggle in the RZ

[broncosteven]

Based on Shanny's new found patience to "Build through the Draft" I am going to enjoy what happens this year, hope all our start players on O stay healthy and look forward to the offseason moves that upgrades our D.

[Bronx33]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

Based on Shanny's new found patience to "Build through the Draft" I am going to enjoy what happens this year, hope all our start players on O stay healthy and look forward to the offseason moves that upgrades our D.

Exactly..

[oubronco]

they are a recently put together unit give them time to gel

[Popps]

Originally Posted by ludo21

our D kept us in that game after our offense continued to turn the ball over and struggle in the RZ

Somewhat debatable. The D was put in a bad spot, but then they also allowed a couple of long drives and had real chances to make 3rd down stops that could have put us back in the game... and they folded. Only two scores of the 33 points were bad field position/turnover. We gave up 200 yards to Johnson.

We didn't completely collapse, but it's hard for me to say they kept us in it, either.

On the optimistic side (yikes)... our defense does somehow seem to be able to usually play fairly well on 1st and 2nd downs. It's our 3rd down D and passing situations where it's just maddeningly ineffective. Obviously that all just gets down to pass-rush.

Same problem we've had for a decade.

[telluride]

Originally Posted by broncosteven

Based on Shanny's new found patience to "Build through the Draft" I am going to enjoy what happens this year, hope all our start players on O stay healthy and look forward to the offseason moves that upgrades our D.

Very wise. I just hope our offseason moves include dumping the entire defensive coaching staff.

[OABB]

actually, telluride. you are the best person to answer your own question as I have seen you try both approaches these last few years.

What do you think is better.

in my personal experience, both sides lead to dissapointment. this year I have been very middle of the road, almost zen-like, and it has made the season much more enjoyable as a fan. when you are an optimist, you get let down, and when you are a pessimist you miss the joy.

this years broncos are fun to watch no matter what happens. I can see mile high magic coming back, and I like it.

[watermock]

I'm happy we got the offense set. We can do alot with the D next year. ST's are better too.

Cutler will learn more about when to taske chances, but he might have a litttle Favre in him...I'll take that.

I KNOW he's throwing less than Elway did firsst 2/3 years.

[2KBack]

Originally Posted by Popps

Somewhat debatable. The D was put in a bad spot, but then they also allowed a couple of long drives and had real chances to make 3rd down stops that could have put us back in the game... and they folded. Only two scores of the 33 points were bad field position/turnover. We gave up 200 yards to Johnson.

We didn't completely collapse, but it's hard for me to say they kept us in it, either.

On the optimistic side (yikes)... our defense does somehow seem to be able to usually play fairly well on 1st and 2nd downs. It's our 3rd down D and passing situations where it's just maddeningly ineffective. Obviously that all just gets down to pass-rush.

Same problem we've had for a decade.

Actually, 20 points were scored on drives that started in Denver territory

[Cito Pelon]

I guess there's always room for optimism.

[telluride]

This game will be a good test. If we can see even a little bit of improvement from the D -- either in execution or game plan -- then I think I'll allow some optimism to creep back into the mix. If they get worse yet again this week, I'll just write the D off entirely for the year. (On the offensive side, I'm really just enjoying the talent/youth/verve.)

I do find myself wondering how Shanny deals with all this. Knowing he has a playoff quality offense, and then seeing his defense sabotage all that promise -- and knowing too, that it's ultimately his fault the defense sux. Talk about a zen dilemma.

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by telluride

This game will be a good test. If we can see even a little bit of improvement from the D -- either in execution or game plan -- then I think I'll allow some optimism to creep back into the mix. If they get worse yet again this week, I'll just write the D off entirely for the year. (On the offensive side, I'm really just enjoying the talent/youth/verve.)

I do find myself wondering how Shanny deals with all this. Knowing he has a playoff quality offense, and then seeing his defense sabotage all that promise -- and knowing too, that it's ultimately his fault the defense sux. Talk about a zen dilemma.

I still think his ego has him thinking we can outscore them with the O, too bad we have to put up 34 points a game or more to win a nail bighter.

I gave him 3 years to be competitive with the switch to Jay. He has done that, they better get to at least AFC CHampionship game next year.

[watermock]

Or what?

[Br0nc0Buster]

There is nothing positive about this defense. Might be the worst defense I have ever seen.

My hopes was to get to the playoffs, anything beyond that is gravy.
I think this team can do that because our schedule looks easy on paper.

But the offense is worth watching, and I do remind myself we have a young elite WR and a potentially young elite QB. The offense is built, and we dont have to worry about it.
So I will watch them for that, and get excited about how they plan to upgrade the defense in the offseason.

But the defense is absolute trash, I expect them to be terrible all year long.

[footstepsfrom#27]

How about realism?

[Steve Prefontaine]

I came into the season with almost no expectations about the playoffs, let alone a serious run.

I am so ****ing excited about this young offense. Cutler has exceeding the expectations and he has so many weapons unlike the past couple years. Marshall is just sick. Royal looks like the real deal. The WR depth is the best I've ever seen in Denver. Scheffler has been inconsistent, but spectacular at times. The o-line has been solid, especially protecting Cutler. If Torain can solidify the run game, this offense is going to special the rest of this year and years to come.

Of course I'm disappointed with the defense, but the way the offense has played has offset that disappointment and each week I'm excited to watch the game. Much more excited than I have the previous couple years.

So I HOPE the defense gets better this year, but I'm not really expecting it. I'm sure it will be addressed next offseason and if things get work out there, I'm looking forward to a very serious Super Bowl run next year.

Anything playoff related this year is just gravy.

GO MOTHER****ING BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tombstone RJ]

Originally Posted by telluride

So, here's the dilemma. As excited as I am about our offense, I'm equally if not more distressed about our defense. Which makes each Sunday a dicey proposition. For instance, last week I was optimistic we'd win pretty easily, thus the loss was especially depressing. (This seems always to be the case: lose to a team you expected to lose to, and somehow it's not as wounding; lose to a team you know you should beat, and it's crushing.)

So, how do we balance our optimism against our pessimism as the season goes forward? I'd jokingly say it's easier to simply go the pessimist route, and expect to lose virtually every game, which would make any victories that much sweeter. But the fact is, our defense is so very very bad that this scenario doesn't seem so far-fetched. Can anyone give me anything optimistic about our defense to cling to?

(And I should have prefaced all this with my shorthand assessment of the defense: We have undersized, underachieving, mostly mediocre players being coached and schemed by an aging defensive coordinater who has failed every time he's been tapped to lead a defense. Argh.)

Sure, I'll give you some positives.

1. Slowik is the new coordinator and he's implementing a new scheme, I'd give them until aproximately mid season before I called him or the scheme a failuer.

2. There's alot of youth on this defense so they need to grow with Slowik.

3. Carlton Powell is still a complete unknown, and he may still play this year.

4. Woodyard at the very least, looks like a possible Keith Burns on STs and possibly a future starter at LB.

5. Spencer Larsen might not be lightning fast, but he brings the wood and can tackle.

6. JMFWs is learning the hard way, which might prove invaluable toward the end of the season if he keeps playing and learning.

7. Dewayn Robertson still has alot of game left in him and he's re-adjusting himself to the 4-3, and getting used to a new team with a new def. coordinator, so there's lots of room for improvement.

8. It takes time for young dlineman to adjust to the NFL so a guy like Marcus Thomas who is starting right now, should continue to get better and better.

9. Realistically, you have to give Moss at least one more year before you call him a complete bust. Hopefully the light will go on in his head, and he'll really improve, and the more he plays, the more he gets that chance.

10. Crowder may not be Julias Peppers, but he's not a complete waste of space either. He may turn out to be a pretty decent rotational DE that provides nice depth.

There, thats a quick ten off the top of my head.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Sure, I'll give you some positives.

1. Slowik is the new coordinator and he's implementing a new scheme, I'd give them until aproximately mid season before I called him or the scheme a failuer.

2. There's alot of youth on this defense so they need to grow with Slowik.

3. Carlton Powell is still a complete unknown, and he may still play this year.

4. Woodyard at the very least, looks like a possible Keith Burns on STs and possibly a future starter at LB.

5. Spencer Larsen might not be lightning fast, but he brings the wood and can tackle.

6. JMFWs is learning the hard way, which might prove invaluable toward the end of the season if he keeps playing and learning.

7. Dewayn Robertson still has alot of game left in him and he's re-adjusting himself to the 4-3, and getting used to a new team with a new def. coordinator, so there's lots of room for improvement.

8. It takes time for young dlineman to adjust to the NFL so a guy like Marcus Thomas who is starting right now, should continue to get better and better.

9. Realistically, you have to give Moss at least one more year before you call him a complete bust. Hopefully the light will go on in his head, and he'll really improve, and the more he plays, the more he gets that chance.

10. Crowder may not be Julias Peppers, but he's not a complete waste of space either. He may turn out to be a pretty decent rotational DE that provides nice depth.

There, thats a quick ten off the top of my head.

How 'bout...there's nowhere to go but up?

[Spider]

Originally Posted by telluride

. Can anyone give me anything optimistic about our defense to cling to?

give you something to cling to ? wtf is that , either the broncos are your team win lose or draw , or you jump ship ...... Holy **** , I remember when the entire stadium celebrated a 1 st down , 1 st downs were rare .........

[Inkana7]

We had 4 turnovers, one of them returned to our 2 yard line. It's a testament to our Red Zone D that KC didn't put up 40.

[telluride]

Okay, I feel more optimistic about the defense after today.