The "official" halfway way through the season thread - The Orange Mane

ZONA · 11-13-2009, 09:12 PM

I think it's a good idea to take a look at things now as we have wrapped up the 1st half of the season. There weren't alot of expectations outside of the Broncos locker room in terms of having success this season but a quick 6-0 start became the talk of the NFL (along the with Saints of course). Things have gotten a little rough with losing our last 2 but let's put things back into perspective here. This team is going through a total rebuild and when you look at what they have done, it's amazing. It would have been amazing to be 6-2 having played a weak schedule but when you look at the records of the teams we've played so far, it's even more amazing. I don't think there is a single team that can boast a strength of schedule quite like we can.

6 of our 8 games come against teams with impressive records (and the Ravens are no doubt the best damn 4-4 team EVER in the NFL).

6-2
6-2
6-2
6-2
5-3
4-4

Okay, so does that put things back into perspective a little bit? I know there have been some guys starting to crank up their moaning engines with 2 recent losses but let's remember what we were thinking just a little while ago when the season first started and then also looking at the quality of teams the Broncos have faced.

I look forward to a great 2nd half of the season and hopefully a playoff birth. That would really put this team ahead of schedule for a total rebuild.

Durango · 11-13-2009, 09:55 PM

I have to say that this season has surprised the hell out of me. I'm not a Josh McDaniels fan, but the man clearly isn't in over his head. Now that teams have considerable film on Denver, I would hope he would make adjustments to the predictability factor which I believe has contributed some to the two straight losses. I'm certain Nolan will mix up the defensive schemes. He has shown a very refreshing ability to make half-time adjustments that we never could have hoped for under Slowik.

For a first half of the season, McDaniels is coach of the year. Knocking off New England was unreal. In the second half, we have two games against Kansas City and one more against Oakland, so 9 wins seem a lock no matter what else happens, but I expect the Broncos to knock off a San Diego (again), and/or Indy and maybe even Philly. 11 wins seems very much within reach. Unbelievable.

Kudos to McDaniels. Never thought it would happen. Not this year. Not next year. The Boy Blunder no more, that's for sure.

ZONA · 11-13-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durango

I have to say that this season has surprised the hell out of me. I'm not a Josh McDaniels fan, but the man clearly isn't in over his head. Now that teams have considerable film on Denver, I would hope he would make adjustments to the predictability factor which I believe has contributed some to the two straight losses. I'm certain Nolan will mix up the defensive schemes. He has shown a very refreshing ability to make half-time adjustments that we never could have hoped for under Slowik.

For a first half of the season, McDaniels is coach of the year. Knocking off New England was unreal. In the second half, we have two games against Kansas City and one more against Oakland, so 9 wins seem a lock no matter what else happens, but I expect the Broncos to knock off a San Diego (again), and/or Indy and maybe even Philly. 11 wins seems very much within reach. Unbelievable.

Kudos to McDaniels. Never thought it would happen. Not this year. Not next year. The Boy Blunder no more, that's for sure.

And yet another thing I think is quite amazing is that he has done this with alot of players that other teams thought of as pretty much junk. Yes we had some talented players from our most recent drafts but there was a load of crap players from the last few Shanny teams and he cut them and had to go with low end FA's and no names for the most part. I'm pumped about the future with Josh and Nolan getting a few good drafts under their belt.

houghtam · 11-14-2009, 12:00 AM

I call it the college football effect. You have to lose early or you're not for real.

If you're 6-2 on a 6 game winning streak, everyone talks about how awesome you are. If you're 6-2 on a 2 game losing streak, you get crap and people say teams are figuring you out.

6-2 is 6-2. It's the equivalent at midseason of being 12-4. I'm happy with that.

ZONA · 11-14-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houghtam

I call it the college football effect. You have to lose early or you're not for real.

If you're 6-2 on a 6 game winning streak, everyone talks about how awesome you are. If you're 6-2 on a 2 game losing streak, you get crap and people say teams are figuring you out.

6-2 is 6-2. It's the equivalent at midseason of being 12-4. I'm happy with that.

Good point. And I will just reiterate this point.

6-2
6-2
6-2
6-2
5-3
4-4

sirhcyennek81 · 11-14-2009, 11:31 PM

Am I missing something? We play KC twice, Oakland once, Washington once over the next 8 games...

*Edit* I am a fool. I didnt read the first post correctly. That first half of the schedule looked bad in offseason...yet we came through it at 6-2.

sirhcyennek81 · 11-14-2009, 11:37 PM

@ Wash 2-6
SD 5-3
NYG 5-4
@ KC 1-7
@ INDI 8-0
Oak 2-6
@ PHI 5-3
KC 1-7

Rock Chalk · 11-14-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirhcyennek81

Am I missing something? We play KC twice, Oakland once, Washington once over the next 8 games...

And San Diego at home and a Giants team that is reeling.

If we handle up with the games we should win, KC, Joketown, Foreskins, Chargeless and then sneak one of the Giants, Colts or Eagles, thats 6 more wins.

I'll take 12-4 but I think at the worst, Denver is finishing 11-5.

Thats a damn fine first season for Josh McD IMO.

Rausch 2.0 · 11-15-2009, 12:34 AM

You play KC twice, Joketown, and the foreskins.

Now would be the time to open up the passing game and take risks. Work out whatever kinks you might have and give Orton more room to grow into the offense against $3it opponents...

Popps · 11-15-2009, 01:46 AM

Couldn't be more proud of this team, especially considering the offseason and how everyone wanted to leave them for dead.

That said, it's just all about finishing. This isn't a Superbowl team, but I just want to see this team fight hard and finish strong.

Arizona had a mediocre season last year... but finished strong and it paid off with a SB appearance.

Finishing a season strong does nothing but good things for your franchise. You carry that momentum into the postseason, and into the next season. We need to break the cycle of fading as the season goes on.

I suspect with the kind of coaching and leadership we have... this team will gut it out and make the fans proud.

Broncomutt · 11-15-2009, 01:53 AM

I will be very disappointed if this team collapses like it has the past few years.

GeniusatWork · 11-15-2009, 08:11 AM

It was a very good first half. Yes the important thing is to bloody well finish strong. And it starts today. We can't let the weak teams steal a victory.

4-4 is very doable, but that might not make the playoffs so we will have to beat all the weak teams and get 2 wins against the strong four. Sweeping the Division games would be huge.

McDman · 11-15-2009, 08:20 AM

We have two K.C. games, the Raiders, and Washington. If we don't get to 10 wins I will be very disappointed.

tsiguy96 · 11-15-2009, 08:30 AM

schube13
Broncos have toughest strength of schedule (opp. 36-28 / .563) among teams with winning records...fifth-toughest overall in NFL

JCMElway · 11-15-2009, 08:56 AM

@ Wash 2-6 -- W
SD 5-3 -- W
NYG 5-4 --W
@ KC 1-7 -- W (But I STILL hate playing at arrowhead)
@ INDI 8-0 -- L
Oak 2-6 -- W
@ PHI 5-3 -- L
KC 1-7 -- W

12-4 seems within reach.

11-13-2009, 09:12 PM	#1
ZONA Ring of Famer Liquid greatness in every packet Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,396 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	The "official" halfway way through the season thread I think it's a good idea to take a look at things now as we have wrapped up the 1st half of the season. There weren't alot of expectations outside of the Broncos locker room in terms of having success this season but a quick 6-0 start became the talk of the NFL (along the with Saints of course). Things have gotten a little rough with losing our last 2 but let's put things back into perspective here. This team is going through a total rebuild and when you look at what they have done, it's amazing. It would have been amazing to be 6-2 having played a weak schedule but when you look at the records of the teams we've played so far, it's even more amazing. I don't think there is a single team that can boast a strength of schedule quite like we can. 6 of our 8 games come against teams with impressive records (and the Ravens are no doubt the best damn 4-4 team EVER in the NFL). 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-3 4-4 Okay, so does that put things back into perspective a little bit? I know there have been some guys starting to crank up their moaning engines with 2 recent losses but let's remember what we were thinking just a little while ago when the season first started and then also looking at the quality of teams the Broncos have faced. I look forward to a great 2nd half of the season and hopefully a playoff birth. That would really put this team ahead of schedule for a total rebuild.

11-14-2009, 11:31 PM	#6
sirhcyennek81 Yes...swooping is bad... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florence, Colorado Posts: 20,678 Adopt-a-Bronco: All of them.	Am I missing something? We play KC twice, Oakland once, Washington once over the next 8 games... Edit I am a fool. I didnt read the first post correctly. That first half of the schedule looked bad in offseason...yet we came through it at 6-2. Last edited by sirhcyennek81; 11-14-2009 at 11:38 PM..

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11-13-2009, 09:55 PM	#2
Durango Perennial Pro-bowler Woodsman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Durango Posts: 852 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	I have to say that this season has surprised the hell out of me. I'm not a Josh McDaniels fan, but the man clearly isn't in over his head. Now that teams have considerable film on Denver, I would hope he would make adjustments to the predictability factor which I believe has contributed some to the two straight losses. I'm certain Nolan will mix up the defensive schemes. He has shown a very refreshing ability to make half-time adjustments that we never could have hoped for under Slowik. For a first half of the season, McDaniels is coach of the year. Knocking off New England was unreal. In the second half, we have two games against Kansas City and one more against Oakland, so 9 wins seem a lock no matter what else happens, but I expect the Broncos to knock off a San Diego (again), and/or Indy and maybe even Philly. 11 wins seems very much within reach. Unbelievable. Kudos to McDaniels. Never thought it would happen. Not this year. Not next year. The Boy Blunder no more, that's for sure.

11-14-2009, 12:00 AM	#4
houghtam WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION MethWolfeAlliance Member #11001001 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 5,033 Adopt-a-Bronco: Demon Eagles	I call it the college football effect. You have to lose early or you're not for real. If you're 6-2 on a 6 game winning streak, everyone talks about how awesome you are. If you're 6-2 on a 2 game losing streak, you get crap and people say teams are figuring you out. 6-2 is 6-2. It's the equivalent at midseason of being 12-4. I'm happy with that.

11-14-2009, 11:37 PM	#7
sirhcyennek81 Yes...swooping is bad... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florence, Colorado Posts: 20,678 Adopt-a-Bronco: All of them.	@ Wash 2-6 SD 5-3 NYG 5-4 @ KC 1-7 @ INDI 8-0 Oak 2-6 @ PHI 5-3 KC 1-7

11-15-2009, 12:34 AM	#9
Rausch 2.0 Angry Drunken German Angry Drunken German Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jefferson City, Mo. Posts: 611 Adopt-a-Bronco: McD	You play KC twice, Joketown, and the foreskins. Now would be the time to open up the passing game and take risks. Work out whatever kinks you might have and give Orton more room to grow into the offense against $3it opponents...

11-15-2009, 01:46 AM	#10
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,786	Couldn't be more proud of this team, especially considering the offseason and how everyone wanted to leave them for dead. That said, it's just all about finishing. This isn't a Superbowl team, but I just want to see this team fight hard and finish strong. Arizona had a mediocre season last year... but finished strong and it paid off with a SB appearance. Finishing a season strong does nothing but good things for your franchise. You carry that momentum into the postseason, and into the next season. We need to break the cycle of fading as the season goes on. I suspect with the kind of coaching and leadership we have... this team will gut it out and make the fans proud.

11-15-2009, 01:53 AM	#11
Broncomutt Truth is.... Goliath never stood a chance. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waxhaw, NC Posts: 1,092	I will be very disappointed if this team collapses like it has the past few years.

11-15-2009, 08:11 AM	#12
GeniusatWork I like to be optimistic But not nauseatingly optimistic Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 243 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	It was a very good first half. Yes the important thing is to bloody well finish strong. And it starts today. We can't let the weak teams steal a victory. 4-4 is very doable, but that might not make the playoffs so we will have to beat all the weak teams and get 2 wins against the strong four. Sweeping the Division games would be huge.

11-15-2009, 08:20 AM	#13
McDman Ring of Famer Huzzah! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,699 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	We have two K.C. games, the Raiders, and Washington. If we don't get to 10 wins I will be very disappointed.

11-15-2009, 08:30 AM	#14
tsiguy96 Ring of Famer New to the Forum Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 12,559 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	schube13 Broncos have toughest strength of schedule (opp. 36-28 / .563) among teams with winning records...fifth-toughest overall in NFL

11-15-2009, 08:56 AM	#15
JCMElway Moderate-erator Dominate! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 6,867 Adopt-a-Bronco: Oleg	@ Wash 2-6 -- W SD 5-3 -- W NYG 5-4 --W @ KC 1-7 -- W (But I STILL hate playing at arrowhead) @ INDI 8-0 -- L Oak 2-6 -- W @ PHI 5-3 -- L KC 1-7 -- W 12-4 seems within reach.