OrangeandBlue: Denver Broncos Fan Blog

We are headed into the offseason and the speculation about offseason moves has already begun. This is a time when Broncos news slows to a crawl and participation at BroncosFreak and other forums thins out until training camp.

For many, it is tedious to sift through the message boards and news sites to keep up with all of the moves in the offseason. That is the beauty of blogs like this one that I hope you can take advantage of. I am planning to post here when there is notable news about the Broncos throughout the offseason. By subscribing to the RSS feed (see below) of this site, you can have the news automatically delivered to you.

Many sites, and almost all blogs, produce something called an RSS feed (learn more). You can use an RSS reader to automatically give you updates when any of those sites are updated. Rather than visiting each site, you can go to your news reader, and it will consolidate the new posts of all of your subscribed feeds in one place.

There are some feed readers that you can download and install on your computer. Firefox and Safari also have the built in ability to read feeds. Another option is to use a web-based feed reader, like Bloglines, which is what I use. Because it is a website, I can follow all of the RSS feeds I read by visiting Bloglines from any computer. You simply subscribe to the feeds you are interested in, and everytime you visit your feedreader, it shows you which ones have been updated.

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• OrangeandBlueBlog Feed - all of the entries that appear here
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The Denver Broncos were close this year. Closer than just about anyone expected they might be outside of the locker room. The Broncos can make another run next year with the same core squad. There is room for a few upgrades — but the starting QB is not one of them.

Many are calling for Plummer to move on after an ugly game in the AFC Championship. That would be a mistake, and there are plenty of reasons why.

There are few QBs out there who would be a better option for the Broncos than Jake Plummer — and they aren’t available. The Broncos aren’t going to be able to race out and pickup a free agent QB who is going to be an upgrade. And they aren’t going to draft someone who can lead this team next year better than Jake. We can all wish for another Ben Roethlisberger, who has performed so well in his first two years to come along, but he is far from a typical young QB. He is the second youngest QB ever to start the Super Bowl just because he is special.

Before this season, John Elway said this should be the year where everything comes together for Jake Plummer. He felt that the third year would be the one where Jake would fully grasp the offense. Apparently John Elway knows what he is talking about. I also think it is because Mike Shanahan grasps Jake Plummer. He has molded the offense toward Jake’s strengths, and away from his weaknesses. Bringing in a new QB right now would set the whole offense back. Jake had a great season, and I think he can do it again.

Jake may have had some troubles on Sunday against the Steelers, but the loss can’t be fully placed on his shoulders. As Rod Smith has said, Jake Plummer is a good QB, but he has to rely on his teammates to make him great. On Sunday, they gave him an oportunity to be average at best. The Steelers had a great gameplan and executed it well. The offensive line had poor pass blocking. Passes were dropped. Possible interceptions were dropped.

I will eagerly welcome #16 back in 2006 with any hairstyle he chooses to sport. He played a large part in getting the Broncos to the AFC Championship game. Next year, he should be given the opportunity to take this team to the next level. His coach and teammates will support him, and the fans should as well.

A few random thoughts as I’ve reflected on the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday in the AFC Championship Game:

• Not to take anything away from Pittsburgh, but it was a day where everything went their way. They made the plays they needed to make, and the Broncos didn’t. I can’t help but think how it might have changed the game if Champ Bailey would have intercepted that early pass rather than have it bounce of his shoulder pads into the hands of Hines Ward (if I remember correctly).
• Mike Anderson was looked good and the Broncos were successful running the ball early. He seemed like he was falling forward most of the time, as opposed to the Patriots game last week.
• Rod Smith described in the press conference how Jake Plummer is a good QB, but he has to let the team make him great. Yesterday, he was not great. I’d have to credit both Jake and the players around him for a less than stellar performance. I will gladly welcome Jake back next season as the start — something which I will likely post about more in the next week or so.
• Tatum Bell impressed me when he knocked Troy Polamalu to the ground with a stiff-arm. How many times has that happened to Polamalu this season? That play got lost in all the other chaos surrounding the game, but should be remembered.
• The Broncos got beat at their own game. All season they won by generating an early lead with turnovers and disrupting the offensive gameplan of the other team. It’s not so fun to watch when your team is the recipient of it as when your team is doing it.
• The AFC will still be very strong next year, but the Broncos can return as contenders. They aren’t that far off. Here’s hoping that veterans like Rod Smith, Tom Nalen and John Lynch see how close they are and return to offer their leadership.

Many thoughts rolling in my head about the AFC Championship Game, but first and foremost is props to the Steelers. They played great today and deserve to be in the Super Bowl. I’m excited for Cowher and Bettis and hope they make the most of this opportunity they’ve been waiting for for a long time.

I live in Seattle, and I want to root for the home team if they go, but it will be hard to root against a classy Steelers organization.

A few random thoughts after watching the Broncos press conference today:

• The first question asked of Shanahan was about all the new additions to the team this year. I was impressed with how he was able to thoughtfully reflect on all of them. He knows his players.
• Rod Smith is pure class. The guy didn’t talk about himself. He’s put up great numbers throughout a great career, but it is still all about the team for him. He was probably as animated talking about blocking for the running game as he was at any other time in the press conference.
• Keith Burns would be a fun guy to hang out with.
• He doesn’t seem to want to say it because of all the time he spent in Tampa, but John Lynch sure seems to enjoy playing more in Denver.
• Keith Burns did say it — all the old Browns D-linemen do enjoy playing a lot more in Denver.
• Rod Smith noted that Jake isn’t just different on the field. He’s been working hard, but he’s also loose and relaxed. He’s not feeling the pressure to carry the team.
• I’ve been getting tired of hearing about Jake’s new look. Now, it’s making sense. I think it’s a ploy to give reporters something to ask about besides his past.
• I’d still rather see Terrell Davis on the podium as a player than in the front row as press.

Some in the media have suggested that the Denver Broncos have been under the radar this season because they don’t have any superstars. Really?

Typically, QBs get top billing. As well as Grizzly Plummer has played, he still didn’t post monstrous numbers, and there are many who just refuse to get over his past. Yes…I suppose the look doesn’t help either.

RBs often get a lot of attention to. Unfortuantely we have two. Hard to feature one as a superstar when his numbers are just about equal with his counterpart.

Factor in the reality that the Broncos are a team in the truest sense of the word. They have played well together as a cohesive unit, and that’s how they present themselves. There is no one on this team who talks all about themselves in a press conference. It is all about their role in the greater whole. They have built the season on solid performances from great players up and down the roster.

But what about Champ Bailey? He’s certainly got a good nickname. Sure, he doesn’t refer to himself in the third person and maybe he could wear a little more bling. That’s usually what seems to help DBs get noticed. But, he’s been fantastic.

In week 2, the Broncos were 0-1 and trailing the Chargers 14-3 in the third quarter. Bailey picked Drew Brees and ran it back for a touchdown. The Broncos went on to win, and that was the play that arguably awoke the AFC West champs from their early season slumber.

In week 12, the Broncos were on the national stage with a Thanksgiving game against in Dallas. Even at 8-2, there were many who wondered if the Broncos were as good as their record. Again, Champ kickstarted the Broncos with an early interception return for a TD as the Broncos went on for one of seven wins against teams with a winning record — best in the league this year.

Of course, the playoff game against the Pats can’t go without mention. Down 10-6 in the third quarter, the Pats were moving the ball well when Champ intercepted Tom Brady in the end zone and took it 100 yards for an almost TD. This play defined the outcome of the game and launched the Broncos into this week’s AFC Championship game.

Those are the plays of a superstar. But even Champ Bailey is content to just be another guy on a team that is getting it done. I’m content with that too.

 One round down, two more to go.  The only problem is that the Denver Broncos face by far their toughest test yet in facing the Pittsburg Steelers on Sunday.  This Steeler team is almost a direct mirror image of Broncos themselves.  One of the strongest qualities that both these teams have is the ability to shut down the run game.  The strong combo of Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell will not win the game on Sunday for the Denver Broncos.  Two reasons why the Broncos running game is not going to beat the Steelers.  First, Bill Cower, Head Coach of the Steelers, is going to make a point in stopping Denver’s rushing attack in order to make Broncos Quarterback Jake Plummer beat them.  Secondly, the Steelers defensive front seven play with an attitude; and they are good, real good. 

Bill Cower is going to get what he wants on Sunday: Jake Plummer vs. the Pittsburg Defense.  Plummer needs to play smart, mistake-free football on Sunday if the Broncos want to win this game.  We all know Mike Shanahan is going to run the ball, so Jake won’t have to throw it forty times, but he needs to use the playaction and bootleg to his advantage.  Nobody throws on the run better than Plummer, and with the Steelers keying so hard on the run, these should work just like they have all season long. 

One concern many people have is the pressure that Jake will be feeling throughout this game.  Pressure not only from the Denver fans looking upon him from behind Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway’s shadow, but also pressure from hungry linebackers such as Joey Porter.  The Steelers are experts at pressuring the Quarterback, and we saw this on Sunday as they made Peyton Manning’s life a living nightmare.  The blitzes will be coming from all angles, and Plummer will be forced to throw both inside and outside the pocket under intense pressure.  In order for a Denver win, Plummer needs to go through his progression and he needs to stay poised.  This is Plummer’s big chance to step out of the shadow cast by Elway.

Good thing for Denver fans Plummer is not a headcase.  This guy doesn’t care what anyone thinks (hince the middle finger gesture, the beard, the long hair…).  The only thing Jake has on his mind right now is to lead his team and beat the Steelers.  Well, if the Broncos want to win this game, they better hope their fearless leader at Quarterback plays mistake-free and smart.

For those of you who visit the blog rather than reading it through a feed reader, I’ve made a few additions to the site. In the righthand column, I’ve added the FreakFeed, so now you can find all the latest Denver Broncos news either on the blog, or on the homepage of BroncosFreak.com. Below the FreakFeed, I’ve also added a Technorati feed showing the latest blog entries that contain the term “Denver Broncos” from elsewhere in the blogosphere. I’m sure some of this will just be blog spam, but you might find some other good Broncos perspectives out there.

The Broncos passing defense was ranked 29th in the league during the regular season. This ranking is based on the fact that they allowed 227.7 passing yards per game. Is this a good estimate of the Broncos passing defense? I think not. There is more to look at than just the number of yards allowed per game.

This yardage is skewed by how many teams were coming from behind and throwing a lot late in the game. Take a look at the Redskins, Patriots and Giants games, among others. You see a lot of passing happening late in the game as the Broncos played a more conservative D and gave up a lot of extra yards.

Also a factor was the Broncos rushing defense. The Broncos were second in the league in total rushing yards allowed. Teams had to pass more because their running games simply weren’t effective. This is reflected in the stats as well. Teams threw the ball over 38.3 times a game against the Broncos…highest in the league, and well over the average of 32.2. On the other hand, teams only ran it 21.5 times a game against the Broncos — lowest in the game.

Putting the different spin on the numbers, the Broncos defense allowed the third lowest pass completion percentage in the league at 56.1%. Their 5.94 yards allowed per attempt places them sixth in the league. Perhaps these numbers might give a better reflection of this passing defense.

The Broncos defense often relies on solid coverage as the defensive backs are placed in one on one coverage during blitzes. This sometimes accounts for big passing plays. However, it also accounts for a lot of hurried throws that end in incompletions and interceptions. This is also a big reason why Champ Bailey is such an important piece of the Broncos defense. His ability to cover a receiver by himself frees up another defender elsewhere.

In spite of the ranking of 29th in the league, perhaps this passing defense is at its best in obvious passing downs. Five or six (and occasionally even more!) defenders can go after the QB with little concern for the run.

Is this the best passing defense in the league? No one will argue that. But they aren’t fourth from the bottom either.

Anyone else noticing the similarities between the Broncos and the Steelers? Just take a look:

• Both teams have a very effective two headed running attack. The Broncos were 2nd in the league in rushing, and the Steelers were 5th.
• Both teams have an efficient QB who is called to control the ball and manage the offense rather than carry the team on his shoulders.
• Both teams stifled the run all season long, and ranked 2nd (Broncos) and 3rd (Steelers) in the league.
• Both teams are considered somewhat suspect against the pass, although those numbers are skewed by how many teams had to throw against them late.
• Both teams take good care of the ball while relying on their aggressive D to force some turnovers.
• Both coaches are among the most tenured coaches in the league and have lots of playoff experience.

So what’s the difference? You might look at their records against common opponents. The Broncos were 5-0 while the Steelers were 2-3. I’m not sure that one is all the meaningful. You might consider Shanahan a better big game coach with his two Super Bowl Championships to Cowher’s zero in one appearance. Shanahan might be a slightly better gameplanner, but Cowher’s big game experience can’t be discounted.

There is one clear difference this week — the fans. Not that Steeler fans aren’t great. They are. However, there won’t be nearly as many of them at Mile High next week. Broncos fans — you can…you must be the difference in this game. Disrupt the Steelers offense and let the Broncos feed on your energy. On the NFL Network, Trent Dilfer said the Seahawks fans were the most energized crowd he’s ever seen.

Let’s make him change his mind.