Broncos @ Patriots

[Mile High Mania]

I know there's a bit of 'over load' on a certain topic, but it's Friday...

First off, I'm not expecting a Broncos' victory on Saturday night. I do think that Denver can be productive against the Patriots' defense, but they're going to need another solid game across the board.

Run with the consistency and passion that they had in the earlier game this season, mix in passing that we saw last week ... and DO NOT turn the ball over. If they do this, then yes Denver can score 21-30 points on this defense.

The big challenge is Denver's defense. They cannot allow Brady to sit back there and pick them apart. They need to mix up their looks and pressure Brady early and often. Denver has the defense that can do what's necessary to win, but it will be by far their toughest challenge of the year.

At the very least, I'm hoping for a close and competitive game. Denver has to force NE into punting situations early...

The non-homer in me says Patriots 34 / Denver 24
The cautiously optimistic fan in me says Denver 30 / Patriots 27

I do think we'll see a better game that many expect. Everything at this point to me is gravy, I never viewed it as a reality at any point in the season.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Possibly, but I think they give it another season with a retooling on offense to see if they can bring in players to open things up.

Everyone points to the QB as being the big problem... I'm not convinced that they have the right weapons for a consistently productive passing attack. I'm not going to debate it all here though... would be pointless since most think that TT has not shot.

I think they can make it work - question is, can they get the right components in there during the off-season. And, yeah - they were fortunate in a few situations, but it wasn't all magical luck. They did win a crappy division, someone had to and they defeated the Steelers. It is what it is... they took some steps forward.

Well when you need to "make it work" that says that there are many things that need to go thier way for it to work. I think there are just too many pieces needed to "make it work" in a reaonable amount of time in the "win now" NFL with TT. Yeah - they took a step forward and were fortunate to beat Pittsburgh - and I look at it as they caught the Steelers at the right time - just more of the "weird stuff" that went their way. I think it was more of a fluke like the many last second wins all season. Just too many to count on as a stable stepping stone. Easy to defend the offense - Just stay at home on all the fakes and force TT to beat you with his passing. More times than not he can't / won't. Translates to ups and downs with more downs. Again, just my take.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by TEX

Well when you need to "make it work" that says that there are many things that need to go thier way for it to work. I think there are just too many pieces needed to "make it work" in a reaonable amount of time in the "win now" NFL with TT. Yeah - they took a step forward and were fortunate to beat Pittsburgh - and I look at it as they caught the Steelers at the right time - just more of the "weird stuff" that went their way. I think it was more of a fluke like the many last second wins all season. Just too many to count on as a stable stepping stone. Easy to defend the offense - Just stay at home on all the fakes and force TT to beat you with his passing. More times than not he can't / won't. Translates to ups and downs with more downs. Again, just my take.

The fun thing is we'll all find out in 2012. Signs point to TT being the starting QB, the guy earned the opportunity and yes - they do need to bring in another QB to push him and/become a capable backup in the system they need to run.

TT isn't like most QBs and that's not necessarily a bad thing. There are a number of prolific 'would love to have QBs' not playing this next weekend and in more cases than not, it's because their defenses failed them.

Defense is still a strong piece to advancing deep. Brady's offense is a bit of an exception because of the playmakers they have on offense, but we'll see if BAL can limit them. NE still has not won a game vs a team that ended the season greater than 8-8... so, they've had an interesting ride as well.

Denver's defense took some very positive steps forward this year, but it's not enough. Not many teams have the offensive firepower to keep up with NE when they roll like they did on Saturday.

I still believe that had Denver had a viable threat at TE and a better lead WR... maybe their offensive play calling would have been a bit different. TT certainly has room to grow and become more consistent and there were several key drops this past weekend - comes from having unproven guys at WR. Yes, he missed some open guys... it's going to happen. Offensively, they have a lot of work to do, but I don't think it's insane to think that they can't improve. No, TT will likely never become a 3,800 yard, 27TD with 60% completions type of QB... but, that doesn't mean they can't have a successful and productive offense.

Why are the 49ers where they are today? Defense and rushing... Smith finally was able to produce (nothing flashy at all) when the team came together with the new HC.

Denver went through that as well this year... but they don't have a Gore or Davis that help in the short game. Davis accounted for a 1/3 of Smith's TDs in 2011... they weren't lighting it up on offense through the air.

Against the Saints, he came through when they needed him ... just as TT had done several times this year. So, all I'm saying is - it's not unrealistic to think that Denver can make this work.

Several things need to be tweeked in the off-season.

Add:
Pass catching RB(s)
TE Threats
WR that can keep the DBs honest, and I'm fine if they can bring back Royal at the right price. Thomas, Decker, Royal are a nice 3some, but they're not an elite group at this point. They do need help as neither of these guys has proven to be a security blanket over the middle.

Defensively... DBs/CBs need some enhancement. It may be time to move Bailey to S and put a younger CB out there.

Goal #1 - win the AFCW ... and none of the teams in our division are on the verge of being elite, but most should improve this off-season.

[tooge]

so, say TT isn't the answer and he has basically peaked, which many many NFL guys have stated is what they think is the case. They improve some of the cast around him, and get a little better. After a year or two of seeing the same TT, they realize its time to move in a more conventional direction with a QB. They draft some young guy. It takes him two years to develop. Now your window is closed. The young D isn't young anymore. It is a win now league, and the possibility of setting the organization back four or five years by sticking with TT is what would worry me if I was a Bronco fan. I am not however, so I say stick with him.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by cardken

Tom Brady, dare I say this out loud. Could have sat after the half if at least the third quarter. Brady left a game in the Third Quarter with 11 mins left after throwing 6TD's and 360yds ( Oct 18 2009 vs. Titans). And the score 45 to nothing. Just saying. F@$K Tom Brady and "The Hoody."

**** you douche nozzle. Donkeys got exactly what they deserved. They could have put 20 more on your beloved . I'm pissed they didn't

[LiveSteam]

As much as I hate to say it. The kids gonna work his ass off in the off season & will be better Q/B next year. Just how much can he improve? Thats the question.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by tooge

so, say TT isn't the answer and he has basically peaked, which many many NFL guys have stated is what they think is the case. They improve some of the cast around him, and get a little better. After a year or two of seeing the same TT, they realize its time to move in a more conventional direction with a QB. They draft some young guy. It takes him two years to develop. Now your window is closed. The young D isn't young anymore. It is a win now league, and the possibility of setting the organization back four or five years by sticking with TT is what would worry me if I was a Bronco fan. I am not however, so I say stick with him.

Please notice what I'm saying here... I believe that by upgrading the talent around him (true TE threat(s) and pass catching RBs) will not only help him, but it would help any QB.

I'm not asking for them to implement an offense that is only custom built for TT... I believe that if Denver had more mature and proven WRs and a legit TE threat, you would have seen more passing - especially short yardage.

If you deny the fact that Denver's WRs/TEs weren't up to par with most other teams... then I think you're either overlooking something that is pretty obvious or just laser focused on making TT the root of all their offensive problems.

And, to me... TT has 2012 to show what he can do at QB with a few more improved weapons around him. The guy is signed through 2014, but they are not tied to him by a crazy contract. I think if they can improve the talent on offense and they get more creative with the offense... yet, he still doesn't improve, then ... you demote him, cut him, whatever going into 2013.

Base salary
2010: $1.295 million (fully guaranteed)
2011: $1.618.75 million (fully guaranteed)
2012: $1.942.5 million (fully guaranteed)
2013: $2.266.75 million (fully guaranteed)
2014: $2.590.5 million ($567,500 guaranteed)

Defense ... the goal of every team should always be to continue to enhance your defense and that doesn't have anything to do with who the QB is on offense.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

As much as I hate to say it. The kids gonna work his ass off in the off season & will be better Q/B next year. Just how much can he improve? Thats the question.

I don't think it matters. Denver won because of their defense and, typically, the other team screwing up badly. The Chiefs were overtime away from winning the division (instead of the Broncos), yet we know how bad this team really was. Bronco Fan seems more than willing to rationalize how bad Tebow really is, whereas Chief Fan has zero issue with finding a replacement for Cassel, Palko, Orton, et al.

Tebow wasn't playing against the Patriot's offense; he was going up against a passing defense that ranked 31st going into the postseason. Yes, 31st. And he still couldn't complete many passes. Bronco fan will lay it at the feet of the line, but it's not difficult to see where the problems lie. Fortunately for us, the Broncos don't seem a bit interested in fixing the problem.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I don't think it matters. Denver won because of their defense and, typically, the other team screwing up badly. The Chiefs were overtime away from winning the division (instead of the Broncos), yet we know how bad this team really was. Bronco Fan seems more than willing to rationalize how bad God's anointed NFL disciple really is, whereas Chief Fan has zero issue with finding a replacement for Cassel, Palko, Orton, et al.

God's anointed NFL disciple wasn't playing against the Patriot's offense; he was going up against a passing defense that ranked 31st going into the postseason. Yes, 31st. And he still couldn't complete many passes. Bronco fan will lay it at the feet of the line, but it's not difficult to see where the problems lie. Fortunately for us, the Broncos don't seem a bit interested in fixing the problem.

Again, you're discounting what I think is every bit as important in this one... the weapons in the passing game. If you think they have a top 12 set of weapons, then I think you're giving them too much credit. Thomas, Royal, Decker ... then there's really not a TE worth mentioning.

Thomas, Decker and TT were all from the 2010 draft... and this trio didn't start working together consistently until the 5th game of 2011. They have a whole offseason now, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until we see what happens in 2012.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Again, you're discounting what I think is every bit as important in this one... the weapons in the passing game. If you think they have a top 12 set of weapons, then I think you're giving them too much credit. Thomas, Royal, Decker ... then there's really not a TE worth mentioning.

Thomas, Decker and TT were all from the 2010 draft... and this trio didn't start working together consistently until the 5th game of 2011. They have a whole offseason now, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until we see what happens in 2012.

Those guys are decent enough weapons for a competent QB. How many times did they get open only for the ball to sail 10 feet over thier heads??

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by PGM

Those guys are decent enough weapons for a competent QB. How many times did they get open only for the ball to sail 10 feet over thier heads??

Decent enough? Ok, I guess that's one way to look at it. My point is, it wasn't until after the 5th game this season that they all started working together as starters. Thomas was injured for the bulk of his first year and early on this season.

There's a learning curve here with the way things evolved this season that most want to ignore... and that's fine. We'll see how it goes in 2012.