Broncos Season Starts and Ends With Defense

I don't want to distract anyone from the real news - Darrent Williams was shot and killed outside of a club in Denver at around 2 a.m on Monday. Our condolences to his family. But regardless of the tragedy, the Broncos will play next year. The show will go on, as they say. And so will this show.

No matter what people tell you, and no matter what the idiots say about the state of the offense or Mike Shanahan's choice to switch quarterbacks, don't believe them. This season was all about defense. At the start of the year, it was about a defense that just didn't let opposing offenses score. By the end of the year, especially after successive injuries to Sam Brandon and Nick Ferguson in the secondary, it was about a defense that couldn't stop the run, and couldn't stop teams in late winning drives.

In fact, I posted about both things last week. And sure enough, the defense couldn't stop Frank Gore (153 yards), and they couldn't stop San Francisco's offense as they drove into field goal range late in the overtime period. As Alex Smith dropped back to pass just outside of field goal range, on third down, the Broncos put no pressure on the young quarterback and he completed the pass that secured the game for San Francisco.

Even when the niners were ahead by four points with ten minutes left in the game, the defense couldn't give the Broncos offense a chance to win, letting San Francisco drive into field goal range to make it a seven point difference. This from a defense that was known early in the season for being able to make up for lackluster offensive play. So when Jay Cutler calmly lead the Broncos on a crucial 80-yard touchdown drive, all he could do was tie the game and send the Broncos into overtime.

You can say all you want about the offense that sputtered in the red zone, and gave up another interception for a touchdown. It's probably true that the Broncos should have scored 20 more points than they did. But with the game and the season on the line, the Broncos defense didn't even try to put pressure on Alex Smith. Whether it's bad coaching or lack of a defensive line, it's clear that the Broncos didn't deserve to go to the playoffs. And you can bet filling the holes on defense will be Shanahan's primary focus this off-season.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-03-2007 @ 9:41AM

Paul Wexler said...

sad sad day...I think more than ever Shanny is going to walk away from this team, this town. Its cold, you can never relive the glory days, and after reading the comments, I remember why I was so glad to leave such a backwater town. Sorry for your loss, hope we get back to making fun of the X's and O's real soon.

1-02-2007 @ 8:04PM

Nasty M said...

I just read the blog for the 49ers from Deby Newsome and I am laughing my butt off. If the 49ers, the Chargers and the Chiefs all suck then what does that make the Donkeys? Didn't the burros, donkeys, or mules get beat by those three teams? I like for a fan to support their team but you need to develop some respect for your competition. I sense a bit of anger in your message - maybe you need to figure out a way to stop
the shootings that take place in Denver instead of throwing mud at other cities. Oh yeah, isn't it the Denver thugs who throw snowballs at the opposing teams? Denver has had 4 athletes shot in the last few months and now one of them has died. Clean up your house like a good girl before you start snipping about how the 49ers paid the officals so they could win the Denver game. Once again, if the mules loose a game the other team cheated - typical Denver fan. Ugh.

1-02-2007 @ 5:07PM

skyler said...

our defence needs to pick it up they've been slacking the whole season except the first 5 or 6 games. they should fire coyer and get a new defencive cordinator. our defence shouldnt play zone they should be playing man and gaurding there dang wide reciever not leting them catch the ball and then tackle them. tackle them from the start dont even let them have a chance from the begining. come on D toughen up.

1-02-2007 @ 5:42PM

George B Vieto said...

First of all condolensces to the Williams family on their loss. Mike Shanahan will get some defensive help for mext season Bronco team. Defense wins games in the NFL.

1-02-2007 @ 7:39PM

Nickster said...

Better get a new offensive line to go with those holes in the Defense as well. It is a sad day with the news of Willams. Our prayers to the family and Broncos. Things like this just do not make any sense. People should not die this way

1-02-2007 @ 8:07PM

Gabe Stein said...

Is Nasty M reading the same post/comments as the rest of us? For what it's worth, Denver is the country's 9th safest city with a population over 250K according to City Mayors. So, speaking of slinging mud nasty...

1-03-2007 @ 3:54PM

Steve James said...

First of my condolensces to the Willams family but donot get to down they will get back they just need an D end and a real runing back i like the bells but i want to WIN IT ALL not with them or maybe someone that can run for short yards.

1-06-2007 @ 12:20PM

Paul said...

Major problems with the bronco's, and few of them Plummers. One of the best QB's on the run with grass stains on his back? every game until benched? Sounds like an offensive line problem. In order #1 problem Coaching: If you see weakness or failure, work on it. Poor offensive game plan and lack of ability to change when current plan does not work. How many runs up the middle did Reeves oops I meant Shannahn try and fail on goal line? 3 Trips on goal line. Trying to win a game only using a Corner? And blowing too many leads late in game due to looking at the clock instead of the other team! #2 Offensive line #3 Special teams, nothing special there. (exclude extra point and going for 3) #4 Defense, they did well at first, but not as well as claimed. Injuries and wearing them down through the season caused a breakdown. Line could use a little work, but I think they would be more effective if they actually put pressure on the other teams QB. 24/27 cannot do it all, (RIP D.W.)