How about them Broncos!
It wasn’t very long into yesterday’s 13-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens that I realized the Broncos, still scoreless, were really in no trouble whatsoever. They’ve been playing slow, defensive-minded games and pulling them out their last two games, so why couldn’t they do it again?
It’s easy to call Denver’s new keep-it-close style conservative, but that misses at least half the point. Compared to the offensive firepower the team showcased in recent years, the current gameplan is, in fact, far more risky. What happens when the other team gets the interception before halftime and kills one of our only scoring chances? (I know it's incredible that I could even suggest Jake Plummer messing up like that, but he is only human.)
What I can’t tell is whether the grind-it-out style was only an adjustment to the teams we’ve faced or if it’s fast becoming a permanent fixture in the offense. Against Baltimore, it makes sense to take time off the clock, since the only way they’re scoring is if you give them plenty of opportunities. (I love Steve McNair, but despite his resurgence, that is not a potent offense.) Of course, it makes sense to control the ball against anyone if you can, but Baltimore’s defense is more likely than most to make you pay for mistakes in the passing game.
This brings us to the most shocking on-screen graphic I’ve seen in years, and which many of you saw last night. I can’t remember if there was a time period restriction on it (those infamous baseball-style “Since Nov. 22, 1987,”-type stats), but it had a list of the top quarterbacks in terms of wins by three or fewer points, and the list went, from first to third, Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jake Plummer.
My question: is that a sign of actual ability, or have those guys just played in a lot of close games? In Arizona, Plummer was known for winning games in the fourth quarter. While he hasn’t really had any memorable comeback wins for the Broncos, he has spearheaded a number of late drives for wins or crucial insurance points. This year, he’s done it three times in four games. I’d say that’s pretty good.
Can we count on it to continue? Maybe. Personally, I think the fact that Mike Shanahan is even considering trying to win games this way is a huge vote of confidence in Plummer. Do you realize how much the Broncos are relying on him now?
Obviously, the real star last night was the defense, and Champ Bailey’s pick in the end zone the clear play of the game. Is the D good enough to carry us through the regular season, or does the offense have to pick it up? Can the offense pick it up? Is a deep playoff run already out of the question, or are we a 3-1 team that still has room to improve?
---------------------------
Hole Punch Sports has recently come under fire from someone far too cowardly to comment here for excessive Broncos coverage. I kind of agree, though I went ahead with this, obviously...but let me know what y’all think.
7 comments:
Excessive Bronco coverage certainly takes away any unwanted attention away from Buffs.
I didn't hear Ray Lewis' name called very often during the game. Was that because I recorded much of the game and used the 30-second forward button to bypass replays or was he not in on many tackles?
I think it's because you were watching ESPN, not Court TV.
Well, yeah, I don't know. And related to that, we've seen the offense get off to terrible starts and bounce back, too. Remember two years ago (the Reuben Droughns season)? We were awful at first, then produced as usual by season's end. So it could go either way. It just seemed to me, and maybe I'm wrong, that the Broncos weren't really trying to open up their offense any, and that's what really surprised me. I, too, am anxious to see if that will last (and I hope it doesn't).
mike, i trust hps editor completely, do whatever the hell you want.
as a complete broad brush stroke observation here, one of my favorite things about the world wide web is that it caters to the most extreme forms of specialization.
where else on this earth could i find a sports blog that is well written, and repelete with tributes to the duke and shots at smoky hill football and fort collins community college.
aside from kip criter's blog... i don't know of any.
i am looking forward to the inevitable post about the buffs. yikes.
georgia could've changed our entire year. could.
've.
i know it's the pessimist in me, but i can't tell if it's our potent defense or the impotent offenses on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Yeah, wow, the Buffs, huh? You guys gonna keep bringing that up? Ah...I had such high hopes this year, I really did. I totally bit the Dan Hawkins hype-glad I didn't go on record here, though.
We will deal with the Buffaloes shortly.
Broncos coverage is why I tune in. Who gives a freakin' flip about the New York Yankees. May they choke on their cash.
No argument here, but I figured I'd at least to pretend to know that baseball's going on.
Post a Comment