1. More on the Broncos in a sec, but if you didn't see, Al Wilson left the game on a stretcher with what the Broncos called a strained neck in the fourth quarter. There's probably more news on this somewhere else by the time you read this. Hope he's okay.
2. I caught a bit of the Giants-Cowboys game-I think this was only the second time I've seen the Giants this year, and I'm already completely sick of them. Anyway, I don't know if you can really see his visor color in this picture, but if Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce ever needs to look up Wheeljack's courage level, he can do it with his helmet on.
3. Speaking of Cowboys-Giants, you know that media savvy star who always whines about not getting the ball enough? What's his name? Tiki Barber? Yeah. He had another killer fumble this afternoon. Maybe Giants fans won't be so sad to see him go.
4. I've got no insight on Rob Bironas' 60-yarder to beat the Colts, but he's my hero.
5. All right, Broncos-Seahawks. Shaun Alexander carried it 26 times for 90 yards in a win at altitude, so it's not like he had a bad game. And yes, he's been hurt this year. But I can't think of a big-name player who's more underwhelming to watch. He must be really good the times I don't see him.
6. Champ Bailey, on the other hand, never disappoints, picking off Hasselbeck on an end-zone bomb in the third quarter.
7. It was 13-7 Denver at the start of the fourth quarter. Once Wilson got hurt, Seattle scored ten quick points to make it 17-13. Now we see what Jay can do. His first-down pass is tipped at the line and intercepted. NBC flashes to Jake Plummer on the sidelines and says that since 1997, his 30 fourth-quarter game-winning or game-tying drives lead the NFL. A few things:
a. First, I realize that's a bogus stat. How many guys have even been regular starters since then? Tom Brady, for example, has only played about half that span. There's Favre, Bledsoe, McNair, and that's about it, though Peyton Manning's pretty close.
b. And yes, most of Plummer's comebacks came with Arizona.
c. But still...I really didn't want to see that right then.
d. Just for the record, since his career may be over, 30 is a ton of comebacks. Almost two season's worth. John Elway, the all-time leader, had 47.(According to DenverBroncos.com, 23 of Plummer's drives won the game, rather than merely tying it.)
8. Anyway, Seattle gets a field goal, it's 20-13. Cutler hits Brandon Marshall for a short pass along the sideline, and Marshall breaks tackles all the way to the end zone. I can only remember three of his plays this year, but I'm a Brandon Marshall fan. (Seattle, of course, got the ball back and won it with a field goal. Bastards.)
9. In the end, Game 1 under Jay Cutler looked a lot like games 1-11 under Jake Plummer. The pocket still collapsed in the blink of an eye, passes were inaccurate, the ground game was inconsistent, and an unconscionable desperation heave led to a Seattle touchdown. So far, no good.
Comments
what i didn't expect:
five turnovers
tatum bell to run well
al wilson to get hurt
marshall's great play
i have the same thoughts on alexander. "league mvp" ra ra ra... not that impressive to me. tatum bell looked like the way better back that night.
the broncos looked like the same, completely anemic team they have all season. man, i loved the potent days.
is it too early to get on the van pelt wagon?
kidding...
Bell was great, at least in the first half, and that's huge. Cutler's not going anywhere if the Broncos can't establish a running game, and they at least emphasized it last night, though Seattle eventually stuffed it.
You were right about Plumber, probably a better option than Culter, I guess were stuck with Jay now. (by the way, do you think Shanahan picked Cutler b/c it was the best option, or b/c he folded to the media and fan pressures?)
I'm pretty content with Dallas' win. Vanderjac might be a little more humble now that a wash out (Grammatica) successfully replaced him-(read about his statements earlier in the season about the importance and pay of kickers)
Back to Invesco-Josh Brown has been impressive this year-kickers in general have been immaculate this year. The half time call that may have ruined our kicker-cool to see elam run for the first time in his career, unfortunately it accomplished nothing. At least pulling your groin at warm-up kicking 65 yarder could potentially help your team, trick play on 4th down with 20 secs in the half, maybe not so good of the choice.
Do we start preparing for next season, or are the playoffs still a potential?
Vanderjagt might be humble now? That's a good one.
You know, if Elam could have run out of bounds, that would have been a pretty sweet play. Too bad he runs a 12.9 40. I have to admit, though, Plummer's no-look over-the-head pitch was the nicest toss of the night.
The Broncos can certainly make the playoffs. I'm not really sure how to prepare for next year other than maybe playing Cutler, anyway (and even that's a stretch), because it's not like we have a lot of young players just waiting to be featured more. Shoot, I see Tony Scheffler in all the time, though not necessarily doing anything. So there's no need to change up strategy in that regard.