Broncos-Chargers live!

[Steve_Atwater]

8:17

We're a few minutes away from kickoff. Let me begin with a few considerations.

I was a little bit surprised to hear some commentators rooting for the Chargers in this game. People like Michael Wilbon have been trashing the Broncos all season, calling them a fraud on plenty of occasions. I think that's an absolute joke. The Chargers went to the AFC championship last season. Many people picked them to go to the Super Bowl this year. But they had an horrible season. They we're 4-8 at some point, they should have been eliminated two weeks ago by the Chiefs who lead SD by 12 with 77 seconds.

On the other hand, the Broncos didn't make the playoffs last year, their lineup on paper is nothing too impressive. Few people tought they had a chance this year. They lost about a milion running backs to injuries, and almost as many linebackers (altough they came back to play after missing some time, contrary to what happened in the offensive backfield). Champ Bailey was gone for two months. This team should beat best 5-10, on it's way to 5-11. Yet, they managed to find a way to win 8 games, and get on the brink on the playoffs. They are now a win away from pulling a huge upset by making the playoffs at 9-7. While the Chargers are a win away from sneaking into the playoffs at 8-8. And the Broncos are a fraud? Are you kiddin me???

[Steve_Atwater]

8:26

Two plays, we havent came close to stop them, and Bailey is back on the bench. what a start.

[Steve_Atwater]

8:34

Well, that was a big defensive stop after the interference penalty. Limiting the Chargers to 3 points was huge. Now, we need a sustained drive on offense, so the Chargers don't get on too much of a roll.

[Steve_Atwater]

8:43

Well how about that!

That was just a formidable drive. I think this will break to momentum of the Chargers. Not only did they were in the red zone and had to settle for three, but we comeback and score a touchdown.

Now, what's happening with Matt Prater? Was great early on, but he's been struggling very badly the last 3-4 weeks. If the Broncos loose that game for one, do you know a kicker who'll be looking for work next year?

[Steve_Atwater]

8:54

That unecesseary roughness penalty was a joke. He's sneaking, he's in the pile. Why don't we have the QB's wear a red jersey in games like they do in practice? I hope the referee's arent, conciously or unconciously, trying to compensate for Ed Hochuli's call in the first game. We'll give him benefit of the doubt, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:02

OK, the WR will need to start catching some balls. Both Marshall and Royal have missed passes they should have caught.

Also, it was pretty apparent last week, it hasn't change much. Bailey isn't fit to play. He's still on one leg and so far, I'm not sure he's really helping much.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:04

Again, if you heard what Al Micheals just said. He seems geniuinly (SP?) impressed by the three game win streak of the Chargers, and that they might just make the playoffs despite the 4-8 start. Why arent they being called what they are: The most disapointing team in the league? I don't get it.

Also, those Coors light adds with pieces of NFL coachs interviews have jumped the shark many months ago. They should really give it up. That one with Barry Switzer is really not funny.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:15

At one point, we'll have to stop them on defense.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:18

What is going on with the wide receivers? By God!!

[Steve_Atwater]

9:22

It seems pretty obvious they have very little confidence in Tatum Bell. They're not even trying to run the ball.

Also, Ryan Clady is really struggling on the left side. It is a long season in the pros, and Clady seems like he's just out of gas.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:31

If you're the defensive coordinator of the Broncos, what do you tell your team?

"Hey guys, how about this? We do a little less hitting and slapping after the play, and try to tackle them. Or break-up a pass or two. That could be fun."

Have we defended one pass so far? I don't believe so.

[Steve_Atwater]

9:41

Nothing to look at? Nothing to look at?? I hate to be the guy always accusing commentators of being in the tank for a team over another but...

I don't know how to finish that phrase...

[Steve_Atwater]

9:54

That was really a devastating interception. Score a TD, 24-13, we get the ball to begin the second half, things don't look so bad. But now...

Now, we do the Broncos have to do in the second half to try to combeack? Well, it's pretty simple: The Chargers have scored on each of their possessions in the first half, except the one that ended when they ran out the first half. None of those drives were under 58 yards. We can stop there. If they don't do something to try and fix that, the performance of the offense is irrelevant.

In an unrelated story, why is NBC pushing their new dancing show so hard to the football audience? I'm not what you would call a stereotypical, caricatural big macho football fan. And I don't care about dance on TV. I'm not sure why they show that add so much.

Break time.

[Steve_Atwater]

10:20

I'm not adding anything cause there's nothing to add. The interception in the end-zone hurts and the defense can't stop anyone.

The second interception hurts very badly. And the defense that was porous all season is just pathetic tonight. Horrible is another good word. That has to be priority #1 going into the draft and the free agency period.

[Steve_Atwater]

10:30

Brandon Stokley makes that catch 19 out of 20 times. I think it's just one of those nights.

All I want for Christmas, is for the D to knock down one pass on that drive. Than you can watch them score a touchdown.

And for the last time, I won't watch Dancing stars, understood?

[Steve_Atwater]

10:37

A stop on defense?!? Alleluia!! I can die happy!

[football junkie]

You might need a new defensive coordinator and yes the defense should be a priority in the draft and free agency.

Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, Albert Haynesworth and Tank Johnson are all free agents. Landing one or two of them could clog up the middle, stuff the run and put pressure on opposing passers.

Nnamdi Asomugha is an unrestricted free agent. If Denver could outbid Oakland and pair Asomugha and Bailey at cornerback -- that would be amazing.

It looks like Romeo Crennel will soon be available. Grab Crennel, Asomugha, Peppers and draft either the LB out of Ohio State or USC and that would be an amazing off season and could set up the Broncos for a Superbowl run in 2009.

The IR has claimed seven running backs from Denver this season. But you're right, the problem all season has been the defense.

[football junkie]

This will be the first team to spend all season in first place in a division and not make the playoffs.

I can't blame this on Jay Culter. He didn't take that next step toward greatness. But the defense being such a mess has certainly hindered his play.

He's got an arm like a rocket.

[Steve_Atwater]

10:52

I'm a the only one who would like to see Brandon Marshall try to run over guys more often? He's so big and strong, why always try to go around everybody? Lower your shoulders, rough those CB up a bit. Not all the time, that would just take a toll physically. But on some occasions, he should attack the guys on defense, wich he almost never does.

[Steve_Atwater]

You might need a new defensive coordinator and yes the defense should be a priority in the draft and free agency.

Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, Albert Haynesworth and Tank Johnson are all free agents. Landing one or two of them could clog up the middle, stuff the run and put pressure on opposing passers.

Nnamdi Asomugha is an unrestricted free agent. If Denver could outbid Oakland and pair Asomugha and Bailey at cornerback -- that would be amazing.

It looks like Romeo Crennel will soon be available. Grab Crennel, Asomugha, Peppers and draft either the LB out of Ohio State or USC and that would be an amazing off season and could set up the Broncos for a Superbowl run in 2009.

The IR has claimed seven running backs from Denver this season. But you're right, the problem all season has been the defense.

That is a good plan, I like that. Altough investing in the D-line would probably be a better idea than investing in Asomugha. We havent had a capable d-line in years.

[football junkie]

Brandon is as physical as wide outs get in the NFL. I'd be concerned that if he starts running over CB and safeties that he'll start racking up a lot penalties and maybe suspensions.

When San Diego puts up 45 points on a defense and LT hasn't rushed for 200+ yards, I think it's clear the team needs serious defensive upgrades.

[Steve_Atwater]

What I mean is that, after he catches the ball, he's always trying to go around tacklers, backing up, often losing yardage. Considering how big and strong he is, he should try to knock tacklers over from time to time.

[football junkie]

I hear what you mean about Brandon. But remember his anger issues.

I don't think San Diego is getting past the Colts next week. And if they do put up 50 on Denver -- that's just classless. Just take a knee Chargers.

[football junkie]

Stay classy San Diego -- what happened to that? Running up the score will come back to haunt them.

[Steve_Atwater]

I don't have a problem with them scoring here. If the situation was reversed, I think the Broncos would have gone for 50. Were in the division, those teams don't like each other, I think that's fair games. We keep that in mind, we'll pay them back at some point. But showering the coach, when youre sneaking into the playoffs while you should have steamrolled a joke of a division, that is weak.

And I don't understand why I havent heard the expression "chronic underachievers" used about the Chargers in the last three hours. I really don't.

[Steve_Atwater]

Well OK, that was fun. Thanks to everyone. We'll surely do some more of this next year, as we marvel at the revamped Broncos defense. The post-season analysis will come at a later date.

Steve_Atwater over and out.