850 KOA Broncos Radio Blog

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

The 2007 season is in the books. It wasn’t the kind of year the Broncos wanted, and one can safely predict there will be changes.

It will be interesting to see what changes are made. Assuming there are some, one would expect the first ones would come to the coaching staff. Then beginning with free agency, the roster will be subject to microscopic evaluation.

I wish I could predict what will happen to the coaching staff. But I just don’t know what Coach Shanahan might or might not do. When a defense gives up 409 points, tied for the fourth most in Broncos’ history, it doesn’t take a genius to say that something has to get better.

At the same time, for as well as the Broncos moved the football, they didn’t do as well scoring points. So clearly the offense needs to make more strides, too.

I do think the Broncos have some good core players on offense. I am still a huge Jay Cutler fan, it is scary to think that Brandon Marshall can and will get even better, Tony Scheffler became a threat this year, Daniel Graham was a huge addition, Brandon Stokley is locked down to a three-year contract and the offensive line should get Tom Nalen back.

Yes, there are questions. Will Travis Henry or Javon Walker return? Can the Broncos again have a dominating running game? And going right to the bottom line, will they score more points?

On defense, the picture is less clear to me. If the Broncos decide to change defensive coordinators, they would have their third defensive coordinator in three years in 2008. If they don’t make a change, can familiarity with the system coupled with roster changes provide the needed improvement?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the weeks and months to come. When the off-season is here, all that we are left with is to follow the developments.

It won’t be long until the heat of summer brings another training camp and, along with it, the hope of another Super Bowl run.

Thank you so much for reading this blog all season long. Enjoy the off-season…and the changes that are bound to come.

All the best,
Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

I know there are two games left and the Broncos need to try to win them. But I’m taking a deep breath after the loss to Houston and already thinking about next year.

The Broncos aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs but the way they are playing, and have played this year, they have showed they are not a playoff team.

But they have pieces in place that, to me, show they could be a playoff team again as early as next year.

Offensively, I love the way Jay Cutler has progressed. I wrote about this a week ago and even though he has had some ups and downs, I think he is going to be terrific. Given the fact he has started just over one season worth of games, I think he has made great progress. And he will get even better.

Brandon Marshall is showing he can be a without-a-doubt, legitimate, game-breaking number one wide receiver. He has been super, and yet because he is still so young, he is bound to get better as well, provided he keeps working hard.

Tight end Tony Scheffler continues to make plays. He’s big, strong and athletic. He gives the Broncos a downfield threat from the tight end position.

I like the way Selvin Young and Andre Hall have given the Broncos options at running back. I don’t really know if either one can be a featured back in the NFL but I know they have played pretty well as rookies this year. If nothing else, they’ll give the Broncos depth at the position. They could very well give more than that.

On defense, Champ Bailey is still amazing and Hamza Abdullah has shown an ability to make plays from the safety spot. Again, Abdullah is a young player and whether or not he is ready to be a full-time starter remains to be seen.

I think D.J. Williams is a good linebacker. I don’t know football well enough to know if he is best-suited for middle linebacker or not, but he’s a quality player.

As we mentioned a week ago, Elvis Dumervil has shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback.

My biggest questions are found with the offensive and defensive lines. The Broncos have been inconsistent in running the ball and stopping the run all season long. Yes, there have been injuries and turnover in those units. But every team deals with these issues.

As I take my deep breath, I come to the realization that the Broncos have to get better up front. And I think it is possible for that to happen soon. If it does, I think the Broncos will be a playoff team again.

If it takes some time, then we’ll all have to be a little more patient.

What area would you like to see the Broncos address? Feel free to share your thoughts using the link below. And thanks for reading.

Best,
Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

There’s nothing quite like a blowout when you’re on the plus-side of it. The Broncos needed a laugher and they got one Sunday against the Chiefs.

I know, it was “only” against the Chiefs, who are certainly on the south side of decent. But still, the Broncos went out and dominated a team that they should dominate.

I was really impressed with quarterback Jay Cutler. I’ve been saying it for awhile but he continues to get better. There weren’t any red zone issues against Kansas City. The Broncos’ offense flat-out did a lot of good things against the Chiefs and Cutler was in complete control. I still find it amazing that he has made only 17 career starts in the NFL.

How good did Brandon Marshall look? Holy guacamole, this young man can play. He is becoming a terrific receiver right before our eyes. The way he gains yards after the catch, the way he has improved as a blocker…it’s impressive to say the least.

I can’t forget about the defense, either. The Chiefs gained 129 net yards. Are you kidding me? This is the NFL. 129 net yards?!

Elvis Dumervil keeps making things happen. Again, the Chiefs’ offensive line is not very good but a guy still has to go out and make plays and Elvis did that. Not only did he get to the quarterback, but he also forced Brodie Croyle to fumble the ball. Nice.

And seriously, how solid is Champ Bailey? It is such a treat to watch him play. No one throws at him for weeks and yet the last few games he winds up with a couple of interceptions.

I could go on and on. The Broncos hummed along on offense and flew around on defense. It was just fun to watch them blow somebody out, even if the team they routed is having major struggles.

Now it’s on to face the Houston Texans. If anyone thought this was going to be an easy game, then that person needs to think again. Houston upset Tampa Bay and is much, much better under head coach Gary Kubiak.

If Sage Rosenfels starts for Matt Schaub again on Thursday night, Rosenfels will certainly be confident after leading the Texans to that solid win over the Bucs on Sunday. Rosenfels is in his sixth year so he won’t get rattled too easily.

It will also be interesting to see if Coach Kubiak will have any tricks up his sleeve for Mike Shanahan. Or to flip it around, will Coach Shanahan put in any wrinkles for his longtime former assistant? Let the chess match begin.

It’s a quick turnaround for Thursday’s game. But if the Broncos can pull off a win, they’ll get a few extras days to get ready for the showdown against the Chargers.

And if the Broncos play as well as they did Sunday against the Chiefs, they’ll likely be coming back from Houston with another must win.

How encouraged were you by the win over the Chiefs? Did it make you feel better or do you chalk it up to facing an inferior opponent? Feel free to share your thoughts using the link below.

Thanks for reading.

Best,
Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

Let there be no debate: There are no excuses in the NFL. It is a bottom-line league. Teams must win or coaches and players lose their jobs.

At the same time, stating certain facts doesn’t excuse the reality of a situation. Through twelve games this year, the Broncos have been inconsistent and they have not won as many games as they believed they would.

After watching the Broncos lose to the Raiders 34-20 on Sunday, I took a moment to reflect on the season at the three-quarters mark.

I have come to see that the Broncos are a team in transition. And this has undoubtedly affected their 5-7 record.

They have transitioned to new coaches. I don’t care how good players are; it takes some time for new systems and terminology to become second nature. Yes, I’m guessing it can even take longer than a year.

On offense, the Broncos have transitioned to a new quarterback. I don’t care what anyone says about expectations. They are only as realistic as the talent and experience of the core players who have to turn those expectations into reality.

The fact is that Jay Cutler has started 17 games in his NFL career. That’s not very many. When looking at things from that perspective, I think he’s right on track to be an excellent NFL quarterback.

There have been numerous other changes on offense. The Broncos have been playing several new offensive linemen, running backs and more.

On defense, the Broncos have had to learn the system of new defensive coordinator Jim Bates. They have had to learn which players fit into that system and which positions they need to shore up.

Injuries have played a role, too. They have forced the Broncos to rely on players that they normally wouldn’t rely on to this degree. They have decided to play a greater number of younger players than usual. Young players tend to be inconsistent and they tend to need some time to develop.

The fact is that the Broncos are 5-7. I believe it’s also a fact that the Broncos are a team in transition. Most NFL teams go through times like this. While painful in the short run, I think over time the transition will be well worth it.

With the many changes this year for the Broncos, which area do you think has improved the most this year? Feel free to share your thoughts using the link below.

Thanks for reading,
Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

Games like these are like an unexpected punch to the midsection. You’re left doubling over wondering what in the world hit you.

The Broncos had everything going their way against the Bears. They led 34-20 with 10:38 left in the fourth quarter. Then things caved in.

A special teams unit that had been steadily improving fell apart. A defense that had shut down the Bears’ offense suddenly allowed a bevy of big plays.

Inconsistency reared its ugly head again and the Broncos are left to think about what could have been.

It would have been great to stay in a tie with the Chargers for first place in the AFC West. It would have been a dominating road win. It could have been another step on the way to a possibly incredible second half of the season.

All is not lost with five games left. But there’s no doubt that the picture is considerably less rosy after handing the Bears a win.

Games such as these try the core of a team. The Broncos have responded to adversity all season long. They have that opportunity again.

How confident are you the Broncos will rebound from this tough loss? Feel free to leave your thoughts using the link below.

Thanks for reading,
Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

It’s called a season for a reason. All 16 games count. And the Broncos have to be glad for that.

With the win over the Titans on Monday night, the Broncos accomplished their first task of getting back to .500. Now, they have to keep it going.

One reason to think the Broncos can and will is the play of their defense. They have changed things up, they have made adjustments, and they have received more from young players who are developing.

While Vince Young isn’t the best quarterback in the NFL, he is dangerous. The Broncos didn’t let Young take over the game. They kept him and the Titans’ offense pretty well in check.

Another reason to think the Broncos can continue to play well is the emergence of the big play. For the first time in franchise history, the Broncos had four touchdowns of over 40 yards in one game.

The week before against the Chiefs, Selvin Young had a 20 yard touchdown run and Daniel Graham caught an 18 yard scoring pass.

A third reason to think the Broncos can keep rolling is their schedule. No, there are no easy wins in the NFL. But it’s pretty clear that the Broncos early season schedule was tougher than many of us originally thought it would be.

Buffalo is solid, Jacksonville is really good, Indianapolis…need I say more?, Green Bay has lost just once, San Diego is still tough, and Pittsburgh and Detroit are definitely good teams.

Now look at the teams left on the schedule.

--Chicago…the Bears are not nearly what they used to be on both sides of the ball.
--Oakland…have to beat the Raiders if a team has playoff aspirations.
--Kansas City…all kinds of problems for the Chiefs…and it’s a home game for the Broncos.
--Houston and San Diego…certainly a difficult road games, but winnable.
--Minnesota…if a playoff berth is on the line in the regular season finale, one would think the Broncos could beat the Vikings.

My point is not that I think the Broncos will win the rest of their games. My point is that when the Broncos execute, they are a good team. If they play well down the stretch, they could very well find themselves in the playoffs.

What do you think will happen over the final six games? Feel free to offer your thoughts using the link below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks for reading.

Mike

By Mike Rice
Newsradio 850 KOA Broncos Studio Host

This is why one shouldn’t panic. There is a lot of football left.

Please don’t get me wrong. One win against Kansas City does not make the Broncos a great team. It simply makes them 4-5.

But a win against the Chiefs certainly shows the Broncos can be a better team than the one that lost big to San Diego and Detroit.

The bottom line is that the Broncos regrouped, refocused and picked themselves off the carpet and went to Kansas City, made plays and won the game. Whenever one gets humiliated, it is easy to close up shop and pack it in. I give the Broncos credit for choosing to battle, choosing to overcome and executing well enough to win in a place where they hadn’t won since 2002.

I don’t care that the Chiefs don’t have a great offense. The Broncos made plays on defense.

I don’t care that Larry Johnson wasn’t playing. The Broncos gave up 67 net rushing yards.

I don’t care if Damon Huard is a journeyman quarterback and Brodie Croyle is a rookie. The Broncos allowed 11 points.

I think you get my point: The Broncos won and that’s the bottom line. We talked about this early in the season. In the NFL, the bottom line is the bottom line.

The most positive thing to come out of the win against the Chiefs is that the Broncos played much better.

The defense forced four turnovers, scored a touchdown and recorded four sacks. They made plays. They flew around. They took some chances. They forced the issue.

The offense showed a lot more life, too. The offensive line pushed some people around. Selvin Young ran with passion. Jay Cutler battled through a leg injury, moved the team and put points on the scoreboard.

No doubt the Broncos have a lot of work to do. They did a portion of that work on Sunday against the Chiefs. That was good to see.

What did you see that you liked? Feel free to share your thoughts using the link below.

Thanks for reading!

Best,
Mike