NFP»Columns»Notes from Lombardi»Diner Morning News
RSS

Diner morning news: Broncos are in control

Injuries begin to take their toll. Michael Lombardi

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This October 20, 2009, 10:54 AM EST
18 Comments

QUOTE: “Truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas.” -- Shoseki

The truth revealed itself Monday night in San Diego, and there’s no denying the Denver Broncos. Denver now has won two road games in the AFC West, beating the Raiders and the Chargers and taking a commanding lead in the division. It would be hard to imagine this Broncos team not be able to finish the job and officially win the West.

Josh McDanielsAPJosh McDaniels and the 6-0 Broncos are proving all of the critics wrong.

They’re for real — and last night proved it to me. I’ve always been concerned about their age and lack of real speed in the secondary, but after playing well the past two weeks against some very good passing teams, I’m a believer. Not allowing the Chargers a third-down conversion in the second half was impressive, as is giving up only three points in the second half all season. This is the fourth consecutive game their defense has held an opponent to zero third-down conversions (0/23) in the second half. The Broncos have allowed only two second-half third-down conversions this season (one each in Week 1 and Week 2). These numbers are a credit to their defensive staff for being able to make the right halftime adjustments. And as we all know, football is a game of adjustments.

How did the Broncos make this incredible turnaround? Well, for one, they hired the right coach to replace Mike Shanahan in Josh McDaniels. Despite the Jay Cutler trade, which I was not a fan of, McDaniels has done a remarkable job keeping some of the team’s very good players and not running everyone out of town just because they were drafted by Shanahan. (By the way, this is what’s going on now in Kansas City, where the Chiefs are going to rid themselves of all of Carl Peterson’s picks, whether they were good or bad.) As I’ve written many times, the key to successfully running a “Belichickian” program is not in how well you can keep a secret or shield injuries from the media; it lies in the ability to evaluate -- your own talent and the potential new talent.

No better example of this is Tony Scheffler, who was rumored to be on the trading market last offseason but remained with the team and is a great mismatch player. Scheffler is able to spread out and win most matchups with safeties or out-physical smaller corners for the ball. His value is greatly enhanced because the Broncos have Daniel Graham to be the “on the line” tight end, forcing teams to respect their run game. If Scheffler was in the game alone, most teams would just go to their nickel defense and attempt to shift the matchup to their favor — much like what happens in New York with Dustin Keller.

The Broncos now can rest during the bye week and get ready for Baltimore in two weeks. Knowing McDaniels, he won’t take a break. He’ll be make sure he tends to all the details so he can improve his football team.

Shaun RogersAPIs Eric Mangini looking to ship Shaun Rogers to the Jets?

Injuries...

At this point in the season, injuries are going to take their toll on teams and might shift the balance of power. For example, losing Antwan Odom will be hard for the Bengals to overcome, as it will be for the Falcons losing corner Brian Williams. The Falcons were thin at corner to start the season, so this injury makes a tough situation worse.

Kris Jenkins tearing his ACL is a heartbreaker for the Jets. He was a rock inside, and no matter who they sign or trade for, short of the Browns’ Shaun Rogers, they’ll be hard-pressed to find an answer.

Speaking of Rogers, if Browns owner Randy Lerner lets his coach Eric Mangini trade another player to the Jets, he doesn’t care about his own team. At some point, he has to rein in the control he’s given to Mangini, and maybe the first step is bringing in former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar. Kosar was at practice last week and will report directly to the owner, not to the head coach, which might help Lerner realize that he’s given power to someone who doesn’t know how to handle the executive part of the job.

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

Comments

Add a Comment
TySly
Oct 20, 2009
11:10 AM

Every mention of Eric "the secret" Mangini makes me laugh so hard. You hit the nail on the head with that one.

Andrew N.
Oct 20, 2009
11:18 AM

Michael,

Just because I know someone else will try to rip on you for it, the Broncos have allowed 10 second half points this season. Cinci scored their touchdown in the 4th quarter. By the way that is still an amazing stat.

But you are absolutely right they are a great second half team. Which is why when watching the game last night as a Broncos fan I wasn't worried at halftime even though they were down. Which also makes it promising that they won't break down late in the season like the Broncos of the past decade.

The Gritz Blitz
Oct 20, 2009
11:37 AM

What was most revealing to me was how the Chargers defense has really become bad . Their pass rush is totally non existent .

Jim
Oct 20, 2009
11:38 AM

That was the best half of defensive football the broncos have played in a long time. If they can continue to get pressure with Elvis and DJ they are going to go far into the playoffs. As somebody who wasn't a big fan of McD during the off season, I am starting to drink the kool aid.

Julian
Oct 20, 2009
11:49 AM

The only thing stopping Mangini of trading Rogers to NY is that the Jets doesn't have many benchwarmers and special teamers to offer (he got them all, by the way)...

Scot
Oct 20, 2009
11:59 AM

One factor between the first and second half for the Broncos last night was Brian Dawkins ability to come back in the second half. Keeping Brian Dawkins healthy has to be a priority for this team. They did not look very good in the passing game when he was out.

Ryan
Oct 20, 2009
11:59 AM

I do recall you said before the Broncos were your sleeper team Mike, good choice. I must say as a Broncos fan you are the only writer in the sports media who I respect

Mike B.
Oct 20, 2009
12:11 PM

Jets fans...

Keep laughing at the Mangini trades. Just be warned that you won't be laughing so much in a few weeks when you realize Braylon Edwards is just a Monday Night player. Did you notice how many of those INT's were intended for Edwards on Sunday? The guy constantly gives up on plays...not to mention his brick hands. New York, he's your new Bobby Bonilla. Enjoy.

CW
Oct 20, 2009
02:03 PM

"New York, he's your new Bobby Bonillia"

Haha, nice one.

I just can't believe he's been able to replace a defensive unit with older veterans and be as good as they have been. I thought he was a joke of a coach when I saw him dancing back and forth in the Brandon Marshall-got-suspended press conference, but now he just might be the Coach of the Year.

Brad James
Oct 20, 2009
02:52 PM

YESSSS! My Broncos are for real! I'm glad that you are now a fully converted proselyte, Lombardi. Yes, we have given up 10 second half points but it's still impressive anyway you slice it. Our offensive line (and tight ends) are excellent strengths of our team, in addition to a lights out defense. Eddie Royal has been my favorite Bronco for quite a while and he showed me why in becoming only the sixth player since the merger to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in the same game. If you doubt the Broncos now, you're not paying attention. I am so proud to be a fan of this selfless squad and McDaniels is right for us. I feel bad for the Bengals that Antwan Odom's out for the season, while the Redskins are disastrous to say the least. The Seahawks need to play better on special teams, among other things. GO BRONCOS!!!

jamey
Oct 20, 2009
03:10 PM

I realize Mangini isn't popular - but Edwards and Sanchize don't look like too much to give up for a bag of chips this week. Even with the one foot touchdown, Braydrops dropped that PI pass in his "breakout game." Yesterday he was back to his atrocious self. We'll see how this looks in 2 years. I'm still betting on "The Secret's" moves.

mark f
Oct 20, 2009
03:20 PM

The Broncos obviously look great and I haven't seen them a ton; but they seem to be playing an awful lot of 5 to 7 yard pitch and catch.

Orton is hitting em and the WR's are good and catching them, but teams are going to start sitting on that stuff, and then it becomes a game of the QB and WR reading the coverage, and adjusting, and being on the same page and still hitting them...which is a totally different ballgame.

They're good but everyone knows it's a lot harder once that film starts piling up.

Next 1 - 12 of 17 Prev COMMENTS

Add a Comment

* Required - Keep track of your comments Login or Register with NFP
(will not be published)