2008 Woodie Awards
Life with Jordy
Playoff woes haunt Broncos
Jordan Chittley
Issue date: 1/18/05 Section: Sports
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One year almost to the day and for some reason I feel like nothing has changed.
Well, lots has changed in my life, but the Broncos and Broncos fans alike are stairing at déjà vu.
Fans that live and die for football can hardly stomach such results?
The Broncos spent much of the off-season rebuilding a defense that was in much need of stopping the pass.
But according to Mike Shannahan, you can't stop a guy like Peyton Manning or the Indianapolis Colts offense, you can only slow it down.
However, I don't consider 360 yards of passing in the first half slowing a team down.
One year and numerous changes to the Broncos defense and the team finds itself in the exact same position; a first-round loss in the playoffs.
The thing with the playoffs is that there is no thinking about next week's game plan, the season is over.
The only thing to do after a playoff loss is go home and think about how to change a team next season.
Last year we saw the departure of running back Clinton Portis and the acquisition of corner back Champ Bailey and safety John Lynch.
All decisions to improve a lacking defense.
The Broncos have traditionally had great success at the running back position and probably thought that would continue.
They couldn't have sent Portis on his way because he only managed to run about 1,500 yards during the season, right?
Lynch and Bailey both did what they could to help the team, but apparenlty it wasn't enough to stop Manning, who is not only having a career year, but breaking many of Dan Marino's passing records in the process.
Because the Broncos didn't have to worry about facing the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, they will probably spend the next few weeks and months thinking about their next big move.
Who is it going to be next?
Jake Plummer just signed a contract extension, so changing quarterbacks isn't really an option.
Plus I don't think Manning is on the open market.
Well, lots has changed in my life, but the Broncos and Broncos fans alike are stairing at déjà vu.
Fans that live and die for football can hardly stomach such results?
The Broncos spent much of the off-season rebuilding a defense that was in much need of stopping the pass.
But according to Mike Shannahan, you can't stop a guy like Peyton Manning or the Indianapolis Colts offense, you can only slow it down.
However, I don't consider 360 yards of passing in the first half slowing a team down.
One year and numerous changes to the Broncos defense and the team finds itself in the exact same position; a first-round loss in the playoffs.
The thing with the playoffs is that there is no thinking about next week's game plan, the season is over.
The only thing to do after a playoff loss is go home and think about how to change a team next season.
Last year we saw the departure of running back Clinton Portis and the acquisition of corner back Champ Bailey and safety John Lynch.
All decisions to improve a lacking defense.
The Broncos have traditionally had great success at the running back position and probably thought that would continue.
They couldn't have sent Portis on his way because he only managed to run about 1,500 yards during the season, right?
Lynch and Bailey both did what they could to help the team, but apparenlty it wasn't enough to stop Manning, who is not only having a career year, but breaking many of Dan Marino's passing records in the process.
Because the Broncos didn't have to worry about facing the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, they will probably spend the next few weeks and months thinking about their next big move.
Who is it going to be next?
Jake Plummer just signed a contract extension, so changing quarterbacks isn't really an option.
Plus I don't think Manning is on the open market.