The IAOFM staff discuss the Denver Broncos' 16-13 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers
Doug: I'm sure happy for the 4:15 start so we can see all these great finishes
Ted: Yeah it worked out pretty well
TJ: Wow, this game just got going quick, haha...and we're off!
Ted: Weather looks nice in Whale's Vagina
TJ: Shift shift shift, SD loves that
Ted: They really like to get quick separation with it
TJ: Goody jumped that
Doug: Pretty terrible throw. Oh my - Ryan Mathews does Denver like Knowshon does KC - Mathews has two 100-yd games, both against Denver
Ted: The Broncos were strong to the right, and the Chargers went left
TJ: So far, they are playing an 4-3 Under and it's hurting their ability to get to the edge weakside
Ted: Wow, they had that strung out, and nobody tackled. Carter was beat there, but not a very good throw
TJ: It's that undisclosed injury for Rivers
Ted: Early onset suckiness - quick pressure like that is the answer
TJ: He gonna try 53? Guess so. Well, good field position if he misses
Doug: This isn't Nick Kaeding, should be interesting. I guess he's having a nice year though
Ted: All the games I've seen, Rivers always throws it away when you flush him
Novak is good from 53; 3-0 Chargers
Doug: Damn that kick was pure
TJ: Yeah, I can't believe he tried that. More, I can't believe he made it!!
Ted: Novak has established himself as worthy of one of the 32 kicking jobs in the NFL, when Kaeding comes back. That's a good year for the guy
TJ: Wow, yeah, I didn't think he had 50 yards in him
Doug: Nice return, Cassius - hopefully we won't see the KR brain farts from him today
Ted: Yeah, that's been the only special teams deficiency this year is some bad decisions by returners at times. Some teams are telling guys to run out of the end zone if they can get a running start, but I don't have a sense of whether the Broncos are going with that strategy, or if he is just doing it
TJ: Eric Weddle will get his wish. They def need a return specialist, in my opinion
Ted: What did he wish for?
TJ: Tebow
Ted: be careful what you wish for
Doug: He wished for some Dan Fouts/San Diego suckjobbery, and he got some
TJ: I think one bad draft strategy they've had in the last several years is to NOT focus on a return specialist. They think they can just use Eddie or turn one up
Ted: That's kind of the Patriots way TJ - use a committee
Doug: What's wrong with Cosby and Cassius, and Decker/Royal?
TJ: If you are going ot play Foxball, which requires precision with field position, that's a position that's important.
Doug: Denver is 3rd in PR average and 4th in KR average, so no need to spend in the draft there
TJ: Switching gears, nice running - haha, they just keep sealing off the backside, and it's gashing the Chargers
Ted: Good forward movement with the O-line. For both of these teams, the run game is the best thing, because it keeps them from having to protect the dropback game
TJ: Tough throw. DT wasn't even at the sticks - bad route, too.
Doug: Just inexcusable, bad throw
TJ: Dude is just not quick out of breaks
Ted: Good call. That's way too common with these receivers
TJ: DT could be a great hybrid TE someday, haha
Doug: Andy Benoit's claim that DT isn't too explosive has rung true so far, although part of that could be the QB.
Ted: Tebow was in way too much of a hurry to get the ball out. Set up and throw the ball with timing
TJ: I seriously wonder if DT isn't just a TE in WR clothing
Ted: He doesn't have that feel for getting to the top of his drop yet
Doug: After Benoit wrote that, there was an uproar here in the comments that Benoit is a lazy hack, because he wasn't blowing every Bronco in his work
Ted: I don't see him as explosive either. He's big, and fast, and strong. Not quick, though
TJ: That dude's name is IAN EAGLE - that's like a porn name
Doug: Hahaha he used to be on WFAN when I was growing up
TJ: He fixes the cable
Ted: I know a dude in Cleveland named Dan Fouts - he's cooler than this jackass
TJ: They are playing Dawkins in the Box, and I like it. They are gonna make sure! Haha now Dawk is like sitting in a 4-4 as an OLB, stacked, awesome. I love me some D.A.
Ted: They were in nickel there, and still stout
Doug: Nice Goody
TJ: Encroachment?
Ted: Wow Von was off that line quick
TJ: Thought I saw that. Oh well, I'm off my game. Wow that's a huge kick
Ted: Scifres is a good punter. The AFC West has 4 of the best 7 or 8 in the NFL
TJ: More altitude for their guys
Doug: 2 guys named Colquitt
Ted: Yep, they're both good
TJ: Unbalanced line. Willis McGahee was born falling forward 3 yards
Ted: Yeah, he's really been a great signing
TJ: Moreno isn't even close, can't even hold a candle to this
Ted: I thought Decker jumped early
TJ: Nah, Ted - no way
Doug: It was over his head - he needed another 8 inches
Ted: On second viewing it was too high
Doug: If we keep Tebow, we'll need to draft some NBA centers to play WR next year - perhaps some guys from Senegal
TJ: Chargers! Hahahaa!!!! That Chargers' defense had NO idea what they were looking at right there. Haaaaa!!!! That was the funniest thing I've seen all day - I am laughing so hard. Come on, man! WTF, Eddie?
Ted: The feet were set there - low and away is where it needs to be there - every QB thows that low and away
TJ: Oh, yeah, sorry. Like Ted earlier, after I saw the replay I realized it wasn't the greatest throw. It was still catchable, however
Doug: It was, but it would have qualified as a "really nice catch"
Ted: Really good fill there by Mays. Triplette can't say "illegal" correctly. He says it ee-eagle
Doug: That's 3 passes, 2 of them poor and one of them was okay, none of them caught. Rivers not much better, haha
TJ: Chris Harris is man on Gates
Ted: I really like the inside blitzing by DA
TJ: This ought to show us for sure if the kid is legit for the long term, which I think he is
Ted: I do too TJ. That's a tough matchup for a CB though
Doug: And a short one, at that
TJ: Haha Rivers beat Ayers to the corner
Ted: Ayers was half-rushing, and half-sliding. He has to be decisive
TJ: Yeah, Rivers was half passing, half running. Exactly, Ted
2nd Quarter
Ted: That's the kind of play that SD hits you with once in awhile where it seems like the defense wasn't even on the field
TJ: Well one thing Foxball is, it's FAST!
Ted: You have to be ready to man those guys up immediately
TJ: SD still attacking perimeter
Ted: Haggan in space
TJ: Yeah, Ted, that's bad stuff
Ted: Goodman needs to make that tackle
TJ: Why isn't Bailey on VJ there? In Cover 1? Odd
Ted: He should be
TJ: Nice penetration, Hunter. San Diego running a zone blocking scheme on the edge, and Hunter finally got wise. Damn, I think Ted scouted Tolbert's play right there. That was a tendency Von missed
Ted: That formation is trouble
Doug: Too many broken tackles already
Ted: The Broncos look kind of sluggish overall to me
TJ: Chargers seem to be in rhythm today. Oddly enough, Tebow said this was their best week of practice since he's been with the Broncos. UNREAL, UNREIN! VJ is with Goody - wouldn't be surprised if they go to him soon. Nice tackle, Joe Mays
Ted: That was the play I mentioned in detail
TJ: Tough play when run quick on that wheel route. Wooooo nice smack by DJ. That's a decleater. Wow, that's textbook LB tackling!
Doug: That was Joe Mays-like
Ted: Form tackle - that's how you teach it
Philip Rivers hits Antonio Gates for a 6-yard score; 10-0 Chargers
Doug: Wow too easy
TJ: Wow, just a good throw
Ted: Well that sucked
TJ: That's a tough throw - check out the replay
Doug: Very familiar stuff
TJ: DJ had no chance against AG - double move
Doug: Yeah i don't mean it was an easy throw for Rivers. But really, he just makes it look easy
TJ: Yeah, it's an awesome throw. Sometimes, as a defender, you just say, holy @#$%, it was a perfect throw. Penalties don't help, that's for sure. They going to let Tebow throw?
Ted: This is the down to do it
Doug: From the 6? Yikes. Um, throw that AWAY. That has to be thrown into the bench
TJ: Jesus, doesn't Elway have a TV? Elway's nose is bleeding. Why the DEEP route? How about the sticks?
Ted: The sticks aren’t in their repertoire
TJ: COME ON!!!!
Doug: UGH, how many f-ing times will we see this?
TJ: Yeah, it's tough there
Ted: He was telling Walton to snap it
TJ: Draw...I saw that coming, and so did 80,000 people - except Elway because he can't see from up there
Doug: Well, you have to - you're not converting it, and the risk of something worse happening is too great
TJ: I don't agree with that 2nd part, Doug. I mean, I get the point
Ted: Those penalties just set up bad field position
TJ: But I don't know about the probability part of that - the risk/reward calculation.
Ted: Penalties in the return game are brutal
Doug: Well for one, draw plays and screens historically have a better conversion rate than deep passes anyway. On 3rd and long, that is
TJ: 4 penalties already. It would be an interesting problem to plug into Burke's calculator. I think given the EPV, you have to go aggressive always, but it's a good debate.
Ted: I can't watch this NFL Shop commercial and not think of the portly bearded guy as Jean Girard's husband in Talladega Nights
TJ: Haaaaaa
Ted: Mays got held
TJ: Hmm, Chargers haven't seemed this good to me. Of course, I drink--a lot
Ted: Rivers had to get rid of that early - inside pressure
TJ: Defense, get em back, baby
Doug: Would be a huge hold after that field position. Nice!
TJ: Great pressure, Von - dude is mayhem, totally
Ted: Yep, that's a really good hold, mostly because of effective pressure
Doug: Hopefully we can get a touchback here
TJ: They had to have it with that field position, had to
Ted: UGH another commercial? Only football fans tolerate this - we're conditioned to take it
Doug: So, here we are 5 minutes left, zero completions. There's one! And a 3rd-down conversion!
TJ: Haha nice little play
Ted: That was well blocked
TJ: FB outside of the WR, Broncos going no huddle. Burn that TO, SD! Holy crap, boys, it's 90 degrees in SD. I have to hand it to Fox - they are not panicking. Same odd formation. Haha, SD did a great job there. Tebow read that - I think he had the option there to throw. He read the box, and they didn't execute
Ted: It should have been a throw. But yeah, if he had the favorable box count, he has to take it. At some point, you have to throw from that empty set on 3rd down. They did change FP there, so that's good
Doug: True. DOOM!
TJ: Great coverage sack
Doug: Gotta throw that away, although not sure if he could have i guess
Ted: It was hard to get his feet set there. When he drifts like that this year, that's where a good number of his picks have come from - his second one last week at the end of the game was an attempted throwaway on the drift, and a shallow zone guy just picked it
Doug: Oh my, 206 yards of total offense so far combined. Foxball! 58 combined passing yards so far
TJ: Dennis Allen is godlike. Watch the screen here - Norv loves em.
Ted: This is a classic screen situation
TJ: Oh no, facemask?
Doug: Ugh that's a killer
TJ: Ouch ouch ouch. That JUST happened. That's BS!!! NO WAY
Ted: That's a tackle! What a terrible call
TJ: Worst call ever. Brutal - guy doesn't snap his helmet, and now that encourages others to just loosen their helmets. Brutal refs
Ted: I hate this officiating crew in a general way - it's one of my least favorite
TJ: That's good, Bailey on VJ
Ted: Bad clock management by the Chargers here
TJ: If the Broncos score, you should criticize NORV
Ted: I do, regardless of the outcome the Broncos offense gets
TJ: Haha, on cue
Ted: That is precisely why you bleed the clock - because @#$% happens
TJ: I don't mind Eddie as a return specialist
Doug: Must get a FG before half
Ted: That was very disjointed from the start
TJ: Thing is, I'm not sure McCoy is going to let him take a shot
Doug: Look, we only need like 10 yards, if even. OH NO
TJ: What the hell is that?
Ted: Denver is the tougher team - how about that change?
Doug: Just fall on it, you dumbass Chargers
TJ: That was like a circus act. Haha, I think he spun there for no reason, hahaha
TJ: Jammer jammed. Haha, Norv
Doug: Wow imagine we get a TD here? Almost a new ballgame
Tebow hits Eric Decker for an 18-yard TD; 10-7 Chargers
TJ: Nice throw there! That was a laser beam
Ted: That was a great, great fake with his body and eyes to the outside. The fake made the play
TJ: Chargers totally bit for that fake
Doug: Oh my Decker almost took the head off that poor woman with his bizarre celebration
TJ: Hahahaaaaa Nooooorv. He's so gone as Chargers coach. If they don't fire Norv after this year, they NEVER will
Ted: Norv is a really, really good offensive schemer and play caller, but the head coaching thing eludes him
TJ: Worst clock management ever right there
Doug: That's out of the Andy Reid School of Clock Management
TJ: The Chargers' announcers are really letting him have it
Doug: Norv and Wade Phillips are a perfect match
TJ: Now, take a knee and watch 'em Boo. Haaaaaa I'm laughing too hard
Ted: Here goes Fouts on what we had in live action. Great analysis Dan-o
Halftime
TJ: Foxball - this is an amusing distraction for the last 5 games. I love it
Ted: It's not aesthetically pleasing a lot of the time, but he knows how to stay in a game and have a chance to win late
TJ: Haha, the boos are raining down on them, haaaaaa. I'm so bad I find this stuff funny
Doug: Really, what are the chances of having a punter named Henry and a kicker named Henery on your team? Meaning the Eagles...
Ted: Yeah, that's an odd one
TJ: When the Broncos play, I'm starting to get used to the quarterback lines from each team being in the 100s of yards. I hardly have to look at the passing stats anymore. It's efficient for writing these GRs, I'm telling you
Doug: Painful. 95 net passing yards first half, combined
TJ: Oh no, Elway won't be happy: 1-5 on 3rd down
3rd Quarter
TJ: Ian Eagle. I'm here to fix the cable.
Ted: Ian Eagle... you shot my boy Chappy down, so I'm going to bomb your oil refinery. Not a very good run by McGahee
TJ: Well this 3rd down should be converted. Quads. Damn it! Catch it, dude. Just catch the football. Whoa, that's brutal. 1-6 is killing us
Doug: Absolutely a must-catch
TJ: If you play Foxball, you have to let field position help you. Fox needs a cowboy hat - that look is just not cool. Wow, that's a whole lot of EPV to give away
Doug: Man, penalty costs 30 yards
Ted: Bruton got shoved in the back
TJ: Crazy pass - crazy all around
Ted: Who was covering him? Nobody
TJ: BOOM, Joe Mays. God, I wish Mays had lateral abilities, he'd be Ray Lewis
Ted: Yeah, when it comes to downhill striking, Mays is as good as there is
Ted: Wow, I'll trade a down for that
Doug: That was a huge penalty, nice
Ted: Heat him up right now
TJ: DA just keeps them in games. DA = MVP
Ted: Yeah he's really good. Good defense
TJ: Chris Harris, meet FB. I'm glad I love defense - these games don't bother me. I love defense more than QBs any day of the year. In fact, I typically could give a @#$% less about QB play
Ted: I like the creative stuff McCoy is doing with the running game, even if it doesn't strike most people as creative
TJ: Yeah, Ted, not sure if he feels he has to do it or not - but it's at least not boring to the eye
Ted: It can really open up the passing game once they put it all together
Novak adds a 25-yard FG; 13-7 Chargers
Doug: Wow 9 yards deep, Decker?
Ted: Rodgers must be telling them to do it
TJ: Yeah, I know we don't agree on this, but I don't think they will stay with any of this after the year ends. I think they'll chuck all of this offense in 5 games. But if not, I don't mind, as long as I get to watch DA
Doug: I mean, how can they stay with it?
Ted: I see it as a run series that works with Tebow as the QB. Carolina is doing a lot of the same stuff with Newton, and RGIII will use the same stuff - because it's a run series that works if you have the right QB to do it
TJ: I'll focus on DA if they stick with this offense, which ain't no thang - partly because I don't spend very much time with it. But you see it all the time, Ted, which is good for us
Ted: If they keep Tebow, they keep this run series. If they dump him, they dump it. Yikes, stretch play got blown up
TJ: Oh, Lance, come on, buddy
Ted: Well there's the first bad pitch on the option
TJ: Saying Eddie Royal could be hurt on the radio
Ted: There's supposed to be a cut block in that lane, i guarantee it
TJ: DA has to keep em in this game
Doug: He has to keep them in every game
TJ: Haha
Doug: Not trying to be funny, it's the absolute truth. Remember how the Broncos were supposed to score more points with Tebow than with Orton?
TJ: Well haven't they, technically?
Doug: Of course not - 4 of 5 games 18 points or fewer
TJ: Eddie has a wrap on his left thigh - that's all they are saying. I actually don't know the numbers/game. I just assumed the small sample size. Goody en fuego today, but so is DA's pressure
Ted: Pressure is the thing to do
TJ: Wow Cover 1, or was that 0?
TJ: I didn't have time to count
Ted: I think it was 1. Carter was deep
TJ: DA just keeps changing FP
Ted: When they play Cover 1, they have the 1 way off the line of scrimmage
TJ: JE not happy: 1-7 on 3rd downs
Ted: He can't really blame Tebow for 2 of those that were dropped
TJ: If he cares
Ted: But yeah, the offense as an 11-man unit can certainly be blamed for that ineffectiveness
TJ: DJ is on fire, too. He's already got 7 tackles, 2 assists
Ted: You know, Elway's comments about the improvements that are needed having to come in the offseason was eminently reasonable
TJ: Haaa nice motion took the LB away from the play
Ted: Yeah that was good design
TJ: Wow, Clady got owned there. Move the chains! They are just running this same play out of the same formation. Idiot Chargers, haha
Ted: Really good read there
Doug: Nice to get something out of nothing there by Tebow
TJ: How about Orton there? Hahaha. Mr. KC
Ted: He'd have been swallowed
Doug: Let's go! Caught?!
TJ: Wow, nice grab
Ted: That was a good catch
TJ: I actually think it was a good throw too
Doug: It was, no doubt
TJ: I wish they would slow it down a bit more. Haha two Chargers were pancaked
Ted: That was a quick breakdown. That was well-defensed there. I think that's a better 2nd down play
TJ: Yeah, that's how you play the Air Force, good discipline. Broncos games are also interesting for their slience. The crowd never makes noise in any stadium, except the last five minutes
Prater converts a 41-yard FG to bring Denver back within three; 13-10 Chargers
4th Quarter
Ted: They're hip to that run look where McMichael motions into the backfield now
TJ: Listen to the stadium right now?
Doug: Puntfests. But, that's the only way Denver can stay in any game
TJ: You can hear a pin drop. Wow, Chris Harris is giving 'em hell. Guy is a flat baller - sign that dude long term. Chris Harris is already a bad ass
Ted: That was a big breakdown. Who was the CB?
TJ: Bailey slipped
Doug: Wow Quinton got pwned by VJ
Ted: Really, Mathews made a good move on Champ in space
TJ: Well, if this is the way it's supposed to go, hold them to a FG. DA is god
Doug: Mathews about to notch his third 100-yard game, all against Denver
TJ: DA won't let them in - he will set the tone
Doug: Wow lucky - someone fell down in coverage in the slot. Gates was pretty wide open, I think
Ted: Goodman's coverage has been exceptional all day. He's having a great month
TJ: I'm telling you, as long as DA is here they will hang around - always
Ted: Long FG attempt coming
Doug: Bad throw by Marmalard
Ted: That helps the drops even out
TJ: Why are we talking about Tebow? DA is the real story
Novak misses from 48 yards
Doug: WOW nice!
Ted: We don't want DA becoming a head coach next year
Doug: I don't think we have to worry quite yet
Ted: No, probably not. But if I were a forward-thinking owner, he's the kind of coach I'd be doing diligence on
Doug: I think Elway is wise enough to value Allen properly. Hopefully it doesn't have to be Bowlen's call
Ted: That's a complementary throw to a zone read series
TJ: Go big, go big! Tebow had the edge. I think that 1st down play was a bad read. They got the 1st down but the big play was there
Ted: It was, TJ...he had 20 yards outside. That wasn't a read, it was a called handoff, but the edge was there too
TJ: Wow, Clady down. Hope it's a cramp - looks like a knee, however
Ted: He wears braces, so that should prevent knee injuries. Every offensive lineman should wear them, and every QB should wear one on his plant leg
Doug: Hey Tebow is 6 for his last 7 throws. What's the over/under on how many more throws he attempts? I'll say 3
Ted: It depends if they score here
Doug: Hmm at least Clady's not on a cart. Uh oh, holding
TJ: You can't keep em back that long I think. JD, you just put them outside of FG range!
Doug: Just get back into range - forget the 1st down here
TJ: PI, totally PI
Ted: Decker was hit
TJ: Shoved him right in the back
Doug: I hate that decision - just get back into range. That's all you should do there. Thing is, on third and 16 they'll give it to you
TJ: Tebow needs to check down! Get in FG range. That's a rookie mistake. Yeah, he should know that. He gets amped up for the big play
Doug: Costs them a chance to tie the game
Ted: Was there a receiver available? I was mostly watching the protection
Doug: Lance Ball, wide open - had about 10 yards of a halo - behind him, that is. Nobody in front of him
TJ: Yeah, there were 2
Ted: It sucks that he missed that then
TJ: Chargers running picks and rub routes. It's all man coverage now
Ted: That's classic Norv
Doug: VON! Yeah baby, and the Mile High Salute
TJ: You can simply replay the Miami game each and every week. This is DA's team. Wow, got crushed
Ted: Oh man, the Chargers can't afford to lose Dombrowski, as bad as he is
Doug: So, you add a league-average QB next year and you can be a legit team - which is ironically what we had in Orton, not that i wanted him to stick around
TJ: Mr. KC.
Doug: So, here we go again - down 3, plenty of time
Ted: Foxball... be in a position to win the game late. Good news there on Clady
TJ: SD crashing and scraping - that's all they are doing
Ted: DT at the bottom
Doug: WOW, what a catch Decker! Fell on the ball?
Ted: Looks like he got the wind knocked out of him, hopefully. The Chargers are totally mush-rushing; the object is containment
Doug: Amazing catch
TJ: I can't fault the throw
Doug: Pretty good throw too
TJ: The catch was actually quite normal
Ted: Good, challenge it - it's going to stand
Doug: It will, but it's worth the risk - it's such a big play
Ted: It never touched the ground - I've hit Decker for not making tough catches, but that was a hell of a tough catch
Doug: Now, don't get pushed back out of FG range
Ted: Now let's get a TD
Doug: Wow what a catch again, Rosario!
Ted: Good throw there - a little high, but back shoulder against inside leverage. I like the idea of draw fake there
Prater ties the game at 13 with a 24-yard kick
TJ: Man, he's gonna be a great H-back for us in the next five years - just a weapon. I'm not kidding, this is gonna work out for all of us - everyone involved
Doug: And, occasionally come in like Kordell
TJ: The Broncos are going to have an awesome offense in 2 years, and Tebow will be a big part of it. Would be pretty exciting to see RG3 and Tebow in here at the same time. I would not be bored - none of us would be
Doug: This is all true
TJ: Tebow can play in that system
Doug: Umm, is Novak peeing? Hahaha that was awesome! He doesn't want to have to go take a leak when the game-winning kick is coming up
Ted: Haha good question
Doug: TJ did you see it? Novak was kneeling there on the sideline, some other Charger is holding a towel up so nobody sees him peeing into a cup
TJ: Oh, no - sorry, I'm frantically writing - I have 30 bullets to try and get done. What the hell is Elway doing?
Ted: That sack was ginormous
TJ: No TO?
Doug: OT baby!
TJ: Strange game
Doug: Foxball
Ted: That's really risk-averse. I could see not wanting to muff a punt, but how often does that happen? "Turner sucks" - about 20 people were chanting it, and it came across on TV clear as day
TJ: Elway came down because he wants the fans to see that he's "excited"
Overtime
Doug: Wow Jeff Triplette, you dumbass
Ted: Each team must have the opportunity to possess? He reminds me of this inbred dude I was in the Navy with - looks, mannerisms, accent, stupid grin, all of it
Doug: Ugh. Well, good field position
Ted: Yeah, you punt here
TJ: That's the fox I know and love...NOT
Doug: With this offense you have to punt
TJ: Haha, Doug
Ted: I can't count on power blocking
Doug: Any other NFL offense, you go for it
Ted: I think this offense is more likely to pick up 4th and 1 than probably half the offenses in the NFL. I just can't handle the downside of not making it there. With the way the defense has played, it's unlikely the Chargers go long field - Mathews' run notwithstanding
Doug: I kind of agree Ted, but I'd prefer there at least be a threat of a pass
TJ: Rivers = idiot. He bailed way too early
Ted: Nothing good happens for Rivers when he drifts. Heat him up now
Doug: Delay! Wow that's a killer haha. Now, no penalties! Sweet, how about a nice return now?
Ted: They can't block Miller and Dumervil, and have been trying like hell not to be in position to have to
Doug: UGH
Ted: No loss there
Doug: Not a great decision though
Ted: True. Weddle made a nice play there
Doug: That's an awful throw - no way that's a throwaway. And that made up for it!
Ted: That's a nice throw on the slant. If he can hit that throw consistently, it puts him a lot closer to being able to be a long-term starter
Doug: That's a ginormous if, Ted. Challenging the catch? Damn that looks short
Ted: The knee got down late, but the elbow might have screwed them
Doug: Man, what to do?
Ted: Punt... they're not going to score long-field
Doug: Why not sneak it? I really hate that the sneak isn't used more in the NFL
Ted: Yeah it should be used more. Tom Brady is a great QB sneaker. Tebow should be too
Doug: Especially with someone as big as Tebow, and as strong
Ted: The man coverage by the Broncos has been excellent all game. It's funny, because Fox was such a zone guy. Von recognized they had a bad look there
Doug: OUCH
Doug: Classic Rivers/Gates
Ted: Run look here. If I could see it, why couldn't they? They have to keep this to a long kick
Doug: Why isn't a coach talking to Tebow right now? They should be prepping him for the next possession, no? If there is one? Giving him some mental keys, an idea of what plays they'll run
Ted: Yes, you would think so. That was a huge play by Von
Doug: What a tackle!
Ted: It's time to go streetball
Denver calls TO as Novak attempts the game-winning kick from 53
Doug: OH NO, they called timeout
Ted: Why would you call it? You need it for offense
Doug: Well, it won't help if they guy makes it. YES!!
Ted: Too long for him - thank you Von Miller
Doug: Wow, we only need maybe 17 yards - maybe even 15 for Prater's leg
Ted: Short stuff, guys, come on - let's get the yards
Doug: Why are we calling for Jeremiah Johnson to go long as a primary target? That's just odd. Well, they may be just at the edge of Prater's range now - maybe
Ted: Yeah, I'd try it under 2 minutes from here if I had to. I'd rather not have to, though
Doug: Not sure if he can hit a 60 outside of Denver. Depends how many yards to gain for me...
Ted: I wouldn't do it with 10 min left in overtime, that's for sure
Doug: But if it were like 4th and 3 I'd probably go for it rather than kick a 60-yarder
Ted: Agreed
Willis McGahee rips off a 24-yard run down to the San Diego 17
Doug: Get it to 58, and i'd kick. GAME!
Ted: That was big-time. Beadles clocked 58
Doug: Wow this'll be 3 road division wins in 4 weeks! Haha incredible
Ted: #winning - even if it does resemble Charlie Sheen at times
Prater puts through the winning FG; 16-13 Broncos
Ted: 6-5, and the Chargers are finished
Doug: They sure are
Ted: And Tebow thanks the Homie Jesus for good measure
Ted: A positive is that this team is suddenly nails in close games - this is a trend, even if it is only a few games
Doug: It's luck, is what it is
Ted: Some of it is. Novak missing the kick is luck. The Broncos making plays to get into position is not luck
Doug: No team ever keeps winning close games without blowing bad teams out
Ted: That's the next step
Doug: You can go a year winning close, like the Dolphins did a few years ago - and then reality hits
Ted: Agreed, but I've played sports on teams that win close games, and I always played better when I believed that a win was coming. Believing you're a winner is better than believing you're a loser. There's a definite manifestation of success that comes from it
Doug: Come on Ted, we're talking about pros here
Ted: We're talking about people, and human nature. I don't think whether they get paid or not is particularly relevant
Doug: It's called holding three straight opponents to 13 points or less - that's not about belief
Ted: I'm not chalking everything up to belief - I'm saying that it makes a difference. In my experience, it does. If Novak made that kick, a winner says "Screw it, it bounced the wrong way, we'll get em next time." A loser says "here we go again"
Doug: Meaning, a team on a winning streak or a team on a losing streak?
Ted: Meaning a team that has a winning culture vs a team that has a losing culture
Doug: And, this team has a winning culture?
Ted: I think the Broncos are showing signs of developing a winning culture, yes
Doug: Because they've squeaked out a bunch of wins against mostly bad or mediocre teams? I think they're developing an excellent defense, is what they're doing
Ted: That's a big part of it, no doubt
Doug: Big? Come on now...36 points allowed in three weeks. There's nothing mystical about that.
Ted: That's very conducive to winning
Doug: Conducive? Any team wins doing that
Ted: It doesn't get you all the way there, Doug. The whole team has to win the game
Doug: Give me a break - you should win any game where you allow 12 points on average - just by showing up. Especially against teams with average defenses. And, average is quite generous
Ted: Have I discounted the contribution of any element of the team in any way? No, I have not. And I will not
Doug: When you talk about winning cultures and belief, are you not intimating that this is the Tebow effect?
Ted: No, I'm definitely not. It's the Tebow effect only insofar as the plays that he makes help the team win too. He's contributing. The whole team is different this season than it was last season or the season before
Doug: Dennis Allen, Von Miller
Ted: Huge parts of the success
Doug: So, if they don't recover the onside kick in Miami, if Novak makes the kick today, what does that do to these claims of a winning culture, etc?
Ted: If I see it, I still see it
Doug: Because, these are pure luck. My point is, they don't actually have to play worse to lose any of these games - if they lose these games on those plays, nothing changed to me as far as how i evaluate them - If Goodman doesn't pick off the pass last week, the defense still played great
Ted: Doug, we disagree about the effect of human nature, emotion, and belief. That's cool with me. I can agree to disagree.
Ted: If I see winning body language even in a loss, I still see winning body language
Doug: Winning body language?
Ted: Yes...social science does not cease to exist on a football field
Doug: Was Tebow showing that when he was slumping on the bench as SD made their last drive?
Ted: Not particularly, no. I didn't like that. This is not about Tebow. This is about the Denver Broncos
Doug: Okay, well he's the QB. Whose winning body language are you talking about?
Ted: The defense, the coaches, Elway, Xanders, everybody - the offensive guys when they got back on the field. They believed they were going to win the game, and they went and won the thing
Doug: In a tie game? Or, maybe they were just the better team talentwise?
Ted: That could be true, but it doesn't eliminate what I'm saying
Doug: Elway came down to the field and knew people were watching him after last week. Look, obviously belief in oneself is important - if the broncos have that more than they did 6 weeks ago, then great. But it's not on the short list of my reasons why they're 5-1 - and to me, the only reason to cite something like that is to excuse some shortcomings
Ted: You've been acting like I want to over-credit Tebow for his part in winning these games. I'm not doing that. I think you're projecting onto me the fact that you fundamentally want to under-credit him to support your general worldview. I'm trying to find the sweet spot, where the credit is appropriate, and so is the blame. I'm not speaking in code, and these team-specific comments I'm making are not about Tebow by proxy
Doug: Ted, where do body language and belief rank on your list of why the Broncos are winning?
Ted: Guys are making plays to win games - that's why they're winning. Belief plays a role in that, definitely
