The IAOFM staff discuss the Denver Broncos' 29-24 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Denver goes three and out on the first drive of the game
Ted: Marv Albert's toupee looks particularly striking today
TJ: I promise not to beat up Kyle too bad today, at least for one series. Kyle said on the pregame that they were going to run the ball with authority
Doug: Oh yeah? How? Oh, by using 3 tackles apparently
Ted: I think that SD's DL isn't so good this year. Decker needs to catch that pass
TJ: Well, this game could have started better
Doug: Yeah we can't afford to be losing the field position battle so badly - to anyone
TJ: Shift shift shift, hello, SD. Bad angle by the LB there, I think Mays. Dawk was so busy launching, he couldn't hang on, haha
Doug: Oh, Dawk should have had that, or Moore would have - had Dawk not gone flying
TJ: That's Rivers for you, he's never afraid to put it up for a guy 6'5
Doc: Good protection - nothing protecting the underneath route
TJ: I think it was Von's guy, Em
Ted: Yeah, it looks like Miller was shuffling behind him
TJ: I think he was man on man and was confused on the coverage. That's a huge mental error
Doc: That was DJ doing another grab and drag tackle to add yardage
Doug: Nice tackle Woody
Ted: Woodyard just made a game-winning type of play - those are the ones that add up
San Diego kicks a 24-yard FG to cap off their initial possession to go up 3-0. Denver's next possession ends on an interception on its fourth play.
TJ: Fells says he wants to be known for his blocking. He's got to do better than that. Nice backside cut! Looked like some zone blocking
Ted: The Broncos have stayed on schedule so far; Matt Willis had a great block
TJ: Holy ugly god
Doug: Throwing off his back foot, while said foot is being grabbed by a defender. That was like Jake Plummer throwing lefthanded
TJ: Bad footwork - that's possibly the worst throw I've ever seen him make. It’s just bad on several levels
Doc: Terrible pass to a wide open guy
Ted: It doesn't force him to make a bad decision, Gannon
TJ: Where do you start? First, the footwork. Second, the panic. Orton is so worried now because of the criticism of him taking sacks and holding the ball that he's in his own dome. So he's trying to get rid of the ball always now in a hurry - the old Orton would have just taken that sack - not that either course is right
Two plays later, Cassius Vaughn picks off a Philip Rivers pass and takes it back 55 yards; 7-3 Broncos
TJ: Yeah!!!!! Thank god for defense!!!
Doug: WOW, beautiful
Ted: Well there's the point that Rivers has been throwing the ball to the other team this season too. He didn't want Orton to have the lead alone
TJ: Well, that was a tip. Not a great throw, granted
Doc: Vaughn had such a bad game - not all his fault, but he got schooled - last week that I've been wondering how he'll play. Getting a tip isn't that hard, but nice job by him to grab it.
TJ: True, Em - you still have to react to the tip, and he was quick to the point
Doc: Yeah, they can take an odd bounce if you don't have your eyes on it
Another long drive by San Diego ends with a short field goal, this time a 32-yarder; 7-6 Broncos
TJ: Man, the Chargers are going double on Von Miller with the back today. Elvis has to show up
TJ: Joe Mays, Joe Mays, Joe Mays, etc. North-south, sure, east-west, not so much
Ted: Mays really needs to get into his body
TJ: DJ just got plowed but still grabbed the guy's feet. Broncos stunt and the Chargers run a screen
Ted: That was a really delayed screen
TJ: Man,the defense is ON the field
Doug: They don't even need to throw downfield - just run and screen
Ted: Bad play by Ayers crashing inside there
TJ: Glad to see he's leading with the wrong shoulder
Doc: Haggan had the bead on him, but was too slow getting to the hole
TJ: You mean to tell me you have to call a TO because of motion? You don't have a slide call? They must have been in man
Doug: Ugh that's ridiculous. A TO on defense without anything unique happening
TJ: No, something happened - the motion from the backfield. But DJ is so...how shoudl I put it?
Doug: Overrated? Overpaid? Too busy trying to get laid instead of learning to be a better pro?
Ted: All Mathews' motion was designed to do was widen out the CB
TJ: Nice play! McBean, my nemesis! I'm happy though!
Doc: He's playing better in the 4-3
TJ: Yeah he is, Em - nice pressure. Rivers had to rush that one
Ted: Good scoring area defense can be the difference between 6-10 and 10-6, once you have the talent to be in that range
Doug: Yeah but you don't just give up huge chunks of yardage and then suddenly firm up when it matters. At least, a team like this can't do that
Ted: No, it's hard to imagine that that's sustainable Doug. But we all know points are what matters, not yards
Doc: I tossed out a comment on the potential versatility of McBean in a single gap 4-3 in one of the position reviews last winter, but it was more a throwaway - a “Yeah, he could if we need him” sort of thing. Seems like he may develop. Doug - getting laid? Was that part of his problems last year?
Doug: Em, all D.J. ever tweets about is women
TJ: D.J. is a transitional player for the Broncos at this point, as Ted would say. I would imagine he's not here next year
Ted: Yep, a placeholder
Doc: AHA. I don't read his much - well, we know where Woody (so to speak) and Vaughn got into that. And I'd be happy to have someone at Will other than him
Ted: He'll end his career McNabb style, moving around to new teams, always getting replaced
TJ: I am way too hard on DJ because I played linebacker, but I just hate to see guys get caught up in traffic. That's why Miller is so outstanding - he rarely stays locked on for more than a moment. I try to be more objective on DJ, but it's so hard when you see so much talent and the mental side ignored
Ted: He's never had the recognition ability to match his athletic ability. That's a sweet pic of him looking up some club chick's skirt though
Denver's next possession also results in a FG, this one a 35-yarder from Matt Prater; 10-6 Broncos
TJ: You can't go three and out here - the defense needs at least a few minutes
Doug: Wow that's a nice patient run - why do we never see knowshon exhibit that?
Ted: Yeah, and I like the zone blocking I'm seeing today too. They've gone away from the angle stuff and to the zone stuff lately
TJ: It's zone blocking for sure. Our line is more suited to it actually, outside of Franklin
Ted: Yeah I agree TJ. I think Franklin can play either
TJ: If you are going to keep Kuper and Beadles, you have to. And JD Walton should be thrown in for good measure as well - his days of supposedly dominating Suh are not today's days
Ted: Walton and Beadles need an offseason strength program in the worst way
Doc: Very true. Beadles also has had lousy hand position and use - I was going over all his games from this year, and he consistently fails to lock up with his rusher. That's why they're getting away from him and into the plays
2nd Quarter
Doug: Of course, a designed run for Tebow. So, they're bringing him in once a week to put something down on tape for their future opponents?
Ted: I want to see a deep ball off one of these
Doug: Haha this ref sounds like John Turturro. TJ, it's Quintana!! Or, Andy Garcia
Ted: Nobody F#$%s with the Jesus
TJ: Haha I should turn it up - but I'm listening to the radio right now and moving between that and the Spanish broadcast
Ted: This is exactly as I expected. There's plenty of room to run against San Diego
TJ: Nice play right there - Franklin can get you. Franklin retooled that dude on that block
Doug: Yeah more fine running from Willis
Doc: It's been a long time since I saw a Denver runner break tackles like Willis
TJ: B Lloyd needs some flow I'm thinking
Doug: Yeah gotta hang onto that
Doc: He didn't check his feet, from the angle we have - he was just on the wrong side of the first marker
TJ: That's a max protect screen, can't argue with it, although average execution
Ted: That was a decent screen, but it would have been better if the Chargers had brought more pressure
Doc: They held back - good defensive coaching, or was there a tell, Ted?
Ted: I just think they called a 4-man rush on 3rd down, and played coverage behind it
San Diego finally breaks through with a TD, capping off an 80-yard drive with a 2-yard scramble by Rivers; 13-10 Chargers
Ted: Mathews has his left calf wrapped on the sideline
TJ: Tolbert won't help them - not against this defense on the run, and especially after that concussion
Ted: DJ just reacted like he's never seen the Chargers throw a swing pass
TJ: Joe Mays may not get to you, but when he does, he gets to you. Is Von losing his man responsibility?
Doc: yeah, DJ totally overran Tolbert - how do you miss a guy that rotund?
TJ: Oh my. Von has botched that twice now
Ted: Yeah, that was ugly. Hester is actually a good runner
Doug: They're just driving down the field every time, and at some point these will turn into TDs
Doc: Sorry to seem repetitive, but DJ couldn't get off his block and whiffed on that run too. Sigh
TJ: What the hell? Another fight? Illegal hands to the face by Vick?
Doug: we can't stop them, so we just get mad haha
TJ: The biggest foul on this drive is the lack of tackling, and mental errors
Doc: Good point, TJ. Vick also slapped that ball carrier across the side of the helmet - a 2-for-1 deal
Ted: Good play by Marcus Thomas
Doug: Nice to have him back finally
TJ: Great plays by Bunkley, Thomas and Vickerson
Doug: Sure would be nice if they prove me wrong here. Ugh there it is - you keep letting them get down there, eventually you pay
Doc: Wilhite could have wrapped him up and driven him back - same sloppy tackling
Denver goes four and out, and San Diego adds another short FG to go up 16-10
TJ: This is a critical drive right now. I mean with respect to momentum - winning teams take it back, losing teams feed it. You can't just give this drive away
Doc: Boo-birds are out
Ted: Giveup play there. Let's get some punting field position
TJ: This whole drive was given away
Doug: Nice kick but nice return too
Ted: Yeah, the gunner kind of missed Crayton
TJ: Lesson #1 in the Good Coaching Academy - when the other team goes three and out after you've just scored to grab momentum, go for a big play
Doug: We'd better get some halftime adjustments on D - what to do?
Ted: Haggan is playing a lot at LB today
Doug: Wow, more of that would help
TJ: That was insane run blitz! That was all Dennis Allen. He was run blitzing
Ted: SD was going with run personnel there on 2nd down, interesting to see if they do after the TO
TJ: I'll bet they play action. Man, Norv is a great screen caller
Ted: They have a lot of different ones they use
Doc: Go figure: Goodman comes back to the screen and whiffs on the tackle - goes for 6 more yards. But at Second and 8, his coverage was excellent and prevented the TD fade. That's kind of him - brilliant in coverage.
Denver quickly and quietly goes three and out, giving San Diego enough time to go 54 yards in five plays, including a 42-yard strike from Rivers to WR Malcom Floyd; 23-10 Chargers at halftime
TJ: Alright, 1:47 left - this is another drive you should NOT cede
Ted: Who trusts Orton to go get points?
TJ: Exactly, Ted
Doug: Not I
Doc: Nope - not today
Ted: I don't, but I try anyway
TJ: This is standard NFL stuff - you have to go and get it done right now. The defense again plays good enough to win - and they are responsible for 7 points
Doug: Yeah but they've also given up 222 yards, and they gave up 16 points in a half. This is not actually good
TJ: Do a reverse, anything - just mix it up. That's the real problem - it's predictable
Doug: That was just classic
TJ: Oh my, should have been picked, and now badly thrown
Doug: Oh well. At least we weren't disappointed
TJ: Sorry, but this was expected
Ted: And they only took 33 seconds off the clock. You MUST get it under 1 minute there
Doug: Can you say 19-10 at halftime?
TJ: How about 23?
Doug: Haha there's only a minute
Ted: That was dog@#$% clock management, was what that was
TJ: Okay, I'm about to explode. What is the TOP? The defense is exhausted
Doug: It's almost 2-1, as is yardage. Orton is 6-13 with 34 yards - that's bad even for him
Ted: Orton and the receivers have been terrible
TJ: The WRs have not even separated today
Ted: If I'm John Fox, I'm telling Tyke Tolbert to rip them a new one at halftime. They're capable of playing a lot better
TJ: Yeah, Ted - it's time for a huge "pep" talk. This is probably the worst three series I've seen in awhile from Denver in a row
Doug: Whatever, you're 1-3 and it's a home game before the bye. If you can't show up in the first half...OMG
Ted: How can that happen?
Doug: Well, I guess they didn't need more than a minute
TJ: Nice help...NOT
Ted: That was 2-Man Under
TJ: Quinton Carter was brutal. That's a good call by Allen, but Carter is just lost and I mean literally - I think he forgot his name on that play
Ted: Yeah, I need Vaughn to give a much better effort too. I'm kicking myself for trusting Orton to make a game of this
TJ: I am trying so hard to avoid anger. Look, man, at least Tebow will run around for 1st downs
Ted: I don't like the look in Orton's eye either, Gannon
TJ: Orton looks like a guy who has been TKO’d. The Broncos have 105 yards on offense. Peachy
Doug: Yeah this was way worse than any of us expected
3rd Quarter
TJ: Haha - they are only down 13 points, says Dave Logan. Brian Griese says there will be a QB change
Doug: Yeah, and by how they played they could be down by 23
TJ: Griese says it's Tebow to start the 2nd half, he thinks
Doug: Orton has his baseball hat on, and he's talking to Quinn
TJ: He had that look on his face like, "Damn, I won't be getting a contract from anyone more than 1 year"
San Diego opens the second half; back-to-back sacks of Rivers by D.J. Williams and Robert Ayers force the Chargers to punt
TJ: Joe Mays - if he gets to you, watch out! Man, I know Von can beat this tackle
TJ: Okay, 3rd and what, 1? Good time for a momentum stop. Stop them, stop them! Haha, Mays - nice delayed blitz. Come on Von! Second sack in a row
Ted: AYERS GOT A SACK! ZOMG! ZOMFG!!! Maybe he isn't a bust?
Doug: That was Ortonesque by Rivers.
Doug: Ted, you're just a homer - he's a bust
Tebow's first possession of the year is a three and out, including a completion on third down to Eric Decker for no gain
TJ: Tebow in! Well, finally we can put this thing to bed. I want to see him in game action, and here we go. So think about this, boys - Fox is known for what?? For sticking with Vets? Hell, that's a misnomer about Fox - he switches QBs like water!
Doug: No, he's not. He played Delhomme as a youngster. He played Matt Moore. He played Clausen
TJ: I guess Kyle doesn't give us the "best chance to win" today? Kyle is gonna pout, check it
Doug: Yeah no doubt - arms crossed
TJ: At least now we'll see some escapeabilty. Honestly, I think Fox is just doing this so he can throw Tebow to the wolves and say, “See? I told you”
Ted: Not a very good looking throw there
TJ: The exchange twice was bad
Doug: Yeah, i thought he spent all offseason on taking snaps from center?
San Diego gains a pair of first downs before punting it back to Denver. Tebow's second possession is another three and out, with two incompletions
TJ: I can't wait to see Fox after the game on all of this. They are gonna go after him either way
Ted: John, did the billboards sway your decision?
TJ: Haha, Ted, yeah - this week I should take credit for that. My billboard piece got him! Got to get a stop! I've never seen a all-world cornerback seem so irrelevant as Champ does during these last few years. Man, Joe Mays doesn't mess around with you in the hole
Doug: Well, when teams can run at will they don't need to bother with Champ's guy
TJ: Dennis Allen = MVP. Allen gets aggressive like he needs to on 2nd down
Ted: Good play by Vaughn
Doug: Now, how about some nice footwork and throws from TT? Just a few glimpses, please. I'm not asking for a TD or anything crazy like that
TJ: So far, it's not been pretty. It can't get any worse, bro - I mean, all he has to do is make some plays happen. He can do that with this feet
Ted: According to Mason, they've been holding Miller out in Base, and playing Haggan for him
Ted: I want to see a deep ball to Lloyd
Doug: Let's roll him out or something, why don't we? The old Shanahan bootleg please?
Doug: Wow, there you go - nice little back shoulder
TJ: Right there is a good example of how he's better than Orton - when you extend plays, the coverage breaks down - on broken plays he can do this all day
Doug: Well, at least he didn't tuck and run. I like to see that, although it could have been a TD with a better throw
San Diego's next drive results in a 51-yard FG; 26-10 Chargers
TJ: The Chargers may want to think about scoring. We are just a big play away from this getting tight. I wouldn't be surprised, guys, if Tebow makes this interesting before the end - assuming we can stop them
Ted: Me neither, TJ
TJ: Fumble! If nothing else, he'll run around and create yards off busted plays
4th Quarter
Ted: Marv just called Mays "Hayes" twice
Doug: Joe Mays Hayes, of course - cousin of Willie
TJ: How are the Broncos only down by 13? 60 snaps for San Diego, 30 for Denver
Doug: Yeah I just asked myself the same question TJ. Oh well we may be down 16 soon. Did we make some halftime adjustment on D?
Ted: I just think that the gap discipline has been better
Tebow throws his first-down pass at the feet of Dante Rosario, and Denver punts it back to San Diego after McGahee gains a first down
Doug: Okay let's see something encouraging! That was a horrid throw - no reason for that
Ted: Yeah, the protection was there - the protection has actually been good most of this game for the second week in a row, actually.
Doug: Hey, a first down! Been a while
Ted: Our 6th one!
Doug: Ugh, another bad throw. But again, didn't tuck and run - very frenetic in the pocket. But it'll be interesting to see how different he looks if he gets two weeks of first-team snaps and starts in Miami
Ted: Yeah, I agree - he's not helping himself by making throws. I'd like to see a few screens called to help him get in a rhythm - some shallow crossers, and other easy throws
TJ: Haha, Orton's rating was 21 and Tebow's is 39. Can we add them together?
Doug: Sure, and we still get a whole lot of suck. Wow that was a very Orton-like sack. Rivers has had a few Orton plays, yet they're up 16 haha
San Diego goes four and out after Von Miller sacks Rivers. Denver then goes 51 yards on four rushing plays, with Tebow running it in from 12 yards out. McGahee punches it in for the two-point conversion; 26-18 Chargers
Ted: Von got him
TJ: He should be beating that RT all day. Just run the spread, honestly - just do it. Like that! If you want to go with Tebow, just run the gun. How hard is that? That's exactly the offense you need right here on the 2-pointer.
Ted: McGahee and Moreno both do a really nice job running out of the gun
Doug: Haha Kyle clapping and greeting Tebow
TJ: Orton, hahaha - that's all for show. Orton is posing for his next team
Ted: All that dude should be is a backup to an established veteran - because he's told the world that he's not about mentoring a young guy
Doug: Yeah he's a guy that can fill in when your starter's injured for 6 games and maybe not screw up your season. Maybe
TJ: Great point, Doug
Ted: I wouldn't want to draft Landry Jones and sign Orton - you'd get this "best chance to win" stuff
Doug: Wow we've got a chance here
San Diego gains a single first down but Rivers is sacked and fumbles; three plays later, Tebow throws a beautiful screen pass to Knowshon Moreno, who goes 28 yards for the score. The two-point attempt fails as Tebow and Brandon Lloyd are unable to connect
Ted: Marcus Thomas has had a good game today. The Broncos still miraculously have 3 TOs, and Orton didn't play in the second half. Coincidence?
Doug: Hmm that may have been an empty hand - they should challenge. That's a fumble!
Ted: Ayers makes a play
TJ: Oh my, that is a fumble! Nice call, Fox
Doug: You know, that was all the Tebow factor. His presence made Ayers cause that fumble
Ted: Ayers has 2 sacks, and a forced fumble now
Doug: Still a bust, Ted. Jury's already in - it's too little too late
TJ: Chargers mess around and it gets interesting
Doug: Let's see something creative here
Ted: QB run all the way. Larsen was there just to block
TJ: They are running the offense he was meant to run
Doug: Hey, designed runs are fine by me. Wow, great screen execution! Never ever see Orton do that. He truly invited the rush in there
Ted: He is excellent at selling the screen - can you see the difference?
TJ: Yeah, that was pretty awesome - totally, Ted
Doug: Knowshon, still a bust
Ted: Tebow never even looked at Moreno till the last second
TJ: Wow, this is what it feels like to have blood coursing through my veins?
Ted: Yes, I was thinking the same thing TJ. Regardless of the outcome, Tebow has put the Broncos in a position to compete to win a game - like he always has
TJ: Oh man, you have to get that
Ted: Lloyd needs to catch that - good play by Cason, but that was catchable
San Diego goes up by five points after a personal foul call on D.J. Williams extends their drive; 29-24 Chargers
TJ: Lot of time left
Ted: Prater is just automatic on kicking it out of the end zone at Mile High. Pressure!
TJ: Man, the place is on fire, the defense is energized
Ted: San Diego is looking like they're scared
Doug: Yeah interesting to see them throwing. Oh no, please say it’s offensive holding. You have got to be kidding me DJ!
Ted: Oh my god... there goes the game
Doug: DJ way to lead - way to be the vet, DJ - keep thinking about dymes
Ted: Great defensive effort and improved execution in the second half, and some plays from Tebow and McGahee gave the Broncos a chance to win, and DJ pissed it away. I'd be fine with cutting both Orton and DJ on Monday. I'd never miss either one a day in my life
Doug: It's not a bad idea
TJ: DJ should get us a 5th-rounder, haha
Doug: No way, not with that contract, TJ. He’s due 5 mill in '12 and 6 mill in '13
TJ: Yeah, some dumbass team always needs a will
Ted: Pay him the rest of his salary for this year while he's dyming it up
Doug: Wow, this is odd - I'd go for this no doubt. That's so Norv - but then again, we can't win with a FG
Ted: Me too Doug
Doug: TJ what would you have done? Kick or go for it?
TJ: Probably the kick - EPV goes out the window with 2 minutes remaining because you're not trying to maximize points
Denver takes over down five with 24 seconds remaining, and the game ends on a second down incompletion after Tebow connects with Lloyd and Daniel Fells for 51 yards; final score 29-24 Chargers
TJ: Damn, nice play, Lloyd
Doug: That's a catch, says Andy Garcia
Ted: He and Decker had bad games tonight
Doug: Thanks for this, DJ. Hurry up!
TJ: Haha this is great! I feel! I live! Orton is done.
Ted: Does anybody doubt the Tebow? I cut Orton on Monday to avoid the distraction
Doug: Now we know for sure why they waited to bring in Tebow - there's no turning back. Oh well, it was exciting
Ted: Hey, this went from a horrible game to an interesting game - I feel good. That was where to throw it too - he had a chance
Doug: I am ready to say that 11 more games of this will give us a good enough idea of whether we can move forward with this guy
Ted: Absolutely Doug - the Rubicon has been crossed
Doug: He has 11 games to prove we don't need Luck or Barkley. Good luck, Tim
TJ: Yeah that's pretty much been the argument all along
Doug: Right but everyone was freaking out like there's a difference between an 11.5-game look versus a 12- or 13-game look. HE HAS TO PLAY NOW I sort of feel right now like I did after the lockout ended
Ted: How so?
Doug: I want to say to all the hand wringers: "Now, was it worth all the bitching and moaning for the past two months? Does this make a difference, happening today instead of last week?"
