Archives for December 19, 2005

‘Can you explain to the fans why Josh Stamer is split out in coverage on the most important play of the game to that point? Why not Angelo Crowell, a safety, or a corner?’

‘Every week we see the same problem – mistakes in the red zone on both offense and defense. Some of the players are questioning the teams’ mental toughness. After 15 weeks of this, what hope is there for change, other than overhauling the roster after the season?’

‘Buffalo’s second-round pick in the 2001 draft out of TCU, Schobel has generated 44 1/2 career sacks to rank fifth on the franchise list, one short of Ben Williams. After managing just 6 1/2 sacks in 11 starts as a rookie, he’s registered at least eight in his last four seasons.’

‘If there’s anything this Buffalo team is guilty of, beyond underachievement from the players and condescension by management, it’s that their maddeningly mediocre performance has made some of the most passionate football fans on the planet simply stop caring.’

‘The Broncos clinched a playoff berth with the victory while the Bills dropped deeper into the NFL’s abyss.’

‘”I think coach (Mularkey) said it best, ‘”We’re not a mentally tough team.'”‘

‘The Bills have been outscored in the second half, 172-68. Only San Francisco has a worse scoring differential after halftime. The Bills have been outscored in the fourth quarter, 110-39. Only Houston and San Francisco are worse.’

‘He spent the last three drafts acquiring what he wanted, ignoring what he needed, a general manager intent on accumulating glitz while foregoing the grit. Running backs, quarterbacks and receivers are what Tom Donahoe’s been all about, a fine approach indeed if he were stocking a fantasy team.’

‘”I’m going to tell you the tale of the year for us,” said veteran strong safety Lawyer Milloy. “Once we give up something, we don’t know how to stick our heels in the dirt and get it stopped. It’s always a snowball effect, and for that reason, we’re in the position that we’re in defensively.”‘

‘Smith left everyone behind – even Mike Anderson and Jake Plummer – as he darted all over the place for the Denver Broncos on Saturday night. Other than Smith, Denver was frozen in a first-half malaise until cranking up its running game in the second half for an undemanding 28-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘Way too many mistakes, from silly penalties to lining up wrong. Coaches lack confidence in run game.’

‘”That’s been the story of our season,” Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb said. “We move the ball, then at crucial times we do something that’s not smart. Those guys are division leaders over there. It’s enough just to beat those guys, but when we beat ourselves, we give ourselves no chance.”‘

‘It’s come down to rooting against them, just so they clean house and get a higher pick. I guess that is OK, though, I’d rather them go down in flames than wallow in mediocrity like the Dolphins and end up with a middle first round pick. And with the way this ship is going down, which is fast and furiously, Buffalo is going to end up with at least a top seven pick. 4-12. Wow.’

Broncos are close to scratching 7-year itch (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Smith shows he’s still a lightning Rod (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Playoff bye is the biggest selling point for Broncos (Denver Rocky Mountain News)

Secondary step toward primary goal (Denver Post)

Running game gets back in high gear (Denver Post)

Broncos still one win from AFC West title (Boulder Daily Camera)

Williams may be ready for playoffs (Boulder Daily Camera)

Broncos’ goals near realization (Longmont Daily Times Call)

Smith unsatisfied even after Broncos clinch playoff berth (AP)

Broncos Can’t Clinch Yet (KCNC-TV)

Ordinary Surname, Extraordinary Game (DenverBroncos.com)

Return to Glory (DenverBroncos.com)

A First Time for Everything (DenverBroncos.com)