This Broncos story is really over the top. How can anyone believe that this collection of mediocre clowns is suddenly unbeatable? More importantly, how can anyone look at that preteen skater boy coach and believe he is an inspirational wizard?
Again, the parallels to St. Joe Gibbs are evident. McDaniels seems to be able to make some of those fantastic "half time adjustments" that St. Joe was so noted for. Prior to Brett Favre's entrance in the league, and John Madden's subsequent passionate mancrush on him, the bumbling "analyst" used to mention, during every single Redskins' game he announced, that "Joe Gibbs makes the best halftime adjustments." To those of us who listened to this future Nascar junkie, it was impossible to accept that he was capable of making any adjustments at all, let alone repeatedly come up with brilliant new strategy at halftime to outfox his opponents.
Now, it appears that St. Josh McDaniels (yes, I feel he should be referred to as such now- this is clearly not a temporary thing) is making some of those same incredible halftime adjustments. While the Chargers appeared to be able to pass at will on the Broncos during the first half (and would have scored another TD if perpetually befuddled coach Norv Turner hadn't decided to run into the middle of the line on three straight plays near the goal line), during the second half they couldn't muster much of anything until a last minute drive that ended without adding any more points. That coal black group of affletes is now apparently an impregnable force. Funny, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan- who is being lauded by the jock sniffers for building this impressive unit- had an awful defense during his tenure with the 49ers.
I knew the Broncos were going to win when Brian Dawkins left the game very early with a very mysterious injury. They showed tape of him suddenly pulling up limp, with no one near him, and he certainly looked healthy on the sidelines, jumping and cheering on his teammates. Then, when Norv Turner inexplicably abandoned the passing game that drove the team quickly down the field, settling for a field goal, I knew they had no chance of winning. Then, shockingly enough, the Broncos returned the kickoff for a TD. Later, a punt return for another TD. Late in the 4th quarter, another long return to set up the final Broncos TD. Come on- isn't that just a bit of overkill? No coach- not even long time loser Norv Turner- can fail to make some kind of adjustment on special teams, at least after the second return. But the jock sniffers in the booth explained it all to us, as they explain everything, with the hilarious line about "Josh McDaniels and his staff saw something there on the Chargers they could exploit," and the DWFs buy it. The rocket scientists on the Broncos' staff "exploited" something, alright. Must take a lot of "adjustments" to get your return man to run fast through holes and take it all the way. Never forget how complex all this is- the coaches are geniuses and the players are world class athletes who study their huge playbooks and stay in great shape.
The Broncos are the kind of team the NFL has loved for the past few decades- boring, overwhelmingly black, obviously one of the less talented groups in the league, but somehow able to win game after game, spurred on by their overhyped coach. I've seen this script way too many times. No way is a team with Correll Buckhalter as its starting RB, and Jabar Gaffney as a contributing WR, and Kyle Orton as the starting QB, able to mount an effective offense. Unless they have a young "guru" as coach. Oh yeah, I guess they do. No way is that coal black defense now the best in football. Unless they have a defensive "guru" as coach. Oh yeah, despite his years of failure, I guess Nolan must be that guy.
Come on people- how obvious does this have to get? The Chargers had a huge advantage in talent over this group of nobodies, plus they were playing at home. Last week, the Broncos beat the Patriots- who are obviously in a different class, talent wise. Sorry, I just can't believe that this is real. McDaniels is a total clown- and anyone who has listened to him knows that. But then again, legendary Joe Gibbs certainly sounded pretty stupid whenever he opened his mouth, and somehow he became one of the winningest coaches in NFL history. Do you think maybe guys like that have just a little help from somebody? Do you honestly think this young kid is really outcoaching everyone else- including Belicheck- when his knowledge of the game is such that he prefers Buckhalter and Lamont Jordan as ballcarriers over Hillis? When he apparently preferred Matt Cassel over Cutler? His fist pumps and sideline theatrics don't strike you as very WWE-like?
We all know the best players don't make the rosters. We all know the best players on the rosters often don't play, and certainly don't start. Therefore, the coaches are not legitimately trying to win, because they are consciously not keeping the best players on the roster, or playing the best ones they have. I've coached youth sports for a very long time, and I know that you can't do that, if your objective is to win.
Right now, the NFL is clearly interested in selling the Broncos- and more imporantly their new young coach- as a "chosen" commodity. I don't know that they'll win the Super Bowl, or even get there, but I just can't accept that any team can be as lucky as they have for six games now, without someone lending them a hand. I don't think the games are any more legitimate than the rosters are. That's why I've become convinced that they are fixed.
