T1B

Say what you want about the Broncos sucking it up in domes but I think they've got a great shot at actually beating the Rams on Sunday. Broncos are very solid this year. As usual we've got a great running game with the Bells and even Cobb looked ok in the preseason game I was at vs Houston a couple weeks ago.

Walker and Smith at WR are about as solid as you can get and our defense still with Al Wilson and Ian Gold is still just as strong as ever.

I'm also starting to think that Jake will have a run for his money as the second stringer, Jay Cutler, has been getting more publicity in this town than Jake has. He's still the starter but I think people are going to be anxious to see what Cutler really has for the regular season and if Jake messes up, I'm sure he knows Jay will be in there right away.

What I think will be a deciding factor for this match up is the coaching. We've got a coaching veteran and phenom with the Broncos and a first-timer now coaching the Lambs. Plus what do they have as a running game now? Faulk's career is just about over and they've still got the solid WRs, but STL really doesn't have a whole lot on the ground even with a former offensive coordinator now taking things over.

Denver 27

Lambs 10

Faulk's career is just about over...

Really?

Denver by 10.

d-townmike wrote:
What I think will be a deciding factor for this match up is the coaching. We've got a coaching veteran and phenom with the Broncos and a first-timer now coaching the Lambs. Plus what do they have as a running game now? Faulk's career is just about over and they've still got the solid WRs, but STL really doesn't have a whole lot on the ground even with a former offensive coordinator now taking things over.

You forgot this guy-


Faulk is on the PUP through week 7... and Jackson is set to take over the reigns full time this year. In Linehan's O- look for him to get 1500 combined yards.

That being said-
Denver- 27
Rams- 17

d-townmike wrote:What I think will be a deciding factor for this match up is the coaching. We've got a coaching veteran and phenom with the Broncos and a first-timer now coaching the Lambs. Plus what do they have as a running game now? Faulk's career is just about over and they've still got the solid WRs, but STL really doesn't have a whole lot on the ground even with a former offensive coordinator now taking things over.

While I think the Doncs will prevail, Mike, you're grossly underestimating the Rams running attack and, at the same time, overestimating your own coach.

First, to the Rams. To say they have nothing left of a ground attack is to admit you've largely ignored the Martz era, in general. Faulk hasn't been that much of a weapon in the past three seasons, somewhat due to injury, but for the most part, Faulk has been hamstrung by Martz's own attack-at-all-costs arrogance.

With Jackson and Davis, they have two backs that can make a living pounding the ball in between the tackles; something Faulk was never able to do over an entire game. The Rams will run the ball this season, they will have success and I think they'll be among the best teams in the league doing so.

That said, it might not show this week. Denver doesn't provide the best of matchups right out of the gate.

On the other side of the coin, I'd like to hear your reasoning on Shannahan the phenom.

I don't consider him to be a lousy coach, mind you ... it's just that I've never quite understood the reverence for a guy who was never able to do anything until paired up with one of the best competitors we've seen in our time. Yes ... Shannahan is a competent coach, for the most part, but I think his legacy (as with many premier coaches) will always be tied to #7, and most of his "draft genius" credit is derived from the Alex Gibbs schemes, rather than a knack for player evaluation.

In fact, the Rat's only claim to fame, as I see it, is the dominance of anything remotely resembling Primer and Soot over the past few years. Not that it's been an impossible feat concerning the Raiders' recent folly, but it's interesting to see his gears shift during Raider week all the same.

As for the game, I think it's going to be a snoozer for the most part. Both coaches will rely heavily on establishing the run and controlling the clock. The Rams less-than-stellar rushing defense will be the difference-maker here and won't allow Bulger and company the short fields they'll need to keep the pressure on. Tough to call in a loss at home, but I'd say this one breaks open a bit in the second half.

Denver - 23
St. Louis - 17

The Lambs will run a much more balanced offense under Linnehan....I'm betting Jackson has a breakout season this year now that he's finally "the man".......

that being said, I don't believe they don't have the firepower to stay with Denver.....but I think it'll be closer than most think......the jury is still out on how the loss of Kubiak is going to effect the offense......Rick Dennison is not Gary Kubiak.....

look for Denver to take control in the second half......

Broncos-24
Ewes-21

orcinus wrote:
In fact, the Rat's only claim to fame, as I see it, is the dominance of anything remotely resembling Primer and Soot over the past few years.

If that isn't reason enough to extend his contract (and give him a raise)....what is........

(doh, the Dud's are officially in my dome)

Took the Rams in an upset:

RAMS - 27

BRONCOS - 24

I don’t like opening the season with an early game on the road. Remember last year against the Dolphins? Everyone thought the Broncos would win for sure. A lot of the loss blamed on the heat and humidly but I’m sure hyped-up home field Fans on opening day had something to do with it. With that said, the Broncos learn from last year and come ready for a fight.

Broncos - 27
Rams - 26

Broncos- 27

Rams- 24

Rams - 24
Mules - 20

orcinus wrote:

d-townmike wrote:What I think will be a deciding factor for this match up is the coaching. We've got a coaching veteran and phenom with the Broncos and a first-timer now coaching the Lambs.

On the other side of the coin, I'd like to hear your reasoning on Shannahan the phenom.

I don't consider him to be a lousy coach, mind you ... it's just that I've never quite understood the reverence for a guy who was never able to do anything until paired up with one of the best competitors we've seen in our time. Yes ... Shannahan is a competent coach, for the most part, but I think his legacy (as with many premier coaches) will always be tied to #7, and most of his "draft genius" credit is derived from the Alex Gibbs schemes, rather than a knack for player evaluation.

Fair points maybe, but unfortunately you can't say how much credit goes to Shanahan and how much is due to Gibbs and great offensive weapons Denver had in the late 90s - just as you can't say how great Brady would have been if he'd ended up in Arizona or how great Montana would have been if he didn't have Rice, Craig, Clark, et. al. For better or worse, they are inextricably linked.

Sure, the whole "Mastermind" thing probably leaves a bitter taste in most people's mouths - especially AFC West fans - but it's not like he glossed himself that and was speaking in the third person in press conferences. "The Mastermind's going to try to establish the run to set up the pass. Any more questions for The Mastermind?" Blame the media or some Denver Post hack, more specifically.

I'm prejudiced but I'd put The Rat up there in the top five to seven coaches in the game today. Nobody in the league has won more games since he took over and he does have the back-to-back Super Bowls. Sure, they haven't won a Super Bowl since Elway retired but how many teams have? Since the back-to-back Super Bowls, Denver has only had one losing season and has made the playoffs four out of seven years - with guys like Brian Griese, Gus Frerotte and Jake Plummer at the helm. That's a pretty solid resumé that I'd put up against just about any coach in the league.

Red wrote:I'm prejudiced but I'd put The Rat up there in the top five to seven coaches in the game today. Nobody in the league has won more games since he took over and he does have the back-to-back Super Bowls. Sure, they haven't won a Super Bowl since Elway retired but how many teams have? Since the back-to-back Super Bowls, Denver has only had one losing season and has made the playoffs four out of seven years - with guys like Brian Griese, Gus Frerotte and Jake Plummer at the helm. That's a pretty solid resumé that I'd put up against just about any coach in the league.

Missing my point just a bit, Red. I'm not pawning off all of Rat's success on Gibbs, Elway, et. al. I just don't think phenom is a term you toss out there casually without being challenged. He's a good coach, but he's not Lombardiesque as Mike would have us believe. I seem to remember Mike dumping on Rat pretty heavily over the past couple seasons, which would indicate he probably gaffed here with his myopic estimation and didn't quite think this through ... much as he did with a certain other post last year I won't directly reference here.

:wink:

Rat = good coach
Rat /= phenom

I guess I am missing your point.

When you said "...a guy who was never able to do anything until paired up with one of the best competitors we've seen in our time... a competent coach, for the most part..." I didn't know that meant "good coach."

I see where you're trying to go with this... I just think you're taking the wrong route.

This thread didn't mention the name "Haslett" near enough.

How about that new Linehan offense in the red zone, eh? Utterly useless.
Red zone offense = getting the ball to the side of the field Wilkins likes to kick from.

Haslett?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Not worth mentioning unless you are ripping him.

....saying it for YEARS!

Dumbass wrote:Haslett?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Not worth mentioning unless you are ripping him.

....saying it for YEARS!

Consider who the Rams had previously in the defense coordinator position.
Consider what the Rams have seen on D since 2000.

Alright here I am not 24 hours after the debaucle that was the Broncos/Ewes game yesterday to say that I was completely wrong about my team. I couldn't believe the intense lack of effort put on by the offensive line! I guess we're going to miss Gary Kubiak afterall. Unlike most narrowminded Bronco fans that infest this city, I don't believe it was entirely Jake Plummer's fault. Yes he made a couple of mistakes, but the rest were courtesy of his O-line. Way too many penalties and overall stupid mistakes. If it weren't for the defense holding the Rams to only field goals, this game could have easily been 35-7 at the half.

Just like last year, it is just one game. I'm hoping it's not an annual tradition to lose the season opener on the road to what should be a crappy team. Gotta give props to the Rams though. Clearly they wanted this win a lot more than the Broncos did. Well, the Broncos offense anyway. :rollseyes:

As far as coaching goes, Rat is going to have to do something about that offensive line. I don't think he was out coached by a rookie yesterday...his line just choked the game away.

d-townmike wrote:Unlike most narrowminded Bronco fans that infest this city

Why do you continually post shit like this?
I can’t help but believe you work with a bunch of fucking nerds that know nothing about football, and you bring your water cooler talk here. Quit thinking you know more about football and the Broncos than the rest of the city. Seriously Mike, I can’t go through another season watching you make an Ass out of yourself. If I see one more post of yours in an attempt to get acceptance from the board I’m going to puke!

d-townmike wrote:I don't believe it was entirely Jake Plummer's fault.

Fact is… The entire team sucked and Plummer shit the bed! He had a bad game! Next week will be different, gotta love the fact that the Broncos come home to play the Chiefs next Sunday.

Rack 'zilla.

Don't forget ... this is the cat that likes to kick field goals on third down in order to get another attempt on fourth down should the first kick miss.

He's likely still trying to dig his way out from under that one.

godzilla2002 wrote:

d-townmike wrote:Unlike most narrowminded Bronco fans that infest this city

Why do you continually post shit like this?
I can’t help but believe you work with a bunch of fucking nerds that know nothing about football, and you bring your water cooler talk here. Quit thinking you know more about football and the Broncos than the rest of the city. Seriously Mike, I can’t go through another season watching you make an Ass out of yourself. If I see one more post of yours in an attempt to get acceptance from the board I’m going to puke!

I happen to work in the Admissions office for an accredited college and I hear a lot of stuff from coworkers including but not limited to "Broncos should rehire Elway." Yes, I heard that after the loss to the Dolphins last year. In addition, local sports talk, while tough to listen to anyway, is even tougher to listen to after a Broncos loss. I just don't like how when the Broncos lose a lot of fans put full blame on Plummer, even if the loss wasn't all his fault, and hate on him simply because his name doesn't have the initials of JE. Yesterday's loss was an offensive effort and many played a role, including Plummer.

Not being a native of Denver, but living here for 13 years, I just call it as I see it and a lot of fans here are still not over #7.

orcinus wrote:Don't forget ... this is the cat that likes to kick field goals on third down in order to get another attempt on fourth down should the first kick miss.

He's likely still trying to dig his way out from under that one.

You can go suck a J-cock. I realized my error, sacked up and took all the shit (mostly from your counterpart J-hawkfan) and now it's time to move on. You both remind me of fans who aren't over Elway.

Considering your thought process once again is 'tarding it up in this thread, it's only fitting we take a well-placed trip in the way-back machine, Peabody.

Stupid is as stupid does, after all.