Loss to Texans symbolic of Broncos’ 2007 demise

By Os Davis  |   Friday, December 14, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Denver Broncos
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Look at it this way, Denver Broncos fans: The disaster that was 2007 is almost over.

What an appropriate finish to this dismal, mysterious season, as former acolyte Gary Kubiak and his up-and-coming Houston Texans schooled master Mike Shanahan and directionally challenged Denver on Thursday night.

Look at it this way, Bronco backers: The debacle in Houston outlined the issues Shanahan & Co. must address in the offseason.

Most importantly, something must be done about the run 'D'. Denver gave up 158 ground yards against the likes of Ron Dayne and Darius Walker, allowing them to run at will and ice the game in the second half.

Check out Houston's first couple of drives on offense. After taking the kickoff, Sage Rosenfels and the Texans started their drive thusly: complete pass, complete pass, complete pass, complete pass, as though establishing the passing game before going to the run. On drive number two, Kubiak had Kevin Walter run it a couple of times; all the wide receiver did was gain 8 and 13 yards, respectively.

And why wouldn't you? To say the Broncos have been lame against the run this season would be a Texas-sized understatement. Statistically, Denver ranks 29th in terms of yardage allowed, following amazing defenses like the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs, while beating out the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. Now if that bunch doesn't illustrate the levels to which this side of the ball has sunk despite several million dollars spent on oldsters during the offseason, nothing will.

On the other side, what's up with Jay Cutler? His line in the Texans game: 27 of 39, 254 yards, one touchdowns and zero interceptions. Rosenfels' numbers: 16 of 27 for 200 yards, one and one. Cover up the final score on your computer screen long enough and you'll start to wonder if something was wrong with your TV reception all night. Throw in the fact that, according to NFL.com's Steve Mariucci, "[The Texans and Broncos] are essentially running the same offense," and it was another mysterious bunch of numbers turned in by Cutler in another losing effort.

After all, there was Rosenfels, not Cutler, leading his guys on long drives in the first quarter to establish the lead and twice in the fourth to put the game away. While Cutler has an absolute cannon for an arm and is demonstrating improving accuracy, the quarterback once again spent most of the first half not punching the ball into the end zone and the second half invisible.

Not everything in this game can be blamed on Cutler, though. After all, he did make the most of a receiving duo of Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler, going to the 23- and 24-year-olds 18 times for 208 yards. And the defense, in allowing the Texans to pile up drives that burned a whopping 10:31 in the fourth quarter, hardly gave Cutler any leeway.

It should not be suggested that Cutler be replaced or even be given competition for the starting spot. However, the Broncos' seemingly psychological inability to score touchdowns has been noted time and again in the mass media and blogosphere this season.

Seriously, these guys have gobs of talent on offense. Once again a back appeared out of nowhere - Selvin Young, and next year Travis Henry is back, right? - to often provide a decent running attack. The offensive line was reasonably protective (at least until it met a dude named Mario Williams, that is), having allowed just 22 sacks going into Thursday night. It's all 90 percent half-mental, to be sure.

Sorry about your 2007, Denver, but look at it this way: With a decent draft and the addition of a psychologist to the roster, these guys are right back in the playoff hunt in 2008.

I think.
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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