DISQUS

Cesar · 2 years ago

You also have to remember the fact that stability at the QB position has to be set at the start of the season. Jake couldn't handle the pressure of having Jay waiting in the wings, and that's why we failed at even making the postseason. I'm sure Jay will be more than ready to step up to the plate and deliver the goods. Thank God we're set at the position for many years to come.

DVD · 2 years ago

Agreed. Balance is all well and good but it helps to have a top-flight franchise QB who's also the best passer in the game on your team. That takes the edge off.

Hopefully Cutler can come close to filling that sort of a bill. I think he has the potential to. We shall see...

Cesar Chavez · 2 years ago

What a foolish comment Cesar. There's a lot of reasons we didn't make the playoffs, and benching Jake tops the list. Cutler might be the man for the next decade in Denver, but he wasn't ready to lead a veteran group this year. Since Ego Shanahan decided a Super Bowl wasn't in the future, he decided to make Plummer a scapegoat. I seem to remember the Broncos were sitting at 7-3, with wins over N.E and Baltimore, when it was leaked to the media that Plummer was done. After that, for whatever reason, it appeared the team mailed it in. Please tell me again why we "failed at making the post season" It sure as hell wasn't the pressure of "Jay waiting in the wings."

Charles Truitt · 2 years ago

Granted, the Broncos didn't even make the playoffs. But with a few changes they very well may have.

Although I don't think Jay Cutler should have started the season, had Jake been injured early, it would have forced the change (not that I would wish that on anyone).

Second, there were injuries on the defense side of the ball that made a big difference later in the season. The way the defense started the season was no fluke.

With a more consistent QB, that would be Jay Cutler, and fewer injuries in key positions, I believe the Broncos may well have been legitimate contenders for AFC champions. The balance was almost there, minus the QB position.

Cesar · 2 years ago

I guess Cesar Chavez is a big "Fake Plummer" fan, ain't he? C'mon partner, gimme a break. If you're exposing Plummer to be a scapegoat, why then didn't he learn from the San Diego situation? Or maybe you can't remember that Phillip Rivers was brought in to replace Drew Brees, who never gave up to the pressure in San Diego and instead was kicked out of town and became a Pro Bowl QB, and one of the top 5 in the game right now.
Truth is, "Fake" never could handle the pressure. He played the season like he was playing the AFC Championship game the year before. Don't get me wrong, he played outstanding games against the Steelers, Colts, and the Pats, but in the end it became to difficult for him. Maybe it's his demeanor or dedication to the game. I appreciate the leadership he brought to the entire team, but if you do not perform as expected, even if you're the greatest leader ever, people will not look at you the same way. Being sympathetic and popular is not enough to show leadership.

johnnyj · 2 years ago

you also have to look at the fact that there were THREE returning skills positions coming back for Jake to work with. Smith, Alexander, and T. Bell. Not that that's an excuse because i feel Jake should have been able to build a chemistry with the people brought in...but i do kinda weigh that in. I love Jake but I do think that Cutler gave them the best chances of success(funny how I still blame the team around jake and the coaching staff). Jay averaged around 25.5 ppg didn't he? Jake was averaging around 19.5 right? Check my numbers I'm not sure. But its hard to argue with that.

northspring · 2 years ago

I was opposed to benching Jake at the time, but except for the game against Seattle he did fine and, as a matter of fact, the offensive numbers showed great improvement. I think the defensive numbers early may have been somewhat of a fluke. Yes, injuries hurt, but the defense had trouble througout the season holding a lead against really good teams. Almost as much as hoping Jay will be the quarterback advertised, I'm hoping the young receivers develop as well.

DVD · 2 years ago

Hey Cesar --

Don't be an idiot. Shanahan didn't replace Plummer because of his "ego". He said it best himself the other day "When you're averaging 17 points a game (with Plummer as the starter) and you're 7-4, you're not going anywhere in the playoffs. Then you put Jay (Cutler) in there and you're averaging 25 points a game, now you have a chance to do something in the playoffs."

The only reason that team was 7-4 at that point was because of the defense, which gave up only 2 TDs in the first six games, if you remember. Without them, the team would have been 4-7 or worse because the offense was playing so badly under Plummer.

The Broncos would never have made the playoffs with Jake in there, and even if they had, avereraging 17 PPG would have gotten them demolished a'la Kansas City at Indy and then all the idiot fans like you would have come out and started screaming "why didn't they put in Cutler earlier???"

You can't have it both ways.

BroncoinOhio · 2 years ago

Cutler is the answer at QB. I feel defensive end and running back are our greatest needs. I also think we need a young safety to groom for Lynch.

Cesar · 2 years ago

Chavez, Plummer COULD NOT handle the pressure. Leave it alone, dork. Every time you keep posting the same boring reply, the more I think you're a huge Plummer fan, eventhough you try hard not to acknowlege it. Cutler IS the answer, and thank heavens we have him for the long term. You can talk injuries, RB play, pass rush, etc., but the fact remains that if you don't have any consistency at the glamour position, you are Plummered.

broncofan · 2 years ago

Jake ran his course with the broncos. It is time to look to the future with Jay Cutler. I don't think we can place the blame squarely on one person's shoulders. It was a team effort. Special teams didn't get it done. The Defense did awsome until they started getting people injured. The offense was not producing especially in the red zone. I think we need a every down power running back that can force a team to put 8 guys in the box to stop. The Bells are not the answer. Tatum is too injury prone and Mike is too slow. Jay could have field days with opposing defenses if we could get a great running back. The Bells only combined for about 10 touchdowns all season. Just horrible.
Our defensive line needs some work also.
I am excited to see Jay work with Walker, Marshall and Smith this next season along with Scheffler at tight end this next season. I believe we have great potential. We just need a great running back and not just another one that barely gets 1,000 yards and less then 10 TDs a season

chris · 2 years ago

Cesar, you are an clearly one of the "blind fans". You say Plummer should have gone the Drew Brees route? Hmmmm........I guess Tatum is like having L.T. and Alexander and Scheffler are like having Gates. The ENTIRE offense, oustide of Javon Walker, was horrible. From the O-line expanding outward. Yes, the offense picked it up a bit towards the end of the season, mostly out of fear. Shanahan's wrath was peaking when he took Plummer out. That was his final message. And though it may have looked to work for a few weeks with a higher PPG average, it ultimately failed playing that group of 49ers. They will undoubtedly be better next season, but making the switch 10 games in was a bad move, and there is really no debating that.

Don Gibson · 2 years ago

Re: Balance.

1.The Defense held firm early in the Season (not at end), while 2.Offense wasn't scoring points.

3.MOST beginning quarterbacks are error prone - whether they score points or not.

WHAT - in YOUR opinion - do YOU think the Brocos need to Do?

JJ · 2 years ago

The "blind fans" are those that still support Plummer despite the facts. He played his way out of the job- period, end of story. It happens. Get over it, move on. Sell that $20 Wal-mart Plummer jersey in this summer's garage sale and get over it.

We can only hope for a decent draft pick for the guy at this point, he's history. We'd be lucky to get a 3rd rounder- here's hoping.

Billy · 2 years ago

Yeah, fear is what made the offense go from scoring 19 points per game to 25 points per game. Or maybe it was having a QB who could convert 3rd downs. Or a QB who wasn't the 28th rated in the league. Admit it bro, Plummer was looking over his shoulder. It's true he didn't have LT or Gates to help him, but when a rookie can come in and play better than you, you're not getting it done. Any football expert will tell you, Plummer is not the answer. I was listening to NFL radio on satellite and even they say Houston going for Plummer would be a mistake. Great teams are able to take one thing away, and when they take our running game away, Jake can't win the game for us.

Broncos Fan in WI · 2 years ago

Leaving Jake in probably would have gotten us into the playoffs, but who cares? We weren't good enough to do anything IN the playoffs to get to the Super Bowl, so what's the point? It was a good time to put the rookie in, let him make his mistakes, if we make it to the playoffs, great. If not? Next year will be better. He's got some game time experience now.

richard · 2 years ago

get rid of those cleveland browns rejects. they dont know how to win. They wear out in the 3rd quarter their stamina is suspect and so is their heart. Draft big michael bush from louisville 6'3 255pds running back. Get rid of tatum he's a fumbler. Keep Mike Bell. Move Rod Smith exclusively to slot. get rid of mike heimerdinger his offense playcalling and scheming are terrible. He's no Kubiak.

cesar chavez · 2 years ago

This is like beating a dead horse. I took exception to the initial post on this thread, which I found to be ignorant. We can argue all we want about hypotheticals, but we missed the playoffs.

All of you Vandy-come-Broncos fans raving about Cutler's future, Know this: Shanahan has been knifing people in the back since he came here. I watched Elway struggle and get ripped on for years. Then he won two SBs, and all was forgotten. I watched Griese take a hatchet in the back, as if he was the sole reason for Shanahan's brilliant coaching not making the playoffs. Then we got Plummer, and everyone said this will prove Shanahan's genius and turn the Broncos around. Now he took a hatchet in the back, as if it was all his fault we got abused by Pittsburgh last year. Now Shanahan has his next potential scapegoat. I hope Cutler gets it done, which in Denver means winning Superbowls. If not, I feel sort of sorry for him. This town can ruin a QB, and I'm sure a hatchet will be headed his way in a few years. The same is true of assistant coaches.

The bottom line is it's never Shanahan's fault. I love the Broncos, but I'll call a spade a spade. I'll take a Cowher type of coach anyday, whose teams come out and punch you in the mouth. Shanahans teams are famous for ranking high in both offensive and defensive stats, but somehow ending up 9-7. Two SBs or not, I can't figure out how this guy gets a pass, when everyone else takes the fall. Usually it's the head coach who steps up like a man and takes the blame when his team loses...not in Denver.

cc · 2 years ago

Shanahan does sometimes dodge some rightful criticism but to me calling Griese and Plummer scapegoats is not looking at the big picture. Griese being made the starter ahead of Brister was a mistake and Mike admits that but he didn't just throw a 'hatchet at him'. He gave Brian ever oppurtunity to suceed over those 3-4 years, but Griese just isn't a championship quaterback, that's why he's played back-up in Miami, Tampa Bay, and now in Chicago BEHIND Rex Grossman.

Plummer on the other hand had a really messy dismissal, and obviously didn't deserve all the bad press he got in his years in Denver, but still I think everyone knows his play wasn't the reason we were winning most our games but it was one of several key factors why we lost the ones we did. I think Shanahan knows what kind of quaterback is needed to win a SB, having won 3 with Young and Elway. So saying he backstabbed all his quaterbacks isn't fair.

Broncos fans are lucky that every single year is supposed to be a playoff year, we could be a Detroit Lions or Browns that anything above .500 is cause for celebration. Shanahan isn't perfect but he keeps Denver an elite football town every year, missing the playoffs after three straight appearances isn't all bad, becasue wait, no Denver coach has ever gone 4 straight times, never. Shanahan's surronding cast aren't all getting the "fail" as you called it, cutting coaches and players isnt betrayal, its a good coaches responsibility to make those tough calls and let people go.

Brad · 2 years ago

I've never piped in on this but I will. I never wanted Plummer in the first place, but supported him becuase he was our quarterback. I believe his problm was that we tied his hand to much. We needed to let him QB the way he QB's. Take the good with the bad and let him play. That year he threw 20 INTs he also threw for 27 TDs, we had a decent record and went to the playoffs. Anyway, anyone can see the that the future is Jay and I'm ready to jump in and give him full support. He's smart and a lot cooler under pressure. Man, I cant wait for training camp!

BigBroncos fan from Japan · 2 years ago

I think Brad is a hippy!

Jesse · 2 years ago

I think you are all missing the point. It begins in the trenches, and let's be honest the broncos offensive and defensive lines were subpar at best. In years past the offensive line would wear down opponents and we could run the ball to finish off games, didn't happen this year.
So, I don't think it really mattered if Plummer or Cutler was your quarterback. Also, no matter how good of cornerbacks you have, if you don't get pressure on the quarterback, the secondary will get picked apart. One more point, both Bells are not starters in this league, here's to hoping that Lynch somehow falls in our lap.

TP · 2 years ago

Jesse you are right. Tatum could be a starter some where else because of his speed, but other than that he offers nothing else. Not too many undrafted free agent running backs make it in the NFL, Mike runs hard but he just does not have the overall talent. I think the Broncos need a offensive player in the first round more than they do a defensive. Listen, Bates has been known to come up with schemes of rushing the QB even when the D-Line is not that great. Also, there are going to be some productive D-Line guys out there for free agency, same with Defensive Backs. The most important thing for a young QB to have in order to be succesfull is a guy that can carry the ball. This draft holds some good backs like lynch, Peterson, Bush, and other backs that can contribute more than the Bell(s). I would not be suprised if the Broncos took another young receiver like Jarret, Ginn Jr. if they are available. Also a guy(s) like Meachem and Rice who are projected to be late first rounders to early second rounded could be snagged by the Broncos.

One good thing for the Broncos is how many picks they have. They have a valiable third rounder and a decent 1 and 2 round pick. Good an productive talent is always set aside to falshy and inconsistant talent. Look for the Broncos to select a older, proven player that can contribute right away.

Rod · 2 years ago

The fact is the Broncos could ride Jake Plummer through the season and more than likly th playoffs.... But the Broncos could not ride Jake to the SB. Jake was getting older and the Broncos selected a young QB that has awesome talent to take the wheel in the Broncos future. I liked Jake, but Culter has more of a chance to lead the Broncos into the SB and ultimly win it all. You never knew how Jake would play on any given sunday, that can and did lead to many problems for the Broncos and for Plummer. Jay for a rookie was a lot more consistant than Plummer and most QB's in the NFL. Consistant QB always win the SB, and Jake is not consistant.

Mike · 2 years ago

Ceaser --- are you kidding me? Shanny the backstabber? Have you checked around the league lately? Teams and their respective coaches and wins are on a roller coaster, while the Broncos are usually good for 9-10 wins every year. It's up to the coach, who's neck is on the line every year, to make the tough call. If you didn't think that Plummer deserved the bench last year, you're nuts. He should've been benched after the Cleveland game. He played poorly all year and when you're a 10 year vet with 3-4 yrs under your belt in the current system, you can't make rookie mistakes. Also, if you didn't see a noticeable difference between him and Cutler, you need to stop commenting on football and just enjoy the games.

Shanny isn't a backstabber, if anything he's loyal to a fault with the guys that work hard and produce. Look at Rod, Lynch, Nalen, Hamilton, they all kind of hurt us at various times. They know the system and everything, but they can expose us to big plays for the other team because of their age and the diminished speed and durability that goes with that.

Anyways, Cutler is the guy. As long as he has a good head on his shoulders for the off the field stuff, he's got the arm and heart that you need at the position. He'll try to force some throws, but he throws a big league fastball and that'll make him harder to pick off. We won't be seeing any left handed wobblers from him, or complete ducks into double, triple coverage like the Snake...

TP · 2 years ago

Jake has some good talent. He has the kind of talent that in the right system and coaching style he was/is able to win some games and maybe some playoff games. No Plummer fan can reject the thought that Cutler has alot more ability and talent than Jake. One thing that Cutler proved that he could do that Jake could not was learn from his mistakes. I can understand a QB having one maybe two 12+ int seasons in his whole carrer. But when you consistantly through 12+ int seasons there is something wrong. Jake was a good guy and sure did fight when there was nothing to fight for, but in the end a better talent and quality QB replaced him at QB for the Broncos.

Bob · 2 years ago

#18 Cesar. Were you born stupid or did you just wake up that way today! Slamming Shanny? Let's look at what this years Broncs had to offer: Average at best running game, one threat receiver, a weak O-Line, no pass rush, a really average hot/cold quarterback (Jake) and lousy special teams play. And you want to lay all of this at the coaches feet. Try the words salary cap and free agnecy for some blame. What coach anywhere in the league could have had a better record with the limited personnel Denver had this year? If blamming coaching is your niche, look who was fired for their failure to put the right personnel and plays on the field, aka Colyer.

No team is capable of winning all of their games, making the playoffs and going to the superbowl every year. Denver is consistantly one of the best teams in the NFL, year in and year out. This is a result of good coaching. Cowher had alot more talented players and how did the Steelers finish again??

Before you jump on the "blame Shanny for everything wagon" or revert to inaccurate accusations and stupied conclusions, learn more about the game. That or please go be a fan for another team that meets your expectations. Maybe the Raiders or Lions fit your sports IQ capacity for really complaining about something.

tiernan · 2 years ago

we didn't make the playoffs because we were the 7th best team in the AFC... period. all teams deal with injuries and the like. for us to hang our defense's collapse on that is kind of pointless IMO. i don't think conditioning was a problem either. our offense's inability to sustain drives is why they wore out in the 3rd quarter towards the end of the season. you simply can't sustain the level of play they were at during the beginning of the season when you spend almost 3 quarters of the game on the field. it will just get to ya in the long run.

as far as jake is concerned, its a combination of things. jake did a lot of good for our team, but in the end, he simply didn't perform when we were trailing... which actually used to be his trademark. now the playcalling was absolutely abysmal this season, and it seemed to me that the coaching staff didn't play to jake's strengths like they did during last seasons playoff run... but that doesnt take away the fact that jake proved to be a one-trick pony when asked to throw from the pocket. plus, i'm not sure if it was because he was pressing too much this year because of jay, but his velocity and accuracy down the football field seemed to take a significant step back this year. now im a HUGE plummer fan, and personally feel he deserves WAY more appreciation for the record he has lead us to over the past several seasons, but the simple fact is that jay can do all the things jake does well, plus perform better in the areas jake falls short. simply put... hes a far greater talent, and the only reason he wasn't starting from the get go was because of jake's record as a starter, and the fact that he was a rookie. find one scout that thinks jake has superior tools as a QB, and i'm pretty sure all you've found is plummer's agent.

this teams biggest need IMO is a pass-rushing end. if we had a guy that was good for 10-15 sacks a season lining up for us i really think we would be a 12-4 or 13-3 team. after that i would like to see us get a true cover safety. even with ferguson healthy, we simply have two thumpers back there, which has helped against the run, but leaves us vulnerable in the deep middle. the onyl thing that saves this secondary form giving up 1 or 2 huge bombs a game is bailey's ability to take away 2/3 of the field. he just covers so much ground so fast, we can lean both our safeties away from him, and kind of conceal our deficiencies.

having an all-pro RB would be a plus, but lots of teams prolly think that. in fact, the only every down back of the final four teams this year was LT, so i simply don't think its that big a deal. plus... i watched every game this year, and i think mike bell has HUGE potential. hes much quicker than than i've seen most people write, and he hits the hole with authority. i actually remember TD's rookie year, and when mike was given significant carries in games, he reminded me a lot of him. i think this team would have been a lot better off had we let mike keep the job he earned in training camp. tatum bell is the world's biggest tease. thats all i have to say about him. i truly hope he proves me wrong.

Smokin'Joe · 2 years ago

No doubt balance is key. However, each side of the ball requires a so-called X-factor. For the Colts its Peyton Manning and Dwight Freeney. Game changers. Denver has Champ Bailey but no one on offense. Add a RB threat and a more seasoned Cutler and someone may emerge.

SC · 2 years ago

Don’t lose sight of the fact that Cutler faced mediocre to abysmal defenses in his five game stint.

The jury is still out big time.


Seattle: 16th against the pass, 19th overall

San Diego: 13th against the pass, 10th overall

Arizona: 30th against the pass, 29th overall

Cincinnati: LAST against the pass, 30th overall

San Francisco: 26th against the pass, 26th overall

1st Grader · 2 years ago

SC is really smart. He is probably a grade or two higher than me. He is probably Jake Plummer.

roy · 2 years ago

Jay got the nod to be quarterback because Thats what the fans wanted. Jake was not having a bad year, nor was the team. THE FANS wanted Jay in there and Shanahan gave it to them knowing that it would probably cost them the Super bowl and maybe the playoffs. You have to admit for them to miss the playoffs was something you don't often see.
Things kind of fell into place for Kansas City!

Tony · 2 years ago

"Jay got the nod because that's what the fans wanted...Jake was not having a bad year"

Oh C'MON. Shanahan stuck
with Plummer as long as he possibly could. I was
the biggest Plummer backer of my entire crazy
Bronco friends, but the time had come to move on.
We had seen the best of Jake and it wasn't going to get ANY better.

Cutler needed some seasoning so he could hit the ground running
this season.

TP · 2 years ago

It is true that the fans wanted Cutler in, i did. But to say that was the only reason why Shanny went with Jay is dumb. First of all, the only reason why the Broncos won any games early in the season was because of the Defense. Later the Defense craped out and look what happened to the Broncos. Secondly, Jake deserved to get pulled from the starting job. He knew at the KC game that would be his last, and he still played poorly, no fight in him at all. Thirdly, you have to be a blind Broncos fans to not see the talent and potential of Cutler compared to Jake. Most of the time Cutler learned from his mistakes, most rookies don't. Most of the time Plummer did not learn from his mistakes, like I said most ROOKIES don't. If you are going to play like a rookie, why not put in a rookie and hope for the best.

I like Jake, and hope he does well where ever he ends up, but the fact is Cutler is and will be a much, much better QB than Plummer ever hoped to become.