JMcD This “L’s” on You!
Josh McDaniels has been given numerous “kudos” for the Broncos unexpected 6-0 start and their current 8-5 record. However, the most recent loss to the Colts, in which the Broncos outplayed the Colts (see total yards, turnover margin, and Brandon Marshall), there were a number of questionable calls that led the Broncos “L”. In particular, were the two fourth and 1’s where McDaniels choose to run the ball with Moreno, though the Colts had 10 players in the box. The Broncos failed on both of these attempts, which prevented two potential scoring drives. Now this decision to run the ball comes in a game where the 6′ 4″ Brandon Marshall, who would eventually set the NFL record for most receptions in a game, is matched up against a 5′ 8″ cornerback. The Colts could not stop the pass the whole game, particularly when the ball was going to BM. JMcD should have chosen to air it out on both fourth down plays and let his player makers, BM, make a play. (It worked out for Indy when Manning aired it out on a fourth down to Dallas Clark.)
There is no doubt JMcD is a good coach and has done more than anyone thought he was going to do this year. However, in a game where the defense picks off Manning three times (Manning was “0′fer” prior to this game when throwing 3 or more INT’s), the offense moves the ball as efficiently as it did, and the Colts have no answer for BM, its a shame and a wasted opportunity not to come away with the “W”. Broncos fans should be encouraged that our Orange and Blue can play with the best teams in the league. However, moral victories do not count in the overall standings. I applaud JMcD’s aggressive style, however he needed to play to the Broncos strength in the game. I hope the Broncos get another shot at the Colts in the playoffs, because they should’ve won on Sunday and they have the talent to beat Indy and return the favor for those playoff defeats in ‘03 and ‘04. GO BRONCOS!
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5 Responses
Drew December 15th at 7:28 pm
Every time I see a Rhys blog I stop and think how rare and beautiful it truly is, like an endangered animal. We have to appreciate scarcity when it’s here.
Drew December 15th at 9:33 pm
This game was so good for B. Marsh and after the game he spoke with maturity. I feel like he’s grown a lot as a player since the off-season. Listen to his interview on the fan. http://www.fm1043thefan.com/Channels/AlfredAndD-Mac/Story.aspx?ID=1175626
David December 20th at 12:35 am
I have to disagree with the title of your post Rhys… JMAC can’t be blamed for this loss. I’ll tell you why…
1. A lot of people are upset JMAC deferred to the second half. I think he did it because he knew his defense could hold the Colts out of the endzone. It’s not his fault the defense didn’t show up until the 2nd quarter.
2. Short yardage plays with Knowshon Moreno were awful no doubt. However, the reason they were awful was our offensive line was blown off the line of scrimmage and we had no push forward. Earl Campbell couldn’t have even picked up a first down on those runs. And even Drew’s ‘man crush’ Peyton Hillis could not have picked up those first downs.
3. Kyle Orton hit BMARSH 21 times… However, he made the right read when BMARSH had 2 steps on 2 5′8 cornerbacks only to watch as the ball was underthrown and picked off in the endzone. If Orton makes a good throw it’s a TD and we may end up on top of that game.
Either way I thought JMAC called a pretty good game Rhys.
Rhys Williams December 20th at 3:54 am
David, I disagree. I agree with the call to defer to the second half. However, both 4 and 1 calls were terrible by JMcD. Yes they dialed up 21 receptions for BM. But on 4th and 1 when the Broncos were driving for a tying / take the lead score, and they run the ball with 10 defenders 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, and BM is one-on-one with a 5′ 8″ corner back on the edge, that is a terrible play call by JMcD. I don’t care if BM has to catch 30 balls, if its working and the Colts won’t stop it, throw the ball to him again; particularly when the Broncos have the momentum and are driving to take the lead.
I thought JMcD got conservative on both 4th down plays particularly when Moreno only ran for 63 yards at a 2.7 ypc average. Those were bad play calls and the loss (particularly when the credit for the wins) should be on JMcD.
David December 20th at 7:38 pm
Sorry Rhys I can’t ever hang a football game on 2 plays. Especially when there were that many plays when guys didn’t tackle Joseph Addai… When Ryan Clady misses blocks on Dwight Freeney… When the defense blows assignments leaving Dallas Clark running free… When Kyle Orton missed open receivers… When the offensive line can’t get a push on a straight dive play. We had a lot of problems that game. And we all know if you can’t win in the trenches you can’t win the game.
And also I’m not so sure it’s a good thing to have 1 guy catching 21 balls. It means there is a lack of balance on the offense when you see those things.