Doomsday in Denver

One team had it's season end Friday night, the other had it's season end before it starts. The Broncos and Nuggets are both getting in their own way and are forgetting what got them to their presitgious statuses in the first place.

Let's start with the Nuggets. A season removed from playing nose-to-nose with the champion Lakers for 6 games (and being able to inbound the ball away from pulling the upset) this season had high expectations. If anything, the Nuggets were thought to have improved with the further evolution of Carmelo Anthony, the (hopeful) maturation of J.R. Smith and the additions of Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo.

Up until March the Nuggets had the best record in the NBA against teams with winning records, including being the only team to sweep Cleveland and taking 3 of 4 from the Lakers. Then George Karl had to leave the bench after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Losing a coach can have a huge impact on a team, but it took a team full of personalities and "me first" attitudes that didn't play much defense in the first place and turned them into human turnstyles in the lane. They allowed 102.4 points/gm during the regular season which ballooned once Karl left. For a team that had thrived on turnovers and it's defense leading to quick offense last season this was a huge letdown.

In the playoffs that rose to 110 pts/gm against Utah. The defense let this team down, they were still scoring (109/gm) but the pure effort category (defense) was non-existant. J.R. Smith did not progress, in fact he became more of an out of control shooter, and in the elimination game no one could keep Carlos Boozer off the glass (toughness). Maybe George Karl coming back will help this team, but in my opinion J.R. Smith needs to go, there is enough scoring on this team, but not enough bulldog mentality.

Then we come to the Denver Broncos. How do you destroy the best offense statistically in the NFL from 1994-2008? You fire that head coach, you trade away a QB with all the physical tools (even though he's not as good as he's made out to be) and then to cap it all off you trade the WR with the 2nd most catches in the NFL since '07. Oh, wait we're not done...

You use up a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round draft pick to trade into the bottom of round one to select...Tim Tebow. To say Tebow is a "project" is being EXTREMELY kind. The Broncos have pretty much selected a guy the size of a fullback/linebacker who is about as well versed in playing the Quarterback position as a senior in high school is. Yet, you waste 3 high draft picks on him? That is the most assanine decision in the history of the NFL.

The Broncos problem is the fact that their rush defense hasn't been addressed, it has ranked no higher than 25th the last 3 seasons. 25th! And how does brilliant McDaniels go about filling the need? He has taken 2 players in the last 2 drafts that fit the 3-4 scheme. 2 players in 15 picks. But don't worry they have signed Jamal Williams, former Charger Nose Tackle (who hasn't played more than 4 games the last 2 seasons), Justin Bannan (Ravens reserve) and Jarvis Green (situation player in New England).

In last year's draft they selected Knowshon Moreno (who would have been the 4th back off the board this season) and Robert Ayers (who?). At the same time at those slots they could have selected Brian Orakpo (11 sacks as a rookie, would be a great pass rusher in a 3-4) and Peria Jerry with Ayers pick (who would fit nicely outside on the line in a 3-4 but plays as a 3 technique DT in Atlanta). I would know, I did it in Madden. This is all hindsight, but when a coach is building his team on "character" and the character guys he takes doesn't produce, why should he be trusted when he drafts a guy like Tebow?

The pick of Demaryius Thomas was not a bad one, although I think many Bronco fans would agree that Dez Bryant would be the wiser choice. McDaniels must have not liked his mother. In all seriousness would anyone blame Dez had he punched Jeff Ireland in the teeth? McDaniels strategy will not work. You don't go from Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall to now Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow/Brady Quinn and Demaryius Thomas and get better!

The Broncos left the building once Mike Shanahan did and until Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow are removed from Denver (won't take more than 2 years) I am in hiding as a supporter of the Orange and Blue.

Youtube of the Day (My class project on the Killips)