Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

Why Bill Belichick disciples have been failures

The myth of “The System”

Many people think that the Patriots have been using the same system for seventeen years and it never changes. This is not true because strategies change every year, game, and play. Bill Belichick is very good at game planning for a specific team and attacking that teams flaws. If a team has a bad secondary, then Tom Brady will drop back 50 times that game. If a team struggles against the run, then the backs will be featured heavily. This seems like a very simple concept to understand, but so many coaches are stubborn and do the same thing every week. Other teams can game plan against them so easily because they know exactly what they are going to do.

Belichick is also very good at making in-game adjustments and decisions. If the game plan is not working, he can change it on the spot and figure things out. Also, when the game is on the line he knows how to strategically manage the game. The two most famous examples are the intentional safety and Super Bowl 49. After Marshawn Lynch’s run from the five, Pats fans were yelling at the TV wanting a timeout. Belichick decided to let the clock run down, and we all know what happened next.

Coaching players up and keeping them in line

Bill Belichick is very good at coaching players up and getting the most out of them. He can find the seventh round pick or journeyman and turn him into a serviceable player. Last year, the Patriots got to the super bowl with James Harrison, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, and Eric Lee starting. Harrison was a washed-up veteran, Van Noy was traded for a sixth-round pick and has been good since he was traded to New England in 2016. Even though the defense was the reason they lost that game, no other coach in the NFL could come close to the Super Bowl with that roster.

Even though Bill Belichick has taken shots on players with a troubled past, he knows how to keep his players in line. Belichick does not have a great personality, most of the players like him and wants to play for him. One game into the season, it was reported that the veterans on the Lions do not like Matt Patricia. Also, one of the reasons Josh McDaniels was fired from the Broncos is because of off the field issues with players.

Bottom line

The student will never be as smart as the teacher. Bill Belichick is the best coach in football and there may never be a coach as smart as him. It is impossible to copy and paste what Belichick has done over the past seventeen years because he does almost everything perfectly.

Top 5 Most Disappointing NFL Teams of the Season

5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-9)

Awful season for the Pack, and yes, I know Aaron Rodgers missed the better part of it. Of course, it would be unfair to expect them to remain a premiere team with an inexperienced rookie under center. However, can they really be considered a great team if they can not win without Aaron Rodgers? They were 4-1 prior to his injury in Week Six and were 3-6 without him. I think this confirms the notion that Green Bay is not a good team, Rodgers is just a phenomenal quarterback. Luckily for Green Bay, Rodgers will be back and healthy for next season. However, they have to be a little concerned about the state of the rest of the team, considering the fact that they fold like a two dollar lawn when Rodgers is not playing.

4. DENVER BRONCOS (5-11)

denverpost.com

The Broncos have been lead by a dominant defense over the past few seasons. They have not really had much offensive firepower since the Manning days, but a viable offense was always enough to get by. It looked like they would use this recipe once again to compete for a playoff spot this season. However, this plan did not go as expected. There were certainly concerns regarding their offense this year, specifically at QB. They have a talented group of wide receivers and a solid run game with CJ Anderson. Unfortunately none of their three quarter backs could play well enough to allow the defense to win them games. It is safe to say that the Siemian, Osweiler and Lynch experiments all failed.

The dreadful offense was actually so bad that it affected the effectiveness of the defense. Denver’s inability to sustain drives forced the defense to constantly be on the field for 35 minutes or more all season long. No matter how talented, there is no defense that will be able to stay fresh and healthy while being on the field that much. Hey, at least Denver was bad enough to land themselves a solid first round draft pick. They may want to consider drafting a QB that can throw the ball.

3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-11)

This was supposed to be the year for the Bucs to make a playoff run. It was Winston’s third year in the league and it appeared that he may have had enough experience to lead this team to a great year. Well, unfortunately, he was responsible for the steep regression of the offense. Last year, Jameis threw 28 TD’s and 18 interceptions in 16 games. Not great numbers, but it was reasonable to think he could reduce the turnovers this year. He did manage to do that thanks to an injury that forced him to sit out for three games. This year he only threw 19 TD’s and 11 interceptions while his QBR dropped from 64.7 to 50.3.

Winston was not the only one to blame for Tampa’s struggles though. The defense was horrendous as they ranked 22nd in points allowed per game and dead last in yards allowed per game. What looked like a bright future for Tampa may in fact not be so bright.

2. NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13)

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2016 was a whole lot more fun for the Giants than 2017. Many expected them to struggle last year but they went 11-5, riding one of the leagues best defenses. In 2017, it was the exact opposite, they were expected to be a great team but ended up being the second worst. Maybe they should try to suck next year, in hopes that they can continue the trend? Anyways, in 2016 they ranked 2nd in the league allowing 17.8 points per game. It was quite the turnaround in 2017, as they ranked 27th in the league allowing 24.3 points per game. With Eli Manning’s struggles and the loss of OBJ, those defensive numbers are not going to cut it. I think this team as a whole, especially Eli will benefit greatly with a coaching upgrade from McAdoo.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)

In my opinion, the Raiders were by far the biggest disappointment of the season. Many assured they would make the playoffs, possibly even make the Superbowl or perhaps even win it. Well, lets just say the answer was D, none of the above. Everything went wrong for this team. Derek Carr was not close to the guy he was last year. Amari Cooper continued to be inconsistent. Marshawn Lynch is evidently no longer Beast Mode anymore, as he averaged less than 60 rushing yards per game. The defense was picked apart all year. The secondary was particularly bad as they ranked 26th in the league in pass yards allowed per game. From 12-4 to 6-10 with a very similar looking roster and coaching staff is puzzling. With the recent firing of head coach Jack Del Rio, we will have to see how this team performs in the future. I supposed the only positive to take away from this season is the fact that they managed six wins in a tough division while playing their absolute worst. For Oakland fans, lets hope this year was a representation of this team’s floor.

*Questions or comments? Follow me on Twitter @MLBfromNH*

*Featured picture credit goes to bostonherald.com*

An Unlikely Best of the AFC West Emerging?

2016 AFC WEST ELITES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

In 2016 the AFC West was the best division in football. It featured Andy Reid’s Chiefs, a rejuvenated Raiders team, and the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos. The Chiefs are known for consistency, elite coaching, great defense, and taking care of the ball. Since Reid joined the team as head coach in 2013, the Chiefs have finished each season with at least nine wins. Entering this season, their record with Reid as head coach is was 43-21; nothing too shabby. In 2016 they finished 12-4 with a viable offense (7th in AFC) and a stellar defense (3rd in AFC). Kansas City also ranked second in net points at 78.

DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos have had one of the toughest defenses the league has seen over the past decade. Denver finished among the top three in the AFC in points allowed in 2015 and 2016. Denver’s defense struck fear in the eyes of opponents. It was nearly impossible to run or throw against this unit as it featured dominant defensive players in both the front seven and the secondary. The secondary is led by Aqib Talib, one of the leagues best corners as well as Chris Harris who is arguably the leagues best slot corner. The pass rush was an absolute nightmare for opposing QB’s and O lines as it seemed like Von Miller would be hitting the QB on every play. Denver has been a dreadful place to play for opposing QB’s over the past few years.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Oh man, the Raiders had a really tough stretch over the past 13 seasons prior to 2016. From 2003 to 2015, they failed to finish any season with a winning record or finish higher than third place in the AFC West. Their overall record during that span? 63-145. How many head coaches? Nine. Finally though in 2016 they emerged in a big way as they quickly became one of the best teams in all of football. Oakland finished 2016 with a record of 12-4 despite playing in the toughest division. They were led by young QB Derek Carr who finished fifth in MVP voting. Carr lead the Raiders offensive attack as they finished second in the AFC in points scored. This group was certainly poised for greatness in the 2017 season.

THE AFC WEST’S FORGOTTEN MEMBER: THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Over the last seven season, the Chargers have lived in the shadows of their AFC West rivals. The Chargers have just one lone playoff appearance since 2009. You have to go back to the LaDainian Tomlinson days to remember the last time the Chargers were a real force in the AFC. Football fans expected the same old thing in 2017, dominance by the Chiefs, Broncos, and now the Chargers’ old basement buddy, the Oakland Raiders. Those poor, gritty Chargers would play tough but once again fail to escape their inevitable fate of dwelling in the AFC West basement. However, the Chargers seem to have something else in mind this year and it seems that the other division members may, oddly enough, be on board with the plan.

HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED

Well, the start of the season was anything but pretty, as the Chargers lost their first four games upon moving to Los Angeles. However, they have quickly turned things around and won five of their last seven games. The Chargers have had one of the toughest schedules this year and in play a premiere division yet they still have won five games. Okay, five wins does not display overwhelming success but I want to break down their season one game at a time and prove that this team could be 8-3 at this point of the season had some luck had gone their way. I also want to demonstrate that this team is playoff caliber and could certainly make it in considering the wide open AFC West and AFC wild card races.

Week 1- Younghoe Koo misses 44-yard game tying field goal to force OT in Denver (blocked). 0-1

Week 2- Younghoe Koo misses 44-yard game-winning field goal vs Miami. 0-2

Week 3- Fair and square 24-10 loss vs Kansas City. 0-3

Week 4- 26-24 loss to leagues best team: Philadelphia. 0-4

Week 5- 27-22 win at NY Giants. 1-4

Week 6- 17-16 win at Oakland. 2-4

Week 7- Dominant 21-0 shutout win vs Denver. 3-4

Week 8- One possession loss AT New England. 3-5

Week 9- BYE

Week 10- Rookie Austin Ekeler fumbles with less than two minutes remaining in own territory while leading 17-14. Then Joey Bosa late hit on Bortles to move Jacksonville into field goal territory to tie the game. Jacksonville wins in OT 20-17. 3-6

Week 11- Dominant 54-24 win vs Buffalo. 4-6

Week 12- Dominant 28-6 win at Dallas. 5-6

Evident of some of their unfortunate losses this season, the Chargers could certainly have a much better record. If Koo had made both of his field goals in weeks one and two and Ekeler did not give up the costly fumble then this team could easily be 8-3 right now. Sure, every team has their “what if” scenarios but the Chargers have been extremely unfortunate. Anyways, back to my hypothetical 8-3 Chargers team: their losses would have been to the red-hot Chiefs, the leagues best team (Philadelphia) by two points and AT New England by one possession, quite impressive list of losses if there is such a thing. So, at 5-6 what has the Chargers in great position to make a playoff push? the downfall of their AFC West rivals.

THE REGRESSION OF THE AFC WEST

Well for starters, the Oakland Raiders, who were a favorite to win the division, have looked pretty mediocre for the majority of the season and are just 5-6. The Broncos have lost seven straight and are just 3-8 on the season. Their issue is the offense, which is ranked 26th in the league averaging just 17.9 points per game. The Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemien experiments have all failed, leaving Denver’s now ex-offensive coordinator Mike McCoy scratching his head about what to do about that mess. Lastly, the Kansas City Chiefs, perennially a quality team under Andy Reid. They began the season as the Superbowl favorite of many people as they started 5-0. Since then it has been an epic collapse as they have lost five of their last six contests. A collapse of this magnitude is very surprising to see from an Andy Reid-coached team.

Side note: I find it interesting that the Chiefs won in New England and against the Eagles yet, somehow managed to lose to the inferior Giants. Hey, that’s just football I suppose.

CHARGERS PLAYOFF RUN

Los Angeles has made some huge mistakes at the most inopportune moments this season and it has costed them multiple wins. However, at 5-6, they are still very much alive in the wild card and divisional playoff race. If they want to advance to the playoffs they need to forget the critical mistakes they have made and learn from them. They need to capitalize on fourth quarter leads and avoid costly penalties and turnovers. what remains on the schedule for the Chargers? Cleveland and Washington at home, a short road stint at Kansas City and NY Jets, and home against Oakland. If they win four of those five games then I like their chances of making the playoffs.

*Follow me on Twitter: @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

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