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Numbers don’t lie.There are two from the

PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:53 pm
by linchao
Denver Broncos 27-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night that tell the story.Thirty-seven.Twenty-two.The first is the number of pass plays called by Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. The second is the running plays called by Musgrave. For those in Broncos Country https://www.broncosfanstore.com/Darian-Stewart-Jersey , the question pinging around from the fourth quarter until this morning — why?The Chiefs defense could not stop Denver from rushing the ball if they tried. Kansas City could have had 22 guys on the field, and it still couldn’t stop the Broncos from running the ball. That is a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.As a team, Denver averaged over seven yards per attempt, led by the dynamic rookie duo of Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay. They became just the fourth pair of rookie running backs in NFL history to rush for at least 65 yards and a touchdown for their team in the same game. That is remarkable. But when you look at the 37 passes to 22 rushes, you would think Denver was trailing most of the game. But that’s not the case. At all. The Broncos actually had a 23-13 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. It’s even more egregious when you see Freeman had only eight carries and was on the field less than Devontae Booker (33 percent for Booker, as opposed to 27 percent for Freeman). In that situation and with how he was running, Freeman should have gotten the carries to help eat time and give the defense a breather.So, again, as Adam Malnati and I asked on the MHR Radio Podcast, why?As I noted in the winners and losers story after the game, if Musgrave calls 30 or more runs in that game, Denver may have won. And if you look at the second-to-last drive, it seems he abandoned the run after first down. Lindsay was stopped for a 1-yard gain and Musgrave proceeded to call two pass plays that resulted in a killer three-and-out. Over the course of the game, it seemed Musgrave abandoned the run no matter how many yards were gained on first down. Why? As noted earlier, why wasn’t Freeman in the game in that crucial drive in the fourth quarter?One is left to wonder if Musgrave was in some sort of competition with Andy Reid and the Chiefs offense. Did he want to show how much of an offensive genius he was Max Garcia Color Rush Jersey , rather than stick with what was working for his unit? It just made no damn sense to me.It was obvious from the second offensive play that the Broncos would control the line of scrimmage and dominate with their run game. As the game wore on, that became more apparent to everyone ... save for the guy who matters most.But wait, it gets better (or worse). Musgrave moved to the coaches box for this game. The thought was that, if he could see the whole field, it would help with his play calling. No, seriously. You can’t make this shit up.Musgrave’s incompetence cost his team a win in a game it should have won, and it takes away from the performance of Freeman and Lindsay. In fact, had Musgrave done what any capable offensive coordinator would have, Freeman and Lindsay would have finished with better nights (namely Freeman, who had only eight freaking carries) and the Broncos would have won.Numbers don’t lie.The MHR Radio Podcast is now on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear. Just in case you’ve been taking a quick sabbatical from football since the Broncos beat Arizona last Thursday, news broke over the weekend that the Broncos have received offers from multiple teams regarding Demaryius Thomas. What’s more, reports have surfaced that John Elway and the rest of management have not in fact rebuffed those offers. It looks like they’re willing to deal Bradley Chubb Jersey , so long as the compensation makes sense. Why would Elway deal D.T. now? There are likely three reasons all playing an equal role in the decision. Even with the Broncos now sitting at 3-4, it’s a pretty long shot that they’ll make the playoffs this year. Football Outsiders gives the team a 21 percent chance in their playoff simulator, a big increase from this time last week but still behind the division leaders as well as the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers. Thomas has hit the gargantuan part of the contract extension he signed in 2015. He presently accounts for 6.8 percent of the Broncos entire cap this year, and his 2019 figure of $17,533,334 will count for 9.2 percent.Courtland Sutton has progressed much faster than anticipated. When he came out of SMU, the 6-foot-3 receiver was considered a long-term project but has looked better each week. Much like his draftmate Bradley Chubb did prior to the Rams game, Sutton has looked much better than the picture his raw stats paint. He deserves more targets and would benefit from reps in Thomas’ spot. So couldn’t Vance Joseph and Bill Musgrave simply split reps between Sutton and Thomas this year? Yes, but with the team realistically playing for 2019 it would be to the Broncos long term benefit to add a draft pick and create cap space this year. The NFL is a cold business, but the very best teams treat it as such. So who is in the market for Thomas?It’s purely speculative, but these are a few teams that make too much sense to not be considering the move. The Philadelphia EaglesWhen Mike Wallace got hurt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the defending champions receiving corps suddenly looked rather thin. When he’s available, Alshon Jeffrey is playing well but has an extensive injury history. Beyond him, Carson Wentz is left to rely on Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor https://www.broncosfanstore.com/Andy-Janovich-Jersey , who’s best used as a slot weapon. Zach Ertz is a great tight end, but they could use a boost to their offense if there’s any hope they can claw their way back into the playoff race. Before Amari Cooper went to Dallas, reports were surfacing that Philly was interested. The Jacksonville JaguarsBlake Bortles is doing his best to fumble away the Jags chances this year, but it’s not as if he has much in the way of help around him. Marqise Lee is out for the year, and Leonard Fournette is hurt. Again. The injuries are bad enough that management gave up a fifth-round pick for Carlos Hyde and his 3.4 yard per carry average. If they’re willing to do that, they’re probably desperate enough to peddle picks for Thomas.The Indianapolis ColtsWhile T.Y. Hilton is a solid target, the cupboard is really thin after him. Eric Ebron has been a bit of a revelation but Andrew Luck needs more help if the Colts are seriously trying to push the Texans in a weak AFC South. Indy also has more than enough cap space to eat DT’s contract next year. The New England PatriotsIf Bill Belichick can get Thomas for something like a conditional 4th, it’d make a lot of sense for both teams. Tom Brady’s window is right now and would probably get more out of Thomas than any other team on this list. Their management has routinely looked under every single rock over the years to try and get an edge. One only has to look at Josh Gordon earlier this year to see that philosophy in full effect, even if his presence means this deal may be redundant for the Pats. The cap math also makes this pairing tricky though.The Tennessee Titans Outside of Corey Davis, can you name a single Titans receiver? What’s more, the team has almost $25 million in effective cap space at present and is clinging to a snowballs chance at the playoffs in a weak division. Another receiver may well kick start their offense enough to contend this year. The New York Jets and Cleveland BrownsBoth make sense in a vacuum. Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield both lack weapons and a player like Thomas would help them in their development. Both teams are also year 1 in a rebuilding process that makes trading for a 30-year-old receiver questionable. Consider the Jets more likely as the seats Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan reside upon are unquestionably hotter than John Dorsey’s. The Green Bay PackersThis is probably a long shot as management in Green Bay has always tended to be reluctant on making these sorts of deals, but much like the Eagles, Colts and Titans quarterbacks, Rodgers could use more help if his team is going to try and make the playoffs this year. WashingtonAlex Smith has been a bit of a mess this season, but it’s been hidden from the national media by his team’s 4-2 start. Their win over the Cowboys put Washington into the driver’s seat for the division title but if they want to make any noise this year Smith needs to improve. It would be a Snyder move to think another receiver is the missing link. With a 34-year old quarterback and 33-year old Adrian Peterson it’s doubtful age prevents a Thomas trade. Washington also has close to $10 million in effective cap space at present. So will the Broncos move Thomas? Only Elway knows. Horse TracksBroncos WR Demaryius Thomas talks trade rumors - NFL.comBroncos have a few decisions to make - Mile High ReportAdam Schefter: “I think the Broncos are more sellers than buyers.” - Mile High ReportDenver Broncos have monumental task ahead of them in Kansas City Chiefs - Mile High ReportDenver Broncos: Insights on the coaches, QB play Matt Paradis Color Rush Jersey , and defensive issues - Mile High ReportHow the Denver Broncos’ run defense bounced back on Thursday night - Mile High ReportPrior to the Cardinals game I looked at the Broncos personnel groupings in an attempt to circle around to who or what was responsible for the woeful run defense. It’s a work in progress and something I plan to go back to once time allows, but Isaac Yiadom or Tramaine Brock are a part of every single group but one, a weird 3-safety base group that faced 3 plays this season. Links from around the West... Sources: Cowboys trade 1st-round pick for former Raiders WR Amari Cooper - Blogging The BoysDebrief: Things we know (and things we don’t) after Week 7 - NFL.comRaiders GM won’t say QB Carr is untouchable in trade talksIt’s unlikely the Jaguars can afford to trade for Carr because of the new deal Bortles signed in February. Unless they can find a willing partner to take on his contract they’re sort of stuck. Which Raiders running back will carry the loadFive hot takes from the Chiefs win over the Bengals - Arrowhead PrideDee Ford said what nobody else “wanted to say” after Bengals game Sunday night - Arrowhead PrideChiefs’ defense turns in performance that gives Super Bowl hope | Pro Football WeeklyNFL Week 7 Grades: Lions get an ‘A’ for big road win; Jaguars get an ‘F’ for ugly home loss - CBSSports.comNFL - Biggest injuries of Week 7, prognosis for Week 8A look at news from the rest of the NFL...Fixing flaws for NFL’s best teams - Anchors for 2018 contendersSorry Broncos Country, but ESPN doesn’t consider Denver a contender. Still a great piece by Barnwell though.Five things we learned in Falcons’ 23-20 win over Giants Every year there’s a team that just can’t escape the injury bug. Sorry Falcons, better luck next year. ‘THROW IT TO ODELL!’ | Giants’ Pat Shurmur’s frustrations over Eli Manning boil over ... again (VIDEO) | NJ.comPatrick Peterson wants Cardinals to trade him: Here are five contenders who should call Arizona now - CBSSports.comNo. Just no.Patriots Showing Interest In Trading For Patrick Peterson, Per Cornerback | New England Patriots | NESN.comTodd Gurley’s NFL MVP Case Is Only Getting Stronger - The RingerTime to overreact to NFL 2018 Week 7 -- Do Jacksonville Jaguars need to go QB shopping?NFL Week 7: Bus Rides, Plane Trips and Just Plain Crazy | SI.comDeshaun Watson should be able to fly to Texans’ next road game - The San Diego Union-TribuneKenny Stills has groin strain, Dolphins may be down two receivers Thursday – ProFootballTalkAndy Dalton on blowout loss: “It’s just one game” – ProFootballTalkNo Le’Veon Bell as Steelers report back from bye – ProFootballTalkSorting the Sunday Pile: Conservative Garrett sinks Cowboys again, Cam is clutch and more Week 7 - CBSSports.comJason Garrett defends late play calling: We got into field goal range – ProFootballTalkDallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones comments on report that Cowboys are researching, considering trade for Raiders WR Amari Cooper | SportsDayYesterday was Mock Draft Monday, so I took a look at who The Draft Network pegged to the Broncos...Kelly’s 2019 Mock Draft 2.0 - Page 2 of 3 - The Draft NetworkWhat do you think Broncos Country?