Blast from the past: An Objective Look at Jake's AFC Championship Game Turnovers and dominance of the Broncos Record Book

[Tned]

Ok, this will be a four part series. It takes some time to compile, so I only have the first turnover done. I will prepare the other three tomorrow.

I decided to prepare this analysis because there is a whole lot of finger pointing on both sides of the Jake debate. Some say it is all Jake's fault, some say it wasn't Jake's fault. His four turnover's have been pointed out by many as the main reason we lost the game.

It has been months, so I honestly can't remember every detail. So, since I still had the game on my Tivo, I decided to look at each turnover to see what factors (if any) were involved in the turnover.

Turnover number 1:

This turnover occurred with 3:29 left in the first quarter.

This turnover can clearly not be blamed on Jake. If you watch the linked video, you will see that from snap to the ball out of Jake's hand is somewhere between 2.5 and 2.8 seconds. The rushing ends are basically at Jake's drop back point at the same time or before him.

http://www.cherokeeflyer.com/downloads/affcgfirst_fumble.wmv

Obviously, since the ball came out of Jake's hands, there is no way that he takes zero blame, but this play was a complete breakdown in pass coverage.

As you will see in that clip, that was only Jakes 2nd fumble in the previous 17 games.

I will prepare the other clips tomorrow, with no preconceived notions. Whatever they show, they show, which is why I decided to stop with the talk and provde video proof for each turnover, whether it makes Jake look bad or good.

The second angle (from behind) is in slow motion. In the first, side-angle, shot for all practical purposes the rusher from the right and left hit him at the same time. We are talking less than .5 seconds from between stepping up from the first rusher and being hit by the second.

Since it is hard to see, I will give you a time count, which is easier to do in an editing program.

0 seconds, the ball is snapped.
.3 seconds, Jake has his back to the line of scrimmage, because it is play action.
1.1 seconds, Jake fakes the handoff to Anderson.
1.17 seconds, Foster has is back to the line of scrimmage and is beat.
1.3 seconds, Jake is turning to his left to complete the play action fake and turn towards the line of scrimmage.
2.03 seconds, Jake plants his right foot, having just completed his drop back.
2.07 seconds, Jake starts to lunge forward and to the left away from the rusher on the right.
2.16 seconds, Jake completes his FIRST step forward as he tries to avoid the rusher on the right.
2.23 seconds, Jake is hit from the rusher on the left side, before he completes his second step forward and the ball comes out.
3.09 seconds, the ball hits the ground.

In other words, Jake had less than 2/10ths of a second (.16 seconds) from the time he finished the play action drop until he was hit and the ball was loose. To put that in perspective. After he was hit, the ball was in the air for almost 5/10ths (.46 seconds) or 2.9 times longer than Jake had to step up and avoid those two rushers.



Turnover Number 2:

A couple minutes left to go in the first half. The Broncos needed to make something happen, down 17-3. First play of the drive, Plummer throws an interception on a pass intended for Alexander.

No two ways about it, a very bad throw. The receiver had inside coverage and Alexander had no chance to catch the ball. The receiver that crossed with Alexander (Lelie I think) would have been a better target. or the ball could have been thrown away. A bad interception.

http://www.cherokeeflyer.com/downloads/affcgfirstint.wmv

Factor:

I don't think by any stretch that this can be used as an excuse for the turnovers, but you have to wonder if it was a factor:

http://www.cherokeeflyer.com/downloads/underweather.wmv

The week leading up to the game Jake had a cold or the flu and needed to take oxygen on the sideline.

Turnover Number 3:

Following a good return across center by Charlie Adams, Plummer threw his second interception on the first play of the series. At this point the Broncos were down 27-10.

Jake tried to get the ball to Rod Smith over the middle and the ball was intercepted by a linebacker dropping back into coverage who made a leaping catch.

Mike Anderson was open on a swing out to the right and would like have had a large gain if Plummer had looked for him. There was no real pressure from rushers prior to the throw.

http://www.cherokeeflyer.com/downloads/affcgsecondint.wmv

Another bad throw.

Turnover Number 4:

With the Broncos down 27-17, Jake Plummer was sacked on third down when the Steeler's rushed five and the pocket collapsed. The Broncos then went for it on 4th down and 10.

On fourth down, the Steelers only rushed three against the Broncos five pass blockers. The right, outside pass rusher completely blew by Foster and got to Plummer in under three seconds. Plummer was able to duck under and out of the sack, and tried to scramble out of the pocket and then his arm was hit by another rusher and the ball was knocked free.

This was another complete breakdown in pass coverage where three rushers overpowered our five pass blockers, and Jake was trying to keep the play alive on fourth and ten.

If he had simply held onto the ball and went down versus trying to make something out of nothing would have no bearing, because it was fourth down. Turnover or turnover on downs.

http://www.cherokeeflyer.com/downloads/affcgsecondfumble.wmv

Conclusions:

The two interceptions were poor decisions. Neither of those throws should have been made, and there was no signifigant pressure on either throw.

The two fumbles both occurred when pass coverage completely broke down. On the first fumble, to rushers were on Jake as he completed his five step drop and before he even had an opportunity to attempt to step up and avoid the rush (~2.6 seconds). The second fumble occurred when three rushers beat five pass blockers and Jake was trying to keep the game alive on a 4th and 10.

I would say that the two interceptions were completely Jakes fault, and the two fumbles have to be pinned on the offensive line.

[jrelway]

jake played like a beast that season. i thought for sure we were goin to the superbowl after we beat new england and indy lost to pitt. defense played like crap, O line played like crap, jake played like crap. cant pin the loss on jake alone.

[Tned]

I am still haunted by Big Ben and his 3rd down completion percentage. Seeing Foxworth playing 8 yards off the LOS on every 3rd and 5.

[Hoshdude7]

Did we win? :laugh:

[jrelway]

I am still haunted by Big Ben and his 3rd down completion percentage. Seeing Foxworth playing 8 yards off the LOS on every 3rd and 5.

im still haunted with nick fergusons 1 inch vertical. shoulda picked that pass off in the endzone.

[Tned]

im still haunted with nick fergusons 1 inch vertical. shoulda picked that pass off in the endzone.

Yea, but worse, was if he had a 4" vertical, it would have hit him in the helmet, it went right between his hands/arms.

[Tned]

Jake, the true warrior playing with the flue. Gasping for air and taking oxygen on the sidelines.

[jrelway]

that was an awful awful day. almost couldnt eat my dinner.

[Broncospsycho77]

All I remember is a first quarter fumble by the Steelers... and they recovered it. We couldn't catch a friggin' break the entire game.

[Watchthemiddle]

That game had enough events in it for 4 games.

I too will never forget Ferguson having the pick go right through his hands.

That day I had about 40 people at my house and was also celebrating my youngest daughters 1 year birthday. I am so glad I had something positive to focus on.

[Tned]

Jake Plummer Play by Play: AFCCG

Pass 1:
5+ step drop/play action/screen to Putz - shoulder height; 19 yards

Run 1:
Play action bootleg - scramble back to line of scrimmage; 1 yard gain

Pass 2:
5 step drop; pass to Rod Smith, high and behind off hands; incomplete

Pass 3:
5 step drop; pass to Rod Smith near left numbers; hit in stomach; 13 yards

Fumble 1:
play action - 5+ step drop; both outsider rushers beat pass protection; Jake hit/fumble

Run 2:
5+ step drop; Tatum withs on block of blitzing DB; Plummer scrambles for 1 yard gain.

Pass 4:
5 step drop; blitzer comes in clean; screen pass hits Tatum in chest; 8 yard gain, just

short of first down

Pass 5:
5 step drop; deflected by linebacker; Intended for Lelie over the middle; incomplete

Pass 6:
Playaction/bootleg; pass to anderson; slightly behind - right hip; complete 13 yards

Pass 7:
Play action/5+ step drop; pass in Putz hands - slightly led on run; caught at right numbers;

18 yards

Cummalative:
5/7 71 yards - 1 fumble

Pass 8:
Play action/5 step drop; blind side hit as he releases ball; high to Lelie in endzone;

incomplete; Lepsis tried to sell play action and Porter flew by him untouched.

Pass 9:
Play action/5 step drop; Plummer hit by rushing porter as soon as he turns back towards the

line of scrimmage from the play action; Porter ran right by Anderson, who didn't block him,

because it appeared to be a screen; Plummer jumped and threw as Porter was hitting him in

chest; ball was short of reaching Anderson, who turned towards Jake when the ball was almost

to him; incomplete

Note: Broncos ran on third and 10 and then kicked field goal.

Note: Pittsburght scores on first three possessions (one following fumble). 17-3 score. Pitt

scored on drives of 62, 39 and 80 yards; 5/6 on 3rd down conversion in first three series

Pass 10:
5+ step drop; pass intended for Alexander at right sideline; intercepted by DB with inside

coverage

Note: Steelers score on 43 yard drive following interception

Note: For the half, the Steelers scored on all four of their first half possessions

Note: half ends 24-3 pitt.

Note: First half summary:
Plummer 6/11 80 yards 1 fumble - 1 int
Broncos 6 first downs
3rd down conversions: 2-5

Roethlisberger 13/17 180 2 TD's
Pitt 14 first downs
3rd down conversions: 6-7


Second Half



Pass 11:
Backed up on 3 yard line following punt:
5 step drop; swing pass to Anderson to left; hits him in stride in hands - right front

corner of endzone; Anderson get's to 2, 1 yard loss

Pass 12:
Play action/5 step drop in endzone; pressure from both rushing ends; throw high and through

Rod Smith's hands at left hash marks; incomplete

Pass 13:
5 step drop; screen to anderson - hit in hands; down at 1, 2 yard loss

Pass 14:
5+ step drop; pass intended for Alexander on 12 yard curl; pass into stomach; dropped by

alexander; no defender within 4 yards; incomplete

Pass 15:
4 step drop; hit Smith in hands on slant at left numbers; 9 yards

Pass 16:
Play action/bootleg right; throw made from half between right numbers and sideline at

Broncos 25, back across body to Smith at Pitt 40 at hash marks, over Rod's right shoulder -

slightly high; 30 yard gain.

Pass 17:
Play action/ 4 step drop; hit Putz in hands on slant at right numbers; 9 yards

Pass 18:
5+ step drop; throw over middle to endzone, slightly high; 30 yard TD

Pass 19:
5 step drop; pass intended for smith at left hash mark intercepted by linebacker

Pass 20:
5+ step drop; avoids blitzing db and scrambles out of pocket; avoids orginald DB that got up

and chased him outside hash marks, shovels to anderson, while being hit by linebacker; 2

yard gain - Nullified by inneligible player downfield - replay down.

Pass 21:
Playaction/5 step drop; throw to Sapp near left sideline; possibly slightly behind/near

right hip/hard to say from angle, other than it hit both hands - Drop; incomplete

Pass 22:
play action/5 step drop; rusher beat Lepsis and gets to drop point before Jake, Jake steps

up and avoids second rusher that is unblocked, runs up just short of line of scrimmage

outside right hash mark, throws back across to Bell betweek left hash and numbers - Ball

hits Bell in hands; 8 yard gain

Pass 23:
4 step drop; pass to Lelie on right sideline; over Lelies left shoulder - slightly high; 38

yards

Pass 24:
Play action/5+ step drop; hit by Porter who beat Lepsis and beat Jake to his drop back

point; avoided sack and scrambled outside hashmarks to left; while back peddling to avoid

another rusher ; intended for Adams at left numbers on 35 yard throw; pass hit Adams in

chest but dropped on pass interference call; incomplete / but PI

Run:
Play action/bootleg right; nobody open; run for 6 yard gain

Pass 25:
play aciton/bootleg right; two rushers pressuring Jake on bootleg; pass intended for Putz at

right numbers; pass high off fingertips; incomplete

Pass 26:
5+ step drop; pass into Smith's stomach at right hash marks; 7 yards

Sack:
5 step dorp; steps up to avoid one rusher; sacked by three steelers

Fumble:
Going for it on 4th down;
5 step drop; foster completely beat by rusher who envelopes Jake, but he escapes and steps

forward; ball stripped by second rusher.

scramble:
5 step drop; nobody open; scrambles forward; 8 yards

Pass 27:
5 step drop; pressured by 3 man rush; pass to Tatum near right sideline; pass wide;

incomplete

Pass 28:
5 step drop; swing pass to Bell at right numbers; 1 yard gain

Pass 29:
5+ step drop; steps up to avoid pressure; hits Putz in hands at left numbers; 11 yards

Pass 30:
5+ step drop; steps up to avoid pressure - scrambles to left numbers; hits Puts in stomach -

drop; incomplete

Pass 31:
3 step drop; intended for Smith on slant at left hash marks = ball shoulder height - a

little outside - bounces off hands; incomplete

Pass 32:
4 step drop; swing pass to Tatum outside right numbers; hits him shoulder high; 2 yard gain

Scramble:
4 step drop; scramble forward for 4 yard gain

Second Half stats:
Plummer 12/19 143 yards 1 int - 1 td - 1 fumble
Broncos 10 first downs
3rd downs 3-7

Roethlisberger 8/12 95 yards
6 first downs
3rd downs 4-9



Summary:

18 on target throws - 2 drops
8 a little high or behind (catchable off hands) - 4 drops
3 high or wide - uncatchable
1 tip by defender - no chance for receiver to make play
2 Ints - Bad throws, no chance for receivers to make plays

Ok, here is a % breakdown.

56.3% - hit the receiver in stride, in the body, etc.
25% - was slightly high, or slightly wide, such as off a hip, catchable, but not perfect
9.4% - uncatchable - but not intercepted or tipped
3.1% - tipped
6.3% - intercepted

I have nothing to reference these percentages against to know if they are good or bad, or somewhere in between.

[jrelway]

after the game i was wondering what would of happened if champ picked that pass off on pitts first drive. i think it was their first or second play.

[Tned]

I had too much time on my hands back then. :laugh:

Oh the days of the epic, 10,000 character posts, and pointless stat breakdowns...

[Tned]

after the game i was wondering what would of happened if champ picked that pass off on pitts first drive. i think it was their first or second play.

Is that the one that hit him in the helmet and bounce forward for a completion or possibly incomplete.

[jrelway]

champ broke the pass up, i thought it was gonna be a pick 6. ball went up in the air, hines ward comes down with it and lynch lays him out.

[Watchthemiddle]

Is that the one that hit him in the helmet and bounce forward for a completion or possibly incomplete.

I was thinking the same thing...I think Ward caught it off a deflection or something. It was early though and could have set the tone.

[jrelway]

pick 6 on pitts first drive would have set the tone real nice.

[Broncospsycho77]

I'd do anything for Larry Coyer these days...

[Tned]

I thought it was time for an update on Plummer's assault on the Bronco record books.

Since Cutler was drafted, he likely only has one ('06) or two ('07 also) years left as a Bronco starter, so that will stall his climb.

However, in his three years, he has quickly climbed the Bronco records to the point where in two more years, he would be on top or just behind Elway in a great many categories.

As it stands now, he leads in some pretty amazing ones: Winning percentage, INT avoidance, Career Passer Rating, Highest AVG gain per attempt and Consecutive passes without INT. In addition, he is in the top 3 or 4 on a great many others.

Here is a selection of some of the categories he now leads or is getting close to leading.

MOST WINS, ONE SEASON
14 1998
13 2005
13 1996
13 1984

MOST TOTAL PLAYS
(COMBINED PASS PLAYS, RUSH ATT., REC.)
Career
8,543 John Elway, 1983-98
1,961 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
1,887 Craig Morton, 1977-82
1,866 Floyd Little, 1967-75
1,824 Terrell Davis, 1995-2002
1,693 Sammy Winder, 1982-90
1,475 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
1,305 Frank Tripucka, 1960-63

WINNING PERCENTAGE AS STARTING QUARTERBACK
32-11 (.744) Jake Plummer, 2003-05
148-82-1 (.643) John Elway, 1983-98
40-24 (.625) Craig Morton, 1977-82
27-24 (.529) Brian Griese, 1998-2002

MOST PASSING YARDS
Career
51,475 John Elway, 1983-98
11,895 Craig Morton, 1977-82
11,763 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
9,637 Jake Plummer, 2003-05

MOST ATTEMPTS
Career
7,250 John Elway, 1983-98
1,678 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
1,594 Craig Morton, 1977-82
1,279 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
1,277 Frank Tripucka, 1960-63

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Career (min. 100 passes)
.626 Hugh Millen, 1994-95 (107-171)
.622 Brian Griese, 1998-2002 (1,044-1,678)
.601 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (769-1,279)
.600 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (168-280)
.600 Bubby Brister, 1997-99 (96-160)
.581 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91 (173-298)
.575 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83 (314-546)
.570 Norris Weese, 1976-79 (143-251)
.569 Craig Morton, 1977-82 (907-1,594)
.569 John Elway, 1983-98 (4,123-7,250)

INT AVOIDANCE
Career (min. 100 passes)
.018 Hugh Millen, 1994-95 (3-171)
.027 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (34-1,279)
.029 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (8-280)
.031 John Elway, 1983-98 (226-7,250)
.032 Brian Griese, 1998-2002 (53-1,678)

HIGHEST AVERAGE GAIN PER ATTEMPT
Career (min. 100 attempts)
7.53 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (1,279-9,637)
7.52 Norris Weese, 1976-79 (251-1,887)
7.46 Craig Morton, 1977-82 (1,594-11,895)
7.46 Charley Johnson, 1972-75 (970-7,238)
7.44 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (280-2,084)
7.30 Steve Beuerlein, 2002-03 (180-1,314)
7.12 George Shaw, 1962 (110-783)
7.10 John Elway, 1983-98 (7,250-51,475)
7.09 Marlin Briscoe, 1968 (224-1,589)
7.01 Brian Griese, 1998-2002 (1,678-11,763)

HIGHEST PASSER RATING
Career (min. 500 passes)
88.1 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
84.1 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
79.9 John Elway, 1983-98
79.1 Craig Morton, 1977-82
74.3 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83

HIGHEST PASSER RATING
Season (min. 200 passes)
102.9 Brian Griese, 2000
93.0 John Elway, 1998
92.8 John Elway, 1993
91.2 Jake Plummer, 2003
90.5 Craig Morton, 1981
90.2 Jake Plummer, 2005

MOST CONSECUTIVE PASSES WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION
229 Plummer, 2005 (2nd through 11th)
190 Elway, 1997 (8th through 14th)
136 Elway, 1990-91 (15th game in 1990 through
4th game in 1991)

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Career
300 John Elway, 1983-98
74 Craig Morton, 1977-82
71 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
60 Jake Plummer, 2003-05

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Career
226 John Elway, 1983-98
85 Frank Tripucka, 1960-63
65 Craig Morton, 1977-82
58 Steve Ramsey, 1971-76
53 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
52 Charley Johnson, 1972-75
45 Steve Tensi, 1967-70
37 Mickey Slaughter, 1963-66
34 Jake Plummer, 2003-05

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Career (min. 100 passes)
.626 Hugh Millen, 1994-95 (107-171)
.622 Brian Griese, 1998-2002 (1,044-1,678)
.601 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (769-1,279)
.600 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (168-280)
.600 Bubby Brister, 1997-99 (96-160)
.581 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91 (173-298)
.575 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83 (314-546)
.570 Norris Weese, 1976-79 (143-251)
.569 Craig Morton, 1977-82 (907-1,594)
.569 John Elway, 1983-98 (4,123-7,250)

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Season (min. 50 passes)
.667 Brian Griese, 2002 (291-436)
.643 Brian Griese, 2000 (216-336)
.632 Norris Weese, 1978 (55-87)
.632 John Elway, 1993 (348-551)
.626 Jake Plummer, 2003 (189-302)


MOST PASSING YARDS
Career
51,475 John Elway, 1983-98
11,895 Craig Morton, 1977-82
11,763 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
9,637 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
7,676 Frank Tripucka, 1960-63
7,238 Charley Johnson, 1972-75
6,437 Steve Ramsey, 1971-76
5,153 Steve Tensi, 1967-70
3,819 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83
3,607 Mickey Slaughter, 1963-66

MOST PASSING YARDS
Season
4,089 Jake Plummer, 2004
4,030 John Elway, 1993
3,970 John Elway, 1995
3,891 John Elway, 1985
3,635 John Elway, 1997
3,526 John Elway, 1990
3,490 John Elway, 1994
3,485 John Elway, 1986
3,366 Jake Plummer, 2005
3,328 John Elway, 1996

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Career
300 John Elway, 1983-98
74 Craig Morton, 1977-82
71 Brian Griese, 1998-2002
60 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
52 Charley Johnson, 1972-75
51 Frank Tripucka, 1960-63
38 Steve Tensi, 1967-70
35 Steve Ramsey, 1971-76
22 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83
22 Mickey Slaughter, 1963-66

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Season
27 Jake Plummer, 2004
27 John Elway, 1997
26 John Elway, 1996
26 John Elway, 1995
25 John Elway, 1993
24 Frank Tripucka, 1960
23 Brian Griese, 2001
22 John Elway, 1998
22 John Elway, 1985
21 Craig Morton, 1981

Playoff Data:

PASSING
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS
54 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
41 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
39 vs. Washington, 1/31/88
38 at Baltimore, 12/31/00
38 vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97
38 at Cleveland, 1/11/87
38 vs. Pittsburgh, 12/24/77
36 vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90

MOST COMPLETIONS
32 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
26 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
25 vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97
24 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05
24 at Seattle, 12/24/83
23 at Indianapolis, 1/4/04
22 at Buffalo, 1/12/92
22 at Cleveland, 1/11/87

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (MIN. 10 ATTEMPTS)
.767 at Indianapolis, 1/4/04 (23/30)
.706 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05 (24/34)
.706 at Seattle, 12/24/83 (24/34)
.667 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97 (16/24)
.667 at Buffalo, 1/12/92 (22/33)
.658 vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97 (25/38)
.634 vs. New York Giants, 1/25/87 (26/41)
.621 vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99 (18/29)
.609 vs. Miami, 1/9/99 (14/23)

MOST YARDS PASSING (NET YARDS)
377 vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90
336 vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99
331 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
320 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
267 vs. Houston, 1/4/92
260 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05
256 vs. Cleveland, 1/17/88
255 vs. Houston, 1/10/88
253 vs. New England, 1/4/87
235 at Seattle, 12/24/83

MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
3 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
3 vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90
3 vs. Cleveland, 1/17/88
2 7 times (last: at Indianapolis, 1/9/05)

MOST INTERCEPTIONS THROWN
4 vs. Dallas, 1/15/78
3 vs. Washington, 1/31/88
2 vs. Pittsburgh, 1/22/06
2 at Indianapolis, 1/4/04
2 vs. San Francisco, 1/28/90
2 vs. New England, 1/4/87
2 vs. Pittsburgh, 12/30/84
2 at Seattle, 12/24/83


MOST FIRST DOWNS PASSING
18 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
16 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
15 at Pittsburgh, 1/11/98
14 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05

MOST PASS ATTEMPTS
Career
651 John Elway, 1983-98
120 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
90 Craig Morton, 1977-82
28 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01
26 Norris Weese, 1976-79
19 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91
19 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83
10 Jarious Jackson, 2000-03
7 Tommy Maddox, 1992-93
2 Steve Sewell, 1985-92


HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Career (min. 15 attempts)
.842 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91 (16-19)
.737 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83 (14-19)
.667 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (80-120)
.545 John Elway, 1983-98 (355-651)
.467 Craig Morton, 1977-82 (42-90)
.464 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (13-28)
.462 Norris Weese, 1976-79 (12-26)

Game (min. 10 attempts)
.917 Kubiak, at Buffalo, 1/12/92 (11-12)
.767 Plummer, at Indianapolis, 1/4/04 (23-30)
.737 DeBerg, at Seattle, 12/24/83 (14-19)
.706 Plummer, at Indianapolis, 1/9/05 (24-34)
.667 Elway, vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97 (16-24)
.667 Elway, at Seattle, 12/24/83 (10-15)
.658 Elway, vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97 (25-38)

MOST PASSING YARDS
Career
4,964 John Elway, 1983-98
885 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
605 Craig Morton, 1977-82
212 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91
140 Norris Weese, 1976-79
131 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83
124 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01
54 Jarious Jackson, 2000-03
52 Gerald Willhite, 1982-88
34 Tommy Maddox, 1992-93

MOST PASSING YARDS
Game
385 Elway, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90
336 Elway, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99
304 Elway, vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
302 Elway, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
284 Plummer, at Indianapolis, 1/9/05

[Scarface]

Plummer played like garbage and so did our defense. We lost. The end.

[jrelway]

i'd want coyer back only if football games ended in the first half

[BroncoWave]

i'd want coyer back only if football games ended in the first half

Compared to last season's defense, I'd KILL to have a defense that played great for a half.

[DenBronx]

tned can you add cutler in on those stats? he holds the most passing yards in broncos single season history but i was wondering where else he flourished or what his 3 year average was compared to the rest.

[Tned]

I might do that tomorrow. Though, it would be much easier after the 2009 media guide is published, since if I remember correctly, that's where I got most of those (the 2006 media guide).

[Den21vsBal19]

The ones that caught my eye were Passer Rating (season), Plummer 91.2(03) & 90.2 (05) to Cutler's 88.5(06), Career 88.1 to 87.1, Interception percentage 2.7% (including 229 passes without interception*) to Cutler's 3%, and 27TDs to Cutler's 25 in a single season.

To be honest, statistically, the two matched up pretty closely.

* Had to chuckle, according to the NFL Fact & Record book, the top 3 for consecutive passes without a pick are Bernie Kosar (308), Bart Starr (294) and JEFF GEORGE!?!?!? (278) :eek: :faint:

[Tned]

Jake. We need to start calling him Mr. Playoffs or maybe Mr. January.



Playoff Data:

PASSING

MOST COMPLETIONS
32 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
26 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
25 vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97
24 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05
24 at Seattle, 12/24/83
23 at Indianapolis, 1/4/04
22 at Buffalo, 1/12/92
22 at Cleveland, 1/11/87

HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (MIN. 10 ATTEMPTS)
.767 at Indianapolis, 1/4/04 (23/30)
.706 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05 (24/34)
.706 at Seattle, 12/24/83 (24/34)
.667 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97 (16/24)
.667 at Buffalo, 1/12/92 (22/33)
.658 vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97 (25/38)
.634 vs. New York Giants, 1/25/87 (26/41)
.621 vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99 (18/29)
.609 vs. Miami, 1/9/99 (14/23)


MOST FIRST DOWNS PASSING
18 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
16 vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
15 at Pittsburgh, 1/11/98
14 at Indianapolis, 1/9/05

Career Playoff Records

MOST PASS ATTEMPTS
651 John Elway, 1983-98
120 Jake Plummer, 2003-05
90 Craig Morton, 1977-82
28 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01
26 Norris Weese, 1976-79
19 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91
19 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83
10 Jarious Jackson, 2000-03
7 Tommy Maddox, 1992-93
2 Steve Sewell, 1985-92


HIGHEST COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Career (min. 15 attempts)
.842 Gary Kubiak, 1983-91 (16-19)
.737 Steve DeBerg, 1981-83 (14-19)
.667 Jake Plummer, 2003-05 (80-120)
.545 John Elway, 1983-98 (355-651)
.467 Craig Morton, 1977-82 (42-90)
.464 Gus Frerotte, 2000-01 (13-28)
.462 Norris Weese, 1976-79 (12-26)

[Broncospsycho77]

Good stats there.

:popcorn:

[Tned]

Ahh for the days of 75% winnin percentages, being able to say "only NE and Indy" have won more games over the last three years....

[Northman]

Turnovers are turnovers.

But hey Tned, can you break down the Rams game the following year for us too? Thanks

[Tned]

Turnovers are turnovers.

But hey Tned, can you break down the Rams game the following year for us too? Thanks

I did. I'll see if I can find it for another blast from the past. Quick summary, Dinger ****** us and the Broncos. He put in a completely different gameplan that didn't fit the personel on the field.

Give me a sec, and I'll find that blast from the past....

[Northman]

I did. I'll see if I can find it for another blast from the past. Quick summary, Dinger ****** us and the Broncos. He put in a completely different gameplan that didn't fit the personel on the field.

Give me a sec, and I'll find that blast from the past....

:lol:

If you say so.

[Tned]

But hey Tned, can you break down the Rams game the following year for us too? Thanks

You ask, I respond.

Notice the move to traditional drop back passing, behind an o-line completely incapable of straight pass blocking.

Blast from the past, Part III
Originally posted 09-11-2006

1. drop back, pass to Alexander left.
2. drop back, pass to Walker left sideline
3. drop back, pass intended for Scheffler, over back shoulder/behind him- incomplete
x sack given up by foster.
4. drop back, in defenders grasp, left handed underhand toss to M. bell completed
5. play action drop, over middle to Smith
x drop back, sack (beat mike Bell) - fumble
6. drop back, under pressure and back peddling, intended for Smith, intercepted, Smith had no play on ball
x. Playaction, boot leg left, sacked by unblocked DB.
7. Screen pass to M. Bell to right side.
8. Play action, straight drop, hit Smith at right numbers
9. screen to left, M. Bell
10. play action, straight drop, screen to Scheffler to left
11. straight drop, under pressure, spins out of sack, hits Alexander near left sideline

End of half Summary

Plummer 9-11 94 0/1 (td/ind) 64.4 (rating)
3 sacks
9 completions, all but one was well placed for receiver (the left handed flip was both ill advised and high)
2 incompletions, both bad throws (one was behind Scheffler, the other was intercepted and Smith had no play on the ball)
1 fumble (sack, Plummer never looked in direction of rusher and never saw the hit coming)


12. short drop, pass intended for Walker at left numbers on slant, throw low and off walkers hands
13. straight drop, short lob intended for walker on sideline who jumped over defender, pass bounced out of hands and off face mask, a little long.
14. short drop, pass intended for walker near left numbers on slant, pass hit Walker in hands and dropped.
x. straight drop, sacked by three defenders before reaching his 5 step drop point.
15. short drop. Short pass intended for Smith near left numbers, badly overthrown, no chance of being caught. (appeared to be mixup on what route was being run).
16. STraight drop, pass intended for Smith at right sideline, thrown behind smith
17. straight drop, screen pass to M. Bell to left side.
18. Short drop, short lob to left sideline, catch made over back of defender (PI declined), pass was high.
19. Play action straight drop, converted to rollout because of pressure, throw intended for Scheffler who was interfered with and knocked off his feet, but flag was picked up with claim that defender was also going for ball. Pass appeared to be offline, but no good camera angle to tell if it was catchable if Scheffler hadn't had his feet cut out from underneath him.
20. Bootleg right, Devoe seperates from defender and is wide open on left side of field coming across middle, Jake throws high, floating 40 yard pass over Devoe and intercepted at 5 yard line.
21. Straight drop, lob pass intended for Smith at right sideline, pass a little long/high, and off Smiths fingers as it was batted away by defender running in stride with Smith.
22. Straight drop, pass to Smith at near left numbers on short curl route, slightly high (reach up, no jump)
23. Straight drop, throwin while back peddling because of pressure, pass intended for Walker, low and in front of Walker, who dove but the ball bounced.
x24x. Straight drop, pass intended for Walker on left sideline, lob pass, knocked away by defender, PI called.
24. Straight drop, screen attempt to T. Bell on right side, pass high and off Tatum's one outstretched hand.
25. short drop, pass to Walker between right numbers and hash mark on right side, pass hit Walker in stride.
26. Bootleg left, pass intended for Smith near left numbers, who was covered by defender. Defender tips ball which is intercepted by another defender.

Second half summary:

11 incompletions, of those:
1 dead on target, but dropped
2 slightly off target, but very catchable
5 poorly thrown, catchable with good to great effort by receiver (one INT)
2 impossible for receiver to catch (one INT)
1 not known (catch where Scheff was interfered with, but flag picked up, it is impossible to tell if ball was catchable from camer angles available).

4 completions, of those:
2 on target
2 slightly off target

[Broncospsycho77]

4. drop back, in defenders grasp, left handed underhand toss to M. bell completed

Oh, to have Jake again. Games were so much more entertaining overall.

[Northman]

Oh, to have Jake again. Games were so much more entertaining overall.


Meh, you could get the same feeling watching Vinny Testeverde.

[Tned]

Oh, to have Jake again. Games were so much more entertaining overall.

So were the aftergame threads. :laugh:

Pulling this stuff up, I REALLY had too much time on my hands. :lol:

Maybe I should pull up my Tatum stats, carry by carry stats... :D

[Tned]

But hey Tned, can you break down the Rams game the following year for us too? Thanks

Any other "Blast From the Past" requests? ;)

[Northman]

Any other "Blast From the Past" requests? ;)


No, yours just dont really tell the truth of the matter for me. Too much Bias on your part. But i recognize the effort. Good try man. :laugh:

[Tned]

No, yours just dont really tell the truth of the matter for me. Too much Bias on your part. But i recognize the effort. Good try man. :laugh:

Bias, I highlighted Plummer's 4 completions and 11 incompletions in the second half of the Ram's game.

However, you have to be blind to have watched the Rams game and not seen that Dinger made a horrible decision when it came to choosing to move from the misdirection/bootleg heavy offense to a straight, drop back - shotgun passing offense.

If he wasn't Shanny's friend, he wouldn't have survived two years before being kicked out of Dove Valley. Ultimately, that falls on Shanny, as head coach.

Dinger was a one trick pony, trying to put his offense in, when the Broncos QB, OL and receivers weren't capable of performing in his scheme. Same thing happened the next year with Bates.

[atwater27]

The thing that struck me most about that game, and the reason we lost, was simple...Ken Wisenhunt's stellar gameplan and coaching as offensive coordinator. I have rarely seen that kind of coaching domination.

[Tned]

The thing that struck me most about that game, and the reason we lost, was simple...Ken Wisenhunt's stellar gameplan and coaching as offensive coordinator. I have rarely seen that kind of coaching domination.

They had our defense completely off balance, but the Broncso were overmatched in every aspect of the game. Our o-line, run and pass, were no match for Pitt's front seven.

Also, we didn't have an offensive game plan for playing from behind.

[chazoe60]

I have thought all along that the only player on our offense that looked like he was putting in an honest effort in that game was Jake. I have never understood the Jake haters. Was he the best, no. Was he tough and a good leader, yes. Did he win a lot of games for us, yes. Was he loved for it, hell no. I just don't get it.

[atwater27]

I have thought all along that the only player on our offense that looked like he was putting in an honest effort in that game was Jake. I have never understood the Jake haters. Was he the best, no. Was he tough and a good leader, yes. Did he win a lot of games for us, yes. Was he loved for it, hell no. I just don't get it.

Makes about as much sense as the Cutler haters right now.

[Hobe]

Thank you Tned! Masterfully done. ;)

Jake was not god, or even Elway, or Montana, but he gave everything he had to the Broncos: to us. He was/is a MAN, on the field, for real, not on the Internet. He was very good. Our poor O-line and crumbling defense let him down.

Jake hater can go to Montana and wine your outrage to the cud chewing cattle.

:cool:

[Tned]

I have thought all along that the only player on our offense that looked like he was putting in an honest effort in that game was Jake. I have never understood the Jake haters. Was he the best, no. Was he tough and a good leader, yes. Did he win a lot of games for us, yes. Was he loved for it, hell no. I just don't get it.

Some will talk about the left handed INT or the 'bonehead' mistakes, but the reality is that's BS. All QB's make bonehead mistakes. Brady has had his 4 or 5 INT games.

The fact is that what got the Jake haters going was his total irreverance to the fans and media. By any other measure, Jake was a gamer. Not an incredible talent, but he played full out, every play. Even in that last fumble listed in my first post, when the game is over, he is running for his life, trying to keep the play alive, while the offensive line isn't even slowing down the rushers.

Supreme talent? No.

Gamer that was loved by his teamates and just won games? Yep.

[Tned]

Ok, since this subject just came up, I figured I would bump it....

[Northman]

You should be fired.

[Tned]

You should be fired.

Don't go all Donald on me... ;)

[LoyalSoldier]

All I remember is a first quarter fumble by the Steelers... and they recovered it. We couldn't catch a friggin' break the entire game.

Hell I remember the 3 SHOULDA interceptions (1 bounced off of Champ in Ward's hands, one went through Foxworthy's hands, one went through Ferguson's hands for a TD). Each one should have been an interception by all rights.

The whole game we didn't catch a break.

[Lonestar]

Bias, I highlighted Plummer's 4 completions and 11 incompletions in the second half of the Ram's game.

However, you have to be blind to have watched the Rams game and not seen that Dinger made a horrible decision when it came to choosing to move from the misdirection/bootleg heavy offense to a straight, drop back - shotgun passing offense.

If he wasn't Shanny's friend, he wouldn't have survived two years before being kicked out of Dove Valley. Ultimately, that falls on Shanny, as head coach.

Dinger was a one trick pony, trying to put his offense in, when the Broncos QB, OL and receivers weren't capable of performing in his scheme. Same thing happened the next year with Bates.

I have always beleived the reason they went drop back passing that years was because jay was going to be the new toy.

Mikey knew that Jake was to short to play that style effectively and would not do well. As he had NEVER played that way since high school

He had learned a very strong lesson about losing the lockeroom when forcing a young QB on the field over a very popular vet in griese V brister.

Mike was always a stratigist. Case in point his scripted plays. If each were not successful he used the information on how the defense covered them to set it up for a later play built to beat it.

So IMO he was ultimately setting Jake up for failure in order to get the veterans behind him to get his new toy on the field faster.

Jake was the un questioned locker room favorite in leadership and winning mentality even after the kid was drafted. Note that jay IIRC got the majority of the snaps in preseason to get him set up and comfortable with his other new toys scheffler, marshall.

IIRC they were slow starters that year and reallt did not blossom til late in the season when the trio that for the most part all got on the field together.

That was how I saw it then I'm glad the someone else has now noticed that it was not just me seeing that that team was not ready to play a drop back scheme that meant OLINE that has been used to the roll out play action style for years. They were undersized to take blockers on one on one. Also note that after Jake was gon the next year while dinger was still here the drop back pocket morphed back a bit to allow jay to move around again when the crap hit the fan.

Time to ponder that a bit.
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[EastCoastBronco]

What really sucks is I think we would have kicked Seattle's ass if we had made it to The Show that year.

[chazoe60]

What really sucks is I think we would have kicked Seattle's ass if we had made it to The Show that year.

I wonder if the refs would have been on our side the way they were on the side of the Steelers? That was a pathetic SB and IMO the Seahawks won that game.

[EastCoastBronco]

I wonder if the refs would have been on our side the way they were on the side of the Steelers? That was a pathetic SB and IMO the Seahawks won that game.

My cousin is a huge Seahawks fan and we knew the fix was in by the end of the first quarter. The boys in stripes were going to make sure Cowher and The Bus got their rings.

[Lonestar]

My cousin is a huge Seahawks fan and we knew the fix was in by the end of the first quarter. The boys in stripes were going to make sure Cowher and The Bus got their rings.


Is suspect that the superblow being in DET where he was a home town boy also had a lot to do with the ratings and the hype for the game not that it does not need much .