TXBRONC
09-15-2009, 07:50 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13337760
Broncos can't afford to waste good fortune
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 09/15/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 09/15/2009 01:29:58 AM MDT
Editor's Note: NFL reporter Jeff Legwold analyzes the Broncos' 12-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and looks ahead to Sunday's home opener against the Cleveland Browns:
In the big picture there is lucky. And there is good.
It's best to be both, but the jury still is out on what went on in Cincinnati with the Broncos, what it will mean by the time December, or even the third week of September, rolls around.
"We'll see," outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil said. "Hopefully it's something we can build on and take advantage of, but that's up to everybody. (Sunday) we made a break, and that's good."
Coaches often say games are not won or lost on one play, but sometimes they are. It's tough to gauge what happens to a team that was staring down a massive disappointment when it escapes like a guy who swerved the car just in time to miss the construction equipment.
Do they rise up, using their newfound good fortune to make more? Or do they take a big sigh, relax and declare themselves Rockefellers, though so far they may have only won the lottery?
The Bengals were a 4-11-1 team last season after playing most of the year without their franchise quarterback. Carson Palmer said he was rusty after the improbable loss to the Broncos.
The Browns, this weekend's visitors to Invesco Field at Mile High, were a 4-12 team last year and are 0-1 this year. The Raiders, Denver's Week 3 opponents, were a 5-11 team last year. So there's an opportunity for the Broncos.
"I know the guys we have, and I've said this a few times, are going to work hard and keep chugging," wide receiver Brandon Stokley said. "Because if we don't, we won't be taking advantage of what happened."
Key matchup with Cleveland.
Great returners are like one big reset button. Basically 14 seconds of work from one of those guys can wipe out a week's worth of work.
And the Browns have a great returner in Josh Cribbs. While he has spent the bulk of the offseason unhappy about his contract, at one point even waffling publicly about whether he would play this past Sunday, he still found time to take a punt back 67 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings.
What makes Cribbs a tough task, even for quality coverage teams, is his awareness and feel for the play. He understands where the trouble spots are. He not only sees what's right in front of him, he sees the field, keeps his eyes down the field as he runs and can process the information quickly. Add his athleticism — he's now a starting receiver for the Browns — and he is big trouble for an opposing team.
Cribbs did not return a kickoff or punt in college. But he was a four-year starter at quarterback for Kent State, where he set 27 school records to go with 12 games with at least 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.
Romeo Crennel, the Browns' coach at the time, said his staff saw special-teams potential when Cribbs arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2005.
And no matter where the Browns' struggles are on offense, and judging from Sunday there are plenty of spots to choose from, Cribbs always gives them a chance for a fresh start.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Broncos can't afford to waste good fortune
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 09/15/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 09/15/2009 01:29:58 AM MDT
Editor's Note: NFL reporter Jeff Legwold analyzes the Broncos' 12-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and looks ahead to Sunday's home opener against the Cleveland Browns:
In the big picture there is lucky. And there is good.
It's best to be both, but the jury still is out on what went on in Cincinnati with the Broncos, what it will mean by the time December, or even the third week of September, rolls around.
"We'll see," outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil said. "Hopefully it's something we can build on and take advantage of, but that's up to everybody. (Sunday) we made a break, and that's good."
Coaches often say games are not won or lost on one play, but sometimes they are. It's tough to gauge what happens to a team that was staring down a massive disappointment when it escapes like a guy who swerved the car just in time to miss the construction equipment.
Do they rise up, using their newfound good fortune to make more? Or do they take a big sigh, relax and declare themselves Rockefellers, though so far they may have only won the lottery?
The Bengals were a 4-11-1 team last season after playing most of the year without their franchise quarterback. Carson Palmer said he was rusty after the improbable loss to the Broncos.
The Browns, this weekend's visitors to Invesco Field at Mile High, were a 4-12 team last year and are 0-1 this year. The Raiders, Denver's Week 3 opponents, were a 5-11 team last year. So there's an opportunity for the Broncos.
"I know the guys we have, and I've said this a few times, are going to work hard and keep chugging," wide receiver Brandon Stokley said. "Because if we don't, we won't be taking advantage of what happened."
Key matchup with Cleveland.
Great returners are like one big reset button. Basically 14 seconds of work from one of those guys can wipe out a week's worth of work.
And the Browns have a great returner in Josh Cribbs. While he has spent the bulk of the offseason unhappy about his contract, at one point even waffling publicly about whether he would play this past Sunday, he still found time to take a punt back 67 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings.
What makes Cribbs a tough task, even for quality coverage teams, is his awareness and feel for the play. He understands where the trouble spots are. He not only sees what's right in front of him, he sees the field, keeps his eyes down the field as he runs and can process the information quickly. Add his athleticism — he's now a starting receiver for the Browns — and he is big trouble for an opposing team.
Cribbs did not return a kickoff or punt in college. But he was a four-year starter at quarterback for Kent State, where he set 27 school records to go with 12 games with at least 100 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.
Romeo Crennel, the Browns' coach at the time, said his staff saw special-teams potential when Cribbs arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2005.
And no matter where the Browns' struggles are on offense, and judging from Sunday there are plenty of spots to choose from, Cribbs always gives them a chance for a fresh start.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com