We hear Shanahan talk about team character all the time. Usually, it sounds like some obscure reference to a “magical” element that helps average teams overcome odds that aren’t in their favor. Tonight, we got to see exactly what Shanahan means by the word, and how it can truly be the difference between winning and losing.
Just four days ago, the Denver Broncos would see some of their biggest stars go down to injury. Tonight, we would see their replacements go down as well. The running back position in particular would be hard hit when Ryan Torain went down with a knee injury that Shanahan said in his postgame press conference “didn’t look good,” and Selvin Young would go down after aggravating his groin injury, which left the running game in the hands of the team’s fullback, Peyton Hillis. In addition, Nate Webster would go down with a 2nd degree MCL tear, leaving the team with a linebacker corps that would include rookie Wesley Woodyard, Jamie Winborn and Louis Green, with spot relief from Niko Koutouvides. Compare that to the usual starters DJ Williams, Nate Webster and Boss Bailey.
Clearly, the Broncos had a lot to deal with even before the game started, and it got a lot worse with these new injuries, but that’s where the “character” Shanahan always talks about showed up and made the difference between winning tonight’s game and losing it. Rookies, injured players, a short work week, being on the road, playing from behind, overcoming a turnover, and winning in the end could not have happened without some character. I’ll say more below…..
This week’s highs and lows:
HIGHS
1 – Jay Cutler. After a slow start, that included an interception when Brandon Marshall broke one way and Jay threw another, the 3rd year quarterback would enjoy a comeback that reminded me of the type of play we used to see from John Elway. The significance of his play tonight cannot be underestimated, considering he was playing with a rookie running back, who would be replaced by a rookie fullback, and the fact that Tony Sheffler was playing at about 75%.
After being down by 10 points at half time, Jay would lead the Broncos to 24 second half points, including a fourth quarter, 80 yard touchdown drive, that began with just a little over five minutes on the clock. He would throw for a personal best 447 yards (tied for third most in a game in Broncos history), three touchdowns and an interception. He would also rush for 29 yards (18 of them coming from a quarterback sneak on the game winning drive).
2 – Peyton Hillis. In my book, this guy was the MVP of the game. Sure, Jay put up some amazing stats, but the job Hillis did after Young went down was one of the reason the Broncos won tonight. Perhaps his biggest play of the game came on a fourth and one on the Broncos 45 yard line on the game winning drive. After an apparent stop by the Cleveland defense, Hillis literally carried a couple of guys with him for a two yard gain and a first down. After last week’s impressive performance as a receiver in the backfield, this guy is showing some serious character.
3 – Ryan Torain. Until he got hurt, he was showing some of the Terrell Davis-like play Shanahan said he possessed. He had 12 rushes for 68 yards and a touchdown. While it looks like he could be out again, he was playing the way Broncos fans were hoping he would. With a brace on his left arm, Torain demonstrated character.
4 – Tony Sheffler. Playing at less than 100%, #88 hauled in 4 passes for 92 yards. Tony is learning the difference between playing hurt and playing injured. Seeing him on the sidelines keeping his legs warm with the stationary bike is the type of thing you see from character guys who insist on playing, even when injured.
5 – Eddie Royal. Six catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. He had a big time play on a 93 yard touchdown catch that gave the Broncos a temporary lead. The fact that Eddie was slightly dinged up just before that play showed the character we’ve come to expect from this talented rookie. Eddie leads all rookies in the NFL with receptions (52) and yards (625).
6 – Wesley Woodyard. Filling in for DJ Williams, the rookie linebacker displayed the type of character we sometimes don’t see from multi-year veterans. He was second on the team with 10 tackles.
7 – Dre Bly. When the team needed a momentum changer, Bly led by example and caused Kellon Winslow to fumble, resulting in a timely turnover. Veterans show character by being a leader on the field. While Dre has struggled at times this season, his heads up play turned the tide in the Broncos favor.
8 – Mike Shanahan and the coaching staff. Knowing he was going into this game with only two running backs who weren’t 100%, Shanahan went ahead and put some things in the game plan in case they both went down, which they did. The plan to use Ellis, along with going with mostly a spread offense, were part of his strategy, and as it happened, was responsible for the win. This is the type of thing we used to see from Shanahan all the time. Kudos go out to him and his coaches for planning for this possibility.
LOWS
1 – In this game, there were certainly things that would qualify as a “low,” but considering the conditions surrounding this team tonight, I don’t feel like itemizing any of them. When a team shows the kind of character the Broncos demonstrated tonight, they deserve the opportunity to enjoy it. There will be time for criticism in future games, but these guys don’t deserve any tonight.
As the Broncos face the remainder of the season, there are going to be challenges as they deal with trying to find replacements for the myriad of injuries they’ve endured. Can PJ Pope be the new starting running back after just being promoted from the practice squad? Can a struggling defense find a way to put together a squad that can keep the Broncos in the game? Did Jay Cutler finally get back in the groove?
If tonight is any indication, I have no doubt they can. After all, that’s what character can do for a team.
BMM