Chris_Tanaka's Blog

I just got back from DC Thursday night after spending four days with my family. 

Anything exciting happen?

My initial reaction to seeing Mike Shanahan's firing: Wow.

My second reaction to seeing Mike Shanahan's firing: WOW.

It wasn't until my third reaction that I began to make sense of what this means for the Broncos, and Shanahan.  In short: Good for both.  Both parties needed a change of pace.  And this move certainly provides it.  The Broncos need to rebuild the defense, and the patchwork fixes Shanahan employed over the past three seasons wasn't getting it done.  Shanahan needs new scenery...he'll get it now.

Armed with the 12th pick in the draft, and presumably, a coach and GM focused on fixing the team's achilles heel, the Broncos can pursue anyone who wore USC's maroon and yellow last year, or anyone who played for Ohio State who's father was a WWE wrestler.

Armed with a renewed sense of mortality, Shanahan can find a perfect fit to revitalize himself and his new team.

Good for both.

Ironic that out of the Broncos most pedestrian season in recent memory comes it's most exciting offseasons in the same span of time.  Who will the new head coach be?  Who will be the new GM?  What's draft day going to be like?  The answers will come in sequence, and we'll be working hard to bring you the news as it breaks.

Postscript: Here's my one salvo fired into the distance of late April:  I love USC safety Taylor Mays.  He's built like a cross between Steve Atwater and the late Sean Taylor.  For you that can remember:  he reminds me of former Bengals safety David Fulcher.  Dude was NASTY. 

So here it is: The Most Important Game of the Season.....(until next week).  With a win, the Broncos clinch the AFC West (or with a Chargers loss), and a ticket to the Second Season.  It'll be their first such admittance since 2005.

It's staggering to think that on a cold January afternoon in early 2006, the Broncos were 60 minutes away from a trip to the Super Bowl, AND, that the team has yet to be back to the postseason since.

Amazing.

Back to the present.  The Broncos have a tough task ahead of them, just as they did in Cleveland, Atlanta and New York.  Those three teams, and the respective game climates, couldn't be any more different.  The one constant: A Broncos win.

So will this Sunday be any different?  The pundits say yes:  Carolina's running game is too strong, Steve Smith is too fast, Jake Delhomme is too.....country.  Panthers win.

I couldn't disagree more.

Here's why the Broncos will win:

1.)  Every time they're picked to lose on the road, they win.  Yeah, lousy logic, but it's held up for a month and a half.

2.) Carolina is playing on a short week.  Something tells me that they'll be feeling the effects of a pretty wild game against the Bucs when the Broncos come a'knockin'.

3.) The Panthers have been doing WAY too many national TV interviews since Samsh and Dash went off against Tampa.  They've been making the rounds like they just won something much bigger than what they did.  Overconfidence, anyone?

4.) Carolina plays at New York NEXT week.  Yup, it's the ultimate 'oversight' game.  The Cats have their eyes on the horizon, instead of focusing on what's directly in front of them.  And that is a team in the Broncos that's dying for some recognition and respect....

...not to mention, getting back in the postseason for the first time since 2005.

Here it is, for bulletin boards and newscasts across the greater Kansas City metro area...I think.

The Broncos are going to beat the Chiefs on Sunday.  and bad.  It's gonna be a James Caan, Godfather I trash can nivolved beating, to paraphrase the late Chris Farley. 

Why? Because the Broncos HAVE to win, that's why.

They've lost three in a row at a place they were once indomitable.  They've got a murderer's row to close out the season: At Carolina, vs Buffalo, at San Diego.  The Chiefs are playing for next year, and maybe the year after that. 

And the postseason looms.

Playoff teams make statements like BCS bridesmaids in December.  They stick out their chest, rough up their opponents, and let the rest of the league know they're ready for the second season.

No, the Broncos can't clinch the AFC West division title on Sunday, but for all intents and purposes, they will. 

Okay, so last weekends loss to the Chiefs was an unmitigated disaster for the Broncos, and yeah, I wound up eating my words, my blog, and the shoe that I shoved in my mouth.

It just goes to show that in the NFL, you can NEVER take anyone lightly.  In the MLB you can, because even if you lose, you still have 161 other games to make it up.  Same goes for the NBA and NHL.

Understandably, the Broncos/Bucs matchup looks dicey for the home team.  Tampa features a ballhawking defense and ground control offense.  They prey and live off turnovers.  Earnest Graham is a big, durable back who has the nack for springing a long run or two each game. 

Come to think of it, the Bucs sound a lot like the Chiefs, which undoubtedly is the cause of some consternation.

However, I'm undaunted in thinking the Broncos right the ship and get back into the win column.  They're playing at home, and they just learned a valuable lesson.

Broncos 27, Bucs 17.  I hope this stands up, because I'm already sick of the taste of leather.

From the brink of 4-0, to the wrong end of a 33-19 whoopin'.  Not a good Sunday for the Broncos.  I'l spare all the gory details---we don't need to be reminded of them.

Instead, I'll focus on what this says about the NFL, more so than the Broncos.

The NFL is, without question, the most evenly balanced, competitive, compelling league in American sports.  Last week the Patriots got crushed by the pitiful Dolphins, and this week, it was the Broncos turn.  Next week, it'll be someone else.  The difference between Super Bowl contender and cellar dweller is so fractional, so minute, that if a team doesn't bring 100% of it's effort every Sunday, it's at risk of losing.  Amazing.

In no other league does that happen, with the repercussions being so dramatic.  As the dust settles on the first quarter of the season (already 25% done!?!?), the Broncos are a game up on the Chargers in the AFC West.  Their toughest competition from the AFC East will probably come from the Bills, and not the Patriots.  The Jaguars aren't what we thought they were (big, mean and nasty).  Nor are the Buccaneers (meaner and nastier than thought).  The Browns can't score, and the Jets can't be stopped.  Carolina isn't looking like a gimme anymore.

Every week, our opinions and perceptions of teams change (save for the Bengals and Rams---they're awful).  Entering this game, the Broncos appeared to be the unstoppable offensive juggernaut, ala the 1999 Rams, that could bulldoze it's way through any defensive inconsistencies it suffered.  Not the case. 

Now, we see them as an extremely talented YOUNG team that still has some lessons to learn about life in The League.  Bring It, or Lose It. 

So what's gained from this loss?  Perhaps some humility, but not much else.  After all, in a season that moves so fast, noone needs to be reminded of the gory details.

Remember that candy bar commercial that aired a few years ago?  In it, the Chiefs field attendant winds up misspelling "CHIEFS" in the endzone with his paint gun, incorrectly spelling "CHEFS".

That commercial is practically real lif in Kansas City these days---it's that bad.  This team is attrocious.  They'll be starting their fourth quarterback of the season on Sunday.  Thursday in the Broncos locker room, Dre Bly had no idea who was starting, and who was sitting...and I don't blame him.  Gone are the days of Christian Okoye and Barry Word.  Marcus Allen is no longer paying back the Raiders one touchdown at a time.  John Alt, the boulder sized man at left tackle, is a distant memory.  Derrick Thomas is in a better place.  Marty Schottenheimer is gone, too. 

There is no gleam, men.

In a way, it's sad to see ANY once proud franchise sink this low (paging Daniel Snyder).  However, in the NFL---"sad" can be defined as the fleeting look of emotion a vulture gives a carcass before tearing into it's innards.

The Broncos could care less about the plight of the Chiefs.  The offense is going to try to hang half a hundred on KC's D.  The Broncos defense will try to solve it's early season woes.  Odds are, both units will succeed in some capacity.

 I'm thinking this is a 42-6 type score.  The Chiefs are so wretched, they don't belong on a football field.  Perhaps a kitchen would be a better place for the Chefs.

Here's my disclaimer on this blog: If the Broncos continue to play the way they did against Oakland, this blog becomes null and void....OK, read on.

After watching the Patriots Tom Brady go down for the season from my hotel room in Oakland, one thought immediately came to mind: This helps the Broncos.

The Patriots are no longer the class of the AFC, and the Broncos will DEFINITELY beat them when the two teams matchup in late October (funny, a Colorado/New England October clash for the second straight year...hopefully, the Broncos fair better than the Rockies did).

However, after giving it some thought, I now believe the opposite is true.  Yep, I'm a flip-flopper.  Tom Brady's injury actually HURTS the Broncos playoff chances.  And here's why.

With Brady in the lineup, the Patriots were a 5-star, lead pipe, call your mom LOCK to win the AFC East, which really doesn't affect the Broncos at all.

NOW, however, they're a wildcard longshot at best.  This does affect the Broncos in that the Pats have entered the pool of teams in the immensely talented AFC competing for two wildcard slots (Jacksonville, Cleveland, Tennessee, Buffalo, NY Bretts).  The wildcard picture is now more crowded, and hence, there's a smaller allowable margin of error for the Broncos week in/week out this season.

.....

Of course, I'm presuming the Broncos are competing for a wildcard position, while ceding the AFC West to the Chargers.  Obviously, this notion could all change on Sunday with a Broncos win.

Let's hope this blog is null and void come Monday morning.

You somehow knew it was going to happen.

The Broncos and Cowboys were practicing with and against each other for the second day, and the intensity was high.

Very high.

The Cowboys had been having their way with the Broncos, when suddenly, the home team decided enough was enough.  It happened on the field away from us reporters---a huge brawl involving members of the Broncos 1st team defense and the Cowboys 1st team offense.

No punches were thrown, but the scuffle was enough to force coaches on the near field to tell their players to settle down and pay attention to what they were doing.

After practice, Mike Shanahan---and several others---downplayed the 'activity'.  The most common explantion?  Guys are intense, they want to represent themselves a the organization, tempers flare...etc.

It's not the first, nor worst, foot-brawl I've seen, but it definitely serves notice:

Saturday's game will not be your typical preseason affair.

No pads today, no shells today, just helmets.  The Broncos are definitely toning down the intensity as their first preseason game approaches.

Speaking of intensity, this team is DYING for some competition NOT wearing blue and orange.  Linebacker Nate Webster went so far as to say the Broncos defense is looking for some "fresh meat".  

I wouldn't want to play against Nate Webster.  Anyone who conjures images of Mike Tyson is bad for your health.  And limbs.

The big bad news of the day: Rookie running back Ryan Torain's injury is worse than first diagnosed.  Turns out #42 has some ligament damage in addition to the fracture in his left elbow, which WILL require surgery to repair.  He'll be out at least 3 months.

The rest of the running backs will have to pick up the slack.  Selvin Young and Andre Hall will most likely split the carries in the regular season, with Cecil Sapp perhaps being the short yardage specialist.  Definitely a damaging blow to the Broncos.

Like a Translyvanian vampire...the Brett Favre saga just won't die.  This situation has had more chapters than War and Peace, and it's quickly becoming one of the oddest, melodramatic, over the top sports stories......EVER. 

And just think----we still haven't seen a down of regular season football yet!

If you think it's been ugly, just wait.  This is only round 3 of Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed II.

So here's your chance, Cheeseheads----since I first posted a blog on Favre a few weeks back, how has your opinion changed---of him, of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, of the Packers???

Lemme know--cuz I'm dying to find out how this is affecting the die-hard Packer fan!!!

By far and away the most attended session of training camp to date.  It was good to see so many die hards weathering the withering weather.  They were rewarded for it, too.

...Matt Prater (kicker) turned in the highlight of the day.  He drilled a 68-yard field goal that would've been good from 73.  Impressive, but let's see him do it in a game, with 11 angry men coming to block it.

...Brandon Marshall continues to turn in some stunning catches.  The more you watch B-Marsh, the more you realize how ridiculously talented he is.  If he manages to avoid a lengthy suspension, he'll make last year's stats look pedestrian (1325 rec yds, 7 TD).

...Brett Pierce looks like a player at tight end.  He had another nice catch today, dispelling any notion that he can't be an option in the passing attack.  His blocking skills, yet to be fully realized.

...Domonique Foxworth had another pick six today.  He's got starting cornerback talent, but just happens to be on a team with two of the best in the biz, Champ Bailey and Dre Bly.

...If Tom Nalen doesn't get healthy soon, the offensive line is staring at some serious questions.  No offense to Casey Wiegmann, but Nalen is the heart and soul of that unit.

...The first team offense did well today.  They drove the field efficiently in 11-on-11 drills, with Jay Cutler spreading the ball around the skill positions.

...Finally, no practice Sunday.  A day off for the coaches, players, fans....and yes, media!

Besides the obvious (John Lynch not leading the defense), it was a crisp day at Dove Valley.

The first team offense moved the ball effectively on the second team defense.  The first team defense stifled the second team offense.  Order reigned. 

Noone got clotheslined. 

Noone left the team.

Tight End Brett Pierce made the catch of the day during 7-on-7 drills---a diving reception on a seam pattern that was whistled in by Jay Cutler.  Not too shabby.

Both offense and defense got some heavy thud in when the squads went into goalline drills.  Call it a draw---neither unit dominated the other.

Most of the players who spoke to the media today are still in a state of shock regarding Lynch. 

A cool breeze kept Dove Valley from being too oppressive.

Attendance still remains lower than in past years.

Tyler Polumbus (from CU) has a lot to learn if he wants to stick in the NFL.  However, his body SCREAMS "NFL right tackle".   Hopefully he sticks.

Finally, Spray-on sun block is easier to apply than the pasty white goo, and seems to protect just as well.  I highly recommend it.

CT.

John Lynch is leaving the Broncos.  He's been given permission to "explore other options".  IE: Seek emplyoment with another team, seek employment in television, or retire. 

Chances are, it'll be option A.  Such is the business in the NFL.  Lynch is aging, and isn't as versatile a player as some of the Broncos younger bucks.  Hence, he's expendable.  Never mind the fact that he's one of the best guys in the locker room (or anyone's locker room).  Never mind that he's hyperactive in the community (or any community). He's expendable.

And now, he's no longer with the Broncos.  It's a tough fact of life.  The NFL is a soulless automaton that keeps on rolling.  It rolls over and through all the individuals who play the game.  Yeah, some are immortalized in Canton, OH (as Gary Zimmerman will be this weekend).  But the price is usually steep, and extracted in flesh.

So should John Lynch keep playing?

Only if he wants to.  He should feel absolutely ZERO responsibility to the league, or his former team, to don on the jersey for one more go-'round.  After all, in a league that shows no loyalty to the player, why should the player show any back?

John Lynch is a good player, a better man, and I wish him the best of luck wherever he lands next.  Broncos fans and receivers may have to swallow hard if he reappears in the Chargers defensive backfield this year.  But hey, such is the business.

The more I watch golf, the more the sport amazes me.  I'll admit, I grew up playing football and lacrosse, and thinking golf was a non-sport.

Wrong.

Saturday in Southport, England, 53-year old Greg Norman kept Father Time at bay, firing a 2-over 72, while taking a 54-hole lead into Sunday's final round.  Half a world away in Parker, 8-year old Elizabeth Wong put on a show for our Marcia Neville and videojournalist Dave Wille.  She hit 185-yard drives, she drained putt after putt after putt.

Therein lies the beauty of the game.  You don't have to be 6'7", 245 lbs, bench press 356 lbs or run 40 yards in just over 40 seconds.  Anyone and everyone can play, and excel.

Conversely, anyone and everyone (at some point) can be awful.  Some of the premiere athletes in the world, with all their superhuman athleticism, become completely helpless on the links.

Michael Jordan will always be "Jesus in tennis shoes" (a quote stolen from a previous description of Julius Erving).  John Elways arm will always be stronger and more accurate than ours.  While Tiger Woods is the best golfer ever to play the game, even he, on a rare occasion, becomes utterly human, ie: flawed and vulnerable, on the links.

Hence, my cheers to the game of golf, Elizabeth Wong, and Greg Norman.  Here's hoping Father Time decides to stay away from England for another day.

Apparently, it's Numerous Felons League.

Matt Jones got busted with cocaine.  Former player Tony Zendejas has been charged with rape.  Adam "Pac Man" Jones just appeared before a Las Vegas grand jury investigating a strip club shooting.  Michael Vick---serving a federal prison term---is 10-50 million dollars in debt.  Brandon Marshall has been arrested multiple times in recent memory.  Now, in a story broken by FOX 31's Josina Anderson, we've learned that Travis Henry tested positive for marijuana---again---before his release from the Broncos.

OK, so not all those offenses are felonies.  My apologies for the judicial inaccuracy.

However, the point is made.  NFL players are making headlines these days for all the wrong reasons, AND TRAINING CAMPS OPEN TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY!

Overwhelming chances are, none of the aforementioned are going to derail the overwhelming popularity of the league. 

But should they?  You tell me.