Yes, the Denver Broncos traded away Von Miller, but George Paton believes this team can win and that they are building the right way.
So the trade deadline came and went and here we are seeing our 4-4 team sans their best player and a guy who never touched the field.
That says to me that the Broncos organization believes in their record and is at least attempting to win games.
And while I’ve been pretty sour on the team as of late (as has most of Broncos Country since you can only sell Arizona swampland to a fan base so many times before the get fed up), I want very badly to believe that they can do better and end the year in the mix.
But the question is, what will it take for them to be successful?
What is success?
Let’s start by quantifying what success this season looks like. My Broncos Standard for success as a fan has always been making the playoffs. Sadly the past 6 years tell me that the team has completely and utterly lost all sense of that standard.
So success looks like this: a winning record at the end of the year. That means 9-8. Somehow, in some way, this team needs to win 5 more games this season. Do that, and you have given this fan hope. But to do that, you have to fix two major problems.
Problem #1: Get healthy and stay healthy
Somewhat overlooked in all the failures of the team against the four competent teams they lost to on their schedule are the injury bug and its impact on this team. We’ve lost a slew of starters on both sides of the ball. Our roster doesn’t completely suck. But it isn’t stacked with a dearth of undiscovered talent that can make up for 5+ of your starters being out on the defensive side of the ball.
There are players like Michael Ojemudia and Mike Purcell who may be able to get right and get back on the field. Get them healthy and get them ready.
There are players that aren’t coming back and the one thing the coaches can do right is coach their asses off and get those young backups rounded into the best versions of themselves on the football field that they are capable of being. We’re seeing that with Malik Reed for instance. If Vic Fangio can get the likes of Jonathan Cooper and Baron Browning ready to go, he can save this team’s season.
Problem #2: Do whatever it takes to fix the offense
Less than 20 points per game aren’t going to cut it. Vic Fangio needs to be done allowing the lame excuses to flow from himself and Pat Shurmur about the offense. If this season is going to be saved, this offense has to figure something out. If that means you fire your cherished veteran OC, then so be it.
I still believe this team has a ton of talent on offense…far too much talent to be scoring so little and looking so inept. Out here in the peanut gallery, it looks like an issue with the play-caller…but if it isn’t, fix it. The fan base isn’t privy to what goes on behind closed doors, what the players see in meetings as they review their play, and what the coaches are coaching. That’s fine…we don’t need to know. But whatever is broken, get it fixed.
The inept offense we’ve seen for the past 5 games isn’t going to get you five more wins out of the next 8 games.
This week against Dallas the offense better look good. If it doesn’t and you are heading into the bye, that’s a great time to shake up the offensive coaching and at least give an honest shot to this team getting right in the back half of the season.
Broncos News
Broncos trading CB Kary Vincent Jr. to Eagles for 2022 sixth-round pick
Vincent was drafted in the seventh round in 2021.
Von Miller helps Los Angeles Rams now and in long term, GM Les Snead says
The Los Angeles Rams acquired linebacker Von Miller with the hope that he would help the team in 2021, but also have a “long-term vision” for him as well, GM Les Snead said.
Noah Fant detailed Von Miller’s rift with his teammates before the Rams trade – Sports Illustrated
Apparently, a Halloween party was the center of the issue.
‘We’re still in the thick of it’: GM George Paton expresses faith in current roster, maintains expectations for 2021 success
“Moving forward with this team, I believe in the players here,” Paton said. “I believe in the coaches here. We’re 4-4. It hasn’t been perfect. We’ve had some ebbs, we’ve had some flows. We have a long way to go, but I do believe in the players. We’re 4-4
‘We wanted to do right by Von’: GM George Paton explains decision to trade Von Miller
“We wanted to do right by Von,” Paton said. “We sent him to a great franchise, a team right in the thick of it, and he’s really going to fit and there and really help with the second part of his career.”
Other NFL News
Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III arrested on charge of DUI resulting in death
Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III will be charged with DUI resulting in the death of another person following his involvement in a traffic collision at approximately 3:39 a.m. PT on Tuesday in Las Vegas, police announced.
Chiefs trade OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to Jets for TE Dan Brown
The Chiefs are trading offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the Jets in exchange for tight end Dan Brown, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
Packers, Colts Among Teams with Surprising DVOA Ratings | Football Outsiders
Green Bay is lower than expected in DVOA, and Indianapolis is higher than expected. Let’s unveil the latest ratings and explain what’s going on. Plus: The Bengals plummet.
NFL Power Rankings Week 9 – 1-32 poll, plus each team’s biggest weakness going forward
Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater are having a hard time leading their teams to points, while Grady Jarrett and the Falcons’ pass rush have struggled.
Los Angeles Rams waive veteran WR DeSean Jackson
The Rams waived DeSean Jackson after the wide receiver wasn’t traded before Tuesday’s deadline.
NFL Takeaways after Week 8: Chiefs still searching for their form – Sports Illustrated
Plus, Rams and draft uncertainty, why Saints could stay pat at QB, the Jets’ near-future at QB, lack of owner accountability beyond Snyder, and more.
Philip Rivers retirement: QB could return to field if Saints call – Sports Illustrated
Philip Rivers isn’t ruling out a return to the NFL just yet.