Jack-ed Up

Ugh, where do we begin? With the inconsistent offense? The shoddy defense? The inexplicable inability to start and finish a play with the football in the hands of the same person? It was a very poor showing on both sides of the ball in today's 24-17 loss to Jacksonville. How the game was still that close remains to be dissected, but that score doesn't fully explain how the Broncos got taken down today. You will not win games in the NFL by fumbling on the other team's 5 yard line, nor fumbling the play immediately after you just recovered a fumble of your own after having a flawless drive to start the game. Too specific? Fine, let's go to the videotape...

-Through the first 3 weeks, the O was a go, the last 3 the O's been a no show. Oh sure, it started out hot today driving 80 yards in 8 plays for a touchdown on the opening drive with the Jay Man going 7-7, but after that it simply disintegrated into a series of turnovers, 3 and outs, and building frustration. Opposing defenses are starting to lock in to the fact that Jay Cutler takes the snap, stares straight at Brandon Marshall, blows kisses to him, texts him a message like "omg, run a post, lol," and then throws him the ball regardless of how many defenders are blanketing Marshall at the time. Jay has other receiving weapons, but you wouldn't know it by the sheer volume of passes headed Marshall's way. Yes, Marshall is one of the best receivers in the league, but he's not going to be open every single play, no matter how good he is. Jay needs to adjust to the defense's tendencies the way defenses are adjusting to his.

- I had no idea that fumbling was going out of style until I watched the Broncos play football in the first half. Then, as I saw three straight possessions end in turnovers (fumble, interception, fumble) including the final fumble on the Jaguars 5 yard line as we were about to go up 14-3, I suddenly understood what was going on. The Broncos, realizing the fumbling fad was fading, felt the urge to give it one last hurrah and send the trend out in style. Once I convinced myself that's what they were doing, I felt a little better about it.............not.

-To the defense's credit, they did make some stops when they needed to. After Graham's TD catch with 8 minutes left, we were only down 24-17 and the defense followed by stopping the Jags on 3 plays, giving the ball back to our offense to try and tie the game. Yeah, it was a nice gesture, but the offense apparently didn't feel too keen on returning the favor, matching the Jags with a 3 and out of their very own. That pretty much sealed the deal and handed us a much-deserved second loss on the season.

-It wasn't all bad, though. Just a good chunk of it. Michael Pittman, given a chance to take the bulk of the carries for Shanny's offense for the first time all year, responded with a resounding "huzzah!" by gashing the Jags D for 109 yards on 20 carries, the first Bronco back to break the century mark in 2008. The Pitt-Man is a bruising ball carrier who pounded out yards and bowled over defenders all day. He's proving that he's not only skilled as a short yardage and receiving back, but that he can handle a full workload every Sunday. Today was the most carries Pittman had had in a game since 2004 and with the success he had today, you can bet Shanny will be penciling Pittman in for a few more carries in next Monday's bout with the Patriots.

-Maurice Jones-Drew-Stamos-Jean-King disrespected the Broncos and their fans in our own house today twice by mocking our Mile High Salute made famous by the incomparable Terrell Davis. News flash for the little guy: You, sir, are no Terrell Davis. You never were, and you never will be. TD had something that you don't (besides about 8 inches and actual skill as a running back): class. TD never showed anybody up, never backed down from anybody, and never had to act out to prove he was better than everyone else. He let his play speak for him and that's how he is one of only four NFL players in history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. You think you have a chip on your shoulder because you were drafted in the second round? Big deal. TD was an unknown 6th rounder who ended up as one of the greatest running backs in history. You? You'll be lucky to sniff the Pro Bowl this year. Take a cue from your better half (Fred Taylor) and do as he does. Shut your mouth and play football.

Our next matchup puts us in New England next Monday Night to take on the punchless Pats who looked awfully disjointed against the Chargers today. Matt Cassel is definitely no Tom Brady, hell, he's barely a Tyler Thigpen. The Pats still have weapons, but they're not the seemingly invincible team of a year ago. I still have us at 5-2 heading into our bye week. Plus, Shanahan loves outsmarting Bill Beeeeeelichick.