San Diego – Notes for a new year …
A year ago, the Broncos took a 10-6 record into the playoffs and got rolled at Indy. How much better is this year’s edition? Consider this: The Broncos took the lead into the fourth quarter six times in 2004. This year, they led 13 times after three quarters and won 12 of those games. That’s commonly referred to as dominance. …
Mike Shanahan, on the Broncos’ playoff hopes compared to last season: “It’s completely different. For one, winning the AFC West, we’ve got a bye. That’s much different than being the sixth seed and going on the road. The conditions are completely different.” …
Random thought while watching the Chargers’ season slip away Saturday: I don’t know how it could have slipped past the Broncos’ quality-control people, but somebody forgot to tell John Lynch it was a meaningless game. …
“There’s no such thing as meaningless,” Lynch said. “It says a lot about us to be able to handle a situation like this. We’ve faced a lot of situations this year, be it a Thanksgiving game or Saturday games or whatever, and we’ve handled them all. And this one was probably the most impressive.” …
Can’t imagine why, but watching Bradlee Van Pelt on Saturday brought to mind a quote from actor Dustin Hoffman. Seems a few years ago, Hoffman spotted John Elway in a swanky L.A. eatery. As he walked out, Hoffman patted Elway on the back and announced to everyone within earshot, “This guy doesn’t dive.” …
CBS analyst Phil Simms, to Van Pelt: “How would you describe your style?” Van Pelt: “Phil, I have no style.” …
Van Pelt saw his first extensive NFL tour of duty, completing 2-of-8 passes in the rain and gaining 41 yards on 10 carries. BVP: “My job as a quarterback is to complete footballs, not run. I’m not proud to be running, but they played it well. I didn’t just go back there to scramble. Some things are covered and you run. It happens.” …
So Tatum Bell fell 79 yards short of becoming the Broncos’ second 1,000-yard runner. If you knew ex-Bronco Reuben Droughns, the proud owner of 1,192 yards, would have more yards than any of his former teammates, advance to Go and collect a Las Vegas casino. …
What, you think the Broncos’ offense looked a little shaky in the early going? Today is New Year’s Day. The 49ers haven’t thrown a touchdown pass since Thanksgiving weekend. …
The game had no playoff implications for the Chargers and they played like it. And for the record, the press-box PA announcer didn’t exactly bring the old “A” game, either. To wit: “Fourth down, Sauerbraten in to punt.” …
Then you had the officials. They called defensive holding on No. 76 in the first quarter, giving the Chargers a first down. Only one problem: The Broncos don’t have a No. 76 on their roster, which Shanahan was gracious enough to point out to the zebras. …
Al Wilson, on the little team that could from Indy: “I could care less about the Colts. I honestly feel like, if this team comes to play, we’re going to make teams beat us. We bend a little bit, but we never break. When we come to play, it’s going to be tough on any team to beat us, especially coming into Mile High.” …
By the numbers: The Raiders have five interceptions. The Broncos have two players, Champ Bailey (eight) and Nick Ferguson (five), with at least five picks. …
Now comes the tricky part for the Broncos. For the first time in the 21st century, they’ll play a first-place schedule in 2006. All they had to do was ask the Chargers how treacherous that can be. Their opponents this season had a .555 winning percentage and four played them after their bye weeks, a league high. …
Add Chargers: Sure, they played a murderous schedule, but there’s no excuse for finishing 4-4 at home. The gawdawful Jets could match that mark with a home win today. …
Lynch, on the prospect of facing the Colts: “Whatever route it takes. A lot of people have talked about that scenario. We aren’t going to shy away from that if that’s the case. This is a team that’s designed to beat them. That’s what all of our moves were made for. We’d feel comfortable (playing at Indy).”
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
