Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season.
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What do you think the Broncos can do to make it to the playoffs?
— Landon, Omaha, Neb.
For starters, they have to win out to finish 9-7. Then they need all of the 7-6 teams (Baltimore, Tennessee, Miami and Indianapolis) to finish 9-7 or worse. Then itap a matter of tie-breakers. The Broncos would lose the head-to-head to the Ravens because of their Week 3 loss. With the other teams, it would come down to conference record. The Titans and Colts play each other in Week 17 so that means at least one team won’t finish 10-6.
Why does every week coach says that we need a quick start? I don’t think he knows how to call plays that can help his team get a quick start. Case “Can’t quarterback” Keenum and VJ “Can’t coach” must go. I’m done. VJ the coach just doesn’t have it. He seems confused. Can you tell me why VJ is consulting and huddling up with his coaches on the sideline?
— Sam Jones, Fairfield, Calif.
Joseph emphasizing a quick start has been one of his talking points recently even though the Broncos have outscored their opponents 68-51 in the first quarter. Itap not like the Broncos fall behind teams in the first quarter. They just sort of tread water. The offense in particular has taken awhile to get going in games. As for Joseph “consulting and huddling up” with his coaches on the sideline during the game — thatap his job.
When will fire Vance Joseph or what will it take to fire this man? Itap hurting this fan base to watch the production on the field. The Broncos are such a joke. Until Vance is gone it should be John Elway’s job on the line.
— Matthew, Colorado Springs
Saturday nightap game against Cleveland is a big one for Vance. He didn’t have the team ready to play in San Francisco and the result was an embarrassing first half (down 20-0) and an inexcusable loss (20-14). That had to make Elway livid. I think Joseph’s seat is once again ablaze and if the Broncos limp to the finish line, Elway may have seen enough.
Any chance Mike McCarthy would get serious consideration for Broncos head coach this offseason?
— Kent Hollenback, Ventura, Calif.
If Joseph is fired, Elway should call McCarthy, fired as Green Bay’s coach last week. But here’s the thing about a potential Broncos opening: How good of a job is it? Yes, the Broncos have a winning history, passionate fan base, terrific resources and some young talent. But they don’t have a quarterback of the future (some would say they don’t have a quarterback of the present), offensive line issues and an uncertain ownership situation.
All season long, and have appeared to not have a play or group of plays ready for the next snap. Too often you see the game clock getting down to 10-15 seconds from when they initially set and then their lack of creativity in play-calling actually gives the defense too much time to diagnose the play. I truly believe this contributes greatly to the Broncos lack of offensive production and what many fans see as a predictable offense. Since they are mathematically still alive, can you envision Elway coaxing into becoming the interim OC for the last three games and a possible playoff run in order to fire Musgrave?
— Matthew Chavez, Tucumcari, N.M.
I wouldn’t expect any coaching staff chances with only three games remaining and every indication is that Kubiak is comfortable in his current, behind-the-scenes role. My rub about the play calling against San Francisco is that it was a play behind, losing on first down and running on second-and-long to set up an even longer third-down chance. The Broncos were 2 of 15 on third down.
Why pass the ball three times in a row on first-and-goal at the 1-yard line, down by 13 points? Especially after Phillip Lindsey got you the first down at the 1?! I know we scored with a pass on fourth down, but it seems like time was wasted! Offensive play calling was poor and too predictable.
— Jerry Dye Jr., Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Agree 100 percent, Jerry. As it was happening, I was writing in ALL CAPS in my notebook “HUH?” and “WHAT!” Musgrave got away with it when set a pick to free up for the touchdown. But, whew, that was bad stuff on first, second and third downs. Lindsay got them to the 3-yard line and then a pass interference penalty set them up at the 1.
Sunday’s game should’ve been a win but after losing our receivers, we didn’t have much of a pass game and going for it on fourth was risky. Will we make the playoffs and what will the Broncos do to help the pass game and the secondary needs to stay focus after leaving George Kittle open for 75-plus yards.
— Alessandro Marroquin, Weslaco, Texas
Joseph disagrees. He said the passing game should have been better and would have been better had Keenum been more “aggressive.” Help at receiver: ’ Achilles injury could prompt Elway to add a veteran receiver in free agency who can be in the top three with Sutton and Hamilton. The secondary: Really bad errors in coverage and communication.
Letap be honest. While the three-game winning streak was fun to watch, this team was never a playoff-caliber team and Sunday proved that. In order to get to the next level do you feel we need a new coaching staff and QB?
— Steve Kennedy, Midland Park, N.J.
Pretty much agree, Steve. They captured lightning in a bottle but remember, they allowed 429 and 527 yards in WINS over the Chargers and Pittsburgh, bailed out by takeaways. This was still a flawed team even during their winning streak. I expect Keenum to begin the 2019 season but a young quarterback should be drafted in the first two rounds and get him ready to play quickly. As for the coaching staff …
How much longer until Vance Joseph is out the door?
— Kenay, Akron
How many days until Dec. 31? It could be a busy day at the Broncos’ facility.
How does still have a job? Is he calling plays? The defense has had the same problems since he took over. It is incapable of adjusting scheme to account for talent gaps in linebacker/secondary play. Woods seems to believe in the system, not the players. What’s that old coaching quote, tell me my players and I’ll tell you my scheme?
— Brandon, Fargo, N.D.
Hey, good to get a question from my home area (native of West Fargo, N.D.). Woods calls the plays but I assume Joseph is heavily involved during the week and on game-day. Especially in the secondary, itap always something. Too soft in coverage. Not tackling well. Miscommunications. Can’t cover a tight end. On and on and on. Woods’ background (like Joseph) is coaching defensive backs yet the same stuff happens. And overall, anytime or is required to retreat into coverage thatap a scheme error.
Hi Ryan, I love the show “A Football Life” and they have profiled all the big stars and some not so big. How come they’ve never done one on John Elway?
— Chris Dobson, Scranton, Pa.
I looked up the history of “A Football Life,” and the only thing I can think of those profiled are retired players who are not working in the front office although Doug Williams is the exception and his show aired earlier this month.
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