SPORTS-(BRONCOS)
Archive
December 31-
Actually, it's mid-February as I write this thing. Hey, I've never been punctual...just ask my
mom. I was supposed to pop out of her tummy at the beginnning of March, but took my
sweet time and waited until the 27th.
Just know that I haven't been sitting around wallowing in woe since the Ravens
basically stomped a mudhole in the the Broncos' collective equine asses. I spent alot
of time and thought composing the "FINAL COMMEMORATIVE MILE HIGH EDTION OF
ESTRAGAND.COM®". Considering this game had approximately TWO highlights, and of those highlights
only ONE was in the Broncos' favor... well, it just didn't seem worth covering. Definitely
not a game you want to remember.
Started out well enough. Ravens have to punt on their first series and Keith Burns
runs in and blocks the thing. Cool.. could the Broncos have recaptured some
of their postseason luck, again?! 1997 and, to a lesser degree, 1998 were filled with
crucial turnovers and momentum-building plays like this. Back then, the offense had
John Elway. This offense had Gus Frerotte. Two plays later, it's GUSAMANIA time,
brother!!! Gus proceeds to throw the ball all up in Ray Lewis' area.
One play does not a shitty game, make. Leave it to our old pal, Shannon Sharpe to
bottle some of that postseason luck. A few possesions later, Sharpe made what was,
arguably, the play of his career. A deflected Trent Dilfer pass carooms off
Terell Buckley, into Sharpe's arms. Amazingly, Sharpe breaks to the sidelines and
rambles 54 yards into the endzone. Sharpe's biggest play since the famous
"Just Get Open" 3rd and 6 in the 1997 AFC Championship. That was all they
needed. Thank you for showing up, Denver. Drive safely. You still can't win without Elway.
Seriously, it couldn't have happened to a better guy. This play was somewhat reminiscent of
the 1972 Bradshaw to Fuqua to Hariss Immaculate Recpetion. I'm sure all the sports hacks in
B-more are waxing poetically over this. If The Ravens go on to win four Super Bowls in the
next eight years (as Pittsburgh did from 1972-1980), then we will NEVER see the end of this play.
Just seeing it happen, you could hear the Dude With The Low Foreboding Voice and the
orchestral NFL Films highlight music playing.
Sharpe holds a few Broncos' records. Most receptions and I'm pretty sure he also holds the single-game
postseason receving mark (1993 wildcard game vs. Raiders). He's still doing some amazing stuff
in the playoffs with the Broncos... just wearing a different jersey. Sharpe went on to
make that one huge backbreaker play in both the divisional and Championship rounds
of these playoffs. I couldn't help but gleam as he ran 90-some yards for a TD against the
Oakland Raiders. (He didn't do DICK in the Super Bowl, however). I still miss ya, buddy.
FINAL CUTS
A bit different this time, as we round up the special ESTRAGAND.COM DENVER BRONCOS YEAR END AWARDS©
The awards were held at the "Chubby's" mexican take-out restaurant on Mississippi and
I-225, in Aurora, Colorado. A steak burrito combo was enjoyed by yours
truly, while longtime ESTRAGAND.COM supporter, GStragand, was in attendance and
had... a hamburger. The awards committee consulted several
sources throughout the year to detemine an appropriate winner. These awrds have been
given out every year, since 1989.
No players, coaches or staff attended the cermeony this year.....
- Game of the Year- an award given to the most exciting, emotional game of the
season.
11/19/00 vs San Diego Chargers.
It was a close call between this and the Raiders games. But, since punking the Raiders
is a typical routine, I give the nod to the Chargers game. For one afternoon, Ryan Leaf
had his day in the sun. It was amazing to see the Chargers run rampant like that, and even more
amazing to see the Broncos come back from the huge hole they had dug. Add in Gus Freotte's
record-day and this was a truly unique game. Thus the award.
- Player of the Year- awarded to the club's MVP. The one guy they absolutely NEEDED on the
field, every week.
#38- RB Mike Anderson
Terrell Davis gets hurt... setback. Olandis Gary gets hurt.. inconveinence. Terrell's injury lingers
and the
Broncos have no experienced runningback... PROBLEM! In steps Mike Anderson. A 26 year old
rookie and former Marine. Anderson displays consistency, strength and durability as he
runs for an amazing 1500 yards, in 12 games. The Broncos would have been nowhere without
Mike Anderson... you can't deny that. (Anderson also gets the nod as the Rookie of the Year, but why
be repititive?)
- Defensive Player of the Year- awarded to the team's MVP on defense. If a defensive player garners
"Player of the Year" recognition, then this award is replaced by "Offensive Player of the Year", and
vice versa. For example, a player can NOT be "Player of the Year" AND
"Offensive Player of the Year".
#93- DT Trevor Pryce
Very tough to even award this one, as NOBODY on defense had a notable year. In fact,
the "D" had a downright SHITTY year. Thus, I'll stick with
the All-Pro voting and give it to Pryce, for lack of a better candidate (plus see the next award).
It's hard to tell when a defensive lineman screws up, so I feel somehwat justified. Especially
when the corners ar getting burned every third play. Note to other offenses...want to
get 15 quick yards? Run your tight end over the middle on Romanowski. It works, just ask
Tony Gonzalez.
- Coolest Moment of the Year- The one play or nifty thing that had you asking your friends:
"Did you SEE that shit??!! Fuckin Awesome, man!"
Trevor Pryce's fumble recovery and TD- 9/17/00 vs. Raiders
It was also a VERY huge momentum play and got the Broncos off and rolling in their
annual He-Bitch Man-Slapping of the Raiders. Plus, it's always cool to see
a Fat Guy get a TD. I hear Neil Smith's STILL winded from that one he scored against the
Dolphins in the 98 playoffs.
- Worst Moment of the Year- the one day when you wish you weren't a Broncos fan. After this year,
will forevermore be known as the Corey Dillon Award-
10/22/00 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
No description is really necessary. This
made the Broncos' "D" the laughingstock of the NFL, signaled the
end of Greg Robinson's Denver career and made my trip to Caifornia HELL.
- Rod Bernstine/Dale Carter Commemorative Award- award given to the newcomer who has little or no effect
on the team, despite given a big contract and important status.
#232- SS Billy Jenkins
Who? Does he play for the Broncos?
- Simon Fletcher Award- given to the one player who is often overlooked by the
media, but is a vital contributor and in some cases, an impact player or
cornerstone of the team. Occasionally goes by the title "my boy"... a title Simon
had for years.
#69- G Mark Schlereth
Will be sorely missed. One of the best linemen to ever play in Denver. Get this guy on
the Ring of Fame..STAT!
- Cheerleader of the Year (in Honor of Equality)- An award given to the
brightest, most dependable..aww, hell.... it's just the Hottest Babe on the Sidelines
in a White Skirt Award.
Katee Doland
And that's how our season went. Thanks for reading and following our adventures
this year (all three of you!). I've already booked a trip to Tampa to see the Pirates'
Spring Training, so I'm a leg up on my baseball jones this year. Check back
this Spring for some "baseball" coverage. Maybe a bonus offseason "football/Broncos"
page around the draft, to cover free agents, Ray Rhodes
and any new draftees. Believe me, you'll want to
hear my take on Ray Rhodes, as he reminds me of a
certain fellow I used to coach with.
(and throughout the off-season, expect NO mention of the letters "X", "F" or "L"). Regular
coverage will resume in August 2001 ... That is
all for now.
