SPORTS-(BRONCOS)
Archive
Vs. Arizona Cardinals (W, 38-17)
The Broncos rolled into Phoenix to play the Cardinals on
ESPN's vaunted "Sunday Night Football". After the introductory patriotic salute, the
Cardinals came out as wired as Chris Farley at Burning Man. The Cardinals
held Denver to five plays on their first offensive possesion. Eddie Kennison and
Mike Anderson started as respective subs for the injured Ed McCaffrey and (shocker)
Terrell Davis, as it looked like Denver's offense was grasping at straws.
The Cardinals played like the first quarter like it was their high school
homecoming game. Arizona wideout David Boston made a monstrous catch to set up
the Cardinals' first touchdown. Thomas Jones showed that "It's Not Unusual"
for a Cardinal to score, as he carried the thing in. It was 10-0, Arizona.
Just like a high school team on homecoming, the
jubilant Cardinals began smirking at the prospect of getting nailed by hotsy-tosty
females after the game. Quarterback Jake Plummer began seeking out the homecoming queen.
While scoping for hot chics, the Cardinals must have found some REALLY appealing
females in the crowd. For some reason, they quickly blew their concentration, poise
and enthusiasm, as Denver slowly crept back into the game and took the lead by halftime.
Denard Walker picked off a pass to start the pendulum swing. Jason Elam checked in
with a couple of filed goals, including a pin ball shot that deflected off
both uprights, then through the poles. (somewhere, David Treadwell
was pulling his hair out, in fits of jealousy after flashing back to the
1991 AFC Championship game in Buffalo)
Brian Griese settled down and focused in on Rod Smith, who would finish with a franchise
record 14 catches. The two combined on a beautiful TD pass in the second quarter. Griese rifled
a pass over the middle, while Smith outstretched two defenders to snare the thing and
drag his toes in the endzone for six. The very next series, Griese rolled out to
his right and fired a textbook-perfect bomb to Smith, for another TD. Griese also found
Patrick Hape for what's becoming a weekly tradition- the one yard
TD pass. Suddenly, the
struggle had turned into a rout. Only one thing was missing from making it a
TOTAL rout- the Tecmo Bowl Double-Reverse Flea Flicker Pass. Hey, it was the
Cardinals...what did you expect?
Mike Anderson started the game and was spelled by Olandis Gary throughout the game.
Both guys impressed and looked like they wanted to hit someone. Gary has the extra
bars on his facemask, so he looks especially mean. Gary also scored the
Broncos' lone rushing TD, but the two teamed up for 148 yards on the ground. They controlled
the game with their running and, late in the fourth, set the stage for the
2001 debut of Gus-a-mania, brother! Gus-a-mania then ran wild
by downing the ball three times.
Overall, near-perfect marks for the entire team. Patrick Hape's lead-blocking was
not exactly on target, but he should adjust as the season wears on. The defense
seemed susceptible in the first, but Ray Rhodes made the proper adjustments and
shut down the Cardinals by the half. Broncos return to Denver next weekend, to
meet the defending Super Bowl Champs- The Baltimore Ravens. Despite their slow start,
the Ravens are a formidable team, but also have Elvis Grbac. The Broncos are out for a little bit
of redemption for last year's wildcard loss. A "must-win" for Baltimore and a
"be nice to win" for Denver. And we all can't wait for the official naming of the
Broncos' new mascot. What? You mean you forgot to drop by their website for the
"Name That Ass" contest?
FINAL CUTS
Dumbest quote I've seen on the Internet this week: "Ian Gold,
Olandis Gary and Deltha O'Neal are the new Three Amigos!" What in the Blue Hell
brought that on? I don't get it. Using that logic, I suppose Lee Woodall, Tom Nalen,
Kenoy Kennedy and Dwayne Carswell are the "new Fearsome Foursome"...||...
About 3 weeks ago, Ray Lewis was quoted as saying "I don't see how anybody can
score more than 13 points against us". His prediction lasted exactly one game- against
the high octane Bears- as Baltimore's defense gave up 14 points in a 21-10
loss to the Bengals on Sunday...||...I was into the whole patriotic thing
this weekend. For some reason, the thing that really gave me chills was seeing
Chris Gizzi sprint onto Lambeau Field while carrying The Flag. Maybe it's because
he's a former Air Force cadet, and former Bronco, but it's the most vivid
picture for me, right now.
...||...
For those interested: Eric Brown will be making an appearance at the John Elway
Autonation Tent Sale at the Pepsi Center. Thursday night 6:30-7:30. (hey, waitminut..
that Elway must have connections!) I'll be there if you want to drop by and
tell a few jokes, or insults...
Comment about this article. Hit the Message Board, or
Contact ES!
BACK to Broncos index
