Peyton Manning says Broncos offense stinks
Associated Press, USA Today:
Peyton Manning was disgusted with the Denver Broncos offense after the first of three practices with the Houston Texans.
"I thought our offense stunk today," Manning said after Tuesday's two-hour practice in shells and shorts. "I thought their defense totally kicked our butt."
And when the five-time MVP isn't happy, nobody's happy.
It happens every year. The loser of the Super Bowl has trouble getting out of its own way. The reason is that some of the players have come into camp out of shape.
The Super Bowl losers of the past have struggled mightily the following season.
2007 - Chicago Bears. Missed playoffs
2008 - New England Patriots. Missed playoffs.
2009 - Arizona Cardinals – Won Wild Card 51-45(OT). Crushed by New Orleans Saints 45-14.
2010 - Indianapolis Colts. Lost first round to New York Jets 17-16.
2011 - Pittsburgh Steelers. Lost first round 29-23(OT) to Tim Tebow’s Denver Broncos.
2012 – New England Patriots. Beat Houston Texans 41-28. Lost to Baltimore Ravens at home, 28-13.
2013 – San Francisco 49ers. Beat Packers, 23-20. Beat Panthers, 23-10. Lost to Seahawks, 23-17. The 49ers are the exception after having lost the Super Bowl.
Even the winners have faltered the following year. The 2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2011 New York Giants and 2007 New York Giants didn’t even make the playoffs.
All the fighting and bickering in training camp last week was a warning sign. Teammates C Will Montgomery and DT Kevin Vickerson had to be separated from fighting. DT Derek Wolfe and DT Terence Knighton were pushing and shoving G Orlando Franklin, whose helmet was ripped off.
The rout of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night 34-0 was an aberration. Maybe it was the opening of the new Levi Stadium for San Francisco.
Associated Press, USA Today:
Manning said he's thrilled to get three workouts in against the Texans and Crennel, who is in his first season as Texans defensive coordinator, having joined the staff after another former Bill Belichick disciple, Bill O'Brien, was named head coach.
"Romeo Crennel is one of the best coaches out there," Manning said. "Overall, it will be a good week for us. But we've got to do better than we did today on offense."
Peyton had better get used to this rollercoaster season. It’s what happens after one loses in the previous Super Bowl. The records bear this out.
While the QB may be ready for the opener after his 22 completions on only 27 passes on Sunday night, some of the others need to stop with the fighting, foolish penalties and missed assignments. Getting back to the Super Bowl is not an easy task.
There is a solution. Run the stairs in Mile High Stadium. That should blow off some steam and get you out of your Super Bowl blues.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
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