varaven45

Aside from Hill, that doesn't leave anyone does it Max ? They just need to get back to the basics of tackling the ball carrier instead of the pigskin. Had they tackled Amendola on those critical plays, we might be playing this Sunday for the trip to Az.

Yes. If (big if) we have a healthy Smith, Asa and acquire/draft 2 we should be set at CB this yr and beyond. Relative to safety, if we move Webb to SS or FS, we still need at least one more safety (probably via draft). Not comfortable w Elam or the other FSU kid (at least not yet). The Alabama kid- Landon Collins - would be awesome although I don't see it happening. Whatever we do, we need to build a solid, stout secondary (a la Seahawks) with athletic, quick, strong, playmaking guys.

I see our current CBs (Melvin et al) as our Gradkowski's from 2 years ago. Those guys should only by 2nd / 3rd string and back up Smith, Webb, etc. I assume we will acquire at least 1 seasoned/proven CB and draft another. Same with S position, even if Webb is switched. This team needs a significant upgrade, not just a tweak, in the secondary. We may not fully accomplish in 1 yr but need to work towards that goal.

How about we sign Demarius and Kubes tells Elway to take a hike. How cool would that be ?

Indeed

Agreed on D. Match/mimic what Seattle has on D (easier said than done), and fortify the TE/WR. Do that and we've got some special.

The FO needs to secure enough quality talent, via FA and draft, to match or beat the most talented, potential dynasty team (Seattle). To do so, we correct our greatest deficiencies and acquire talent in the passing game (offense and defense). In my opinion, the FO should mimic the Seattle secondary model while fortifying the receiving corps with WR and TE playmakers/game changers. If the team wants to advance to the next level, they cannot ignore these positions. No exceptions.

I would hope that Kube's has enough sense to know Denver football is heading south quick and w/o Peyton or any other franchise QB, there window is shut for a couple of years - its a couple yr rebuilding program. Kube's, with his previous heart condition, would be a fool to take that job. Life's too short to save that sinking ship.

Kube's staying is encouraging and a key piece of the puzzle. On the other side of the ball, unsure of Pees as our DC. Still, If we can retain our key FAs, acquire a playmaking WR and or TE, fix our secondary and welcome back a healthy Jimmy Smith, and have an excellent draft - WR, TE, RB, CB, QB- then we could have a nice 2015 and beyond. The future looks bright, especially if we witness an issue- free off season.

Crav, Always the case with the bad, unlucky bounces/fumbles. The planets have to align (to some degree) for all SB champs. Imagine how the cowpokes feel after ref's reversal on Dez Bryant's catch. Just saying. On to Joe; lets hope he and Kubes having another off season and the influx of a FA or draft pick (WE/TE) will bear some fruit next yr. With Peyton on his last leg and Brady right behind him, the AFC truly becomes WIDE open.

Yep, until threw the ill advised pass to Torrey. Wished we had the 2:00 over and tried to methodically move the ball from the 36, rather than going for it there. And to Torrey of all guys. He gives up on the ball too quick. Smith Sr. would have at least knocked the ball loose. Even had we scored, Brady would have had nearly 2:00 to score. Hindsight is 20-20 right ?

Yep. Nobody gave us much of a shot, esp after Rice debacle. Still, our guys showed grit, guts and toughness all year. They were 1 or 2 plays from upsetting a superior team in their house. As a fan, it's hard to fell anything but pride and good feelings about this organization and team.

Yep. We just lost to a better team and a HOF QB and Coach. We overachieved and exceeded everyone's expectations. Kudos ravens !!!

Very perceptive Max. Joe will have to play "mega" cool today. Got to pound the rock and stay with it. Keep Brady off the field.

Exactly, we could end up anywhere from a 30 pt loss to a 7 pt win, and anywhere in between. Nothing about this season's team would surprise me one bit. And FWIW, this team has vastly exceeded my expectations by at least 2 wins. Anything from here is just more gravy.

Agreed on the $ part.

Grass isn't always greener on the other side, as Bart Scott, Ed Hartwell and others found.

No, I think their contracts and spouses will require then to show up Actually, I m more concerned about the men in striped suits and prevailing sentiments for a Brady-Manning AFCC game. Look for 1-2 roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness calls against our D (Suggs etr al) at critical junctures of the game. And keep an eye on other game/momentum changing call. We all witnessed last Sunday's highway robbery at the Big D.

Crav, you are back in true form and confident as ever. You da man

And that would be too kind.

Good point !

To have any shot in this game, we've got to sack Brady early and often. And I don't mean like we treated Big Ben. I will go one step further, We have to hit him in the 1st series - hard, legal and put him on the ground- so that we get and stay in his head. Next, Will Hill needs to get a good, legal early shot on Gronk. I submit that if we effectively do that in the 1st or 2nd series we have a shot. If not, Brady and Gronk will carve us up and we will get waxed. This is perhpas Brady's and Belichicks last legit shot at a SB and they know it. It will take a hurculean effort of near perfection for us to win this game.

Yep, a la Danelle Ellerbee. .

Or my personal, timeless favorite: "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he humbles himself will be exalted".

He is good, very good. And I really like how he goes quietly/humbly about his trade - brings his hardhat/lunch pail to work. I much prefer this approach to the recent Pernell McPhee rant about " we are a dangerous defense" , blah blah. Just play the damn game, do your job and let the chips fall where they may.