Post game chat (Broncos)

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Folks,

I'm going to attend the Favre press conference, but then I'll take questions. Sorry I might have to stop here and there. I was up in the press box and with the altitude and my blood pressure medication I passed out several times, having to be revived by the Denver EMS once, but I'm on oxygen now and using my trusty 28K modem, will field all the questions you have about tonights; game.

[OS PA]

Compared to the other star defensive ends in the league, just how well is Kampman playing? Also, did you notice a lot of non-call holds on KGB tonight?

[BallHawk]

Cleft....

1. Do you think Grant can be the starting RB? Can he be efficient?

2. What'd you think of the refs? Ticky-tacky on both sides, IMO.

[Scott Campbell]

Cliff,

Why can't Clifton seem to get through a game without a pre snap penalty?

[MadtownPacker]

Cleft - After all the big throws tonight do you think Favre should be in viagra commercial with the slogan "He can still get it up at his age"?

[Cleft Crusty]

Compared to the other star defensive ends in the league, just how well is Kampman playing? Also, did you notice a lot of non-call holds on KGB tonight?

Kampman is playing very well. Umenyoria (sorry about the spelling) is playing well against lesser talent, but Kampman is a real good technician. He sets guys up and is relentless. On on play (the botched WR option, he missed the tackle twice, but made it the third time).

There were some non-calls, but you'd think with all the calls the zebras made, the last thing you'd want were more penalty calls. Weren't twenty one penalties tedious enough?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft....

1. Do you think Grant can be the starting RB? Can he be efficient?

2. What'd you think of the refs? Ticky-tacky on both sides, IMO.


1. I think Samkon Gado taught us that any RB can be a starter, if you're desperate enough. McCarthy said i the post game interview that Grant would be the starter in K.C. Wynn must have really hurt his shoulder for McCarthy (who is normally pretty guarded) to make that announcement without 'looking at the tape' first.

2. Too much reffing

[Cleft Crusty]

Cliff,

Why can't Clifton seem to get through a game without a pre snap penalty?

It's pretty noisy there Mr. Campbell. As Brett Favre might say, I'd like to see you stay still with all that noise. The noise made me urinate prematurely, so I know it was pretty loud - I couldn't even hear my zipper.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft - After all the big throws tonight do you think Favre should be in viagra commercial with the slogan "He can still get it up at his age"?

Or maybe, he can still 'throw it down?' I don't think Favre is the kind of guy who would want it to be known that he needs some medical help in that area. And he doesn't need any help in throwing the deep ball either. It just helps to have the right play called at the right time and as Favre said to just 'take a shot.'

[superfan]

Hi Cleft,

Two questions -

1. Did you think the defense took a step forward, or did they take a step back? They limited a decent, if injured, Denver offense to one TD tonight but looked vulnerable at times.

2. Were all the flags a result of the refs being down one ref early and they felt the need to compensate, or was there more to it than that?

[VegasPackFan]

Cleft,

What is the deal with our corners grabbing jerseys and such down the field? Cant these guys do away with that tactic that keeps getting called every week? Or are they paying some kind of ongoing tribute to Ahmad Carrol?

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Cleft,

Two questions -

1. Did you think the defense took a step forward, or did they take a step back? They limited a decent, if injured, Denver offense to one TD tonight but looked vulnerable at times.

2. Were all the flags a result of the refs being down one ref early and they felt the need to compensate, or was there more to it than that?

1. I think the defense took a step back on some running plays where they allowed extra yards and tackled poorly. It's clar that Al Harris can't tackle, very likely because of his bad back. The coaching staff knows it's something they have to live with. Maybe he could use some Doan's pills. Overall the defense played well. They are a defense that wins not by spectacular individual effort, but by 7-8 out of 11 guys playing very well on almost every play.

2. The flag question is really interesting. I think teams like the Packers (and NE) force the officials to make a decision very early as to whether to call is tight or let 'em play. If you decide to call it tight, then you have to call everything, even minor holds, like the one #15 had on Harris that wiped out a big run. I thought the reffing was overdone, but fair.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,

What is the deal with our corners grabbing jerseys and such down the field? Cant these guys do away with that tactic that keeps getting called every week? Or are they paying some kind of ongoing tribute to Ahmad Carrol?

I don't think there is any tribute to Ahmad Carroll anywhere, except maybe in the Jacksonville county lockup, where he's considered a prize date with a 'purty mouth.'

[woodbuck27]

Cleft:

Will AJ HAWK ever get it on this seasonÉ

and

Should we send a letter fr. Packerrats to his wife to leave him alone starting Wed. of every weekÉ

That boy looks plumb drawn out come gameday.

[the_idle_threat]

Hi Cliff!

One question: Was Deanna Favre at the game Monday night? Because if she was, I didn't notice.

[Scott Campbell]

Hi Cliff!

One question: Was Deanna Favre at the game Monday night? Because if she was, I didn't notice.


She's become the First Lady of professional football.

[mraynrand]

Cleft,

When are you getting off the meds?

[mraynrand]

Cleft,

Shoul McCarthy be flogged for running into 8 man fronts late in the game? Weren't the Broncos daring the Packers to throw?

[mraynrand]

Cleft,

How about that Matt Millen? Is he better than Ted Thompson? Better than Polian?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft:

Will AJ HAWK ever get it on this seasonÉ

and

Should we send a letter fr. Packerrats to his wife to leave him alone starting Wed. of every weekÉ

That boy looks plumb drawn out come gameday.

I see nothing wrong with Hawk. The Packers gave up 13 point to a team that rang up Pittsburgh for 31. And why mess with the guy's private life? With a mug like his, you gotta feel good for the guy to know he's getting any action.

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Cliff!

One question: Was Deanna Favre at the game Monday night? Because if she was, I didn't notice.


Dear Mr. Threat,

I don't notice those things, because I'm way up in the rafters above the press box. In my new role as the semi-retired sports writer, I'm lucky if the seat I get is inside. Last night I was above the press box and was it cold - the air was quite thin too. Some of my TV colleagues like to play up the Deanna angle, as though there isn't enough interesting stuff happening on the field. More than likely, I bet they interviewed her or some pathetic, unfunny actor while a series of interesting plays were being ignored on the field.

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Cliff!

One question: Was Deanna Favre at the game Monday night? Because if she was, I didn't notice.


She's become the First Lady of professional football.

That's a nice appellation. It's certainly better than the title given to the typical Travis Henry girlfriend.

[swede]

Hey, Cleft...

(edit)

I know you're not a fan, but wasn't it nice to light up both Champ and Dre in pivotal plays that basically won the game?

[Cleft Crusty]

Hey, Cleft...

(edit)

I know you're not a fan, but wasn't it nice to light up both Champ and Dre in pivotal plays that basically won the game?

That's right, Swede. I'm completely objective and couldn't care less what happens during a game. I watched the TD in overtime completely dispassionately. But that could just be me - I'm a pretty dull guy. My wife is still angry with me for falling asleep during my daughters wedding - and that was while I was walking her down the aisle. But that might have been some of the Lunesta hanging around in the bloodstream.

Anyway, Champ Bailey was hurting a bit and Dre Bly is pretty much a washed up chance-taker. The two TDs were impressive, but you have to qualify them at least a little.