Darren Copeland

Another post from the pressbox, the “big game” edition.

2:06p…..I can always tell when it’s a big game because the food is always better. Barbeque and mashed potatos. Yummy!

2:09p…..Waiting for the National Anthem…and a squirrel’s on the field. I was hoping he’d score a touchdown, but the Bronco cheerleaders were at the goal line. How do I know it was a boy squirrel? I saw his nuts…acorns really. Sorry had to get that out of my system.

2:13p…..Indy wins the coin toss, sending ominous warnings through the stands. Colts elect to receive.

2:15p…..Could this game kickoff on time? Why yes! DeDe Dorsey is back for Indy, and no, I’ve never heard of him either. He went to Lindenwood College or University. And it’s a touchback.

2:17p…..Crowd’s loud again! A false start on the Colts. But Manning passes out to the flat where D.J. Williams Ian Gold hit the reciever hard but didn’t tackle. Can’t do that.

2:18p…..The Colts are picking on D.J. Williams Ian Gold, and Broncos call a time out. The press box is pretty high and I don’t have my binoculars. Sorry about that.

2:22p…..Almost an interception by Nick Ferguson but it went right through his hands. He’ll be dreaming about that one tonight.

2:24p…..A drop by Indy’s Dallas Clark and the Bronco defense gets off the field. Fair catch at the 10 yard line of Denver. Bronco ball.

2:26p…..First pass by Plummer is complete to Javon Walker. A good sign.

2:27p…..Denver calls another time out. What’s up with that? Maybe switching back the clocks got the Broncos confused.

2:30p…..Plummer gets the first down and gets a forearm to the chops. Bad penalty, but good news for Denver. They’ve had problems with third down conversions this year.

2:31p…..A long pass to Javon Walker…..just over thrown, or under ran, however you want to to call it. But the Broncos can’t convert on the 3rd and 10 and have to punt. A good punt, but into the endzone. Colts will have 1st and 10 at the 20 yard line.

2:36p…..The Colts are methodically marching down the field. Joseph Addai is looking like an all world running back. The rookie from LSU looks good. Dang good.

2:40p…..The Colts offense seems to shoot themselves in the foot a lot. That’s really the only thing stopping them right now. A key holding penalty denied a first down run, but they still get a first. Broncos don’t look like they have one of the best defenses ever, at the moment. They just can’t tackle.

2:42p…..A trick play by the Colts, but it backfires. Offensive pass interference on Reggie Wayne. I don’t know why they would try a halfback option when their bread and butter is working, as the next play shows with a nice gain on a screen pass.

2:44p…..The Broncos finally stop the Colts with a big stop on Marvin Harrison. Colts kick the 32-yard-field goal. Colts 3 Broncos 0 1:45 left in the first quarter

2:46p…..I like warm days at Bronco games. The cheerleaders’ costumes are a lot more revealing. The Colts kickoff goes into the endzone for a touchback. Bronco ball on their twenty.

2:48p…..Tatum Bell breaks a long one…but holding. This offense can’t afford to make those kind of mistakes.

2:49…..Jake scrambles to end the first quarter. Plummer’s a good scrambler, but his running style is not the smoothest. Kind of like a great dane puppy. End of the first quarter. Colts 3 Broncos 0

2:52p…..Jake whips one long to David Kirkus for a huge gain. The Broncos needed that. Nice play. The Colts’ defensive backs are laying off of the Denver receivers on the weakside, and obviously Shanahan noticed.

2:54p…..Another unnecessary roughness on the Colts. I don’t know the message the Indy defense is trying to send, but it’s not working.

2:56p…..Plummer to Rod Smith down to the Colts’ two yard line. The long pass to Kirkus seemed to have sparked the offense. Mike Bell goes over the top…yikes…ouch…eep!!! He didn’t make it, and I’m pretty sure his neck hurts.

2:57p…..Plummer sneaks and gets the touchdown. A nice drive by Denver. Good to see the offense getting points. Broncos 7 Colts 3 11:16 left in the second quarter

2:59p…..A note on Rod Smith’s catch. It was his 822 catch. Pretty good for an undrafted free agent.

3:00p…..Once again, the Bronco tee kid gets the biggest ovation of the day.

3:01p…..Colts return the kickoff to the 28 yard line. Peyton needs to stop the trick plays and just go at the Bronco defense. They’ve had success doing that.

3:03p…..A tackle in the backfield for Kenard Lang from the Broncos. Give the Denver defense time to rest and they get things done. Manning, however, just picks apart the secondary. He sure is a cool customer. He’ll be a good player someday.

3:04p…..Joe Addai is threatening to become the Colts starting runningback. He hit the hole quickly.

3:06p…..The Colts just continue to march down the field. The O-line holds their blocks, and it’s five yards at a time running the ball for Addai.

3:07p…..A big stop by Denver on 2nd down. The Broncos get a lot tougher in the red zone. Broncos stop Indy again, and they have to kick another field goal. It’s up and good. Broncos 7 Colts 6 5:10 left in the second quarter

3:09p…..I really don’t like all these television timeouts. Egad! I guess they’re nice when drinking tons of beer at home, but I still don’t like ’em. Broncos get the touchback, and will start at their twenty.

3:13p…..Another role out by Plummer and a long pass to Tony Sheffler. Then a nice hole opens up for Tatum Bell. Nice to see the Denver offensive line showing up.

3:15p…..So Plummer and Tatum Bell almost screw up the handoff, then Tatum breaks free, only to fall down. That play made me giggle.

3:16p…..A long pass was incomplete. Fans wanted a flag, but the ball was uncatchable. No really, it was.

3:18p…..Plummer to Rod Smith for a first down. Interesting that the Colts are putting double coverage on Javon Walker and single coverage on Smith. That will come back to haunt the Colts, I think. 2:00 left in the second quarter

3:22p…..Ol’ Jake with the keeper. Plummer’s really giving up his body today. I don’t think the Broncos are gonna get in the endzone, however. There’s too little time left….And as I say that a touchdown pass from Plummer to Javon Walker. See what I know. A great throw by Jake. Broncos 14 Colts 10 :22 left in the second quarter

3:25p…..Almost halftime, time for a coke and one of those yummy pressbox cookies.

3:33p…..One of my favorite halftime shows is the Mascots/pee wee football game. Good for a few laughs, especially when “Miles”, the Bronco mascot, runs over a few kids on the way to the endzone. Trampling kids is funny (relax, no kids were harmed).

3:40p…..Time for the second half. The Broncos will receive. A good return by Brian Clark to the 26 yard line. Let’s see if Jake and company can keep up the good work.

3:43p…..Mike Bell with a good hard run, but I didn’t see it because I was looking at Zombyboy look alike up here in the pressbox and it’s freakin’ me out.

3:45p…..A Colts injury. A perfect time for a television timeout. Ugh!

3:46p…..A incomplete pass and the Broncos have to punt. Nice return of 19 yards. Colts ball at their own 44. In a shocking development, a t.v. timeout. 13:58 left in the third quarter

3:49p…..Myself and 76,000 other people are waiting for the Colts’ offense to show up. On cue, a Marvin Harrison catch for a first down. A penalty also on Denver, but it was refused.

3:51p…..Addai with another hard run. The Broncos better start wrapping and tackling because Addai is taking the hits and staying on his feet. Darrent Williams is getting exposed today. As I’m typing those words, Williams burnt for a touchdown by Reggie Wayne. Broncos 14 Colts 13 12:04 left in the third quarter

3:56p…..Viniteri kicks it into the endzone and the Broncos will have it on their own 20. The Colts have stepped up their play in the second half, and it shows. It’s now the Broncos who are stalling, and getting penalties, instead of the Colts.

3:57p…..Jake scrambles, and scrambles, and throws the ball to Tony Dungy. I wonder what that play was called?

3:59p…..Jake gets sacked and loses the ball, but it’s called down. Indy is starting to take this game over. Oh, and why is Mike Bell playing so much this half? Tatum was doing well.

4:00p…..Indy is challenging the fumble. Haven’t seen the replay, but the way the Broncos were trying to tackle after the fumble leads me to think it was a fumble. That would be a terrible turn of events for Denver. 10:18 left in the third quarter

4:02p…..I was right. First down Indy. Denver’s defense needs to step up here.

4:03p…..Addai continues to run over the entire Bronco defense. CalBear wonders if the Colts miss Edgerin James. Not really.

4:04p…..Reggie Wayne with another TD catch, and the crowd goes silent. The Broncos are in trouble right now. This was supposed to be a statement game, and the Colts are making it right now. Colts 20 Broncos 14 8:54 left in the third quarter

4:07p…..A good return by Brian Clark, but a penalty will bring it back. You know it’s a penalty when every ref on the field throws their flag at the same spot.

4:08p…..Mike Bell’s still in the game. I wonder if Tatum Bell, no relation, is hurt?

4:10p…..Mike Bell with a nice run. He’s a good runner, but is not as good as Tatum finding the right hole. Bell again, with a nice spin move. Mike Bell runs like a tornado through a cornfield. Not really fluid, but he causes damage.

4:12p…..Two straight passes to Sheffler. Have the Broncos finally found a tightend? Could be. M. Bell with another hard run, followed by a pass to Javon Walker. The offense is doing its job right now. Good thing, because the defense needs the help.

4:15p…..Mike Bell gets a key first down, and is looking like the back who was named the starter in the preseason.

4:16p…..Tatum Bell comes back in. Guess he’s o.k. Maybe he needed a bathroom break. A reverse to Sheffler. A reverse to Sheffler? That’s the first time I’ve seen a reverse to a tightend.

4:17p…..Cecil Sapp with a big run down to the 1 yard line. A great drive by Denver. Don’t screw it up now. They don’t. Mike Bell with the touchdown. Great teams respond to adversity and that’s just what the Broncos did, but they need to keep their foot on the gas and finish this game off. Broncos 21 Colts 20 Start of the fourth quarter
4:20p……Television timeout. Smoke ’em if you got ’em. This is turning into a classic game. I didn’t hear the total, but the attendance today is the third highest in history. Wow!

4:22p…..A touchback on the kickoff. Colts ball on the twenty. Bronco defense needs to step up right here. That means you, Darrent Williams.

4:23p…..Manning to Addai. Manning just knows who the open guy is, and how to get him the ball. Very fun, and frustrating to watch.

4:24p…..Addai just juked D.J. Williams out of his shoes. Williams was lucky to make the tackle. Now Manning goes to Dallas Clark for the first down. The Colts are on the move again.

4:27p…..A key play! A big stop by the Denver defense…but a timeout was called by Denver. What a key mistake. At least we have a television timeout. 11:45 left in the fourth quarter

4:30p…..Good news/bad news. The Colts miss on the third and one, but Viniteri kicks the field goal to go back in front. Colts 23 Broncos 21 11:37 left in the fourth quarter

4:31p…..Cheerleaders are in Halloween costumes….sexy costumes. Meeoww!

4:33p…..Yet another kickoff touchback and the Broncos take over on their twenty. The offense needs to respond again.

4:35p…..Mike Bell with a run, and Javon Walker with a first down catch. Another great throw by Jake. Now Mike Bell again…..and again. Mike Bell is playing great! So is Tatum Bell actually. Yes the Broncos have two Bells in the runningback rotation. And yes, it gets confusing sometimes.

4:37p…..Mike Bell with another shifty run. He now has 86 yards on 12 carries. The O-line gets the credit. They are opening some huge holes for both Bells. Tatum has 27 yards on 12 carries. Now Cecil Sapp runs over several Colts to get down to the 1 yard line.

4:39p…..Mike Bell caps the drive with his second touchdown. Cecil Sapp with a huge block on the linebacker to open the lane. Broncos 28 Colts 23 6:54 left in the fourth quarter

4:42p…..Colts get the ball on the twenty, then Manning finds Wayne for a 28 yard game. What happened to the secondary? Another pass to Wayne with Darrent Williams on the coverage. Williams isn’t having the best day.

4:45p…..Williams has trouble when receivers run curl routs. The Colts know this and have exposed him big time, as Manning completes another 1st down pass in front of him. Lots of bad tackling too. Denver’s defense can’t be missing tackles if they want to win this thing.

4:47p…..This is not a replay. Manning to Wayne over Darrent Williams for the touchdown. The Colts are going for two, which they get throwing to Wayne, who was covered by Williams. Colts 31 Broncos 28 3:35 left in the fourth quarter

4:49p…..It’s up to the Broncos offense now. I hope they do it, but I have to head down to the field. I’ll be back in awhile.

5:52p…..Final Score: Colts 34 Broncos 31 A heck of a game. Too bad the Broncos came up short. I knew that when Mike Bell broke his huge run late in the game, there would be too much time on the clock for a QB like Manning, especially with three timeouts. All the press guys around me were as certain as I was that the Colts would pull it out and they did. It was still nice to see the offense come to play. The emergence of Mike Bell, Cecil Sapp, and Tony Sheffler was encouraging. The defense, however, got a rude wake up call. Darrent Williams was humbled today, but there were plenty of mistakes to go around. This is a game that you need to win at home, and the Broncos didn’t do it. Until they can find a way to win these games at home, the Broncos won’t be heading to any Super Bowls.

6:00p…..I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the quote of the day from CalBear while giving a live update to a radio station. “The Broncos took the lead, but Baltimore is driving.” Yeah, and Johnny Unitas was at the helm. Hey, mistakes happen. When they’re funny mistakes, that just makes them better. That was funny mistake by CalBear. I’m off to cut up my tape and head home for a beer…..or three.  If you want more analysis, Zombyboy has got it here.