Brian Griese with he Dolphins

[Judrock]

Man I want to first of all say it is a pleasure to chat with someone who is knowledgeable about the Game and also a Bronco fan. I live in Detroit and have been a fan of the Broncos for 26 years. I give you credit for your knowledge and look forward to your discussions in the future. I hope he does well and it won't come back to haunt us but i feel real uneasy about him ending up in Rayd her Black.

[muse]

Originally posted by Judrock
Man I want to first of all say it is a pleasure to chat with someone who is knowledgeable about the Game and also a Bronco fan. I live in Detroit and have been a fan of the Broncos for 26 years. I give you credit for your knowledge and look forward to your discussions in the future. I hope he does well and it won't come back to haunt us but i feel real uneasy about him ending up in Rayd her Black.

Who, me? If it is, I will shock you. Badly.
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I'm English...

[towels]

I was pulling for Brian as much as anyone, but he did make some bad 4th quarter decisions. As much as anything the Raiders game turned on Woodson's INT return for TD (I know that wasn't the fourth quarter, but it was still a loss he had a part in causing). Remember Brian trying to get rid of the ball by shotputting it or something against Miami and having it picked up/picked off and returned for a TD?
After Eddie went down, and the other recievers were not always on the same page with Brian (being where he expected them to be) he really struggled. I hope a change of scenery does him well. He has some talent, but he really struggled with the team leadership, and maybe he can discover that part of himself in a new environment.
I don't know that it was all that acrimonious of a split- nothing like the old Elway-Reeves feuds.

[Stalefish420]

Great Expectations

If people think trying to follow up Elway is difficult just think how bad he will be trying to copy his dads perfect season. He will struggle and never start again.

[finklsteen]

remember one thing..........there are a lot worse quarterbacks out there starting. if greise fails in miami, he's surely gonna start somewhere else.

[CalBroncoFan]

Greise will do absoultly NOTHING in Miami just like he did in Denver! He should have been the 2nd string QB in Denver to begin with.

[broncos4ever]

Brian had one great game against the Raiders. That showed a lot of courage and stamina.

He also threw the interception that got Terrell hurt.

He also threw the pass that put Shannon out of action with a broken collarbone.

He also blamed his teammates when the going got rough.

He blamed the Greeley police for being unfair, when he received his DUI.

He blamed Terrell's driveway after he fell down it.


He blamed his dog Bella, when he was so drunk he could not navigate his stairs.

Next thing he will be blaming Mike Shanahan for letting him spend four years on the best team in the NFL.

Goodbye Brian, and Hello Jake. Anything will be better than what we have had to endure.

[sKILLsAw]

Originally posted by Elway
I never thought Brian was a geat QB, he showed flashes of greatness. But when he had his record year for QB rating, he did not start or play in all sixteen games. The broncos won more games in a row with Gus Frerotte than they did with Griese.

I think he wll be a good back-up in Miami, at least better than Lucas was. But Jay Fieder was having a great season before Denver roughed him up (heh heh)

While for nostalgia buffs it is great to have a Griese back in Florida. He won't come close to being the QB is dad was.

Theres no doubt that Brian was smart but thats about it.No deep ball abilitys and no scrambling abilitys.If Jake learns to read D's like brain could watch out...............

[TXBRONC]

If the preseason is any indication he'll be just fine.

[Judrock]

Originally posted by broncos4ever
Brian had one great game against the Raiders. That showed a lot of courage and stamina.

He also threw the interception that got Terrell hurt.

He also threw the pass that put Shannon out of action with a broken collarbone.

He also blamed his teammates when the going got rough.

He blamed the Greeley police for being unfair, when he received his DUI.

He blamed Terrell's driveway after he fell down it.


He blamed his dog Bella, when he was so drunk he could not navigate his stairs.

Next thing he will be blaming Mike Shanahan for letting him spend four years on the best team in the NFL.

Goodbye Brian, and Hello Jake. Anything will be better than what we have had to endure.

[Judrock]

Jake vs Griese

Im looking forward to the new season but I am not sold on Jake just yet. I was reading the paper and this is what has started in Miami with the former QB who you guys have said is a bust but I still think we made a mistake.

2002 Griese Breakdown

TO EVERYONE OUT THERE THAT QUESTIONS BRIAN GRIESE'S TALENT, HEART OR ABILITY TO WIN. HE SHOULD START HERE IN MIAMI!!

A game by game explanation of why the Denver media (who were soon followed by the fans) chose to use him as a scapegoat in order to justify one of the most disappointing and tough seasons in NFL history. I watched almost every Denver game last season (I'm in Philly so I missed 2 or 3) and it was one of the roughest seasons in NFL history. 4 Denver losses by a combined 14 points. However, it was NOT Griese's fault. He more than provided for his team and had it not been for an overrated coach who believes himself to be God's gift to football and a talented but very undiciplined defense, this team would have been super bowl contenders.
Onward...

* Means that this was a game that Griese did not play in because of injury.

Game 1: 1-0 Denver 23, St. Louis 16
In Post-Elwayism at its finest, despite it being the FIRST game of the season, and playing against the Super Bowl favorites, the Broncos find it fit to put Griese's play into question and talks of benching him arise. (Really, Denver wanted him to succeed from day one....) Griese, however, overcomes it and leads the Broncos on a game winning drive.

Game 2: 2-0 Denver 24, San Fransisco 16
Behind a terrific running and defensive performance, Griese does goes 14 for 19 for 2 TD 0 INT.

Game 3: 3-0 Denver 28, Buffalo 23
Portis beings to breakout, and we see a more offensive Denver performance. Griese comes up big towards the end of the game and puts up a 19-31, 2 TD 0 INT game. The Broncos are now considered among the Super Bowl favorites.

Game 4: 3-1 Baltimore 34, Denver 23
Griese has a poor game, despite putting up 328 yards. A large portion of blame however, lies on punter Tom Rouen. A 28 yard punt and blocked punt lead to 14 Baltimore points and within minutes Denver goes from up 3-0 to down 14-3. Things do not get any better for the Broncos as they lose their first game of the season. Griese throws for 1 TD and 3 INT, although he was forced to play from behind the entire game against a solid defense.

Game 5: 4-1 Denver 26, San Diego 9
Griese outshines division rival Drew Brees and leads the Broncos to an easy victory. No one in Denver is complaining about their quarterback, who has had one poor game, ironically, in the only game against a non-playoff contender. (although Buffalo may be stretching it, they were at the time considered to be playoff bound)

Game 6: 4-2 Miami 24, Denver 22
This is obviously a game you are all familear with, and Griese's second poor game of the season. However, three things must be pointed out. First, Griese shows amazing resiliance after Surtain's touchdown return in leading his team back to a 22-21 lead (He threw for 300+ yards). Second, Al Wilson has a huge chance to put this game away with an interception but he drops the ball. Third, Mike Anderson puts the ball down on the a 3rd and 1 in the 2nd quarter on MIAMI'S 1 YARD LINE!!! One of the finest football games I've ever seen, despite it being a tough Denver loss.

Game 7: 5-2 Denver 37, KC 34 (OT)
This was actually the first Denver game of the year that was not nationally televised, but Griese throws for 376 yards, brings his team back from 14 down late to send it into overtime and then leads his team to the GW FG. One of
the finest quarterback performances of the season, coming just one game after the Miami game.

Game 8: 6-2 Denver 24, New England 16
Griese throws 18-23 and Denver wins against yet another playoff contender. He completely outshines his Michigan rival, Tom Brady (who receives no real guff from the New England media)

MIDWAY POINT OF SEASON UPDATE
Griese has led his team to 6-2 against one of the toughest schedules in the NFL with one heart-breaking loss that could have landed them at 7-1 just as easily.

Game 9: 6-3 Oakland 34, Denver 10
The blame lies almost completely on the Denver defense and Denver coaching staff. Rich Gannon throws 34-38 for 3 TD and 352 yards and Denver does not change up their defense all game (they were dropping back 8 men, all game) Griese does make a costly INT early in the game, one that really changes the tempo, but comes back with solid numbers despite the lashing that the defense is taking. He finishes 34-47 for 293 yards and does not throw another INT.

Game 10: 7-3 Denver 31, Seattle 9
This game was not nationally televised either, but Griese leads them to victory with 194 yards, before getting injured Beurlein comes in to replace him and does a good job of wrapping things up.

UPDATE: BRIAN GRIESE IS INJURED FOR GAMES 11 & 12. Despite the fact that he has led his team to a 7-3 record against one of the most grueling schedules in the NFL (Lets not forget, it could have been 8-2, the only bad losses were the two MNF games against the Ravens and Raiders, Miami was very winnable) the Denver media claims that Beurlein is more worthy of the starting position. Like any human would, Griese must sour on his situation.

*Game 11: 7-4 Indianapolis 23, Denver 20 (OT)
Tough loss, nationally televised and a great game, but Griese didn't play in it so its only included in this summary as to explain why the Denver fans/media may or may not have had an anal disposition in regards to the 2002 football season.

*Game 12: 7-5 San Diego 30, Denver 27 (OT)
Two straight weeks... No Griese... Two straight overtime losses. Griese might not be John Elway but they beat San Diego 26-9 with him at the helm earlier in the year. Now this game was in San Diego but Brian Griese did not play.

Game 13: 7-6 NY Jets 19, Denver 13
Tough game. Griese's first game back and they had a chance to win it on the last drive until his interception deep in Jets territory. Griese's numbers were good for the game, actually better than Pennington's (sans the INT), and he led a terrific drive but made one bad throw towards the end (unfortunately unlike the Miami game he did not get a chance to redeem himself and bring the Broncos back). One must keep in mind that this is his first game back from injury and he performed pretty well considering the Jets were at this point the hottest team in the NFL (think about their wildcard victory)

Game 14: 8-6 Denver 31, Kansas City 24
Griese comes back to form with another fine outing. Going 18-26 for 297 yards and leading Denver to another victory. Griese improves his mark to 8-4 as a starter against some stiff competition.
Wins vs: SL, SF, Buffalo, SD, KC (x2), Seattle, New England
Losses vs: Miami, Oakland, Jets, Baltimore

Game 15: 8-7 Oakland 28, Denver 16
Griese struggles right along with the rest of the team. Two costly INT cement his fate as the city's scapegoat (how quickly the 7-3 start is forgotten) in a season gone horribly wrong (4 losses by a combined 14 pts).

Game 16: 9-7 Denver 37, Arizona 7
He is benched for their final game against Arizona and cast out of Denver for... an 8-5 season as their starter? Poor games against an Oakland team that made Mike Shannahan and Ray Rhodes look like idiots? Play behind an offensive line that, while very efficiant in the rush block, wasn't able to display even the fundamentals of pass blocking? And the defense while performing well, was completely unable to get turnovers.

In the end whats the lesson? Griese is a great quarterback.
If not for those 2 games of injury and a defense that showed signs of brilliance and ineptitude in the same breath this team would have finished in the playoffs and Griese would have been given the praise he deserves. He played a great season, did everything he could and was villainized for 3 bad games in a season? (Oakland x2, Baltimore) I live in Philadelphia, and am an avid Eagles fan, and believe me when I say, McNabb had more than 3 bad games this year. This is not to compare Griese to McNabb, but to show how unfair Griese has been treated. I LIVE IN PHILADELPHIA and I'm criticizing the Denver media. That should speak volumes.

[TXBRONC]

Hey Judrock,

Just one more thing, since you are a Eagles fan why would you have need to be sold on Jake Plummer and his abilities? Shanahan was the one who need to be convinced and apparently he is and right now that is all that matters. I mean no offense.

[Jared]

Wow. Long article.

1) No one ever blamed Griese for the two losses he didn't play in. Not that I have seen or heard.

2) No one is saying that he doesn't have good numbers. Clearly, he does. A 62% completion rate for a career is excellent.

3) Please remember that if you read that in a Miami paper, they are going to be homers, and convince the uncovinced fans in Florida that he was worth the monetary investment. Fiedler does deserve to be the starter, since he is not exciting, but rarely makes a mistake that enables the team to beat itself. Griese still does that.

4) His teammates just didn't respond to him anymore. That's a problem in any team sport. When your teammates dislike you they may feel that you are no longer sharing in the common goal. That's a bad vibe to have in the locker room.

5) Griese was a salary cap cut. Had he been making less, he may have been demoted and kept on the roster.

I think Griese is probably the best backup QB out there, along with Dilfer. Former starters with chips on their shoulders who have had success as starters. He just needed a change of scenery. And Miami is perfect for him. He grew up there, his dad lives there, and his mom is buried there. I don't think he will suffer in the shadow of his dad. I think it will actually help him.

He just wasn't the right QB for Denver anymore, period.

[Judrock]

How Long with da snake????????

Jake sucked today period

[TXBRONC]

Originally posted by Jared
Wow. Long article.

1) No one ever blamed Griese for the two losses he didn't play in. Not that I have seen or heard.

2) No one is saying that he doesn't have good numbers. Clearly, he does. A 62% completion rate for a career is excellent.

3) Please remember that if you read that in a Miami paper, they are going to be homers, and convince the uncovinced fans in Florida that he was worth the monetary investment. Fiedler does deserve to be the starter, since he is not exciting, but rarely makes a mistake that enables the team to beat itself. Griese still does that.

4) His teammates just didn't respond to him anymore. That's a problem in any team sport. When your teammates dislike you they may feel that you are no longer sharing in the common goal. That's a bad vibe to have in the locker room.

5) Griese was a salary cap cut. Had he been making less, he may have been demoted and kept on the roster.

I think Griese is probably the best backup QB out there, along with Dilfer. Former starters with chips on their shoulders who have had success as starters. He just needed a change of scenery. And Miami is perfect for him. He grew up there, his dad lives there, and his mom is buried there. I don't think he will suffer in the shadow of his dad. I think it will actually help him.

He just wasn't the right QB for Denver anymore, period.

I'm with on that Jared. Just piggy back here.
1.) If Denver can score 30 points on the road while Jake plays subpar what happens when he starts to come around?

2.) Not to make excuses for Jake but he is slow starter unfortunely for him that has ment trying to play catch up with his tds to ints ratio.

3.) Even with three picks the still stayed focused and one the game.

4.) In his post game comments he understands he must get better, and when someone is committed to change something about themselves that when they have the most success.

In the Denver Post Woody Paige who predicts Denver to go 19-0 (I don't think so but hey its his column) said something that holds true no matter what had happened. Paige said "You can go 19-0 unless you start off 1-0." It was an ungly win but a win is still a win style points don't count for squat.

I heard that Shanahan chewed him royally after one of his pick, but Jake did not go over to bench to sulk he got back out there and still played the game.