Buffs were right to fire Embree

I'm a sucker for motivational speeches.  When I attended Jon Embree's first meeting with Buff fans to talk about the 2011 recruiting class I was excited (I wrote about that luncheon back then).  "The Buffs are on the verge of something great," former CU coach Bill McCartney told the crowd that day.  McCartney praised CU's move to the pac 12 conference, and the skills of Embree and the coaching staff Jon had assembled ("it matches up to any staff I had at CU" - Mac said).  "Bringing back successful coaches and players from Colorado's past to lead the Buffs into the Pac 12 is a good move," I wrote that day.  "I expect next season will have its struggles, but as Coach Mac said I think the Buffs have the right leadership in place now and fans just have to give them time."

Boy was I wrong! I now think CU made the right move in firing Jon Embree this week and not giving him more time.  What caused my 180 degree change in opinion?

On field performance.  Under Embree the Buffs had 4 wins and 21 losses over his two year reign.  Last season's 3 - 10 record was acceptable for Embree's first year given the downtrodden state of the program after Dan Hawkins 5 year term.  In 2011 the Buffs beat their instate rival CSU and finished the season winning 2 of their last 3 against pac 12 foes (including a big upset at Utah in the finale to end a long 24 game road losing streak).  Things were looking up.

It was this season that did Embree in.  Instead of building on 2011 the team got worse, much worse.  Losing to CSU and to Division II foe Sacramento State to start the season, followed by many blowout losses to Pac 12 opponents.  "I saw Colorado play 3 times this year. Folks, it's the worst Div. 1 football program in a major conference I've ever seen," said ESPN's Colin Cowherd on his show yesterday. Would Cowherd renew Embree for a 3rd year? "After two years, in a sport you HAVE to bring people into the stadium because it's the only sport on a campus that makes any money. Colorado football, at the end of this year is HOPELESS. No one is going to these games," he said.  It was obvious to anyone watching Buff football this year that the team had taken a big step back in 2012.

Embree now discounts the win/loss record.  "I get it, 4-21 is not good, but there is a lot that went into that,” he said in a radio interview, and went on to explain how he was doing other things to help the program.  The wins will come if you give him more time, according to Embree.  That's a different message than what he was preaching at that recruiting lunch in February 2011.  "Instead of hoping to win, expect to win. Even next year," Embree said that day, in how he was going to change the team's attitude.  It seemed to me the 2012 Buffs expected to lose before every opening kickoff.

Poor recruiting.  Embree only had a few weeks to recruit after he was hired in December 2011 and he came up with a credible "transition" class, including starting freshman cornerback Greg Henderson.  His February 2012 class showed promising signs, ranking #36 in the recruiting site Rivals rankings - a respectable showing after a 3-10 season.  This year, though, Embree's recruiting is trending downward (with a current Rivals national rank of #65).  Recruits do not want to play for a doormat, and Colorado's poor 2012 season no doubt has contributed to the Buffs having a hard time attracting talent.

This is disappointing to me because this coaching staff was hyped to be great at recruiting.  Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was said to be one of the best recruiters in the nation when he was an assistant at Colorado and UCLA, and now with recent NFL experience (he was the Minnesota Vikings running backs coach) he was supposed to be an even better recruiter this time around with the Buffs.  The top high school running backs I expected to sign with Colorado because of Bieniemy never materialized.  Embree, too, was said to be a top recruiter at UCLA and at his former stint at Colorado as an assistant.

I followed the program closely during Coach McCartney's rise from a 1-10 season in 1984 to a National Championship only 6 years later.  During the down years I remember then Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm saying "the one thing Colorado has going for them is Bill McCartney's recruiting."  Even though the results on the field weren't good yet, the recruiting experts of those days gave the Buffs high marks.  Not so in 2012 - Colorado's recruiting is getting worse, not better.

Bad decisions at quarterback.  The Buffs had a returning senior quarterback for the 2011 season in Tyler Hansen.  Hansen's play helped the team salvage 3 wins that year.  I attended a spring practice before the 2011 season and I thought Hansen looked great.  But what were the Buffs to do once Hansen graduated for the 2012 season?  I hoped that Embree had a plan.  His moves to shore up the quarterback position have not worked out.  One of his first signees, junior college transfer Brent Burnette, never played a down for the Buffs.  Texas transfer Connor Wood worked with the scout team in 2011 and reports were promising that he'd be the starter for 2012, but Wood was a disappointment.  Kansas transfer Jordan Webb won the starting 2012 quarterback job, despite only arriving on campus in July, and had a terrible year.  In the last game holdover Nick Hirschman looked to be the best of the bunch (leading the Buffs to 35 points vs Utah), yet Hirschman was buried on the depth chart for most of the season.

Embree did recruit promising quarterback Shane Dillion who redshirted this year.  If Dillion is the real deal he'll help the next coach, but I still think Embree could have done more to bolster the quarterback position in the short term.  Stevie Joe Dorman was another Embree recruit at quarterback who had no other offers from BCS schools (Dorman also redshirted this year).

Closed practices.  When Embree took the field in the Spring of 2011 he at first was open to having fans and the press view his team's practices (I attended one of the first workouts).  But soon Embree closed all practices to the public and gave the press limited access.  This was a change from Dan Hawkins who always opened a few practices for public viewing in the Fall followed by a public scrimmage in August in Folsom Field.

I remember as a kid watching the 1971 CU team scrimmage featuring many sophomore starters on TV before heading off to Baton Rouge to play LSU the next week.  Then coach Eddie Crowder was not concerned about giving away any secrets by having open scrimmages - his team upset LSU and ended up finishing #3 in the nation that year.  Embree had an almost paranoid attitude about his Buff teams, not wanting any practice reports to get out on the internet that might present a less than positive view.  The secrecy in the program did not help in building good will to the fans or with the media.

Race had nothing to do with it.  Earlier this week Coach McCartney accused Colorado of firing Embree for racial reasons.  "I believe black men have less opportunity, shorter time, if you will. It’s just like, Dan Hawkins got five full years. Why not give Jon Embree five years? You signed him to a five-year contract," Coach Mac said.

The Dan Hawkins comparison is not valid.  Hawkins' CU team went to a bowl game in his 2nd year, playing Nick Saban's Alabama team to a competitive game in the Independence Bowl before losing 30-24.  Hawkins 3rd year almost produced another bowl team (a last minute 57 yard field goal by Nebraska in the season finale prevented that). It was only in Hawkins' 4th year that cracks started to show (with a 3-9 record).  Hawkins should have been fired after that 4th year, but the school's financial state at the time prevented a buyout from happening.  Had Colorado had access to the 20 million/year Pac 12 TV money they now have, Hawkins would have never coached a 5th year in Boulder.

Racial discrimination is no doubt still a serious problem in this country, but the Embree firing is not a good example of it.  Floyd Keith, the director of the Black Coaches association, recognizes that Embree's on field performance was the reason Embree was fired.  "I'm disappointed for Jon because I thought he might get another year," he said. "I would have been pleased if he had gotten another year, but I'm also not blind. I think the thing that did him in was the loss to the FCS team (Sacramento State). What can you say about that?"  On the All Buffs CU fan message board, a minority media person from the South writes, "I find it MUCH more offensive that someone like Bill McCartney, and many others, former black players included, would not give me or anyone else of color the benefit of the doubt that we could decide on our own accord that it was the atrocities on the field that led to Embree's firing, not his color. I applaud Colorado for having hired a man with Embree's qualifications or rather, lack thereof, regardless of his race. LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, etc. would NEVER do that." (read the whole post here)

In February 2013 I'll probably be attending another recruiting luncheon with yet another new Colorado coach spouting optimism about his plans for the team.  And I'll believe every word of it.  This time I hope it works out.  For a team I have followed since I was a kid in the 1960's, I miss the good old days of winning CU football.

Book Review: Promises to Keep

As a Denver Broncos season ticket holder since I was 12 years old (1968), I anxiously awaited a chance to read Floyd Little's new book, Promises to Keep, written with Tom Mackie.

Floyd was a childhood hero of mine.  I watched many of his games live from the old South Stands of Mile High Stadium during his playing career (1967-75).  This book gave me a behind the scenes look at what REALLY was going on with Floyd during his years with the Broncos.  I loved all the stories he shares about interactions with his teammates and coaches.  How Floyd body slammed offensive tackle Mike Current to the ground at half time because of Current's uninspired play in one game, how defensive end Lyle Alzado, big ego and all, would intentionally jump offsides so he could hear his name over the stadium public address system, and how the Denver players had to endure the tirades of head coach Lou Saban.  These and many other stories will be of great interest to anyone who was a fan of the Broncos in those years.

More than a behind the scenes look at pro football, though, Promises to Keep is also a motivational tale.  "I wanted to write this book in the hope of inspiring fans like you to go out and fulfill your own dreams," Floyd writes on page 1.  "If you're not doing everything you can to live your dream, you have to ask yourself, 'What am I waiting for?'  Life is not a dress rehearsal.  It's the only one you get."

Floyd's life story is inspiring.  He was a troubled youth who grew up in poverty.  "I was shy and self-conscious," Floyd writes.  The outgoing Floyd Little was shy?  I would have never guessed.  He overcomes a difficult childhood to become his high school class president and a team leader at Syracuse University.  "I had a non-stop drive to achieve everything people said I couldn't," Floyd recalls.  In telling of the obstacles he overcame to become a success, Floyd motivates his readers to conquer their own challenges, too.

Floyd also talks about his life after football and his long delayed induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.  I was disappointed to read that the Denver Broncos have not treated him well in recent years, like not picking up the tab for Floyd's Hall of Fame induction party.  Even more incredulous to me was the fact that Floyd had to stand on line for three hours to get a ticket for the team's first Super Bowl appearance in January 1978.  That was only two seasons after Floyd retired - had the Broncos forgotten the man who was instrumental in making the team a box office success so soon?

If you are a Bronco fan, Promises to Keep is a must read.  Even if you are not, you will be inspired by Floyd's story and tales of pro football in an era very different from today's game.

Memories of another 24 point Bronco comeback

The Broncos amazing comeback against the Chargers Monday night reminded me of another time they came back from 24 points down in the second half to win.

September 23, 1979.  I was in the South Stands watching the action.  Broncos quarterback Norris Weese was ineffective, and the team trailed 34-10 with 7 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.  In comes the veteran Craig Morton.  I'll let the video I put together from old game highlights tell the story ...

Meeting "44" 44 years later

November 24, 1968 was a cold day in Denver.  That afternoon I sat with my friend Greg in the South Stands at what was then called "Bears Stadium" watching the Denver Broncos-Buffalo Bills game.  We had bought season tickets to the Broncos that summer at what seemed at the time to be a high price for a 12 year old - $2 per ticket!

As two sixth graders we loved attending Bronco games that season.  Denver did not have a very good team, but we enjoyed the excitement of going to the games.  On this day we were happy as the clocked ticked down with under a minute to play and our beloved Broncos ahead 31-29, running out the clock.

Suddenly Broncos star running back #44 Floyd Little fumbled!  A Buffalo player picked up the ball and was tackled deep in Denver territory.  The Bills kicked a field goal to go ahead 32-31.  A tear came to my eye as I sat shivering in section CC row 39 of the South Stands.  There was nothing more important to this 12 year old than seeing the Broncos win, and with 23 seconds left a Buffalo victory looked to be certain.

But Floyd Little had other plans.  The Broncos got the ball back on their own 31 yard line.  Time for one or two plays at most.  I watched as diminutive Broncos quarterback Marlin Briscoe, at 5'10" short by NFL standards, throw the ball as deep and far as he could.  The ball seemed to hang in the air forever as it came towards us in the South Stands.  Little dived and caught the ball, tumbling to the Bills' 10 yard line.  Bobby Howfield kicked a field goal and Denver won 34-32! 

I was so happy I saved the Denver Post sports section the next day - I always wanted to remember this great Bronco victory.  "If I hadn't caught that ball," said Floyd in that 1968 game story, "I don't know if I would have had to quit football or not.  I'd have had to do a lot of thinking."  It turns out Floyd was "fired" by Bronco coach Lou Saban after he had fumbled, and he ran back onto the field, against Saban's orders, to make the winning play.  I still have that paper, worn and tattered over the years. 

On Tuesday night I met Floyd Little in person for the first time in my life.  He was appearing at the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club (DBQC) to promote and sign copies of his new book, Promises To Keep.  As a board member of the DBQC I handled the negotiations with Floyd's publisher to setup this meeting.  I was thrilled when I got to sit next to Floyd at dinner!

I pulled out that old paper and showed it to Floyd, telling him the story of me being in the South Stands that day.  He said, "You ought to put that in plastic!"  We chatted for 10 to 15 minutes.  "44 years ago was when Lou Saban fired you," I said.  Floyd's eyes lit up. "44 years?  You're right!  I'm going to use that in my interviews tomorrow!"  We reimnisced about some of the great games in his Bronco career.  "Lou Saban's last win as Broncos coach, where you beat the Browns 27-0 in Cleveland was a good one," I said.  "That game meant a lot to Lou - he used to play for the Browns," Floyd replied.  I didn't know that!

Floyd was very gracious at the meeting.  He made a point to visit each table and greet the 80 fans in attendance.  After I had my 1 to 1 talk with Floyd over dinner he spoke to the group for an hour, telling of his life (chronicled in his new book) and answering questions.  "I played with 50 offensive linemen and 27 different quarterbacks in Denver," Floyd said.  "I'd be great if I played today.  Back then some of my best runs were just to get back to the line of scrimmage!"

Floyd told us a number of stories.  How the Jets wanted to draft him at pick #9 of the first round and give him the same salary that Joe Namath got as a rookie ($400,000).  Instead Denver selected him at pick #6 and he signed for $10,000.  How Mean Joe Greene, the Hall of Fame Pittsburgh defensive lineman, told Floyd after Floyd was selected to the Hall, "you were the best football player I ever played against - not just the best running back - but the best football player, period. Congrats."

Sadly, Floyd is still bothered by the lack of respect he got from the press during his playing days.  He told us of an appearance at the Pro Bowl in the early 70's where the press mostly ignored his accomplishments.  And that continues to this day, as Sports Illustrated's Peter King called Floyd after the 2010 Pro Football Hall Of Fame selections were announced to say, "I didn't vote for you." 

If I were to give advice to Floyd, I'd say don't focus on these negative reporters, and on anyone who says you don't belong in the Hall of Fame.  Instead think of all the Denver area kids you were an inspiration to, like myself, with your never-give-up positive attitude and tremendous skills on the football field.  Floyd continues to be an inspiration to young people today, as he is an assistant to the Athletic Director at his alma mater - Syracuse University.

Floyd Little and me, 10/16/12

PS For more on that 1968 Bills/Broncos game watch a video that I recorded from a 1980 TV special and put on you tube awhile back where Floyd and Lou Saban talk about that game.

Thanks to Tom Mackie, Floyd's co-author, for his assistance in connecting me to Triumph Books to setup this meeting.

Cold football game photo by Express Times Bill Adams

2012 Broncos season prediction

As in past years, I am going to predict the Denver Broncos' final won-loss record based on the results of the first game.  In 2009 and 2010 I correctly predicted the win total both years.  In 2011 I was way off as I didn't anticipate the impact Tim Tebow would have (who did?)

I again see the 2012 opener as a very important game.  The playoff rematch against the Pittsburgh Steelers will tell a lot about the Broncos and the effectiveness of Peyton Manning.  I think this Sunday night's game in Denver will be a high scoring game on both sides.  The Broncos starting second year safety Rahim Moore against the Steelers passing attack has me worried.  I'm not convinced Moore is ready to be a starter.  The Steelers have one of the best deep passing attacks in the league, led by Ben Roethlisberger throwing to receivers Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace.

Pittsburgh has its own trouble in the secondary.  Starting safety Ryan Clark cannot play in Denver due to health risks because of the high altitude.  Clark's absence played a big part in Tim Tebow's 300+ yard passing day in the Broncos overtime playoff win over the Steelers in January.  Peyton Manning, coming off an impressive preseason showing vs San Francisco, is more than capable of having a big passing day against the depleted Steeler secondary.

If the Broncos beat Pittsburgh on Sunday night, I predict a 10-6 record and a division crown for Denver.  I see the Broncos winning three of their first four (all home games) which will give them momentum going into tough road contests at New England and at San Diego. 

If the Broncos lose to the Steelers Sunday night, I predict a disappointing 7-9 record.  Denver's schedule is extremely tough.  A loss to Pittsburgh will be followed by a loss to Atlanta on Monday night, and then another loss to Houston at home with a short week of practice.  The Broncos will be unable to recover from the 0-3 start.

Whatever happens Sunday night, I will not be there to see it.  I am missing my first home opener since 1966!  I will be away in Alaska this Sunday night;  I won't even see the game on TV.  While disappointed I am going to miss one of the most anticipated home openers in years, I'm hoping for a Broncos win.   I'm predicting a Denver victory will eventually lead to a home playoff game at Sports Authority Field in January 2013 - a game I will not miss!

Visit to Bronco Training Camp

On a hot Monday morning in late July I made my annual visit to the Broncos training camp at the team's practice facilities in Dove Valley.  Here are some pictures I took along with my impressions of the practice.

My son Andy and I arrived one hour early only to be greeted by a long line of fans waiting for the gates to open:

Soon we were inside the practice fields.  The Broncos allow fans to sit on a hill adjacent to one of the fields.  On this morning the sun was right in our eyes.  I did not bring sunscreen and had a nice sunburn to show for it afterwards!

  

We settled around the 20 yard line, which gave us a great view of the action later on.

The star of the show, of course, was Peyton Manning.  Peyton looked like his old self to me.  He started out a little slow but as the practice wore on he displayed his quick release and accuracy from the pocket.

 

Or working on the running game.  Here Peyton is handing off to Willis McGahee.

Peyton was engaged during the whole practice.  When not on the field he'd be discussing formations and strategy with the coaches:

 

Wide receiver Eric Decker made connections on and off the field.  I predict a big year for Decker!

Here Peyton is talking with ex-Colt teammate tight end Jacob Tamme:

The Broncos even had Peyton lineup at cornerback in one non-contact drill.  And of course after the play Peyton had some suggestions for Matthew Willis.  Peyton Manning is the most vocal practice player I've ever seen in my years of going to Bronco Training camp.

We did get hot sitting in the sun for 3 hours.  Thankfully the Broncos provided an onsite refreshment stand with bottled water and soft drinks for $1/bottle.

A team store was also open adjacent to one of the fields.

 

Back to the practice, let's take a look at some of the other players.  I heard an interview with safety Rahim Moore (#26) on radio station 104.3 while waiting for the practice to begin.  Rahim says he's much more comfortable this year, and the defense that coordinator Jack Del Rio is implementing is similar to the system Moore played in at UCLA.

Rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler, at 6' 7", was the tallest bronco.  Here Osweiler (#6) is shown next to 6' 5" Julius Thomas (#80).  I was impressed with Osweiler's accuracy and strong arm during the practice.  I thought he looked better than the other backup qb's (Caleb Haney and Adam Weber)

Rookie running back Ronnie Hillman is short with thick legs and quick moves.  He looked like he could be more than just a 3rd down back to me - he showed surprising power.

 

Don't write off Knowshon Moreno just yet!  Moreno participated in drills for the 1st time after offseason surgery and hooked up with Manning on short passes out of the backfield.  Moreno has good hands and can be a receiving threat in this offense.

 

Wide receiver Brandon Stokely adds a veteran presence.  Here he's talking with Demaryius Thomas and Matthew Willis.

For a closeup look at Bronco football attend a training camp session at Dove Valley.  I recommend it!

Inside look at Broncos' Dove Valley

Tonight I was treated to an inside look at the Denver Broncos training facility at Dove Valley along with 40 other members of the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club.  The Broncos hosted the Broncos Quarterback Club as a thank you for the many years of support the members have given the team.

It was a beautiful sunny July day in Denver as we approached the main offices of the Broncos:

Inside the lobby:

The Broncos championship banners were prominently displayed:

As well as the team's two Super Bowl trophies:

Next we were shown the Broncos weight room:

Our guide explained that 90% of the equipment is new for 2012 as the Broncos are implementing a new strategy for weight training:

Closeup look at one of the machines:

Then we were escorted outside for a look at the practice fields.  Two grass fields were well groomed in anticipation for the opening of training camp in a month:

Then it was off to the locker room and the team meeting rooms:

Inside a mural of all the Denver Broncos head coaches in franchise history was prominently displayed:

There are those Super Bowl trophies again (a second copy) right outside the locker room:

Our guide showed us team photos displayed on the wall from every Broncos squad:

We were not allowed to take photos inside the locker room.  It was a thrill to stand right in front of Peyton Manning's locker!

Next it was off to the team meeting and film room.  This is also where the Broncos hold major press conferences:

The walls are covered with more motivation:

We were the first members of the public to see the 2011 Denver Broncos highlight film.  30 minutes of memories from the amazing 2011 season, highlighted by the 80 yard TD pass from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas to beat the Steelers in overtime in a playoff thriller.

The highlight film featured the big plays of the 2011 season, with many comments from players in game action.  The future hope of Peyton Manning's arrival was emphasized.  "2011 was a good year, 2012 could be great!"

Overall the evening was a fascinating look at the inside workings of the Broncos.  The Denver Broncos Quarterback Club is one of the best kept secrets for Denver area fans.  Members are treated to exclusive events like tonight's, speakers from current players and media, and even a chance to see a live broadcast of the coaches show during the season.  See the club's website for more details and membership info.