The Hillis Are Alive

Has it really come to this?  I heard/read comments to the tune of "at least the Broncos didn't lose this week" at least five times this weekend.  While I share the same sentiments I hate the fact that as Broncos fans we are now happy when we don't lose simply because we had a bye week.  Before the season started I looked at the second half of the season as a great opportunity for the Broncos to finish strong and, potentially, make a run for the division title or even a wildcard spot.  Now I'm not so optimistic.  With five division games left (3 on the road) as well as games against the surprising Rams, the unpredictable Cardinals, and the formerDenverBroncosJVbutnowcanbeattherealBroncos Gary Kubiak-led Texans, I'm expecting a repeat of the first half record to finish at 4-12.  I now find myself rooting for teams like the Cowboys, Panthers, 49ers, Lions, Bengals, and Bills to improve our draft position for next year.  I won't be surprised, however, so see the Broncos finish and inspired 5-3 to put their record at 7-9 which will ensure a first round pick in the 8-12th pick range and another season for McDoofus.  Obviously I would love to see a coach like Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden come in but at this point I'd take about any NFL or college coach...well except for Dan Hawkins.  "It's the NFL, it's not intramurals."

Speaking of Mr. Hawkins, how does this guy still have a job after blowing a 42-17 lead with under 12 minutes to go in the fourth quarter?  After scoring on the first play of the fourth quarter, CU was outscored 35-0 to lose the game 52-45 stretching their road losing streak to 15 games (not counting games played on a neutral playing field.)  Their last true road win was October 27, 2007 in Lubbock, Texas.  I'm not sure that Bill McCartney is the answer (times and kids have changed in the last 16 years) but something has to change.

Well, last week I predicted CSU would win a game where they were a heavy underdog and, while they covered the 20 point spread, they lost a close game to San Diego State 24-19.  After dominating the entire first half in terms of yards and time of possession, they still found themselves down 7-6 going in to the locker room.  There were numerous wasted scoring opportunities, the most glaring an overthrow by WR Lou Greenwood after a beautiful double reverse where QB Pete Thomas was wide open at the 5 yard line with nobody within 20 yards.  The saying goes that there are no good losses but I was encouraged to see CSU's defense play so well on the road against a very good Aztec team.  CSU still has winnable games against BYU and Wyoming and finishing the season 5-7 (4-4 in MWC) would be wonderful after a 3-9 2009.

OK I have avoided this topic as long as possible but Peyton Hillis has now outrushed the entire Denver Broncos roster 644 yards to 538 despite having only 17 carries in the first two weeks combined.  It is so frustrating that every person in the city of Denver knew Hillis could play but McDon'tknowfootball didn't want to listen since Hillis wasn't his draft pick.  Relegated to special teams duty last season Hillis was traded to Cleveland in the offseason for his lack of toughness.  Lack of toughness?  Anyone that considers a guy who went 22 carries for 144 yards against Baltimore and 29 for 184 against New England as lacking in toughness needs to have his head checked.  Lucky for us that person is our head coach.  Well, at least we got Brady Quinn out of the deal.

The following section involves potty talk so for those of you that are sensitive about this subject please do not read any further!

There is a topic that has been on my mind for quite awhile and I think it's about time I say something.  I'd even like to escalate this as far as getting a PSA put out there.  Maybe Matt Damon and Ben Affleck would be interested.  Or Mark Wahlberg.  The issue I'm talking about is urinal etiquette.  There is nothing more creepy than when you walk up to an empty set of urinals and pick the one on the end only to have someone come up and use the one directly next to you.  For crying out loud choose the one on the other end.  At least leave an empty urinal as a buffer.  And while you're at it, please quit talking on your bluetooth headseat for the two minutes you're in the bathroom.  I can guarantee that 99.9% of us don't want to hear you do your business while you're talking to us on the phone let alone hear the flush of the urinals/toilets around you.  And for those of you that think you can just skip flushing the urinal/toilet so the person on the phone won't know what's going on, we know what you're doing and think it's even more disgusting that you don't flush or wash your hands.  You disgusting pigs.  Blech.