Quote:After watching the film a second time, I agree with the first part. I wonder why the Broncos chose to play off him the entire time? Blackmon's strength is after the catch, so why even give him the opportunity?

 

As for Shorts, the entire team was depleted. I never said he was elite but he's fairly consistent in his play. Everyone has their gaffes and Shorts is no exception. I can't blame his performances entirely on him since he is being thrown to by one of the worst starting QBs in NFL history. Also, I don't know what late season stats you're looking at, but Shorts missed two games from week 8 to week 17 and recorded four 100 yard games over that span. Is that not consistency?

 

Shorts is the prime definition of one of John Madden's famous obvious quotes: "If you ignore that guy on Sunday, he'll hurt you". You CAN stop Shorts, but if you don't give him the attention he demands he will put 100 yards on you every time, no exceptions.

 

LOL I will agree anyone who tries press will get destroyed by blackmon. Del-rio isn't known for defenses that can tailor to one guy running all over the field because he's a meat-head. You stop blackmon by simply putting your most physical corner on him the entire day with a LINEBACKER close the moment he goes 5 yards down the field. Blackmon will EAT safeties and ends in coverage.

 

Shorts put up those numbers in all-blitz situations near the end of the game. Even the good 60 yard touchdown catches earlier in the year. I remember one game late in the season where he didn't use a go route to score a catch against double coverage for 50 yards. My argument is simply, DO IT EVERY GAME. You are right about the madden quote but that doesn't mean he's elite. Elite players don't get stopped or drop as many balls as shorts has this year. Good or bad QB withstanding, He needs (like blackmon) to be able to catch 90% of the balls thrown to him. Bad or not.

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