Ground Attack and Retreat

I remember how it all began
I used to sing dirty raps to my East Side fans
Back then I knew ya couldn't stop this rap
No M.C. could rock like that...

Monday morning Props and Drops from the weekend's Buff win over Miami (OH) and the Broncos loss to Jacksonville:

PROPS: The CU running game looked like Chris Brown, Eric Bienemy, and Whizzer White this weekend. The Buffs piled up 350+ yards on the ground. Freshmen Brian Lockridge showed some glimpses of the ground game’s future, blazing the field and Miami defenders en route to a long TD run. The RB “rotation” of Lockridge, Hugh Charles, Demetrius Sumler, and Byron Ellis seems set as they enter conference play.

DROPS: Mike Shanahan and the Denver offense had major communication issues in the 2nd half Sunday. All three of their time outs were gone by the 3rd quarter. All of them could’ve come in handy as the Donks tried to mount a late game comeback.

PROPS: Miami of Ohio beat Ball State earlier in the year. Ball State nearly beat the dreaded Huskers. David Letterman went to Ball State, that means Letterman whoops Nebraska's ass.

DROPS: Again to Mike Shanahan for failing to stick with a feature back. Although the Jags were stout versus the run, the Denver ground game was constantly switching the ball carriers. Travis Henry and his big money deal can’t get into a rhythm with 11 carries and then a switch to Cecil Sapp or Selvyn Young.

PROPS: CU youngsters made their mark on the game finally. Freshman o-linemen Ryan Miller and Kai Maiva both debuted and played well. Also debuting was tight end Nate Solder, all 6’ 8” of him. He scored his first touchdown of the year and saw extended playing time. If he can be worked into the game plan, he will create big matchup problems. Plus, he can rescue your cat from a tree.

DROPS: Former two-time Slushy Gutter winner TDub pointed out that Donk QB Jay Cutler has developed a “man crush” on WR Brandon Marshall. Upon closer inspection, Cutler does seem to look Marshall’s way on every drop back. Hey, Cutler, the guy on the other side, Javon Walker? Ever heard of him?

PROPS: The Bronco front office again showing utmost class in the ceremony for Terrell Davis entering the Ring of Fame. Former players lined the field for TD, and owner Pat Bowlen had a moving speech. A great highlight clip gave the sellout crowd goosebumps as TD again ran over the Packer defense. I took the ceremony as an opportunity to get in a short beer line.

DROPS: The Colorado administration for kicking LB Michael Sipili out of school for his role in a street fight this summer. Sipili was primed to earn the start this past week and had the rug pulled out from him less than 24 hours before the game’s kickoff. In his absence, former walkon Jeff Smart played tough.

…and Good Morning, Dan Hawkins. Oklahoma comes to town this week. You too, Shanny, enjoy your trip to Indy.