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'We were embarrassed' Broncos vow different outcome in rematch with Dolphins
Posted: Thursday January 07, 1999 10:32 AM
DENVER (AP) -- Shannon Sharpe isn't shy about flexing his considerably toned biceps, whether it's on the 50-yard line, in the end zone or in front of the water cooler. But on Dec. 21, Sharpe -- a seven-time Pro Bowl tight end -- and the Denver Broncos wide receivers literally got outmuscled by the Miami Dolphins. Struggling to get separation against Miami's cornerbacks, Denver's frustrations peaked in the fourth quarter when Sharpe appeared to catch a third-down pass, only to have Jerry Wilson wrestle the ball away. The interception led to a game-clinching field goal in a 31-21 Miami victory that the Broncos vividly remember. "We were embarrassed," Sharpe said this week as Denver prepared for Saturday's AFC divisional playoff game against the Dolphins. "They handed it to us on Monday night on national television. There were probably 30 or 40 million people watching, and we didn't make a good showing. "I don't want to do anything to diminish what they did. They stopped us. They won the ball game, and now we get an opportunity on Saturday to see if it was for real or if it was a hoax." Anchored by cornerbacks Terrell Buckley and Sam Madison, Miami's pass defense is legit. Buckley and Madison had eight interceptions apiece this season, the most by any tandem in Dolphins history. As a team, Miami led the NFL with 29 interceptions. "We're happy with the way our secondary has played, and when you say secondary, I think that encompasses everybody," Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said. The secondary struggled against Buffalo last week as Eric Moulds caught nine passes for an NFL playoff-record 240 yards and a touchdown. That was 108 yards more than Sharpe and receivers Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey had combined three weeks ago. "The standard is so high, and every time one little minute thing doesn't go our way, it's perceived as such a big disappointment," Smith said. "It's our fault because we want our high standards. We live and die with them." Smith (1,222 yards), McCaffrey (1,053) and Sharpe (768) put up gaudy numbers this season, but looked ordinary against Miami. While linebacker Zach Thomas blanketed Sharpe, Madison and Buckley took care of the corners, with support from safeties Brock Marion and Calvin Jackson. The superb man-to-man coverage enabled the Dolphins to crowd the front line, and it paid off as they held Terrell Davis to a season-low 29 yards rushing. Davis finished the season with 2,008 yards. "Without a doubt, that was the best defense that we faced all year in the running game and passing game," McCaffrey said. "They shut us down. We are going to have to do a lot of things differently, or at least better, to win." was a step or two from making a big run. I need to make those plays." Sharpe challenged himself, personally, as he prepares for a rematch with Thomas. "Zach won that one, and I'll be ready this time," he said. "He played better than I did, and I tip my hat to him. I didn't think he was that good in the beginning, but I have a newfound respect for him." Despite that humble admission, Sharpe didn't back down from his postgame comment of three weeks ago, when he insisted Denver is still 10 to 14 points better than the Dolphins. "They stopped us, and I gave them credit, the utmost credit," Sharpe said. "I am very [stingy] with my compliments, but I passed them out to them, so they should be gracious and accept them and be ready to play on Saturday. "If they're looking for me, I ain't hard to find. If they're looking for something to say, I'm going to give them something to say."
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The surprising McCaffrey has 1,053 yards receiving this season 