Is Tom Brandstater The Next Tom Brady?

You probably just saw the title to the article and  were thinking “Who the hell is that?” Tom Brandstater was Bronco’s sixth-round pick in this year’s draft. At 6’5″, 215-lbs. Brandstater played his college ball at Fresno State.

Nobody has heard of him in this draft. Everybody’s been talking about Matt Stafford and how he will do with the Lions, whether or not Mark Sanchez will start for the Jets and if Josh Freeman was even worthy of a first-round pick. 
 
Obviously first-round quarterbacks get more recognition than sixth-rounders. Brandstater had even more than three quarterbacks taken instead of him. So did Tom Brady. 
 
In the 2000 NFL draft, six quarterbacks were taken ahead of Brady.  In 2009, seven quarterbacks were taken ahead of Brandstater. I am starting to see a resemblance.  They even have the same initials. 
 
That’s not all they have in common. Both had poor showings at the combine. They both are pocket passers, had/have questions about their arm strength coming out of college, and neither is very mobile. One of them however, has three Super Bowl rings. 
 
When Bill Belichick drafted Brady, it was his first year as the head coach of the Patriots and they drafted Tom to develop him to a possible backup and maybe even a starter one day. 
 
It’s Josh McDaniels first year as the head coach of the Broncos and he drafted Brandstater for the same purpose. 
 
Brandstater will no doubt sit for his first year, but who knows maybe another injury will happen to our quarterback and he will have to step in. We will see him play in preseason soon enough though. 
 
I’m not saying that Brandstater is the next Brady. For every Brady there is another 100 players that end up out of the league in a couple of years. So he might or might not be the next Tom Brady but let’s hope so. 
 
I mean, who doesn’t want three Super Bowls in four years, to have potentially the greatest quarterback ever and no doubt a first ballot hall of famer.  Or would you rather have Spergon Wynn, the last QB drafted before Brady.

Can Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos Succeed With a Tough Schedule?

In 2008, the Denver Broncos were 8-8, lost three straight games to make their way out of the playoffs. That led to our beloved head coach being fired, new GM, and many new players including a new quarterback.

In 2009, the Broncos barely look the same and they look to finally make that push to the playoffs after a three year hiatus. 

Here’s a look at their 2009 schedule.

 

Week 1

September 13th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8)* @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
All-time series: Broncos lead 16-8
Last match-up: Broncos W 24-23 in 2006

Prediction: Broncos W 24-21

The last matchup was a real close one, where the Bengals could have tied it at the end with an extra point, but botched the snap which resulted in a win for the Broncos. 

I don’t see the same thing happening, but I see it being a close game where the Broncos kick a field goal in the end to win.

Broncos: 1-0

* 2008 records

 

Week 2

September 20th, 2009
Cleveland Browns (4-12) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos lead 17-5
Last match-up: Broncos W 34-30 in 2008

Prediction: Broncos W 21-10

Uncertainty at quarterback and receiver for the Browns helps out our defense. 

Our running game will be really helping Kyle Orton and it looks like the Broncos will make it to 2-0.

Broncos: 2-0

 

Week 3

September 27th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Oakland Raiders (5-11)
All-time series: Raiders lead 58-40-2
Last match-up: Raiders W 31-10 in 2008

Prediction: Broncos W 31-17

The Broncos have had success against Oakland away. Especially last year when they blew them out. 

I expect the same thing to happen with an improved defense, and Jamarcus Russell still not being what the Raiders hoped him to be.

Broncos 3-0

 

Week 4

October 4th, 2009
Dallas Cowboys (9-7) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos Lead 5-4
Last match-up: Broncos W 24-21 in 2005 

Prediction: Broncos Lose 28-17

We will not be able to stop the Cowboys’ rushing attack with Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice. Romo wasn’t having that good of a day but his running backs carried him. Our offense got down early and just couldn’t score to get back in the game.

Broncos: 3-1

Week 5

October 11th, 2009
New England (11-5) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos lead 24-16
Last match-up: Patriots W 41-7

Prediction: Broncos L 35-7

I see the same thing happening as last year except they got their guy back from injury. Could be a game where McD outsmarts Bill, but I really doubt that happening. I think McD learns from the experience of going against his former boss, but the Broncos still lose.

Broncos: 3-2

 

Week 6

October 19th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ San Diego Chargers (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos Lead 53-41-1
Last match-up: Chargers W 52-21

Prediction: Broncos L 24-21

I do not see the Broncos going to San Diego and winning this year, but I also do not see a blowout. It will be a close game all around and there will be no Cutler-Rivers feud.

Broncos: 3-3

 

Week 7

Bye Week

 

Week 8

November 1st, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
All-time series: Tied 3-3
Last match-up: Broncos W 13-3 in 2006

Prediction: Broncos W 14-10

The loss of Rex Ryan and Bart Scott to the Jets does not help the Baltimore defense, but I do see it still being a low scoring game.

I think without a really good receiving core, Joe Flacco will struggle and our defensive back field will read him like a book.

Broncos 4-3

 

Week 9

November 9th, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos lead 13-6-1
Last match-up: Broncos W 31-28

Prediction: Broncos L 34-20

I still think the Steelers are the best team in the league even with a crappy offensive line. I think the Pittsburgh running game will pick up, and run all over our front seven.  Kyle Orton won’t be able to do anything because of the Pittsburgh defense, and it will look like the 2005 AFC championship all over again.

Broncos: 4-4

Week 10

November 15th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Washington Redskins (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos lead 6-4
Last match-up: Broncos W 21-19 in 2005

Prediction: Broncos W 27-17

I feel like Jason Campbell was glad Dawkins was out of the NFC East, but when he found out he had to play him again, he started to cry. I’m just kidding, but I do see the Broncos getting a couple interceptions off of Campbell and the offense running the ball on them.

Broncos: 5-4

 

Week 11

November 22nd, 2009
San Diego Chargers (8-8) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Broncos lead 53-43-1
Last match-up: Week 6

Prediction: Broncos W 31-28

I see it being another close game at Mile High. I also do not see the Broncos winning by an Ed Hochuli call. I do not see what happened last year when we could of sealed the deal when we were in the red zone and Cutler threw a pick. 

I doubt Marshall will get 18 catches again but it will still be a solid Broncos win.

Broncos: 6-4

 

Week 12

November 26th, 2009
New York Giants (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Giants lead 5-4
Last match-up: Broncos L 24-23 in 2005

Prediction: Broncos L 28-14

I think that Brandon Jacobs will just tear our defense apart without a solid front seven.  Eli Manning (now the highest played player in the NFL) won’t have to do much. The Broncos offense will also struggle.

Broncos: 6-5

 

Week 13

December 6th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)
All-time series: Chiefs lead 53-44
Last match-up: Broncos W 24-17 in 2008

Prediction: Broncos L 20-10

I don’t see the Broncos winning in Kansas City because they have lost eight out of the last 10 times out there. Larry Johnson will be the one killing the Broncos, Not McD’s old quarterback.

Broncos: 6-6

Week 14

December 13th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
All-time series: Broncos lead 11-6
Last match-up: Broncos L 38-20 in 2007

Prediction: Broncos L 34-17

Even if the Colts don’t have their beloved head coach and a few other coaches, they still have Peyton Manning. Even though he usually chokes in the playoffs, he is a monster in the regular season. The Broncos will get down early and our offense won’t be able to score points.

Broncos: 6-7

 

Week 15

December 20th, 2009
Oakland Raiders (5-11) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Raiders lead 58-40-2
Last match-up: Week 3

Prediction: Broncos W 38-20

The Broncos offense has their best game of the year against the Raiders. They will be able to run the ball, pass it, and even do some trickery.

The Raiders will be down in the first quarter and won’t be able to do anything.

Broncos: 7-7

 

Week 16

December 27th, 2009
Denver Broncos (8-8) @ Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1)
All-time series: Eagles lead 4-6
Last match-up: Broncos W 49-21 in 2005

Prediction: Broncos L 17-14

This game could really go either way. Westbrook is injury prone and the Eagles’ middle linebacker is already out for the season. The Broncos will have their share of injuries and I see this being a really close ball game.

Broncos: 7-8

 

Week 17

January 3rd, 2010
Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)
All-time series: Chiefs lead 53-44
Last match-up: Week 13

Prediction: Broncos W 41-20

I think this is where we will see what we have for years to come. A great team that needed a bit of time to establish. Everything goes right for the Broncos and everything goes wrong for the Chiefs.

Broncos: 8-8

 

Hey it’s not that bad.  The Chargers won the division with 8-8 last year, we could do the same.

Five Reasons Josh McDaniels Will Suceed In Denver

Everyone (well, most people) think that the Broncos will go 4-12 or something like that and get a high draft pick next year. Those people also forgot that Seattle has our draft pick. I for one think that the Broncos will at least match their mark in ’08.

Everyone thinks that Josh McDaniels has set this franchise back, but I think he is moving it forward. Here are 5 reasons he will succeed in Denver.

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