Raider Fan Trash Talk: A Premonition

To save Broncos fans some time, I thought I would provide a quick synopsis of Raiders’ trash talk for the next three years. This way you can ignore the Raider Nation and go about your business.

Dec. 2008–Sept. 27, 2009: “The last time the Raiders played the Donkeys, JaMarcus Russell tore you up. He was 10-for-11 for 152 yards. The horses had no answer for his rocket arm. He will do the same to you this time. Never mind that he has a 35 percent completion rate. Disregard the 7-of-24 performance against the Chiefs because he was 10-of-11 last time…in your own house. Raiderssssss”

Sept. 28, 2009–Dec. 20, 2009: “Last December, the Donkey made JaMarcus Russell look like a pro bowler. Ten-for-11, choke on that Donk fans. JRuss is going to tear the Horses apart. Raiderssss”

Dec. 21, 2009–Early 2010 football season: “Three games ago JaMarcus Russell didn’t have any trouble with your weak ass Donk defense. JRuss has come into his own, and he will shred you guys again this time around. Raidersssss”

Early 2010 football season–late 2010 Football Season: “Remember two years ago when JRuss went 10-of-11. Remember when he didn’t suck? Raidersssss”

Late 2010 Football season and beyond: “A couple years ago…JRuss…no picks…10-of-11…no picks, did I say that?…152 yards…I hate the Donkeys…JRuss…Raidersssssss.”

 

Please God, let this nonsense go on forever. I know that someday Raiders fans and management will wake up and realize Russell is passable at best and horrendous at his worst, but it is so fun to watch the train wreck while it is still in slow motion.

Go Broncos!

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Broncos Answer Questions in the First Game

With one game under our belts, we have some answers to the questions that I posted last week. We also have some incomplete answers and new questions.

Run Defense

While the results are preliminary, I think the Broncos answered this question. It may not be championship-caliber, but the Broncos’ run defense has definitely improved over the last few years. In 2008, even the most average of running backs would gash the Broncos for nearly five yards per play.

While the Broncos are sure to face stiffer tests this year, Cedric Benson was held to a manageable 76 yards on 21 carries to average 3.6 yards per carry with a long of 20. The rest of the Bengals gained 10 yards on six carries.

Pass Rush

Again, it is only one game, but the Broncos were able to get to Carson Palmer. After recording only 26 sacks in 2008, recording three sacks against the Bengals is a step in the right direction.

While there is room for improvement, the signs continue to be positive. All of the sacks were recorded by linebackers, so a stiffer push from the front three would be an area for improvement. After watching the futility of the past few years, this was a welcome sight.

Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton’s performance was questionable. The support from his receivers was not good. It will be very difficult to manage a game if the receivers are dropping passes and the running backs are not effective.

Without the 87-yard pass to Brandon Stokley, Orton’s numbers were rather mediocre. He held the ball too long and needs to make quicker decisions.

The one unquestionable positive to take away is he did not commit any turnovers. It is also likely that he was feeling the effect of his injured finger and loss of practice time over the past few weeks. As Brandon Marshall and Knowshon Moreno have more practice time, the offensive efficiency should improve.

Josh McDaniels

This is a long-term question that we will not have an immediate answer to. For an offensive coach, the offense was not all that impressive. There is still much work to be done in improving efficiency. The one thing McDaniels will be judged on is wins and losses, and he came away with a win.

New Question

I will add a new question to the list. After holding the Bengals scoreless for the first 54 minutes, the Broncos allowed the Bengals to put together a 91-yard, 11-play drive, nearly ruining an otherwise outstanding effort.

In the preseason, the Broncos allowed Chicago to perform a similar feat. This is an area that will need to be improved if the Broncos are going to win close games.

All in all, Broncos fans should be encouraged. They have to realize coming away from this game with a win was very fortunate. The Bengals are most likely not a playoff-caliber team and beating them is not indicative of a great season.

However, the defense played well enough to keep them in a game in which the offense was only able to score six points in the first 59 minutes. How many times has that happened in the past two years? While there is much work to be done on the offense and in the return game, there are positives to build on.

If the Broncos can continue to build over the next few weeks, they will have much more confidence going into the toughest part of their schedule.

They have a very winnable game at home against the Browns before taking on the Raiders on the road and the Cowboys at home. It only gets tougher from there, so they need to notch the wins while they can.

 

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Four Questions for the Denver Broncos

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As we prepare for Sunday’s season opener there are questions we need answered. The answer to these questions will have a major impact on how the Broncos season progresses.

 

Run Defense

The Broncos failure to stop the run over the past few seasons raised the ire of Broncos’ fans and ultimately led to the firing of Mike Shanahan. If the Broncos have not resolved this issue it will be very difficult to improve on last season’s 8-8 record.

The preseason results were encouraging. The Broncos’ run defense showed signs of improvement but it was preseason. The Broncos need to show they can shut down a rushing attack.  Cincinnati are not known as a great running team. If Cedric Benson hangs 100 yards on the Broncos’ defense it will be a sign that the Broncos still have problems in this area.

 

Pass Rush

Over the past few years Denver’s pass rush has been suspect at best. The lack of a consistent pass rush led to the Broncos’ performing poorly on third down.  Broncos’ fans watched helplessly as our team forced the opposing team into a third and long, only to see our secondary be exposed by a lack of pass rush. Our secondary looks to be greatly improved, but no secondary can hold up for the amount of time our defensive line gave opposing quarterbacks last year.

This is another area that the Broncos showed great promise of improvement in the preseason. Elvis Dumervil looked like a beast. If this carries over to the regular season the Broncos will be in great shape. We still need Jarvis Moss and rookie Robert Ayers to step up.

 

Kyle Orton

No one expects Kyle Orton to be a great quarterback. He does not need to be.  What he needs to be is serviceable. Manage the game, limit turnovers, and make an occasional great pass. It’s that simple.

The preseason provided mixed results. While showing great promise at times, there were also some very scary moments for Broncos’ fans. It is preseason and we have to remember the purpose of the preseason is to work out these issues. If we see the Orton that makes accurate, crisp passes; the Broncos will be fine. If we see the Orton that locks onto a receiver or throws left handed interceptions; Broncos’ fans could be in for a long season.

 

Josh McDaniels

Over the past 14 years in Denver, quality coaching was never an issue. The Broncos under Shanahan were rarely out-coached and rarely out of any game. A bad first half led to the adjustments that would lead the Broncos back into the game. Shanahan, I believe, is one of the greatest in-game coaches in history.

I have no doubt that the Broncos have not opened the entire play book in the preseason. I also think McDaniels will be a good coach and have his team prepared. Making in-game adjustments is my concern. This is what separates good coaches from great ones. I don’t believe Broncos’ fans appreciate this quality enough.

Many of the above questions will be answered this week. Some answers may take several games to be answered but these are the issues that will ultimately determine the Broncos’ fate.

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Happy New Year Football Fans

Football fans rejoice. Your offseason suffering has come to an end.

We have suffered through the grueling months between the Super Bowl and the first day of the new season. We have grasped at every snippet of information we can get our hands on to hold us through the dark times.

We waited patiently as our team tediously vetted potential free agents and settled on the chosen few. The outcome of this process would not to be determined for months. But no more! The results will soon be known to all.

We will know if our team can survive without its mainstays. We will know if that washed up veteran castoff has one more, good year in him.  All of the answers will soon be told, because today is football season!

We were mercilessly pelted with mock draft after mock draft. But like an addict chasing his next fix, after we painstakingly reviewed one, we searched the Internet for more. Hoping some nitwit in cyberspace had some keen insight that we were missing.

After the big day had come and gone the process of grading the draft began. What a moronic process this is. But still, we watched it like it was a train wreck in slow motion.

What I want to know is if every team made the exact pick Pete Prisco predicted in his mock draft, would he still give half the teams a grade of “C” or worse? Would the Patriots still get an “A” for being the Patriots? Go away Pete, leave us alone! You’re not invited to our tailgate party.

We have criticized our team for not doing enough. We have second guessed the decisions, and in most cases, come to defend our team. Our GMs and coaches must know what they are doing. They have made the changes necessary to bring our team back to its former greatness.

Next up on our list of offseason horrors, the “Offseason Power Rankings.”  Power rankings have to be one of the most idiotic things conceived. They are bad enough during the season, but to be insulted by them in the off-season is almost more than I can bear. Still, I hang on every word. Why does ESPN have my team ranked 27 and CBS has them at 25?

Clearly all of these people have to be insane. Don’t they realize the improvements my team made, free agents, the draft, scheme changes, new coaches, fired coaches, addition by subtraction…how can they be so clueless? Anyone can see my team should be at least 21. They aren’t showing my team any respect. That’s alright we’ll show them. And it all starts today.

We have watched our team play four sloppy and meaningless football games in the preseason. We checked the box scores trying to determine how our first team matched up. We sat there while scrubs we will never see again made a mockery of our team’s proud football tradition. We watch because we are fans, pining for the real thing.

The stifling heat of summer two a days has broken. Feel the crisp morning air that signals the start of autumn. The cool northerly breeze that refreshes our soul and ignites our passion blows through the stadium. Soon the bitter cold of winter will be upon us. But that doesn’t matter today. Nothing can ruin today, the first day of football season.

We have talked our trash, berated our rival fans and made our predictions. Some bold, some safe and some just downright absurd. We have cast our lot and our fate will be determined over the next five months.

Fans of the perennial power houses, up and comers and terminal bottom dwellers all stand on equal footing today. We are all undefeated, all in first place, all equals and we all have hope. Nothing can bring us down.

So don your favorite jersey, fire up the grill and pull out the coldest beer. Celebrate! football fans. This is your day. You have suffered enough and your torment has come to an end.

Over the next several months there will be stark realizations and devastating injuries. Our delusions of grandeur will be laid to rest. Those prized free agents will prove to be less than promised. There will be draft busts, coaching errors and bonehead decisions.

But today I won’t hear of it. For today, my friend, is the start of a new year. Today is the first day of football season.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

When Should Josh McDaniels Pull the Plug on Kyle Orton?

Much has been said about Kyle Orton’s performance in the Denver Broncos’ preseason game against San Francisco. And to be sure it was bad. Anything good Orton did was negated by the three interceptions.

For the most part, Broncos fans seem to be willing to excuse this performance and by a fair margin continue to support Orton as the starter. I agree with this assessment.

The question is at what point does coach Josh McDaniels make a switch?

It is obvious that Orton is McDaniels’ first choice. Even after telling us that he would take as much time as necessary to select the starter, Orton was named early on. Clearly McDaniels saw something in Orton that he liked.

Though I have not witnessed it first hand, many have commented on how good Orton has looked in camp. Some of this is based purely in optimism, but he also showed some positive signs in the San Francisco game.

The performance of Chris Simms, or any other backup player, also needs to be put into perspective. Playing against lesser competition, he should look good. The pressure of being number one is also squarely on Orton’s shoulders.

I think Orton deserves a shot at redemption. I also think he needs to make the most of his shot. If he has another outing like last Friday, McDaniels will have to seriously consider his options. Unfortunately Simms is our only other option at this point

We can tell ourselves it is preseason and the games don’t matter. This is true of the outcome but not true of individual performances.

We can tell ourselves that it takes time to develop the timing and chemistry. We also have to admit that this should be nearly accomplished by the second preseason game.

The bottom line is that for the Broncos to have the season we are hoping for Kyle Orton has to be successful. If Simms becomes the better option then it is McDaniels’ obligation to play him. But to pretend that the Broncos will be better because of it is a fallacy.

Are Broncos Fans Prepared?

With training camp upon us, and preseason games fast approaching, I have to ask a question: are Broncos fans prepared?

This is not a prediction of doom and gloom but a reminder of the possibility that the Broncos could have a losing season.

Over the past several years, I have always had confidence that the Broncos would be respectable, and that they entered every season with odds of making the playoffs in their favor.

Over the entire Mike Shanahan era, the Broncos only posted two losing seasons.

This leaves an entire generation of young, and not so young, Broncos fans, myself included, who have never experienced the pain of a prolonged period of bad football teams.

Since 1973, the Broncos have recorded fewer than six wins only twice.  The strike-shortened season of 1982 and a 5-11 season in 1990 are the only occurrences since 1972.

Even John Elway’s rookie season in 1983 netted nine wins. 

You have to go back to 1972 to find back to back losing seasons for the Broncos.

With all the changes that have been made at Dove Valley this year, I contend that no one knows how good or bad the Broncos will be.  All of the consistency that has been built over the past 30-plus years has been thrown to the wind.

New coaches, new general manager, nearly unprecedented turnover in personnel all contribute to the upheaval. 

Gone is the west coast offense led by the strong-armed quarterback and masterminded by Shanahan.  Will the zone blocking scheme that contributed to much of the Broncos’ success over the past several years remain?

How well does this work with the Patriots-style offense that Josh McDaniels is implementing?

Do the Broncos have the personnel to run the 3-4 defense that is becoming so popular around the league?  Can the unheralded linemen assembled by the Broncos stop the run?  How fast can the players transition from defensive end to outside linebacker?

With any change there is a degree of risk.  With multiple changes, the risk expands exponentially.  There are many questions remaining to be answered.

Whether you agree with the moves that have been made or not, you cannot argue that this Denver Broncos team will be vastly different than what we have seen in recent years.

Whether they are better or worse, we won’t know until the real games begin.

I hope that the changes that have been made all work out for the best.  I personally believe that they will, but it may take a few seasons for the results to show.  Many of the changes being made aren’t prone to quick results and the transition could take several seasons.

In addition, I believe the AFC West is on the rise.  After this season, the challenge of winning the AFC West will be much greater as the Chargers try to hold on against the three young, talented teams stocked with high draft picks.

I am not predicting what the Broncos’ record will be at the end of the season, but be prepared.  We may be in for a wild ride.

AFC West Off To See The Wizard

The Denver Broncos have had one of the most tumultuous off-seasons in history.

They have been swept up by a huge tornado and dropped in a strange land.

All Bronco really wanted is to get back to the Super Bowl, so he heads off to see the Wizard accompanied by his little dog Josh.

While following the path, Bronco comes across a scarecrow named Raider. When the scarecrow finds out that Bronco is going to see a wizard, he asks if he can accompany Bronco. You see, the scarecrow doesn’t have a brain and he wants to see if the wizard can give him one.

Scarecrow’s team has only won 24 games over the past six years and he can’t figure out why everyone is dumping on them. Plus he talks lots of trash every year, only to be let down by his team. If he only had a brain, he could figure out why everyone dumps on his team and learn not to talk trash until his team could back it up.

Of course Bronco is happy to have the company because there is an evil witch named ESPN after him. ESPN has threatened to kill Bronco and his little dog Josh too, because Bronco fired Mike Shanahan.

As they walk down the road, they come across a tin man named Charger. Charger too wants to go see the wizard. You see, Charger has no heart. His team has been the best team in the division for the past few years, but they barely sell out the stadium.

Charger is afraid that home games will be blacked out and his team will move to Los Angeles if he doesn’t get a heart soon.

As Bronco, Raider and Charger follow the path to see the wizard a cowardly lion named Chief jumps out and tries to scare them.

Of course, they aren’t scared and they start beating the lion relentlessly. After they stop beating him, the lion explains to them he can’t scare anyone.

You see Chief’s team only won two games last season and ESPN says they haven’t done enough to improve. The companions invite Chief to join them because, maybe if Chief had some courage, he could scare other teams.

So the four are off to see the wizard. Along the way they continue to be taunted by ESPN and its minions. After a long and scary journey the four, and the little dog Josh, arrive in Miami where the wizard lives.

At first, the wizard doesn’t want to see them but eventually agrees since they have come such a long way. The wizard has something for each of them.

To Raider, the wizard gives a diploma. Don’t be fooled by this Raider. You really need a brain.

The wizard gives Charger heart-shaped clock. This is fitting because time is ticking on your reign of terror Charger.

To Chief, the wizard gives a badge of honor. But it is going to take more than a badge of honor for you to scare anyone.

Oh and you Bronco…what did the wizard give you?

We all know what the wizard gives Bronco…just not this year.

Aligning the Denver Broncos’ Stars

It is coming—that time of year when you have the highest of hopes for your team. Not a real team but your fantasy team.  Fantasy draft day is probably the best day of the season.  Nothing has gone wrong yet. No injuries, bye week dilemmas or tough matchups. My sleeper picks haven’t hit the snooze button. It is a beautiful day.

 

The question is, what can we expect from the Bronco’s stars this year? It is only June, so this is a first stab at it.  I reserve the right to change my mind as the offseason progresses. 

 

 

Quarterback

 

Since we don’t know for sure who the starter is, I’ll assume it is Kyle Orton. Putting a value on Orton may be tricky. New team, better line, new scheme, upgraded receivers there are a lot of questions. Every question is on the upside, but his value last year is still holding him back. 

 

I would put Orton in the really good backup category. He isn’t a top-tier guy up there with Brady and Manning, but could be a starting caliber QB in larger leagues or leagues that allow more than one QB to play (I hate those leagues, but they are out there).  Orton has a lot of sleeper potential and can most likely be had at a bargain price.

 

 

Running Back

 

History has shown that RB is the one position where rookies can consistently make an impact. Every year, there are rookie running backs that light up the league.

 

This year’s star is Denver’s own, Knowshon Moreno. If you are a Bronco’s fan, especially in a keeper league, you owe it to yourself to get this guy.  Don’t spend the next five years cringing every time he scores a TD. Your Sundays will be ruined. He will be a starter on your team. Not worth your first pick but consider grabbing him on the way back down.

 

Denver’s other running backs hold little value except as backups. If someone besides Moreno gets the starting nod, it will be a committee situation that has frustrated many Bronco’s RB owners over the past several years. They will have value but it will be limited.

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

This is the Bronco’s strongest suit, and with the wide-open offensive style that we are expecting them to run, there could be a lot of value here.

 

Brandon Marshall is the crown jewel of the Bronco’s WR corps.  The problem is we still have questions about his full-season availability.  I am of the opinion that he will be suspended for some time this year.  Delaying his trial until August just adds to the uncertainty. 

 

I would say even with the risk of losing him for some period of time, Marshall still has top 10 WR value (top five without those concerns). Any player can be lost to injury, so value him as a more injury-prone WR with great upside.  Steve Smith and Marshall both posted good numbers last year despite their suspensions.

 

Eddie Royal also has value in fantasy leagues. He could be a starter in a 12-team league but most likely only a backup in eight-team leagues. Still, there is a lot of upside, and it only increases with the spread offense and the risk of losing Marshall to suspension. There will be very few leagues in which Royal remains a free agent.

 

The other Bronco receivers most likely have little fantasy value.  Brandon Stokley will have a reduced rol,l and Jabar Gaffney will get his opportunity, but will not be a fantasy star. Keep an eye on them, and be prepared to pounce if Marshall is suspended.

 

 

Tight End

 

This is an area I am not real sure about.  Both Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham are good receivers, but we don’t know how much Josh McDaniels will use them as receivers.  No position is more dependent on the coach’s discretion in fantasy football than the TE.

 

The fact that Scheffler spent most of the offseason as trade bait makes me concerned about his value. If not for this, I would value him as a potential starter in a 12-team league, though he was a marginal starter at best last year. He has also not completed a 16-game season, so with that I would consider him a quality backup.

 

Graham has always excelled as a blocker. He seems to have some great pass catching ability and has made some clutch catches for the Broncos, but he does not have a lot of fantasy value. No points awarded for great blocks.

 

 

Defense/Special Teams

 

You have to be a Bronco’s fan to draft Denver as your primary defense.  Their lackluster return ability, field goal percentage, inability to create turnovers and propensity to give up huge points over the past few years makes them a homer pick at best. Not that I haven’t made home picks in the past. 

 

The secondary should be improved, but creating turnovers is also dependent on pass rush. I don’t have the confidence in them until we see them on the field.

 

I have never played in a league with IDP’s ,so I will defer to someone else on that.

 

Good luck this year to everyone who plays and may your euphoria last past draft day.

 

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