Denver Broncos Rookies Humbled By First Mini-Camp Experience

The Denver Broncos commenced their first full-team mini-camp today, and reports out of Denver are that the new-look Broncos were still trying to get past the initial learning curve.

“They made a lot of mistakes, and that’s what you expect them to do at this point in time,” coach Josh McDaniels said, “but you know, there’s enough to look at out there, and there’s some promise out there.

“We’ll get better, and I’m sure we’ll make some more mistakes tomorrow morning and tomorrow afternoon. They’re trying. They’re working hard, but they’ve got a long way to go.”  

Despite McDaniels’ analysis that the youngsters struggled in their first NFL practice, he was not overly concerned about it.  Even the team’s head coach has to be having his first year jitters, as he himself is participating in his first full-team organized practice. 

He’s not letting it show.

Criticize McDaniels all you want, but the man finally has Bronco fans back on his good graces after the controversy between he and now Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.  A solid draft and a great free agent signing frenzy have the Mile-High Faithful giddy to the point where Broncos bloggers are even reporting a list of the new players’ names.

I would even go so far as to say, this is the most excited Denver fans have been since some kid named Elway brought his laser of an arm to the Rockies.

Is there still skepticism out there?

Of course, but Bronco fans are intrigued, captivated, and ever alert for the next development in what has been the most active off-season for the Broncos this decade.

Much of that excitement has come from the team’s 27 new rookies, ten of whom were brought in via last Saturday’s NFL Draft. All of those first year players, hoping and praying for a roster spot, have already jumped into Josh McDaniels’ complex playbook.  For wide receiver Kenny McKinley, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina, the transition has been challenging, but exciting at the same time.

“Me and [Running Back Knowshon] Moreno, we’re roommates, and we were up last night studying for a long time,” McKinley said. “I know he wants to play, I want to play also, and you’ve got to know your plays to get on the field. It’s a job, so we’re both taking it very serious.”

McKinley went on to emphasize the fact that he, like many rookies, are willing to do whatever it takes to “help the team”, and that he hopes to see the field on special teams as well as catching passes.

As for McKinley’s roommate, Knowshon Moreno, there has been no reported news in regards to his first practice as a Bronco, other than the number on his chest and back.

Moreno will don the No. 27 uniform, one that was previously worn by Broncos great Steve Atwater, as well as the slain Darrent Williams.

The subject of Williams is a tender one for Broncos fans, who all hold him in very high regard. His death was undoubtedly one of the most tragic events in Broncos history, and couple that with the stellar career of Hall of Fame snub Steve Atwater, the number 27 is not one to be taken lightly.

According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, the Williams family wants Moreno to volunteer at the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center in exchange for the privilege of wearing that particular jersey number, and it is assumed that Moreno will agree to do so, no questions asked.

Another number that is very familiar to Broncos fans, No. 30, will be worn by rookie safety David Bruton. Bruton will not have the tall task of living up to the man who wore that number just 10 years ago, as they do not play the same position. That man of course is none other than Bronco great Terrell Davis.

There are no shortage of storylines in Denver these days, and the Broncos will continue their offseason activity tomorrow afternoon at Dove Valley. Hopefully the team will provide the fans with some screenshots of the new players in action, but stay tuned Broncos fans.

The Denver Broncos Panicked Attitude Switch Is Paying Off

Two weeks ago, the Denver Broncos had the opportunity to get back on track and take the edge away from the San Diego Chargers.

Somehow the Broncos let the opportunity slip away in a game that put the Chargers at the top of the AFC West.

It also had Denver on a four-game skid with no answers in sight.

On the horizon, a short week with a game on Thanksgiving night against the New York Giants about to hit front and center.

It was at that time the Broncos needed a wake-up call.

It was time to panic, if the 2009 Denver Broncos were going to reach the AFC Playoffs.

It wasn’t that the Broncos lost to the San Diego Chargers in Denver when they could have owned the inside track to the division themselves.

It’s more the way in which they lost to San Diego.

They showed a lack of focus and the lack of a team pulse.

That was when enough became enough.

A players-only meeting was called for by Brian Dawkins.

He is a veteran who has shown that, in him, the Broncos have a gem of a player and a leader they have lacked the last few seasons.

Moreover, it’s helped to change the team’s identity on the defensive side of the ball and fueled a fire not seen there in quite some time.

It’s been debated whether or not player-only meetings are productive or helpful to the future growth of football teams.

The argument against them is they are a waste of time and really are only reserved for teams that are in trouble. 

The argument for having a meeting like that is that it’s an opportunity to air out any differences and make sure the entire team has an elevated sense of what needs to happen for the remainder of the season.

In Denver’s case, both the arguments for and against a players-only meeting probably applied to the state of the team at that point.

There was a need for a meeting, and the team has since proven there is no sense in dwelling on the issues, but certainly a solid response was required.

The Broncos say they weren’t panicking, and you have to believe them, nonetheless the need for urgency was there and the panicked attitude switch absolutely came into play.

What’s encouraging to see—since the Broncos lost to San Diego—are the decisive efforts they have had as a team against the Giants and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos got back to their early season style—finding ways to win.

But more than that, they found ways to dominate. 

Against the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos rushed for 138 yards against one of the best front-sevens in football.

Against Kansas City, the Broncos exploded for 245 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Broncos yielded only 57 yards on the ground to the Giants and 98 to the Chiefs.

Neither team was able to establish control against the Broncos.

This happened in part due to the offensive output and the mitigating performance by the Broncos defense.

It seems these types of efforts could not have come at a better time for a team that was hot, then got irreversibly cold.

The Denver Broncos have more than just a win against the Giants and a key win in Kansas City over the weekend.

Believe it or not, the Broncos have a two-game edge over two teams that could knock them out of the wild-card playoff slot. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Oakland Raiders at home on Sunday, and the Baltimore Ravens lost at Green Bay on Monday Night Football.

Two weeks ago, the Broncos were on the outside looking in; now they have a two-game edge over the teams that could oust them from a postseason slot with four games remaining in the regular season.

Herein lays the Broncos payoff to their current rally cry.

They chose to hit the panic switch in the nick of time, and it’s paying off huge dividends to put them back into the playoff hunt.

Even more so, should the Broncos beat the Indianapolis Colts on their home field, it will knock the Colts from the ranks of the unbeaten while sending a message.

It will be the Broncos way of essentially serving notice to the rest of the league, that they will be ready for the postseason once it hits. 

A win at Indy could prove that the Broncos are real contenders for the ultimate prize. 

Additionally, and most importantly, it could put pressure on San Diego and give Denver a leg up on the division should the Chargers falter along the way.

Call them streaky.

Call them beatable.

But call them a team that is on the verge of solidifying a playoff berth.

As things currently set, the general thought is 10 wins makes a wild-card team in the AFC this year.

That means Denver needs two wins, Jacksonville three, and Pittsburgh and Baltimore must win out to reach 10 wins. 

Provided the Broncos stay on edge and can win at least two games, they have a solid shot at making the playoffs.

The Ravens and Steelers play each other once more, meaning one of those teams is almost certainly out of contention—we just don’t know which one as of yet.

Jacksonville holds a slim one-game lead over those two teams but has a challenging schedule down the stretch.

 

Key Broncos’ Stats

The Denver Broncos had their challenges over a four-game stretch, but somehow still have the third-best defense overall and the third-best scoring defense behind the Bengals and the Colts.

The Broncos have given up an average of 16.8 points per game.

This just reinforces the idea that the defense is a solid core, despite the four losses by large margins.

The Broncos also boast the ninth-best rushing attack in the NFL.

It might not seem all that amazing until you consider that there are only two teams in the top 10 that are probable playoff teams.

The Broncos could prove to have one of the more potent rushing attacks in the playoffs, should they make it.

Currently, Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno leads all NFL rookies with a 64.5 per game average rushing.

Moreno may reach the 1,000-yard mark by the end of the season, since he currently sits on 774 yards accumulated. 

That is 244 yards better than the next closest rookie running back.

So while Moreno has only been over the century mark once, his contributions to the one-two punch with veteran Correll Buckhalter appear to be a solid change of pace. 

This tandem is keeping the Broncos in games and starting to establish a window of dominance the team can exploit down the stretch and into the playoffs. 

Moreno is currently ranked 15th and Buckhalter 29th among all NFL rushers.

It’s a different NFL nowadays, as well, with only six rushers over the 1,000 yard mark through 12 games. 

The Broncos’ tandem appears to be in good shape with 1,337 total yards, which would rank them second behind Tennessee Titans‘ RB Chris Johnson’s 1,509 yards.

No other tandem is currently in that realm.

Defensively, the Broncos’ D-end Elvis Dumervil leads the NFL in sacks with 15—a full 2.5 sacks ahead of the next closest pass rusher, the Minnesota Vikings‘ Jared Allen. 

Elvis has an outside shot at the all-time NFL record.

He would require two sacks per game for the remaining four games.

Given his speed, leverage, and technique, anything seems possible for a guy who once lead the NCAA in sacks.

Probably the most important stat is the final score.

While the Broncos now seem to be hitting their stride, they have to find more ways to create points. 

Denver is a sub-par 21st in the NFL in average points per game at 20.

Consider the top five scoring teams: undefeated New Orleans (36.7 pts/game); Minnesota (29.9 pts/game); San Diego (28.5 pts/game); Indianapolis (27.6 pts/game); and New England (27.3 pts/game)

 

The Final Note

Who is the 22nd offensive team behind the Denver Broncos, you might ask?

That would be Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears.

That telling stat shows one very clear thing about the Broncos and Jay Cutler: They were both far better together than they have been apart.

It seems that if there is one thing that has plagued the Broncos this season, it’s the lack of a legitimate threat at the quarterback position.

Whether you were a fan of the Cutler trade or not, the Broncos are 21st in scoring, when they underachieved at 16th last season.

In fact, the Broncos’ total output in 2008 finished the season second only to New Orleans in total yards.

In 2009, the team won’t even reach the top 10.

So what does all this really mean?

Well, it’s hard to break down entirely, but the Broncos have not improved on offense under Josh McDaniels.

The Broncos are still showing some deficiencies in the red zone and are not scoring as much as they did a year ago.

The Broncos had issues in the red zone last season and were supposed to correct those this season.

Ironically enough, the team appears to be working on those red zone situations in some regard against the Giants and Chiefs

and it may be possible that the best is yet to come.

 

Contact Chaz at sportsmangement@gmail.com

 

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

It’s Time for the Denver Broncos to Wake Up and Step Up…or Just Shut Up

This is the worst a 6-2 record has ever felt.

To most teams in the NFL, entering week 10 at 6-2 is impressive and promising. For the Denver Broncos of 2009, it feels like a recipe for disaster.

If you’ve been following football this season, you’ll know that the Denver Broncos were everyone’s biggest surprise entering their bye week at 6-0. Many analysts even predicted an insulting 3-13 record for the squad.

The Broncos were riding a wave of adrenaline and energy, mixed with some luck and some big-time play from just about everyone on the roster.

Unfortunately though, every wave eventually “breaks.” It happened to the 2007 Patriots at the most inauspicious of times, Super Bowl 42. And then, in week 8 of 2009, it happened for the Broncos.

The energy ran out over the bye week. The edge that Josh McDaniels, Mike Nolan, and the Broncos coaching staff had over the competition went dull.

The Broncos got exposed by the Ravens and then by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Suddenly, the offense couldn’t put up any points. The revitalized defense, although putting in their best effort, spent far too much time on the field.

During the second half of their Monday Night game against Pittsburgh, the Broncos offense held the ball for six minutes. That means the defense was on the field for roughly 24 game minutes.

People who want to assign blame might point fingers at Kyle Orton, who threw three interceptions, two of which came at critical points in the game. They might point fingers at McDaniels, who clearly has not prepared his players well enough for these past two games.

While we’re at it, why not point fingers at newly-acquired punter Mitch Berger, who averaged a pitiful 33.4 yards on seven punts.

As good as it may feel to make someone the “goat,” this recent slide is no individual’s fault. Orton needs a running game to be successful in the system. He does not have the arm strength or poise to beat a team like the Steelers on his own.  

He has thrived in the system that McDaniels has implemented for him. But this system includes a running game, and 27 total yards on the ground is not a “running game.”

It’s time for this team to show what they are really made of. Is this the year they return to being legitimate contenders, or is it yet another strong start that quickly turns into a desperate attempt to bail out a sinking ship?

And, don’t look now, but the Chargers and their ever-despisable quarterback Philip Rivers are one game back.

The veteran leadership is there. Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, and even newly acquired nickelback Ty Law have all been here before. They need to be talking to the rookies and younger players to keep their spirits up.

Luckily for this team, they have an opportunity to get back on track against the Washington Redskins next weekend, one of the clear-cut ” train wrecks” of the NFL.

The Denver schedule is such that they do not get too many breaks. It is imperative to take this one and capitalize on it, because the following week in “Charges” San Diego.

The Broncos are not dead. They are 6-2, and we have seen what they’re capable of. They’ve beaten the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys, and those Chargers.

This is a good team that has lost track of who they are, and have fallen out of rhythm. They were riding a wave, it broke, and now they’re stuck somewhere in between. But great teams find a way to get back up, find another wave and take it for all it’s worth.

They’ve felt winning and now they’ve felt losing. Now they know that winning doesn’t come that easily in the NFL.

It’s time to wake up, and it’s time to step up.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

What Can Lovie Smith Have Been Thinking to Give Up Kyle Orton?

One year removed from his days with the Chicago Bears, where he was seen as worse than the infamous Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton has begun this season with a start that he may have never thought he had in him.

I realize it is only six games into the season, but the change Orton has had is not just improvement, it is a complete and utter turn around.

Last season, Orton appeared in 15 games and threw 12 interceptions, the season prior he only appeared in three games, and still threw for two interceptions. Then, in his worst season of all, four years ago, Orton threw 13 interceptions in 15 games and had a measly 59.7 passer rating in those appearances.

Now in his first six games, Orton has thrown for nine touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating is over 100 on the year in his six starts.

Surely, his numbers could go downhill as the season progresses, but the fact that Orton has been able to consistently put up these solid numbers as well as that the Denver Broncos are a rejuvenated football team behind the play of rookies such as Knowshon Moreno, a defense featuring eight new starters, and a new head coach Josh McDaniels.

Sure, the Broncos traded away potential superstar QB Jay Cutler, for a barely NFL-proved QB, but it seems like it is paying off.

Not only did they get a more consistent Kyle Orton, but they also received two first round draft picks and a third round draft pick, to add even more to the talented roster.

While Lovie Smith may be happy with Jay Cutler and the new offensive look the Bears have, you have to wonder about Orton. Is the dramatic change because of McDaniels coaching as opposed to Smith? Did Orton just become a better player? Are the Broncos simply a better suited team for Orton?

Obviously, it would appear that the answer to all of these questions is yes, even though it’s a little too early to tell.

But, I’m sure McDaniels is thrilled.

This article was first featured on http://thesportsage.blogspot.com/ .

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

What Can Lovie Smith Have Been Thinking to Give Up Kyle Orton?

One year removed from his days with the Chicago Bears, where he was seen as worse than the infamous Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton has begun this season with a start that he may have never thought he had in him.

I realize it is only six games into the season, but the change Orton has had is not just improvement, it is a complete and utter turn around.

Last season, Orton appeared in 15 games and threw 12 interceptions, the season prior he only appeared in three games, and still threw for two interceptions. Then, in his worst season of all, four years ago, Orton threw 13 interceptions in 15 games and had a measly 59.7 passer rating in those appearances.

Now in his first six games, Orton has thrown for nine touchdowns and just one interception. His passer rating is over 100 on the year in his six starts.

Surely, his numbers could go downhill as the season progresses, but the fact that Orton has been able to consistently put up these solid numbers as well as that the Denver Broncos are a rejuvenated football team behind the play of rookies such as Knowshon Moreno, a defense featuring eight new starters, and a new head coach Josh McDaniels.

Sure, the Broncos traded away potential superstar QB Jay Cutler, for a barely NFL-proved QB, but it seems like it is paying off.

Not only did they get a more consistent Kyle Orton, but they also received two first round draft picks and a third round draft pick, to add even more to the talented roster.

While Lovie Smith may be happy with Jay Cutler and the new offensive look the Bears have, you have to wonder about Orton. Is the dramatic change because of McDaniels coaching as opposed to Smith? Did Orton just become a better player? Are the Broncos simply a better suited team for Orton?

Obviously, it would appear that the answer to all of these questions is yes, even though it’s a little too early to tell.

But, I’m sure McDaniels is thrilled.

This article was first featured on http://thesportsage.blogspot.com/ .

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Broncos-Chargers Preview: Keys To Victory For Denver in Week Six

The Denver Broncos (5-0, First place AFC West) are off to their best start in over a decade as they head West to San Diego to take on their division rival Chargers (2-2, Second place AFC West) in the week six Monday Night Football matchup.

Prior to the season starting, no one outside of die-hard Denver fans would have thought that the San Diego Chargers would be the team in disarray after five weeks of the season, but here we are.

The Chargers recently cut ties with veteran starting safety Clinton Hart, and General Manager A.J. Smith has called out his team for not performing up to their full potential.

One player Smith “hurt” in particular was hybrid linebacker/defensive end Shawne Merriman, who many believe could also be on the chopping block in San Diego as he plays out the final year of his rookie contract.

The Chargers simply have not found their groove so far this season, and are not seemingly close to finding it. 

They have injury issues on both the offensive and defensive lines, and their best player of this decade in LaDainian Tomlinson has also been fending off the injury bug.

Inversely, the Broncos are playing top-notch ball, led by their number one ranked defense who is allowing a league-best 8.6 points per contest. 

This rivalry is one the Chargers have dominated in recent years, but this is the first time they will face a non-Mike Shanahan led Broncos team.  For once, this matchup seems a bit lop-sided in favor of the Broncos rather than the Bolts.

Here are my keys to victory for Denver when they head to San Diego in week six.

 

1.  Take away the screen pass to Darren Sproles

This is one of the Chargers’ biggest offensive weapons.  They absolutely love to hit Darren Sproles with a screen pass on third down situations, and they execute it well.

Sproles has caught only 15 passes this year, but he is averaging over 13 yards per reception.  He is a big weapon for this team and Philip Rivers when they need to be bailed out on third and long situations.

The Broncos can neutralize this by giving the Chargers a lot of different looks on third downs, mainly faking blitzes.  If the Broncos can disguise their blitzing well, they will be able to shut down this particular facet of the Charger offense.

 

2.  Assign a defender to TE Antonio Gates

Gates is having one of his better seasons as a professional so far in 2009.  He has 24 receptions for 349 yards, and he seems to have a knack for getting open.

The Broncos cannot let that happen.

Denver shut down Jason Witten in week four against the Dallas Cowboys, so there is no reason to believe they cannot bottle up Gates.

My guess is that the Broncos will either try and assign a defender like Wesley Woodyard to Gates or maybe somebody like Jack Williams, who could be giving up a lot of size but who has done a phenomenal job so far this season.

 

3.  Dominate the Running Game (Offensively and Defensively)

The running game statistics so blatantly favor the Broncos in this game it is almost unfair. 

Denver is ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 139, and the Chargers are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.  They average 53.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks 32nd (also known as “Dead Last”).

Defensively, the Broncos allow a mere 81 yards per game on the ground, ranking them sixth in the NFL.  The Chargers are allowing opponents 151 yards rushing per contest, which is sixth worst in the league.

The statistics indicate that Denver will be able to dominate this game on the ground, both offensively and defensively.  The San Diego front seven has been anything but impressive so far this year, and the Broncos have been absolutely stellar. 

Denver is potentially getting a boost from veteran Correll Buckhalter, who missed last week’s game with an ankle sprain.  He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but that is more than he has done in a while.  The Broncos are hoping he can go Monday night to give them their one-two punch of he and Knowshon Moreno, who leads all rookies in rushing yards.

 

4.  Pin your ears back, and get to Philip Rivers

If the Chargers are unable to establish a running game, the Broncos could have a field day in terms of quarterback sacks.

This is a unit that ranks second in the NFL in quarterback take-downs with 16, and they are facing a San Diego offensive line that is battered.

Still, the Charger line has given up a fairly respectable 10 sacks this season, so there are no guarantees.

The Broncos need to make the Chargers one dimensional by shutting down the run, then hit them where it hurts.

Creating pressure on Philip Rivers is not easy, as he is a very smart quarterback who can get the ball out quickly, but the Broncos have proven they can put pressure on most teams.

The only team that has been able to shut Denver down in terms of pass rush has been the New England Patriots, and their offensive line is far superior to San Diego’s. 

The Broncos likely will bring a lot of disguised defensive looks as I stated earlier, and Elvis Dumervil could have another multi-sack game.

 

5.  When you get the ball, get in the END ZONE

This has really been the only flaw for the Broncos this year.  In the past two games, Denver has had to overcome a ten point first quarter deficit. 

That simply will not fly with a potent offense like San Diego.

The Broncos have had plenty of opportunities to score early on, but they have been unable to take advantage early.

All the talk about Kyle Orton now being an MVP candidate, Knowshon Moreno as the early favorite for rookie of the year, Brandon Marshall playing the best ball of his career, and having a dominant offensive line means absolutely nothing if you cannot put up points.

The Broncos’ offense, give them credit, has gotten points when it matters most, which is why they are 5-0, but they absolutely have to score touchdowns when they get to the red zone.

They have had virtually no trouble at all moving the ball down the field, ranking sixth in the NFL in total offense, but they rank a dismal 22nd in scoring at just under 20 points per game.

 

Positional Breakdown

Quarterback:  Broncos

Running Back:  Broncos

Wide Receiver:  Broncos

Tight End:  Chargers

Offensive Line:  Broncos

Defensive Line:  Broncos

Linebacker:  Broncos

Defensive Back:  Broncos

Special Teams:  Chargers

Advantage:  Broncos

After looking at the positional breakdown, it is clear who has the advantage in this game.  I do not like to discredit other teams, because the Chargers are certainly capable of putting up “X” amount of points on any given night—but they are just too one dimensional and too battered up front right now.

The biggest factor in the Chargers’ favor is home field advantage, and maybe catching Denver on a high.  The Broncos have yet to suffer a let-down this season, and they appear to be a very well-coached, very disciplined team.

In all, this game will come down to who can win the time of possession battle.  The Broncos have the decided advantage in run offense and run defense, so they should be able to accomplish that.

It should also be noted that the Chargers are allowing opponents a 49 percent conversion rate on third down, which is very good news for the Broncos.

This, like all Chargers-Broncos games should be a great one to watch.  The Chargers have an offense that is capable of exploding at any given time, and the Broncos have a smashmouth defense.

The Chargers are in desperate need of a victory coming off of their bye week, as they could potentially trail Denver by 3.5 games if they lose at home on Monday night.  The Broncos do not want to allow San Diego any hope of pulling off something similar to what they did last year, and they hope to increase their lead in the AFC West heading into a bye week of their own before they face Baltimore.

Is it Monday yet?

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Knowshon Moreno Pulling Away from the Rest of the Rookie Class

The rookies were harder to rank this week due to the impact some made on the field as well as some injuries. The list has been shaken up a bit because of these factors.

New faces are showing up for their respective teams while some rookies are falling off a bit. This week’s rankings:

1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Moreno is now the feature back, evident by his 21 carries and four receptions in the game against the Patriots. Moreno did not have the statistical outburst I was expecting against the Patriots, but his 88 yards rushing and 36 yards receiving helped lead the Broncos to a big win. Now that he is the undisputed No. 1 running back in Denver, expect big days from Moreno.

2. Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets: Sanchez and the Jets were defeated on Monday Night Football, but this time Sanchez cannot receive all the blame. He held on to the ball and did not put his team in bad spots. He only finished with 172 passing yards and one touchdown, but the absence of turnovers was important to the young quarterback’s frame of mind.

3. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings: Harvin’s production has fallen off steadily. He has not caught a touchdown pass since Week Two and does not seem to be Brett Favre‘s favorite target. The Vikings are a run-first team, which means when push comes to shove the Vikings will run Adrian Peterson first and pass later. I am still high on Harvin because of his versatility, but the rookie receivers behind him are pushing him for this spot.

4. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants: Nicks has scored in the Giants’ offense for two straight weeks, showing why he was a first round pick. Now that his injury is healed he can become a viable option for the Giants as the biggest target in Eli Manning‘s arsenal. Nicks only had 49 yards receiving against the Raiders last week, but his size makes him a favorable target in the red zone.

5. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles: Maclin exploded with Donovan McNabb back under center. Maclin finished with six catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns last weekend. He has the same speed as fellow receiver DeSean Jackson, but his size makes him an easier target in the passing game. Maclin has the ability to beat guys deep or jump over defenders. His rise up this list is expected based on his potential.

 

Last Week’s Rookie Report Rankings

1. Knowshon Moreno
2. Percy Harvin
3. Mark Sanchez
4. Matthew Stafford
5. Kenny Britt

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Early Thoughts on Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 6 Matchup

How quickly Denver Broncos fans have forgotten about Jay Cutler and Mike Shanahan. 

Winning heals a lot, apparently.

The Broncos are off to a hot 5-0 start, and fans’ memories of the old days when Shanahan called plays for Cutler have been erased. 

Gone are the days of Brandon Marshall demanding trades and holding out.

Gone are the days of Swiss-cheese defense.

Nobody remembers Kyle Orton getting booed in a scrimmage at Invesco Field earlier this year and nobody cares about his three interceptions in the first half of a preseason game against San Francisco.

Like I said, winning heals a lot.

Kyle Orton has helped lead the Broncos to their first 5-0 start in 11 years, and with his performance against the New England Patriots last Sunday, he has joined the conversation for…league MVP?

After low expectations from many heading into the season, Orton and the Broncos have joined the ranks of the NFL’s elite. The defense has allowed fewer points than any other team in the NFL by far and the offense finally appears to be clicking.

But the season is just getting started.

Monday night, the Broncos will likely be the focal point of their Week 6 matchup against the San Diego Chargers, a struggling team.

Taking a quick look at the Chargers, they have one of the NFL’s top passing units led by Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson.

Rivers has passed for 1,245 yards and six touchdowns in only four games. Jackson has been on the receiving end of 20 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chargers also boast one of the NFL’s best receiving tight ends in Antonio Gates, who leads the NFL among starters at his position with a 79.6 percent first down rate per reception.

As dangerous as the Chargers can be through the air, they are horrid running the football.

They rank dead last in the NFL with a detestable 53.8 rushing yards per game. Neither Darren Sproles nor LaDainian Tomlinson has reached 100 yards this season.

Defensively, the Chargers have really struggled. A lot of it can be attributed to the injury to All-Pro nose tackle Jamal Williams, who was lost for the season.

San Diego ranks 25th in points allowed at over 25 per contest and they rank 26th in yards allowed with 365.8 a game. Their pass defense has been alright, ranking 12th, but their run defense has been their Achilles heel.

The Chargers rank 27th in run defense and have allowed a total of 604 yards in only four games. Surprisingly, San Diego has not allowed but one 100-yard rusher in any given game so far this year. And they have played three of the league’s top running attacks in Miami, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

It is not out of the norm for this team to get off to a slow start. Last season, they pulled off some kind of miracle and erased a three-game deficit with only three games to play to win the AFC West before beating the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs.

The Chargers have absolutely owned the Broncos in recent years. 

Last season, they split the season series, but blew out the Broncos in the last game of the season, 52-21. 

This rivalry has lost quite a bit of luster with the departure of Jay Cutler, but it is still Broncos-Chargers, and it will still be an exciting game.

Denver’s defense has been one of the best comeback stories in the NFL as they lead the league in points allowed and are second in total defense thus far.

Maybe most importantly, the Broncos are fourth in the NFL in takeaways with 11 and they have the fifth-ranked pass defense to neutralize San Diego’s high-powered pass offense.

The Broncos also rank second in the NFL in sacks with 16 on the season. The Chargers have allowed Rivers to be sacked a fairly respectable 10 times.

This game is a must-win for both teams. 

Denver faces a grueling schedule following their bye week, and could take a substantial 3.5-game lead over San Diego if they can come away with the win.

San Diego needs a big win at home if they are going to keep pace in the AFC West.  Unlike last year’s Denver team, this one is winning with a steady offense that rarely makes mistakes, and a dominant defense.

I have actually made the assessment that this year’s San Diego squad reminds me a lot of last year’s Denver team sans a dominant offensive line.

The Charger offense will have to be at its best if they are going to win on Monday night, and so will the Denver defense.

One area where the Broncos have the decided advantage is in the running game. 

As I pointed out, San Diego cannot stop the run. The Broncos currently rank fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and are hopeful for the return of Correll Buckhalter, who sprained his ankle two weekends ago.

Buckhalter would join Knowshon Moreno, who leads all NFL rookies with 337 rushing yards.

If that is not an intriguing enough matchup for you, think of big-play receiver Vincent Jackson matching up against All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey.

Bailey could be on his way to a 10th Pro Bowl this season. He is absolutely shutting down any and every opponent that crosses his path. Here’s what he had to say about being challenged more than usual so far this season.

“I have confidence out this roof at what I can do in a pressure situation. I live for those moments.”

The main thing with the Broncos right now is that they have yet to come even close to dipping into their full potential offensively, and the Chargers should provide an excellent test.

Brandon Marshall has four touchdown grabs in the last three games, Eddie Royal tripled his season total in receptions last week with a 10-catch performance, and Kyle Orton played his best game as a Bronco to date, throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns in their win over New England.

Charger Week is a fun week and, as always, should generate a lot of good conversation back and forth.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Broncos-Raiders: Week Three Gameplan

The Denver Broncos are undefeated so far this season.  After conquering coach McDaniels’ home state of Ohio, Denver faces a challenge with greater implications this Sunday as they square off against their division rivals the Oakland Raiders in the Black Hole.

As far as football rivalries go, Broncos vs. Raiders has to up there with the best of them.  There is no team that Denver fans love to hate more than the Raiders, and no team that Oakland fans enjoy despising more the Broncos.  

Many Broncos and Oakland alike don’t care if their team loses every other game they play in a given season, as long as they win these games.

In fact this hate-hate relationship is arguably the most intense rivalry in all of football. The reasons are many and varied, but they have stood the test of time and like the Hatfields and the McCoys; it is a feud that will never find its end. 

These two teams know each other very well, and always come to play each other.  But both teams face many challenges this week because both squads have changed significantly since they last met.

The Raiders Offense

Quarterback

No. 2 JaMarcus Russell

This is the year that Russell gets to prove whether or not he is a boom or a bust, and I have to say that right now it doesn’t look so good for JaMarcus. 

Even Raider Nation, who has steadfastly supported their young QB is beginning to believe that Russell, who signed a six year $61 million dollar contract in 2007 as the first overall pick in the draft, is just another overpaid under-performing talent.

This conclusion is not an emotional one at all, but rather one based on reason.  Russell’s passer rating so far this season is a 46.6 and he has completed less than 36 percent of his passes. 

Russell’s performance has nothing to do with pressure or coverage either, he simply has no accuracy with the football, often missing his receivers by what might as well be a mile.

JaMarcus needs to get his stuff together and fast if the Raiders are to have a hope that their ragamuffin team has final turned a corner and can once again hang with the rest of the league.

Wide Receivers

During the preseason Russell seemed to be in sync with one receiver in particular, Chaz Schilens (6’4″, 225 pounds). 

Unfortunately, he suffered a foot injury before the season began and has not been able to be the go-to guy Raider fans thought he was going to be.  Schilens will be out again this week against the Broncos.

The Raiders also have decided not to start Javon Walker (6’3″ 215 lbs).  Walker, who coincidentally signed a six year $55 million dollar contract last year,has not been able to show coach Cable that he can run fast enough to even be on the depth chart for the Raiders.

So the Raiders will once again start a pair of wide receivers who were playing ball in college last year.

 

No. 18 Louis Murphy, 6’2″, 200 pounds

This fourth round pick has been a huge surprise to the Raiders.  In two games Murphy has six catches for 118 yards and one touchdown.  Murphy who was often overlooked in the shadow of Percy Harvin at Florida has been the only bright spot in the Raiders receiving corp this season.

 

No. 12 Darrius Heyward-Bey 6’2″, 210 pounds

The seventh overall pick of the 2008 draft who signed a five-year, $38 million dollar contract, of which $23.5 millions in guaranteed, has caught just one pass for 18 yards.

Both of these players are big play threats because of their lightning speed.  Murphy ran a 4.43 second 40 yard dash at the combine, while DHB ran it the fastest clocking in at 4.29 seconds. 

Both of these receivers have the disadvantage of being rookies trying to adapt to a whole new level of play and have been thrown into the fire expected to perform in their first year. 

And unfortunately their quarterback’s passing accuracy has not really given them the chance to make a lot of plays either.

 

Running Backs

Now here is the bright spot for the Oakland Raiders.  They have some great running backs.

 

No. 20 Darren McFadden, 6’2″, 210 pounds

McFadden was the fourth overall pick of the 2008 draft and signed a six year $60 million dollar contract (are we starting to see a trend here).  McFadden who ran a 4.33 second 40 yard draft at the combine is a promising young talent who has shown flashes of brilliance as a running back for the Raiders when he hasn’t been hurt.

McFadden has all the skills and is a very versatile back who can hurt a team in many ways and is quite elusive in the open field.

 

No. 29 Michael Bush, 6’1″, 245 pounds

Bush was a steal for the Raiders in the 2007 draft.  He was drafted in the fourth round because he had broken his leg.  Before his injury, all signs pointed to Bush being a first round draft pick.  Now that he is healthy, he is playing up to that first round standard. 

Bush is a punishing hard and fast runner who has a motor that won’t stop.  He fits the Raider ideology of pounding the rock up the gut perfectly and is a dangerous weapon for Oakland.   

Both backs will be getting carries for the Raiders this year, and thus far Bush has been performing better out of the two of them running for 4.3 yards per carry over McFadden’s 3.6 yards per carry. (In my personal opinion, Bush is the better back)

 

Offensive Line

The Raiders O-Line is built to run the football, and they are good at it.  Anyone who saw their first game of the season against the Chargers saw an O-line that imposed their will on the defense.  They were knocking the defense back with bad intentions that paid a unique homage to their head coach. 

Unfortunately the Raiders lost one of their starters on the O-line this past week.  Second overall pick in the 2004 draft Robert Gallery broke his leg, leaving Paul McQuistan to take his place at Left Guard.

Offensive lineman need to communicate and they develop chemistry with one another.  Gallery’s absence may be obvious this week if McQuistan fails to communicate well with his teammates.

 

Tight End

No. 80 Zach Miller, 6’5″, 255 pounds

Miller is the biggest receiving threat on the Raiders offense.  Miller hauled in six catches for 96 yards against the Chargers and helped the team march down the field on several drives. 

The Chiefs knew he was a threat and made sure he was covered all over the field last week.  That combined with JaMarcus’ accuracy shut Miller out of the game as a receiver.

 

Denver’s Defensive Strategy

The Denver Broncos have a new identity this year as a team.  Last year, the Broncos were an offensive juggernaut and finished the season with the second most prolific offense in football, while having one of the most pathetic defenses in the game.

Denver got a complete overhaul in the off-season though and now boast a very formidable defense and a more high percentage than prolific offense.

The defensive gameplan is against the Raiders this week is twofold.  

1) Stop the Run

2) Cover Zach Miller

The Raiders have proven they do one thing well, and that is run the football.  They get a great push off the line and move the line of scrimmage and their running backs pound the rock up the middle.  

So Denver needs to be run oriented on defense.  Stop the run and make JaMarcus “accuracy” Russell with his 36 percent completion percentage beat us through the air. 

Denver’s secondary is one of the best in the league.  Though older and slower than the Raider wide outs, they know how to play the game and should have no problem handling a couple rookie receivers.  This frees up the other seven guys to stop the run.

Denver also needs to make sure that Zach Miller does not get to roam freely.  Make sure he is covered because he is the most sure handed receiving threat the Raiders have. 

Take him out of the equation and the Raiders won’t be able to get anything going in the passing game, and their drives should stall like a K-car.

The Raiders Defense

The Raiders defense is no joke.  Their front four are all big guys who play equal to their size.  Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, and Greg Ellis. 

Each are capable of disrupting the backfield, racking up sacks, and stuffing running lanes.  Each of them has played well thus far this year and need to be taken seriously.

Linebackers Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison are two very underrated linebackers who wreak havoc all over the field.

And we all know that Nnamdi Asomugha is a shutdown cornerback who is right at the top of the list with Champ Bailey as the best cornerback in football.  Chris Johnson has come into his own opposite Nnamdi to make them one of the best tandem of corners in the league.

After Nnamdi and Johnson though, the talent tapers off.  Stanford Routt is fast, but is not great in coverage.  Kansas City exposed him by exploiting him in coverage last week when he was called to action while Nnamdi was dehydrated late in the game.

Michael Huff has also recently come into his own at safety, and had two picks last week in Kansas City.   

The Raiders defense is strong at every level, and poses a real problem to game plan against.

Denver’s Offensive Strategy

Denver’s offense played better last week than they did the week before, and I hope to see them continue to play better each week.

The Broncos showed they can run the ball well, and Buckhalter has had the opportunity to show that he can make things happen as a running back in Denver.

Moreno may be out with a groin pull, so that may hamper the running game somewhat, but a healthy dose of Peyton Hillis pounding the football should fill in nicely to this game plan in his absence.

The Raiders can be run on and Denver needs to establish the run early in order to wear down Oakland’s pass rushing lineman and keep them honest.  If Denver runs right at Seymour or Ellis it will run them down and hamper the energy and mental burst to attack the pass.  

Denver has a great Offensive Line which benefited greatly from week one to week two with Kuper being back from injury.  It will be a battle up front, but one that is evenly matched.

Nnamdi and Johnson are so good in coverage that the Broncos are going to need to rely on Running backs, tight ends and slot receivers more as passing targets this week. 

Hillis or Moreno (if healthy) should see some balls fly their way on screens and check downs.  Tony Scheffler should see some more action this week too as he is a mismatch target no matter who is covering him. 

Brandon Stokley out of the slot is no secret after his week one heroics. Stokley should easily take advantage of Stanford Routt’s poor coverage skills and catch a good many balls this week.

As long as Denver continues to protect the football and doesn’t give the game away with penalties, I think Denver has a very good shot at taking down the Raiders this week in their home Stadium.

I give Denver the edge in this game because of Oakland’s lack of a passing game on  offense, and the Broncos improved defense.  Though it is usually loud in the Black Hole, the game is set to be blacked out in Oakland so that shouldn’t be an issue.

My prediction: Denver wins, 20-6.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

Broncos-Cardinals: Denver Wins First Game of Josh McDaniels Era, 19-0

Denver, CO–The Denver Broncos (1-3) avoided their first winless preseason since 1960 when they shut out the Arizona Cardinals (0-4) at Invesco Field at Mile High 19-0.

 

Game Recap

The Broncos started with the ball and scored the games first points after a drive that included a beautiful throw, catch, and run involving Tom Brandstater and Chad Jackson that went for 43 yards.

After the catch, Correll Buckhalter had two rushes for 21 yards, putting the Broncos in a goal-to-go situation.

Denver was unable to punch the ball in the end zone, and settled for Matt Prater field goal to put them up 3-0.

The Cardinals’ first drive looked promising at times, including a 36 yard strike from quarterback Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald, but two penalties forced them into obvious passing situations, and the Broncos were able to capitalize and force a punt.

Each team forced the other into a three-and-out on their next possessions.

After a Ben Graham punt put the Broncos on their own 23 yard line, Tom Brandstater appeared to say “We’ve got ’em right where we want ’em,” and he orchestrated an impressive drive.

Denver marched 77 yards down the field thanks to a couple of outstanding hook-ups between Brandstater and veteran Brandon Lloyd, and the drive was capped off by a one yard Darius Walker touchdown run.

The following Cardinals drive resulted in the Broncos’ first turnover of the preseason:  An interception of Kurt Warner by reserve hybrid linebacker/defensive end Darrell Reid.

Reid’s interception resulted in a 37 yard Matt Prater field goal, putting the Broncos ahead 13-0.

Another three-and-out by the Cardinals resulted in yet another Broncos drive that ended in a Matt Prater field goal, putting Denver ahead 16-0.

Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart was picked off on the following drive by rookie safety David Bruton, and the Broncos were in good position to take a 19-0 lead at the half, but decided to go for a fourth-and-four and were unable to convert.

The following Cardinals drive ended in another turnover, a fumble forced by Denver defensive lineman Nic Clemons that was recovered by Bruton.

The fumble gave the Broncos great field position, but Brandstater tried to force a pass to Chad Jackson near the sideline and he was picked off.

The Cardinals started the second half with the ball, but gave it up fairly quickly.  Tyler Palko threw a pass that almost seemed to be intended for Broncos safety Vernon Fox, and the Broncos were in business once again.

A fairly bland Bronco drive resulted in Matt Prater’s fourth field goal of the game, putting the Broncos ahead for good 19-0.

The rest of the game was filled with three-and-outs, and the defensive battle ended with the home team on top. 

Broncos 19, Cardinals 0

 

Random Game Thoughts

• Josh McDaniels and the Broncos earned their first win of 2009, and it could not come soon enough.
• The Broncos made up for three games without forcing a turnover, forcing four total on Thursday night.
• Kenny McKinley and Brandon Lloyd combined for 10 receptions and 106 yards, and they continue to impress as reserve wide receivers.
• LaMont Jordan’s one run tonight was not impressive.  He may be passed by Darius Walker for the fourth and final running back spot.
• The reserve offensive linemen were impressive for the first time this preseason.
• The Broncos have arguably the best depth in the NFL in the secondary.  David Bruton, Alphonso Smith, Darcel McBath, and Jack Williams are all great prospects for the future.
• The Broncos’ defense has been extremely consistent throughout the preseason.  Their run defense only allowed one first down via the ground game, and only 68 yards rushing overall.
• Kurt Warner and the first team offense were absolutely shut down on Thursday night.
• It is going to be tough for the Broncos to keep less than seven wide receivers.

Top Performers

1. David Bruton would get my game ball tonight, and quite honestly, he has been superb all preseason long.  The Broncos drafted the Notre Dame safety in the fourth round to be primarily a gunner on special teams, and throughout the preseason he has been excellent at doing just that.  Thursday night, he picked off a pass and recovered a fumble while recording three tackles.
2. If the Broncos choose to keep 10 defensive backs, I think it is pretty clear that undrafted rookie DJ Johnson has earned the final spot.  He has been making plays throughout the preseason, and tonight led the team with five tackles.
3. Jarvis Moss had his best game I have ever seen.  The third year player was all over the place, and he looked like a former first round pick playing with a bunch of rookies and scrubs.  Moss had a sack, a forced fumble, and three total tackles, one for a loss.  He just made it harder for this team to potentially cut him.
4. Robert Ayers and Tim Crowder each had a sack tonight.  This was big for both of them.  Crowder is fighting for his job, and Ayers has not been very impressive this preseason.
5. Darius Walker has earned a roster spot, in my opinion.  He led the team in rushing this preseason and has had two touchdowns in the last two games.  He runs hard, is quick, and is a good receiver.  LaMont Jordan’s “dud”-like preseason has been less than inspiring.  Walker rushed for 68 yards on 21 carries tonight.
6. Give the game ball to kicker Matt Prater.  Prater was four-for-four in field goal attempts, and the Cardinals only returned two of his six kickoffs.  A phenomenal performance to say the least.
7. Kenny McKinley had a preseason high seven receptions, and he continues to impress.  He leads the Broncos this preseason with 16 receptions and 213 yards.
8. Brandon Lloyd made another highlight-reel catch on Thursday night.  His chemistry with the quarterbacks is going to make it extremely difficult for the Broncos to keep any less than seven wide receivers on their active roster, as crazy as it sounds.

Like I just said, the Broncos are going to have a tough time keeping less than seven wide receivers.  Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny McKinley, Chad Jackson, and Brandon Lloyd should all make the team, based on this preseason and training camp.

With the injured thumb of Jabar Gaffney, I think the Broncos will undoubtedly keep at least six wide receivers.  They also have been no strangers to four and five wide receiver sets, so it would not be surprised if they kept the extra guys around for depth.

The problem is going to be figuring out who to get rid of.  Do they keep six defensive linemen?  Which hybrid linebackers do not make the cut?  Will they keep 10 defensive backs?

Do not get too attached to any one player Broncos fans because come Saturday, 22 will be cut.  The good problem for the Broncos is that they are going to have a tough time deciding which ones.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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