Week Four Gameplan: Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Hate To Say “I Told You So,” Denver Broncos Open 2-0

Amidst the offseason turmoil that dominated any and all press concerning the Denver Broncos, the consensus opinion emerged that Denver was in a “rebuilding stage” and that coach Josh McDaniels wouldn’t last more than one season. 

One major poll on ESPN projected Denver to win just three games all season.  If that is to be the case, then the Broncos will have to close 1-13 after their solid 27-6 handling of the Cleveland Browns.

In all fairness, the Bengals and Browns are not playoff-caliber squads, so Denver’s early season success should of course be taken with a grain of salt.  But it seems that Denver’s consistent, blue-collar schemes don’t have the flair that most major networks and commentators want to talk about. 

Jay Cutler gave them fireworks, big plays and touchdown passes that made weekly highlight reels.  But he also gave up way too many red-zone interceptions and wore his defense out by putting them on the field for 35-40 minutes per game.

Kyle Orton’s journeyman success on the other hand, will continue to be ignored.  No one is going to mistake his skill set for Jay Cutler’s.  But Orton has eclipsed 200 yards passing in both contests, and more importantly, has managed both wins without throwing any interceptions. His patience has prevented costly turnovers, gave the defense time to rest and kept the Broncos in the game.

Denver’s run game is still taking time to develop, as aside from Correll Buckhalter’s late 45-yard TD scamper, Denver hasn’t had any explosiveness to their ground attack.  Knowshon Moreno has been battling injuries and needs to show that he was worth a first-round selection as he has split time with the veteran Buckhalter.

The committee approach this week by Denver bared a strong resemblance to McDaniels’ New England heritage, with Peyton Hillis and Lamont Jordan getting some situational snaps as well.

Something to consider is that the Denver run game may produce less this year as defenses dare Orton to throw against thin secondaries that load the box.  This could come back to hurt them however as the Broncos had eight different players register receptions against Cleveland and Cincinnati, with a near even distribution of throws to receivers and RBs/TEs. 

The pass-catching ability of the Broncos TEs and backs cannot be ignored, and McDaniels knows from experience that an offense that uses all its players is more difficult to defend than a team with just one or two main targets.  Despite not having Cutler’s cannon arm, Orton is still more than sufficient at throwing short safe passes that can turn into large gains after the catch.

Lastly, Denver’s defense has made significant strides compared to last year’s squad.  While the defensive line is hardly scary, they have still produced enough pressure to keep the secondary from having to run with receivers for ten seconds every play. 

Additions Andra Davis and Mario Haggan both have made plays in the first two games, and team with Elvis Dumervil and D.J. Williams to form a linebacking unit that is much better than they will get credit for. 

Like the offense, these guys haven’t made a bunch of highlight reel plays, but have played sufficiently well to manage the game and keep the Broncos in contention. 

Next week’s matchup at Oakland will show if the Broncos are going to separate themselves once more from their rival and annual AFC West doormat, or if they will fall victim to the inevitably doomed season most experts have called for. 

After JaMarcus Russell managed to complete only seven passes against an equally lowly Chiefs team, fans have to think that the Broncos have a great chance at opening 3-0, and for the moment, silencing all the doubters. 

At the very least, the Broncos will know they can lose the next 13 and haven’t let any analysts down.

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Denver vs Cincinnati: Has The Kyle Orton Experiment Already Paid Off?

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Week one of the NFL is a precarious week.

After seven months without NFL games, yet plenty of speculation, fans and media readily derive and predicate the veracity of their preseason predictions from week one of the NFL.

I, for one, had claimed that Kyle Orton is a good game manager, but would not have much to manage because the Denver defense would cause the offense to play from behind.

Defensively, Denver “bent but did not break,” and benefited from miscues by Cincinnati’s offense. For one, it was the return of Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco and quarterback Carson Palmer with a revamped offensive line. 

Offensively, Denver receiver Brandon Stokley brought home a last-minute touchdown to upset the Bengals at home.

Nevertheless, Denver’s offense had more than meets the eye; not just a timely touchdown that could be written off as luck. The much questioned Kyle Orton turned in an overall efficient game, even if his one touchdown pass wasn’t “manufactured,” to borrow a term common to baseball analysis.

Orton however, did “manufacture” enough offense to sustain Denver drives, which is important because it kept Cincinnati’s offense on the sidelines. Of the 10 first downs by Denver, seven resulted from Orton passes. He completed roughly 60 percent of his passes with a virtually non-existent running game.

The fact that Denver won on a lucky strike does not represent the whole picture. Orton had to play efficiently in order for that lucky strike to make the difference.

It’s also important to note that Cincinnati’s defense went underrated in 2008, and that much of Cincinnati’s struggles last season resulted from key injuries to Ochocinco and Palmer. Orton did not cut Cincy’s defense like a hot knife through butter.  In fact, Cincinnati played a fair game defensively, but paid for miscues. Yes, all it takes is one, but it is important to note that the mistakes were exceptions and not the rule.

The verdict:

Denver earned an ugly win. A win is a win, but the question is whether that win will translate into future ones. I still think Denver is in for a long year, but will show signs of life.

Denver has also started hot the past few seasons, but collapsed by midseason, which could again be the case.

I think Orton has showed that he can replace Jay Cutler in the Josh McDaniels system that successfully employed some of the unorthodoxy common to the Patriots system. The Broncos still have work to do with their defense that will probably require different players.

The belief in the offseason has been that McDaniels would be a massive flop. This game may have been an ugly win, but once you consider that many wondered about the future of McDaniels even before his first game as coach, it is a true win for him.

Cincinnati will likely start the first half of the season slow and finish strong, likely between seven and nine wins. There is still a lot of football to be played.

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Here We Go: A Final Look at The Denver Broncos Running Backs

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The Mile High backfield is deep, but lacks a proven star. It also remains to be seen how coach Josh McDaniels’ stable of running backs will function behind an offensive line that will employ far less zone blocking than during the Mike Shanahan era.

 

Knowshon Moreno

A plethora of injuries/soap operas hit the Broncos this preseason, but no player’s absence hurt Denver’s development more than that of rookie running back Knowshon Moreno. While he may not be the key to this offense’s success, he has the most breakout potential and his absence due to an MCL sprain surely hindered his maturation process.

He looked solid in short action during the team’s first preseason game, but has barely even taken the practice field since the knee injury.

Moreno could very well be Pro Bowl caliber running back by this time next year, especially considering he already possesses the blocking and receiving skills necessary to succeed in the NFL.

He has ideal size and speed with a knack for hitting the correct hole and hitting it hard. He will be used often as a receiving back, but will get plenty of carries as the year progresses.

Moreno’s fellow backs are capable veterans, but he will need to succeed if the Denver running game expects to.

 

Correll Buckhalter

With Moreno missing much of the preseason, Buckhalter looks to be the starter for week one.  However, he will only hold the spot as long as Moreno allows it.

An extremely diverse back with excellent receiving skills, Buckhalter seems to be a perfect fit in the Broncos offense and would have fit right in during McDaniels’ days in New England.

Even if Moreno does take Buckhalter’s role atop the depth chart, he will serve as a quality back all season as a Kevin Faulk type.

 

Peyton Hillis

Well, he’s not going to lead the team in rushing as he did in 2008 for an injury-ravaged Denver backfield, however, Peyton Hillis will serve an integral role in Denver’s new system due to his ability to line up all over the field.

Expect McDaniels to use him in much the same way he used Heath Evans with the Patriots. Hillis will serve as a fullback/halfback combo and be given small essential assignments in McDaniels’ complex packages.

His numbers won’t be too impressive, but expect a few juicy goal line carries that could result in some scores.

 

Lamont Jordan

Lamont Jordan struggled with a calf injury for much of his 2008 season with the Patriots, and has continued to spend plenty of time on the sidelines this preseason with injuries.

After McDaniels signed him to a 2-year, $2.5 million deal, Jordan promptly underperformed at camp and nearly lost his roster spot to Notre Dame product Darius Walker (who found a home on the Denver practice squad).

While his experience in the offense makes him a valuable guy to have around for a team still learning the system, don’t expect Jordan to stick around long or get many carries this season.

 

GRADE: B

It all comes down to Moreno.

If he can capitalize on his wealth of potential, then the Denver backs should each find their roles in an offense that calls for RB’s aplenty and the backfield will flourish. If he struggles to adapt to the pro game, then the Broncos are looking at a stable of also-rans that isn’t going to impress anyone.

 

Check out this last look at the QB’s

 

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Denver Broncos: Sizing Up the AFC West

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The NFL has a unique ebb and flow that is not found in other professional sports leagues. With few exceptions, teams that dominate the league rarely stay among the elite for more than five seasons.

Perhaps no division has been hit harder by this reality than the AFC West of the last few years. As the Denver Broncos enter the 2009-2010 season, they will face division opponents surrounded by several uncertainties and weaknesses.

 

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are the one team in the AFC West that has not changed its personnel much in the offseason.

With LaDainian Tomlinson’s recent injuries and decrease in production, the passing game has become San Diego’s main offensive threat. In 2008, Philip Rivers posted career highs in completion percentage, passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating.

The Charger passing attack is built primarily on hitch routes and screens, simple passes that most defenses are willing to concede. Once the opposition commits to these short passes, San Diego can open them up by throwing downfield.

By switching to a 3-4 defense, the Broncos will have more speed and more coverage options against the pass, and Denver has signed several veteran defenders who match up better with the Chargers than last year’s defense.

San Diego’s defense is quick and athletic, intimidating opponents with frequent blitzing and hard hits. This could easily disrupt the timing of an already inconsistent quarterback like Kyle Orton, and neutralize the open field skills of Knowshon Moreno. Denver will benefit from the spread offense, designed to neutralize aggressive defenses and force them to account for several offensive options.

With Denver’s offense slightly less talented and defense slightly more talented than last season, look for lower scoring games against San Diego. Also keep an eye out for the Chargers and fourth quarter comebacks; they have a knack for turning certain defeat into thrilling victory in the last fifteen minutes.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Like Josh McDaniels, new Kansas City head coach Todd Haley has worked with talented offenses such as Dallas and Arizona in his recent career. Haley takes over a team that finished 31st in total offense in 2007 and 24th in total offense in 2008. With the addition of Matt Cassel, the Chiefs should have more success in the passing game, opening up the ground attack for Larry Johnson, who frequently victimizes the Broncos.

In 2008, Kansas City’s defense finished 28th or worse in sacks, pass defense, rush defense, and points per game. This is the sort of problem that will take at least two seasons to improve upon. Against the Chiefs, Denver will be able to test all aspects of the spread offense, as Kansas City is one of the worst defensive teams the Broncos face all season.

The Chiefs are one of the youngest teams in the league, with 12 of 22 starters having four years of experience or less. The Broncos have only six starters in that category, and should benefit from veteran leadership against the Chiefs in 2009.

This seems to be one matchup that throughout the years has always produced close, competitive contests. Since the 2000 season, the road team in the Denver and Kansas City rivalry has won only three games. Look for one blowout win and one close game between the Broncos and Chiefs in 2009, with the home team winning each time.

 

Oakland Raiders

Unless Tom Cable makes drastic changes in his first full year as head coach, Oakland will continue to be a below average team. The Raiders have not won more than five games in a season since 2002, and have not improved much in this time period.

There is no question about the talent and speed of the Raider offense featuring JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Javon Walker, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. The Raiders, however, do not have a solid game plan that maximizes the potential of these skill players. Look for most of the Raider points against Denver in 2009 to be set up by big plays, not sustained drives.

The addition of Richard Seymour will help round out a defense that gave up 192 rushing yards per game in 2008, good for last in the NFL. Against Denver’s spread offense, the Raiders will have matchup issues with the depth of Bronco wide receivers. This will allow Denver to run the ball with ease, something they should be able to do regardless of success in the passing game.

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Denver and Oakland will likely play low-scoring games in 2009, as neither team has the firepower to put up high scores. Denver matches up more evenly with Oakland than Kansas City or San Diego, so these will likely be the closest contests of any two division rivals in 2009.

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Jets Still Posturing for a Possible Brandon Marshall Trade with Broncos

Over the weekend a very interesting trade took place between the Detroit Lions and the New York Jets.

The Lions sent quarterback Kevin O’Connell to the Jets for an undisclosed pick. The Lions acquired O’Connell off waivers from the New England Patriots on Sept. 1. The trade occurred Saturday, Sept. 5.

What’s interesting here is that the Denver Broncos also put in a claim for O’Connell before he became the property of the Detroit Lions for a brief moment.

The New York Jets now have four quarterbacks on their roster and say they plan to “move forward with four quarterbacks on the roster.”

While the Jets legitimately like O’Connell, he is also more valuable to them right now as trade bait. 

He is coming into a new system with three quarterbacks that have spent at least six months adapting to the new Jets regime. Ahead of O’Connell on the depth chart are starter Mark Sanchez, Kellen Clemens, a fourth-year player out of Oregon, and Erik Ainge, in his second year out of Tennessee.

The Jets in all likelihood will offer the Broncos O’Connell and draft picks. The Broncos are rumored to have shown some interest in Jets linebacker David Harris as well. Keep in mind the Jets are depleted in high draft picks due to last year’s acquisition of Brett Favre and this year’s move to get Sanchez.  

If the Broncos do eventually discuss a trade with New York, they should call the Jets’ bluff and ask for Mark Sanchez; in all logic that isn’t going to happen, but they should still pursue that angle. Sanchez has won the starting quarterback job in New York as a rookie.   

Sanchez was seen on the University of Colorado sidelines during the CU-CSU game all decked out in Buffs gear. He was there supporting his longtime friend, CU wideout Scotty McKnight. Sanchez was standing alongside, ironically enough, Broncos third stringer and fellow rookie Tom Brandstater.

The Denver Broncos took Brandon Marshall off the suspended list on Sunday and officially made room for him on the roster by releasing former New England Patriot wide receiver Chad Jackson. The Broncos had been carrying seven receivers.

It’s important to note that the Broncos have taken the stance that they are not looking to trade Marshall. The thinking is at this point Brandon needs the team and they need him. However, this strained relationship leaves a number of things to think about.

The Jets are carrying four quarterbacks, and as everyone now knows, the Broncos have three quarterbacks that are all young in coach Josh McDaniels’ system. Kyle Orton’s and Chris Simms’ injuries have put the position in doubt. While Brandstater had a good debut as a starter, he has noticeable things he should work on before becoming the starter. 

Both Coach McDaniels and the Jets are high on Kevin O’Connell’s potential in the NFL. 

The question is, what will really come of Brandon Marshall this season and any possible trade?

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Jets Still Posturing For a Possible Brandon Marshall Trade with Broncos

 

Over the weekend a very interesting trade took place between the Detroit Lions and the New York Jets.

The Lions sent quarterback Kevin O’Connell to the Jets for an undisclosed pick.  The Lion acquired O’Connell off of waivers from the New England Patriots on September 1^st.  The trade occurred Saturday September 5^th.

What’s interesting here is that the Denver Broncos also put in a claim for O’Connell before he became the property of the Detroit Lions for a brief moment.

The New York Jets now have four quarterbacks on their roster and say they plan to “move forward with four quarterbacks on the roster.”

While the Jets legitimately like O’Connell he is also more valuable to them right now as trade bait. 

He is coming into a new system with three quarterbacks that have spent at least six months adapting to the new Jets regime.   Ahead of O’Connell on the depth chart are starter Mark Sanchez, Kellen Clemens a fourth year player out of Oregon, and Erik Ainge in his second year out of Tennessee.

The Jets in all likelihood will offer the Broncos O’Connell and draft picks.  The Broncos have been rumored to have shown some interest in Jets linebacker David Harris as well.  Keep in mind the Jets are depleted in high draft picks due to last year’s acquisition of Brett Favre and this year’s move to get Mark Sanchez.  

If the Broncos do eventually discuss a trade with New York, they should call the Jets bluff and ask for Mark Sanchez, which in all logic isn’t going to happen, but they should pursue that angle.  Sanchez has won the starting quarterback job in New York as a rookie.   

Sanchez was seen on the University of Colorado sidelines during the CU / CSU game all decked out in Buffs gear.  He was there supporting his longtime friend, CU wide-out Scotty McKnight.  Sanchez was standing alongside ironically enough, Broncos third stringer and fellow rookie Tom Brandstatter.

The Denver Broncos took Brandon Marshall off the suspended list on Sunday and officially made room for him on the roster by releasing former New England Patriot wide receiver Chad Jackson.  The Broncos had been carrying seven receivers.

It’s important to note that the Broncos have taken the stance that they are not looking to trade Brandon Marshall.  The thinking is at this point Brandon need the team and they need him.  However, this strained relationship leaves a number of things to think about.

The Jets are carrying four quarterbacks and as everyone now knows, the Broncos have three quarterbacks that are all young in Coach McDaniels’ system.  Kyle Orton’s and Chris Simms’ injuries have put the position in doubt.  While Tom Brandstatter had a good debut as a starter, he has noticeable things he should work on before becoming the starter. 

Both Coach McDaniels and the Jets are high on Kevin O’Connell’s potential in the NFL. 

The question is what will really come of Brandon Marshall this season and any possible trade?

 

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Are You Kidding Me? ESPN.com Denver Broncos Preview Out of Touch with Reality

It would appear as though most of ESPN’s NFL analysts have forgotten that football is an 11-on-11 sport.

In what would be the biggest waste of seven minutes of my life, I endured the ESPN.com official Denver Broncos 2009 season preview.

This preview was not only irrational, it was downright pathetic, and not just because I disagree.

Scouts Inc.’s Jeremy Green had one of the more intriguing comments on the Broncos’ 2009 prospects: “This is not a very good team, but in the AFC West that is enough for second place. The Broncos have concerns at quarterback, along the D-line, and in the secondary.”

Concerns in the secondary? Does this guy have the first clue what he is talking about?

Broncos fans do not even need me to go into detail here to explain this comment, but for those who are not in the know, the Broncos have one of the more formidable secondaries in the entire NFL.

In fact, the preview goes on to say that the Broncos’ biggest offseason addition was the signing of Andre’ Goodman to pair with Champ Bailey.

Another comment I found particularly disturbing was one by Paul Kuharsky: “Offseason debacle leaves team in position to struggle. The Broncos undid a high-flying offense while not doing near enough to fix a bad defense.”

Yes. Because the Broncos do not have Jay Cutler, they have “undid” a high-flying offense.

Also, not doing “near enough” to fix their bad defense? Might I offer a little wisdom here:

• Three new starters on the defensive line
• Three new starters at linebacker
• Three new starters in the defensive backfield
• First-round pick used on DE/OLB Robert Ayers
• Three picks in first two rounds used on defense
• Brought in Mike Nolan, a defensive guru
• Switched defensive schemes

Just because the Broncos did not break the bank for every available defensive free agent or draft pick does not mean they did not do enough to fix their defense.

The comment that prompted this article was one that was written by James Walker.

“Any hope of the Broncos having a successful season was shipped to the Windy City.”

It really is sad that this man was compensated to give this kind of an opinion.

It was also sad that second-year tackle Ryan Clady was given a grade of 79 out of 99 by Scouts Inc. I am not sure who justified this ranking, though it means nothing, but you have to give the guy credit where credit is due.

Clady allowed half a sack on 620 pass attempts and only had three penalties all of last season. He was the most dominant offensive lineman in the NFL, by far. There is really no disputing it.

I will give this preview some credit, though. They did state that Denver’s “strengths” were along the offensive line, with their offensive weaponry, and in their defensive backfield.

But is this preview really justifiable? Let us take a look at Denver’s 2009 roster compared to the 2008 team that went 8-8, and you tell me if this year’s squad is better.

 

Offense

Quarterback

Kyle Orton vs. Jay Cutler

Advantage: Cutler

Even the most anti-Cutler Broncos fan will tell you that Cutler is the better player than Orton. 

Despite the fact that many believe Orton is fully capable of being an excellent field general for the team, Jay Cutler is an elite talent. He has not proven it in terms of wins and losses, but his skill set is one of the best in the NFL.

Consensus: The Broncos clearly downgraded at the quarterback position, but not to the point where they will have to hand the ball off every play. Kyle Orton is a very capable, smart NFL quarterback.

ESPN 1, Sayre 0

 

Running Back

Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, Peyton Hillis, LaMont Jordan vs. Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall, etc.

Advantage: Moreno, Buckhalter, Hillis, Jordan

The Broncos’ 2008 group of running backs was makeshift. Not a single back that was on Denver’s active roster at the start of last year (save for Hillis) is currently on an active 53-man roster.

Denver’s new group of backs is versatile, tough, and just downright better than they have had since Clinton Portis roamed around the Mile High City.

Consensus: The Broncos undoubtedly upgraded at the running back position. Plain and simple.

ESPN 1, Sayre 1

 

Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny McKinley, Brandon Lloyd vs.  Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Clifford Russell

Advantage: Marshall, Royal, Stokley, Gaffney, McKinley, Lloyd

Last year’s group was not much different than the 2009 group, but the additions of McKinley, Lloyd, and Gaffney give the Broncos excellent depth at this position. The Broncos signed a few journeymen last year because of injuries to Stokley and Royal, and their lack of depth showed.

Consensus: Upgrade. No real debate there.

ESPN 1, Sayre 2

 

Tight End

Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn vs. Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Nate Jackson

Advantage: Graham, Scheffler, Quinn

The only difference here is the third tight end. Quinn is in some trouble right now, but on the field he is a superior prospect than Jackson, who was a converted wide receiver.

Consensus: Though only slightly, the Broncos upgraded at the tight end position this offseason.

ESPN 1, Sayre 3

 

Offensive Line

Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Tyler Polumbus, Seth Olsen, Russ Hochstein, Brandon Gorin vs. Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Polumbus

Advantage: 2009 Group

The Broncos’ starting offensive line is exactly the same as last year, but the depth has been significantly upgraded. Russ Hochstein, Seth Olsen, and Brandon Gorin were brought in to back up Denver’s offensive line and are far more capable than what the Broncos had in 2008.

Consensus: Along with experience from 2008 and upgrades in 2009, this unit has been upgraded overall.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Defense

Defensive Line

Kenny Peterson, Ryan McBean, Ronald Fields, Vonnie Holliday, Marcus Thomas, Chris Baker vs. Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Thomas, Ebenezer Ekuban, John Engleberger, Kenny Peterson, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, DeWayne Robertson

Advantage: Peterson, McBean, Fields, Holliday, Thomas, Baker

While this is a tough position to compare to last year, the change of scheme and increase in overall girth gives the 2009 unit the advantage.

Last season, Denver defensive linemen averaged roughly 6’3″, 275 lbs. This year, they average 6’4″, 300 lbs. That alone will help the linebackers greatly.

Consensus: The Broncos’ defensive front appears much more tough, formidable, and capable of stopping the run in the preseason, but I will be fair and wait to pass judgment until they get it done in the regular season. Wash.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Linebackers

D.J. Williams, Andra Davis, Elvis Dumervil, Mario Haggan, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Robert Ayers, Jarvis Moss, Darrell Reid vs. D.J. Williams, Boss Bailey, Jamie Winborn, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Mario Haggan

Advantage: Williams, Davis, Dumervil, Haggan, Woodyard, Larsen, Ayers, Moss, Reid

Again, the Broncos simply did what was needed to upgrade these positions. The hybrid linebackers could struggle in coverage at first, but that is a problem that can be fixed through experience. 

Consensus: Improvement.

ESPN 1, Sayre 5

 

Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Alphonso Smith, Jack Williams vs. Champ Bailey, Dre’ Bly, Karl Paymah, Jack Williams, Josh Bell

Advantage: Bailey, Goodman, Smith, Williams

The Broncos upgraded this position greatly this offseason by adding Goodman and Smith. The only thing they lack is pure depth. On the top end, they are among the best in the league.

Consensus: Upgrade.

ESPN 1, Sayre 6

 

Safeties

Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill, Josh Barrett, Darcel McBath, David Bruton vs. Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Calvin Lowery, Vernon Fox, Josh Barrett

Advantage: Dawkins, Hill, Barrett, McBath, Bruton

The Broncos’ 2008 unit was an absolute joke. 

Consensus: Upgrade, by far.

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

Specialists

Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Lonie Paxton vs. Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Mike Leach

Advantage: Neither

This one is a wash. Both Paxton and Leach are great long snappers. 

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

So, ESPN, it would appear to me that the Broncos have upgraded significantly from their team in 2008 despite losing Jay Cutler. The schemes and culture of this team have changed drastically, but this is the NFL, and these players are going to have to be able to pick things up quickly.

For a team that featured over a dozen rookie performers in 2008 starting at one point, this seasoned, more veteran team would appear to have a much better chance at eight wins than last year’s squad did.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

ESPN.com Denver Broncos Preview a Disgrace to Sports Journalism

It would appear as though most of ESPN’s NFL analysts have forgotten that football is an 11-on-11 sport.

In what would be the biggest waste of seven minutes of my life, I endured the ESPN.com official Denver Broncos 2009 season preview.

This preview was not only irrational, it was downright pathetic, and not just because I disagree.

Scout’s Inc.’s Jeremy Green had one of the more intriguing comments on the Broncos’ 2009 prospects:  “This is not a very good team, but in the AFC West that is enough for second place. The Broncos have concerns at quarterback, along the D-line and in the secondary.”

Concerns in the secondary?  Does this guy have the first clue what he is talking about?

Broncos fans do not even need me to go into detail here to explain this comment, but for those who are not in the know, the Broncos have one of the more formidable secondaries in the entire NFL.

In fact, the preview goes on to say that the Broncos’ biggest offseason addition was the signing of Andre’ Goodman to pair with Champ Bailey.

Another comment I found particularly disturbing was one by Paul Kuharsky: “Offseason debacle leaves team in position to struggle. The Broncos undid a high-flying offense while not doing near enough to fix a bad defense.”

Yes. Because the Broncos do not have Jay Cutler, they have “undid” a high-flying offense.

Also, not doing “near enough” to fix their bad defense?  Might I offer a little wisdom here:

• Three new starters on the defensive line
• Three new starters at linebacker
• Three new starters in the defensive backfield
• First-round pick used on DE/OLB Robert Ayers
• Three picks in first two rounds used on defense
• Brought in Mike Nolan, a defensive guru
• Switched defensive schemes

Just because the Broncos did not break the bank for every available defensive free agent or draft pick does not mean they did not do enough to fix their defense.

The comment that prompted this article was one that was written by James Walker.

“Any hope of the Broncos having a successful season was shipped to the Windy City.”

It really is sad that this man was compensated to give this kind of an opinion.

It was also sad that second year tackle Ryan Clady was given a grade of 79 out of 99 by Scout’s Inc.  I am not sure who justified this ranking, though it means nothing, but you have to give the guy credit where credit is due.

Clady allowed half a sack on 620 pass attempts and only had three penalties all of last season. He was the most dominant offensive lineman in the NFL, by far.  There is really no disputing it.

I will give this preview some credit, though. They did state that Denver’s “strengths” were along the offensive line, with their offensive weaponry, and in their defensive backfield.

But is this preview really justifiable?  Let us take a look at Denver’s 2009 roster compared to the 2008 team that went 8-8, and you tell me if this year’s squad is better.

 

Offense

 

Quarterback

Kyle Orton vs. Jay Cutler

Advantage:  Cutler

Even the most anti-Cutler Broncos fan will tell you that Cutler is the better player than Orton. 

Despite the fact that many believe Orton is fully capable of being an excellent field general for the team, Jay Cutler is an elite talent.  He has not proven it in terms of wins and losses, but his skill set is one of the best in the NFL.

Consensus:  The Broncos clearly downgraded at the quarterback position, but not to the point where they will have to hand the ball off every play. Kyle Orton is a very capable, smart NFL quarterback.

ESPN 1, Sayre 0

 

Running Back

Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, Peyton Hillis, LaMont Jordan vs. Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Andre Hall, etc.

Advantage:  Moreno, Buckhalter, Hillis, Jordan

The Broncos’ 2008 group of running backs was makeshift.  Not a single back that was on Denver’s active roster at the start of last year (save for Hillis) is currently on an active 53-man roster.

Denver’s new group of backs is versatile, tough, and just downright better than they have had since Clinton Portis roamed around the Mile High City.

Consensus:  The Broncos undoubtedly upgraded at the running back position. Plain and simple.

ESPN 1, Sayre 1

 

Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Jabar Gaffney, Kenny McKinley, Brandon Lloyd vs.  Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson, Clifford Russell

Advantage:  Marshall, Royal, Stokley, Gaffney, McKinley, Lloyd

Last year’s group was not much different than the 2009 group, but the additions of McKinley, Lloyd, and Gaffney give the Broncos excellent depth at this position.  The Broncos signed a few journeymen last year because of injuries to Stokley and Royal, and their lack of depth showed.

Consensus:  Upgrade.  No real debate there.

ESPN 1, Sayre 2

 

Tight End

Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Richard Quinn vs. Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler, Nate Jackson

Advantage:  Graham, Scheffler, Quinn

The only difference here is the third tight end. Quinn is in some trouble right now, but on the field he is a superior prospect than Jackson, who was a converted wide receiver.

Consensus:  Though only slightly, the Broncos upgraded at the tight end position this offseason.

ESPN 1, Sayre 3

 

Offensive Line

Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Tyler Polumbus, Seth Olsen, Russ Hochstein, Brandon Gorin vs. Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Ben Hamilton, Chris Kuper, Casey Wiegmann, Kory Lichtensteiger, Tyler Polumbus

Advantage:  2009 Group

The Broncos’ starting offensive line is exactly the same as last year, but the depth has been significantly upgraded. Russ Hochstein, Seth Olsen, and Brandon Gorin were brought in to back up Denver’s offensive line, and are far more capable than what the Broncos had in 2008.

Consensus: Along with experience from 2008 and upgrades in 2009, this unit has been upgraded overall.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Defense

 

Defensive Line

Kenny Peterson, Ryan McBean, Ronald Fields, Vonnie Holliday, Marcus Thomas, Chris Baker vs. Elvis Dumervil, Marcus Thomas, Ebenezer Ekuban, John Engleberger, Kenny Peterson, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, DeWayne Robertson

Advantage:  Peterson, McBean, Fields, Holliday, Thomas, Baker

While this is a tough position to compare to last year, the change of scheme and increase in overall girth gives the 2009 unit the advantage.

Last season, Denver defensive linemen averaged roughly 6’3″, 275-lbs. This year, they average 6’4″, 300-lbs. That alone will help the linebackers greatly.

Consensus: The Broncos’ defensive front appeared much more tough, formidable, and capable of stopping the run in the preseason, but I will be fair and wait to pass judgement until they get it done in the regular season. Wash.

ESPN 1, Sayre 4

 

Linebackers

D.J. Williams, Andra Davis, Elvis Dumervil, Mario Haggan, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Robert Ayers, Jarvis Moss, Darrell Reid vs. D.J. Williams, Boss Bailey, Jamie Winborn, Wesley Woodyard, Spencer Larsen, Mario Haggan

Advantage: Williams, Davis, Dumervil, Haggan, Woodyard, Larsen, Ayers, Moss, Reid

Again, the Broncos simply did what was needed to upgrade these positions. The hybrid linebackers could struggle in coverage at first, but that is a problem that can be fixed through experience. 

Consensus: Improvement

ESPN 1, Sayre 5

 

Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman, Alphonso Smith, Jack Williams vs. Champ Bailey, Dre’ Bly, Karl Paymah, Jack Williams, Josh Bell

Advantage: Bailey, Goodman, Smith, Williams

The Broncos upgraded this position greatly this offseason by adding Goodman and Smith.  The only thing they lack is pure depth. On the top end, they are among the best in the league.

Consensus: Upgrade

ESPN 1, Sayre 6

 

Safeties

Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill, Josh Barrett, Darcel McBath, David Bruton vs. Marlon McCree, Marquand Manuel, Calvin Lowery, Vernon Fox, Josh Barrett

Advantage:  Dawkins, Hill, Barrett, McBath, Bruton

The Broncos’ 2008 unit was an absolute joke. 

Consensus: Upgrade, by far

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

Specialists

Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Lonie Paxton vs. Matt Prater, Brett Kern, Mike Leach

Advantage:  Neither

This one is a wash.  Both Paxton and Leach are great long-snappers. 

ESPN 1, Sayre 7

 

So, ESPN, it would appear to me that the Broncos have upgraded significantly from their team in 2008 despite losing Jay Cutler.  The schemes and culture of this team have changed drastically, but this is the NFL and these players are going to have to be able to pick things up quickly.

For a team that featured over a dozen rookie performers in 2008 starting at one point, this seasoned, more veteran team would appear to have a much better chance at eight wins than last year’s squad did.

 

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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

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