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The affect of McDaniels promotion to offensive coordinator
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Shallow Thoughts & Nearsighted Observations
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Brandon Marshall's On-Field Problems
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13-3 Baby!!! (or more reasons to believe)
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Horse Tracks 7/1/09 - Piling on BMarsh

Broncos Dreams and Musings July 3, 2009

Denver Broncos linebacker Darrell Reid, left, talks with head coach Josh McDaniels before drills during the team's football minicamp at the Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

19 days ago: Denver Broncos linebacker Darrell Reid, left, talks with head coach Josh McDaniels before drills during the team's football minicamp at the Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Denver Broncos and Michael Lombardi

I was meandering through some old materials this weekend when I found a pre-draft set of concerns about the Broncos by Michael Lombardi. I had thought at the time that they were reasonable and a fair consideration, so I kept them around. Here is what he said:

DENVER       

  1.  Who is going to be the Broncos starting quarterback? Can they repair, restore and revive the relationship between Jay Cutler and the head coach?
  2. With the switch to a 3-4 there are plenty of positions up for grabs, but the essential question is this: Who will rush the passer from the outside? 
  3. Denver forced only 13 turnovers last season and clearly lack speed on every level of their defense.  Who is going to be their playmaker?
  4. The Broncos struggled to cover anyone, even with Champ Bailey, and finished with just six interceptions for the season.  Who can cover?
  5. Can they expect to get another year out of Casey Wiegmann at center? They struggled when they played physical defensive teams

I thought, even then, that these were excellent questions. There was not doubt that predraft, the Broncos had reason to give pause to even the most voracious fans. This led to a lot of musing on what happened and dreams of what might be. That being said, let's take them one at a time and see if Denver did anything to work out those concerns.

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Horse Tracks 7/3/09 - What is Jamie Dukes' problem?

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Twitter - "A 1 gets BM"
Schefter says the Broncos WILL take calls on BMarsh, not that they presently are doing so. He thinks a first-rounder will pry Marshall loose. I don't see anyone paying that, but I'd take it if I'm the Broncos...

ADG - Hillis anticipating role with new staff
An update on Peyton Hillis from one of his hometown papers. Apparently, Hillis had pretty good skills on the diamond as well. He says he's working to avoid more hits next year.

SI - Eagles, Patriots, Falcons produce best NFL offseasons of 2009 - Ross Tucker
This is a fair one. Ross Tucker counts Denver's offseason among the worst; it was a rough one no matter how you look at it. But at least Tucker realizes some good things happened for the Broncos, too. For the Protectors of All Things Negative, this is how it's done.

NFL - Reed edges out Polamalu as league's best safety
Bucky Brooks ranks BDawk among his top-five safeties. So does Rod Woodson in the NFLN clip; he talks about what BDawk will bring to Denver, and of course, Jamie Dukes points out that he can't throw the football. Classic Dukes.

DP - Paige: ESPN: Nugs, not Broncs, best in show
Woody wrote a newspaper article about a magazine article. Why in the world would he do that? Oh, right. It was ESPN the Magazine, and Woody works for ESPN. Got it.

DP - Judge "tired" of stalled Hicks trial
The federal judge who will hear Brian Hicks' cocaine trial is weary of the defendant's stall tactics. (Hicks' truck was used in the murder of D-Will).

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Horse Tracks 7/2/09 - Knowshon is a ham

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DB - Hosting Camps to Give Back
Gray Caldwell speaks with three Broncos hosting football camps this summer - Darrell Reid, Daniel Graham and Chad Jackson. DG says he was inspired during his childhood by school visits from Alfred Williams and Shannon Sharpe. Many current Broncos helped out at DG's camp, including several rookies.

DB - Graham Teaches More than Football at Free Camp - Broncos TV
Chris Hall reports from DG's camp.

DB - NFL Network: Hardest Hitters - Steve Atwater
Man, do I ever miss the days of Atwater and Smith. We may never see that again in Denver, but at least we've finally got some serious talent back there now. Dawkins, Hill, McBath, Bruton, Barrett. Sounds a lot better than McCree and Manuel, doesn't it?

DB - NFL Network: Hardest Hitters - John Lynch
Wow, what an amazing bunch of John Lynch hits. He actually knocked out his best friend/brother-in-law in a game once. And then just walked away...

SI - Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings both motivated by money - Don Banks
Don Banks speaks with Meshawn Johnson about being a WR diva; Key has some harsh words for BMarsh.

FOX - Schein: Marshall staying put - Video
Adam Schein tells BMarsh he's got chance of going anywhere. He does offer up some misinformation, as Brandon will NOT be a free agent next year. Well, not one who can get a lot of money; Denver could still stick him with a first-round tender which would garner Marshall less than $3 million in 2010.

NFL - Rookie class of 2009 given lessons by 2008 group at symposium - Vic Carucci
Eddie Royal appeared at the symposium, telling the incoming rookies to spend more time working out and preparing for the season. He also stressed the importance of talking to veterans and seeking their guidance.

DB - NFL Network: Moreno at Rookie Symposium - Part 2
Here is the second part of Knowshon's video diary

NYT - Quick Hands From Nicks, and a Bond Between Sanchez and Stafford
YouTube clip from the "NFL Rookies Got Talent" featuring several top draft choices. Knowshon is up last, but it's worth the wait. Kid is a comedian, for sure. He's also got some singing pipes!

CL - Reaching out
Former Broncos WR Willie Green is among a select few African-Americans to own a golf course, and he is helping introduce the game to children who would otherwise find golf inaccessible.

DP - There's only one No. 7 in Colorado — and it's not Chauncey
Chauncey Billups wore #7 for one year in Denver as a tribute to his idol, The Greatest Ever. Now, he's switching to #1 so there will be only one #7 in Denver. That's just awesome.

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Horse Tracks 7/1/09 - Piling on BMarsh

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DB - Not Your Quinn-tessential Rookie
Chris Gentilviso profiles rookie tight end Richard Quinn, who is learning Josh McDaniels' offense with plenty of help from Daniel Graham. McDaniels praises Quinn's ability to catch passes and block in the running and passing games.

DB - A New Transition
Zach Eisendrath profiles rookie WR Kenny McKinley, who Steve Spurrier calls the best wideout he's ever coached. Like Quinn, McKinley has been leaning on someone familiar with Josh McDaniels' offense - fellow Spurrier product Jabar Gaffney.

KMGH - Brandon Marshall To Police: I Hate Denver
BMarsh apparently has expressed his wishes to leave Denver before the recent trade request; the police report obtained from his DUI arrest quotes him saying "I hate Denver. I hope I get traded. I hate this f____ city." BMarsh also apparently asked the arresting officers, "Why aren't you guys out looking for (Darrent) Williams' killer?" Included is a link to a copy of the police report. Keep in mind - he was drunk.

NFP - Five offensive players who may surprise
Matt Bowen thinks Kyle Orton was misplaced in the Chicago offense and expects bigger things out of him in Josh McDaniels' system.

WBIR - Former Vol captain Al Wilson back in Knoxville
AL Wilson is in TN for his football camp and to meet with kids at the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs.

 

 

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Shallow Thoughts & Nearsighted Observations

Happy Tuesday to all MHR community members.  I've been absent for a few weeks, mostly due to craziness in my day job, but at least partially due to a lack of awe-inspiring topics to write about.  This is the worst part of the football year, where nothing is going on. 

Today, we'll talk about the other teams the Broncos play this season, including AFC second-place teams and the AFC West, and time permitting, I kind of feel like beating up on some MSM writing.  We shall see how far I am able to get, and for now, I am going to get right to it.  Ready.... BEGIN!!!

1.  As promised, let's continue the around-the-league offseason evaluations...


a.  Indianapolis Colts  (2008 Record  12-4, Lost in Wild Card Round of Playoffs)

Smart Personnel Moves - I really liked the selection of Donald Brown, the RB from UConn.  Joseph Addai is a nice player when you keep his carries down, but Brown is a workhorse kind of back.  I expect that he will ultimately get 2/3 of the carries for the Colts, with Addai getting the other 1/3.  Running the ball effectively is crucial for the Colts, because when the defense has to play the run, Peyton Manning just shreds secondaries.  He is very good against dedicated pass coverage, but he is great against 8 in the box.  I also liked the pick of Austin Collie, a WR from BYU.  He has a really good feel for the passing game, and can be a good slot player in the NFL.

Questionable Personnel Moves - I get that the Colts have a minimalist strategy in free agency, but I think that they are going to regret not doing more to replace Marvin HarrisonReggie Wayne has really been the #1 guy the past few years, but Anthony Gonzalez is below average for a #2, and should be playing in the slot.  If any team should have signed Terrell Owens, it's the Colts.  Peyton Manning is one QB he couldn't ever throw under the bus, and the Colts have the kind of program he would have a hard time poisoning.

ST&NO Outlook - I have some reason to think that the Colts are going to decline a little bit this season.  There has been a lot of turnover on the coaching staff, and I don't see how you could have a lot of faith in Jim Caldwell, given his underwhelming tenure as a head coach at Wake Forest.  I also think #2 WR and the right side of the O-Line are going to be weaknesses, and that the defense will continue to be vulnerable to the run.  Despite this, the Colts will be in the playoff mix, as usual.  They'll be good, but not elite.

Poll
Which is the tougher set of incremental games: San Diego's first-place schedule, or Denver's second-place schedule?

  776 votes | Results

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Horse Tracks 6/30/09 - Hoping to reverse Denver's KC Hex

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NFLN - NFL Videos: Rookie diary: Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon shares some quick details about his first day at the NFL's rookie symposium.

KCS - Arrowhead Stadium upgrade on track for opener
Hopefully this will change the Broncos' luck in KC...maybe a construction worker will bury a Denver jersey somewhere. A Boston fan buried a Red Sox jersey in the new Yankee Stadium as it was being built (it was unearthed by the Steinbrenner's at great expense), and the Sox have not yet lost to the Yanks this year...

DP - Town pays tribute to slain coach
Anthony Cotton reports from the funeral of Aplington-Parkersburg High School's slain football coach, Ed Thomas.

AP - Thousands gather to remember Iowa high school football coach

Y! - Faith after shock
Josh Peter looks back at a difficult week in Parkersburg, Iowa.

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Horse Tracks 6/29/09 - No news is definitely good news.

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Happy Monday, MHR Friends! Nothing Broncos-centric today, as we've officially entered the dead of summer. It's actually kind of a relief, isn't it? Hopefully the BMarsh situation will just cool down over the next month, he'll be at camp in a month and everything will be hunky-dory. We can dream, right? I'll use today to catch up on a bunch of PFW stories and ESPN's recap of the decade. There's some interesting stuff there, but I can't help but think - why all this wrap-up-the-decade stuff when it's not even over yet?

NFP - Sunday at the Post
Mike Lombardi says he looks to Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling for writing inspiration. He doubts MIke Brown has much left to offer the Chefs, and he points out that JaMarcus The Hutt disappeared after calling for his teammates to practice after OTAs. Wow, where was that story?!

SI - Trent Green on Michael Vick, Brett Favre, concussions, more NFL
Freshly into retirement, Trent Green steps in for PKing and does a nice job with his Monday column.

 

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Horse Tracks 6/28/09 - Foxworth goes home

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BS - New Ravens cornerback Foxworth wise beyond his years
Childs Walker offers a brilliant profile of Domonique Foxworth, the former Broncos CB who's headed back home to Maryland to play for the Ravens. Champ Bailey offers insight on his friend and ex-mate. No way the Broncos would've paid Foxworth the big bucks he got this spring, but his intellect and maturity are an asset to any team.

BS - Domonique Foxworth: a life of purpose

DP - Slain Iowa prep coach left an indelible mark
Kiszla responds to emails.

KCS - Chiefs running back Savage getting help from someone who’s been there

CBS - League asks high court to hear antitrust case over merchandise

NFL - There is no offseason: NFL teams keep busy, even after games are done
Recapping a dramatic and tumultuous offseason. No, not just in Denver - everywhere!

CBS - Positional Rankings: End
Prisco ranks his top-10 defensive ends, starting with Jared Allen.

NFP - 2009 Scouting Series: Boise State - Wes Bunting

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Denver Broncos Injuries

Probable

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Daniel Graham ankle 12/28/2008
Marquand Manuel ankle 12/28/2008
Brandon Stokley foot 12/28/2008
Champ Bailey elbow 12/28/2008
Chris Kuper hand 12/28/2008
Brandon Marshall hip 12/28/2008
D.J. Williams shoulder 12/28/2008
Ryan Clady ankle 12/28/2008
Ryan Harris back 12/28/2008
Spencer Larsen groin 12/28/2008
Eddie Royal thumb 12/28/2008

Questionable

Player Injury Type Injury Date
J.J. Arrington knee 02/01/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Boss Bailey knee 10/22/2008
Brandon Gorin shoulder 08/17/2008
Michael Pittman neck 11/03/2008
P.J. Pope hamstring 12/22/2008
Matt McChesney knee 11/15/2008
Andre Hall hand 11/03/2008
Nate Jackson hamstring 11/20/2008
Tom Nalen knee 09/23/2008
Selvin Young neck 12/22/2008
Josh Shaw elbow 12/02/2008
Edell Shepherd knee 07/26/2008
Clifford Russell neck 09/30/2008
Peyton Hillis hamstring 12/09/2008
Ryan Torain knee 11/10/2008

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