Thoughts, 20.10.09

This edition of Thoughts will be a much shorter version, unfortunately (or not).

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT FOR NDBRONCO, RANDOMNESS:

1) Before the coin toss, the officials needed to separate the two teams after they started going at each other. Clearly, there was some animosity between them, as some were actively shouting at each other and letting it get to them. The Broncos perhaps let it all sink in a little too much, because Marshall negated a Chargers penalty that would have given them a 1st down by kicking the ball (getting a delay of game penalty), and Knowshon got his own (delay of game, as well) penalty that the team usually usually won't commit.

It's a divisional game, of course, so I don't expect them to make these sorts of mistakes under normal conditions.

2) Clady may be charged for another sack this  week, but this one is mostly on Kyle for holding onto the ball to long. He should have tossed the ball away, but tried to extend the play and was taken down by his leg. Ryan could have done a better job of containing his man, however.

3) Hillis' presence in the game consisted of blocking and 2 special teams tackles.

4) Fields had a nice tackle on Tomlinson.  As he broke through the hole, Fields showed some speed by spinning around and taking him down from behind.

5) Time of Possession per quarter:

Total Time of Possession:

(These numbers don't actually quite add up. Denver's do, but if you add up San Diego's, there's 14 seconds more than the total time listed; but the total times - 30:43 and 29:17 - equal 60 minutes. Guess I just slightly miscalculated the Chargers' ToP. Sorreh.)

6) On one play, Orton read the defense and changed the play, tapping the sides of his helmet. You could see the receivers all making the same motion to each other, all making sure the other knows about the play-change. The play then broke off for a long gain on an Orton pass.

It was a brilliant play. First Kyle recognising what he saw on the field, then calling a play that would beat it, the offense communicating it to each other, and finally, executing it. Damn near perfect. The communication, the execution, the efficiency.

7) Let me hear it for Elway! Hell yeah!

8) Despite missing most of the first half with an injury, Dawkins still cheered in his typically crazed way on the sideline. He may not have been playing, but he wasn't going to be any less intense because of it.

9) The Chargers had uniquely different endzones, just like the Broncos do. I haven't been paying much attention to it, but I presume bringing back the old endzones is another part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

10) Orton was surprisingly (or not) mobile. Although he couldn't get away from the one player noted above, he did get away from many others. The few times the O-Line struggled, Orton would silkily (or not) slide and step up to make one of his many completions, or just scramble out of trouble to make that throw or race for his own yards.
Although I didn't think he was stiff in the pocket, I didn't think he was this mobile, either.

11) The Broncos had 4 penalties, 1.5 fewer than their current average. They're ranked 9th in fewest penalties.

12) Tony Scheffler had an amazing game.The pass that went 52 yards to the 8 was so lucky it could have been a miracle, although it may not have looked like it. The first tackle he broke that allowed him to take it so far was because the player just narrowly missed his leg. His timing was a split-second off, and Tony's knee skimmed past his shoulder and then his leg somehow slipped past his shutting arms. If he leaped a moment earlier or later, the result would likely have been very different.

Credit to Tony for making the most of that pass, though. Whether slipping past the tackle was lucky or not  can be debated to be lucky or not, but regardless, everything else was him. Great effort, and just one of the plays that proved he's still a great player.

13) Hopefully I haven't given the wrong impression on the O-Line so far, because they played extremely well. As the commentary team noted, SD's defense was throwing everything it could at them, and just kept failing. You could almost feel sorry for them, because when they weren't getting just plain blanked by the line, Orton was shifting out of their gripping fingers.

14) In the only Rivers fumble the Broncos recovered, the commentator saw the pressure coming and shouted, "Look out Rivers!" Just as soon as he finished that, Rivers was slammed by Doom and coughed up the ball.

I'm not very knowledgeable of Rivers' tendencies, but after watching the SD/Pittsburg game and now this one, he seems to have trouble holding onto the ball when he faces a lot of pressure, despite also having a knack for making great (and lucky) plays with the hands in his face.

15) is it fair to say that the Broncos' second-half adjustments are becoming legendary?

16) When Stokes scored his touchdown and quickly ran off the field to, seemingly, celebrate, Coach McDaniels was shouting at the team to get off the pitch. It didn't seem like any other occasion that he'd do that, just to keep the game moving, but he may have sensed that all wasn't right with the way the play ended (Brandon seemed to be making the flag-throwing motion as he ran off) and wanted to kick the extra point before the Chargers had a chance to challenge it.

17) DJ's second sack of the season was also his second forced fumble. Rivers, honestly, was a shiny, white plate waiting for a charging bull, and was fortunate that the ball bounced his way, or it may have gone for a Broncos touchdown. Williams was a brutal force going through the center, and Tomlinson didn't fare much better than Rivers did on this play; his attempts to block him were awful.

18) Did anyone give Steve Young a moment's notice when he decided open his mouth? I managed to catch the pre-game show, and heard them announcing that he was going to speak and muted it and went on doing something else because I have no interest in what he has to say. Apparently, he ended up back-tracking and making excuses when the game ended. Guess he still Isn't appreciating the irony of the parallel between his and Kyle Orton's career?

If anything, all this bouncing between opinions is just funny.

19) Kyle's stellar play continues...

For interest's sake, here's a comparison of Orton's stats this year so far versus his career stats:

Not bad at all.

20) There's been a lot of Prater hate around, and it's really disappointing, especially after he missed a 54 yarder (i.e. it wasn't a gimme). I'm not trying to make excuses, but people just seem to be itching for him to make a mistake, just so they can rag on him. He only kicked the game-winning field goal a week ago. Are our memories that short? Are we back to calling him a bum?

21) Unlike the last games, special teams returning played very well (with Royal's likely oft-mentioned 2 returns for TD's), but the coverage teams gave up a critical touchdown of their own at the end of the half.

22) Rivers was pressured all game long. He had to make many throws from a collapsing pocket, or had to scramble to get the throw off. It's no surprise that they could hardly do anything in the second half, especially when you look at the final bunch of plays. He was getting rushed, whacked, slammed two ways 'round... well, call it stifling or swarming or whatever you want, but it was awesome to watch.
Hearing the words "every play" in the dying moments of the game is exactly what I want to hear. The defense was bringing the hurt on every play.

23) My favourite pictures of the game:

The opening ceremony, taken with a fisheye lens (in case anyone's interested).

via www1.pictures.zimbio.com

Kyle Orton commands the offense.

via www3.pictures.zimbio.com

Eddie smiles after scoring his second touchdown.

via www4.pictures.zimbio.com

One of Rivers' fumbles.

via www1.pictures.zimbio.com

Moreno dives for a first down.

via www2.pictures.zimbio.com

Stokely and Mario Haggan celebrate Brandon's touchdown catch.

via www1.pictures.zimbio.com

Andra (with Darrell Reid in the background) walks off the field after the Broncos' victory.

via www2.pictures.zimbio.com

NO, MR. BOND, I EXPECT YOU BE MORE PROFESSIONAL LIKE THAT HARRY PALMER GUY. AND... CUT!

Well, that's all folks! Time to eat! And then may sleep a little before I head to town... I need to get me some ISIS tickets!