The Importance of Finishing Well

by the Bradfather on Oct 22, 2009 3:59 PM MDT

As cliche as it sounds, it is well for the Broncos to remember it's not how you start, it's how you finish. With that said, what a way this season has started!

For starters, I'll explore our magnificent defense. With the acquisition of stalwarts such as Brian Dawkins, Andre' Goodman, Andra Davis, Ronald Fields and Mike Nolan, we have surrendered only 66 points this season, or 11 per contest. To put this into perspective, it took the New Orleans Saints just over six quarters at the start of the season to amass that many points while it's taken six weeks for the Broncos to give up that much.

Additionally, Kyle Orton, while not the flashiest signal-caller out there does nothing but excel. His statistics thus far on the season (124 of 194, 1,465 yards, 9 TD's, 1 INT) speak for themselves and he has nothing to prove to anyone. He only has to do what he's done thus far this season.

In this assessment, I'd be remiss if I failed to give Eddie Royal credit for his numerous contributions. While the classy speedster could easily pout about his diminished looks and production, he has instead maximized his opportunities. While San Diego's kick coverage units really suck, Royal was still excellent as he became only the 11th player in NFL history (and the sixth since the merger) to return a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same game.

Oddly enough, when Darren Sproles' 77-yard punt return for a score is taken into account, our Monday night assertion of dominance at Tijuana North is now the only game in NFL history where one team returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns and the other team also returned a punt for a touchdown. As an amateur historian (and one who hopes to work in Canton perusing NFL archives one day), this is one of the coolest aspects of our win over the Bolts.

With all of this said, I give all the plaudits to Mr. Bowlen and Josh McDaniels, who continues to equal the great Red Miller in excellence and effectiveness. With McDaniels, Dawkins and Brandon Stokley ascertaining that ego is kept to a minimum in the locker room, I have no doubt we'll finish well.

In closing, after the bye we should get a healthy Spencer Larsen back. He is a more athletic version of Mike Vrabel and can be utilized in various ways. I'd hate to be Fabian Washington or any other Ravens defensive back having to face the likes of Brandon Marshall, Jabar Gaffney, Royal, Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler or Stokley November 1. This is a team that will only improve so let's all enjoy it and see where the magic carpet ride takes us. GO BRONCOS!!!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Good stuff...

One thing I noticed about our first half D is that it plays just hard enough to keep our team from falling behind too badly. Almost like they are conserving energy they intend to use for the entire second half to dominate the other side. I know we need to get better in the first half, but not at the expense of losing dominance in the second half. ;) It’s our offense that needs to step things up in the first half.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The guy formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Oct 22, 2009 4:48 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

ditto what he said. :D

I agree. The defense seems to use the 1st half to probe and test what the other team’s offense is capable of, then Nolan adjusts the defense to shut it down.

The offense almost seems to be doing the same thing — probing for weaknesses. Look at our scoring by quarter:

1st = 33
2nd = 33
1st Half = 66
3rd = 23
4th = 50
2nd Half = 73

"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It

by Brian Shrout on Oct 22, 2009 7:08 PM MDT up reply actions