Horse Tracks 11/5/09 - McBean, J. Williams, Bruton miss practice; Clark unlikely to play for Steelers
Thanks for all of your votes and input yesterday, folks! I think it provided enough feedback/encouragement to help make Horse Tracks a tighter ship, and I truly appreciate it. But just to be clear, I'm not looking to make Tracks easier/faster for myself. I'm just trying to cut the fat so I can add back in some commentary/snark where it's called for (ironically, not much today).
DB - Week 9 - Wed: McDaniels - Broncos TV
DPP - Briefs: Broncos a big zero on opening drives this season - Lindsay Jones
OT Ryan Harris (out w/two dislocated toes), DE Ryan McBean (MCL), CB Jack Williams (unkown) and S David Bruton (ankle) missed practice.
CSG - Broncos notes: Altitude likely to sideline Steelers' Clark - Frank Schwab
DB - Déjà Vu All Over Again? - Gray Caldwell
DB - Ecstatic To Enter The Locker Room - Chris Gentilviso
Carlton Powell is thrilled to be back with the Broncos, while Lance Ball found a couple of familiar faces in Denver.
CBS - Rating big trade winners, losers at midseason - Clark Judge
"The move was supposed to say more about McDaniels than Cutler, and maybe it did. Maybe it said he knew what he was doing." My, how things have changed...
DB - Week 9 - Wed: Orton - Broncos TV
DB - Week 9 - Wed: Dawkins - Broncos TV
CSG - Broncos prepare for physical Steelers on Monday night - Frank Schwab
CSG - Nothing wasted on young coaches Tomlin, McDaniels - Frank Schwab
DPP - Krieger: Broncos pit their new physicality against the masters
DPP - Broncos brace for black-and-gold invasion by Steelers fans - Jeff Legwold
DPP - Analysis: Broncos' running game vital against Pittsburgh - Jeff Legwold
DPP - Q&A: Broncos short-sighted in passing game - Jeff Legwold
DP - Orton expects Broncos to rebound against Steelers - Mike Chambers
KDVR - Broncos vs. Steelers Preview: Gadget plays may be a factor
DP - Woody's Mailbag: Can hurry-up help?
AP - Staggered Broncos Out To Avoid Losing Streak - Arnie Stapleton
DB - When Overtime Became Reality - Jim Saccomano
Sacco recalls the NFL's first OT game, which happened to be Broncos/Steelers at Mile High.
CBS4 - Broncos To Honor Vets, Active Duty Military Monday
Steelers News
PPG - On the Steelers: Injured Kirschke unlikely to play - Ed Bouchette
Old friend (barely) Nick Eason will be starting at LDE in place of the injured Aaron Smith and Travis Kirschke.
Y! - Another Clark episode not worth the risk - Charles Robinson
FH - Hines Ward's the NFL's Dirtiest Player? - J.J. Cooper
SI - Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL's dirtiest player, peers say - Richard Deitsch
Troy Polamalu also made the list; BMarsh received one vote from the 296 players polled
SN - Knock on Troy Polamalu: huge hitter but not a textbook tackler - Dennis Dillon
BCT - Steelers' Starks can make 2009 even better - Mike Bires
AFC West News
FH - NFL Oddly Quiet About Larry Johnson, Tom Cable and Personal Conduct - Nancy Gay
ESPN - Dangerous Player: Darren Sproles, Chargers RB - Bill Williamson
SDUT - Rivers, Manning forever linked by draft - Kevin Acee
SDUT - Hardwick practices; Sunday return possible - Chris Jenkins
SDUT - Chambers sought legal help vs. ex-girlfriend - Brent Schrotenboer
SFC - Cable's job appears safe, at least for now - David White
SFC - Gwen Knapp: Davis needs to hear out allegations
SFG - Raiders Silver and Black Blog : Satele wins job - David White
OT - Monte Poole: Oakland Raiders -- Weird is the new normal
KCS - Chiefs believe Chambers can help them - Adam Teicher
KCS - Chiefs notebook: Page placed on injured reserve - Kent Babb
KCS - Messages from team and fans directed at Larry Johnson - Kent Babb
NFL News
NFL - Wednesday Injury Reports
Y! - Thomas shoots down strike talk rumors - Jason Cole
NFL Opinion
SN - Confluence of influence: NFL coaches praise mentors - Dennis Dillon
McD on Belichick, Kubes on Shanny
FOX - Not all injury absences are created equal - Alex Marvez
Marvez thinks the injuries to Nick Hardwick and Jamal Williams (although big) are why the Dolts have had a slow start (NORV). Right (NORV). And why did they have a slow start last year (NORV)? Just as a reminder, Marty was fired after going 14-2. Hmm. What could it be? (NORV)
NFL - Saints and Colts are 7-0, but is quest for perfection realistic? - Pat Kirwan
NFL - It's time to wonder: Are these teams who we thought they were? - Steve Wyche
ESPN - NFL: Division races lack usual sizzle - John Clayton
FH - Zebra Report: 'Instant' Replays No More - Matt Snyder
SI - Dallas Cowboys rising in Week 9 NFL Power Rankings - Don Banks
FOX - Week 9 Cheat Sheet: NFL picks and predictions - Peter Schrager
"The Pick: Steelers 28, Broncos 13"
NYT - Week 9 Game Probabilities, and a Forecast for Giants-Chargers - Brian Burke
NFP - Tavern talk: Giants struggle to solve problems - Mike Lombardi
NFL - Defensive failures at root of Giants' three-game losing streak - Bucky Brooks
NFP - Scheme Session: the big play Eagles - Matt Bowen
NFP - Darren Sharper for MVP? - Matt Bowen
Special "What's Wrong in Cleveland" Section
FH - Dirty Dozen: What Have They Done With The Browns? - Dave Goldberg
PFW - Browns fumbling away another season - Tom Danyluk
NFP - Wednesday whys: Will Kokinis get paid by the Browns? - Andrew Brandt
NFP - The mess in Cleveland gets worse - Robert Boland
NFP - A lesson learned in Cleveland - Jack Bechta
More excellent insight here
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Comments
Thanks Doug, It is your hard work and Dedication that makes Horse Tracks a tight ship...Captain.
Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM
by UB3 on Nov 5, 2009 6:48 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Doug... good stuff as always
It’s interesting the article by Bowen on Shaper for MVP. A couple of weeks back, I was wondering the same thing about Dawkins. Pull him out of the lineup and what have you got? Would the Denver D still be the Denver D?
I know MVP is a QB award but unplug one guy from the Broncos and who would it be that makes the most impact in terms of W’s? My money is on Dawkins or Clady. Two guys who for some reason will never be considered for MVP which is a shame.
"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams
by orange&blue_aussie on Nov 5, 2009 7:12 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Clark Judge doesn't have the first damn clue about Robert Ayers
He has made a very good contribution, in my evaluation. I know McGeorge has tended to disagree, but I’ve liked the steady improvement, physicality, and effort I have seen from Ayers.
Judge is a guy who doesn’t know what’s happening away from the ball, whatsoever.
"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy
by Ted Bartlett on Nov 5, 2009 7:31 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
But wait!
He doesn’t have any sacks or a lot of tackles!!!! How can he possibly be anything but a bust?!?!?!?!
formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan
by Douglas A. Lee on Nov 5, 2009 7:47 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Robert Ayers looked real good vs Baltimore. I even lauded his play in your most recent STNO. I’m coming around on him. I didn’t like him at all leading up to the NFL draft.
My ire has turned to Alphonso Smith. He was great vs Cincy, but he has been a disappointment since his injury in Oakland. He has not improved, he has regressed. I don’t see the best CB in the 2009 NFL draft when I watch Alphonso Smith play. I’m far from sold on Quinn as well but I realize Richard was drafted for 2010 and beyond when Graham becomes too expensive to keep on the roster.
I’ve seen several people praise our 2009 draft at MHR, but IMO that is a rush to judgment. With our rookies, there are some things I like and some things I don’t. With only seven games under their belts, it’s still too early for labels like star or bust.
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 8:04 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Ayers, Smith and moreno are still learning NFL speed.
All together different than college level. They’ll be fine when they start making the adjustments without thinking about it. Hard to get down on a rookie play IMO, they are not all created equal.
by bfree2bronc on Nov 5, 2009 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
All three played SEC or ACC ball so it was pretty fast and competitive.
Clady and Royal picked up NFL speed much quicker than our 2009 crop of rookies. So did Jarius Byrd of Buffalo and his 6+ ints as a rookie this season.
You say they will be fine when they make the adjustment, but some guys never make the adjustment. They may or may not be fine, it’s not a given. But it is still too early for labels that stick.
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 9:38 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Tyson Jackson the 3rd pick only has 5 tkls and no sacks.
Does that make him a bust? Considering how many on here wanted us to draft him? I don’t think so and we won’t know for 3 or 4 years. Jarvis Moss is still here for some reason and I am sure McDaniels has a plan for him. Sure, we see Smith’s play not as good as it was in week one and that also may be for a reason. Heck, we are just now seeing Hillis back on the offensive field, so it is a little early to get concerned about certain players.
by bfree2bronc on Nov 5, 2009 12:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s never too early to be concerned about our rookies, but its way too early to pass judgement on them.
I like to think Tyson Jackson is a bust, but that is because I hate the Chefs more than any other team. I’m already thrilled at the poor play of Dorsey and Alberts. The Chefs are a train wreck right now.
Jarvis Moss = Bust.
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 2:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
The chiefs as your number one?
Interesting… mine is absolutely the Chargers. I kind of enjoy the Raiders, as long as Al is continuing to feast on the souls of his coaches. The chiefs never really did it for me, although I am younger(ish) kind of fan. I have a lot of connections in SD, which might contribute to that hatred.
by legendarywalton on Nov 5, 2009 3:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Chefs all the way. Don’t like those midwest fans, don’t like their ugly red uniforms, don’t like their statium, don’t like their city. Nothing, I like nothing about KC or the Chefs. Well, maybe I like the BBQ, but still.
I like the SD’s powder blue uniforms and I love crazy undead Al Davis so it can’t be either of those teams.
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 4:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
LW, I’d definitely say it’s an issue of age/time as a Broncos fan. The Chargers have only become a true rival since Rivers took over – 4 years ago. Although I’ve quickly developed a hatred for them, it’s much less so than my feelings toward the Chefs and Raiders. Personally, I grew up rooting for Elway’s Broncos, and they practically never lost to the Dolts or SeaChickens. It was the Raiders and Chefs who werre the true rivals. Anyone older than I probably feels even more strongly so…
For much of my time as a Broncos fan, the Dolts were nothing more than a nuisance. Even though they were very good pre-Rivers for a bit, they still had Marty coaching them, and he could never beat Elway or Shanny.
formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan
by Douglas A. Lee on Nov 5, 2009 5:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Love the new "What's Wrong in Cleveland" section.
AKA, “The Train Wreck Starts Here.”
Thanks for another fantastic season...here's to Rocktober 2010!
"If you do it right 51 percent of the time, you will end up a hero." - Alfred P. Sloan
by Duncan1800 on Nov 5, 2009 7:49 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Doug
Waves Hand. There’s nothing wrong in San Diego(NORV)
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Nov 5, 2009 7:52 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Did the DP fire Jim Armstrong?
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 7:56 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Why do you ask? He doesn’t write all that often (maybe twice a week on the Broncos?) – his last column on them was on the 2nd
formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan
by Douglas A. Lee on Nov 5, 2009 8:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Guess he is still there. There are so many writers at the DP with infrequent columns, I can’t keep track anymore.
This is my favorite website.
by McGeorge on Nov 5, 2009 8:06 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Doug.
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Nov 5, 2009 8:19 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the Tracks Doug
I sure hope all the Bronco fans going to the game where the blue and orange. I hate seeing the steelers colors evey where
live and die blue and orange
by jerry251 on Nov 5, 2009 8:43 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
I dony know if anyone cares about power rankings
but pat kirwan is an idiot. He has both NE and CIN ahead of the broncos. I know we dont care about the MSM but how do you justify putting a team with a better record behind two teams of a lesser record who have already lost to the team behind them?!?!??! where in a pea-sized brain does this make sense?
http://fanrankings.nfl.com/picks/expert_picks
HILLIS
by robbo650 on Nov 5, 2009 9:06 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Well...
If record and head-to-head games were what determined power polls, then where’s the room for opinion? Power rankings are what they are, and they should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt.
But just because one team beats another one, they’re not necessarily better overall. Maybe they were just better that week. I’m not saying that’s the case with the Broncos specifically – I’m just saying…
formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan
by Douglas A. Lee on Nov 5, 2009 9:11 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm always grateful for what you do here, Doug . . . :)
BILLY THOMPSON GOT SHAFTED!!
by AZDynamics on Nov 5, 2009 9:43 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Looks like the Broncos will have to prove
that last Sunday was the fluke, not the other 6 games before it, if some of the predictions and the point spread are any indication. Seems kind of insulting to be a home underdog (no offense to me) and that 28 to 13 score predicted by Fox (granted it’s Fox Sports) is just as insulting. But whatever, they have to prove it on the field. Again. And if they do, they’ll probably be an underdog yet again the following week.
The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".
by underdog on Nov 5, 2009 10:04 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Brandon Marshall
BMarsh got a vote on dirties player huh? guess they polled Terrance Newman then!
great stuff doug!
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Nov 5, 2009 10:23 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
My first thought as well.
We confide in our strength without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. -Thomas Jefferson 1793
by c_style on Nov 5, 2009 3:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
McBean injured MCL
and will probably play Monday? That must have been an extremely minor sprain…but I hope he is back. We need to be at full strength for a strong Pittsburgh team.
Jason
The Hanging Curve
by poorboywilly on Nov 5, 2009 10:57 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
That Legwold piece on Steelers fans coming to the game
makes me a little concerned the Broncos home field advantage won’t be as strong as it could be. If you’re in Denver, there’s still tix available… come represent! If you’re selling your ticket, try to sell to Broncos fans. ;-)
The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".
by underdog on Nov 5, 2009 12:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
A thing I wonder.
Reading Legwold, and his concern about Denver finding a way to go downfield with the ball, I wonder if Denver simply doesn’t have the personnel at WO to stretch the field vertically. Think about it: even with JC’s cannon arm— save one play against Cleveland— Eddie Royal got fat on YAC. Every time JC and BM connected on a fly or go, it got called back because BM manhandled a defender in press-coverage. McD has gone out of his way a couple of times to point out that Royal is very quick, but always stops short of labeling him as fast. Eddie is good at defeating off-man underneath, not so good at press— and history is starting to indicate that rarely gets over-the-top on anybody. He either gets jammed at the line or lacks the long speed to blow by NFL DB’s. BM is good at defeating press and gaining seperation— but usually has to straddle the rules to do it. How many times have we seen BM looking behind himself for a flag after a successful longish ball?
It’s something to ponder, I guess— and it plays to the theory that McD is intent on finding ways to maximize the personnel he has rather than trying to force issues that odds and reality say he can’t.
I’d like to see us draft a pure speed deep threat type earlyish in the upcoming draft.
by PredominantlyOrange on Nov 5, 2009 1:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
It’s funny how little time it takes for us to revert to wondering about the long ball. I had access to the NFL network this week and watched the replay of the New Orleans-Atlanta game. You know who doesn’t use the long ball? Drew Brees, who was being mocked in terms very similar to Orton when San Diego let him go.
I think the fast start to the season distracted us from the cold, hard reality that it takes a long time for players to become efficient in a new system. Brees distributes the ball fantastically to guys who run short routes and make plays in space. It’s such a precision system — how can it not take time for everybody to become automatic?
I’ve been away all week, so apologies if this is redundant.
by Chibronx on Nov 5, 2009 2:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
I can see how my comment might come across as a complaint. Its not. I myself am tired about hearing about a vertical attack and Orton’s limitations and all that. It’s just a random thought that occured to me— because we couldn’t go vertical all that much last year, and we had the ‘arm’ to do it. I’m of the opinion that Kyle Orton has the physical ability to do it and I’m sick of everybody piling on the guy at the first sign of any adversity. But anyway, maybe there is a reason that teams play the safeties back a lot this year….they aren’t there to keep anybody from going over the top— they aren’t really concerned about that— but they leave ’em high looking so that they can pounce on the midrange routes. Maybe Orton and McD are just a little smarter than that…
…just theorizing on reasons— not related to Kyle Orton— why Denver sticks to what they do best.
by PredominantlyOrange on Nov 5, 2009 2:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No worries, PO. I had that observation stored up, and your post seemed like a good place to launch it. I hear what you’re saying.
by Chibronx on Nov 5, 2009 7:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome back!
You make a very good point, too.
Moreno/Buckhalter in '09
by Emmett Smith on Nov 5, 2009 4:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
You did fine, PO
There’s something that a lot of folks seem to have missed – several good article came out at the end of training camp on the trend, around the league, to move to an attack that’s similar to what the Broncos are doing. Despite the constant (and often misguided) belief that teams are going to stack the box against the short pass, that’s not the facts. They stack against an ineffective running attack and to blitz. The short pass has become much more common for a good reason
And that reason is faster safeties with good coverage skills. We have Darcel McBath as a great example. Renaldo hill is a safety who used to be a pretty good cornerback – he’s that fast and can cover well. It greatly limits the vertical game, and teams have gone to the shorter game in response. So does McD. We’re going to see more over time, but right now, they’re playing what the defense gives them.
Moreno/Buckhalter in '09
by Emmett Smith on Nov 5, 2009 4:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Emmett
I guess all the hysteria around the Broncos getting exposed by Baltimore has got my dander up. I re-watched the game on Sunday Ticket Shortcuts and I think if Denver would have tried to ‘go vertical’ the score probably would have been 40 -something to 7. Orton would have been hucking it under duress all day, and when he wasn’t, he’d have been throwing into a hive of CB’s and S’s. Squeezing blood out of a turnip is not the McD way, and I’m pretty excited about that. I’m also pretty excited that McD and Orton have very thick skins and are oblivious to outside pressure.
by PredominantlyOrange on Nov 5, 2009 7:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

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