The Good, The Bad & The Worrisome
by Tim Lynch on Aug 23, 2009 9:55 AM MDT
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I kept to myself after the first game so I could see how this team progressed from then to now. I must say that I am both pleased and dismayed, with a little bit of worry. It is plain our team is headed in the right direction, but I doubt the turn around will occur in one offseason.
Here is my rundown of the good, the bad and the worrisome:
THE GOOD
- Eddie Royal is going to the Pro Bowl this year.
- Peyton Hillis is a third down converting machine.
- I liked how McD ran the two minute offense. I believe he threw the ball on every down at the goalline because we may be in a situation this season where we don't have any timeouts and no time to chance a running play. Sure it ended badly, but I am glad he had the wherewithall to run the play anyway.
- Matt Prater is going to have a good year.
- Our defense is much improved from last year, especially our front 7. I like that we are getting the sacks and pressure. It will take some heat off our questionable passing defense.
- We will be a .500 or better team this year. It's just how it feels to me. This team is on its way up, not down.
- The running game looks real good - if only McD will use it in the regular season!
- The passing game is obviously going to live or die with Orton's consistency, but with so many threats there is no reason he should be able to find the open guy.
- I obviously still love our offensive line, they are dominating again this year.
THE BAD
- Is it me, or is Champ Bailey getting beat regularly?
- Our pass defense is struggling, even with a good pass rush.
- I predicted a 27-13 victory by the Broncos....opps!
- Tony Sheffler needs to carry a football around wherever he goes until the Chicago game...and run 50 laps.
- McD's playcalling was a bit befuddling to me, but I am chalking it up as him evaluating certain situations when its not actually that situation. At least, I certainly hope so!
- We lost to the Seachickens......even in preseason that hurts. We had better play to WIN against the Bears!
THE WORRISOME
- Even though our defense is much improved, it's still below average. I'll be happy if we crack the Top 16, but I do think we are headed in the right direction
- Kyle Orton's play will decide much of our games this year and from what I have seen so far - I am worried.
- We still have no turnovers, in fact, we were -3 again in this game. I hope Josh McDaniels works on that big time this week as we are going to face our first "elite" defense against Chicago...
- Our offense is still great between the 20's. Where are the touchdowns?
- My biggest worry is that I am hyped up on the kool aid and this is really a 4-12 team. However, I am trying so hard to be objective that maybe I succeeded in sobering up enough to actually evaluate this team. I hope...
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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Footnote:
I also liked our Time of Possession. I forgot to mention that. There is no reason we should of lost this game, but oh well.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
+1
If we can win this battle week in and week out, then I think our team will fair well this season. I love how we methodically marched down the field.
One thing I’d really like to see next week is more down-field throws over 30 yards. I know it’s the “practice-season” (I trying to remove preseason from my vocabulary), but outside of the Simms bomb 2 weeks ago (which was kind of a busted play), we’ve been content with the short/mid-range passes. I want to see Orton unleash a couple bombs…
"Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity."
Unknown, Hanlon's Razor
Good post
A 500 or slightly better season is my sense too Zappa, mostly because it will take time to convert both team and individuals to broad systemic changes. Give our new special team personnel some time and they could be outstanding. Basically, we have unusually high degree of people learning new positions, and in many cases learning multiple positions, and those new to the NFL game itself, all this with new systems in every phase of the game.
There is just no undoing a universal truism “expereince pays”. Having said that, one more time, we are doing to be fun to watch!!!!
by BroncoCUbuffs on Aug 23, 2009 10:58 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm right here with you
“It is plain our team is headed in the right direction, but I doubt the turn around will occur in one offseason. "
A little more obscure:
The great: Ryan Harris. He is a stud.
Kenny Peterson – this guy looks great to me.
The bad: Ayers, I don’t see it at all in this guy. He looks like the guy that did nothing in Tennessee for three seasons.
The ugly: Our D is still not trying to strip the ball. We haven’t been very close to creating any turnovers. I thought we were practicing this, but I don’t see it on the field.
This is not a 13-3 team, not even close. But its not a 3-13 team either, we are quite a bit better than that.
Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.
I want to see
the ballhawking defense we’ve been so excited about.
Maybe when the linebackers settle into their positions a little more, the defensive backs will also. I want to see them knock the ball out and so far, they haven’t done that.
I saw Ayers get burned, but I am giving him 2-3 years to develop. ;-)
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
5 weeks
That’s how long I am giving this defense. It’s not nearly as complicated as the offense and those guys have my sympathies because of the complexity of the offense. The playbook is more like a play-library.
Ayers may need the majority of the season to contribute the way we expect. It’s mostly because he’s a rookie and is looking uncomfortable as a linebacker thus far. But I do hope I am wrong on that.
The thing that concerns me most with Ayer last night
was the absolute whiff near the left sideline in the second half. Just very poor tackling form.
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
He's making a giant transition
from playing DE in college to playing a linebacker in the pros. Maybe he needs to shed some baby fat to obtain more speed.
Another thing about Ayers
is that he has Martindale, Nunnely, and Nolan to help him develop. Just the sound of that is enough to make me salivate…in a good way.
McGeorge
Ayers looks bewildered at times
"Time wounds all heels" Groucho Marx
by dmitchell624 on Aug 23, 2009 1:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I think
you mentioned the other day in another post that we wouldn’t go with Simms as the starter because Clady was on the left side. I think you are right about Ryan Harris. I think he could protect Simms blind side as much as Clady can protect Orton’s. Which means that we could go with either QB as the starter.
Just my opinion
This was directed at McGeorge
Still trying to figure this posting stuff out. Pretty new at it
Just click on the word reply
near the bottom of the post you’re responding to, and then respond in the box that opens up directly under that post (slightly indented) and not the one at the bottom of the page.
"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.
I'll repost because I'm lazy (=
I saw some things that have me concerned:
Our zone-blocking scheme seems to be opening up holes for mice as opposed to 220 lbs tailbacks. Jordan needs to be less tentative and run harder with the football. Hillis is a downhill runner who should never run east or west.
KO needs to continue to get more comfortable with the playbook so that the game will begin to slow down some more. (At least he didn’t show any happy feet this time.) Our #1s on offense were less successful against Seattle’s 2nd string defense in the third quarter, as they had trouble moving the chains. Without Tivo, I cannot rewind and view that quarter again, so I am going off what I recall last night. Perhaps the timing and communication with the receivers was the issue. I also recall the pass protection breaking down a few times.
Tony Scheffler needs to protect the football better than he did. I thought that’s something he would have worked on in the off-season. (I’ve seen him lose the football last year and perhaps the year before as well.)
Our special teams need to improve their blocking for #33 and #11.
Our linebackers looked like they were trying to confuse Hasselbeck, but they ended up confusing themselves. #55 should not be the only LB making tackles. Martindale and Nolan have a little more work to do in preparing this group, but I admit they are playing much better than last year.
On Seattle’s first touchdown, Goodman should have positioned himself on the inside. Some are saying that Champ is definitely looking like he’s lost a step and teams are going to take notice. I’ll be paying attention to this to see if there’s any truth to it.
Overall, the team needs depth and it’s showing on defense and special teams.
I also saw the good things you mentioned and here are some of my observations:
The defensive side of the ball included better tackling, pressure up front (with some sacks thrown in,) and some passes well defended by our secondary. We exposed Seattle’s O-line, who appeared to have trouble protecting their quarterback. It was beautiful to watch our "garbage" D-line collapse their pocket, allowing DJ and Doom to get sacks. I can’t wait for B-Dawk to come back!
On offense, we looked like we could sustain drives and move the chains to be in position to score, so I was relieved to see KO doing so much better from last week. I think that with this kind of week-to-week improvement, he will dramatically improve his skills as he shakes some of the bad habits he picked up in Chicago. (At the half, his stats were almost identical to that of Hasselbeck. The INT was the difference.) He plays like he wants to win and that is all I can ask for from my quarterback.
Our receivers played like world-class athletes. They ran their routes well and were open with room to run after the catch.
I loved watching Larsen and Woodyard on special teams. They were showing us why they’re on the 2009 team. WOW.
by Horsepower on Aug 23, 2009 10:22 AM MDT reply actions 7 recs
Thanks
I did leave out the time of possession. I really loved that.
What makes me wonder with the dink and dunk though, is that in real games, what will McD do? If the defense loads up the box, are there any +25 yard plays where KO could catch them off-guard and throw a bomb?
I'm sure McD has plenty of deep plays in his library of a playbook.
He just wants Orton to get used to the offense before unleashing the big attack on opposing defenses…I think.
"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".
"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.
by broncoholic on Aug 23, 2009 10:43 AM MDT up reply actions
HP
In the past, McD has mixed high-percentage, short timing-based passes which are indicative of the west coast offense with the vertical passing game, stretching the field in both directions (horizontally and vertically). While we can’t be sure, it’s good odds that he will continue to use this basic approach. The majority of the passes will be shorter. Keep in mind – last night, Orton had around a 69% completion rate. I can’t worry under those circumstances. That went well beyond the ‘bubble screen’ approach. Orton averaged over 10 yards per completion.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
What I am waiting for
is how KO can do in a situation where the opposing D is loading the box. Daring him to throw over 10 yards. I know McD has the plays for that scenario and I am dying to see KO throw a long one for a big gain.
So far, that hasn’t happened and I want to see it.
I dont think a team will try that when our base offense has 3 wide receivers in it .
However Right now we are running the same sets over and over because part of the success of the offense is dependent upon the receivers making reads at the LOS.
The past two games the teams are sitting deep so the receivers run quick outs and hitches as the defenses become more aggressive the repetitions now are helping the receivers become better at reading the defenses and making that adjustment when they have man to man defense . Right now most defenses are sitting back in the deep zones not trying to show too much and even though we practice them all the time why put our deep options on film so early in the preseason .
Careful with this question
I got called a troll last night for a similar question. Here’s a point to keep in mind: of Orton’s 182 yards passing last night, 127 of them came as a result of YAC. That means his 18 completions traveled a grand total of 55 yards in the air, with not one completion traveling farther than 9 yards past the line of scrimmage. Unless he proves at some point that he can make a defense pay for it, those bubble screens and swing passes are going to disappear under press coverage. I’m not asking for a bomb (I would prefer to not see Orton try one), but having the confidence that he can throw an accurate 20-yard out or seam route would help the situation.
The other thing that bothered me – the playcalling anytime a long-yardage situation arose. There was no effort to pick up the yardage needed. Even on a 3rd and 12 (a very manageable passing distance), ANOTHER bubble screen was called and was stuffed.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and then used against you.
Keep it obkective and you'll be fine
Maybe reports from Dove Valley this week will be the secondary focusing on stripping the ball away from the receivers. Maybe there will be some interceptions that won’t reflect badly on KO.
Maybe the offense will focus on vertical plays for a nice mixture with the dink and dunk, as bear mentioned. I’ll stay tuned and find out.
I don't see how questioning Orton is "troll" behavior.
Calling Orton a douchebag with a noodle arm is being a troll…..
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
Sad part is that the majority of Cutler's yards last season were due to YAC . . .
He made the pro-bowl because of his receiving corp . . . stats don’t lie!
"The men who have done big things are those who are not afraid to attempt big things, who were not afraid to risk failure in order to gain success."
- B.C Forbes
You're right, stats don't lie
http://www.advancednflstats.com/2009/01/air-yards-2008.html
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and then used against you.
OK, I'll post it again
And again and again, as long as it takes for the truth to stick. Check out HERE.
The idea that Orton needs to “prove” that “he can make defenses pay for it” by making completions “[travel] farther than 9 yards past the line of scrimmage” is definitively, demonstrably false.
Like I say in the post, this is one of the few things that can be objectively proven. Orton needs to prove nothing. His body of work speaks for itself. Once he settles down, learns the offense, and gets a solid running game to back him up, you’ll see it.
"3rd and 6, Elway shotgun... Elway, scrambling, looking, running-- DIVING!!!-- inside the 5 yard line for a first down! Is he only 37?! How important is this football game? How bad does John Elway want to win this football game? Where you see the quarterbacks go down: Not Elway!"
by Sharpe as a Tack on Aug 23, 2009 2:59 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Post it over and over
It’s difficult to make fiction stick as truth. 9 carefully chosen plays out of his career isn’t enough to prove anything, so don’t bother repeating it ad nauseum. The guy is abysmal at throwing downfield with accuracy, and you won’t find anyone who knows this game who says otherwise – you’re the only one HERE who believes it, and Orton has more apologists at MHR than Colorado has residents. You are making more out of a few selected throws than I can humanly believe. Bottom line: Since he arrived in Denver, hot once has he shown that he can throw downfield with any degree of accuracy. Yes, he needs to prove it.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and then used against you.
Bombs 2008
Cutler 9/32 381 yards 28.1%
Orton 5/16 187 yards 31.3%
Orton may be a noodle armed QB who can’t throw the bomb, but what does that say about our previous QB?
by SlowWhiteGuy on Aug 23, 2009 9:32 PM MDT up reply actions
What it says is that Orton doesn't take very many chances
But bombs aren’t what I’m talking about – never have. By “downfield”, I’m not referring to the over 40 yard and longer stuff. Though nice to watch, even bomb-happy teams don’t throw more than one or two per game. I’m referring the 20-40 yard range. Arm strength and accuracy on bombs are very different than arm strength and accuracy on an intermediate route. I have never once stated that Orton cannot throw the ball over 20 yards. You aren’t in the NFL if you can’t get it over 50. I do state – and his career backs this up – that he cannot do it with anything resembling consistent accuracy, or with any real velocity. Is arm-strength the end-all, be-all? No. But if a QB doesn’t have it on the intermediate range, he needs to make up for it with uncanny accuracy.
I hate Philip Rivers, but even he can throw a 55-60 yard rainbow, but he cannot throw a 35-yard ’frozen rope" if his life depends on it. That said, even without the ability to really drive a ball down the seam with great velocity, Rivers is accurate with it (dammit). Cutler has even better accuracy in that range. The difference between Rivers and Cutler is that Cutler can throw a 35-yard route with pinpoint accuracy and enough velocity to put it through the smallest crack possible. Rivers requires the receiver to be considerably more open. Orton has similar velocity to Rivers, but far less accuracy once the ball has to travel beyond 20 yards.
I have never once stated that Orton cannot throw the ball over 20 yards. You aren’t in the NFL if you can’t get it over 50. I do state – and his career backs this up – that he cannot do with anything resembling consistently accurate, or with any real velocity. Is arm-strength the end-all, be-all? No. But if a QB doesn’t have it on the intermediate range, he needs to make up for it with uncanny accuracy.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and then used against you.
Rivers doesn't even try it not because he can't(which may be true), but because its too risky.
Rivers plays to win…Cutler plays to what? Choke? Re-watch that Buffalo game last year…that was when I realized we had a Tony Romo on our team.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
It appears we are in substantial agreement after all!
Just make sure you stick to that point in your comments. I’ll freely admit this is just my biased impression, but when I read your comments (and very similar ones regarding Orton), the sense I get is not that Orton is simply inconsistent— it is that it is a frakking miracle that he gets anything where it’s supposed to be when the ball has to travel more than 10 yards in the air.
"3rd and 6, Elway shotgun... Elway, scrambling, looking, running-- DIVING!!!-- inside the 5 yard line for a first down! Is he only 37?! How important is this football game? How bad does John Elway want to win this football game? Where you see the quarterbacks go down: Not Elway!"
by Sharpe as a Tack on Aug 24, 2009 7:59 PM MDT up reply actions
It's possible you're misunderstanding me
The point I am refuting is that Orton CANNOT throw an accurate deep ball. Look a second (or a third time) and you will see that I reiterate this point many times.
That, and the point I was really making: that he is inconsistent throwing the deep ball. THAT position will find many adherents both here and among people “who know this game”.
"3rd and 6, Elway shotgun... Elway, scrambling, looking, running-- DIVING!!!-- inside the 5 yard line for a first down! Is he only 37?! How important is this football game? How bad does John Elway want to win this football game? Where you see the quarterbacks go down: Not Elway!"
by Sharpe as a Tack on Aug 24, 2009 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Well I haven't researched this but I know of 2 passes that went for over 10 yards
and the receiver didn’t advance the ball.
"Time wounds all heels" Groucho Marx
by dmitchell624 on Aug 23, 2009 5:17 PM MDT up reply actions
Great post and recommended, but . . .
Our special teams need to improve their blocking for #33 and #11.
Stay off that grog. For two games now I’ve been seeing good blocking on the returns units, and nice coverage and tackling on the coverage units. It’s early yet but if they keep this up our coverage and return units will be a strength rather than a millstone around our necks.
"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.
If you keep reading my long post
you will realize I had plenty of good things to say as well. We as fans all have a right to criticize our team.
However, if it remains objective, we do not have a right to tell others what to or not to do.
I said right at the top it was a great post
I did read it all (and enjoyed it). Yes, you have the right to criticize and others have the right to disagree with you. But I wasn’t telling you what to do. Maybe you took my “Stay off that grog” more seriously than I meant it. It was just my way of expressing surprise that you evidently didn’t see some of the good things that I (and some others) saw on special teams. Yes, mistakes were made, but with regard to the basics of blocking and tackling it seems to me we’re light years ahead of where we were last year. My disagreement with you on that single point didn’t keep me from appreciating your very thoughtful and intelligent post. I mean that.
"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.
Cheers
We had a few instances of our offense having to start from inside our own 20 in this last game and I just remember how that was one of our problems last year. Probably the year before as well.
It is definitely an area I am looking to see improvement in. No offense to Kyle Orton, but he’ll need as much help from the ST unit as they can give him. And it’ll protect our running backs in the process, avoiding another injury-prone season.
McD's Game/Clock Management
My only real concern after watching last nights game is the way McD managed the clock and TOs. His playcalling was pretty good, but it looked the game got away from him at times. It may sound crazy, but I think that Housh’s TD on the fade may not have happened, if we had the TO to call. SEA knew they had TJ in single coverage with Goody, and that is a tough assignment for any DB. I think if we had the TO, Nolan would perhaps have used it and put in a different look. Just my $0.02… and I really believe that McD will tighten that aspect up here pretty quick.
On a positive note, I was very impressed with KO and the starters on offense, especially when they were really in the zone there for a while. ER is as advertised, and Hillis is a beast. Jordan was kind of forgettable.
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
My take on the clock management
I think most of the blame lies on Kyle with the audibles at the line. Regardless of who caused the timeouts, though, that stuff will get worked out. It’s week 2 of preseason.
by BroncosBassist on Aug 23, 2009 6:45 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree
Also I think what gets missed here is that its the home opener for one of the loudest stadiums in the league in Qwest field . Its one of the toughest places to play in the nfl and gave some of our players who had never played there before a good example of what its like on the road with with the noise levels .
Champ got beat by Taylor? on 4 and 2 with 54 sec left.
Champ was giving him the wide berth that allowed the recption, letting the seahags keep the drive alive and eventual score. I don’t get that at all Champ know better than that.
Not worried about the playcalling
The last 2 preseason games have been all about situational football.
KO is improving and that is good to see. BM will make a better target in the end zone than Gaffney.
The linebackers will eventually get it. And when BDawk is back, the opposition will be more reluctant to send any receivers up the middle of the field.
Preseason
rec’d Zappa.
The Good – agreed on all points except the running game. It looks like we are not getting good play from the guards on the Oline running weakside.
The Bad – agreed. I saw Champ in last weeks game and this week miss plays that he used to make regularly. Our secondary is not making plays on pass defense. Especially Goodman and Hill from whom I was expecting better. Scheffler should have protected the ball better. I thought McD’s playcalling was designed for a preseason game rather than the regular season so I’m not too worried.
The Worrisome – The D bothered me a lot when the 2d & 3rd teamers were in. They looked confused. What was that play where there were NO weakside Dlinemen? Orton improved immensely from last week: he lost the “happy feet” problems from the first week, had some real heat on his passes (probably because he was throwing off his back foot this time), and was taking his checkdowns well. I think he’s going to be a winner. The lack of turnovers bothers me. I do not think the Bears have an elite defense, but I hope we shellack Chicago.
Other Thoughts – The D is a pleasant surprise. I thought we greatly improved even over last week. I also thought our 1st team Special Teams performed very well.
Players Who Impressed – Larsen – he’s making some great plays. McKinley – I think he’s a keeper. He made some good plays and will have a career in the NFL. Woodyard – he made a great special teams play. Eddie Royal – he’s going to the Pro Bowl this year! Hillis – he’s also going to the Pro Bowl this year! Ryan Clady – it will be a travesty if he doesn’t go the Pro Bowl this year. (btw, I’m betting he feels really bad about that one clipping call)
by Endzone on Aug 23, 2009 10:31 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
I like the special teams too...
I really think the turn around on that unit will be one offseason. Another one I forgot to mention. ;-)
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
You have to admit Goodman was with Butler step for step,
his timing was off by an eye lash of batting the TD down. Housmanzadeh’s TD was a great pass to the spot, Goodman should have played closer noticing him crossing over in motion like that. hings they’ll have to work on this week.
by bfree2bronc on Aug 23, 2009 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, if he would have had inside position,
He may have picked that ball off. Give credit to Butler for a nice catch, too.
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
Position is one thing...
He was in good enough position to make the play; he just didn’t and that has been a weakness of the Broncos D for a few years. Hopefully, this will get straightened out….one missed “break-up” doesn’t have me worried yet, but it did raise my eyebrows a bit.
What's amazing
is that before the preseason, I expected the D-line to be below average, the linebackers to be average, and the secondary to be top-notch. It seems for now, they are flip-flopping my expectations.
I do have faith in our coaches though…
I think our secondary will be improved greatly when B-Dawk comes back.
Then, Champ will be able to play his game instead of protecting the big play.
"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".
"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.
by broncoholic on Aug 23, 2009 10:45 AM MDT up reply actions
I think Champ will be a different player when
B-Dawk is there to stop the run. Right now he still has to look in the backfield a little too much.
Kool-Aid Addict & DP Message Board Refugee
Front 7
These guys are playing better than expected, although in all fairness, the 2 teams’ offenses they have faced thus far, do not have the better O-lines. Nor will the one they’ll face next week.
From my observations, the best players on D so far have been Doom, DJ, Mario Haggan, Ron Fields, the “Phonz,” and Chris Baker. Did anyone see Darrell Reid or Tim Crowder last night?
Mario Haggan?
He made me cringe a few times, he kind of reminded me of Nate Webster with the flying around but missing tackles….but I agree with the rest of your guys, and throw in my tempered enthusiasm for Le’ Kevin.
i watched
Darrell Reid again in watching the 49ers game and he looked absolutely awful
RE: Champ Bailey
I think we all need to remember his first season with the Broncos. He was very subpar and struggled…only 3 picks. I think I will give him a year to get comfortable with Nolan’s new system before I proclaim him a dinosaur. lol
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
Hyped on Kool Aid
Zappa, I agree with you (see my recent post). I’m concerned that I’ve delluded myself into thinking this team is much better than it really is!
Mistakes are, after all, the foundation of truth, and if a (person) does not know what a thing is, it is at least an increase in knowledge if (they) know what it is not. - Carl Jung
by Smiling Assassin on Aug 23, 2009 10:50 AM MDT reply actions
Good Observations Zappa - Champ
Zappa, It’s not you.
If you think about it going back to the Monday nighter in Denver October 2004 an 0-6 Bengals team came and Champ made Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him otherwise) look like a hall of famer. The fans most likely would have never had to deal with Chad antics if Champ Bailey didn’t have such a bad game.
I gotta ask watching the SF game last week, the SF announcers stated Champ was a lock for the hall? I just don’t get it. Heck if he would have made that pick on 3rd & 10 in the 1st quarter of the 2006 AFC champ game we might have gone to the Super Bowl with Plummer.
We might have to sacrifice a bit this year as fans but I must agree it looks like the Broncos are headed in the right direction.
-shake it up – Scott Ferrall
Aye, never forget we wouldn't have made it to the AFC Championship game if it wasn't for Champ
you remember the end-zone, light-my-ass-on-fire, and-run-for-my-life-because-here-comes-Tom-Brady pick right?
"FLAG! Fail on the field. Re-do." -Disco_Stu
Champ is awesome
He is learning this system but I guarantee he will be the best defender we have out there unless he gets hurt.
"Time wounds all heels" Groucho Marx
by dmitchell624 on Aug 23, 2009 5:28 PM MDT up reply actions
Despite being critical of them
I acknowledge that the D and the rest of the team is headed in the right direction. There are a lot of new moving parts out there, but McD has given his staff plenty of material to evaluate who makes the final 53.
I love the post
especially the last thing you said
“My biggest worry is that I am hyped up on the kool aid and this is really a 4-12 team. However, I am trying so hard to be objective that maybe I succeeded in sobering up enough to actually evaluate this team. I hope…”
Im on the same wave length.
rec'd sniper
went to game and we were well represented…….orton was crisp….our wrs are quick, good route runners but all are small. Assuming bm is gone, scheff has to step up in the redzone…..in just 3 plays last week it was obvious moreno is special and this O will be good. ST coverage looked much improved again this week 8-8 or 9-7 and on the up swing. Now if Elvis or DJ can crush next weeks QB……
"show me a good loser and i'll show you a loser" - coach
by chikndnnr on Aug 23, 2009 12:03 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
JC
As long as this week’s preparation won’t be overshadowed by you know who coming to town. I for one will be on the lookout for how the team is able to go throw McD’s “list” of mistakes from this game and show improvement.
Prepare yourselves. We’re gonna be on the MSM’s radar this week boys.
14 point swing
Gaffney’s drop in the endzone (a catchable ball) turned into the Orton interception, which ended up in 7 Seahawk points right before the half. The game was a 20-20 tie as far as I’m concerned. BUT, I’m glad these mistakes are coming out now in the preseason. Did you see how McD got all over Orton after that nonsensical throw?
The good news about what happened last night:
McD and the rest of the staff AND the players got to see first hand how quick they can lose control of the game with one stupid penalty call.
What I mean by a “stupid” call is a penalty that can be easily avoided and prevented from happening.
Hopefully they can build on that this week and work to avoid it happening again.
"FLAG! Fail on the field. Re-do." -Disco_Stu
Excellent post, Zappa. Rec'd.
I was impressed how our guys played up to the clip and the interception. Glad Orton got that one out of his system. They lost their momentum and intensity after that.
I think that having a relatively weaker (if there is such a thing) schedule the first quarter should give this team to not only come together on defense but solidify the offense and ST as well. They just need time to play together and get to know each other and what to expect, etc.
Ayers looked lost last night. Once he catches on not only to the game plans but to the speed of play in the NFL, he should come on. Probably closer to mid-season.
I am excited by our receiving corp – and if BM is part of that – awesome. RB situation will improve when Moreno is back – the added depth will give it more latitude.
I predict that Smith will be getting more reps at DE and much less for McBean. Good reason for that acquisition. Stability, experience, versatility.
Thanks man
I am already getting anxious about next weeks game….
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
Will McD run the ball?
Don’t worry about it. Look at last year – 4th in attempts, 6th in yardage for the Patsies. And they had almost as many RBs injured as we did. Play calling is to work on the more intricate parts right now (I believe.)
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