10 Reasons to Drink The KoolAid
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 4:39 PM MDT
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PrintThe past few days of training camp have sparked some serious excitement for me as I have read the reports here at MHR and watched as much video as available on DB.com. This is just my opinion, as a guy who loves the Broncos, and is clearly drunk on the koolaid served here, but I just don't understand why our team is getting trashed so bad in the media. It makes no sense to me at all. Pouring myself another glass of Koolaid, here is why I think the Broncos will be SuperBowl bound very, very soon... gulp....
Now I could absolutely be wrong on this, because... well, I have gulped down my share of Koolaid... so feel free to agree or dis-agree... this is just how I see it, and why I have a hard time thinking our team is going 4-12 as so many have speculated.
1. We have the Best Receiving Corp in the NFL- BMarsh, Royal, Stokely, Gaffney, Lloyd, McKinley and several others. Honestly, what team's receiving corp would you rather have than ours. Arizona has Boldin and Fitz, but still fall short of our depth and versatility. I am surveying the entire NFL and don't see a single team that is as good at the WRposition as Denver. The Beast has no comparison in the league. He is an absolute monster on the field. Eddie and Stokely could be the top two route runners in the entire NFL... and both catch everything they can touch... I mean everything. McKinley sounds like he is already a draft "steal"... need I go on?
2. We have the Best Offensive Line in the NFL- The numbers speak for themselves. 12 sacks last year... that's compared to San Fran who gave up 55... ouch! (no wonder Alex Smith didn't want the starting job) Truth is, our Offensive line was as dominant the entire year, and they are all back. The Olineis young and has a lot of depth and should dominate for many years to come. I give Jay Cutler about 1/2 of 1 pre-season game to miss them.
3. As a whole, we have the best RB corp in the league- Pass me another shot of koolaid here, but I am having a hard time finding a team that has more quality and versatile RB's as the Broncos this year. Sure, many teams have 1 stud RB... maybe two... but with Moreno (get your butt into camp buddy...), C. Buck, L. Jordan, and the Torain Train... we have some incredible depth and talent. I figured I should mention my boy Peyton Hillis in a separate sentence because... honestly... he is a 'one of a kind' kind of talent. Speed, Power, Hands, Character... goodness... no wonder every time McD talks about him he gets a smile on his face. Let's face it. Anyone of those guys mentioned could probably compete for a No. 1 back on almost every team in the league.
4. We have Awesome TE's- While I won't go as far as to suggest that we have the best Tight Ends in the leauge, we could be right up there. I love Shefflerand his versatility. Graham and Quinn are incredible blockers... and are a subtle but dangerous threat in the passing game. Our TE's are not a weak spot... no way.
5. Our Coaching Staff is good. Very, Very Good.- Who knows how McD will be as a Head Coach... so far, I love what I see... but what makes me even more excited is that we have a whole Coaching Staff that would make most owners drool. McD is obviously an offensive genius and has the stats and rings to prove it. Nolan, Dennison, Turner, Nunnely, McCoy, Donatell, Martindaleand a whole bunch of other quality coaches. We can easily get focused on the Head Coach in the NFL, but we all know that it takes a whole staff of coaches to make a great team. And if McDaniels turns out to be a great Head Coach... which I think he will... we will easily have the best coaching STAFF in football! Plus... McD is letting them coach! Lot's of coaching is being done in training camp... more on that later.
6. Our Secondary is Second to none. - And that is the absolute truth. I am sick and tired of people yapping about how old they are. That is what loosers say when the future Hall of Fame Player is not on THIER team. Give me a team that wouldn't want BDawk and Champ on thier squad right now. Goodman and Hill are also quality Vets that know how to get it done. Put them together with a whole bunch of rookies and 2nd year players, who have the potential of being solid quality starters in a year or two... and we have good things to look forward too for many years to come... I can't wait for BDawk to brink the "Whole Funk" .... (it's a good thing BDawk didn't bring the whole funk on Quinn yesterday or he might have lost his helmet... head included)
7. We have Quality Vets at every key position- One thing that has impressed me this year, is the strategic acquisition of vets to develop ourrookies. In the four days of practices, we have already seen BDawk and other veteran players taking the rooks under their wings... helping them develop as players. It is one thing to get coaching from a coach who coaches... it is another thing to get coaching from a player who plays. In almost every key area, we have an experienced veteran who is working with a promising, up and coming player.
8. Our Front Seven is Greatly Improved- OK... this one still gives me a little heartburn, but still, no how much of a hater you are... you have to admit that our front seven is much better now, than it was last year. We have DJ now in a position where he can thrive. Andra Davis is a very good off-season pickup. We have more beef up front, and on the outside... and a D-coach that will have a plan every week. We may have some issues because of a scheme change... but all in all... as Nolan said yesterday... it is an easy switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3... but virtually impossible to go from a 4-3 to a 3-4. We have bigger and stronger players up front than in years past, and alot of our vets are starting to play positions that fit them. Sure it is going to take some time to put all of the pieces together, but I think it is pretty obvious that our front 7 is better than last year... honestly... how could it get any worse.
9. Our Team Is Focused on Learning- For some reason Shanny seemed to believe that a player who had made the team had eclipsed his ability to learn and improve, and therefore, didn't need a ton of coaching. What has been the observation of many who have attended training camp is that our coaches believe that every player out there is still in need of coaching and improvement. The focus on fundamentals is a very encouraging thing to me, because I got so frustrated for the past several years watching our team be mediocre in the little things. Just remember, a Hall of Fame player is simply a player who had become a "Master of the Fundamentals".
10. Special Teams are no longer a side-light- In the first few practices, McDaniels has made it clear. He get's special teams and thier importance in determining the outcome of the game. That is why every practice, the Bronco's work on Special teams. That's right... EVERY PRACTICE! Not one or two practices a week, or a special practice on the side. There is Defense, Offense, and Special Teams... in no particular order. Finally, our team is going to understand that Special Teams can, in many ways, determine the success of the Offense and Defense.
(You probably noticed I didn't mention anything about our QB's... well, I don't know just yet about them... I guess we will see. I think it is a pretty good bet to think that Kyle Orton will have a career year... but who knows. Personally, I don't think he will need to because we won't have to put the whole game on his shoulders and hope he pulls it off, to win. We have good depth there... and alot of potential in Orton, Simms and Brandstater. I certainly don't see the QB as a liability... like everyone else in the MSM.)
Well, there are my 10 reasons for thinking that the Bronco's are going to be way better than everyone in the MSM predicts. Obviously the MSM could use a big glass of ice cold... Orange or Blue Koolaid.
Well.... let me pour it for you...
Here to 13-3 baby! Cheers!
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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Great Post Revrend !! Let's hope Zappa comes to his senses....and joins us..
…I may have started ‘La La Land of Pre-Season Feel Goods’ …..but Zappa came up with the cry………
.
Where the heck has Zappa been ……….. by the way
Guardian of the Gate to La La Land!
Gonsoulin, Taylor, Little, Wright, Gradishar, Atwater, Davis, and Sharpe...
Why are they not in the Hall...I just don't understand.
I've seen Zappa post a couple
He’s been around, just not his typical post-crazy self.
I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.
I'm getting back into the swing.
Reverend…you are drunk with the power vested in you by the almighty Bucky.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
love the enthusiasm
not trying to be a debbie downer but i would take Fitz, Boldin and Breaston over the Broncos core.
Besides that the D line is the only weak spot, Orton will do fine, Go Broncos. do work.
"My age is getting up there, but that doesn't mean my play has to diminish,"-Brian Dawkins
I'd still take our receivers....
because of cost (right now and for the foreseeable future, ours are cheaper), age (* see below), and overall depth (this one to me isn’t even close and tend to think even Breaston might look better than he is because of the other 2 receivers he plays with….meaning he rarely faces the opposing teams’ top defenders….that’s just my perception, he’s still very strong though). However, IF I was going to take another set of receivers other than the Broncos and for this year only, it would probably be Arizona’s….they are studs.
- I like the Broncos in the age category because while they do have some slightly older receivers, they have a great mix of youthful talent (Marshall 25, Royal 23, McKinley 22) and veteran experience (Stokley 33, Gaffney 28, Lloyd 28….this also speaks back to their superior depth at the position). If money were no object and it was only for one year (the future didn’t matter), and depth at the position didn’t matter, then maybe, MAYBE, I’d take Fitz, Boldin and Breaston over the Broncos receivers. But even then it’s a maybe. However, put in all the other factors (which includes overall depth, which I don’t think Arizona is even close on) and I easily choose the Broncos receiving corps over Arizona and any other team in the league.
Of course, that’s just my purely “objective” opinion. ;-)
"Reality continues to ruin my life." - Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes)
I'm definitely drinkin' the kool-aid too, friend!!
The only two points I would disagree with are numbers one and three.
I think our WR’s and RB’s have the POTENTIAL to be the best in the NFL, but we’ll have to see them in action first. I personally think the Cards have the best WR corp in the league, and I would have to say the Vikings have the lock on best RB’s RIGHT NOW in the league, just with Peterson alone…no matter who else is teamed with him.
I will say though, I think Moreno and Hillis have the look of a VEEEERY elite tandem. We very well COULD have the best rushing attack in the NFL, and it wouldn’t surprise me ONE bit. I am SOOOOOO ready for the season to start!!
What if AP goes down?
Then what?… they may have one elite RB… maybe a decent guy after that, but all around, I think we have several top notch talent…
and behind our O-Line… look out!
I like AZ’s WR’s a ton, but still think we have more talent all around… but just my opinion…
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 5:30 PM MDT up reply actions
A reality chaser for that kool-aid...
1-4 I’m pretty much with you, though I think you overestimate just how much we’re going to get out of Buckhalter & Jordan at this stage of their careers – even when they were young & heatlhy they weren’t exactly world-beaters.
5-10 is another story. “Quality vets at every position”? From what I can tell we’ve got exactly ONE proven veteran in DJ for our entire front seven. You can mayyyybe up that to three, provided Davis pans out (which I’m not at all sure he will) and Dumervil can make the transition to the 3-4 (ditto). Regardless, that leaves at least four spots without anything even RESEMBLING proven, quality vets.
“Great coaching staff,” “greatly improved front 7,” “secondary second to none” – I’ll believe it when I see it. Seeing as every assistant coach out of the Bellichek regime has turned out to be anywhere from mediocre (Mangini) to bad (Cornel) to outright disaster (Weis), I’m a little reluctant to slap the “genius” tag on McD before he’s coached a single game. Same for our front seven and secondary – don’t see how you can possibly deem them “greatly improved” and “second to none” (though I’m much more optimistic about the latter) before any of the new schemes/personnel have been tested.
RE: the QB’s, I think Orton will probably work out, but no way do Simms and “a lot of potential” even belong in the same sentence – guy’s injury prone, weak-armed, and one bad hit away from being permanently retired. He wasn’t even the best qb at his own college, as any CU fan who watched the Big 12 Championship against Texas years back can attest.
Love your optimism, and I honestly hope you’re right, but at the moment, I simply can’t share it.
I'm a Chiefs fan
and am more of a pessimist than a realist here but here’s where I’m disagreeing
1. You fail to mention Steve Breaston who averaged more yards per catch and only fell a little less than 260 yards short of matching your #1 receivers total yards. Yeah he was Arizona’s THIRD option at receiver.
Also how are you going to play the Patriots like that? Moss and Welker make the other recievers on that squad look like rockstars. It’s not like they’re “other receivers” at all either. They added Joey Galloway to play opposite of Randy Moss this season.
3. Ok you obviously skipped over the Ravens, Raiders, Panthers, Cowboys, Titans, and Steelers. These teams hold the ultimate RBBC’s with tons of depth and dependability.
6. Sorry your secondary is second to a lot. As it stands the Broncos may have the third best secondary in the AFC West. The Chargers’ tandem of Jammer and Cromartie at CB allows for shutdown corners on each end, then you have a solid vet like Eric Weedle at FS, they’ll get off with allowing a promising 6th rounder as a rookie starter.
The Chiefs (Homer time) while unimpressive last year had one strength, a strong young core of a secondary. Jarrad Page put up all-pro numbers last year, Bernard Pollard is a nasty hitter at strong, and the young trio of Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr, and Maurice Leggett looks to be the starting lineup for the Chiefs for a long time.
The Raiders have the best corner in the game in Nmandi Asomugah and Chris Johnson is no pushover on the other side of the field.
Then you talk about teams outside of the division like the Eagles and Titans
8. This front seven in the 3-4 is sadly less promising than the Chiefs. Three no names in the most important positions on the whole defense (DE’s and NT) without a solid line it doesn’t matter how good your linebackers are (and they are less than impressive even in the 4-3) if they’re having to take on 300 pound linemen because the guy in front of them got mauled over, your linebackers aren’t going to be doing anything.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
I'm going to leave most of your points for others
But on secondaries you are dead wrong…especially about having the 3rd worst in the AFC West. If the Raider’s secondary are so hot, how did we pwn them so bad last year?
I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.
how bout
all two of our rookies up to week 9 (how many starts Bailey posted) posted more interceptions and tackles than Champ Bailey and one (our nickel at that) posted the same amount of interceptions and seven less tackles last season
Jarrad Page had more interceptions than Brian Dawkins by a mile AND ten more tackles
Bernard Pollard’s 98 tackles and three forced fumbles, mountains over Renaldo Hills 77 tackles and no interceptions.
If you want to push the whole yards allowed thing, Denver sits an astounding one slot above KC. Considering your sitting atop a team that only posted 10 sacks in the process I think one team has more to worry about than the other.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
sorry
that reply was meant for ReverendBronco
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Fairness
We don’t know if our D will be better this year, but there are many many reasons to believe it will be. It is not logical to compare our projected performance this year using last years stats because 2/3 of last year’s defense is no longer here.
Is there a more fair way to do it?
There is no way to predict what a player will do in the upcoming season but there’s definitely a means to find evidence why you should believe he SHOULD perform to a certain level.
I as a Chief fan can only hope the worst for other teams so my team can be on top so I’ll be the first to point out just how “strong” the secondary really is or how there are two players in the entire front seven that are dependable if that. But then again you could comment right back about how the Chiefs failed to put any pressure on the QB all year last year.
We could go back and forth, ultimately there’s no way, except through production in 09, will you be able to or I be able to convince our opposition otherwise in this debate
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
My Bad
Just left it to the implied on that one..
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
The real shame 808...
is that instead of hoping your team fares well, you hope other teams fare poorly. What does that say about your state of mind as a Chiefs fan?
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
haha
the great homer simpson once said “It’s not about making yourself look good, it’s about making everyone else look bad.” Of coarse I want my team to do well, but in order for that to happen teams are going to have to lose
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
I'm really just kidding about that....
I wouldn’t question your state of mind as a fan just as I wouldn’t want anyone else questioning mine. That just caught me off guard is all. No ill will.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
oh no offense taken
note to the “haha” lol :P
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
I can't speak for the rest of these guys here
but I can speak for myself when saying that I hold really no grudges against KC fans. I think KC is a fine franchise that has a rich history and it wasn’t for Lamar Hunt, neither one of our teams would have seen life past the mid 70’s at best. I don’t know why, but for some reason my whole life, I’ve never held anything against a Chiefs fan. The Raiders and Chargers are different as I despise the teams, the fans, the ownership (although to be fair, AG Spanos has on one occasion put the food on my table)…I just flat out don’t like them. Chiefs fans though, you guys are alright to me.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
Same here man
San Diego is a bunch of fair weather fans, and Oakland fans just want to fight anything with legs out of frustration of losing for the thousandth time n a row. That and just about everyone in Hawaii is either a Charger, Raider, or 49er fan. The Broncos (under Shannahan) have been my favorite type of franchise; Run you over with the ground game and make you pay with a deadly pass game. I’m a lifetime QB in my playing career and I love offense, and the Broncos have always fielded a solid O that’s exciting to watch. I joined Chief nation as a young lad during the Vermiel era
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
And its good to have you here.
I have to agree with CaliJoe about Chiefs fans. Its a rivalry I’ve always enjoyed because it never seemed to get too out of hand and spill over into everything outside the football game. Just two teams who play each other like there’s something at stake every time they meet. A classic rivalry, nothing more nothing less.
Also, in a way the Chiefs are partially responsible for all the changes the Broncos underwent the past season. If you guys had beaten the Chargers late in the season, (probably) none of the turmoil would have happened because we would have gone to the playoffs. Remind me to thank you or yell at you two years from now depending on how it works out.
by bowma101 on Aug 4, 2009 11:43 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
808 you guys have your problems too,
(Original article posted by me, TJ Gerrity, on Bleacher Report here) Where oh where is KC’s pas rush coming from.
I'm glad I'm not alone
I have always felt the same way and kinda felt guilty about it. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the KC fans and organization. They just always seemed classy to me. Hopefully not too many people read this post and I will never speak these words again for fear of my Broncos brethren not considering me a true Broncos fan. Like I said, I’m just happy I’m not alone.
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
This was supposed to be a reply to Calijoefornia.
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
Thanks for the respect
Broncos fans have always seemed classy to me too Ive just got a little problem with those Raiders fans thay just attack anyone thats not a Raiders fan expecially if they are a KC fan.
Agreed
I’ve always struggled with which emotion I feel more strongly about. My love for the Broncos or my hate for the raiders
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
+1
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
and I projected it
based on the guys that are currently on your roster supposedly slotted to start. It is unfair but it’s about the only way I can explain way I don’t think your secondary will be all that special this year
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Watch a Bronco's game and watch how many times a QB throws Champs way...
Champ isn’t going to lead the league in INT’s because QB’s know better than to throw his way.
Personally, I think comparing the number of tackles the secondary gets is more of an measure of your front seven than your cb’s and safteys. If your secondary is making lots of tackles… that doesn’t mean your secondary is awesome… it means your front seven is poor… or your secondary is allowing a whole bunch of passes to be completed.
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 7:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I went by INT's too
But if you want to talk about not throwing Champs way. Dre Bly only had one more interception
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
that's why Mr. Bly plays for SF this year...
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 7:27 PM MDT up reply actions
well
can’t assume much of the second round choice slotted to replace him. Then again Smith could rock it in his rookie year like Brandon Flowers did (another second round choice)
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Nanz: They make a valid point.
I remember my fellow Chiefs fans RAVING about all the picks by Mark McMillian a few years ago. But to MY eye, it was because he was the guy that the offenses threw at all day long. Plenty of truth about Bailey.
The issue with Bailey is the years and injuries are mounting. If he’s back on his game, he’s truly a monster. I think Dre Bly is a little like McMillian in the sense that he’s the lesser of two evils when facing the Champ. I’m not as big a fan of him.
The Raiders, with Nnamdi Asomugha alone, have to rate pretty high at corner.
And te tackle argument is weak
Secondary tackles matter because it shows the players ability to stick to his man after the catch, also the players ability to contain the outside rush (corners) or step up into the box (safeties). Are the patriots a weak front 7 for having Rodney Harrison rack up so many tackles n their super bowl years? Stong Safties are quick linebackers that protect the medium pass game.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Okay...
Here is thing with Champ… teams refuse to throw his direction hence why Bly and company were torn up last season. He is, in my opinion, hands down the most sure open field tackler in the league to the point where teams do not run the edge in his direction either. Think of first game played last season where he had the foresight to not only hit low on Johnson, but to lift him from the waist in order to cause a potential fumble, which ultimately happened. His play is so consistent that his side of the field becomes a vortex of action.
Shanny finally put him on special teams in order to field at least one player that could bring down a return man, which lead to (for me at least) many a cringe inducing moment.
Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 5, 2009 1:09 AM MDT up reply actions
A "vortex"? Not sure what you mean by that.
But, yeah, Bailey’s the complete package. That’s part of his injury problem. If he had Deion Sanders’ attitude, he’d stay healthier. Bailey’s style reminds me of James Hasty, one of my favorite Chiefs players.
yeah, ment vacuum, lol
I only get to comment on here after work, late… and it shows in my apparent lack of brain power :P
Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 6, 2009 2:32 AM MDT up reply actions
meant meant... ugh, time for bed
Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 6, 2009 2:35 AM MDT up reply actions
Your saying that the cheifs secondary is better than the broncos...
uh… I think you might be drinking koolaid of a reddish color…
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions
The raiders secondary is definately not better than the Broncos’. I would consider the starting CB tandems to be roughly on par, Bailey and Asomugha are the best 2 CB in the league, and I would consider Goodman and Johnson fairly even as #2s. However, who have the Raiders got behind them though? We have them beat on depth.
And at safety Dawkins (future HOF), Hill (solid starter), McBath, Barrett and Bruton (great depth) vs. …. wait who have they got back there?
I agree
but I was giving the Raiders due credit for having outstanding corners
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Asomugha is a machine...
but Eddie Royal torched thier other CB last year…
by RevrendBronco on Aug 4, 2009 7:31 PM MDT up reply actions
There's some discounting going on, because Bailey's struggled to stay healthy recently.
Oh, and Dawkins left practice with (apparently) an injured hand. You can’t afford to have this guy get hurt. He’ll be needed to compensate for d-line play, which I think will be lacking this season at MileHigh.
I'll address a few things
Ok you obviously skipped over the Ravens, Raiders, Panthers, Cowboys, Titans, and Steelers.
I think the good Rev was overly optimistic in his assessment of the Broncos’ running backs. But not by much. Josh McDaniels has assembled a very versatile group with interchangeable parts. But how can you include the Ravens, the Cowboys and the Steelers among the teams who have better running backs than the Broncos? Among the whole lot of them, only Willie Parker could make our team. Willis McGahee is a complete joke. And he’s slated to start for Baltimore.
Not that you mentioned it, but if we assess the Chief’s running backs, I think most would rank them at or near the bottom of the league. Larry Johnson might as well officially quit. It looks like he’s running in a swimming pool.
Regarding our secondary, I think your undervaluing the safety position. If we didn’t know it before, last season made Bronco fans’ appreciation of Dennis Smith grow a thousand fold. With the exception of a few outstanding cornerbacks, including our Champ, a corner’s success or failure is largely a function of the pass rush and the safety play. Are you surprised that the Steelers and the Ravens can repeatedly find ready replacements as they let their corners leave in free agency? It’s not that their scouting departments have the secret formula, it’s because those two teams continually generate pressure and they have two of the best safeties in the league in Polamalu and Ed Reed. That combination can make Dominque Foxworth look special. Watch it happen.
So for you to say the Broncos’ secondary isn’t special, I think you’re analysis is off. Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill will make Champ and Andre Goodman about 6 or 7 interceptions better. And if Nolan can cook up any variety of pass rush, then we might see another 6 or 7 picks out of that tandem.
As an aside, I can’t let is slide that you’re describing Quentin Jammer as a shut down corner. He starts, but that’s it. Last year at this time, there was a lot of speculation that Antoine Cason would supplant Jammer as the starter. It’s not that Cason is that good, it’s that Jammer is serviceable at best. Cromartie is special when healthy.
Finally, I’m worried about the Broncos’ front seven, specifically the defensive line. But if their job is to take up space and tie up blockers, it would seem all that’s required for the job is a fat butt. As for the Chiefs linebackers, I hope the Kansas City trainer has a few cases of Geritol on hand. Zach Thomas? Mike Vrabel? Are we to assume Hardy Nickerson wasn’t available? Before you start saying that I’m the pot calling the kettle black (what with Dawkins and his 34 years), no one’s claiming Dawkins has lost a step. Everyone’s claiming Vrable and Thomas have lost a step. Everyone. Except a small pocket of poor deranged souls in Arrowhead Stadium.
Just a question, and this might be impossible for you to answer objectively, but if you had to choose between Josh McDaniels and Todd Haley to be your team’s head coach, who would you choose? In your heart of hearts, are you excited about Todd Haley? Do you think he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL or do you think he’s where he is because of his dad?
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 9:58 PM MDT up reply actions
Ok here we go
The Ravens and Steelers each have two backs on their rosters that could feature the rushing game themselves but instead; to help McGahee last through the season Ray Rice and Leron Mcclain were brought in. Mcclain got to the pro bowl a year after McGahee did and Ray Rice was as solid as they come for second option rookies. Then you have the Steelers who already had been putting the work load on Willie Parkers shoulders effectively added another feature back in Rashard Mendenhall. With Mendenhall healthy this season look for a slash and Dash much like Tennessee’s.
I never said our RBBC was close to yours. I agree Johnsons declining. But there are RBBC’s that are better, even as a whole unit, than the Broncos.
So safeties make the secondary because of their coverage skills. Too bad every analyst outside of MHR has noted both Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins (who has never played in a 3-4) are more excellent run defenders and sub par pass defenders. You say the front seven makes the secondary. Too bad Denver front seven was in shambles even in the 4-3. The 3-4 switch will be of no service (and I’ll be the first to assume the same for KC this season) it will be a few seasons of struggling before this defense starts to click because the 3- 4can’t operate on just any linemen, you need three superstuds that are going to throw opposing linemen all over the field so your linebackers can get in and disrupt the backfield. IF it was about coordinators (Don’t get me wrong it was a sad day for me when I say that Nolan signed on to Denvers staff) KC would be guaranteed at least a playoff appearance because we have both the coordinators to the super bowl Cardinals and play in a weak division just like the Cardinals. But you and I both know how improbable that is.
As for the argument concerning the age of KC’s linebackers. Worked for NE right? Were not depending on these guys for four or even three years, these guys are spot starters until we develop our youngsters to play in the 3-4. There’s reason to believe the linebacking core at the beginning of the season will look a lot different than the core at the end of the season.
Honestly Bellichek disciples have failed where Parcell’s disciples have succeeded. I’ll admit that there was a time where I thought Pioli was going to bring in McDaniels and I was content with it but I think he’s still very young to be heading a football team. Haley is a student of the game. What excites me most is that supposedly he’s had input (not the final say but input nonetheless) in the draft when he was coaching with Parcells and Wisenhunt. His dad was a genius of a drafter and Haley was known to never stray far from his Dad as a young man. With Pioli and Haley’s minds in collaboration there is definitely reason to be excited about the new regime. Piolis weakness in the draft has been WR’s and TE’s. Haley doesn’t use TE’s in his offense and is renowned as the greatest WR’s coach in the NFL. It just seems too perfect of a match. Not trying to hit nerves here but with the chaos (from the outside looking in) going on in Denver this off season McDaniels is one of the least desireable coaches in the league. Whether he’s the cause or not he’s the head coach and subsequently the whipping boy.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Good But Misguided
First, thank you for being a good guest in our house.
1. The Ravens and Steelers do not have the Broncos Oline. That is why the Broncos have been historically able to field outstanding RB’s. They get the credit but it’s the Oline that deserves the credit.
2. No-one except the main stream media “every analyst” believes quantifiably that the front seven make the secondary. This is a team sport. They need each other. The 3-4 is not designed for the front 3 to be pass rushers or “throw opposing linemen all over the field.” There are some very good articles online regarding the 3-4. In my considered opinion based on statistical reviews and personal experience, our biggest personnel problems last year were in the secondary and not as much the Dline.
3. Our DC last year, Slowik, simply did not perform. Nolan, I believe, will do a better job.
4. We’re used to the press dissing McDaniels by now. No problema!
While my enthusiasm is tempered, I have to agree with most everything RevrendBronco said intellectually … and emotionally, well hell yeah! Go Broncos!
Misguided.. You sure?
1. The Ravens have one of the best O lines in the bizz (It’s well accepted the Broncos are currently #1 as a unit) and the state of the Steelers O-Line only speaks volumes for their RB’s being able to pick up yardage like they do.
2.. I was responding to the 3rd and 6th paragraphs of AJF’s post. Mostly sarcasm as to why those ideas are preposterous. Re- read that paragraph in this light and you’ll see what I was trying to say
3. I believe Nolan will do a good job too. He just needs more tools than he has right now is all I’m saying
4. Sweet! lol
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
other thoughts
Mendenhall probably hasn’t even carried the ball 25 times in the NFL and you’re christening him a slash and dash complement to Willie Parker. In your analysis, is Parker Chris Henry or Lendale White? McClain is good fullback, but McGahee and Rice are serviceable. Aside from McClain, who’s above average, do you really think any running back on the Ravens is special? McGahee’s been the centerpiece in that offense since he’s been there and his numbers haven’t surpassed what you’d expect from featured back. He’s been featured there for much of his tenure in Baltimore. Aside from last season, when he was hurt, I don’t even know if you could label Baltimore as a RBBC situation.
Regarding the safeties, I’ve never read that Dawkins is sub-par in pass defense. True, he’s great in run support, but I’ve never heard his coverage skills described as a liability. Just look at the Eagles’ pass defense. Are you suggesting it would have been even better had Dawkins not been on the team? By almost all metrics, they were a top 5 defense against the pass last year.
As for Renaldo Hill, he used to play cornerback. Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t believe NFL coaches typically put players at corner who have weak coverage skills. I know this falls under the category of “Well, what else is he gonna say?” but when McDaniels signed Hill, he said Hill was the hardest safety to gameplan against in 2008.
Regarding your geriatric linebackers, yeah, it worked for New England. So? What did Willie McGinest do once he left Belichek? I honestly don’t know. But I don’t think he did squat in Cleveland. And Zach Thomas is really old. The potential for broken hips aside, do you really think he’s going to be able to play sideline to sideline? Can he cover anyone? First thing I’d do is try to isolate Thomas and Vrabel and see if they can keep up.
As for McDaniels v. Haley, you gave a good accouting of your views. Personally, I wouldn’t want Todd Haley. I think he’s a product of nepotism and cronyism. But we’ll see…
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 11:55 PM MDT up reply actions
"Brian Dawkins (who has never played in a 3-4)"
Obviously, he has never played in a 3-4 or 4-3. He plays in the secondary. Seriously, McDaniels has pointed out that the shift from 4-3 to 3-4 doesn’t directly affect the secondary.
"Surprised to see you, Captain, though pleased." — from Star Trek episode Space Seed.
and on top of that the 46
isn’t really one or the other either. I could be wrong but it seems like the base rush in a 46 is5 guys, and that sure ain’t no 3 or 4 front…. Can anyone corroborate or correct this?
Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 5, 2009 11:33 AM MDT up reply actions
some good points Naz
I have to comment on the Chiefs secondary especially the CBs: that is going to be a terribly dangerous group to face in the future. I watched tape of Flowers and Carr and was blown away at how fundamentally sound they were, and by how much playmaking potential was there.
The AFC West is going to be a “No Fly Zone” for the next 5-10 years….
There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 4, 2009 10:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Hope you're right, styg.
They’re leaving the Tampa-2 behind, and will be asked to do more on their own. I hope they’re up to it.
Not exactly an upgrade for the Patriots
They added Joey Galloway to play opposite of Randy Moss this season.
Since Galloway was signed to replace Jabbar Gaffney.
The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.
Chuang - Tzu
808NaNz808....
One question? Do you go to bars before you post? Or are you so blinded by the bright red colors of your chiefs? Dude, you got Matt Cassel. He’s a one year commodity and now he has NO McDaniels. He’s 1 degree of separation from college QB days, oops I forgot he never played in college! Your #1 pick could have been had at #13, and Glenn Dorsey has all the makings of another LSU bust, beware of Tyson Jackson as he’s another swamp dweller? You just signed a NY Giant throwaway named Amani Toomer, oh yeah, I’m thinking AFC WestChampionship for sure….
Give our best to Todd, we’ll be seeing ya real soon.
"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM
haha
Except that LSU has the best pro factory as the NFL stands right now and Glenn Dorsey led all rookie linemen in tackles last year on a team that had no talent around him.
Matt Cassel played a year of pro football.. So Kyle Orton has started 33 games in pro football. That’s roughly one season more than Cassel, on top of that he didn’t have the opportunity to be mentored by the best QB in the NFL. In fact even with all those starts Orton has over Cassel, Orton only has 9 touchdowns more to boast. Oh Bronco faithfuls bagging on Matt Cassel amuses me considering Matt Cassel is the reason why the Bronco’s are short a 26 year old pro bowl QB. But I’m sure McDaniels was just getting comfortable and made an honest mistake in alienating the franchise QB in favor of a “one year commodity.”
Our pick very well may have been taken at #13. Then again, Tom Brady could have been taken at #1 in his draft. The draft is unpredictable, if you want to talk about bad draft moves tell me how you gave up a first rounder for a second round pick and drafted Alphonso Smith with Ron Brace and Clint Sintim still on the board? Enjoy your “solid” secondary you’ll need one with all the time opposing QB’s will be having.
We signed Amani Toomer, yeah he is a NY reject, but he’s consistent and strives when there is a solid #1 opposite of him AKA Dwayne Bowe. Bobby Engram and Amani Toomer are merely vets to give Bowe a little bit of that space Tony G provided for him.
I never said the Chiefs were going to win the AFC West. I definitely never mentioned the QB situation for either the Chiefs nor Broncos but I’m more than willing to participate in some drunken debate :)
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
dwayne bowe?
I laughed when I read this:
there is a solid #1 opposite of him AKA Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe is in the bottom third of the league as #1’s go. Seriously. Think about it. I’d take him over Ted Ginn, Justin Gage and whatever stiff the Jets are reanimating in a given week. He’s probably better than the jokers that the Jags, Rams and Bears are rolling out. But that’s it. The Chiefs receiving corps stinks. Even if Cassel has it in him to be more than a one-year wonder without Coach McDaniels’ help, who’s he going to throw it to? Larry Johnson? Ha!
Isn’t Amani Toomer older than Zach Thomas? He might be older than Herm Edwards. I think “Amani” means “washed up.”
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 10:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Umn I was saying Dwayne Bowe is a true #1
Plaxico Burress, who evidently was enough of a receiver to distract attention from Toomer in the past, in his last two full seasons posted ten yards less and three yards more respectively than Dwayne Bowes last two full seasons. Bowe will be enough to allow Amani Toomer to be an effective #2. I’m not saying he’s going to play the lights out but I am saying the conditions are right for him to be effective.
I love how your operating on this age premise. Unannounced to the league Kansas City still has a very young core, we just patched positions with vets for this season until our young ones grow into the new systems.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Smart Rebuilding
I think KC is doing some smart rebuilding. Your best acquisition of the off-season may have been Pioli. Believe what you want, I believe the Chiefs will come in 3rd in the division and the Broncos and Chargers will be battling for the playoffs this year. Maybe next year or the year thereafter the Chiefs will be contenders again. (PS…I went to undergraduate school at KU, so the Chiefs are OK with me).
I know what you were saying
I just don’t agree with your claim that Dwayne Bowe is a true #1. Maybe on the Chiefs he is. But who’s he competing with for catches? Sylvester Morris?
And I have to admit, you’re right about the Chiefs’ young core. But just because they’re young, doesn’t mean they’ll emerge as solid pros. Jarvis Moss is young too. Look at him. Maybe that’s Brandon Albert or Glenn Dorsey. Just because a player starts on a lousy team doesn’t mean they’re worth a darn. Marquand Manuel started for the Broncos last year. Today, he’s…well, no one knows what he’s doing.
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 10:55 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well I mean
He’s been playing second fiddle to the greatest TE of all time since coming to KC. With Tony Gonzalez out of town it’s make or break time for Bowe. We’ll either see Bowe make the Pro Bowl this year because he’ll take most of the slack Tony left with his departure or we’ll see a huge drop off because of Tony’s departure. Obviously I hope for the aforementioned
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Rec'd for the Sly Mo reference
But Dwayne Bowe has 2,000 yards receiving in his first two seasons….something that doesn’t happen very often. And that’s with Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle throwing to him. Bowe is a #1….and I’ll take your assertion (though I don’t agree with it) that he’s not in the top half of the league yet but he’s just now entering year three….WR is a position that historically takes several years to develop before you start putting up 1,000 yard seasons like Bowe has.
by Joel Thorman on Aug 4, 2009 11:53 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dwayne Bowe is a very good receiver...
He obviously is a legit #1 guy, and anybody who doesn’t think so probably hasn’t watched him play much. Considering the turbulence at QB for you guys the past couple years, he has put up very good numbers. After Bowe… it starts to look a little bit thin though.
by RevrendBronco on Aug 5, 2009 10:06 AM MDT up reply actions
Two problems with Bowe as a #1 guy.
He’s inconsistent, and is taking heat in camp right now. If consistency is coachable, he’ll be somebody to look to on 3rd down. Right now, he’s a 1st- and 2nd-down option. Reminds me of Derrick Alexander, a FA WR of the Chiefs a few years back, who was a world-beater on one play, and on the next play would drop the perfect pass when he was wide-open.
He’s a great open-field runner, but he’s not a huge threat to get separation down the field. Maybe his route-running will improve and he’ll give the QB more good looks, but again, that’s subject to the coaching. If he MAKES the catch, you better have a couple guys who can wrap him up, or he’s gone.
The departure of Tony G will probably help Bowe. When Tony and Bowe were lined up on the same side of the field, defenses could pretty much flood the underneath and medium-range zones, making it tough on BOTH players. Neither of them was scaring anybody that they might get behind the secondary.
Back to back 1,000 yard seasons
In his ONLY two seasons…
Rookie season, #1 among rookies. Second year, still #1 among his class. Out of all NFL receivers, he sits at #10 in Receptions, #18 in yards, #20 in YPG, and #12 in TDs. So he’s actually right around the middle of the league, which is pretty good good considering it is his second year in the league who will have had 4 QBs in the last 2 years, no offensive line to speak of, and no running game.
Not quite in the bottom third of the league, and pretty damn good for only two years in the league.
Go figure.
I could get more sacks with my sack
I'm on your side, ArrowSpread, but...
I’m tired of guys with great stats on losing teams. Catch a couple game-winners and my opinion of Bowe will change.
And I love your one question
maybe I’m too drunk to count
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
808 - Good for you!!
You certainly don’t seem to be trolling, back up your points of view with sound thinking, (not necessarily “correct” thinking, but nobody knows what “correct” will be till the season’s over, and this comment applies to all of us), are well-behaved, and don’t take any #### – good for you.
Frankly, I hope the Chiefs do well – I like you guys far better than the Faders – will always hate them and their fans are the US equivalents of the drunken, loud-mouthed European “footballers” who are always rioting and beating up people after losing games – or the vastly overrated and incredibly undercoached Dolts. We have a good rivalry with the Chiefs and we need to bring the general level of the AFC West up to where it once was.
The good Revrend was being a bit optimistic, but I think the Broncos will surprise. And I hope the Chiefs do well for 14 games of the season!!
GO BRONCOS
honestly though
I hate the Chargers fans the most. They’re fans are the biggest fair-weather fans in the NFL (Next to the Eagles). Boo Hoo our team isn’t going to win 10 games this season.. ugh.. I respect this blog though you guys do good work, every once in a great while I like to spark an argument though. Here’s hoping the AFC West becomes what it once was.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
And Orton actually STARTED as Purdue QB...
Cassel…NEVER did! W/O McD, let’s see how your boy Cassel does? Haley didn’t develop Warner, but he did work his magic on Leinart…wow, how’s that working out ? If he does for cassel, what he did for Leinart, your big time LSU football factory won’t even be a discussion…lol
It’s not too late mate, you can be one of us. Our bandwagon has plenty of room, and our koolaid tastes better, and is more colorful!!!
"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM
Aside
Haley was not QB coach he was WR’s coach in Arizona. Haley is not QB’s coach in Kansas City Chan Gailey is. And I don’t see how Cassel even effect LSU’s factory.
Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey both play on defense and Dwayne Bowe has posted 2017 yards in his two year career despite receiving for less than stellar QB’s such as Damon Huard, Tyler Thigpen, and Brodie Croyle. If anything Bowes numbers jumped when Thigpen was thrown in so if Cassel fails we have something that looks like a serviceable back up plan
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
As for the whole Orton starting thing
all the prerequisite and he still only passed for 9 more touchdowns in two seasons of starts than Cassel did in one. Is Cassel ahead of the learning curve or is Orton behind it?
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Apples and oranges.
Compare New Englands O Line and Receivers to Chicago’s. There’s no valid point in that argument. It’s like comparing USC to a pop warner team.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
So a Pop Warner QB could succeed in the USC program?
Watch the game tape Cassel put the ball where it needed to be. Someone wanted to compare QB’s I’m comparing QB’s. There will be no end to the New England system argument until Cassel steps on to the field as a Chief, so this argument is null.
But in all honesty McDaniels chose Cassel over a 26 year old Pro Bowler when he came into Denver. Does that not say a little?
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
Cassel
I had to jump in here. McD deliberately did NOT choose Cassel. Cutler didn’t find out about the phone call until AFTER it had already been turned down. And, since you’re new here, you need to realize that MHR folks have spent months debating Cutler, Orton, Cassel, etc., etc. ad nauseum ad enlightenment. Bottom Line: FORGET ABOUT THAT PRO BOWL CRAP! Cutler is not all that and a bag of chips. But HE thinks he is and the main stream media seems to have a man-crush on the whiner. He’s an NFL QB, but don’t even start trying to put him into an all-pro category just yet. McD wanted him here, but Cutler did not want to be here.
My Bad
consider me on the outside looking in. I mean if you guys came over to AP I’m sure there are other sides to arguments that are widely expressed in another view elsewhere.. But to be honest I do believe Cutler is a pro bowl QB on the field. A true pro act in the locker room? Not so much, in that light I could see McDaniels booting him in favor of Cassel.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
I Know
That’s the mainstream media pulling the wool of your eyes. But, hey, you don’t know any better and haven’t been forced to analyze the whole mess in detail like we have.
haha
oh the trials of being a faithful fan AND blogger lol
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
the devil
You’ve heard the saying, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.”
Jay Cutler and Matt Cassel are two faces of the same thing: Satan.
Although people claim to know what happened there, the fact is: No one knows what really went down. No one really knows who picked up the phone first or who didn’t bother to pick up the phone or who didn’t answer the phone or who had who on speed dial. It’s in the vault. We’ll never know what really happened.
I’m not going to speak for anyone, but I believe that McDaniels never really wanted to coach Cutler. We can speculate why, but I won’t because those reasons have been speculated on for months.
I will say this, given what we know (which is very little), if you’re willing to believe that Josh McDaniels preferred Cassel over Cutler, it might have been because McDaniels wanted nothing to do with Cutler. And that’s hardly a ringing endorsement for Cassel. So, does the fact that McDaniels might have preferred working with Cassel to Cutler say a little? Yes. A little.
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 10:46 PM MDT up reply actions
It's not about preferring one guy...
it’s about preferring to NOT have the other, really.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
It takes both a QB AND a receiver to make a completion. Orton had no receivers.
-Harvey J. Neptune
"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi
Never started in college?
So….? I’ll take one season of 3,500+ yards and 20+ tds than several seasons of mediocrity.
by Joel Thorman on Aug 4, 2009 11:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Look at who was around him.
Cassel took over a well-oiled machine, which was tweaked to fit Cassel by Josh McDaniels. Orton eked out a pretty good record in a system that was ill-suited to his talents from the beginning. So, Cassel won because of his team. Orton won IN SPITE of his team. We shall see.
-Harvey J. Neptune
"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi
Hey... this is a koolaid post...
not claiming to be entirely objective… but I sure hope I’m right on!
very thought-provoking post
Like many others, I disagree with your take on point #1. I think Arizona and maybe New Orleans and Buffalo have better, deeper receiving corps than ours. But ours is at least 5th.
Also, I think there are other running back corps who have more talent, including Carolina, Atlanta and Minnesota.
But the biggest thing we have going for us is point #5. We have significantly upgraded our coaching. This is something that outsiders simply haven’t grasped yet. Nolan was a nice pickup. But the league isn’t yet ready for Josh McDaniels.
But who will guard the guards themselves?
by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 4, 2009 9:24 PM MDT reply actions
doh
how could I have forgotten Nawlins
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
You go Rev...
and while you are at it, you can pour me annother glass! 13 -3 baby!
It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.
Great show fellas...Enjoyed it
But I’m going to do a shot from Mikes pitcher and hit the pillow…Dreams of #22 running over a red jersey or 10…
Nice post,
and welcome 808 and thanks for an interesting discussion. Come on back anytime, especially during Red Week.
-Harvey J. Neptune
"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi
I'm curious 808 didn't Dorsey show up to camp over weight and out of shape?
Or are those reports false?
Apparently they're true
Todd Haley has a tough conditioning test he puts the players through but Dorsey couldn’t do it…he was also icing his knees, but there’s been no information on that.
Actually, he's icing his SHIN.
This seems like an acute problem that’s proven to be CHRONIC with him. Some talk of a hairline fracture that didn’t heal right. Other speculation… I personally think it’s the leg that hurt his conditioning more than anything else. He missed most of last winter/spring OTAs, and the first few days of camp.
I have a feeling if the Broncos took Todd Haley's conditioning test
a lot more than 5 players would fail. The conditioning test was the part of the physical they failed, which is running a 450-yard shuttle under a certain time depending on what position you play. Honestly, I thought a lot more than 5 would fail. Keep in mind that Dorsey has an injured leg too.
fyi
bailey failed ours the first time, along with two others — I don’t think yours is really any different than ours [timed runs, etc]. Most vets said they were scared of it =)
5 altogether out of 80 is nothing.
Especially when the “conditioning test” (not “physical”) was as demanding as it was. Non-issue, bfree… And the tough standards seem to be reflected in (knocking on wood) fewer injuries when they ARE allowed to practice.
I guess there's 2 things all Chief and Bronco fans can agree on:
The Raiders and Chargers both suck terribly.
And Jay Cutler is NOT the savior of football.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
I'm tired of all this arguing with the Chiefs fan.
Lets get on the field and settle it! Woot! Can’t wait, baby. It’s time to get this party started…
I wonder what all the KC fans are doing snooping around MHR?
Maybe deep down they are craving a little Orange and Blue Koolaid…
JK… but it is sure nice to be able to debate and dialog like civilized fans… with guys who at least have rational and measured opinions. Thanks for adding your opinions to the mix… it will be fun to see how everything shakes out in 09! Here to the Broncos and KC both kicking the snot out of SD and the Raiders this year!
808
Thanks for joining in. All of use have are own opinions about are teams and its nice that you came over and didnt start insulting or throwing f bombs around.
live and die blue and orange
We were too pass happy last year like the Pats were in 2007. Thats why they lost the SB. I was glad to see a break from the old philosophy of getting by on low round running backs. That approach was hubris. But having said that, I question McDaniels running game. They are so reliant on the WR screen that a lot of running plays spin off of that. I dont like running out of the shot gun. I was glad he is going to keep the ZBS though. I think what Im saying matters when you play the better defensive teams in the playoffs. Weve needed balance in a big way…not just in run/pass distribution but also in terms of talent.
Beyond that, a big part of what will define success is what kind of a job Nolan does. He might be the key person affecting the overall success. Just getting rid of Slowik might mean more wins. Hopefully, there will be no more 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 5.
While I dont think the offensive scheme is better, I think the overall coaching on defense is enough of an upgrade where it might matter.
The only thing I fear from the Spread Shotgun scheme
is the running game from shotgun. I’ve NEVER liked running the ball from shotgun because in the past few years, teams have learned to counter it while still playing against the pass. There isn’t many occasions that I can remember when any running back gains significant yardage on a shotgun running play. I hope we line up more under center for the run game this year.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.
That could go to o-line, jerry251, for both NE and Den.
Perhaps the current o-line for Denver isn’t the rush-oriented juggernaut of yore? They’re highly touted for a great sacks:attempts ratio, but while I’m a fan of WR screens, my impression of the Chiefs when they were doing a lot of it was that it was a poor substitute for the run-blocking they didn’t have. Denver hasn’t struck fear into MY heart as a running juggernaut since Mark Schlereth retired.
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