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Horse Tracks 9/10/09 - Team captains named; Broncos reportedly discussing new contract with Brandon Marshall

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Good MORNING, MHR Friends! I'm tanned, well-rested and back after a few days in what turned out to be perfect Sarasota. The weather was surprisingly terrific, and we had a great time. Certainly, lots happened over the past week, as final cuts came (no surprises, in my eyes), Richard Quinn found himself in hot water, BMarsh returned and may even be talking over a new deal, team captains were announced (with the fascinating inclusion and contract extension of LB Mario Haggan), and the DP went "Premium." Oh, and Vonnie Holliday signed with the Broncos, which I predicted back in July. For anyone puzzled by the choice to keep LaMont Jordan over Darius Walker, look back at my RBs preview and you'll see that Jordan got a much bigger signing bonus; that, plus his receiving ability, usefulness in short-yardage situations and prior knowledge/experience within Josh McDaniels' offense make a strong case for LaMont. One final thought; if Kyle Orton starts playing this week, could that mean his finger never fully heals this year? Does another week or two mean he's 100% the rest of the way? Okay, onto the news...

DB - Players Vote for 2009 Captains - Broncos TV

DB - Week 1 - Wed.: McDaniels - Broncos TV

DB - Week 1 - Wed.: Orton - Broncos TV

DB - Week 1 - Wed.: Dawkins - Broncos TV

NFL - Broncos discussing new deal with WR Marshall - Jason La Canfora

ESPN - Team Preview: Denver Broncos

Y! - Marshall could learn from Hall, McGahee - Charles Robinson

AP - Broncos New Era Under McDaniels About To Get Real - Arnie Stapleton

Star-divide

Well, the DP went "premium" just in time to roll out their prolific season preview...

DPP - Broncos' and Bengals' controversial receivers face off Sunday - Mike Klis

DPP - Orton putting up with pain, ready to start - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Kyle Orton embracing Colorado - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Bowlen is still Broncos' boss - Mike Klis

DPP - Fans fickle when it comes to McDaniels - Jim Armstrong

DPP - Krieger: Altered egos take time to evaluate

DPP - Paige: Orton must star in glove story

DPP - Broncos social time has seen its last time - Jeff Legwold

DP - McDaniels won't shed — or sweat — hoodies - Jim Armstrong

DPP - Analysis: Broncos to see pass-happy Bengals - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Benson has big role in Bengals' running game - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Broncos moving to a new beat at practice - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Shutting doors to draft big change - Jeff Legwold
A look at the different ways Shanny and McD handle the draft.

DPP - Broncos' blocking system changes to power game - Terry Frei

DPP - Tough practice, tough players - Anthony Cotton

DPP - Yoga takes big hit in switch to how Broncos will stretch - Lindsay Jones
I wonder if all those guys who pulled/tore groin muscles and hamstrings last season were the ones too macho to practice yoga. IMO, this was a poor choice by both the players and the team.

DPP - McDaniels has a busy helping hand - Mike Klis
A look at Mark Thewes, Josh McDaniels' childhood friend and right-hand man.

DPP - McD's goal for O-line: bigger and stronger - Anthony Cotton

DPP - Broncos offense: Small passes, big results - Mike Klis

DPP - All defensive schemes need players - Terry Frei

DPP - Broncos offensive starters - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Broncos defensive starters - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Broncos 2009 schedule - Lindsay Jones

DPP - Q&A: Where'd all the offense go? - Jeff Legwold

DPP - Fan surveys fuel stadium changes - Mike Klis

DPP - Numbers: Broncos coaches tend to have dandy debuts

DB - Week 1 - Tues.: Sounds from the Locker Room - Broncos TV

DB - The Challenge at Hand - Zach Eisendrath
A look at the Bangles' many offensive weapons, plus the initial injury reports. Denver reached injury settlements with Josh Bell and Matt McChesney.

DB - From Ourselves to Our Opponents - Chris Gentilviso
More player quotes heading into the opener.

DP - Mailbag: Broncos' roster moves questioned - Woody Paige

CSG - Three Broncos to test the importance of preseason - Frank Schwab

SI - Would Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin consider skipping games? - Ross Tucker

Bengals News

NFL - Ochocinco insists he'll provide the NFL with a surprise Sunday

CE - Palmer: Week's practices will rust-proof him - Joe Reedy

CE - All's well with Chad, for now - Paul Daugherty

CE - Bengals upgrade their special teams - Joe Reedy

AFC West News

KCS - Chiefs notebook | Cassel still uncertain for opener - Kent Babb

KCS - Chiefs hope their defense steps up against Ravens - Adam Teicher

SDUT - No catch to Chambers' game - Tod Leonard

SDUT - Rookie Vasquez a starter with a future - Nick Canepa

SDUT - District Attorney's Office reviewing deputies' report in Merriman-Tequila abuse case

SDUT - Merriman taking it slow, still not 100% - Kevin Acee

SFC - Sympathy for Seymour - Gwen Knapp

NFL - Why Patriots acted quickly on Seymour trade; top five teams of '09 - Vic Carucci

CCT - Raiders 2009 outlook - Steve Corkran

NFL News

NFL - Mangini picks Quinn over Anderson to be Browns' starting QB

NFL - Steelers LB Timmons doubtful to play vs. Titans

NFL - Jags welcome Jones-Drew back to practice, expect him to play vs. Colts

NFL - Westbrook ready to play again, expecting full load in Eagles' opener

NFL - Rams QB Bulger takes direct snaps for first time since breaking pinkie

NFL - Panthers LB Beason, RB Stewart look 'really good' in return to practice

NFL - Niners safety Lewis shakes off concussions, will start vs. Cardinals
Team doctors FAIL.

NFL Opinion

NFL - Among NFL trends, finding rookie starters is growing tougher - Pat Kirwan

NFL - Wins and losses will rule, but rookie coaches already have made an impact - Steve Wyche

Y! - Nine on '09: Storylines of upcoming season - Jason Cole

Y! - Steelers get lost in turbulent offseason - Dan Wetzel

SI - NFL experts make 2009 predictions on Super Bowl, MVP, more

Y! - McNair was more than just a player to Fisher - Mike Silver

NYT - N.F.L. Preview - N.F.L. Teams Unleash Offense, With a Nod to the College Game - Judy Battista

2 recs  |  Comment 34 comments |

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It is great to have you back NYC

Guru did a good job while you were gone but having both of you is awesome!

I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"

by dmitchell624 on Sep 10, 2009 6:23 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

how was vacation time?

I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"

by dmitchell624 on Sep 10, 2009 6:24 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was terrific, DM – thanks! Weather was beautiful, we ate well and relaxed plenty. By midday Monday, the whole place cleared out and we had the entire pool and beach almost to ourselves.

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 10, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Sep 10, 2009 6:39 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Good Mornin, and welcome home nyc.

You sound rested and ready to roll, anyway
Thanks…

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Sep 10, 2009 6:48 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

You were definitely missed...

Welcome back, and thanks, as always

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Sep 10, 2009 6:53 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I love this Orton quote:

""Perception is everything in this league, and a lot of times, unless you’re a self-promoter, it can become negative," Orton said.

This is who we have: a quiet, hard working, team first player. HALLEJULAH!

Expect some long balls this week, then what will all the naysayers have to say.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Sep 10, 2009 7:09 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised if McKinley or Royal are sent long on the very first play

I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"

by dmitchell624 on Sep 10, 2009 8:17 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow, lots of goodies today

Thanks NYC, glad to see you back!

Great article on Orton.

"Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for to many men on the field?" - Jim Bouton

by diviesti on Sep 10, 2009 7:15 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks NYC

Good to have you back

by BroncoSense72 on Sep 10, 2009 7:23 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome Back NYC

and thanks for all you do!!

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

by fooballa303 on Sep 10, 2009 7:30 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Nyc

Welcome back.

"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
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Sep 10, 2009 7:42 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome back, NYC

Turns out, I was just up the road from you this weekend, in St. Pete Beach. The weather was perfect for a beach weekend. Hotter’n hell at times (I swear the sun is more intense there than here, about 2 hours away), but the gulf was perfect.

by BroncosBassist on Sep 10, 2009 8:42 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

We did spend a lot of time under beach umbrellas, but I have no complaint there. As crazy as it sounds to go to Florida on Labor Day Weekend, we’ll strongly consider doing so again in the future. What a great town, Sarasota!

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 10, 2009 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ochostinko

Broncos, I have one suggestion as far as keeping Chad 85 from revealing his “surprise” on Sunday: Keep him out of the damned end zone.

And welcome back NYC!

The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".

by underdog on Sep 10, 2009 8:56 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Klis' Article

I get angry when I read Klis sometimes. In today’s he first states:

Others became confused when Bowlen indicated he didn’t want his coach to have autonomous control — as Shanahan did — then he ceded similar authority to McDaniels.

He then quotes Bowlen:

To say that Josh has the same responsibilities as Mike, I don’t think that’s correct. Obviously our football operations department is bigger. It’s more sophisticated. It has to be. We’ve got (general manager) Brian Xanders, who is very active.

And:

Unlike Shanahan, McDaniels and Xanders have to work more closely with Ellis on budgetary matters.

And in the end, Klis NEVER says that McDaniels does NOT have autonomous control like Shanahan. In fact, he makes it seem like Bowlen had complete control when Shanahan was here:

Then and now

Hands on: Although Pat Bowlen left football decisions to his head coaches, he did oversee them and was in charge of all other business.

Hands off: Bowlen leaves football operations to coach Josh McDaniels, but nearly all business and major football decisions are first presented to Joe Ellis, who then relays them to Bowlen.

Arrghhh Lazy reporting Klis!

by Endzone on Sep 10, 2009 9:04 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

same reaction

As a news junkie, I still feel compelled to read this stuff in hope of finding an actual kernel or two. How sad!

Strangely, I’m well prepared for deciphering Klis & the D.P.‘s Tass New Agency like framing, but that’s what makes it even more offensive. There’s a parallel reality that Klis cites even while his questions to Bowlen re-confirm what I’ve been seeing all along.

It’s not as if I haven’t learned something while writing on MHR over the course of the last year. My interpretation of last year’s turnstile movement of players was of weakness. Positions such as Safety were in need — quite clearly — and the ongoing tryouts by recently acquired prospects was just pointing to this weakness. That’s one interpretation, but the flip-side is that we have a very active GM & crew who are bringing in players at a dizzying pace. The ability to find players is a tremendous asset, and we can see all of our ‘finds’ in Haggan, McBean, Hochstein, L K Smith, etc.

All of the complaints that I had a year ago when I wrote about the “draft drought” and “team-building” have been miraculously answered, as if Bowlen has been listening and finally brought in coaches and personnel people who understood the points I was making. And this is what makes the “kool-aid” accusation all the more absurd. There’s Kool-aid being drunken, that’s for sure, but it must be laced with LSD and Klis is drinking it, judging by his delusional view of reality.

"If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences". W. I. Thomas

by Colinski on Sep 10, 2009 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Welcome Back NYC - Sarasota is great

Stayed at The Colony in Long Boat Key last year during the 4th of July and it was so fun.

Is anyone as disturbed by this comment by Woody on Knowshon as I am?:

I think the injury was worsened by Moreno staying in the game, and he wasn’t going to beg out. He shouldn’t have played in the game, and he shouldn’t have carried twice after he was hurt. I don’t think he is close to 100 percent for the first game, and he hasn’t been the same since the injury.

by NYCBronx on Sep 10, 2009 9:08 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I think Woody's both

right and wrong. He’s not 100% but he’s making it all into something worse than it is. If he’s not close enough to 100% on Sunday he won’t play. If he is, he will. If he’s got some kind of debilitating issue because of that injury, as Woody makes it sound, well, that’s the first we’ve heard about it. And he looked ok in practice. Keep in mind WP frequently talks out of his…

{opposite of mouth}

The commenter formerly known as "Dashiell".

by underdog on Sep 10, 2009 9:12 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Woody the coach

Remind us again, Woody, when it was you coached? Oh, right, you haven’t. Ever.

Funny how these guys know everything, and would’ve always made a better choice than the coaches did.

by AllBroncsallday on Sep 10, 2009 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Woody was not the only one to notice

I also noticed that Moreno looked hurt after his first run. He should have come out, but I think it was his decision rather than the coaches.

by Endzone on Sep 10, 2009 11:55 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Woody isn't much of a doc
I think the injury was worsened by Moreno staying in the game, and he wasn’t going to beg out. He shouldn’t have played in the game, and he shouldn’t have carried twice after he was hurt. I don’t think he is close to 100 percent for the first game, and he hasn’t been the same since the injury.

Uh-huh. Well, thanks for the diagnosis, Woodrow… He can’t know anything of the sort. I guess that once folks start asking you your opinion, it gets hard to stop when you’re completely out of your element.

There’s no evidence that Moreno was harmed by carrying twice more. It’s perfectly normal of a sprain of this sort to take this long healing. Journalism is preferable to practicing medicine without a license.

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Emmett Smith on Sep 10, 2009 10:04 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

http://www.draftcountdown.com/blog/Wright-Stuff-Blog.php

Scott Wright wrote a good piece about the dangers of top NFL prospects staying in college instead of turning pro early.

I’d have to agree with Wright. Two Oklahoma Sooners made terrible decisions to return to school instead of enter the 2009 NFL draft. Both will lose millions of dollars because of this decision.

One of the reason’s I was disappointed in the 2009 draft wasn’t so much Denver’s fault as it was the several shocking and dumb decisions of guys like Greshom, Bradford, Taylor Mays and Gerald McCoy to return for another year of college ball. Two of these guys have already harmed their draft stock.

Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.

by McGeorge on Sep 10, 2009 10:35 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe

But you are also assuming their draft stock is more important to them than other issues. Some players who came out this year spent an extra year in school because they felt they were leaders on their respective teams and wanted to stay, and their draft stock rose because it showed leadership qualities — something lacking these days.

Seems pretty iffy to call another man’s decision “dumb” when you don’t know all the reasons he made that decision, let alone a group of people who could easily have all sorts of different motivations.

by jvill on Sep 10, 2009 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’d wager a lot of money that Bradford and esp Greshom wish they had turned pro.

Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.

by McGeorge on Sep 10, 2009 2:28 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Money Wise True

Maybe there will be an upside, they will get drafted by a good team later in the draft maybe…

Tis better not to throw it to the deep receiver but the open receiver.

by Kfustud on Sep 10, 2009 4:08 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow

Bill Simmons predicts playoffs for the Broncos.

by moomacher on Sep 10, 2009 11:16 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice

Simmons is on the money.

Prediction No. VIII: As we all know (or should know), a true sleeper pick can only be a team that: (A) flagrantly sucked last season; and (B) generated little buzz heading into this one. That rules out Houston (too much buzz), Green Bay (ditto), the Jets (9-7 last season) and Bucs (9-7 last season). You have to pick someone from this group: the Bills, Browns, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs, Lions, Rams, Bengals and Niners. You need the “Nobody believed in us!” factor. You need a team that nailed its April draft and is blessed by a bad division and/or an easy schedule. You need an easy September for momentum. You need a franchise with fans who lost hope and will lose their collective crap if anything good happens. And you need to feel like you want to throw up even as you’re anointing the team your sleeper.

My pick? The Broncos. Nobody believes in them because they lost Shanahan (24-24 since 2006) and Cutler (17-20 career record). Was that REALLY a disaster? They hired the architect of New England’s record-setting 2007 offense (McDaniels) and traded for a QB with a 21-12 career record as a starter (Kyle Orton). (I know, I’m pushing it with the facts. But those ARE facts.) They crushed the draft: two first-rounders (including running back Knowshon Moreno, who could light it up right away) and five of the top 64 picks. They play in a division with two awful teams (Kansas City and Oakland). They easily could start 4-0 (at Cincy, home for Cleveland, at Oakland, home for Dallas). And the city of Denver has lost all hope. Also, I want to throw up and you are shaking your head right now. In other words, the Broncos fit the bill. Ten and six, I say.

by Endzone on Sep 10, 2009 11:46 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wonder whether there’s any chance Simmons would’ve picked the Broncos if it weren’t a former Pats coach heading up the team…

by Douglas A. Lee on Sep 10, 2009 12:03 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

One of the NFP guys picked Denver as an AFC Wild Card team.

Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.

by McGeorge on Sep 10, 2009 2:31 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

ha. That's one of those "Thanks...I think" type things.

"When a new coach comes in and expects hard work, a team attitude and personal accountability over a personal thirst for glory, I won’t fault him for the reactions of a few selfish individual." ~Hunter Ansley, InDenverTimes.com

by Colorado_Kitten on Sep 10, 2009 1:12 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Andrew Cotton, DP

He’s got a nice article today on the direction of our offensive line and how McD wants to get bigger. Not deep, but accurate as far as that goes. However, did anyone notice that his example, who he quotes repeatedly, is Kory Lichtensteiger. He comments that ‘Steiger is currently Wiegmann’s backup. The article was published today and ’Steiger was cut last week. Does anyone over there have a proof-reader? An editor?

Lichtensteiger, the backup to 285-pound Casey Wiegmann, says the Broncos haven’t totally moved away from their previous schemes — yet. But at the same time, it’s clear that the demands being made on the linemen require some adjustments.
“It forces you to use better technique,” he said. “I probably focus on the little things more than a person who’s naturally larger has to.”

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Emmett Smith on Sep 10, 2009 11:38 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I've been out of the loop

so I’m not sure if its been mentioned. Lee Robinson was signed to the Cardinals practice squad. I’m kinda bummed he got away, as he looked promising.

"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
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing." -- George Bernard Shaw
Breaking jaws or the NFL in Oakland who cares? Fall on your pirate’s sword - Ponderosa

by KaptainKirk on Sep 10, 2009 12:33 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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