The Dude Abides...Spotlight on Champ Bailey and Brandon Marshall

Last week I was guilty while watching the Broncos and Bengals.  While I hadn't descended into the abyss that is being a Raider fan, I made a pair of very silly mistakes: 

 

I made snap judgements on both Champ Bailey and Brandon Marshall.  

 

And my evidence?  A few plays.  For Bailey, it was one play in which he cheated to the inside on a deep out (level 3) run by Chad Ochocinco.  Yes, Ocho beat him on the play (not badly).  But it happened to be the only play in the entire game that Bailey got beat.  The only damn play!  But, of course, when you are caught up with the emotion of the game, you tend to make snap judgements like this that are not normally in your character.

 

What about Marshall?  For me, I simply watched a few plays in which he seemed a little bit lost route running and not moving at his normal speed.  So I magnified this and thought he was dogging it (clearly, I wasn't the only one, as this has been talked about all week on local sports talk radio in Denver).  In short, I was ready to throw Marshall under the bus.

 

Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber.  Also, I went back and watched every play from the beginning.  I did not simply want to offer an opinion.  Anyone can do this (by the way, my cat Maximus says you should take the points and the Broncos this week) .

 

Instead of watching the ball, I only focused on Bailey and Marshall. Although it is strange to watch a game like this, it is rather enlightening.  I've attached the entire drive chart from each drive below as evidence if you are so inclined, but let me summarize for those of you (like me) that want to watch some college football today:

 

Champ Bailey:

 

• He has NOT lost a step.  None.  He hasn't even slowed.  The guy is usually step for step with his man.
• Champ played almost a flawless game, only getting beat on 1 pass play.
• Champ still loves to play off the receiver as his normal style and react to the backfield.  He is amazing at this and this is one reason why he is so awesome in run support.  
• He is equally comfortable in both man and zone coverages, although the Broncos played more zone against the Bengals.  
• It's clear that Champ is developing rapport with Alphonso Smith.  You can see them slapping fives regularly on the field.
• BDawk and Champ are signaling to each other a lot pre-snap and it's clear Champ knows what the hell is going on.
• Categorically still in Pro-Bowl form.  I am penciling him in for the Pro-Bowl already.  Nothing I saw on tape suggested otherwise.  His jumping of the Ocho route which led to the first INT was classic Bailey. 

 

 

Brandon Marshall

 

• He was hardly in the game, especially in the first half.  You'll see on the drive chart the Broncos lined up in a lot of 2 wides early in the game.  Brandon wasn't even in these formations.  A casual fan will assume he was in and just did not get the ball thrown to him.  I am telling you, he was on the sideline for much of the game.
• He wasn't dogging it.  I looked at every play he ran.  I did not see him slack off.  He isn't the most polished route runner anyway, but he gave a good effort, in particular, in the blocking game.  The play he pasted a defender was simply awesome.  
• It was clear that this guy is still learning the offense.  I have no doubt after watching every play.  His patterns were generally simple crossing routes and fly patterns and that's it.
• From his body language on the sideline for most of the game, I think he was trying to be toned down on purpose.  You could tell it was hard for him to not be in the game on every play, but it did not seem like he was pouting.  It seemed like he was trying to fit into the team.
• After the 87 yard miracle, Marshall is seen laughing and hugging Stokley.  I had missed this when I watched the game the first time.  During this shot, he seemed to be part of the "team" again.

 

Week 2 Prediction:  Bailey continues to kick serious ass.  Marshall gets more comfortable in the offense and begins to run more complicated routes and is embraced as a teammates.  He is just getting started.

 

Drive Chart with comments below for those that want to look at every play:

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

Denver - 14:55

1st-10, DEN20            14:55   C. Buckhalter rushed to the left for 8 yard gain

*Marshall not in formation

2nd-2, DEN28 14:17   C. Buckhalter rushed to the right for 14 yard gain

*Marshall with a decent block to contribute to the gain.  Full speed.

1st-10, DEN42            13:39   C. Buckhalter rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*Marshall not in formation

2nd-9, DEN43 13:01   K. Orton incomplete pass to the left

*Dropped bubble screen for Marshall. Full speed.

3rd-9, DEN43 12:58   K. Orton incomplete pass to the left

*Marshall not in formation

4th-9, DEN43  12:43   B. Kern punt, no return

*Marshall not in formation

Cincinnati - 12:43

1st-10, CIN12 12:43   C. Benson rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*Bailey plays man, follows receiver in motion on a fake reverse.  Good instincts and hustle.

2nd-9, CIN13  12:07   C. Benson rushed to the right for no gain

* Plays 7 yards off line of scrimmage.  Not involved in play.

3rd-9, CIN13  11:23   C. Palmer passed to C. Henry to the right for 18 yard gain

* Bailey in zone coverage on the flat.  Ball is thrown over the middle.

1st-10, CIN31 10:46   C. Palmer passed to C. Ochocinco to the right for 22 yard gain

*Bailey checks Ochocinco and then forces him inside on zone coverage.  Some will mistakenly think he was beaten by Ocho, but he was not.  He was in zone coverage.  Can't fault Bailey here.

1st-10, DEN47            10:07   C. Benson rushed to the left for 4 yard gain. CIN committed 10 yard penalty

*Bailey is playing bump man coverage, but immediately recognizes the run play and sprints across the field accordingly.  Very quick and instinctual.  Play is run away from him, so he's not in on the tackle.

1st-16, CIN47 9:43     C. Palmer incomplete pass down the middle

*Bailey plans man coverage and follows the slot receiver to the flat.  Good coverage.

2nd-16, CIN47            9:38     C. Benson rushed to the right for 6 yard gain

* Bailey plays off the receiver, but play is run at him.  He avoids the receivers direct block and gets and assist on the tackle. 

3rd-10, DEN47           8:53     C. Palmer incomplete pass to the left

* Bailey plays off the receiver in man coverage.  Receiver runs a cross field pick route, but Bailey is fast enough to have made the tackle immediately even if the receiver had caught the pass.  Good closing speed on this route.

4th-10, DEN47            8:40     K. Huber punt, no return

*Not involved with the play.

 

Denver - 8:40

1st-10, DEN16            8:40     K. Moreno rushed to the left for 5 yard gain

*Broncos in 2 wide.  Marshall not in the game.

2nd-5, DEN21 8:05     K. Moreno rushed to the right for no gain

* Broncos in 2 wide.  Marshall not in the game.

3rd-5, DEN21 7:28     K. Orton incomplete pass down the middle

*Broncos in 3 wide.  Marshall not in game.  As a side note, Orton should have hit Eddie Royal in the flat on this play.

4th-5, DEN21  7:11     B. Kern punt. Q. Cosby returned punt for 14 yards

*Marshall not involved in this play.

 

Cincinnati - 7:10

1st-10, 50        7:10     CIN committed 5 yard penalty

*Bailey follows (blankets) his man on a fly route.  Well covered.  Palmer looks but doesn't throw, and instead hits the deep out.

1st-15, CIN45 6:45     C. Benson rushed to the left for 5 yard gain

*  Ball is run to the opposite side of Bailey. Not involved in the play.

2nd-10, 50       6:06     C. Benson rushed to the left for 8 yard gain

*On this play, Bailey is blocked by the receiver.  Ball is run again to the opposite side of the field.  Bailey sees the ball carrier is tackled so both he and the receiver slow up.  I would say he didn't really take the play off, but didn't sprint to the ball either.

3rd-2, DEN42 5:22     C. Palmer incomplete pass down the middle

* Bailey with man coverage on the outside.  Receiver runs an out and up route.  Excellent blanket coverage. 

4th-2, DEN42  5:16     B. Leonard rushed to the right for 5 yard gain

*Not involved in play.  Worth watching Royal come all the way up from his punt return position to make this tackle. 

1st-10, DEN37            4:32     C. Palmer passed to C. Benson to the right for 19 yard gain

*Bailey plays the deeps zone here and then comes back to help make the tackle on another receiver after the catch.  Good zone coverage and then reaction.  Can't fault Bailey here.

1st-10, DEN18            3:49     C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell to the left for 5 yard gain

*Wide Receiver screen to the opposite side of Bailey.  Not involved in the play.

2nd-5, DEN13 3:12     C. Benson rushed to the left for 2 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in play.

3rd-3, DEN11 2:31     B. Leonard rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*Baily not involved in play.  As a side not, Smith is a fast flying hawk on this play.

4th-2, DEN10  1:44     K. Huber rushed up the middle for no gain. K. Huber fumbled. K. Huber recovered fumble

*Not involved on this play.

Denver - 1:43

1st-10, DEN44            1:43     K. Orton sacked by J. Fanene

*1 WR set.  Marshall not involved.

2nd-14, DEN40           1:20     K. Orton passed to B. Marshall down the middle for 8 yard gain

*A lazy route, but by design.  A hesitation and a crossing route.  Marshall is wide open.  Not bad overall.  After the play, Marshall is looking as to whether or not he is coming out.  He looks to the huddle, back to the sideline, then back to the huddle again.  Finally, he jogs towards the sideline.  As he gets close to the sideline, he yells something and throws his arm out as if he feels like he could have ran for more yards. It seems like he wants to get back out there.

3rd-6, DEN48 0:34     K. Orton sacked by A. Odom

* Not involved in the play.

4th-11, DEN43            0:07     B. Kern punt. Q. Cosby returned punt for 11 yards

*Not involved in the play.

Cincinnati - 0:07

1st-10, CIN32 0:07     C. Palmer passed to C. Ochocinco to the right for 34 yard gain

*Bailey decides to play Ocho to the inside and cheats this way.  Ocho runs a deep out, beating Bailey on the coverage.  Bailey then misses the tackle and Ocho runs for another 10 yards after the catch.  Bailey's worst play of the day it appears.

2nd Quarter

Cincinnati continued

1st-10, DEN34            15:00   C. Palmer sacked by A. Davis

*Bailey manned up and covers a crossing route easily.

2nd-20, DEN44           14:27   C. Benson rushed to the right for 6 yard gain

*Not involved in the play.

3rd-14, DEN38           13:48   C. Palmer incomplete pass to the left

*Not involved in play.

4th-14, DEN38            13:32   K. Huber punt, no return

*Not involved in play

Denver - 13:32

1st-10, DEN16            13:32   K. Orton passed to J. Gaffney to the left for 1 yard gain

*Marshall engages in a block for WR screen but Bengals sniff this out.  However, Marshall's man does not make the tackle. Good hustle on this play.

2nd-9, DEN17 12:56   K. Orton incomplete pass down the middle

*Marshall runs the route hard, slows down and times the pass wrong, letting it slip through his hands.  On a side note, Orton's pass travels 40 yards.

3rd-9, DEN17 12:48   K. Orton passed to J. Gaffney to the right for 3 yard gain

*Not involved in play.

4th-6, DEN20  11:57   B. Kern punt. Q. Cosby returned punt for 9 yards

*Not involved in play.

 

Cincinnati - 11:57

1st-10, CIN33 11:57   C. Palmer passed to C. Benson down the middle for 7 yard gain

*Bailey is manned up.  Ball thrown over the middle.  Not involved in the play.

2nd-3, CIN40  11:20   C. Benson rushed up the middle for no gain

* Bailey plays tight man to man on Ochco, but the play is a run.  Not involved in play.

3rd-3, CIN40  10:45   C. Palmer passed to D. Coats down the middle for 16 yard gain

*Not involved in play.

1st-10, DEN44            9:59     C. Benson rushed to the left for 8 yard gain

*Bailey plays close to the line against the run formation.  Immediately recognizes run and sprints across the field ,although the play is run away from his side.  Not involved in the play.

2nd-2, DEN36 9:16     B. Scott rushed to the right for 6 yard loss

* Bailey recognizes the screen pass and gets to the ball carrier only after A. Davis does.

3rd-8, DEN42 8:31     C. Palmer passed to L. Coles to the left for 11 yard gain

*Bailey in good man coverage.  Ball is thrown to the other side of the field.

1st-10, DEN31            7:59     C. Benson rushed to the left for 3 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in play.

2nd-7, DEN28 7:18     C. Benson rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in play.

3rd-6, DEN27 6:32     W. Woodyard intercepted C. Palmer for no gain

*Much talked about play.  Bailey blankets Ocho and jumps the route knocking the ball in the air and Woodyard is there for the pick.  A pro-bowl play by Champ.

Denver - 6:32

1st-10, DEN20            6:32     K. Moreno rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*2 WR set.  Marshall not involved in play.

2nd-9, DEN21 5:57     K. Orton passed to E. Royal to the right for 7 yard gain

*2 WR set.  Not involved in play.

3rd-2, DEN28 5:24     K. Orton incomplete pass to the right

*Marshall runs a deep out.  Orton throws to Royal.  However, Marshall's route running on this play is very average.

4th-2, DEN28  5:06     B. Kern punt. Q. Cosby returned punt for 13 yards

*Not involved in play

Cincinnati - 5:06

1st-10, CIN32 5:06     C. Benson rushed to the left for 1 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in play

2nd-9, CIN33  4:25     C. Ochocinco rushed to the right for 8 yard gain

*Bailey makes the tackle on reverse run.  It's great to see a corner take on the runner directly like this.  One of Bailey's strengths.

3rd-1, CIN41  3:36     C. Benson rushed to the left for 4 yard gain

*Not involved in play.

1st-10, CIN45 2:57     C. Benson rushed to the right for 6 yard gain

*Bailey gets blocked (not well) enough to make him a non factor in this play.

2nd-4, DEN49 2:15     C. Palmer passed to C. Benson to the left for no gain

*Bailey not involved in play.

3rd-4, DEN49 2:00     C. Palmer incomplete pass to the left

*Ball thrown to other side of field.  Bailey not involved in play.

4th-4, DEN49  1:48     K. Huber punt, no return

*Not involved in play.

Denver - 1:48

1st-10, DEN18            1:48     C. Buckhalter rushed to the right for 7 yard gain

*3 WR set.  Marshall not involved in play.

2nd-3, DEN25 1:21     C. Buckhalter rushed to the left for 5 yard gain

*3 WR set.  Marshall not involved in play.

1st-10, DEN30            1:01     K. Orton passed to C. Buckhalter down the middle for 7 yard gain

*Screen pass.  Marshall not involved in play.

2nd-3, DEN37 0:39     K. Orton incomplete pass to the left

*Marshall not involved in play.

3rd-3, DEN37 0:34     K. Orton passed to E. Royal to the right for 11 yard gain

* Quick screen to Royal.  Marshall not involved in play.

1st-10, DEN48            0:26     K. Orton passed to J. Gaffney to the left for 21 yard gain

*Marshall runs a lazy crossing route.  On the up side, Orton throws a 30 yard deep out on the money.

1st-10, CIN31 0:20     K. Orton incomplete pass to the left

*Marshall not involved in play.  Orton throws some smoke that Tony S. drops.

2nd-10, CIN31            0:13     C. Buckhalter rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain

*Marshall not involved in play.

3rd-9, CIN30  0:00     M. Prater kicked a 48-yard field goal

3rd Quarter

Denver - 15:00

DEN kicked off, touchback

Cincinnati - 15:00

1st-10, CIN20 15:00   C. Palmer incomplete pass to the right

*A quick step and pass to Ochocinco, but Ocho drops the ball.  Bailey reacted to this quickly, and had Ocho caught the pass, it would have been for little yardage.

2nd-10, CIN20            14:57   C. Palmer passed to C. Benson to the right for 6 yard gain

*Bailey follows his man downfield, then reacts to the flat pass to Benson (not his guy) and comes back for the tackle.  Champ was perfect on this play in both coverage and tackling.

3rd-4, CIN26  14:16   C. Palmer passed to C. Ochocinco down the middle for 8 yard gain

* Ocho isn't even Bailey's man on this play, but Bailey quickly surmises that they are going to him over the middle and reacts. Ocho makes the catch, but Bailey almost takes his head off soon after.

1st-10, CIN34 13:42   C. Palmer incomplete pass to the right

*Nice bump and run man coverage on Ochocinco, although he is not involved in the play.

2nd-10, CIN34            13:35   C. Palmer passed to J. Foschi to the right for 3 yard gain

* What a disguise by Bailey on this play.   Pre snap, Bailey walks to the line to give the appearance of man bump coverage.  Then he walks back 4 yards.  Then back to line to show bump again.  But moments before the snap, he brings the corner blitz and almost gets to Palmer.  Good play by Palmer to avoid the sack.

3rd-7, CIN37  12:54   C. Palmer incomplete pass to the left

*They avoid Bailey's side altogether.  Not involved in play.

4th-7, CIN37   12:33   K. Huber punt. E. Royal returned punt for 6 yards

*Bailey not involved in play.

Denver - 12:33

1st-10, DEN14            12:33   K. Moreno rushed to the left for 4 yard loss

*Marshall runs his route very hard on this play.

2nd-14, DEN10           12:00   DEN committed 5 yard penalty

*Penalty

2nd-19, DEN5 11:38   K. Moreno rushed to the right for 6 yard gain

*Marshall goes hard on this play, and gets a little piece of his man, who was reacting to the ball.

3rd-13, DEN11           10:54   K. Orton passed to B. Marshall to the left for 6 yard gain

*Decent route by Marshall.  Perhaps it is just me, but he doesn't look crisp on these route, although he is going hard.

4th-7, DEN17  10:07   B. Kern punt, no return

*Not involved in the play.

Cincinnati - 10:07

1st-10, DEN45            10:07   C. Benson rushed to the right for 6 yard gain

*Bailey gets in on tackle once again.

2nd-4, DEN39 9:27     C. Palmer sacked by M. Haggan

* Bailey appeared to have good coverage on this sack.

3rd-14, DEN49           9:00     C. Palmer sacked by D. Reid

*Again, Bailey appears to have good coverage on this sack.

4th-20, CIN45 8:23     K. Huber punt. E. Royal returned punt for 1 yard. DEN committed 4 yard penalty

*Bailey not involved in play.

Denver - 8:23

1st-10, DEN5  8:23     K. Moreno rushed to the right for 2 yard gain

*Marshall not involved in the play.

2nd-8, DEN7   7:43     K. Orton passed to D. Graham down the middle for 10 yard gain

*Marshall runs his route hard, although Orton looks his way.

1st-10, DEN17            7:03     K. Moreno rushed to the right for 8 yard gain

*Wow.  Marshall blocks two guys on this play, pasting the second defensive player to the ground!

2nd-2, DEN25 6:23     C. Buckhalter rushed to the left for 11 yard gain

* Marshall runs his route but it's a running play.

1st-10, DEN36            5:49     K. Orton passed to B. Marshall down the middle for 4 yard gain

*BMarsh takes a shot over the middle and hangs on.  Good toughness.

2nd-6, DEN40 5:08     CIN committed 5 yard penalty

2nd-1, DEN45 5:04     C. Buckhalter rushed to the left for 1 yard loss

*Marshall drops an out pass.  It's an average route.

3rd-2, DEN44 4:28     K. Orton incomplete pass to the right

*BMarsh not in on the play

4th-2, DEN44  4:23     DEN committed 5 yard penalty

4th-7, DEN39  4:13     B. Kern punt. Q. Cosby returned punt for 2 yards

*BMarsh not in on the play

Cincinnati - 4:13

1st-10, CIN17 4:13     C. Benson rushed to the right for 5 yard loss

*Bailey sniffs out this play and is the main reason for the loss although, he gets only an assist.

2nd-15, CIN12            3:26     C. Palmer incomplete pass to the right

*Bailey with good coverage.

3rd-15, CIN12            3:20     C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell to the left for 14 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in the play.

4th-1, CIN26   2:29     K. Huber punt. E. Royal returned punt for 10 yards

*Bailey not involved in the play.

Denver - 2:29

1st-10, DEN34            2:29     K. Orton passed to T. Scheffler to the left for 29 yard gain

*BMarsh not involved.

1st-10, CIN37 1:47     P. Hillis rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain

*BMarsh engages to block.  Play is away from him, however.

2nd-8, CIN35  1:09     K. Orton rushed up the middle for 3 yard gain

*Nice hustle from BMarsh on his route.  Good deep secondary coverage and Orton tucks and runs.

3rd-5, CIN32  0:24     K. Orton incomplete pass down the middle

*More hustle from BMarsh.  Again, however, deep secondary help on his route.

4th-5, CIN32   0:14     M. Prater kicked a 50-yard field goal

*Not involved

Denver - 0:14

DEN kicked off, A. Caldwell returned kickoff for 19 yards

*Not involved

Cincinnati - 0:09

1st-10, CIN15 0:09     CIN committed 7 yard penalty

*Bailey with nice coverage on Ochocinco.  Ochocinco gets flagged for the pushoff.

4th Quarter

Cincinnati continued

1st-17, CIN8   15:00   C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell to the right for 9 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in the play, playing deep zone coverage.

2nd-8, CIN17  14:22   C. Palmer passed to B. Leonard to the right for 6 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in the play.

3rd-2, CIN23  13:39   C. Palmer incomplete pass to the right

*Bailey with blanket coverage, which is why Palmer didn't throw to his man.

4th-2, CIN23   13:23   K. Huber punt, no return

*Not involved.

Denver - 13:23

1st-10, DEN35            13:23   K. Orton passed to P. Hillis to the right for 6 yard gain

*BMarsh not in the game.

2nd-4, DEN41 12:43   K. Orton incomplete pass to the left

*Not a bad route by Marshall, but Kyle locks into Royal.

3rd-4, DEN41 12:37   K. Orton passed to B. Marshall down the middle for 9 yard gain

*Marshall runs this hard.  And is hit immediately.

1st-10, 50        12:01   K. Moreno rushed to the left for 1 yard gain

*Marshall in the game, but not involved in the play.

2nd-9, CIN49  11:20   DEN committed 10 yard penalty

*BMarsh runs a fly route.  Hard to tell if he gets open or not.  But he was hustling on this play.

2nd-19, DEN41           10:45   K. Orton passed to D. Graham down the middle for 10 yard gain

*Marshall runs a fly route as a decoy so Orton can hit Graham underneath.

3rd-9, CIN49  10:01   K. Orton passed to D. Graham to the right for 20 yard gain

*Great scramble by Orton.  Marshall runs a crossing route, but Orton is flushed from the pocket. Marshall has his hands up for the ball.  It is clear he is into this game.

1st-10, CIN29 9:14     L. Jordan rushed to the left for 4 yard gain

*Marshall not in the game.

2nd-6, CIN25  8:35     L. Jordan rushed to the right for 1 yard gain

*Marshall not in game.

3rd-5, CIN24  7:54     DEN committed 5 yard penalty

*Penalty before the snap.

3rd-10, CIN29            7:35     K. Orton passed to C. Buckhalter to the right for 4 yard gain. DEN committed 10 yard penalty

*Screen pass, holding call.  Marshall simply runs his route on the opposite side of the screen pass.

3rd-16, CIN35            7:03     K. Orton sacked by A. Odom

*Marshall runs his route, but Orton has no time.

4th-23, CIN42 6:21     B. Kern punt, no return

*Marshall not in game.

 

Cincinnati - 6:21

1st-10, CIN9   6:21     C. Benson rushed to the left for 2 yard gain

*Run to opposite side of field.  Champ not involved in the play.

2nd-8, CIN11  5:41     C. Palmer passed to C. Ochocinco down the middle for 12 yard gain

*Bailey not involved in play.

1st-10, CIN23 5:01     C. Benson rushed to the right for 3 yard loss

*Champ not involved in the play, but Alphonso Smith sure was!

2nd-13, CIN20            4:22     C. Palmer passed to C. Ochocinco down the middle for 13 yard gain

*  Looks like Denver is playing a deep zone coverage.  Ball is thrown on the opposite side of Champ.

1st-10, CIN33 3:38     C. Benson rushed to the left for 20 yard gain

*Champ not involved in the play.

1st-10, DEN47            2:55     C. Palmer rushed to the left for 2 yard gain

*Champ not involved in play, but had good coverage playing deep.

2nd-8, DEN45 2:11     C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell to the left for 13 yard gain

*Another deep zone coverage.  Ball goes over the middle.  Champ not involved.

1st-10, DEN32            2:00     C. Palmer passed to B. Leonard down the middle for 18 yard gain

*Dump off over the middle.  Champ not involved.

1st-10, DEN14            1:32     C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell to the right for 7 yard gain

*Champ not involved in the play.

2nd-3, DEN7   0:50     C. Palmer passed to A. Caldwell down the middle for 6 yard gain

*Champ again playing deep and is not involved in the play.

1st-1, DEN1    0:38     C. Benson rushed to the right for 1 yard touchdown. S. Graham made PAT

*Champ not involved in play.

Cincinnati - 0:38

CIN kicked off, E. Royal returned kickoff for 17 yards

Denver - 0:34

1st-10, DEN13            0:34     K. Orton incomplete pass to the right

*Marshall runs a fly route, but the ball is under thrown.  If I'm being honest, Marshall could have made a little more effort to play defensive back here.  But I don't think he was dogging.

2nd-10, DEN13           0:11     K. Orton passed to B. Stokley to the left for 87 yard touchdown. 2pt attempt failed, K. Orton pass to B. Marshall

*No comment needed on this play, other than Marshall was trying to get down field.  I was able to watch the sidelines, and later saw Marshall laughing and hugging Stokley.   It is clear Marshall is part of the "team" at this point.

 

Denver - 0:11

DEN kicked off, A. Caldwell returned kickoff for 29 yards

Cincinnati - 0:00

1st-10, CIN33 0:00     T. Scheffler intercepted C. Palmer for 5 yards

*Bailey plays deep like everyone else.  Enough said.  Game over.