Let's not get too excited yet...
by brohamm1978 on Sep 28, 2009 12:49 PM MDT
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Print3-0 now...now reality sets in with Dallas, New England, and San Diego on the horizon before the week 7 bye.
I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, but I don't want to get too excited quite yet and jinx them. Basically, I'd tone down the 13-3 talk that I've read in some columns after the Broncos fast start. Regardless of the dominance shown in the points scored/points allowed, there are still a lot of holes and inconsistency in the offense...I know, I know it is definitely understandable considering the team is still adjusting under McDaniels vision.
I'm not saying we're lucky to be at 3-0 but I'd be lying if I can say I predicted this. I'm surprised at how the players have started clicking and now appear to be on board with McDaniels' philosophy this early in the season. Mike Nolan has revamped this defense to the point where they're giving up a little more than 5pts per game. Amazing? That is a mere understatement. They've switched to a 3-4 defense and transformed Elvis Dumervil into a hybrid DE/LB which is probably more suitable for him anyways. DJ Williams has a compliment to him in Andra Davis at the LB position and Champ Bailey isn't the only star in the secondary since the addition of Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill. Dawkins presence alone and his veteran influence is exactly what this defense needed.
We must remember that we did just beat Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Oakland...teams we're supposed to beat. We're about to enter another echelon of teams from here on out where the offense and defense will truly be tested. I like how we have a 2 headed running back with Buckhalter and Moreno with an option for Hillis. I won't get ahead of myself, but we just might have the potential for two 1000-yd backs barring injury of course. Now, if Orton can improve his chemistry with Marshall and Royal, we could be in store for something special. That trio is really the key to the Broncos taking the AFC West division in a convincing fashion. Why haven't the Broncos utilized Eddie Royal more? (3 games-6 catches 42yds) He's nowhere on pace to his 91 receptions he got last season. I would have imagined McDaniels would want to use Royal more like a Wes Welker type in the slot...it's still early in the season and I understand Orton is still overcoming that finger injury.
Anyways, the rest of the regular season is going to be tough without a doubt...like I said, I'm not sold on this 3-0 record quite yet...we'll see when the Broncos see their first real test when they host Dallas next week...by that time I'm hoping Orton and Marshall have synched up enough for a break through game...after all Dallas' secondary is suspect considering they've given up an average of 303 passing yds/game in their 2 games this yr.
Could this be a realistic result against the Cowboys? Orton 25/37 321 3TD/1INT Marshall 6 catches 121yds 1TD
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yes 2 of those 3 teams suck
but its the nfl. Its not like they are a pop warner team. raiders and browns both put up 30 i think last year on us. we let up 9 this year between the two of them.
Dawkins/Hillis Bad @ss' for life
Almost half the teams suck!
"Kool-Aid Kool Aid, Tastes Great, We Want Kool Aid, Can't Wait"
by littletinybroncos on Sep 28, 2009 4:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Almost Every Week Even!
When you can do the common things in life in a uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
- George Washington Carver
The key to winning is not "utlilizing" Marshall or Royal or Scheffler more.
This isn’t fantasy football.
The key is getting the right mismatches and exploiting them.
Yesterday, Royal cleared out the defense so that Marshall and Gaffney could drag underneath, generally against linebackers. The result was that Royal only had one catch — but the Broncos were in the RZ six times.
This is a team game.
As for whether or not you are “sold” on 3-0, the fact remains that 3-0 is what we are — and your belief in that record is immaterial. It is what it is.
The best the Broncos can hope for at this point is 3-0. That they’ve achieved that record against teams “we were supposed to beat” is a bit a mischaracterization, given that the Broncos were favorite in only one of those games — and even then, it was by the 3-point home field advantage minimum.
by JeffG on Sep 28, 2009 1:04 PM MDT reply actions 3 recs
I should add
…for all the suddenly “cautious optimists” who like to remind us of who we’ve played so far, lt’s not like we squeaked by these terrible teams “we were supposed to beat.”
The Broncos have just won two straight NFL games by essentially three touchdowns each.
Cleveland has lost to teams that are all 3-0 (Minnesota, Denver, Baltimore); Oakland has lost to a 3-0 team (Denver) and a 2-1 team (San Diego) that they dominated for most of the game. Cincinnati’s sole loss came against the Broncos.
For every negative spin, there’s the positive. Perhaps some of you would be happier if you began looking for a bright side every now and then.
Fantasy Football is a TIME SUCK. Nothing more.
You know I HATE fantasy football.
I read an article today that said the 49ers-Vikings game was a disappointment because both Peterson and Gore did not put up big statistical games.
Wow.
In a game where Farve threw an improbable TD (great catch) with mere seconds left for the win.. Sheesh.
When one enjoy stats more than the games themselves…. one is not a football fan.
Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.
I played in a fantasy league where you play every position, oline, dline, db’s, etc — 53 man rosters, 9 man practice squads… 24 players start every week [11, 11, 2]… dynasty league with salaries and contracts
It brings a lot more to fantasy football than the typical stuff =)
A truth can only be expressed and enveloped in words if it is one-sided. Everything that is thought and expressed in words is one-sided, only half the truth; it all lacks totality, completeness, unity.
I think we can potentially dominate pitt
They have a weak offensive line ! Elvis Doom should have a monster game .
by broncosfaninphilly on Sep 28, 2009 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions
The bright side...
Nice Jeff. That really is the bright side. How do we know that the Browns won’t have better games ahead against teams that haven’t been winning? How do we know that Cincy isn’t a really good team. Hey, I’ve seen the Packers name thrown out there as slated to win their division and Cincy beat them and also just beat the Super Bowl champs. And yet we beat them. Even if we had lost 7-6, our D still stopped a team that put up 31 points and 23 points (and won) against what are supposedly good defenses (or is the absence of Troy Palomalo the entire difference in their defense?).
I am sold on this team and its coaching staff
The coaching staff is top notch, from top to bottom. That was a great sign this summer.
It look like the players are buying into this team, and the veteran leadership on defense has been great. The depth is there almost throughout the team, which could make the difference in some of the late season games when everyone is hurting.
We beat the Bengal, who then went on to beat the Packers in Green Bay and the Steelers in Cincinnati.
We beat the Browns, who had put up 20 points against the Vikings defense (but who then put up just 3 points against the Ravens).
And we beat the Raiders, who (only) almost beat the Super Bowl favorite Chargers.
That’s not a bad start for such a new team.
I think we are better than the Cowboys and Redskins, Chargers and Eagles. We have tough games at Indy and Baltimore, and who knows what opponents will show up when New England and Pittsburgh come to town…though I expect those teams will find a way to show up and they will be very tough games. The Giants at home will be a very tough game, too.
Things are looking good, though, and IF we can stay somewhat healthy and IF the offense can start to score when it should be scoring, we should be a playoff team.
Still living in 2008
I want to be more optimistic, but I have painful memories of fast starts under the previous regime. The thinking part of me knows that this is basically a completely new team, new system, and new mindset, but it’s hard to dispel how in years past we’ve been exposed as pretenders. I think a win against the Cowboys (especially if they come in 2-1) would go a long way towards expelling some of those doubts. I’m not sold on the Giants yet…that run defense looked really bad. They should have lost that game if Romo would have quit targeting guys in the wrong colored uniforms. It sure makes one appreciate a guy that doesn’t throw it to the wrong team.
we’ve beaten the cowboys before, when they had TO. i don’t think this game is any more “eye opening” than any of our previous games. if we beat baltimore, philly, and NE… then maybe we can say something. dallas is not a good gauge for our team, IMO
If we beat those teams...
who will be left to beat? We’ll have to start saying, “16-0 baby!” instead. A loss to even a couple of those teams shouldn’t expose us as not for real. I don’t think judgement on the quality of our team should be withheld until those teams are defeated. If we are in those games to the bitter end, even in a loss, then I’ll feel good about what we have here. I do think we should beat the Cowboys, but they seem like the next step up from are previous competition (although it’s open for debate whether the Cowboys are better than the Bengals, in the eyes of the MSM they are perennial contenders).
I think that every contest will be an interesting contrast to yesteryears.
Now for once in who knows how long it is a pleasure to watch a Denver Broncos game knowing that we will have a chance to win with the weapons we have. This upcoming meeting with the Cowboys will be just another test of 16 games we play this year. Comparing one team to another as to where we think we are or should be is not an acurate way to look at this team. Remember, ‘any given Sunday’ any team can win and alot of the time it depends on the little things that they do or don’t do. Making little adjustments during the game that matter, not making a whole lot of mistakes, being proficient with how the defense and offense plays. These and other things dictate more often than not the outcome of the game. I believe we are 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain’t. We may go 3-13 on the season and screwier things have happened just ask the Lions, but to bite your finger nails and worry about things you have no control of is ludicrous. Go Broncos and continue to dominate teams that say they are going to beat you.
+1000
Very nicely stated bf2b! Each week is a completely different game. Some weeks you’re on and some weeks you’re off. This business about comparing who’s beat whom is crazy talk. This is why they play the game folks! Relax and have fun with this and quit analyzing everything to death!
Go Broncs!
It's "just" football
Brohamm, I was struck
by the statement “tone done the 13-3 talk that I’ve read in some columns after the Broncos fast start”. “13-13 Baby” has been the battlecry of many a poster at MHR since before training camp. I think it was started be bfree2bronc, but it has become so widespread I’m not sure. I think it is a mistake to consider it a response to the fast start.
It was either bfree or Mike Clark... I think
"even a stopped clock is right twice a day" Yosemite Sam
by lovewatchinthegame on Sep 28, 2009 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions
The Denver game vs Dallas will be an important measuring stick. Just like the other 15 games.
Love the Broncos. Mike Nolan is a genius.
Don't just look at the wins, look at the games
So the MSM rap is this – Cincy game was lucky, and the other 2 opponents were bad teams. Much easier to report this than spend the time to analyze the games!
Cincy game – On the road we held what is a very potent offense to 1 TD. Even if we had lost the game you would take the effort as an indication of a strong defense.
Oakland game – On the road, we allowed no sacks against a very potent front four. Clearly a strong offensive line. Overall the Oakland defense has graded out pretty well, and we tore them.
Oakland and Clev – we dominated both these games (one a divisonal road game). This is what good teams do. Mediocre teams struggle in these games. Bad teams usually lose to other bad teams on the road.
The reality is that we have a lot of reasons to believe that this is a team that can compete (esp in our division) for a playoff spot. Especially when – with all the changes – we should expect continuous improvement throughout the year on both sides of the ball.
by Bronco Fan Doug on Sep 28, 2009 2:03 PM MDT reply actions
Question??
I keep hearing the Cowboys will be a real test….a team that has made the playoffs once in the last 5 seasons. and have yet to win a playoff game since 96….yet they are perrenial contenders? wow is there some sort of revisionist history going on in the NFL or what?
At this point in the season I am seeing two real tests, The Giants, and The Ravens…..other than that I see VERY winable contests ;)
"The question that sometimes drives me hazy, Am I or the others crazy?" -Albert Einstein
NE's D looked better than advertised against Atlanta...
…and Brady and co. left a LOT of points on the field.
Don’t count NE out just yet: I have a feeling that, barring an injury to Brady, they’ll be around when the AFC title is being decided.
Not counting anyone out......
just saying that it is a very winable game….and was also trying to put The Cowboys into the right perspective ;)
As for NE, it will be a chess match…who will make the best adjustments in their game plan….wrinkles and irons is what I think that game will be about ;)
"The question that sometimes drives me hazy, Am I or the others crazy?" -Albert Einstein
I believe this team has the capability to beat anyone on any given Sunday.
It’s all about planning each and every team to their strengths and weaknesses and keep the mistakes to a minimum. It always ticked me off that Shanahan had 15 scripted plays to start the game. Great coaches call plays to the weakness of the defense…hmmmm.
Funny how
the Dallas team looked so much more imposing to me 6 weeks ago. Our good play, mixed with some underachieving (again), and the home field/altitude advantage that we are seeming to finally reclaim……I expect a good game, but really do believe we can win this game.
Plus One Disturbed
The cowgirls are “America’s Team” living on their history rather than their present. They have the WORST defense in the league. We have the BEST defense in the league.
As an aside, isn’t it odd that the cowgirls coach has a reputation as a defensive “genius”?
Like you, I think the most difficult teams on our schedule are the Ravens and Giants.
I counted this one as one of the early 'easy' wins
In an earlier post where I projected a 12-4 season. A definate step up in competition from Oakland or the Browns, but not near as good as Cincy. My feeling was then that this is the last ‘tuning’ game before the heart of the schedual. Make no mistakes, we must play well to beat them, but especially on our own turf the game is ours to lose not theirs to win.
Cowboys are perenial contenders because they are in one of the largest media markets, who wants to turn into a pregame show just to hear the home town team sucks. They got to sell the advertising and to do that they have to hipe the big markets.
Consider this about the upcoming games:
Dallas 2-1 (assuming they win tonight) has won against Carolina (0-3) and Tampa Bay (0-3) and lost to the Giants (3-0). Opponents’ combined record: 3-6.
New England 2-1 has won against Atlanta (2-1) and Buffalo (1-2), and lost to the Jets (3-0). Opponents’ combined record: 6-3.
San Diego 2-1 has won against Miami (0-3) and Oakland (1-2), and lost to the Ravens (3-0). Opponents’ combined record: 4-5.
If we take care of business like we have in these first three games, all three of those games are within reach. It will come down to play mistake free ball, which we have done very well so.
"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It
I also meant to point out that their wins came against teams:
Cowboys wins against a combined 0-6.
New England wins against a combined 3-3.
San Diego wins against a combined 1-5.
I don’t know why these are supposed to be “unwinnable” games for us.
"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It
by Brian Shrout on Sep 28, 2009 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions
Don't you realize...
that the Cowboys are America’s team and the Chargers are supposed to be in the Super Bowl? Of course we can’t win against that kind of opposition…just ask John Clayton. :)
LOL
"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It
by Brian Shrout on Sep 28, 2009 3:21 PM MDT up reply actions
New England and Indianapolis
I think the biggest tests will be New England and Indianapolis, and I guess the giants also. I’m worried what Payton Manning can do against our D if we don’t get to swap out guys. Their passing offense looks really potent and I hate the thought of any of our linebackers against Dallas Clark. I hope we cover him with a corner back. New England doesn’t look that great, but they are always prepared. That should be a tough one. The giants have rookies and wide receiver so I hope we can make Eli Manning pay. Baltimore has crushed us for many years, and I’m not saying we have a better shot at beating them, but I think that will be a hard fought defensive struggle. I’m still a doubter about their offensive power.
5-1
If they go 5-1, I’ll let myself start to get excited (.500 ball the rest of the season puts ‘em at 10 wins, and they should do better than that). 4-2 or 3-3 and the Broncos are still rebuilding/learning a new system. I look forward to enjoying either circumstance! It’s a great time to be a Bronco fan.
At the rate
the coaches seem to be correcting mistakes from the previous games, I would have to see HOW we lost before a 4-2 or 3-3 would consign my expectations to the mode you’re suggesting. But, that’s why you are right about this being such a great time to be a Bronco fan- most of us ARE expecting improvement, and are just wondering how long it takes.
I think its funny that
before the game, many were saying that this game would be a test of where we are as a team and an indication of the future. Fast forward to today and now its the cowboys who will be our barometer.
I think
that Baltimore is our biggest test down the road. They are the SB team to me right now. They will beat NE this weekend. I won’t get too excited, but I really believe that the Broncos will take Dallas and New England in the next two weeks, and Denver may even beat SD in San Diego after that. The Broncos are on the rise.
I think your poll needed another option
“these guys are for real and will compete every game” or something like that, I understand about measuring out your optimism but realistically the Broncos really couldn’t have done better than 3-0 after 3 games and the have shown a huge propensity for coming up with and executing a superb game plan. They have also shown the ability to diagnose weaknesses, work on them, and show marked improvement!!! I say the glass is definitely half full!!!
"even a stopped clock is right twice a day" Yosemite Sam
by lovewatchinthegame on Sep 28, 2009 5:18 PM MDT reply actions
That's why I didn't vote
Too much similarity to so many elections. No option I really liked… I’ll do my duty as a citizen and make a choice, but I hate doing it every time.
NOTA
None Of The Above
"even a stopped clock is right twice a day" Yosemite Sam
by lovewatchinthegame on Sep 28, 2009 6:31 PM MDT up reply actions
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