Denver Broncos Week 11 Horseshoes

by KaptainKirk on Nov 19, 2011 5:00 PM MST in Game Ball of the Week

Continuing the celebration of the Denver Broncos victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night and after the bestowing of Game Balls, it's time to hand out the Horseshoes for Week 11. The Bronco Defense came up big and really set the tone at Home. They established their dominance and imposed their will, especially the middle linemen. So this post will turn it's main focus from that aspect. If you're ready, let's get started.

Britton Colquitt probably should have received a Game Ball this week. I hope I can atone for this omission by awarding him with a Golden Horseshoe. Broncos Orange and Blue is dear to a Bronco fans heart, but gold is precious. Britton has been one of my favorite players to watch grow with this team. Some of you may remember from my Training Camp posts that I believed that Colquitt beat out Brett Kern fair and square for the punting job a few years ago and sincerely thought they would make up for that mistake by bringing him back when Kern was released. But the wisdom (sic) shown by then head coach Josh McDaniels, bringing in noted PED user Todd Sauerbraun was finally corrected when Britton returned to Denver after the Broncos poached him from the Miami Dolphins' practice squad on December 30, 2009.

Colquitt has improved each week seemingly and Thursday night's game was no exception. He kept the field position battle tilted in the Broncos favor through a precision punting display, often with a short field to work with. From my seat in the Northwest corner of the End Zone, I would have sworn that a few of those kicks went straight up in the air and would fall for a 10-yard punt. With two exceptions, Britton would have had a perfect evening. Matt Willis kind of lost focus and missed downing a punt at the Jets 1-yard line on one attempt. However, Willis was successful downing another punt at the 1-yard line. The other may have just been dumb luck (even the Jets are entitled to that once in a while). Colquitt finished with 8 punts for a gross average of 43.8, with two touchbacks, dropping 3 Inside the 20, two were Fair Caught and 3 were returned for an average of 11.6 yards. His longest went 56 yards and Britton finished with a net average of 34.4 yards.

On the season, Colquitt has punted 51 times for a gross average of 49 yards, which ties him as the 5th ranked punter in the league. His Net average of 42.6 yards is 3rd in the league. His 17 punts placed Inside the 20 tie him for 2nd in the league. Britton's longest punt this year was a 66-yarder. 7 punts have been Downed, 4 have gone for touchbacks and 33 have been returned an average of 9.7 yards. And let's not forget the Unnecessary Roughness penalty he took in the Detroit game. Yeah, this kid has swagger too.

The rest of the Horseshoes go to Defensive Linemen. These guys helped hold the Jets to an 83 yard day and a 3.0 rushing average. They also helped a Defensive effort of only allowing 3 out of 14 (21.4%) 3rd Down conversions to the New York Offense.

Broderick Bunkley was one of the Defensive Linemen who stood out for me as I watched from the stands. He had swagger and appeared to be taking dancing lessons from Marcus Thomas, as he did his best imitation of Marcus' antics from the Chiefs game. Bunkley has been solid for the Broncos. He had 5 Tackles, including one for a loss on Thursday, which is a very good day for a D-Linemen. For the year, Broderick has 23 Tackles, 3 Tackles For Loss and one Quarterback hit in 10 games. He's had two 4 Tackle games and two 5 Tackle games this year while clogging up the middle.

Ryan McBean has been an active participant on the Defensive Line and could make a case for the most improved Bronco in 2011. Ryan got into the action early and seemed to roll all over Jets Running Back Shonn Greene late in the first Quarter. Greene was forced to leave the game with an undisclosed injury. McBean finished with 5 Tackles, including one For a Loss against New York. Ryan leads all Bronco Linemen in Tackles with 27, seven Tackles For Loss, 3 Sacks and 4 Quarterback Hits this season.

Elvis Dumervil was another force on Thursday evening. He contributed 3 Tackles, including one For a Loss, added 1.5 Sacks and 2 Quarterback Hits while taking on D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Matt Slauson almost the entire game. Doom has 15 Tackles, including 2 For a Loss, 8 Quarterback Hits, 4 Pass deflections and 3.5 Sacks in 8 games this season. I get the feeling that Elvis has turned the corner on his nagging health problems and is set to make an impact down the stretch.

Wesley Woodyard gets the final Horseshoe this week. It seemed like every time a good Defensive play occurred, Woody was involved or very close. He was one of the blockers leading Cassius Vaughn down the field on that 67-yard Kick Return in the 2nd stanza. Wes finished just behind Von Miller with 8 Tackles in the game, bringing his season totals to a team leading 69 Tackles, one For a Loss, one Pass Broken Up and one Forced Fumble in 9 games.

In all actuality, each of these players could qualify for the Most Improved Bronco, so that will be the Poll question today. Give me some feedback. Did I miss a player that should be on this list?

Next week the Broncos face the San Diego Chargers and could end up going over the .500 mark. That would be nice for a change wouldn't it.

Go Broncos!

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Poll

Which of these players is the Most Improved Bronco through Week 11?

Britton Colquitt

57 votes

Broderick Bunkley

70 votes

Ryan McBean

176 votes

Elvis Dumervil

70 votes

Wesley Woodyard

38 votes

411 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 4 recs |

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Comments

Had to pick McBean...

he has come on block busters.
Like the gold to Colquitt though. What a weapon.

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on aimlessly and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Nov 19, 2011 5:24 PM MST reply actions

Love it when that choice is hard to make.

by idahobronc on Nov 19, 2011 5:37 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

+1

Follow @MHR_TimLynch

by Tim Lynch on Nov 19, 2011 5:48 PM MST up reply actions

McBean

It seemed like he was a selfish player in other systems, but now he seems like he is more of a one dimensional player

by valas40 on Nov 19, 2011 6:04 PM MST via mobile reply actions

stalk all the women you want McBean

I kid, I kid…

Brad James

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With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!

by the new Bradfather on Nov 19, 2011 6:19 PM MST up reply actions

denver has a great and passionate fan base. they deserve a player like tebow. it’s a match made in heaven.

"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."

by chaucer on Nov 19, 2011 6:46 PM MST reply actions

McBean

He was almost in the “nate jones” category and I wanted him gone. Glad no one listened to me on this one. He probably has been our best DT since the 3rd game and he has not even had a penalty for something stupid.

Thanks for proving us wrong McBean. We as fans are love to be wrong in cases like these.

by kimbertr on Nov 19, 2011 6:50 PM MST reply actions

I have been tracking penalties for the season

and without looking, I believe he has only had one 5 yard penalty for jumping the gun early.

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by KaptainKirk on Nov 19, 2011 7:11 PM MST up reply actions

McBean's only penalty

came when he was looking into Ana’s front window

Brad James

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by the new Bradfather on Nov 19, 2011 8:43 PM MST up reply actions

Von Miller?

No love for Von Miller? I understand McBeans insanity a little better if that’s the picture of the young lady

by Baghdad on Nov 19, 2011 9:03 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Check the kinj at the top that says Game Balls Baghdad

Von got a Game Ball. The Horseshoes are for the good performances that didn’t earn a Game Ball, since there are only so many Game Ball to be handed out.

by KaptainKirk on Nov 19, 2011 9:37 PM MST up reply actions

I think most of us

kinda expected Von to be good. McBean…… not so much

by kimbertr on Nov 19, 2011 10:57 PM MST up reply actions

Got to go with McBean for most improved

Bunkley was not with the team before, so his improvement grade is incomplete – no basis for comparison. Elvis is doing all right, but his previous season was washed out by injury and before that he was league sack leader, so can’t call him improved. Colquitt was doing very well even before. Woodyard also was receiving some love before and even was a captain (albeit on special teams). So all those guys were fairly good players. McBean, though, was hated by fans for being one of the worst on the team. Nice improvement. Only one thing worries me: this is his contract year. If he gets a long-term contract, will he show up in 2012?

by si_ice on Nov 19, 2011 9:12 PM MST reply actions

I know this isn't the place for this but...

Did anyone else notice DT seemed to quit on a couple of plays? I voted Woodyard. He has become an important piece of this D. He is the player I hoped he would beocme with time.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Nov 19, 2011 11:24 PM MST reply actions

Good call ThorpeBroncosfan and I agree! I think Woodyard is performing like a starter. I've always felt he should be a starter and with

increased playing time this year he is proving that he is starter material! Good job Woodyard!

"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

by rubincarterrocks on Nov 20, 2011 1:33 AM MST up reply actions

Bunk

So do we give Bunkley 2-3 more years and when do we sign him up?

Although getting excited about the solid play of a free agent in his first few games shows the depths the Broncos went to with bad defensive tackles

by mikebirty on Nov 20, 2011 1:32 AM MST reply actions

Ok gotcha

Hey is there any way one of you guys could post the picture of Von hitting Mark Sanchez is the back and the look of shock on Sanchez’s face?

by Baghdad on Nov 20, 2011 3:54 AM MST reply actions

Well, actually

Von’s hit in the back was roughing. Lucky it didn’t get called. He’s had a few in recent games that could have been flagged. Kid’s gotta watch those. It’s going to catch up with him. Still that sack on Sanchez on the last drive was sick. Von ran over the right tackle and hit Sanchez like a guided missile. Beautiful.

by BustedBroncos on Nov 20, 2011 4:56 AM MST up reply actions

Roughing the passer

Looks more obvious in slow motion. The dude is fast, and so gets away with some.

by TheMascotArmy on Nov 20, 2011 7:55 AM MST via mobile reply actions

I hope Von keeps knocking the snot out of people! Kid is a gamer and is bringing it! Great new young leader on D side of the ball.

Foxy...you WERE on the hot seat, but you fooled me you rascally old deveil...keep building that team mate!

"Tebow is a special player. I have never seen a player quite like him in my whole career! I’m gonna play all out for the guy! I know he will be out there giving 110% every play every week, so I’m gonna give 120%!:

Champ Bailey.

by boydy2669 on Nov 20, 2011 8:10 AM MST up reply actions

KK, nailed it my friend...I saw it exactly as you did. Nice job!

Foxy...you WERE on the hot seat, but you fooled me you rascally old deveil...keep building that team mate!

Champ Bailey.

by boydy2669 on Nov 20, 2011 8:09 AM MST reply actions

I agree Boydy, nice work KK.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Nov 20, 2011 10:08 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks guys

by KaptainKirk on Nov 20, 2011 10:13 PM MST up reply actions

Von

When you get to Ray Lewis’s status then you can hurt people and draw no flag

by Baghdad on Nov 20, 2011 8:51 AM MST reply actions

Conformed with the rest of you, McBean

by Bronco Mike on Nov 20, 2011 9:29 AM MST reply actions

That is a tough poll question

I went Woodyard just to mix it up ha.

Special teams has been, surprisingly, a strength for this team this year. Colquitt has been great this year, and the gunners have been decent too. I think our returners in punts and kickoffs are also doing a good job…I like the combination of Decker, Royal, Vaughn.

"When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back." - "Miracle".

"Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." - Vince Lombardi.

by broncoholic on Nov 20, 2011 9:33 AM MST reply actions

Nice Job as usual Kaptain

However, I think McDaniels brought in Mitch Berger to replace Kern, if I’m not mistaken. Then Colquitt came in and won the job the next year.

Little known fact about Colquitt, if Prater ever goes down with injuries Britton can kick field goals. He did so in a preseason game a couple of years ago.

He is getting praise nationally too, For the first time in a long time, our punter is a weapon.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 21, 2011 8:42 AM MST reply actions