Brandon Stokley. KeithBrooking. Jim Leonhard. The New Strength & Conditioning crew.

Why don't we have a dedicated Replay Coach who is in the booth reviewing every potentian challenge. Rothlisberger didn't convert on 4th and inches, and that 12 men on the field penalty that was challengable should have and could have been caught. Those 2 plays could have made our win much easier, or averted a winnable loss. Give someone 50k a year to replay each and every single questionable play. GO BRONCOS!

Our defense was on the field for an enormous amount of time, but there was consistent effort and pressure, even if we didn't get the results to show for it. You have to get a team to 3rd down before you can get to 4th down. If we were getting lit up on 1st and 2nd, i'd be more worried. Our players seemed well conditioned top to bottom. I hope thats the new training paying off.

Brooking is going to be the leader this team and defense need. I didn't like him missing preseason and making the 53, but I'm glad the coaches know better than me. Brooking didn't play a bunch of snaps, but i saw him adjusting a defender miliseconds before the snap, the play went right where he instructed the player, but the guy missed the tackle, and Brooking cleaned it up. That was a 3rd down stop, and we know how few of those there were.

Same goes on the opposite side for Stokley. He was like a pinch hitter getting a home run. Two excellent receptions when we needed them most. He's no longer athletically gifted enough to go every down, but with fresh legs on 3rd down, his chemistry with PM is undeniable. 2-3 clutch receptions a game for 1st downs is exactly what we need from him.

Thank you Jim Leonhard. He is slow but steady. No-nonsense north and south style we need as a punt returner. Keep up that steady work and any play on D is a bonus.

The other newcomers were much more obvious, but kudos to Manny Ramierez and Mitch Unrein for playing as super subs. Didn't notice any drop-off in play/production.