FINAL

The Denver Broncos looked the part of a team that was lost.  Beaten and battered both physically and mentally after getting crushed by the Oakland Raiders last week.  Sometimes the best thing for a team that has the world against them is a trip on the road against a team that no one believes they can beat.  That's exactly what the Broncos had facing them this week and they did what any mentally tough team would do.  They played their asses off, took advantage of opportunities and overcame adversity to win a hard fought football game.

The last part might be the most important.  The Jets were able to score on two long running plays.  The Jets turned the Broncos over in the Red Zone.  Hell, the Jets had Brett Favre.  None of it mattered to the Broncos who got up early and never looked back.

There were plenty of heros today, but we'll start with Jay Cutler(27/43 - 357 yards, 2TD, 1INT), who came back from an awful performance last week to play extremely well in a very tough environment.  The Meadowlands is a tough place to play on a calm day let alone when the weather is bad.  Cutler looked good, threw the ball well, and with the exception of one play, made good decisions with the football.  The Broncos win when Cutler plays well and both happened today.

Peyton Hillis(22 car. - 129 yards, 1TD) was a stud all day and the Broncos committed to the run more today than in any game in recent memory.  Cutler is still the motor that drives the car, but sometimes he needs a good tow every now and then and Hillis made that happen.

The Broncos defense, save a couple of mental lapses, played strong and forced the Jets to go the long way to score.  The defense got the Broncos on the board early as well, and any time you can get 7 points from the defense good things are bound to happen.

The Broncos now sit at 7-5, 3 full games up on the Chargers with 4 games to go.  The team will likely be much healthier next week with Champ Bailey and Nate Webster likely to return.  We could see D.J. Williams as well.  Any one that Broncos get back will be a huge plus, but it shouldn't be overlooked how well these guys played and just how valuable the experience will be moving forward.  Great Job Men!

As for next week, and those that follow, we'll take them one game at a time.  No one really knows what to expect from the the Orange and Blue, and in a season of so many ups and downs, I hope you like roller coasters because this ride is far from over!

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE VERY BEST

IN DENVER BRONCO PRE-GAME ANALYSIS

MILEHIGHREPORT.COM 

When the Broncos win, fans can easily see their team positioned for a run at a high seeding in the playoffs.  When the Broncos lose, fans quickly turn to despair and end of the world predictions. The truth is that Denver remains a team in transition, and as such, will win some surprising games and lose some games that looked easy on the schedule.  For fans wanting to avoid a heart attack, Chalk Talk recommends staying the course, and looking at the season as a whole.  If you really want to get excited, stay the course and continue to use next year as the measure of great things to come.

Despite poor play against Oakland, Denver remains atop the AFC West by two games, and still has a schedule (comparable to SD) that allows Denver to set it's own destiny.  Denver has enough time to fix problems, heal injuries, and make adjustments to make a run at the end of the season.  Looking at the NYJ's game in detail, we can see a microcosm of what Denver needs to do to improve.

Let's look at how to play against a team like the Jets, and why the keys to beating the Jets are exactly the things Denver should be doing in general.

Continue reading this post »

      Your game prep for 2008 Pre-Season Game #3

This is a fascinating game to watch in terms of clashes of styles.  Denver runs the Zone Block scheme so well that they are considered the godfathers of the scheme (even if it didn't truly start with us).  GB runs the scheme too, but not as well.  In fact, last year was very tough for their run game.

On the other hand, last year Denver ran the Man Contain system on defense and it was a miserable failure.  Green Bay has run it for awhile, and has the people to run it well.

In the West Coast Offense, a legend has retired, uhm, moved away from Green Bay.  In Denver's West Coast Offense, a new star is rising.

The two teams are at once on a similar, yet different path.  The same systems, with differing results on both sides of the ball.  A legend goes away for one team, but arrives for another.

Let's take a closer look.  Read on...

Continue reading this post »

BRONCOS RUNNING BACK ANDRE HALL

On his initial reaction to rookie RB Ryan Torain's injury --
"Ryan was doing great. He's is very emotional and when I saw him go down, it hurt. At first I thought it was just a bump and he'll come back soon, but unfortunately he has a pretty serious injury that will put him out for a while. So I'm kind of messed up about that."

On what Torain's injury means to Andre and the rest of the running back rotation --
"We have to double up our load now. Ryan was going to step up and handle the short-yardage and goal-line packages. We couldn't argue on him about that position. He is one of those guys that are tougher and have a bigger body. He's bigger than Selvin (Young), Anthony (Alridge), and me. It kind of messes up the rotation a little bit, but we just have to step up and just do it."

On the excitement of going into the first preseason game of the year --
"I'm just sick of hitting against our defense. I'm ready to beat up on somebody else. I want to see how our plays work against a different team."

On how much playing time he'll have against Houston --
"The coaching staff will let us know by 11 a.m. They will tell us how many quarters or halves we are going to play each."

On how far he has come from last year --
"I can believe it. I worked hard and everything I get, I deserve. I go to work hard everyday. The coaches and players see it. I see it. I just pray that I get a shot once again and make the most of it."

On the news of QB Brett Favre going to the New York Jets and the prospect of playing against him later in the regular season --

"I'm not worrying about him. I worry about the defense. Maybe our defense should take heed in that. I don't really care."

Continue reading this post »

Good Morning, BroncoManiacs!  Here is your Thursday Morning addition of Horse Tracks.....

   Alot of reaction to what Brandon Marshall had to say yesterday after practice.  You can check it out HERE, HERE, and HERE.

  Several thoughts on the injury to Ryan Torain as well..  You check that out HERE, HERE and HERE.

  Chances are the Broncos will be without Tom Nalen until Week 1

  Randy Gradishar and Floyd Little have made the cut with the Veteran's Committee at the hall of fame

  The latest edition of MHR Radio has been uploaded.  You can subscribe HERE.

AROUND THE NATION

   AcmePackingCompany has some final thoughts on the most annoying story in sports history.(AcmePackingCompany)

   Ten things Chiefs fans are looking for when they play the Bears in their Pre-Season opener tonight(Arrowhead Pride)

Here's a Wednesday edition of Horse Tracks.  Enjoy!

Well, we all know by now about Brandon Marshall's suspension, but there were other stories that hit too.

   Tom Nalen's knee is still a hot topic.  See here

  Here are some notes on camp and a story on Spencer Larsen.  What a wild few weeks for him!  See here and here

  Matt Prater continues to impress, having hit 44-45 kicks in camp

  Foxworth is taking charge in camp this season.  See here

  Bernie Lincicome feels the Marshall punishment makes little sense.

  The fine group of DenverBroncos.com bloggers continue to break down Training Camp

 
AROUND THE NATION

   The divorce is complete in Green Bay

   Gary Baxter, who blew out both knees against the Broncos in 2006, had more surgery as he continues to try a comeback.

   It's never to early to be keeping an eye on teams we'll be playing early in the season, like the Saints, for instance.

  These guys believe that 2 games missed by Marshall is worse than Javon Walker tanking it for the whole season.  Classic!

Every once in awhile I feel the need to get back to my roots.  Today is one of those days.  With that in mind, here is a Tuesday edition of Orange and Blue Coffee, with an addition. 

At the bottom is a new Feature called "Around The Nation" which will include some links to my favorite stories from around SBNation.  Enjoy!

  Terry Frei knows that Eddie Royal is an important piece of the Broncos should Brandon Marshall get suspended.

  One division rival will miss two top receivers in the first two games and the latest on why there has been a delay in the Brandon Marshall ruling.

  One Broncos is making an artistic statement with the artwork on his daily tape job.

  Marcus Thomas is feeling great about his fitness level heading into Year 2.

  Finally healthy, Andre Hall is beginning to turn heads in Training Camp.

  Do you have Sirius??  If so, NFL Radio, Channel 124, will be broadcasting live from Broncos Training Camp from 1-3 PM est.

  On small Colorado city has been chosen to compete for the Home of the biggest Broncos fans.

Around The Nation

  The Broncos play the Houston Texans Saturday Night where they are singing the praises of GM Rick Smith.(Battle Red Blog)

   The Chiefs have lost both 1st Round Picks during Training Camp.  What are the Chiefs to do?(Arrowhead Pride)

   Anything and everything you want to know about the Brett Favre situation.(Acme Packing Company)

Here's a Tuesday morning edition of Horse Tracks.  Enjoy!

Jim Armstrong fantasizing about the Broncos trading for Favre.  See here

Here are some notes from yesterdays team camp, the news on Jarvis Moss is disheartening.  See here

Brandon Marshall picking up right where he left off in 2007.  See here

Reggie Rivers gives his take on our troubled star wide receiver.  See here

Montrae Holland struggling to get to his target weight, but he appears to be working hard at it.  See here

Tony Scheffler is apparently going to be a stud in 2008.  See here

Dumervil wants to be the anchor at DE.  See here

DeWayne Robertson came to play hard for the Broncos.  See here

Jason Elam still a Bronco in my heart, but I'll be hexing him when Atlanta comes to town.  See here

Here's a report on the AFC West's rising stars.  See here

Here is an NFL Power Poll: Brett Favre style?  In any case, the Broncos are ranked 18th which ticked me off, but still better than other power polls I have seen thus far.  See here

Add-ons:

Klis Mailbag, I don't agree that Elway was bigger than the Denver Broncos.  See here

Kiszla demanding a ruling from Goodell now.  See here

Speculation that Abdullah may be the starter.  See here

Take care and have a great Tuesday!!