A Staffer Round Table: Broncos Win! Let's Look at Week 3

Question 1: With how McGahee played against the Bengals, do you see him taking a bigger role from Moreno, or do you still believe we will continue to see both backs getting about the same amount of carries?

Tim L.

No. I saw a stat where Fox only had a runner get 60% of the carries for an entire season one time in 9 years. Split carries is likely to continue.

Colby M.

I think it will be split. Knowshon is a better receiving back

Jeremy B.

Same amount as before, or same amount as each other? I think Moreno was getting a few more reps before, and I think until he shows he is 100% healthy and full speed, they reps will be split more equitably...

Kirk D.

Split

Tim L.

It would be cool to see KnoMo become more of a Reggie Bush type of guy out of the backfield.

Troy H.

I think that it will be more of what we saw in the Raiders game than what we saw against the Bengals. McGahee hasn't carried the load like that for 3 years. With injuries, it was an aberration. Knowshon will receive a majority of the carries, but McGahee will spell him.

Topher D.

We've seen that mentioned before, and Fox's history seems to suggest a split, even if he has one back better than another.

Kirk D.

It projects to Moreno getting more carries because of his draft position and his youth. Fox said he will go with the hot hand.

Question 2: And with that in mind, we know we will be shorthanded again on offense this week, which do you feel will get the most touches: Spencer Larsen, Matt Willis, Lance Ball, or Daniel Fells?

Jeremy B.

Fells, though I am loving that pass in the flat to Larsen.

Colby M.

Fells. With Julius Thomas out, Fells will have to fill in

Troy H.

Daniel Fells.

Kirk D.

Out of those four? Fells, then Willis

Tim L.

As one everyone...FELLS!

Topher D.

Wow Fells getting some love, I like it. I'd say Larsen myself, just based on last week, but Fells makes sense.

Tim L.

I think Larsen gets more hits on unsuspecting LBers. ;)

Troy H.

Knowshon takes the carries from Ball. Lloyd takes receptions from Willis. I think that we can all agree Fells will get more than Larsen, strictly based on the expected contribution of their position group. Tight ends see more touches than fullbacks.

Jeremy B.

That upback handoff for Larsen was sweet too! Fullback Luvin'

Troy H.

It's good in moderation. That's for sure.

Jeremy B.

Fullback luvin?

Tim L.

Jeremy. Don't ever say "Fullback Luvin'" again. :P

Topher D.

I do think we are seeing Larsen get more touches than we expected, but I agree, TE's seem to be a big part of this offense.

Jeremy B.

Huge part. I don't know if the matchups are really as great as they say, but this is two game plans in a row where the tight ends were the early target, but gave way to WRs at the end.

Topher D.

Yea, we do have to keep in mind Fells has only played a small part in the receiving game so far.

Jeremy B.

With no Thomas, I don't see how they can be looking at it as a strong matchup again this week.

Tim L.

I don't like how the offense matches up to the Titans D. I think a win here may rest on Orton's arm more than McGahee's legs.

Topher D.

This Titans D seems a bit weird, I can't point to one consistently strong squad, but we'll see.

Jeremy B.

Titan's look really good. Hopefully they do a little hot and cold running this year, and we catch them on a cold week.

Troy H.

Maybe we attack their speed in the secondary with the size of our tight ends?

Kirk D.

The Titans have 3 above average CB's in Cortland Finnegan, Jason McCourty and Altaurran Verner. They can handle just about any team with those guys

Jeremy B.

Do we match up well with our WRs, though? Decker is a big guy, Lloyd is fast. Willis is supposed to be fast, but until he gets that line of scrimmage stuff down, the DBs won't let him get his feet under him.

Topher D.

It's a tough match up, no question there. It will come down to mismatches, and I think we lack the personnel to do that.

Tim L.

Yeah, but we seem to have their number in recent years - we'll see.

Kirk D.

We HAVE won the last three games in Nashville

Jeremy B.

And we are undefeated when Troy is there in the flesh.

Kirk D.

TRUE

Topher D.

Haha we need you there Troy!

Jeremy B.

And your flesh!

Troy H.

And I'll be there Sunday!

Tim L.

Troy is going to be there this weekend too...Titan's might as well forfeit.

Troy H.

I'll make sure to leave extra early so I'm not late.

Topher D.

We got the game locked in then!

Jeremy B.

Don't do ANYTHING different!

Troy H.

I won't. Same jersey, same car.

Question 3: So looking at this team so far, we've seen two games so far, what squad do you think is the deepest?

Jeremy B.

DBs, I guess, but we added a guy to help with that.

Kirk D.

Safety

Tim L.

Safety.

Kirk D.

Yeah we've got depth on the Injured position

Jeremy B.

Hell, our safeties are subbing the OLBs...that has to say something! :)

Topher D.

Wow safety the clear winner, I'd say running back or linebacker, but safety is the clear winner.

Troy H.

Safety.

Tim L.

The Broncos might need to call me up to play corner soon....

Kirk D.

The corner of the bench?

Jeremy B.

The linebacker depth is solid, in Woodyard and Haggan. I think Irving will contribute sooner than later as well. But outside of Woodyard, we haven't really needed them yet.

Question 4: So we just talked about deepest, what squad is the most talented?

Kirk D.

I'd like to phone a friend

Jeremy B.

QB

Troy H.

hahaha, Jeremy stirring the pot.

Tim L.

Most talented....proven talent? Subjective talent? Theoretical talent?

Topher D.

Proven, which squad could field the most Pro Bowlers

Troy H.

Vice President of Football Operations.

Tim L.

proven talent = Safety, Subjective talent = linebackers, theoretical talent = Tim Tebow

Topher D.

Safety!? Wow Tim

Tim L.

Uhh yeah. Brian Dawkins and Rahim Moore....Dawkins will fade later in the year but right now he is beastly.

Troy H.

I honestly don't think we have an area that could field more than one pro bowler.

Kirk D.

Best defensive production LB, then Safety

Jeremy B.

Decker has been playing like a star... returns for TDs, long receptions for TD, YAC for TD...

Topher D.

I'd go WR, Decker and Lloyd are both playing top tier, also DE, Ayers is having his best year yet and Doom, well he's Doom.

Jeremy B.

Lloyd is definitely a Pro Bowler... I guess WRs could be bullish right now.

Troy H.

I'd go linebacker, as well. Give me Von Miller, Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard.

Tim L.

I disagree with the LB. Von Miller is the best and a rookie, but Mays and Woodyard are limited, and DJ Williams is so overrated.

Troy H.

They aren't pro bowlers, but they're the most solid group, in my opinion. I think that "pro bowlers" is subjective, anyways.

Topher D.

Agreed Troy, I just used Pro Bowl as a measure.

Jeremy B.

I think they will find time for Woody, definitely. Probably just give Mays some reps off, though.

Question 5: Let’s look towards next week, Chris Johnson has been struggling in the past two games, and Denver did a good job last week containing Cedric Benson but we struggled against McFadden in week 1. What do you feel Denver changed to better stop the run, and what players will be the key to stop the Titans run game?

Troy H.

They didn't get killed by draw plays.

Tim L.

I saw a defense that was pretty solid in the middle, but terrible when the runner gets to the outside. CJ2K loves the outside…

Jeremy B.

I think our DL, especially the ends, played with a lot more discipline.

Kirk D.

And held their gap responsibilities

Jeremy B.

Keep that up, and we have a chance against CJ

Tim L.

Look at Jeremy and Kirk finishing each other’s sentences. :)

Troy H.

Definitely. Gap discipline from the line and let the linebackers and Brian Dawkins clean up.

Topher D.

I'm a big fan of Hunter and Ayers against the run, they contain so well

Kirk D.

I'm more worried about their pass offense.

Kirk D.

The Titans O-Line didn't give up a Sack to the Ravens last week

Question 6: The Broncos have only record 3 sacks so far this season, and have struggled to create pressure against some pretty weak offensive lines. Matt Hasselbeck is a quarterback who plays great when there is no pressure, do you think Denver will be able to get after Hasselbeck?

Jeremy B.

Hasslebeck is a scary dude. If we rattle enough, it will probably be a breeze. But if we let him get going, or put him imposition to run the 2minute offense....

Troy H.

Kenny Britt against "Not Champ Bailey" could be bad for the Broncos. I agree, Kirk.

Kirk D.

If they put bodies on Hasselbeck, he won't last. The guy is made out of paper mache

Topher D.

Baltimore's secondary did get shredded last week, that's bad because they have a solid set of DB's

Tim L.

Well, we all remember what happens to the Broncos when they do not generate a pass rush right? End of story.

Kirk D.

Exactly. That is the #1 key IMO.

Troy H.

It could be like the Bengals game, but worse. Andy Dalton is a rookie and Matt Hasselbeck is an 85 year old veteran quarterback. He'll tear us apart if we leave him upright. Our defensive line has to push the pocket.

Tim L.

We miss Doom...

Troy H.

Doom practiced today, though. Celebrate!

Topher D.

Indeed, Baltimore's D is in a whole other level above ours and he made them look like kids, we need pressure.

Troy H.

The VonDoom Express gives us all hope for a Hasselbeck-less Sunday!

John B.

The key is which Broncos team shows up on 3rd down. Raiders were 5/12, Bengals 0/10 or so. Broncos are at 24% for the season; tied for best in the AFC in 3rd Down D. Raiders were 4/8 at halftime. With a veteran QB, Broncos need to stay disciplined on 3rd down...

John B.

Have we talked about the trash talk between Orton and Finnegan and what impact that might have, if any?

Troy H.

Not yet, but I'm sure it's coming.

Topher D.

Haha Vic and Gary mentioned it to Orton in an interview

Kirk D.

No, but I don't think it will, unless it makes Finnegan snap

Topher D.

I want to see Decker just blow Finnegan up

Troy H.

Finnegan is a thug. Wasn't he challenging Orton to come back to Tennessee and fight him?

Jeremy B.

Orton is saying the right things on the radio...giving credit to the Titans as a good, tough team, saying that that stuff is behind him. If the Titans want to roll with that for their bulletin board, they will have to resurrect it themselves. Of course, don't be surprised if Orton challenges Finnegan a time or two...

Kirk D.

Finnegan called Orton a good QB too, so I don't think it will amount to anything...Unless Kuper gets involved

Troy H.

Orton also said that he wouldn't take back his comments last year when he talked about how dirty Finnegan was.

Kirk D.

Why should he?

Troy H.

He shouldn't.

Topher D.

So we have a few member questions. This one is from Troy Canter:

Question 7: We have only recorded 3 sacks (25th), 0 interceptions (32nd), and have a -4 TO differential (29th). Thoughts on turnovers and pressure?

Kirk D.

We need em.

Topher D.

Haha sorry let me clarify, what impact do they have and how are we going to improve? Is this an issue?

Kirk D.

Another game of holding the opposing offense to one 3rd down conversion helps a lot though

Jeremy B.

They will come. Doom and Von have too much talent to stay bottled up. I am sure the pressures and sacks will start to come, because of that. The raiders started the game off with max protect and screens and draws because they were so worried about that pressure, so in a way it is already working (but we weren't doing a good job on those draws and screens...different story).

Kirk D.

I think we're seeing pressure

Topher D.

I agree we are seeing pressure, but we aren't seeing the results that usually come from pressure, turnovers.

Troy H.

Interceptions usually come after making the opponent one dimensional and forcing plays when they aren't there. With the Broncos being behind or leading by a small margin with a bunch of injured players on defense, that's tough to do. The turnovers will come.

Topher D.

So we are of the ideal this isn't too big of an issue, it will just take time?

Jeremy B.

I think the INTs might come in bunches, with good matchups and good starts to games. Also, what Troy said. It will be part of any pattern of success we experience for sure. (How is that for coach speak?)

Troy H.

hahahaha, nice.

Topher D.

Okay, thanks for those thoughts. Next question, this is from Gary Peer:

Question 8: Why do you feel Tebow isn’t being used more in the RZ like last season? Was that mostly McD or do you feel McCoy just doesn’t feel it’s a good use of Tebow?

Troy H.

I wish I knew.

Kirk D.

I don't think he wants to interrupt the offense like that

Jeremy B.

I don't think McCoy is half as good at running McD's playbook as McD is, and having Fox's philosophy folded in just makes it tougher for him to adjust. Involving Tebow behind center might be too much to ask for right now. But I would like to see it from time to time. His speed around the corner is money from 5 yards and in.

Topher D.

So Tebow in the RZ was more McD than McCoy last season.

Troy H.

It appears that way, Topher. I wouldn't put it past Fox to utilize Tebow in some fashion, but at this stage, I don't see it. As Andrew Mason pointed out to me on twitter, John Fox got creative with the wildcat a few years ago. The panthers were on the cutting edge of that wave. Maybe we see Tebow in some type of wild horses formation again this year and maybe we don't? We'll just have to wait and see.

Kirk D.

I also think you can't look at what Tebow did last year. There is a different coaching staff and persona this year.

John B.

I don't think it is up to McCoy. I look at the Broncos the same way as the U9 Soccer team I am coaching

Kirk D.

A bunch of girls?

Jeremy B.

lol, kirk

Troy H.

hahahaha Kirk

John B.

I am feeding them little bits, making sure they master small parts of the game at a time. That way, instead of not doing anything really well they master something then move on. The Broncos were a team last year that tried a bunch of things but weren't really good at any of them

John B.

The Broncos need to become a good Red Zone team... Not a gimmick team

Topher D.

Just a note John, we scored more points per game when Tebow came in at least once in the RZ than we did with just Orton or just Tebow, so we were more successful when Tebow came in.

John B.

Long term, it won't win, but that's just my opinion

Kirk D.

I think that was because no one was sure of what to expect

Jeremy B.

Good point about master of nothing, John. It went hand in hand with the "versatility" that Josh was looking for in every player, and in the end...no significant production in any area. To be fair, McD in 2009 stated that the team wouldn't be able to "major" in his offense anytime soon. Fox looks to have the same tack, except he also appears to be DOING it, not just saying it.

Kirk D.

That is what I meant by interrupting the offense. Or disrupting if you prefer.

Topher D.

Okay, thanks for everyone's thoughts on that. Last question and I found it to be interesting, so I included it. It has a few parts. This one is from Felix Jones (no relation I'm sure)

Question 9: If you could meet one NFL player (non-Bronco), who’d it be? Who’d you drink with? Who’d you watch football with? Who’d you want as your bodyguard?

Jeremy B.

I would watch football with Peyton Manning and demand that he give the play by play to me.

John B.

It would be Belichick, I know he's not a football player, but an hour with him would be awesome

Jeremy B.

Current players or former?

Topher D.

Any Jeremy

Kirk D.

Mike Singletary for defense

Jeremy B.

I would drink with Billy B. Loosen those lips.

Kirk D.

Haha

Topher D.

haha

Troy H.

I would want to watch football with Ray Lewis.

Topher D.

I'd meet Dan Marino, drink with Cedric Benson (that would also fill my body guard question) and I'd watch football with Matt Hasselbeck, the more I listen to him, the funnier he gets.

Troy H.

The way he talked about Tom Brady in the NFL Network's Top 100 program was incredible. I think it would be fun to watch a game with Ray Lewis.

Kirk D.

Drink with Joe Namath, cuz he's a funny drunk

Troy H.

Ok.... I'll take 2007 Philadelphia Eagles Brian Dawkins as my body guard. See what I did there?

Kirk D.

lol

Jeremy B.

Nice Troy!

Troy H.

That was a joke. I'd take Plax as my body guard. He carries a gun.

Kirk D.

For my bodyguard, I'll take Smith… and Wesson!

Kirk D.

How about Bubba Smith? He'd make a good body guard, anyone named Bubba

Question 10: So let’s conclude with predictions, I was way off last week with Goodman being MVP, but I'm going with Decker, stealing Kirk's thunder

Jeremy B.

I think I got McGahee's total yards right last week.

Kirk D.

This week it'll be Von

Jeremy B.

You think we get some sacks this week Kirk?

Kirk D.

yep

Troy H.

Brandon Lloyd, for me.

Kirk D.

For the Win

Troy H.

Time to show up that Finnegan fellow.

John B.

I don't like this matchup this week, but I sure do hope I am wrong

Jeremy B.

I don't like it either. I think we can win, but it is going to be a clencher.

Kirk D.

Cortland moves. He doesn't stay on one side or one receiver.

Troy H.

I think the Titans are better than they were against the Jaguars but worse than they were against Baltimore. I think we pull out another squeaker, just like 2010.

John B.

Can't give up a return TD this year

Kirk D.

Yeah Punt it away from Mariani

Jeremy B.

I'm going to roll with Prater Sunday. He gonna be a hero.

Troy H.

Colquitt better kick us an 80 yarder that counts this week...

Topher D.

Well thanks everyone, great round table, and final thoughts?

Kirk D.

Make sure you edit the BS out

Troy H.

You're welcome. Go Broncos!