In the past two games, Knowshon Moreno showcased his versatility in two opposite scenarios.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs, the second-year running back put forth the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. He handled 22 carries for 106 yards and played a crucial role in grinding down the clock to keep the Chiefs off the field in a blowout victory for his team.
Earlier this week on Monday Night Football, Moreno nabbed a career-high seven receptions and tallied more than 100 all-purpose yards for the third time this season. He acted as a safety valve on underneath routes for Kyle Orton as the quarterback tried to pass the Broncos back into contention in the lopsided loss to the Chargers.
In both contests Moreno scored a touchdown, averaged at least 4.5 yards-per-carry and compiled at least 50 receiving yards.
“He is starting to really take on the role that we envisioned for him to take on in the spring,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said.
Moreno displayed soft hands during the early days of August, but a leg injury derailed his progress and caused him to miss most of training camp.
Another injury kept him from playing in three games in the regular season, but now Moreno said he feels like he’s finally hit his stride.
His coach has noticed, too.
“He is just getting better each week,” McDaniels said. “He has great energy and he is practicing at a really high level and that carries over into the games.”
Staying healthy enough to attack practices with gameday intensity allows Moreno to set a positive pace and accelerate his learning curve.
The 23-year-old playmaker has observed his own strides a year removed from his rookie campaign.
“Last year a lot of things were just moving a lot faster,” Moreno said. “This year it’s kind of slowing down. I’ve got more of a concept of little things.”
The running back’s fresh legs and confidence in his abilities stand out to his teammates during the weak. Like McDaniels, Orton has been impressed with what he’s seen from Moreno on the practice field.
“I think he is playing with a better speed to him and really going through the holes expecting to get through there and getting in the second level to make a move,” Orton said.
WAITING GAME
In the hours leading up the game in San Diego, Robert Ayers worked out with Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Tuten to evaluate his progress after missing the past five games.
Everyone decided it would be prudent to give the linebacker a little more time to heal.
“At the end of the day it was on the safer side to wait at least one more week,” Ayers said. “That’s what me, Coach (McDaniels), (Don) “Wink” (Martindale) and everybody felt was the best decision, and that’s what we did.”
Ayers had practiced throughout the week at Dove Valley and felt well enough to travel with the team, but he knew game day could be a different story.
“I felt good,” he said. “But there’s no real way to simulate a 320-pound guy trying to knock you off the ball.”
He was back at practice on Wednesday, and said he’ll stay patient in preparation for St. Louis on Sunday.
Ayers said he won’t let the desire to help his teammates cloud his decision about when he can return.
“That’s what means the most to me, to be able to play and help my team,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m going to take it one practice at a time.”
PRAYERS FOR HEIMERDINGER
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who has started chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Heimerdinger helped the Broncos to two Super Bowl championships by coaching wide receivers from 1995-1999. He came back to Denver and held the title of Assistant Head Coach for two seasons from 2006-2007.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are pictures from Wednesday’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Knowshon Moreno, Mike Heimerdinger, Robert Ayers
lots of weapons but we are at the bottom of our division, KM is a great player, just wish we could win some games. Been a real downhill slide the last couple of years. Maybe this week????
GO BRONCOS
“Earlier this week on Monday Night Football, Moreno nabbed a career-high seven receptions and tallied more than 100 all-purpose yards for the third time this season. He acted as a safety valve on underneath routes for Kyle Orton as the quarterback tried to pass the Broncos back into contention in the lopsided loss to the Chargers.”
With all due respect Orton threw all those underneath passes to Moreno because he wasn’t given the time to go deep and we were so far down by then that the Chargers were covering for the long ball so Moreno was able to catch a bunch of short passes that never gave us a shot at getting back in the game, but I get it we need to find good stuff to boost up everyone’s morale here wherever we can get it, but that’s a weird place to look for it, when all those balls were thrown to Moreno at the time it really looked to me as if McD had given up on the game, but I also realized that’s all he thought we could do, either way it wasn’t any kind of highlight to me, specially since a lot of those short passes came in trash time.
“To pass the Broncos back into contention” with that kind of score would take a little more than throwing it a dozen times short up the middle to Moreno….
Baylin….I agree,those catches would mean a lot more if we were still in the game,and the Defense wasn’t GIVING us the short passes,that’s what Defenses are supposed to do when they have a big lead is to give you the short stuff so the clock runs….DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe Moreno will be a good RB,I really do,if we ever get back on track!
FIRE MCD!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think MCDANIELS will be fired this year. I believe he will be given another year to mess up. I believe his last shot is Tebow. That is why he won’t start him this year. We need a new defense and I don’t know how he is going to do that. Stop the Run!!! Run on the offense. Good luck!!! Play and don’t give up McDaniels.
That pic of McD, Lloyd and Orton doesn’t look like a picture of guys who feel under stress for being losers?????
They all look totally laughable and aloof in their ability to chuckle it up and make light of our current dismal situation…
Obviously the three are feeling pretty satisfied with themselfs….
The NFL pays well, haha, whether you win or lose the dough keeps coming in at the same pace, you might lose out on some incentive clauses but you are definitely not hurting.
Orton in his latest one year extension 12 mil contract, McD in the middle of his four year 12 mil contract, and Lloyd making peanuts next to it but still looking at making 1.5 mil I think this year with all the incentives he is going to reach, and of course he is looking at a big new contract soon with whoever, what’s not to like? what’s not to smile about?
I think we all too easily overlook that aspect of the game, but it is the reality, these guys have it made at 3-7, we are the ones who don’t and that’s the painful truth.
Look at how much fun Bailey had in the loss Sunday cozying up to the opposition, as the highest paid player on the roster I would too.
Two of them are on my short list of candidates to be sent into the Orange Crusher Doghouse…. OCD…lol
The Bronco HC wears a GREEN jacket to represent his team on Prime Time MNF???? What is up with that? The neverending tinkering with everything?? Tinkering with our colors now? Army green? On MNF? To represent the Broncos?
I don’t know man… I am all for change and improvement but just giving some young inexperienced guy master keys to the organization and letting him create chaos and instability from the foundation to the flag is just getting hard to watch and even harder to make any sense of…
OC
Like Elvis, Bronco’s once proud tradition has has left the building! It’s now the McD way or the highway!
FTR
Well, FTR, I was a Bronco fan before this kid was even born.
I refuse to take the highway….
I am a Bronco for life. Nobody can fire me…haha
I eat, drink, sleep, live and LOVE ME SOME ORANGE AND BLUE…!
I would NEVER fly Green colors to represent my BLOOD and FAM!!!
The defiance he shows to all the fans and Bronco tradition is making me more resolved to stay true to my colors even more…
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
I’ll be around way after this clown has left the rodeo…..LOL
if knowshon gets at least 20 carries a game our chances of winning go up like 60%
Well, OC, let’s just hope Bowlen stays true to his Bronco roots and bucks this coach off…
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS!!!
Hope we fire mcd after season and get cowher
ORANGECRUSH SUNSETS!!!!!
i just dont thnk any owner would keep a young coach who started 6-0 because of coach nolan scheme and then since he left went what is it 5-16
Jarvis Moss signed with the Raiders,who will switch him back to his natural position,which is DE….I would wish him good luck,but I won’t wish anybody good luck that plays for them stinkin’ Raiders…..F.T.R.!!!!!!!!!
“I think we all too easily overlook that aspect of the game, but it is the reality, these guys have it made at 3-7, we are the ones who don’t and that’s the painful truth.”
You hit the nail on the head Bay. I remember listening to Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio the other day and Herm Edwards was on the air talking about fans, specifically Cowboys fans, but it works here. He was saying how the fans of a particular team are often fans for life. The players, however, play with that team for a handful of years, collect their millions, and move on. Whether or not they actually succeed doesn’t matter to many of them as long as they get what they want.
That’s the problem I see with building a team with journeymen free agents like McD has done. Guys like Gaffney and Dawkins weren’t drafted here and haven’t had huge success here. The sad truth is their going to get the money and fame they signed up for and the ones who care (us, the fans) have to deal with the reality that the team isn’t any good.
It’s a shame, but that’s the life of an NFL fan when a team isn’t built with players and coaches who care about the colors and the championships in the long run.
OC, you also hit the nail on the head. If it’s McD’s way or the highway, then he should be the one to take the highway. I’ve been representing the Orange & Blue maybe not as long as you, but probably since McD learned to drive at least.
It may be his way or the highway, but once he’s sent packing I’ll still be here cheering my head off for the Broncs while he’s applying for jobs at cell phone kiosks because the Patriots won’t take him back.
Oh, and one more thing. It’s a shame about Heimerdinger. He was a good assistant for us for many years, and has been a good assistant for the Jets and Titans as well. Plus, from what I’ve heard he’s a quality man as well. I wish him the best. Cancer is never good news for anyone.
Hey guys, I was wondering, since Thomas is out this Sunday, I wonder if Decker will get any playing time??? I would really love to see what he can do! Would be nice for him to come in and get his first 100 yd receiving game in his first NFL game! Thomas basically did it with getting 98 yards his first game or either second one, I am not sure! This is just all wishful thinking though of course!! I can’t wait to get on that plane and fly out to Denver come Friday!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Bronco fans and the Broncos Organization!!
I LOVE ME SOME BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!
Yeah that would be awesome. I’m a huge college football fan as well and I used to love seeing Decker tear it up against Big Ten defenses when he was at Minnesota. He was the draft pick I was most excited about this year. I hope he gets a few passes thrown his way. He’s served plenty of time on kickoff and punt coverage, it’s time for him to show what he can do at his natural position.
Good morning and HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
A lot of fans are down on McD for his “My way or the highway” running of the team. I have two words for you: Brad Childress.
The Vikings have all the talent, but Childress let the inmates (Favre) run the team. All it bought the Vikings is a two year delay in finding out whether or not Tavaris Jackson is their future QB and no Super Bowl win. And a Super Bowl win was the only reason Favre was brought in.
Name me one coach who has been successful by not surrounding himself with the COACHES and PLAYERS that bought into his philosophy. IT’S NEVER HAPPENED!!!
Now whether or not McD and Xanders are capable of properly selecting quality players and coaches who are on the same page is another question. And the biggest point is QUALITY. McDs firsty draft stunk. This years is better and there have been some notable successes. But, also some notable question marks, e.g. Bay’s durability and injury proneness.
Bowlen won’t get rid of McD and Xanders this year, but if there’s not massive improvement after the 2011 season, assuming there is one, they’ll both be out the door. He will have no choice.
Here’s a history lesson for you newer Bronco fans think the fans are unhappy now, the reality is that this is mild. Next to Floyd Little, the man most responsible for getting the Broncos on their way to respectability was Lou Saban. Compared to Lou, McD is an amature in the “my way or the highway” philosophy. It was late in the season and you could tell the Broncos were rapidly rising towards excellence. It was late in a home game against the Dolphins and the score was tied. The Broncos had a time out left, but the rule at that time was that only a team captain on the field could call a time out. There was time for one last play to get the Broncos into fieldgoal range. The Broncos QB scrambled around and broke out of the pocket and raced far enough into Dolphin territory to be in fieldgoal range. Unfortrunately, he was really clobbered and locked out. He was the captain on the fields and so time ran out. After the game, Lou was asked his thoughts on the tie. His immortal words were, Half a loaf is better than none.”. Not what Bronco fans wanted to hear. The rest of the time brief Lou was Broncos head coach, he was pelted by loaves of bread by the fans. Now that’s some real POed fans!!!
My thoughts and prayers will be with Heimerdinger. Also Shanahan and Heimerdiner were roommates in college. The best of friends
Happy Thanksgiving to ya Bronco`s Country!!!!!
Happy Turkey Day!
Haha, half a loaf! I wonder if the same fans that heaved half loafs, could afford to attend the games these days?
Surrounding coaches and players that buy into the HC’s philosophy? When you tab your brother as a coach, 1st time defensive coordinator, position coaches such as Barone (coming from Buffalo) and all the others… Why wouldn’t they buy into the ‘philosophy’?
McD was definitely crafty purging this team of coaching experience. Serves 2 purposes in my opinion.
1. A power grab
2. Who on the staff could serve as an interim coach?
I’m sure most of the players buy into his system. Well, either they do, or are shipped off.
OSS, I know you were there for the Oak game. The end score only tells half the story. The Monday night showing was more of the same. I have serious doubts if all the players are buying what McD is selling. Goes for the fans. Former players. Even coach Haley had some choice words… Just my opinion on this day of gratitude!!!
Happy Thanksgiving.
I’m making sure I get my pick in on time this week:
31-17 Broncos
Happy turkey day BRONCO fans let’s hope the BRONCOS don’t look like a bunch of turkeys on Sunday. Go BRONCOS!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Bronco fans in the US. Have fun eating lots of turkey!
I have a question for everyone……….do we have a tight end? lol This is a key position we used to take full advantage of and with Graham, it seems non-existant. Prob cause he’s washed up and horrible with brutal hands.
I’m not feeling optimistic about this weekend’s game. The Rams are not to be overlooked and I think they thrash our poor excuse of a D.
Rams 27
Denver 21
How many losses is it gonna take Mr. B? HOW MANY?
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Broncos-27/Rams-17
Go Broncos!
Yeah, that picture of those three guys laughing it up after getting blown out by a division rival on National TV and basically eliminated from any kind of post season play is kind of making me scratch my head, they should be in tears like the loyal Bronco fans have been having to watch this complete train wreak week after week.
I am with you OC!
The question is after McD does hit the highway what if he can not find his way past the Mouse Trap north of Mile High–ha After he runs out of Gas he can make a card board sign and stand on the side of the road. What (just for fun Broncos country) do think the sign should read?
Something like—Lost my team, Fans have reamed, Dont run over me,
ILMSDB
FTR
Hope McD puts in to the NFL we will be doning our ORANGE jurseys next year!! Maybe with a good draft and some good old tradition we can get back some respect!
Oldsouthstander maybe we can rip off the finger of our sponge number one gloves and throw them. LOL
I hope everyone had a great turkey day!!
FTR
Rubber fingers are much safer than the batteries, change and beer bottles that used to fly out the South Stands when the Raiders were in town. But, that’s another time and dimension.