If there’s one thing the Broncos are still upset about more than anything from their loss to the Raiders Monday night, it is the fact that they didn’t get the win on their home field for the fans.
“We can’t lose at home and unfortunately that’s how we started out,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “We’re excited to get back out there.”
The Broncos will get another chance for a home win Sunday as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High at 2:15 p.m.
The players would love nothing more than to walk out of the stadium with a 1-1 record.
“It’s always good to play at home,” defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson said. “With that, we have to protect our house, and we didn’t do a good job last week of protecting our place. We get a chance to redeem ourselves.”
The team appreciates the support they get from the fans every week, and they know they’ll get the same energy from the crowd on Sunday. They hope they can return the favor.
“Obviously we have some great fans,” linebacker Mario Haggan said. “We know they’re going to come back, but the thing is we have to do our job to make them proud to come back and keep coming back. It was great Monday night, but we didn’t do enough to keep that excitement buzzing the whole night. So obviously we have a big challenge ahead of us on Sunday.”
Below are some pictures from Wednesday’s practice as the Broncos hit the field preparing for this week’s game.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Bengals, home field, Week 2
Wow I was two blogs behind on my last two posts lol
Someone mentioned how to fix the run game….
Running the ball would be a good start. Like literally, amounting more than 11 carries between our 2 running backs. Even if we keep getting stuffed, our Oline needs to get out their, get burnt, and make adjustments/learn from it. We bailed our Oline out in the run game by literally never running the ball.
We have GOT to get some yards on first down, these long 3rd downs are way too predictable to cover.
Oh and cut Lance Ball (nice hurdle but no thanks) bring up Jeremiah Johnson. Only running back that truly showed a 1 cut and get up field mentality. Moreno had nice pep in his step but only out in space on catches.
Staying out of shot gun would be nice too. Keep our QB pocket more condensed instead of these 5 step drops. Fox is a vet, I’m excited to see how he and the rest of the team bounces back.
As mentioned earlier, I couldn’t agree more that our Run D was a product of being out on the field forever. I liked what I saw early on from Bunkley, Vickerson, and Ayers<< minus his lazy facemak tackle. Even Hunter showed flashes. The problems started when the "fresh" legs of McBean and Urein were being subbed in, leaving a gaping whole for McFadden.
Take away that huge run (where like 3 of our players slipped on the wet grass) and the numbers weren't that horrible. Dawkins did this the last two years, comes out playing fast and aggressive. I love it. Problem is he turns 37 in a month and he's gassed out by week 8.
This is completely off the subject, but I thought it was pretty funny. Though you all might get a kick out of it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3PT5Bygz6Q
Why don’t we just pick up David Garrard and release Quinn. At lease we’ll have a decent qb that can both run and throw.
I agree with the Quinn drop and Garrard pickup. Better guy for Tebow to learn from, a guy that runs and throws. (not just drops balls)
It’s hard to support Orton, wish he played with more heart.
Oh I,had to take a 2nd look,I thought that last pic was Orton in the fetal position!!!
LMAO!!
I was at the game. I thought the fans were louder and more excited than I have seen in quite awhile. Our O line was a disappointment from what I was expecting but it was the first game. Things went bad at times, the rain came which I think worked to the benefit of the bigger Raider lines. Our runs were not working and the passing became predictable. The Raiders rushed five and we had four to try to block. I expect the staff will make some corrections and we will get more things right. It was hard to get momentem when about every other play was flagged. In spite of losing by 3 points and knowing we had lot’s of opportunities for things to go right and get the win, I had a great time. I did not boo, doubt I ever will boo my team. I cheered and stomped my feet. We will get some wins along the way and the team will get better. My prediciton this week is Denver 23-Bengals 17.
I dont think we should force the run if it aint there … sometimes we just gotta pass more and hopefully get them to back up and start getting some actual positive gains. If u just force it for no gains all u will get are wasted downs … where they need to practice running is at practice … and if we can’t get it done in our current formations … we have 3 TEs for a reason … run in some 3 TE sets. More capable blockers not to mention also good receivers. If the Oline can’t block by them selves, sounds like we need 3 TEs and a FB to help pave the way … its a formation that screams run but its not like the other ones that dont are working anyway. They need to forget everything else and just focus on improving the OLine blocking and TE blocking. Also maybe gets some run blitz … i feel like we only have pass blitz … i dunno …we will see … its their job to figure it out … thats why they get paid the big bucks.
We really need to win this weekend. I live in Cincinnati and all my friends and family are Bengirls fans. If we lose, I might as well just pack up all my belonging and move away because I will never hear the end of it. So please Broncos, please pull this one out for me and I won’t ask for anything else again…lol
“We can’t lose at home and unfortunately that’s how we started out,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “We’re excited to get back out there.”
Yeah well then quit dropping the freaking ball.
LOL, in that first picture those fans look like Orange Wookies. LOL again.
I hate to sound like a debbie downer but its great they say this and feel this way but if we couldnt make it happen on openning night, widely broadcast, against our hated rivals in our house that torched us last year in our hour … I dunno what more motivation in the world there is. But I believe we will win and I believe i already made a prediction.
And I need Prater to kick a 64 yarder and claim back elams crown. TRB
TRB, Prater has the leg and accuracy to do it too.
He does… he definitely does … but after coming short on that 69 yarder in preseason and missing a FG last monday that he would usually get … I doubt we will be seeing him kick from anything longer than 55 yards for a while. Fox is conservative.
I don’t think the problem was that the guys didn’t get up for the game, just the opposite. I think both teams were so excited it made for some sloppy play and bad decisions. What I liked about Monday was that our guys didn’t take any crap off them RAiders like last year when they mowed us over. Different attitude this season. They never quit and never backed down, though I think at times the O-line felt overwhelmed. When 3-4 of them get knocked on their backs on some plays they had to feel embarrassed too. The Raiders have one of the best D-lines in the NFL. Glad we faced them the first week, now the guys know exactly how high to set the bar. Cincy is walking into a buzzsaw! Go Broncos!
Lets not forget … the only DL our teams works against in practice is not a very good one so how can we expect them to get better. The only true talent on the DL is Dum and he lines up against clady who is all ready a pro bowler and can handle his work …. everything else to the right of him is a toss up. I wouldn’t be shocked if we got a new center or LB next year. TRB
I think Walton and Beadles both are far from being good.Still thought we should have gotten a LG in the draft or FA to take Beadles place!!!
I do think the Faders have a good Dline,if they can make Kuper and Clady hold,that’s saying a Helluva lot,imo.
beadles was a classic reach in the 2010 draft if u saw where he was ranked. McD jumped too soon … they are not bad … but on a team like the packers or the steelers … they would probably be 2nd team … then again … they are still playing in that McD scheme McCoy adopted … TRB
TRB-
I hear what you are saying. Even if we are getting stuffed early we still have to pound it in there and where down the opposing Dline. Dlinemen don’t get nearly as tired when they are pass rushing all the time.
I think we give up on the run after 1 or 2 stuffs. The offensive line doesn’t get into a rhythm. As odd as that sounds, run blocking is a man up and beat the dude in front of you. Pass blocking is backpeadling and just trying to contain. You lose that mean streak if we are passing the ball 65-70% of the time.
Getting stuffed run after run is an insult to an Oline. That’s when you see the real fire come out, when you are getting owned on each play. Maybe its just my weird logic I don’t know. Can’t stand watching shotgun 4 wide every single play. We didn’t even run draws much out of the shotgun. Way too predictable
we need to win but with our injuries n no depth it is hard to see that happening this sunday. Come this sunday will know a lot more where we stand. But I won’t panic because I’m a bronco win or lose.
Thank you TRB, I have been meaning to say something about Beadles. Well our guards for that matter. They were manhandled all night. Beadles, looked awful in preseason too.
I try and watch the Oline and Dline closer than other positions. Trench battles have always been enjoyable to watch.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Beadles is young and has a chance to develop (maybe) I’d be all in favor of Hochstein replacing him. Too many young guys out there right now who don’t understand blitz package responsibilites. Not just based on last week, but training camp as well
Like I said on an earlier post,McCoy should have left with McD!!!
We need a fresh scheme,a fresh new playbook,and for the love of God,put some freaking bootlegs,rollouts,flea flickers,etc,etc…in the playbook!!
This time we need to make up a playbook for Tebow,so he can use his God gifted skills,and ability.
Hochstein is worse than Beadles!!!
You think?
I don’t know, I’d have to disagree with that. Hochstein never stood out to me the way Beadles has done. Beadles literally got worse last year as the season progressed. Maybe he’ll bounce back this week, I want him to do well so we can have a young Oline that can grow together. I just don’t see it yet from him
I remember the pipe dream I had this offseason with Franklin taking Beadles spot at guard with Harris at the RT spot. That would have been a big, mean offensive line.
Too bad about his back injury, injury bug has been biting him quite a bit recently.
Just imagine Franklin on a guard pull… scary, scary image if I were a defender lol
It’s no longer called the redzone….it’s first and neckbeard.
I just thought of something. Its almost beneficial for Tebow that he isnt starting, and im halfway glad because i would never wish injury upon anyone, and that is exactly what would happen with Franklin on his blind side
first and neckbeard…LMAO!!!
Anyone else hear about this Tebow billboard thing? There is an article on ESPN.com about it
we should havw our O-line work just on blitz pick up. orton at times looked like he was pointing them out but the line didn’t know how to handle them. This is going to happen time to time but it’s going to hurt us all season long. That don’t matter who is at center. I hope they learn from week one n bounce back with a better performance. Denver all the way….
I agree totally bronco4l. I noticed that too, that he would sometimes point them out, but our line, especially the right side with Kuper and Franklin, just could not pick up anything Oakland threw at them.
I can understand all the problems Franklin was having, being a rookie and brand new to the line but however the problems Kuper was having with his holdings and all was mind boggling, with his multi million dollar contract and having been around plenty long enough what’s up with that guy, I thought he was our bread and butter at Guard. Very disappointing outing.
And Beadles is the classic case of a guy who can play multiple positions but none of them well.
That is a good point about Tebow’s blind side. They should hold off until Franklin gets the right tackle spot under control. A lot of youth on the Oline. Growing pains all around here early in the season. Walton has stepped up nicely as a leader, with more experience he’ll be able to direct our line and make sure blitzers are accounted for.
Yeah, i understand bay. I was surprised about the play of Kuper also. Almost makes me wonder how much of this team we would actually keep around if this team totally flops this year. Cuz if he keeps playing like that all season, we might try to find someone else.
Exactly bay, drafted for versatility but yea the talent is not 2nd round worthy. A guy like him would be more of an asset for our 2nd team filling in basically anywhere when injuries pop up.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/44950/tebow-fans-plan-to-buy-billboards
This might be going a little too far now..
The crash test dummy………?
I keep asking myself why the Broncos refuse to give Tebow a chance…?.
It’s not like we have to be afraid of losing a game because… well, we already are. What else is there to lose right now? Besides, Coach Fox believes that it’s okay to lose one game because “one game doesn’t make a season”.
So what is the harm of giving the kid a one game chance? None, as far as I can see…
There must be some other reason; there must be something behind the scenes that makes Elway/Fox/Ellis/Xanders/Bowlen not want to see this kid get his chance….hummmmm??
It can’t be because he can’t throw an accurate football because I saw him throw a lot of nice accurate passes in preseason, from the pocket and on the run…
Besides, if we want to see a lesson on “how to be an inaccurate passer” we need not look any further than Ortons performance two days ago on Black Monday… Orton is the current poster child for inaccurate passer of the week.
It can’t be because Tebow is not a great leader, or athlete, or team mate, or runner, or any other reason that comes to mind….
It can’t be because we are afraid to lose the locker room. After the team played listless and not really seeming to care whether they win in or lose in their own house, I don’t believe that Fox ever really had the locker room to lose. Maybe, now, with a coaching change etc. is the perfect time for a change in the locker room. Maybe the whole problem is that we NEED to have a change in the locker room…
I figure by reading blogs and seeing the polls in the DP that just about a solid 80% of Bronco fans think that Tebow should be the starting QB…..
I’m thinking that 80% of the Bronco fans are pretty darn smart and want and chant and blog and do polls and scream and yell and buy jerseys and BOO at the game all want Tebow, NOT because we think he’s cute or cool or we like his religion or charity work or we all just became Bronco fans because we follow Tebow…..No… not at all…
I believe that all these long time Bronco fans want to see Tebow play because we think he is a better QB.
We have all seen him play last year three games and this pre-season and I think the majority of us think Tebow gives us the best chance to WIN NOW!
So, that brings me to this question. Is Fox really trying to win? Are we really “putting the best players on the field”? Are we in the Lose for Luck sweepstakes?
Or, maybe they are trying to protect Tebow because they believe he really is the future and we’re putting Orton the Crash Test Dummy out there and letting him get smashed and crashed and rolled over and stung in the bum??
If this is the case, that Orton IS the Crash Test Dummy, then I think this is a brilliant move by Elway and that sly Foxy Mastermind Duo!!!!
I’m going to try to think of it in this way, that way when I see our team getting rolled over by another team then I’ll just say to myself ““it doesn’t matter if we lose a game, one game doesn’t make a season””… Then, I’ll feel all better to know that TT is safe and sound, learning from the sideline while the well paid Crash Test Dummy takes his beating on the turf…..
It’s a good thing Ort has that cool “curl move” he does as he gets sacked. Some fans call it “the armadillo”, or “the fetal”, but I think he needs to perfect it a little and learn to do “the possum” you know, fall down and play dead BEFORE the defender gets there….
Stay healthy Ort, God forbid young Tebow has to go in there and play football behind that awful OL that you took out for steaks and beers too many times this off season……
ILMSDB!!!!
Blah … O. Franklin is just another crutch as to why he shouldn’t start … if they want to they should … He will just have to make do … he has done it behind a trash back up line and is more mobile but i understand the concern. No situation will ever be perfect enough for him to enter. Like many have said i was more dissapointed in kuper than in Franklin … but then again maybe Kuper was trying to pick up Franklins slack and ended up holding … that Gel of who I should get and who u should get may not be good with them yet. I dunno if thats what happened. I don’t pay enough attention to the oline to say for sure …. just speculations. TRB
Does anyone know why Bellichick is never in Madden?
Kid I went to high school with, Ryan Abshagen, was the brains behind the billboard in Buffalo
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/33319305/ns/sports-nfl/
Fans going the extra mile for sure
3rdgen, i have wondered that myself many times. But i do not have an answer for you
That was the 2009 season by the way.
This kid was pretty odd, declared his presidential candidacy in our junior year of high school. He ended up meeting Obama for dinner from the whole ordeal.
Ok done with the fun facts of my interesting town lol
Franklin’s skill is in run blocking, unfortunately he didn’t get to display that much. The pass protection will come though, he’s pretty agile on his feet for his size.
Bronco fan for life here through thick and thin. Thought the defense was much improved a lot of energy and ball hawking very intense. The offense on the other hand not so much. I heard Trent Dilfer comment on Brandon Lloyd’s effort on a 3rd down conversion where he had a catch and if he would have just gotten on his horse a little(no pun) he woulda coulda had a first down but he was just kind of sleep running out there. I mean I know the guy is old and he IS good but lets go I wanna see some effort! A lot of that has to do with Orton, he has no GO in him, we need Tebow’s motor and effort!
Sizzla … 1st downs were Marshalls specialty … remember him. The guy people said didn’t care but would always put out 110 percent on game day to fight for as many yards as possible? Yup … Thx McD. I agree we need Tebows motor and effort. That intensity that he posseses for 60mins and instills in his teammates to play at optimum level. TRB
After watching Fox’s after practice interview I am not liking him as much as I once thought I would……
He seemed somewhat matter of factly stubborn sounding. Kinda old’ish Grinch like and stalanistic…. jomho
I wish we would have went with a HC with a positive/creative, fresh approach thinking out of the box kind of mind and maybe just stayed with a charismatic positive guy like Studesville….
I thought it was a shame to demote him all the way back down to running backs coach anyways… At least a demotion to OC would have been more acceptable… I thought he did a great job in the last four games as far as getting the locker room energized and playing for fun and to win….
Alas, It appears that JE had to pick the second coming of Dan Reeves….