Denver travels to Oakland this weekend to play at O.co Coliseum, which is known as one of the most unique environments in the NFL.
For the Broncos rookies, it will be their first time playing in front of tens of thousands of Raiders fans. But instead of being apprehensive, they are looking forward to that prospect.
“When I was younger, I used to look at the fake mascots in the stands with the horns on their heads, and I thought, ‘What’s going on over there in Oakland?’” safety Rahim Moore said. “I can’t wait to experience it and be able to help win and do what we can to compete with those guys, because they are a great team.”
Fellow rookie, linebacker Von Miller, said he enjoys the passion of the Raiders’ fans and knows that they make it tough for opposing teams to play in Oakland.
“I’ve known about Oakland’s stadium since I was a little boy, where everybody dresses up in the shoulder pads and everything,” Miller said. “They’ve got great fans; it’s just not too great if you’re the opponent going in there.”
Regardless of the challenge the atmosphere presents, Miller said he’s excited for the AFC West rematch.
“It’s a rivalry game,” he said. “It’s way different than college rivalry games, because it feels like it’s more on the field than the atmosphere. It’s definitely going to be one of those chippy games, and I’m looking forward to it again.”
Below are some photos from the Broncos practice Wednesday as heavy snow forced the team indoors.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: O.co Coliseum, Rookies, Week 9
Take your starting spot back Moore! Show them they made a mistake
Prediction this week. Broncos 24 – Raiders 20
Going with my head rather than my heart in predicting Sunday’s game in Oakland:
Broncos 13
Raiders 24
i love the rookies we got this year i hope they just keep getting better every week. solid guys though. i hope tebow does better to i feel bad for him that he gets scrutinized so hardcore he has a lot of pressure to play better and i think he feels that. hopefully he steps up and shows us a little more. go broncos
my prediction is broncos 24 raiders 21 matt prater wins this one for us
Bay, I hope all went well today and I hope I did not offend you earlier.
Thank you shaztah but it’s tomorrow starting at 6 am, and how could you offend anyone, you are such a sweet thing, just had to clarify though otherwise other bloggers will jump to conclusions.
Hopefully they are working them into the ground … as the timing gets better TTs accuracy will look less worse. He still gotta work on it. Throwing a pass takes alot of anticipation and faith that your receiver will be where he needs to be when he is supposed to be. Gase is like “I got a duffle bag of balls, lets work on that accuracy”.
I actually think whats hurting TT as well is his reluctance to run … don’t get me wrong he still does, but since they have been trying to make him a pocket passer and he gets alot of criticism for that … he stands in the pocket and tries to extend plays more than he tries to scramble. He is fighting instinct … heck he has even been fighting his throwing motion. Not gonna happen over night. best of luck to Tebow and the broncos this week. We need to snap the raider winning streak.
TRB
John Lynch said that the Broncos need to send in way more fast developing, short pass, high percentage plays.
John Elway said Tebow has got to get the ball out faster and more accurate.
Hue Jackson said, “They’ve got a quarterback who’s going to be in his third start, and some things take time, but I guarantee this young man knows how to play,” Jackson said. “He knows how to win, and at some point in time he’s going to catch on fire.”
I think I will stick with these guys and their evaluations:
LAX – you are getting a lot of love for a change, but you are wrong about Tebow, and you are attempting to lead a charge that is harmful to the Broncos. I’ve seen our own respected Bay working at trying to calm the Tebow mania as well as encouraging bloggers and fans to give Tebow time. Bay is wise to try to allow rookies and those inexperience in the NFL time to learn to play at this level. Joining with Carnage and evaluating based on current stats exclusively results in players not being allowed to develop and getting dumped. Bloggers and fans, it is not possible to assemble a winning team in the NFL, within 3 months time. Your evaluations based on statistical production this far is skewed. I encourage all faithful Bronco fans to ‘chill’ a little, and enjoy the ride. It will be far more entertaining with Tebow at the helm.
I have responded tongue in cheek many times on this blog, enjoying riding the Tebow wave. I was not surprised at the suddenness of of the cold splash – I’ve watched too many QB’s from start to finish for that. (fans are fickle) This is not tongue in cheek, this is stated as seriously as Life. Tebow has stated a life principle which is basically that character and hard work can overcome talent. This is a life principle for me as well. If this life principle is true then it should work at every level. You might say that everyone in the NFL works hard, and has character. You might say that it is arrogant for Tebow to come out being represented as having a corner on hard work. Maybe, but there is a significant difference in a guy that is dedicated to his own personal glory and his own personal paycheck – and another who has dedicated his life to working for the benefit of the less fortunate and ideals that are bigger self or any one individual. That is the definition of true character – and it makes a difference as to how a guy spends his money and his time. It also makes a difference in performance when the chips are down.
This said – real character and hard work should result in dominant players who supersede those of greater talent. If Tebow is not railroaded by the impatience of the fanbase, (same to a degree with Moore, Franklin, etc.) and if he doesn’t succumb to compromise of his own principles, these guys have the ability to become a winning team. If you folks can be calm for just a minute and not throw out the baby…yes, we need to replace a few players before we make a great playoff run. Yes, every player needs to elevate his play to a higher level sooner than later, but be patient and have a little faith in your team.
I agree with DaddyBronc when he says that it is more entertaining with TT at the helm.
I have read this blog for years, as many of us have so I have seen all types: Kids, Trolls, Football Guys and Gals and people who know nothing about the game. It’s been fun to read what they have to say and watch the “drama” between them!
Now there are two new blogger categories. The Tebow Fan, which is cool. I like TT as much as the next guy. Then there is the “I’m a Bronco Fan only because of Tim Tebow”. These are pretty easy to spot. Often their handle with say Gator or Tebow or a mixture of the two. I think it’s fun and I am always happy to see new names.
However, I do believe that someone should be keeping track of the predictions, statements and guarantees that some of these people are making! I know I have seen something really close to these statements in the last few weeks:
1. Elway doesn’t like TT because he is afraid he will break his records!
2. TT will win every game this year and the SB and go to the HOF.
3. The Broncos are trying to get TT hurt to they can get rid of him.
I still believe the Broncos will draft a QB in the first round next year….yes you can quote me if I’m wrong! At one time I said Plummer would take us to the SB and Cutler would never be traded…so I’m not always right!
i have been a tebow supporter from the beginning. i also agree with most fans that he needs big improvement. and all season all we hear that no matter how he does hes just not elways kind of qb. so i am prepping myself for him leaving. in the the end just like the players and management we just want to win. but i am also fair. we cannot judge him off 2 starts. one against a winless team and another against a team that will make a good run in the playoffs. so lets not be so judgemental over this guy who is trying his best weather its good enough or not.
mikew, i agree with you. too many tebow fans but there are also too many tebow haters. tebow fans wanted orton gone and tebow haters want to orton to play. as of this point we are a losing team with both of them. i do believe we will draft a qb but also believe if its not luck its not worth it. only because we have a lot of holes to fill and we should stick with that. like fill up our d or running game. just my opinion.
Thanks Bay, when I get up for work I will be thinking of you and I will pray for a speedy recovery. I guess I will be 80 before I know as much about football as you.
Lol Mikew,
I really want TT to work out … really do. Spent alot to get him and he is such a great guy … I would hate to have to spend another 1st round pick on a QB in 2 years. Its the Defenses turn. And a good D can make a crappy QB look good and survive i.e trent dilfer and flacco … now flacco aint bad … but he is sooooo inconsisten. So we definitely need a DT next year. And depending on how we feel about Mario Fannin (Rookie Undrafted FA on IR) … we may have to get a tough bruiser back in the 2nd round. But I like Fannins potential. Also we could use a 2nd round CB. So I am so not with the QB thing in 2012 which is why Tebow MUST work. TRB
I also believe all this experimenting with safeties is killing us. Leave it at Miller. Also if there is a guy like Megatron or Marshall on the other team … have champ stick with that receiver … I knwo he is doing the whole nickle thing now but there is no reason Chris Harris shoulda been on Megatron. He is looking not so bad tho. And there is also syd who is hurt for the year that could give us a boost but I still think we need CB help next year. TRB
trb totally agree!
Here is the thing I do not only present stats… There are Tebow supports who throw out stats like passer rating and say that depicts how good he is. I will use a few stats to describe him but the only one I have used recently was sacks. Some bloggers may forget I like Tebow and have supporte Tebow. What I have seen though is embarrassing and I see no promise or reason to be optimistic for Tebow developing. And hey if he does then I’ll be the first to say I was FLAT OUT WRONG about him. I just dont think that will be the case. My posts are mostly in response to fans who still think he has the makings of a great QB. I am not leading any charge. I am very content with Tebow starting. I did not once say that Quinn needs to go in now or Orton needs to or Weber for that matter. I said that if Tebow doesnt show a little improvement against Oakland which he has failed to do in each of the past 2 weeks (I discount plays he makes in the 4th against prevent defenses) Then I want Quinn. If Tebow doesnt show he can competently run an offense in 3 more starts then it is Quinn time just like it was Tebow time after Orton threw his first Incompletition of the year and after every incompletition he threw after words. The organization has made it very clear that we are not moving forward with Tebow at QB and quite frankly I am sick of being treated to the worst offensive display in the history of the game with Tebow at the helm IMO.
TRB you are pretty awesome you know? I forgot all about Fanin kid has speed and is a good runner and a bruiser in one. Just has fumble issues but I think he could necisitate the need for a RB
If Orton was not effective in this offense, which we all seen with our own eyes, then it only makes sense that Tebow would also not do well in this offense.
Anyone who thought Tebow was going to come in and miraculously take this terrible football team to the promise land or play way better than Orton had absurdly high expectations of him. (I might be guilty of this)LOL
Brady Quinn would also fail in this McD castoff-offense. I believe that even the great John Elway would not fare well on this team at this time if he were the young gun scrambling for his life behind this porous O line with McCoydaniels calling the plays….
I thought Decker sucked in that (would be) TD catch where he wasn’t experienced enough to drag his second foot. I think Decker could have laid out for that other catch over the middle too but he doesn’t have that “sell the farm to catch the ball” attitude that Brandon Lloyd had….. just sayin, our receivers are not very good either. Where was DMT, where was Royal? Covered like a blanket….? yep..
Where was Dawk and Goodie….. Asleep at the wheel while “Invisible” receivers run right past them and stand in the end zone waiting for the TD pass completely unnoticed!!! Those two stooged it up big time and they are the “veterans” that can be counted on…?
I’m just saying that this whole team has been laughably terrible up to this point, not just Tebow.. Although I agree he has only played about as good as Orton has this year….
He is 1-1 as a starter in 2011. That’s a .500 record and is better than the 1-4 team he started with…
I think we should just relax and give Tebow and the rest of this team time and patience to try to get it together and quit sucking, or not….Only time will tell..
Elway says win two games and we are right back in it….. It could happen… very much against the odds but, hey….. That’s why they play the games..
I bought some Orange Juice today and re-filled my Bronco mug half full…..!!!!!lol haha “hick-up”…hehe
Broncos 29
Raiders 25
ILMSDB!!!!
lax i understand what ur saying and after reading most of ur blogs. u come off a huge tebow hater. is why most people dislike or argue with u. instead of being so negative and pointing out the obvious just take down a notch. just some friendly advise bronco bro.
And please if my “Statistical Arguments” Are skewed please make sure that any stastical argument that Armadillo_Orton and FLGator has made is also proclaimed as skewed aas both who love Tebow point out that Tebow has a great Passer rating and that he has this many TDs per touch. So I will have to whole heartedly disagree with you and it is definitly less entertaining with Tebow at the helm thus far. Maybe he proves me wrong this next week and I eat my words but again I don’t anticipate it
Thx Lax … I try to make sure people remember fannin. I think kid can be great … great size and speed … I remember all those training camp vids of him ripping it up. I like McGahee. Great guy great runner … but he IS 30. So just looking for the next guy … for all we know it could be Hillis … sure looks like he is cursed over in cleveland (Madden Cover). So yea … really believe in fannin and he coulda given our team a real boost this year. Its sad he got hurt. TRB
Not a Tebow hater socal just not a believer… I really like the guy and after the Miami game I was excited to see a full 60 minutes out of him of consitent football. That was provided in the form of consistent terribleness. lol like I said I like him but I don’t see a future for him as a QB here and maybe not anywhere and all I want to see as a Bronco fan is a more entertaining brand of football.
Maybe McGahee can hold it down for one more year or 2 so Moreno can unjumble his briefs and Fannin can control his ball control. They could be a nice 1 2 punch for years.
Hey all – my usual optimistic self is expecting that elevation in performance sooner than later. I expect that the Broncos will win this week – and it will be hilarious to watch the Tebow haters flip yet again.
I know Carnage is not a hater – he will stick to his stats. He will still be saying Tebow is no good and the stats prove it after Tebow takes us into the playoffs. At least Carnage is consistent.
007 – just for you – MARK MY WORDS – if they give Tebow 5 more games, then he will be the starter next year. I have my doubts that EFX will stick with Tebow that long, but if he gets that many, Tebow is in!!! Regardless, the CHI, NE, and BUF games will bring the doubters back out. But I’ll be eating my words if in 2011 Tebow gets 7 starts, and then does not get the nod. That does not indicate that I think the tide will turn that fast for the team.
For the record – I was a Bronco fan before Tebow was born.
ok. just not a believer i can handle that. but still instead of boasting about how terrible he was. how about some support. he probaly will be gone next season. but he still is a first round qb and was a great collage qb. so we have to see what we got.
daddybronc have I attacked you onc? No I respect your opinion although I disagree but you just disagree with me although it is my opinion and is consistent… I dont fault your optimism but Im not following suit either
The loss was embarrassing…the TEAM should be embarrassed. The entire team looked bad except a few bright spots like Kuper.
Remember Fox and McCoy saying they won’t change anything for Tebow well he isn’t the only QB to look bad in this scheme this year. Orton looked way worse this year than last too.
Is the regression due to getting use to a new scheme or is it just a bad scheme?
Ill I’m saying socal is that if he doesnt show some improvement… and I mean consistent improvement not just a throw here or there because he has mad some great throws then i want to see Quinn just me not saying anyone else should want that but thats what I want to see. Come Sunday if he leads denver to a win and the offense is not stagnant I will give him his due credit and simmer my pessimism for a week but if not I will still be against him starting again
Same scheme pretty much… It could be fan pressure for both QBs. Orton never got a fair shake and then Tebow is expecte to be brilliant… Unfair expectations
RH, QBs aint exactly excel in Carolina now did they? lol … I think its the scheme … gets the job on the ground done well enough … but not through the air … Still wonder how we would be with Rick Dennison … but I like the D we got and I dont think that woulda still happened if it wasnt for Foxes Defensive mind. TRB
And socal when he lead the comeback against Miami I did boast how he looked good in the final 5 minutes
I may catch grief for this but this off season will be time to trade Dumervil if he does not show the pass rushing ability he used to have… 3 – 4 teams should be targeted maybe Dallas… If he is traded and if we dont draft a 1st round QB then that pick should go to DE Coples out of NC a lot like Peppers who Fox groomed in Car
if they are planning on getting rid of quinn might have a chance of seeing him. not sure though. i have question, if luck is gone and we draft a qb who will it be.
Foles outta Arizona great size and delivery. Jones is possible and Barkley too. I just feel like Elway will find a way to get Luck… Just my opinion just as McD was enamored with Tebow aelway is enamored with Luck
lax, u crazy. get rid of doom. and u know ur off cause u say it in ur last post. may catch grief, come on u get more of that. i think u like to argue. thats just asking for it. might as well say get rid of miller cause he ‘s too young.
Quite honestly, I don’t see any benefit in watching Quinn … while he appeared to make some great strides … I don’t think he made enough. But some teams could use him. At this point … u need to have as close to a full season worth of tape on TT and let him get all the game experience he needs to improve. I think the best way to learn is to experience … thats the best way to learn to read defenses, get your timing down and adjust to the speed of the game is to actually experience it. He has the mental toughness, drive and work ethic to right his ship. If there was one guy that I could believe to put in the necessary work to improve … its him … thats why I haven’t counted him out yet.
I say that socal because Doom has not been the same he was in a 4-3 prior to the switch to 3-4. He has been injury prone and I said id catch grief because i would lol. Not even trying to argue there honestly
trb when i read ur posts, its like someone filled my cup with fresh orange koolaid. lol. thanks. i hope TT does good this weekend. especially against the raiders. since i live here.
Again TRB I disagree but if Tebow shows improvement Im fine with him garnering more starts but if he doesnt then Quinn showed enough in pre season to get a few
this is how i see it. we gave mcd at least a year before we wanted him gone. and did it with orton. at least we can do is let TT have whats left of the season.
LAX – nothing personal. I have no issue with you and I hope what I wrote didn’t come across as an attack.
OTOH – You do come across as a Tebow hater. I read what you write and feel like I watched a different game. I have noticed a propensity in you to state things that are blatantly not true. For example: In the Lions game the Broncos won the Time Of Possession battle by about a minute and a half. Not that it is a meaningful stat but you misstated it. Not a problem – I’ve written things that I failed to check before I wrote it as well. It’s easy to do. In my after game reaction I forgot that Lions defense scored twice – oops – it happens.
It does bother me that you keep citing Tebow’s inability to throw an accurate pass and yet you give him no slack for having a shoulder pad in his armpit.
Little Timmy has a serious timing issue – that’s a fact, and that is why the shoulder pad keeps being put in his armpit.
I’ve watched him throw for over 400 yards in a single game, hitting pass after pass, Tebow can throw the ball – I consider that to be a fact. I have seen a few Tebow misses that were nerves or something that I get your doubt – it is more amazing to me that a 24 year old can do anything right – do you remember being 24? Tebow is not the second coming… Tebow may not make it in the NFL… All I’m saying is be calm and give the Broncos a chance to mature.
I am glad we have established a ground game but the passing game has become inept. As TRB mentioned, not many QB’s excelled during Fox’s stay in Carolina. McCoy is just a drone to the HC. He did what McD wanted when he was here and is now doing Fox’s bidding. Both our QB’s this year have looked terrible because of Fox’s scheme.
I don’t dislike Fox but I do think that good HC’s need to identify the problem and adapt until it is fixed.
As a HC, how often has the formula for success changed under Bill Belichek in NE? From what I have seen, his offense will make changes year to year to better suit personnel as well as what opposing defenses bring.
The time of possession stat is also skewed because Detroit scored quick… and we had the ball in the 4th which was meaningless
Like I said daddybronc Not a hater but not a believer and if he proves me wrong I will dine on my words
again LAX – nothing personal – but you do say the craziest things.
Doom continues to be a bright spot on the defense. That position is solid. I don’t know what you are watching unless all you can see is that he is not getting top spot on the sacks recorded. BTW- Doom is not being played the same way he was when he got top sack records. (Too focused on stats?!!!)
Quinn??? really? did you see the last preseason game? My son walked in as Tebow took over and said ‘what happened?’ I said, “barring severe injury to multiple QB’s, Quinn just played his last NFL game.” The talking heads determined that Quinn had beaten Tebow for #2 spot because Quinn got the start, but the play was not comparable. Weber did better than Quinn.
Like I said Doom isnt the same player… Still love him but not the same just want to see him back to normal not just solid. And Quinn through out training camp was the most solid QB… I attended 7 sessions and his last game wasnt great by any stretch but neither was John Becks in washington and he is starting now and Tebow was by no means inspiring in preseason. Like I said if tebow doesnt show improvment put Quinn in…
LAX – Orton hasn’t been given a chance? He’s a 7 year vet! Quinn has had plenty of time, and plenty of starts, and plenty of NFL camps to get his game together. Tebow has had none of this.
Boomer Esiason reports on cbs that he doesn’t believe Luck has NFL arm strength. Just sayin’ no one is safe from analysts and their judgements.
I mean a fair chance with 0 fan support. Quinn has been given no chance another example of McDaniels mismanagement trading for Quinn to compepte to start then Trading what he did for Tebow…