Even with a quick turnaround before Thursday’s preseason finale in Minnesota, Head Coach Josh McDaniels hopes to bring a sense of normalcy to preparations for the last tune-up before the Sept. 12 regular season opener in Jacksonville.
In his final press conference before the game on Tuesday, the head coach compared the short week to getting ready to play a game on Thanksgiving, which the Broncos did in 2009.
According to McDaniels, part of that normalcy means getting the starters some time in Thursday’s contest.
“We don’t put a play limit on them,” McDaniels said. “There are some players that we want to see — if they can play this week then they’re going to play and they’re going to play more than three or four plays.”
McDaniels said the Broncos spent Tuesday morning going through a two-hour “crash course” on the Vikings that included preparing to stop the defending NFC North champs’ first-unit offense led by Brett Favre.
McDaniels said most of the starters played almost a full quarter in last season’s preseason-closing win against Arizona in a similar situation. He said players such as running backs Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter and offensive lineman Ryan Clady could be ready to make their preseason debuts on Thursday, giving the Broncos a potential chance to build some chemistry with the offense closer to full strength than it has been at any point this preseason.
No matter who is able to take the field on Thursday, McDaniels said it’s an important opportunity to continue the progress they’ve built through the preseason. With more than a week between the close of preseason and start of the regular season, the head coach hopes to strike the right balance of resting players, while keeping them sharp going forward.
“If you don’t play them at all, you’re talking about two weeks without playing football, which you don’t really do much of since you start training camp,” McDaniels said. “We’re interested in trying to stay in some type of a rhythm.”
Below are a few pictures from Tuesday’s practice.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels
Guys I kinda of dissagree with you slightly…..
Here’s why. I think to often we look at “one” player and his accomplishments and say “Well he’s the best, he can do it”. For some reason, this year I have learned a lot more about football. I have a new profound idea of what “really” happens at that line of scrimmage.
For example: JMac talked extensively about Orton’s progress. He spoke about getting the players in the right sets. He talked about Kyle making accurate reads of the defensive then getting the players to adjust accordingly. In some cases audibleing out of the “run” play to move to pass that resulted in a TD during preseason.
This can be exhibited even further when the offensive line was being discussed in terms of the calls that are being made on the line. Who is blocking who. Then Kyle checks out of the play and the line men go through their progressions again…
There is something about that I as a fan took for granted. The “chemistry” as JMac spoke about. We have JD and Beadles out there and now are about ready to add an all pro left tackle back into the mix. I now think you can’t just plug Clady in there and say “He’s all pro”. He was all pro in a different year with a different guard’s and TE’s next to him. Isn’t it logical to suggest that the dialogue and “chemistry” has to be tested!
I will say this though. I share all the cetiments about putting players who may not be 100% out on the field. I do however, see what JMac is talking about. Look, he’s an NFL head coach. He has for the most part assesed talent very well. He’s not going to jeopardize Clady, Moren or Bucky if it meant losing them.
I just think this “chemistry” thing has a lot of impact on this football team. It’s a concept I think I took for granted. I’m with the coach on this one. If the guys can play and they feel they can play, play them a couple of series. Let them start to communicate with their team mates as they would in regular season. Figure it out now wha that dialogue looks like because in 11 days it’s LIVE! it counts then!
Just my opionion!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Yeah good points, but if they re-aggravate their injuries like Decker, Kuper and Thomas have done, Thomas not just once but twice, then they can”t bring much to the table come Sept 12th, can they?
BTW, Sacco is not getting much love on his blog, we are all sticking to this one. It’s like the current state of affairs is more important right now than what happened in 67 between the Broncos and Minnesota in an exhibition game, can’t blame anybody for that.
Broncfalls, I’d like to always think the coach is doing the right thing for our team, but it unfortunately doesn’t always turn out that way, you say
“He’s not going to jeopardize Clady, Moreno or Bucky if it meant losing them”, look what happened to Decker, Kuper and Thomas, it pretty much contradicts the very reason you are trusting McD about this. I just don’t like how he came out to the press and said those three guys might play, specifically at the same time Moreno is telling us he is only 80%, McD didn’t have to do that, put himself on a ledge about playing them, that was unnecessary, and if he plays them at less than 90% healthy and they re-aggravate their injuries, I will be furious is all. 4th preseason game !!! Where the only thing that truly matters is for the starters to stay healthy, at least that’s the way it is for the other 31 teams, maybe McD is a step above them all, that’s probably why some call him genius, or is it sarcastic?
Thats all well and good Broncofalls and i would be all for that in the regular season… BUT 4th preseason game?!?!?! Not even worth it. AT ALL. in my opinion
Preseason or Playoffs….enough said.
Yeah, maybe he is confusing preseason with postseason, haha.
BTW, today we started September, a real football month for a change, YYEEEAAAHHHH!!!!!
preseason of seasons past, sorry but just not feeling it. I am looking forward to tomorrows game, hoping to see TT in action again, like to see this kid get some time on the field and hope they move him to second string asap, KO has good stats but the safe game is only going to take us so far and with no long ball our offense is going to get clobbered. REALLY REALLY looking forward to the season start, it’s all new (well mostly anyway) and hopes are high, temps are dropping and football is in the air
GO BRONCOS
I feel that McD has loosened the leash on Orton. In this preaseason alone I think that we’ve gone deeper with some passes then we did all last season. *disclaimer* The previous statement was for reference point only no facts were given to prove or disprove said statement.* I do feel though that our WR core is better at streching the field therefore allowing for some longer throws down field.
Here’s how I see it: Our running backs need to be healthy without them even in McD’s “pass first” offense Orton can’t be as effective. Stretch the field last season everyone sat on our sort routes, strech ‘em loosen ‘em, then we can go underneath of them. What else can I say DEFENSE!!!! If only real football were like playing Madden, we’d have ourselves a couple or ten more SB trophies LOL!!!! ….and set the difficulty to rookie, turn the AI all the way down, crack up the Broncos attribuites…your laughing ’cause you’ve done it..ok I used to do that with Madden 2007 on XBOX because my roomate would always kill me. That was a great day, the day I triumpled by cheating.
Go Broncos……no cheathing though.
“cheating” c’mon spell check why you gotta’ play me like that?
Cardinals are talking to teams about a Leinart trade, let’s start talks about a Quinn trade. Those two QB’s have had such similar unimpressive careers so far as first round picks it’s eerie…
Now, I’m hearing the Raiders are talking to the Cardinals about Leinart, I thought they had found their wonder man in Campbell, with Gradkowski as back up I guess they’re not crazy about Campbell after all. I want to get rid of Quinn but that doesn’t mean I want Leinart, he is nearly as innefficient as Quinn.
Would anyone be interested in Quinn, I mean not a lot of teams were interested in him when we got him. I think that it is better that we do trade him if he doesn’t pick up his performance.
Alot of teams woulda been interested in Quinn, or quinns possibilities before they saw him in preseason. He has looked horrible. Many were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, myself included, because he never really had a clear shot. He was on a team with no oline and no talent. He was put in and withdrawn alot because if he played a certain number of snaps he would make a certain amount of money so he never got a consistent chance to improve. He might have a chance to get it done somewhere else. Just not here. Even a rookie like Tebow has looked better than him. A guy getting used to taking snaps from under center, in a system that is nothing like what he ran in florida. Here is Quinn with a similar system of what he worked with in college and he still cant make it happen. I think his years in Cleveland dulled him to a point of no return. Either that or he just doesnt have the NFL it factor and never did.
Maybe we can trade him to KC (cuz cassel hasnt exactly blown minds). Weis would take him im sure. Dunno what we get from KC tho…..
I wouldn’t be interested, but it’s worth exploring, the guy knows he has no shot here, no way he can be happy, what kind of a band aid type of help is that guy to us anyway, absolutely worthless as is, and he would be even more worthless if both other guys go down and he has to come in to save the day, I mean he freaks out in preseason, just imagine what it would be like in regular season, a total basket case is what. I have said so much about this subject I better shut up before I get me yet another frustrated Quinn fan to lash out at me, haha.
I’d trade him for a 7th round pick if that’s all I could get, this was a bad deal, just like the Phonzy deal and you sometime have to be the bigger man in business and eat your losses just so you can move on before you sink any deeper.
Baylin
yea u are a lil bit to passionate about your disdain of Quinn bay. I on the other hand just see it as what it is, a guy not quite cutting it. But in all fairness, not many third strings are “save the day” material. Brandstater wasnt apparently either. Even most second strings arent, like Curtis “shouldve been a” Painter. You just hope your starter doesnt go down. Its rare to have to good QBs. Falcons used too in Vick and Shaub and eventually they had to trade shaub to give him the proper chance he deserves and now he is a phenom. Our back ups are supposed to be works in progress but I personally im fine with all 3 of them in this order Orton, Tebow, Quinn. We dont pay quinn much cuz he doesnt take that many snaps. wouldnt mind if he was traded tho, you on the other hand sound like u just cant stand him wearing the blue and orange lol. Just my observations…
He brings nothing to me other than fear whenever he steps on the field, how do you expect me to like him in orange and blue?
my point is just that his job really is not to step on the field often, hell not at all as a third stringer. all third stringers bring fear when they step on the field, cuz if they brought hope they wouldnt be so low on the depth chart is what i mean. Especially for the most pivotal position in a football game that always touches the ball. I was just saying thats how I look at it. it is what it is tho. just two dif view points
The purpose of back ups is to be ready to come in and take over at any moment if their name is called upon, McD would tell you that’s what he desires from his back ups, Quinn does not fall into that category, simple as that to me.
Jamall Charles! Lets trade Quinnto KC for Charles!!!
Heck yeah, LOL.
We’ll even throw Phonzy in to seal the deal…
Thats right I am back finally. Stupid Air Force! So baylin, Quinn or Simms? I say Quinn, Simms could not hit the broad side of a barn 5 feet away. Personally I think Tebow is a better back up then Quinn.
Cody, thanks for serving our country, it’s greatly appreciated to say the least. And the only reason you say Quinn is better than Simms is probably because you haven’t seen Quinn in preseason, he has been worse than Simms, no joke, and yeah Tebow started ahead of Quinn the last preseason game but Quinn has not yet been officially demoted to #3, it will probably happen after the game tomorrow, Tebow has shown 120% more poise than Quinn on the field and clearly is deserving of #2 in my opinion..
I saw some of Quinn against Pittsburgh…he looked awful but I still remember Simms starting against the Chargers last year…AWFUL!!!! I will still take Tebow (even though I hated him as a gator)!
Thanks for the responses fellow Bronco fans
I 100% see what you are saying. And maybe in some regards I agree with most of it.
Bay you are dead on with Decker, Thomas and Kuper. I just don’t think it’s a “put em’ out there balls to the wall and play” type logic. I sincerely think JMac is simply wanting to get them “real opposing opponent” reps. Not many but reps.
Living in Illinois I heard a quote from Mike Martz regarding that god awful team in Chicago. His point with the local media was trying to explain the “miss communication between receivers, Cutler and the offensive line. He had said that sometimes it works so well in practice and then game time comes and at times you see young players making mental mistakes. They are in the wrong postion, they didn’t check out correctly, they missed an assignment etc. Playing these preseason games are critical in getting that corrected. Your #1 offense practicing against your #1 defense is not the same when you have to test your learnings against an opposition.
To me the common denominator for this team is to execute the plan before them. I’m simply saying it’s more than just the names on the backs of the jersey. It’s knowing what the guy next to you is going to do. I want this tested before week 1.
it’s a catch 22. If they get hurt it’ll be “they should of never been on the field” If they don’t the few series they played good be very, very valuable.
Again, I see your points….I really do!
I guess I see where the coach is coming from as well.
Just my opinion but sort of respectfully dissagree!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
That’s the whole point about Quinn, if he looks worse than Simms did in preseason, what is he gonna look like if he comes in against whoever in regular season? I’m for trading him and go with two QB’s, and if one of them goes down just bring in an unemployed veteran QB, there is always one available and it couldn’t be any worse than Quinn, that way we free up a roster spot for where we need help, like LB’s.
Broncfalls, you point about it’s all about the guy next to you doing his job is well taken, because, if you recall, last year the D was playing great as a team to a 6-0 start and then as Dawkins said, they for some resaon, probably over confidence from the record, started free lancing and everything went to crap. There is your proof.
But that still has no bearing to the 4th preseason game to me, at least not enough to start anyone before they are fully healthy and ready to go. A lot of different opinions from different folks today and no one wants to let go of it, good for everyone here, no sheep mentality today, haha.
@baylin you can crown Tebow and bash Quinn all day, but the simple fact is BQ has to unlearn the entire browns pro-system then relearn a difficult offense (just look how bad Kyle played in the preseason last year, under the same circumstance). Tebow is only having to learn a pro style and getting tons of help from the McD brothers (however both BQ and TT have tossed picks and gotten sacked). Only time will tell, so why not give BQ a chance to get comfortable by preseason next year? Then if he does do well his trade value goes up and it’s a win for the Denver Bronx
right now I don’t care what they do with Quinn other than move him down the line to 3rd to give Tebow a chance to get some experience, right now I think TT can be an asset in the wildcat and the way things are now even RB after seeing the way he ran down that guy after the interception lol , clearly he looks to be a weapon this season if we can get him on the field. Lots of questions right now, as mentioned the D fell apart second half of last season along with the offense, looked much better against the squealers but we need that orange crush feeling back to make to post season. Hoping to see the team come together for the season, some injuries to heal, and games to win.
I understand the mindset that if a player is close to coming back from injury and you have a chance to put them in a game situation before the games really count, and the physicality of contact is at its peak, it makes sense. These guys coming back have just a good of chance at staying healthy as they do getting re-injured (in most cases). In football if you don’t play hard you get hurt period. So if you are fully recovered from your injury but you are unsure of yourself or your teammates, due to lack of time in the huddle, you won’t be playing your hardest.
I think it all boils down to this: Quinn is the odd man out just like Brandstater was. Orton is the undisputed starter at this point and Tebow is what we all hope is the future. Plus with Orton’s 1-year extention, it seems as though McD is comfortable with Orton being here another season hopefully helping Tebow and Quinn. From what I’ve seen of Tebow is that a couple of seasons in this system and he cold very well be starting. Sure Quinn and Tebow have gotten sacked and intercepted, heck Orton has too. Its about being comfortable and knowing what is going on. To me Tebow seems like he has a feel for the system more than Quinn. Maybe that’s because of what Quinn dealt with in Cleveland. All I know is Quinn really doesn’t stand much of chance to be a starter on this team unless he improves. Even then, Tebow has the upper hand.
We had three QB’s all last year and will prob have three again this year.
I think Josh likes to keep a third QB to run the scout team. That way the 1st and 2nd QB’s get to practice only the Bronco Offense. The scout team QB has to study and mimic the opponents QB and offense.
Problem with that is the 3rd QB gets complacent doing it. I think I remember Brandstater talking about how he liked playing the roll of Payton Manning before our game last year..humm?
I feell all players say they feel 80 something percen, because they have yet to play a down in the preseason. So once they get their reps they will know.
But brian if we were playing madden you can pick any team n I will still win buy atleast 20, I play all pro. I make orton look like tom brady!!!
60 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL GO BRONCOS!!!
I don’t oppose sitting them out howver would not be totally upset if Moreno caught maybe 2-3 carries, maybe play the staters one series. I agree with most don’t play them if they are not ready. If McD insist on playing Clady maybe put him in for one series late in the game, IDK
Good point O_C
I just think it doesnt matter BQ is here or not if he is a third stinger. He is irrelevant and worst comes to worst, he will learn a system better. besides i doubt we get anything for him. I can say I however to understand why not having BQ will make sense because with dumervil hurt but still on the 53 man list without playing, we could use the extra spot for dumervil who wont be playing but will be on the list.
as far as how our defense slow down last year. I am happy to say i dont see that happenign this year, with Cox. Sydquan, Nate Jones, Darcel McBath, Bruton and even Phonzie, there is alot of youth joining our secondary core. (Ty Law made us worse last year). We got more depth at LB this year too. DLine is still old but i have a good feeling about that aspect of the D this year.
I was playing the new Madden and went to make a Pass with BQ, I thought my system froze. JK, BQ looks like a deer in headlights, I know that been said a million times, im fine with him as a 3rd stringer, even though thats a roster spot that I wouldn’t mind keeping, and extra WR, LB, or CB with. I think we can trade him, to be a backup somewhere else, maybe AZ would take him, not that I want leinart but maybe we could get like a 4th or 5th, or A pick.
mjlarson
still think our best shot is trading him to KC to reunite with Weis. Cassel doesnt exactly have that position on lock. BQ would be a great back up there.
As far as madden 11 goes …. dissapointing. We are underated again. And the game as a whole is a step backwards. everyone breaks tackles like Adrian Peterson, there is little semblance of a Defense, alot of stuff has been changed and uggh. Ive gotten used to it but its a bad game over all IMO….
Somethings been bugging me. Like the buzz sound a fly makes or that tiny nat flying around you when you’re eating or that feeling you get when a mosquito is biting you and you don’t realize it at first, kind of feeling. It’s regarding Alphonso Smith.
And Champ Bailey
Whoa, whoa stop, I’m not comparing them. At all. However, there is a correlation. We are all aware Champ is a free agent at the conclusion of this season. Herein lies the dilemma. Or shall I say the cause of my buzzing feeling. If phonzy remains on the roster, that to me indicates Champ will not be next year. Especially with the emergence of Cox & Thompson.
what it would cost to keep those three compared to what it will cost resigning Champ is probably a similar number.
I am not happy with my theory. I hope I’m wrong. I think we can all agree that #24 is irreplaceable.
Get Healthy, Stay Healthy, BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!! Manhadle Minnesota (even if it’s just the backups)
P.S- if Moreno and Buck can go, go. But Clady? Even if he’s ready for snaps, it’s a DUMB idea
Rest easy sndvl, I don’t see how we are going to keep Phonzy, he is the odd man out at CB. We are talking Bailey, Cox, Goodman, Nate Jones, Syd’Quan and Cassius Vaughn. How many CB’s can we keep, Phonzy is history in my book. But your worries about Bailey may be well founded, just not from Phonzy…
Even with the emergence of Cox and Thompson I still don’t think you can let a CB of Champ’s caliber walk. Sure he may not have the speed he used to but he still is a shut down corner in my opinion. When the game is on the line i.e. Cowboys and they throw twice at him in the endzone and he shuts them out….amazing. I have a safe feeling with Champ on the defense. I just think that we should give him an extension so he can end his career as a Bronco. I still think that Cox and Thompson have a long way to go and I don’t think we can just let Champ go. Just my opinion.
Agreed, if we can fit Bailey in the budget, no way we should let go of him. It’s all about money though. But Phonzy is most definitely not the one who will have anything to do with that, the half size pint CB is a bust.
Ship Phonzy out,but not a chance we let Champ go!! Hell he’s still the best in the business in my book!!!
Cox and Thompson look good in practice and preseason,but they still have yet to take a snap in regular season,they still have to prove to me they can cover all the big name WRs in the NFL and shut’em down like Champ does.Just one man’s opinion that don’t mean a Helluva lot!
BFE
you guys talking about my man champ (letting him walk) ha not even close, even though champ is getting older champ still stops the run the pass he tackles he does everything, my man champ is staying no matter what..
24
I love champ and I hope he comes back…the money will be there but if we are still trying to fight our way into the playoffs I wouldn’t be surprised if champ passed on our offer to go to another team…plz don’t champ
Baylin, your “he must go” campaigns seem to work. How bout spearheading the “he must stay” campaign? Whatcha say Bronco Buddy? He being the best CB in the league as of this moment!
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS WITH #24!!!!!!!!!!
Hahahaha, sndvl you got a point. But right now all Bailey has to do is let his play do the talking. The way Bowlen, Xanders and McD have handled long term contracts so far (Kuper and Doom) is taking it nearly to the deadline and if you have been the consumate team player, keep your nose clean, give it your all and be PATIENT most of all, they justly reward you in the end, and I see no reason that they wouldn’t do that for Bailey. Something can be worked out even if long run it might be a switch to safety for a little less $, and that could work out real well a couple years down the road, Bailey moving into Dawkins spot when Dawk calls it quit. Patience has been the the prerequisite of this organization since the arrival of McD, so patient I will be about Champ for now, so no reason for a “must stay” campaign yet.
But I do have a couple of “must go” campaign I’d like to share with you guys, LOL, just kidding, nothing new, you know who the current players are on my “must go” list.