For Kyle Orton, the difference between the preseason and the regular season boils down to putting away the football mirror.
“We were still working so much on ourselves,” Orton said of the exhibition slate. “I think when you get to this point in the season, most teams are pretty much off of yourselves and moving right on to focusing totally on their opponent, and we are no different.”
With the growing pains of July and August in the rear-view mirror, the Broncos are moving towards a Bengals defense that stands as a worthy first test for the regular season. Cincinnati recorded 9.5 sacks in its four exhibition contests, and its unit has an established reputation for forcing turnovers.
“For the last three or four years, they have just created so many turnovers, and that is the way they win,” Orton said. “Offensively, we have got to, certainly, take care of the football. They have got good players that can create a lot of havoc and like to create a lot of pressure, so we have got to be smart with the football and make plays.”
BELIEVING IN THE SYSTEM
Those latter two points are aided by an offensive system that confuses defenses. In the eyes of two veterans of Head Coach Josh McDaniels’ system, that is exactly what the Broncos have.
With another training camp and preseason in spread formation mode under his belt, Daniel Graham once again sees the potential for this offense to accomplish anything it needs at any given time.
“I think we can, as long as we execute our game plan and we go out and do what we have to do,” Graham said. “We can come out and move the ball on anybody.”
Much of that forward progress thinking comes from templates in the past. LaMont Jordan recalled several instances in New England where difficult situations forced the offense to change its gameplan.
More times than not, Jordan remembered the system prevailing, regardless of the 40 rushes or 40 passes in the play distribution.
“I do know this — that in this system, if you have to line up and win a game running four wide the entire game, you’re going to win it,” Jordan said. “Last year, the last four games, last three games actually, weather was bad. We had to line up at two tight (ends) and pound the ball. So whatever the circumstances, whatever the situation calls for, then our system has something to handle it.”
DEFENSE DIVING IN
Through four preseason games, Andre’ Goodman saw great strides made by his defense in learning its new 3-4 system.
Goodman said jitters are no longer an issue. The ultimate goal for week one is establishing greater chemistry on the field.
“I think we’re comfortable,” Goodman said. “But in terms of the personnel we have on the field, I think what we need to do is mesh well together. I don’t think we have shown that yet, but I don’t think we’re panicking at all either.”
The Broncos have little reason to panic considering the performance they put together to close out the preseason. The Cardinals were victimized by a defense that yielded 244 total yards in 60 minutes of play, while forcing four turnovers.
That film has Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis on guard, readying his high-powered offense for a “very aggressive” defense.
“They aren’t having breakdowns,” Lewis said. “Back to the first week, they’ve really kind of settled in over the last couple weeks and are really doing a nice job and playing well. They’re athletic, they’re chasing the ball hard and they are getting there and making plays at the football.”
–Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Andre' Goodman, Cincinnati Bengals, Daniel Graham, Kyle Orton, LaMont Jordan, Week 1
BAILEY + DAWKINS + DUMERVIL = PALMER AND CHAD GO “KISS THE BABY”
The season is finally here, and ITS ABOUT TIME, can’t wait till sunday looking forward to the big DOOM taking palmer to the turf, and ochowhatever ur going down. Welcome changes to the D and some great weapons on offense and I am expecting a GREAT game and our first season win.
GO BRONCOS
Alright, I finally got an account and I just have to say this. I’m so sick and tired of everyone saying that McDaniels destroyed the team and blah blah blah and when given the reason why they think that it’s always ONE reason…because he got rid of Cutler. All those analyst do the same thing and the only reason that pops up is Cutler.
At least give a few more reasons, were there any other really good players he got rid of? NO…Yes Cutler was a really good QB but get over it, things happen. Things could have been handled differently on both sides and everyone knows that but the past is the past and personally I think that the coach has done some really good things. The whole Marshall saga seems to be working it self out so no need to worry about that right now.
All I’m saying is I thought a football team was made up of 53 guys and not 1 and although Cutler was a good football “player”, he wasn’t going to automatically guarantee anything, look at the last 2 years for example. Yea, he’s just entering his peak but honestly did he even remotely show an interest to work anything out? Not here to knock anyone but just saying get over it, we got some good players.
welcome Caribbean Boi ya we have been taulking about that all offseason but its ok its good to be the underdog just flying under the radar we’ll show them when we shock the world.
Oh, how rude of me. Just saying hey to all of the other fans on here. Didn’t even introduce myself. LOL. Been following your comments for a while now. It’s get pretty heated on here.
“It gets”
The only question I have is how is Ochocinco going to tweet when he’s laying on his back, hahahaha, cuz Dawkins is going to put him there.
Quick question for anyone who knows the real answer. Does being a captain have any direct significance or anything to being a starter. because i would love for woodyard to be a starter or atleast get a very significant amount of playing time. The guys a beast..
Later dudes cant wait for sunday. I live in dayton so i actually have tickets to the game on sunday. NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED!!! Go Broncos!!!!!!!
BRONCO NATION, ARE YOU READY FOR FOOTBALL?
It’s almost here…he he he he
It would not surprise me if this defense comes up with multiple turnovers!
H*ll, JMaC..you got me believing in your system lol!
This defense crashes the ball and hits hard. I believe we are on the cusp to do some very special things.
We have veterans of hall of fame caliber on both sides of the ball. We have a fabulous organization with the worlds greatest fans! A new coach that given his age is years ahead of other that carry the same title.
I raise a diet pepsi toast to all followers of this great team. To the players and coaches we salute your hard work and effort that you have undergone. May you return from the jungle victors and full of confidence and health. For it is the first opportunity for you to take what rightfully belongs to you, an NFL Championship!
Salute!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Well it starts tonite guys and gals. It is football season.
I like to say there are only two seasons every year: Football season and waiting for football season.
I live in Chicago so you know I am so tired of the Cutler talk here.
I am sitting in my computer room looking at my fat head of Elway, my 1999 Super Bowl poster, dreaming touchdown passes, turnovers, and 1st and 10′s.
GO BRONCOS, GO TEAM
kind of a noobish question but i always wonderd. Whats the point of O corrdinators if you have the coach? who makes the plays? DOes the coach make the plays and the O coord calls em? or vise versa. ..Or do they both make the plays X.X
cuz i know we give praise to the coach and players alot but if its the O coordinator doing the work lol…..Its kinda unfair =-/
bronco-blaze, it can be done any sort of way, as you mention, they are no rules and everyone does it differently. McD calls the play and calls them in to the QB is my understanding.
Any way I thought I’d mention that only you and DDave buy into us assuming the role of underdogs and that everybody bashing us is actually a good thing for us. I totally buy into that theory. Of course it is much easier to be the laughing stock team and sneak up on teams to get wins than been the heavy favorite playing against an opponent who has nothing to lose. Same as it is is easier to become a champion than to remain one. So take solace, you all, and enjoy the fact we get no respect, it will give us a better chance to win more games. Put your hurt egos away and embrace the journey regardless of what is said. And as we’ll win more and more games you’ll start getting that respect you’re all craving for.
I, for one, don’t give a rat’s you know what about respect, all I care about is wins, and with wins everything else will fall into place. But for now , have everybody underrate us, and here we’ll come, flying under the radar undetected and surprising a lot of teams that got complacent just because they were so highly favorite over us.
I buy into the underdog thing, because of the Detroit Lions.
Last season 0-16, I think after about 0-5 teams started under estimating them. If you look back though they only lost serveral of their games by 10 points or less. A loss is still a loss, but that’s not that bad of a beating. If they got blown out like 40-0 then it would be a different story. No team took them seriously and and they still played well. I guess what I’m saying is that you can never overlook any team in the the league. Hopefully the Bengals overlook us when we smash it to them, along with every other team.
Today is football equinox!! (or solstice, whichever you like the most)
I’m ready with the proper ceremonial food and beverages, TV altar properly oriented and dressed, but the real big ritual will be celebrated ’till sunday!!
Let the festivities begin!!! And may the orange and blue guide your spiritual journey!
Go Broncooos!
Brian, glad you’re on board with that subject. The reason I brought it up, is so many fans on this blog are totally hurt over the lack of respect our team has gotten in the media. Really, guys, who cares what the media says, all they’re there for is selling articles, they don’t give a darn about anything else. Controversy is what they want, McD firing Cutler, they will never let it go , it’s too good a thing not to exploit. Anyway, don’t worry about the rest of the football world and what they think, we all know better about where we’re at and that should be plenty good enough. Don’t use an ounce of your energy answering all these stupid Bronco bashings from the media, it’s like feeding sharks.
The media has it in for this team.
If we do bad (which is what the media says and wants to happen) they’ll say..we told you so..shouldn’t have gotten rid of Cutler, and all that other crap.
If we do good (which is not what the media wants or says) they’ll say, oh well it’s because of McDaniels, Orton, or whoever and whatever. Columnist should be held accountable for what they write and say. If we do good, someone should go back and bring up evertime they said we would suck or whatever. It is really hard to listen to people like that.
Don’t worry about the respect, we’ve still got it and we’ll have even more of it throughout the season. At least we’re not the Raiders
I believe Woodyard will play some but not start…..I believe they made him a Captain for the Special Teams……….he is the special teams ace so to speak
screw the media….because when we start winning they will shut up
Its no fun when u are expected to do well. Its more fun when you are slept on and then you kick butt. Makes for a better story. I will say that I heard on espn radio that we might be a sleeper team this year so there are some analyst out there with sense. Like i said, im sure Cardinals were projected pretty low last year as well lol
Woodyard…liked the kid since 08 preseason. Plays with alot of intensity. He is a beast on special teams which used to be I believe was it Kieth Burns domain. Woody is a speedy LB. They sure showed him respect in the speed area in madden 10. Would like him to get more size but he still makes tackles with his limited size. Shocked DJ wasnt voted team captain. Proud of Mario Haggan, seems to have ganerd alot of respect in the locker room and from coach.
GO BRONCOS!!!
ahaha.. I just listened to Champs video; the guy is super cool. confronted by all the questions about Chad’s taunts, he smiles and says thats all Chad is, but he knows he has respect for Champ..
Champ and Dawkins has Chads number. they’ll be dialing it up all day come sunday….and Doom probably has Carson Palmer on speed dial…ahaha
there is one group that REALLY want’s us to be overlooked- people who bet on the Broncos to win straight up right now it’s about +185 I’d like to see it at +205 by game time but either way on the Broncos to win!!
LBWilson56, aww, are we feeling neglected and unwanted? Ha, ha. Sorry, didn’t mean to miss your post. I’ve been super busy and had time to only breeze through the posts. Next time you’re in Vegas, I’ll make it up to you and the Mrs., by buying you each an “Adios M***er F***er” drink. After one of those and you won’t care who ignores you…..
ttp://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090910
This was interesting! They have us going to the playoffs….Playoffs? lol
Also I believe this link provides in detail of everything that happened in the offseason in the nfl… enjoy
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090910
That’s the first article that I’ve seen that has us even having a winning record. Thatnks for the link….Ink. lol
Whew, glad that I’m not the only one who liked most of the offseason minus a few things. I was kinda worried the first 2 preseason games but I just don’t see this team being as frustrating to watch as last years. I for one think that we will get better. Hopefully we start off on a good foot on Sunday…Like Chad and everything but hope Dawkins lays him out everytime he touches the ball.
Wow INK…somebody actually picked the Broncos to have a winning season..bout time.
Hello to all your Bronco Fans out there, the season starts tonight and i couldn’t be happier! I’m very much looking forward to Sundays game and will be glued to my tv with an ice cold adult beverage in hand.
this team has me excited! seeing what the defense can and will do this season. everyone has us slated to fail and finish 3rd or 4th in the division. i see us taking the division. Yes i said it. even with the toughest schedule in the NFL this season i still see us taking the division and shutting down all those nay sayers.
Its a Broncos world out there, my truck flags are flying, my flag is outside of my house. show the world that you are a true die hard fan and no matter what happens fellow Bronco fans. this is still our team!!!!
Defense, make sure tackles and get to the ball. Offense run your routes and hold on to the rock. Special teams, make your blocks and your stops!
The road to the big game starts now!
bring on the season GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Nice link, INK
“The following coaches are now out of the NFL: Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Marty Schottenheimer. Combined record: 4,512-175 (approximate). Meanwhile, the following coaches are still in the NFL: Dick Jauron, Brad Childress, Tom Cable, Wade Phillips. Combined record: 109-978 (approximate).”
funny quote right there…those numbers are stagering lol. I agree with him, Broncos shoulda let cutlers pouting session run its course….but whats done is done.
GO BRONCOS!!!
may we ride into cinci like nobl steeds and cruch the **** out of palmer and chad go broncos!
Where did this new toyalbeast come from???? must not have been paying attention lol sigh