This weekend, Elvis is expected to be back in the building.
Head Coach Josh McDaniels was the key note speaker at the 12th annual John Lynch Salutes the Stars Awards luncheon on Thursday. After he stepped down from the podium, he answered a few football questions, starting with the excitement swirling around Dove Valley heading into next week’s OTAs — a passing camp that is expected to include Elvis Dumervil among all the returning rookies and veterans.
“I think we’ll see Elvis Sunday, and we’re looking forward to that,” McDaniels said. “We’re excited.”
The head coach and the rest of the staff are anxious to kick off Organized Team Activities on Monday, a day McDaniels said is “always exciting.”
“It’s just an opportunity for us to put our team out there and start teaching them,” he said. “We’ve made some corrections, we’ve made some changes with our scheme and our system, we’ve obviously changed players and added the rookies to it, too. Monday will be an exciting day because it will be the first time that everybody actually sits in the same room together. You know that your team will be made up of the people in that room. It’s just an exciting time. We haven’t been together for a while. The rookies will be back, their eyes will be wide and hopefully we get a great start on the season starting next week.”
Later, he elaborated on some of the changes with the scheme that he hopes to begin implementing as soon as Monday.
“I’ve called plays for five straight seasons now, I don’t think we’ve ever really run the same type of base offense — we’ve changed it because we were different,” he said. “We have different sets of players, different skills and different unique players that can do different things.
“We’re going to try to make ourselves as difficult to defend on offense and we’re going to be real aggressive defensively,” McDaniels continued. “We want to be disciplined yet attack, attack, attack. That’s what our focus is going to be on. It’s always good to add some things that allow your players to play fast, and we think we’ve done that this offseason with what we’ve tried to add with our scheme.”
But the additions haven’t just been limited to the scheme. McDaniels said the team is always evaluating the free agent market, and a big-name player visited the facility earlier today — running back Brian Westbrook.
“We had a great meeting with him,” McDaniels said. “He’s not in a hurry, but certainly he’s a talented player and we wanted to do our research and make sure we got him in here and had an opportunity to speak with him. He’s a great person, a great football player and he’s healthy now. That’s a really important part for him and for everybody else concerned. We’ll see where it goes, but it would be another addition to our football team that we think would help us.”
The head coach made sure to clarify that “it was a visit, it was nothing more than that at this point,” but he didn’t hesitate to praise the back who has amassed 5,995 yards on the ground and 3,790 yards through the air in his eight seasons in the league.
“He’s a really good football player,” McDaniels said. “He’s got a lot of skills. I think he fits in with the mold of our backs — they’re not one-dimensional, and he certainly isn’t either. If we have an opportunity to add him, we just think we would make our football team better. Again, we’ve been after competition at every spot. We have backs that we feel very good about on our roster right now, but if you could add another good player at any position, we’re not opposed to doing it.”
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Problem with inexperienced QB’s, they throw games for you, so that’s why I’m in line with sndvl that Orton would give us a shot at a better record, but to tell you the truth I would probably lean to getting a worse record this year just to get a leg up on the future with whoever McD thinks is the QB of the future, and that is very likely Tebow.
Lack of a running game. Worn down defense. Inconsitent, unimaginative playcalling. Inability to convert short yardage, losing to Oakland and KC AT HOME- that got us to 8-8.
You say because of Orton? I say because of McD!
I tend to agree with OC,if we can start a QB that’s mobile,any one of the QB’s can throw the dink and dunk passes in McD’s playbook,but with Quinn or Tebow we would add another dimension to the QB position,Quinn(stronger arm),Tebow(running with his legs) to me we would have a better chance to win,it’s not like Orton is a savy veteran either,just saying.
GO ORTON!!!
SIGN DOOM!!!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
If we can get the running game going,it would be a lot easier to start Quinn or Tebow tho.
I just hope the Q^2 doesn’t turn into what the Browns did. This week it will be Orton, next week could be Orton, could be Quinn, week after that maybe Tebow or Brandstater. I know if one or the other starts sliding maybe then take a different starter. The Browns were just back and forth all the time. No QB can be effective when there is that much uncertainty during the season IMO.
Orton might not be good enough to win you a game on his own, but he is smart enough not to lose one on his own either. Here lies the dilemna on who to start is all I’m saying.
I just don’t think McD invested all that,to see Tebow on the bench,he knows his job is on the line in the next year or 2 if he dosen’t produce,and I think he will do all he can to help us win(save his job).
I dont’ think we are doomed with any of the four QB’s… We could start any of the four and end up 8-8..
I know one thing though… Orton is not going to all of the sudden be fast on his feet, throw long accurate passes or run the ball on third downs…
Orton hit the top of his ability celing last year and he doesn’t have anything that we haven’t already seen. If he does have some awesome ability he should have let it all hang down last year..
I think the great thing about Tebow is how fast he’s been picking up our system, according to McD. Understanding the playbook, system, reads all that stuff will probably come fast to Tebow. It just the other things that you can’t coach, speed of the game, muscle memory, being smart with the football. I would like to see Orton start but if he doesn’t I would rather see Tebow than Quinn.
We can talk about it till were blue in the face,but McD has the last say,and we all will have to live with it,whoever starts at QB,I hope they will have a great year,and lead us to the playoffs.
To me the difference between starting Orton over Tebow, Quinn or Brandstater is probably two games, advantage Orton, just my opinion.
If McD truely believes Tebow is the future, and subsequently his own, then let Tebow learn behind Orton and Quinn (That formula buys him an extra year). If McD is the same immature, knee-jerk, arrogant @#$KL% HC, then start Tebow this year, miss the playoffs this year and next, bye-bye McD. Tho I could be wrong and Tebow leads us to glory…But Im trying to be rational. Im rootin for Tebow to be successful. But he has not proved squat on the field yet. Talk about a QQ…
So does anyone else think the division is getting stronger? I honestly think that the AFC West could be starting to get back to the division it once was. I just hope we can bust up our division for starters.
The playoff would be fantastic, but a lot would have to go right for it to become a reality this year. I’m not quite there yet.
I guess the three INT’s Orton threw against KC didn’t lose the game for us…..???
Or the three INT’s against Pittsburgh in our own house…??
I think so Brian, last year was there for the taking to get into the playoffs, this year not so much, both KC and the Raiders have improved greatly in my opinion.
OC, the KC game, they ran over 300 yards on the ground against us, ludicrous to say he lost us the game, he was just put in a position to force the ball. The Pittsburgh game, maybe, but that would be one, a rookie will easily lose you more games than that, just saying.
UPDATED DEPTH CHART (my prediction, not official):
12 spots listed because they’ll use 3 WR sets FREQUENTLY
QB – Quinn (Tebow will play, Orton traded for draft picks)
RB – Moreno (2nd Buck, 3rd Toney Baker for short yardage)
WR1 – Gaffney (will play more than Royal in 1 WR sets for matchups)
WR2 – Royal
WR3 – Decker (Bay-Bay still in development and will come in on plays designed for him)
TE – Graham (2nd Richard Quinn, 3rd Branson)
LT – Clady (Until he’s ready Maurice Williams)
LG – Kuper
C – Walton
RG – Beadles
RT – Harris
DEFENSE
CB1 – Bailey
CB2 – Goodman (NICKEL: Perrish Cox, DIME: Phonzy)
FS – McBath
SS – Dawkins
OLB – Ayers
ILB – Haggan
ILB – D.J.
OLB – Doom
DL – Bannan
NT – Williams (Chris Baker in rotation)
DL – Green
lol… baylinor on the dr’s note analogy.. too funny!
Orton looked like a Rookie to me,no mobility,no capability of throwing deep,and not very good accuracy in tight throwing lanes.
Orton is the favorite to start. He had a career best year last year and lead us to 6 victories in a row and he has been in the system the longest.
But it’s so hard to think this way when McD trades for a former 1st round QB and then drafts another in the first round the same year.
Tim Tebow is going to be our starter eventually. Why not start him if he is ready? Apparently he memorized the play book, McD is high on him and the fan base is crazy for him.
Why sit around and wait for Orton to not win us games? Even if it’s neck and neck I would play Tebow.
The future is now and that future isn’t Orton.
Just sayin….
Hey guys, Im the first one to know Orton is not the answer, we are just talking about who could give us the better record RIGHT NOW is all, just a discussion regarding that, nothing more. Our QB position is not as enviable as many people think for right now, long term yes, right now no, QQ is what we are in, just my opinion.
OC, I counter with games against NE, Dallas, NYG and at San Diego. Even the half before he got hurt against Washington (or was that all Marshall?). We couldnt run the ball against Pittsburgh, which is how it got out of hand.
We couldnt stop the run against KC, which is how it got out of hand.
We couldnt stop the laser light against Oakland, which is how it got out of hand.
Baltimore just busted us in our mouths. Hopefully the returning players remember that one. And model after that.
If McD lets his emotions get the best of him and starts Tebow too soon, I fear we will end up with a Cutler clone (and OC you want to start talking picks???)…just sayin
I’d love to weigh in on this one.
I recently wanted to buy a new mountain bike cause i loved the look and features. My bro said, why buy it now when you are comfortable on your old one? Just ride your old one harder and when you break it, buy the new one.
I like this idea with Orton. Lets push him to a play a better season or until he can’t step up or he trips over his foot and gets hurt.
Hey, just check out the roster from Mad orange devil above. The defense line up has me really excited.
Orange Crush Time!!!!!!!
So if you guys think were going 8-8 anyway,why not start Quinn or Tebow,because I will not be happy with 8-8,I will settle for nothing less than the AFC West Division title.
To tell you something I have been feeling for quite a while now but haven’t brought it up, is I believe McD cut a deal with Bowlen before drafting Tebow. My guess is McD said to Bolwen that he thought he had found the man for this franchise, but that in order to make the move he would have to have the necessary time to bring him along, i.e. the length of his contract, to which Bowlen agreed to and he said I’ll guarantee you your 4 years. With that in mind McD starts Tebow this year and doesn’t worry about the record, just about turning Tebow into the QB he thinks he can and be fully ready to kick tail in 2011. Anyway, I believe this is a very plausible scenario that could of taken place, but as a disclaimer it must be mentioned that it was strictly orchestrated in my head and is in no way representative of anyone in the Bronco organization.
Hill is the best signal caller we have right now on Defense, how can he be left out for McBath on mod27 chart?
I know, opinions….
If a QB is put in a position where he needs to pass the ball to win the game and he throws 3 INT’s….. Then the QB is a dud and can’t be counted on when he is needed most…
I can’t believe you called me ludicrous…..?? huh? thats not very nice..
If Coach starts Tebow it will be because he is the best player…. Not because he is using his emotions….??
Bay…
That sounds very plausible! I could see that going down this year.
OC, ludicrous, comical, didn’t call you that, just the comment that Orton was somehow responsible for a loss that involved our worst effort against the run all year, 307 yards I think and their lead runner getting over 240 yards if I recall correctly. That was all, sorry it offended you.
ELWAY never threw 3 INT’s??? Now, Im not comparing Orton to Elway, but…then the QB is a dud and cant be counted on???
It’s okay on the ludicrous thing bay, now, you, sndvl and my wife all agree….hahahaha….kddn
ILMSDB!!!
BFE
what do you mean? Are you saying you are okay finishing 8-8 with tebow? or not?
No florio,I was just saying the guys were predicting earlier like 8-8,with Orton,but didn’t wanna start Tebow.I was just saying if were going 8-8 anyway why not start Tebow,and get him some experience,I however think we can do better than 8-8 with Tebow Quinn or Orton.I just would like to see Quinn or Tebow start,I think we win more games with them than Orton.IMO
8-8 with Tebow starting would be a major success. Like I said, Sanchez, Flacco and Ryan are the exceptions. Not the standard. If McD thinks our defense will be lights out. Or our ground game will be Shannalike, then by all means, start the future.
Otherwise, start Orton and let the other two earn their roster spots. Quinn has not earned 6 million and Tebow is a first round project.
Even though I cant stand the guy, Jerry Jones was not far off with his “drunken assessment” on Tebow.
Baylin – We have plenty of capable signal callers on defense IMO. Although it will be interesting the change over to the new D Coordinator.
I agree with the length of contract understanding between Bowlen and McD. Bowlen is one of the most logical owners in the league, he understands it takes time to implement a system in order to see results. Tebow will work harder than anyone and he’ll be an awesome leader for the team.
I will give my prediction on how many games we win AFTER preseason,so I might know then who the starting QB will be.I do know however it will be more than 8.
BFE-
Agreed.
It’s not too much to ask to make playoffs with a rookie QB….its happened 3 times in the past 2 years. Let’s make it 4 in 3 years. ;-D
@ florio… if we are going to finish .500 for the season and miss the playoffs again then i say ya… make the switch now! if nothing else you know that by puting the tebownator out there he is going to give 200% on every down and demand it from every other player in the huddle!! orton unfortunately does not, IMO, have the cojones to draw that kind of effort from the other guys!
we were down by a lot and as a kid i thought it was all over and i was ready to leave. thats when my dad looks at me and says “now boy, it aint over yet, with elway there is ALWAYS a chance!” can anyone imagine sayin “heck dont worry son, ortons about to take the field.” lmao
@ sndvl…. ya elway threw 3 INT’s lots of times but he also brought us back enough times that we didnt worry! elway was a gunslinger and his steal was a pigskin! if he was on the field there was ALWAYS hope! see the 87 (i think) playoff game against the oilers! i was at that one btw
just my 2 cents
Go Broncos
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
Jones is an a**,and I wouldn’t admit to agree with anything he says,and as far as assessing Tebow,what gives him the right to say if Tebow can make it or not he holds no standards for his players,and is a joke.
Orton doesn’t lose games and he doesn’t “win” them.
That’s called mediocrity in my book.
And nothing is more mediocre than 8-8. (And that was Orton’s record last year)
@ BFE…. totally agree on the jones comment!
@ florio… also agree on your orton comments!
I’m sorry if I offend anyone,but I don’t see any future at all in Orton,so why drag him around.I say give him a pink slip and a big Thank you,and show him the door.Some might say I’m crazy,but hey I’m honest about my opinions,just don’t think he cuts it and he never will,in my book.You can’t win games by trying not to lose them.
rayjr26…Great story of what a QB is supposed to be like.
“You can’t win games by trying not to lose them.”
GENIUS!
DEVIN BISHOP ILB!
I want to know stuff about this guy, pro day info? scouting reports? 40 times? I see his statisics and that he transferred from a Junior College but that’s it. Has anyone found anything interesting about this Cal Bear? What’s on McD’s mind?
But “you can lose games by trying to win them.”
Yeah both of Orton’s 3 int games.