The Broncos have been the talk of the NFL this week. From Coach Shanahan’s decision to go for two, to Brandon Marshall 18 receptions, Jay Cutler’s NFL-best 650 passing yards, and the emergence of first-year receiver Eddie Royal. The Broncos have captured themselves some attention.
Head Coach Mike Shanahan was quick to warn his players about basking in early season successes.
“I think after a game that you play and you win — especially a tight game when you meet a team like San Diego — the players get a chance to enjoy it for a day,” he said. “You come back to work and you understand how tough of a business this is. I could go through a lot of the stats with 2-0 teams since 2000, how many teams have been in the playoffs, how many teams haven’t. This is a week-by-week business and if you get too carried away with yourselves you can go back very quickly, as we proved last year.”
Photo: Jake Grilley
This week the Broncos attempt to keep their early season momentum going against New Orleans.
The Saints are an unfamiliar opponent for the Broncos. The teams last met during the 2004 season and New Orleans hasn’t played at Denver since the inaugural game at INVESCO Field at Mile High in the 2001 preseason.
The Broncos might not get to play the Saints very often, but Jay Cutler said New Orleans is a team that you have to be prepared for.
“They are a good team,” he said. “I think they are a little underrated right now and people are overlooking them, but it is two games into the regular season. Missing a few guys defensively, it is a totally different scheme for us. It is a lot of cover-2, a lot of quarter. We are coming off of a strictly man game vs. Oakland and a 3-4 game with the Chargers. It is a totally different scheme for us and we have to prepare and get back to what we were doing in OTA’s against our defense. We are excited for it.”
Photo: Jake Grilley
Part of Denver’s game plan on Sunday is to attempt to slow down the Saints offense and its two most explosive players, running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Drew Brees.
Photo: Getty Images
Shanahan said a player of Bush’s caliber is a constant home-run threat.
“Since he was in high school and college, everybody can see that when he has the ball in his hands he has a chance to go the distance,” he said. “He has exceptional balance, he has the ability to make the big play and just like (Chargers RB Darren) Sproles last week, you give him one step and he’s a little bit faster and a little bit quicker than the defenders. All of a sudden what looks like a 10-yard play is a touchdown.”
Part of what Shanahan believes makes Brees a dangerous player on offense is his ability to deliver the football under pressure.
“Everybody worries about not getting pressure on this kid,” he said. “Usually when you get pressure, he can get rid of the football. He has been doing it very consistently and he is probably one of the most productive guys over the last couple of years in New Orleans in what he has been able to do — completions, touchdowns, percentages — all the things you evaluate a quarterback on. He’s good.”
The Broncos know it is still too early to make any predictions on how the season will be unfolding, but Sunday’s game against New Orleans will bring the team one more game closer to some answers.
One thing that the Broncos have been able to take away from their two wins is confidence.
“My job is getting easier week by week with these guys,” Cutler said “With Brandon (Marshall) back and the way that Eddie (Royal) is playing and Tony (Scheffler) and Daniel Graham. We have (Brandon) Stokley coming in there on third downs, the line is playing well and the backs are protecting and getting out when I need them.”
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Jake Grilley, Jay Cutler, Mike Shanahan, New Orleans Saints
I think the broncos show much more intelligence and poise for their age then anyone in the league. You never see Jay underestimate anyone or take anyone forgranted. He doesnt bad mouth people, he just plays football. Jay Cutler has the ability to turn this team into the patriots of 07.
i like the way our offense has shaped up since last year if we keep playing he way we have the last 2 games and our d improves will probably make it to the superbowl
Here is an interesting fact. The Denver Broncos first string offense has the least experience, and also the lightest five man front in the NFL. And as great as Denver is playing now, “WOW!!!” Look out NFL.
The offensive line is doing well. Especially Harris and Clady. Harris has really impressed. I think offensively they still need to establish a serious threat of running the football. If they are just not that physical, utilize that cut block, and open some lanes! Kuper especially needs to improve the cut block. Establishing the run can demoralize a defense, and it works the clock, as well as being a high percentage type of play, and protecting Jay Cutler. I think putting Jay in an empty set too much is not good. Yes the strength on offense is passing, but establishing that run becomes a mindset and a huge lift in the playoffs.
I think that Andre Hall has shown to be the best running back, hitting the hole and breaking tackles, and better top speed. He has also shown that he can protect the quarterback.
I saw Hillis improving gradually in run blocking.
Defensively, still need to get more from Marcus Thomas, and I think Crowder and Ekuban give more chances for making plays than Engleberger on the other side.
The LBs are an interesting story. Yes they are fast, but Webster plays out of control, and misses tackles because of it, and sometimes gets himself in a position of catching instead of filling. I think Boss will help alot, but he also is a bit out of control when filling, missing a couple tackles, head down and not seeing the back. The alignment, and pass drops are confusing, they drop into the same spot, right in the middle of the field!! No wonder they have holes in zones deep middle and hook to curl.
Blitzing is something they will have to do to get pressure, and the CBs have to lock down the recievers when this happens. Hopefully Moss can show why he was a 1st round pick, and get some pressure.
Oh, and here are the numbers as of today I checked all the rosters and depth list of all the teams and compared them. Denver first string offense has only 41 years experience, only 3 other teams, Miami 42, Baltimore 48, and Atlanta 42 were less than 54 years. The rest at between 54 and 94, Jets are 94. Denvers 5 man front line starters weigh 1500 pounds, and only 3 other team were less than 1530 pounds, Houston 1502, Washington 1510, and Indianapolis 1511. The rest weighs between 1531 pounds and 1661 pounds, Buffalo is the heavy weight offense.
This team will be good for years to come. Sorry, Raiders (screw you gay Radiers fans) Chiefs and Chargers, we can seize this division for the next four-five years. Thanks for playing, loser rivals.
I like what i see from all aspects of the team. Yes their is work to be done in some areas but it isn’t like it needs an overhaul. I like the comrodery on this team. So much confidence and that is a good thing! This whole taking it week to week is the only way to play in this league. If at any point you overlook any 1 team that is when things go bad B/c all teams are professional and have their own Unique way about them. So personally I think by Staying Focused one game at a time will pay off. Yes there will be mistakes but they are only mistakes if you don’t learn from them! If you learn from them then it is a lesson.
The fans like this Orange Jersy weekend we are missing the Orange Crush Defense and we are looking forward to the Defense making a statement in the orange! The hard hitting that makes them wanna say where did that come from! Make the League watch us let them start second guessing if we can do that we will have the advantage. Any time you have a team second guessing their will always be that one QB who will come in and say “they aint all that” I think that is why this Defense need to make a statement this week show the world We are here and we are ALL THET and THEN SOME!!!!!! GL fellas on Sunday Keep up the Great Job!!!!!!!!!
the potential for this team is through the roof. hard work, preporation and experience will get them to the playoffs. the biggest key to any team in the nfl is health and if we stay healthy there will be no stoping the broncos. the offense is great and will be even better when torian comes back. the d needs to keep working hard and improving. it all starts up front and if those guys and can get better every week we will be fine. one thing that needs to change is the nickel position, paymah doesnt have what it takes to play in the nfl and after last week every team on our schedule knows it. its time to get someone else in there and jack williams has my vote.
Break out the ORANGE!!!
It is nice to see Shanny let loose with the offense so far. I honestly don’t understand why he played so conservatively the past 2 seasons. I know he wanted to groom Cutler, but 2 subpar seasons were the result? Well the past is in the past, these Broncos look really good on offense. Once the Defense gets its groove this team could really make a run, I believe. The schedule is kind to us this year, as well. Stay healthy and we may have some football to watch in January:)
It all had to do with Jay’s developement and growth within the system. Also with guys growing together and being a cohesive group, which they’ve shown so far this year. They’ve been able to adapt and as Jay said, “copycat” some of the schemes other Teams had with the shotgun & various formations they’re giving their opponents. With the protection Jay is getting, there is no reason he should not finish the year, as one of the top QB’s in the NFL. The O line is playing great and deserves plenty of credit. OG Ben Hamilton is a veteran who is back after being out a year, and his leadership and is a big key.
I was just wondering…whats going to happen to Tom Nalen??? Do we really want to put him in and risk screwing up the rythym and timing our front five have developed or does Casey Wiegman go back to the bench.
Overall I think Casey is a better pass blocker but as some people above pointed out we have a smaller line then most and Tom Nalen is by far the master of the Cut Block who is good at making gaping holes in the defense. What do you all think???
I agree, at this point, Paymah’s play should lead to Jack Williams getting a shot at the nickel back. On Tom Nalen, I think they should insert Tom, as he is pro bowl level, at least when healthy. I wonder if Tom could have played last week, but they are making sure he is fully recovered. With that said, Casey has done a great job! I think the running game gets a boost with Tom though, getting Kuper in line and at least improving the inside zone. I do think they should cut block more though. The cut makes D-linemen tenative, especially if the person making the cut block is skilled.
SHANNY needs to take a closer look at Bob Slowik.His scheme reminds me of Gregg Robinson,another scheme that gave up major chunks!!!! I’m not sold on the D!!! especially after the NEW ORLEANS outing !!!
OFFENSE wins championships, well that’s what I hope because if defense wins championships than we’re screwed!!!