In terms of points allowed, the Broncos first-team defense turned in its second strong performance in a row Saturday night against Seattle.
The starting unit followed up a suffocating preseason opener in Chicago by limiting the Seahawks to just 103 total yards and three field goals before halftime.
But linebacker Joe Mays wasn’t the least bit pleased with the unit’s performance. Mays was particularly disappointed in how he and his teammates struggled to stop the run as Seattle picked up 76 yards rushing on 17 carries in the first half, finishing the game with 228 yards on the ground.
“It was terrible,” Mays said. “We know how we can come out and play this game. We know that we can come out and play with the best of them. We definitely didn’t show that this past weekend. We have a lot of improvements to make. We still have time. We’ve got a lot of young guys on the team. We’re all going to get better together.”
Though the starting defense didn’t play as well as Mays would have liked, Head Coach John Fox said he was more upset with the defensive effort after halftime — when Seattle scored 21 points — than with what he saw from his starters.
“Way better in the first half than the second half,” Fox said. “A lot of it wasn’t so much physical as it was mental. There (were) a lot of young players out there. I think at one point we had six college free agents out there, but those are valuable lessons and valuable experiences moving forward. Hopefully they’ll learn from it and get better from it next time out.”
A chance to bounce back against the run comes quickly. With San Francisco, which finished eighth in NFL in rushing last season, visiting Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday at 2 p.m. MDT, Mays and Co. want to prove that they can stop the run as quickly as possible.
“It’s very important,” Mays said of shoring up the defense’s technique. “These are the games that you live for — guys that like to come out and pound and run the ball and stop the run as well. That’s what the 49ers like to do. I figure if we can stop their run and if we’re able to run the ball on their defense, I think we’ll do pretty good this weekend.”
That’s great to hear rbf1! I’m liking our young OL so far.
Delusional = Anybody that can watch this team and think we are SB ready. Might be anybody that thinks the current squad is better that a .500 team.
Remember how certain you all were about handling the “Seachickens”. Ahem! Just preseason – but Pete Carrol is putting on the “seachicken” strut like about right now.
DB im not even going to say anything about that. More and more you have just become a troll on this blog.
But you know who has really impressed me? Nick Foles.
Oh I know AB, but I am the conflicted Colts fan who loves Andrew Luck, but is still pissed at Jim Irsay even though it doesn’t make sense because I’m a Bronco fan first and we have Peyton Manning. It’s weird.
Lol Cat. If that what if happened it would really shake up the NFL because Luck is one of the “for sure” players and would make everyone rethink that term lol.
Yeah cat, I thought former Arizona Wildcat Nick Foles did well last evening. The kid has a great arm and with time he should get there. RB Chris Polk had a few carries in the 4th qtr last night. LB Mychal Kendricks looked good !!
I hope Tannehill does well ab.. didn’t get to see his highlights. How did he do?
I dont know RBF1 I just know hes been named the starter and that made me think what if that happened. From what ive heard though hes done a pretty good job and is deserving of the starter job (Not sure if its for the next game or more permanent)
Watching the Faiders Cards game. Man Justin Bethel (FOr the Cards) is doing great! Two blocked punts before end of the 1st half and one returned for a TD by Bethel.
Faiders 1st string offense looks awful!!! Palmer looks like crap their OLine unable to block and their RBs (Not McFaider) arnt getting yards and when they do they seem to have issues holding the ball.
The Dolphins have been down for so long. I’d like to see them give the Pats some competition. Doesn’t look like the Jets will be up the task. Buffalo made some strides last season, and if they’re QB is ready, should be interesting.
I would love to see the Bills trample over the Pats. I dont like the Bills per say but ive always had a soft spot for them and feel bad for them.
AB-I’m a delusional Bronco fan! I think they’re going to win the Super Bowl EVERY YEAR!!!! How about you? ;P
RBF1, I would like the Bills to give the Pats some competition. I really don’t care for the Dolphins.
I think they will do better than .500. And I HOPE they win every year Cat. lol
LOL!
If we’re 0-8 to start the season and I still think we’re heading to the Super Bowl, then call me delusional.
But we can’t really tell yet how well this team is going to do until they actually play games that count against the record. Lots of teams stink up the pre-season and got on to have great regular seasons………….and the same for vice-versa……just look at the rams last season. They won all their pre-season games and must’ve been feeling pretty good, only to go on to a horrible regular season.
Until this team starts losing in the regular season……….in games that count………I will be the eternal optimist…..until proven otherwise. Everyone starts the season with the same record………..it’s all about how you finish it.
Why on earth, as a fan you’d concede the season before it’s even begun is beyond me.
GO BRONCOS!
Agree cat, I’d rather see the Bills win that division then the Pats, Jets or Dolphins.
As if I couldn’t hate the Patriots any more than I already do, seeing McIdiot on the sidelines last night did just that.. Man I hope they take a step back this year, and it is possible given their problems in the secondary, RB, OL, and potential problem getting after the QB of Chandler Jones can’t get it done..
Kod, I agree 100%. Look at the Packers last week–are they not going to be SB contenders because they got beat so badly by the Browns? It’s funny how serious people take preseason. I like preseason so I can assess the talent we have and how they gel together. I think our quarterback is going to be exactly like Michael Jordan (AB posted that article). It was a good comparison. I’m not going to compare him to other QBs or rookies right now, I’m looking to see how he does coming off of injury. And see how those first few real games go. It was a plus to see us lead such long drives in the first half, even if he did throw two interceptions. I can remember few long drives in the first half at the end of the season last year.
Win or lose, it’s going to be fun watching the Broncos this season! Like Mike Rice said awhile back… having Peyton Manning on the Broncos squad doesn’t guarantee a winning season but it sure does increase the odds!!
I’m grateful for what Tim Tebow did to help the Team, but last season is for the history books like the year 1492!
Funny you mentioned that OT, when McD was on the screen last evening, I must have frowned becuase my wife say to me…”what’s wrong”? I then pointed to the screen….lol!
sorry for typos.
I agree cat, it is a chance to see players that are developing. We are not even game planning a full slate yet. By the way, rbf1, I do the same thing every time I see McD. Go Broncos! I will be at the game this Sunday for the first time in 7 years. My wife has never been to one. This will be her first. Woot.
Man I have to say from the two Faider games ive watched they really just look awful as a whole. Havnt really seen anything good from them. (Saw a couple good things but not a lot)
Our biggest threat when we play the faiders will always be Run DMC………….if he’s healthy he will give us all we can hanlde. I think their season rests more on his legs than palmer’s arm. But overall, as a team, they haven’t looked very good at all………….WHICH MAKES ME VERY HAPPY!
I agree Kod but I wouldnt put my faith in McFaider staying healthy like they have done. Just a bad bet IMO
I doubt he plays all season either………….he’s just one of those injury prone players…………WHICH MAKES ME HAPPY! lol
LMAO so the announcers for this Fairder Cardinal game are talking abou tother teams in the division and they get to the Rams here is the basics of what they said.
Bradford two years ago looked the the perfect franchise QB during his first year and when Josh McDaniels was the OC last year for the Rams Bradford looked like a ruined man.
Have a great time orangemnm!!
True story ab… McD just about did ruin Bradford.
McDaniels was sent by Evil Bill to ruin other teams. Convinced of it! I hope that Jeff Fisher can help get his confidence back. sheesh.
https://twitter.com/Denver_Broncos/status/237963017533411328
Looks like Leonhard is off the PUP and practicing! Great news!
well count me in as another delusional fan. i definately think we are better than .500. now of course i think the doubters are gonna have a field day with team during the 1st half of the season because imo we are going to take time to come together. I dont see us tearing up the league for a 14-2 record but once the team gets going they will be strong. and maybe even pushing for a superbowl appearence. we will be one of those teams that has an average regular season record but then plays better than everyone else come playoff time. manning is the key, of course, and hopefully he doesnt get injured. his neck doesnt worry me but anyone can get injured anytime and we will go how he goes. so be ready fellow delusional fans because when we struggle out of the gate we are gonna hear about it. alot. but then when the end of the year comes and we start lighting it up we can get our ten cents in!
If anyone has any insight on this, I’d like to know………
In the spring, on nike’s website, they were showing 3 jerseys………..a standard, a limited release, and an elite jersey. There was no pic next to the limited jersey as it said it would be released this summer. Now there’s no mention of it and also, it seems like the only jersey you can buy is the standard game jersey that’s $100. I thought they had one that was better quality and more expensive.
Any thoughts?
looks like joshua moore is done…………….
hey kod you have to click on the elite jersey, and its been awhile so this will only be close, then its gonna pull up the jersey and act like youre supposed to make a personalized jersey. when you click on the jersey number you want, tho, the jersey options it pulls up includes the players. its dumb and confusing and i thought i couldnt get a real gameday jersey unless i personalized it. but i said screw it i’ll put my name on it and when i went to select my number it had an option for an ’18 manning’ jersey. i sure hope i answered your question
thanks LBF!
ya man u bet!
Kod, I do know that NFL.com did not have a women’s Peyton Manning jersey even though they said they were going to. I’ve decided I’m going through the Broncos website from now on because they had one no problem. It’s really bizarre, but I don’t think Nike was ready for onslaught of people buying new jerseys. I know they didn’t make enough women Peyton Manning ones. So… I think as the season goes on there will be a larger variety of jerseys and into next season as well.
LBF–Stand with me fellow delusional fan. I’ll take the crap just fine. I’m going to print off the last two lines of that article I posted yesterday and hang it various places I look on a daily basis so I can remember how lucky we are! GO BRONCOS!!!
thanks cat!
Stopping the run is a major area of concern for me, considering we don’t have a respectable defensive tackle and Wolfe will likely be playing DE.
I think if Warren can stay healthy, he’ll have a good year and will help a lot in that department……..
haha cat yes i know. i guess we’ll see but yes we’ll be in the delusional bunch and i bet its a group with alot of members. and for a good reason too!!
Lindsay Jones@PostBroncos
CB Joshua Moore has been waived. Bolden took No 31 because he thinks it’s a better number for a corner.
And I am so thrilled that the Jaguars took that stupid London home game the next four years. Not that I mind if we go to London, I just don’t want home games in London.
LBF- When the delusional fans win out the Tebowmaniacs will be shaking their head, still saying a Super Bowl wasn’t enough. Just wait!
Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Former Redskins RB Clinton Portis will announce his retirement at a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET at Redskins Park.
ya i think warren will make a big difference as will a beefed up vickerson. bannon is no slouch in the run game either. the importance of wolfe as de is he will contain the run with his ability to penetrate. that makes the running back lose alot of running room through the line. if one side gets collapsed then all the dt’s have to do is stand there and make a wall that traps the running back and forces him backwards to be tackled for a loss. they can also stand there and shed the block as the running back approches and make the tackle or assist in a tackle at the line. thats what warren is good at. holding the line and shedding blocks to make tackles. it’ll work well but i agree one or two more stout dt’s would be nice to have. we are a couple of injuries away from a bad dline and that kinda sucks.