One of the bright spots through the Broncos’ first five games has been the play of the team’s special teams units.
In his first season as the Broncos’ special teams coordinator, Jeff Rodgers has the league’s top-ranked punt return unit along with the No. 2-ranked net punting average entering the Broncos’ bye week.
“We’re not trying to put a bunch of emphasis on stats,” Rodgers said. “But net punts are an important indicator of how we’re doing field position-wise with returning the ball to the defense and vice-versa with opponent net.”
The Broncos have the league’s leading punt return unit, which has averaged 21.2 yards per return. Eric Decker has the highest punt return average in the NFL with his 25.6 yards per return. Quan Cosby joined the team in Week 3 and took over the punt return duties, averaging 16.8 yards per return, which ranks third in the NFL.
“Decker did a good job stepping in there early on in the season,” Rodgers said. “Then, Quan is a guy who’s had experience in the league and the one thing that jumps off the tape with him, even in the past before he got here, is he’s a fearless guy. He’s going to return for the team and is not a stat guy. He’s going to save us some field position and make sure the team’s successful.”
The Broncos are averaging a gain of 8.2 yards every time the ball is punted, which is second-best in the league this season. Thus far, Denver has gained a difference of 330 yards on punt exchanges, which is second-best in the NFL. Those extra yards translate into better field position for both the offense and defense when they take over after a punt.
As an overall unit, Rodgers knows that there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“I’d say we’re still a work in progress,” Rodgers said. “Guys are getting better, improving and hopefully we can play better down the stretch than we have.”
Von Miller is a man amongst men, big enough to fess up to his mistakes, but obviously still a ways to go in this league:
Somewhere, usually near the top, in the job description of a linebacker, there is a little item about meeting things head on and tackling what’s in front of you without any excuses.
Von Miller has been an NFL linebacker for all of a few months, and he understands. So, when presented with a question about what happened last Sunday, about how he ended up standing on the sideline for much of the loss to the Chargers rather than rushing Philip Rivers, he squared up, got his feet under him and took it on.
“I made too many mistakes,” Miller said. “That’s it. And it really eats me up when I make mistakes like that. I don’t care if people say it’s learning mistakes, or because I’m a rookie, I don’t believe in that stuff. I think if I put a little more time and effort into it, they won’t happen again, so that’s on me.
“That was all on me.”
The Chargers made two big plays early in last Sunday’s game that took advantage of Miller’s penchant for charging upfield.
After the second, a 36-yard run by Ryan Mathews, the Broncos kept Miller on the sideline for the remainder of the game when they ran their base 4-3 defense, using Mario Haggan at strongside linebacker instead. Miller played only on passing downs for most of the rest of the game.
“When I looked at (the tape), I could see it and the whole game, maybe I wasn’t that bad, but when I was in college I didn’t make any mistakes,” Miller said. “I was a guy people looked on that was going to make plays, that did things right, the consistent guy. And that’s the mentality I have now. I don’t want to make any mistakes, and I made some.”
“I know I don’t feel like I’m near the player I can be yet,” Miller said. “I can see why they did that (Sunday). I want to have an impact on every down, make plays that help us win. I want to be a leader, I want guys to look to me in big-time situations, and I want to come through.”
That was part of the problem Von, you want to make too many “impact plays on every down” like rushing the QB, you need to do the little things like keeping your assignements allowing you to make tackles, maybe that’s not big impact plays, but it stops the other team from making big impact plays on us, just saying…
Pretty decent and entertaining articles for a bye week Sunday.
Enjoy your Broncoless football Sunday!
I will start taking score predictions for the Miami game tomorrow.
Sharpen up your pencils, the contest will be back ON!
I think I have a leg up on this one since the other night I dreamt I was at the game and I saw the final scoreboard, but then the dream went on that it was the game at Buffalo, so I just might have to use the same score prediction for both games, LOL. But maybe in reverse?
BREAKING NEWS!
Not only Lloyd is on the trading block but so is Royal and he is getting more attention than Lloyd, according to Shefter.
It has been almost two years since I’ve said here Royal may very well end up back with Shanny in Washington, it might finally come to fruition.
Yeah I just heard the Royal news myself the reports are saying that both Lloyd and Royal have requested trades…
-Royalty
All this to show you that Fox really cares about WRs as much as he does DTs, as in not very much at all, as long as he’s got one or two decent ones out there that’s all he cares about.
Tebow must be saying to himself, what’s going on? I guess the Jim Armstrong piece this morning is pretty fitting now, LOL.
I’m gonna go back and read your earlier posts bay. I just wanted to post real quick with the news that in fact Royal and Lloyd are the ones who want out…BRB lol
-Royalty
Funny thing is both Royal and Lloyd arguably fall in basically the same category, one year wonders.
It’s interesting to see that not only some fans are questioning starting Tebow or the Foxball way, but players as well, actions speak louder than words, both Lloyd AND Royal want out if Royalty’s info is accurate, that’s undisputable evidence right there. Time to get a handle on that, and Fox is likely to clean house of those two, or he should, just saying, losing the locker room is a real big problem as Broncfalls has been wondering out loud here many times.
And the plot thickens, LMAO!
The Broncos’ decision to name Tim Tebow the starting quarterback will likely have a domino effect on the offense that begins with Brandon Lloyd, according to NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi.
“I think they have to trade Brandon Lloyd,” Lombardi said Sunday on “Gameday Morning”. “They knew going in that you put Tim Tebow under center Brandon Lloyd’s effectiveness within the offense is not going to be there. Plus, his contract is expiring at the end of the season, he won’t be in Denver.”
Lombardi sees no shortage of suitors for the NFL’s leading receiver in 2010.
“I look for the St. Louis Rams, I look for the Tennessee Titans to make a strong play for him,” he said. “I really believe he’ll be traded by the deadline on Tuesday.”
Lombardi doesn’t think Tebow’s move up the depth chart will lead to erstwhile starter Kyle Orton being moved, however.
“I think Kyle Orton certainly could be had for the right price, for any price,” Lombardi said. “But who’s going to pick up a quarterback with such a high salary cap number, such a high paragraph five, and then he comes to your team and won’t know what to do to run the offense. I think it would be unlikely that he would get dealt at this point of the season.”
Lombardi reports that Lloyd isn’t the only Denver wideout on the block. Eddie Royal can also be had at the right price.
To add to Baylins morning chatter
Get a fourth for Lloyd a third for royal.. Then when drafting that gives u the ability to take another wideout with a pick and another position much needed… If dmt works out it makes these two trades look amazing if he fails and we don’t get a good rookie wr in draft next year it looks well put simple dumb
Good stuff bay. Yeah ESPN reported that they both want out — by way of a “trusted source,” and that NE is taking a long look at Lloyd saying that Ocho-cinco is not the big-time-playmaker that they expected him to be (via an “insider”as well lol)
-Royalty
I knew Lloyd’s contract was up this year, but didn’t know Royal’s was too…
I say we trade Lloyd, DJ, and Dawk and a 3rd to eagles for DRC, Jenkins, and Maclin.
Trade Lloyd……Keep Royal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I can’t blame Lloyd for wanting out. Eddie is a surprise though. When we go from a passing attack to a wildcat variation with Tebow, how many passes will really be thrown in the game. 20? If were lucky. It’s gonna be run run run punt. Run pass run punt. Pass run run run run pass punt.
Not to sound negative or anything. But unless Tebow found accuracy during the bye week, I think our defense will not see a drop in time on the field.
I would be very sad to see royal go … that would officially be the end of the-royal-beast. eddie is a well loved guy in denver. I say this cuz I follow him on fb/twitter and he has quite a large bronco following and is always doing one thing or another with fans and give aways and such. I would be really sad to see him go but I would understand I guess. if they can’t come to contract terms, he wants out because of less passing or tebow or watever … not much we can do. I still believe Royal is capable. Just in da wrong system. watch he beast if he leaves. lloyd I understand especially cuz of age but not royal. anyway … I survived marshall … I can survive anything. all I know now is that our supposedly good core of recievers is about to get real thin … like in carolina … ala fox once again. man is like a reciever wrecking crew. and if we lose em both what we got left? decker? an injured bay bay and willis? that’s it. unfreaking believable. we already survived one game with barely any receivers but this is gonna be a prob if both are shipped. can’t we all just get along? sigh…
I don’t bye that this is a result of disbelief in tebows passing prowess … he sure delivered the ball to lloyd very well last year…and he gave lloyd chances to make plays this past game. all a reciever wants is for u to believe in them and give em a chance. all I know is last year in da last 3 games. tebow did not run all game … the man can pass. might be alot more screens… but he will pass.
we are going in da wrong direction. its important to be able to run the ball … very important but u would be a fool to not realize its a passing and screen league. fox is too old school for my liking at times but that’s who we signed and we gotta live with it. but who knows … might now be foxs fault … maybe out of no where guys just became jerks … after all … that was the excuse during mcd ara and we all know how right THAT was …. TRB
i say we trade one either lloyd or royal to the eagles for there DT parker.. he is on the trade block too
I like Royal too BFE! But there could be an argument made that he may be a one-year-wonder too. I haven’t seen him make those explosive plays — with those quick lateral movements like he used to.
If he wants out — as has been reported. He can garner some GREAT trade value the only thing i’m worried about is that a lot of these trades have “performance clauses” and if he don’t play well, then we basically get nothing.
Also, if he doesn’t play well here in Denver, well then… talk about a conundrum. Sheesh!
TRB what has been his injuries?
-Royalty
maybe orton can play some WR or TE like they wanted tebow to do for him lol im jk of course
All i’ve seen is small but lingering injuries groin and such. He hasn’t had nothing big right?
To me the only trades that make sense to me at this point in our franchise are draft picks.
Because trading for one or two players is certainly not going to make any significant difference at this point.
It’s all about building a foundation for the future.
The reality of it is Decker makes Royal expendable and to a certain extent Cosby too.
And my boy Willis does the same for Lloyd and Eron Riley to a certain extent too.
Regardless of what happens to glass man, just saying.
Move the men out who have no desire to sign here.
Shanny will fork out plenty for Royal, remember 2008?
Amen.
The amen was of course for “Move the men out who have no desire to sign here.”
Well put Adam Rank!!!
Broncos fans have been vociferous in their desire to see Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback. I just caution them to be careful about their wishes.
For instance, I long believed a television studio should reboot the “V” miniseries. The 1980s version just didn’t age well, and the advancements in TV technology made a reboot seem like a slam dunk.
So, imagine my joy a few years ago when ABC announced that it would re-imagine “V” with a new story and some slick production. Now imagine my horror when they gave us Morena Baccarin in short hair, a convoluted story and a plot that had more holes in it than the Bears’ offensive line.
I’m not saying Tebow will fail like this reboot, but again, just a word of caution. And if you do need some hope, Tebow fans, realize Baccarin looks stunning in Showtime’s “Homeland,” which has been awesome.
Reading that royal and Lloyd want out is a shock, that I can’t say I saw coming. My thoughts go in the direction that for much of the past three games we have been playing decker more with lots of success. Willis has also shown that he has the ability to be a potential playmaker. We do have DMT, coming back, an unknown potential after his injury, and enron Riley. By trading both royal and Lloyd we would be saving money overall, not that saving money is the best interest of the team, but with the season declared by many people out of reach and lost, who knows saving money might be the best option. The only thing I can say, is I for one am tired of seeing Denver ship away good talent. But I don’t make the decisions, and will continue to bleed orange and blue 4Eva regardless. I am going to be cliche and use the Friday Night Lights statement, “Clear Eyes Full Hearts Can’t Lose”, happy Sunday bronco brothers and sisters enjoy and be safe.
Well put!?!?!?
Too many Milk Stouts last night? LOL.
TRB, The Roayl Beast, nearing extinction?
rbf1, worried too.
I can see why Denver is not ready to commit large amounts of contract money to either Lloyd or Royal. Both have really had only one good year in their careers so far. Of the two, Royal would be the better bet since he is younger but the injury thing is a problem. Lloyd has 26 TD’s total in an 8-year career prior to this year and 11 came in one season. In 3 of his 8 seasons, he caught 22 of his 26 TD’s. The other 5 seasons combined, he caught 4. Hard to convince an organization trying to rebuild itself to risk very much on that record!
Too much? More like not enough!!!
NY Times reports Andrew Luck thinks its stupid teams trying to tank their season in order to draft him.
Could it be he already knows where he’s going?!
New blog.
Fox is just setting the scenario for Tebow to fail. It will easy to say he can’t pass when he has nobody to throw to. Fox is going to destroy the Broncos just like he did to Carolina. He put up 3 winning seasons in 10 years and had the ONLY worse team last year than us. Is anybody really surprised? I’m still not sure why ANYBODY thinks Fox is even a DECENT HC. He’s the first person we need to get rid of.
Gator Fox never had Carolina backing him… they let Peppers walk and would not address the QB position. Fox does not make personel dcisions either he has some say but it is Xanders and Elway morely so Fox coaches the team and the lineup he has
I think I’m a bit disappointed to hear little Eddie wants out. I have had the assumption that Tebow has thrown to the sidelines because he hasn’t has a route runner that can get that quick step out front – over the middle. I had great anticipation towards a healthy Royal.
On the other hand, there is nothing worse than a player that doesn’t want to be there. Now that Eddie has announced his desire to be traded – trade!
I don’t anticipate seeing Decker open up the middle and if that is all we have Tebow is fast becoming predictable based on receivers he doesn’t have. Might be good to see Moreno sign in as that screen pass specialist. They have to keep Decker working for those one on one match ups on the sides and downfield. Decker has to continue to be the big play maker. I hope Lloyd isn’t infecting the locker room.
SNDVL – I don’t buy the accuracy accusation against Tebow – I watched too many Gator games. Tebow threw – I think he completed 68% of his passes and he threw hundreds of passes perfectly. Tebow still holds many of the college records for both passing and rushing. I will buy the fact that many of his passes make me want to get out my shotgun – mercy killin’ of a lame duck – When he begins to learn to set his feet quicker and as he reads defenses faster and makes faster decisions, I think pretty quick we will begin to see tighter spirals. Every QB throws some long, some short, and some longer passes to the wrong shoulder. The real estimate of accuracy is in the completion percentage and we haven’t seen enough of Tebow in the NFL to make that determination. “If the talking head that say such things, actually knew anything, they’d be coaching.”
So now its Fox who is at fault for Royal and Lloyd wanting trades. I don’t see it. There was a reason for Tebow not going higher in the draft and maybe seeing him in practice gives these receivers a better view than what we have. I hope I’m wrong but I remember the old addage “be careful what you ask for or you might just get it” Here’s hoping that Tebow is lights out in Miami and throws for 300. Then all these trade rumors might fade away.
Im glad to see that history does repeat it self. trading your better players ie… Marshall, Sheffler, Hillis now Lloyd. Way to give up on the season.