A couple of quick notes from a sunny Thursday at Dove Valley.
“Wild Horse” Offense? The Broncos might be on to something. Talking about the Dolphins’ “Wildcat” offense, Peyton Hillis said he’s more than familiar with it, having run the “Wild Hog” offense at Arkansas. He said he’s been lining up as Ricky Williams in the formation.
Then, when some reporters jokingly asked Michael Pittman about running that offense in Denver, he jumped at the opportunity.
“Oh definitely. I’d definitely be the quarterback in that,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been lobbying for the halfback pass already — they haven’t put it in yet.”
Coaching by Showing: Quarterbacks Coach Jeremy Bates showed Jay Cutler how it’s done on the practice field this afternoon. During warmups, Cutler tossed the ball Bates’ way every other pass and let the coach rocket a ball or two toward the receivers.
It’s worth noting that Bates began his college career playing quarterback at the University of Tennessee.
Injury Update: Andre Hall was the only Bronco to be downgraded on the injury report. He did not participate in today’s practice. Champ Bailey was out, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Stokley and Selvin Young were still listed as limited participation, and Brandon Marshall, Michael Pittman, Dewayne Robertson and Ryan Torain all had full participation.
The only player on the Dolphins’ injury report is fullback Casey Cramer (ankle), who is listed under full participation.
Quotable: “Not really. I’m letting them be the coaches they can be. They’re really good coaches, and I wouldn’t want to listen to me either.”
-Peyton Hillis, on whether the coaching staff has picked his brain about stopping the “Wildcat” formation.
Pictures after the jump.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Gray Caldwell, Jay Cutler, Jeremy Bates, Michael Pittman, Peyton Hillis
I am willing to bet my paycheck that the Broncos run a “wildcat” play at least once during this game.
Well I would like to see if the fish have a cure for there own medicine, I would like to see the Broncos run it on the fish and see if they can stop what they started. GO BRONCOS!
marshall should be our QB. royal can be the motion guy and hillis could be the wing. we run this at my highschool.
Nobody knows this formation better than Hillis. Frankly, it nots the running of this formation that is so important, it’s how to stop it. Hillis should be an absolute “guru’ on this subject. He could help run and stop it. I’ve played against this type of offensive set. You simply MUST bring 8 defenders up 4 to rush, and 4 to secure the gaps. Then you just have to tackle. There may be our biggest challenge?
BTW…could we see more of Hillis? Geez, the guys an offensive weapon and he’s a good blocker. But the key is that he provides another option for Jay out of the backfield…right?
Has anyone heard any updates on either Carlton Powell or Anthony Alridge? Its kinda strange? Is Belicheck running our injury updates section now?
HOGBLOG….u read my mind…..Anthony Aldridge was a stud in preseason and training camp…by far our best running back thru out the off season…even for a rookie he showed deadly speed and burst to that of Royal…could be a sweet 3rd down back!!
powell hasn’t even been taken of the pup list so he probably won’t be back this season. Maybe in time for the playoffs (crosses fingers) and quick 6 is on IR so he definitely won’t be back this year at all.
TonyTZ7 – Very well said, my friend!!!! The fishies in the sea may have started this “Wildcat” thing going on but like you said it would be very interesting to see if they really could stop what they started. I betcha they couldn’t do it. Yeah, sure they practice that against THEIR OWN defense but could they stop it coming from another team??
I’m SUPER DUPER excited to see Torain in full participation at practice… this should be a wild offense of ours if he really turns out to be the success we’ve been yearning for. Cutler-Marshall-Torain… if I were an opponent we play this year my only response to that “talent triangle” would be YIKES!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see what Torain does for this team… how can you be doubtful when we haven’t even put this guy out on the field for a game to see what he does. My friends… the best is yet to come!!!!!!!
Have faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
I would have to say that they couldn’t stop their own offense running it in their practices so I doubt they could stop another team doing it. I would like to see it run against them as well, my only concern would be whoever we direct snap the ball to, I hope they get some good quality reps in practice at catching the snap. I would HATE to see the shotgun snap sail past its target and one of the fish to sprint down and recover. I really think a key to winning this game however lies with Ryan Clady. He has been phenomenal so far, and I have no doubt he will continue that, you just have to think that against a 3-4 defense he really hasn’t faced someone as potent in blitzing as Joey Porter yet. So a challenge worth noting lies there.
I also look for Sparano to know that we are going to be more ready to stop their wildcat formation better than anyone so far, and for him to really do more of a half back toss play instead of just running it with that direct snap each time. This is definately a game we can win, we just need to limit their posessions by not turning the ball over, and milking some clock by getting our running game going.
Alridge is on IR and we won’t see him again til next year. I think coach is probably waiting to see T Train develop, and when he does, next year Quick 6 will be brought up for a deadly 1, 2, combination!
Who are you taking to the KC game 07elway???
Hold onto the ball offense, maintain your gaps defense, and notably again KEEP THE FAITH FANS!
That very day happens to be my grandpa’s BD so it will somewhat of a birthday present for him. As for you… you wanna go don’t ya?? Hmmm… we’ll just have to see.
Did you watch that interview yet?? You better watch it after I spent literally 10 minutes searching for it and posted the URL on one of these other blogs just for you, 2champ4pickSIX. You owe me, mister.
I’m tired of repeating myself as far as football talk goes… so all I’m gonna say is that we, as fans, just need to stay upbeat about the rest of this season. We just need to take this season one game at a time.
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Trick plays rock. Let’s do one to put the Dolphins on the skids.
HOGblog:
Alridge is on IR and will be inactive the rest of the season, and Powell is still on the PUP list. There is a slight chance Powell could come back this season. I’m not sure what will happen as nothing has been mentioned in press conferences, etc., but I think coming back this season from the Achillies injury is a long shot. Either way, both are working out daily to get to where they will be able to perform at a high level come the 2009 season, and they’re seen in the locker room every day in high spirits. Alridge is still his funny self, always ready to crack a joke.
I would love for us to start out in the wildcat formation just to throw the fins off guard. I think that would be awesome. I have a feeling that we are going to see a lot of Hillis this week. He is the best blocker we have as a back and i think he will see a lot of action blocking Joey Porter, the NFLs sack leader. That said, the ryans will also have a lot to deal with. One of the major reason that the fins have been winning of late is preasure on the qb. I think that if we put in max protect with Hillis and Pittman and have #s 15, 19, and 14, out there catching balls for us, that pass rush will be put in check.
I know i should still be thinking about his year but I cant wait to see aldridge back next season. And from what I have heard about Powell, he could have definetly helped out run D this year. Oh well, I think the Broncs will win this game 38 to 24 and run the wild cat 3 times with Royal or Marshall as the qb.
Who is the backup QB on the active roster?
Id like to see what Shanahan could do with the wildcat. We’ve got the talent to run at least a couple wildcat plays on offense. BUT…….What about the defense? Are they ready to handle the wildcat? Are the DB’s and Saftey’s finally going to show up this year. At the very least it will be an interresting game. Im also looking forward for Torrrain’s debut, im betting he becomes a beast this year if he can stay healthy.
WOW. Who ever thought that Cutler was the Broncos QB is lookin a dunce right about now. Way to go Shanahan. You really know how to pick’em don’t you? Can we bring in a coach who knows whats hes doing please? This is starting to be borderline inappropiate. Shanahan is NOTHING without Elway. Gear up boys, its going to be another LOOOOONG season.(sigh)
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