RT @broncos_sacco: Broncos only NFL franchise with 90 or more wins each of last three decades–that from Erich Schubert

2. Broncos 12th-year cornerback Champ Bailey really likes playing for new Denver defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who replaces the departed Mike Nolan. “I like the way he’s doing things,” Bailey said. “He really talks to the corners and lot of the veterans to get our input on certain things. A lot of coaches are so arrogant they don’t do that. I’ve played for a bunch of them.”

Wow. That was a zinger that Champ had locked and loaded for a while now I’m guessing.

Here is the link. TC postcard broncos by don banks.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/don_banks/08/10/broncos.postcard/index.html

Klis is telling us why he thinks McD is between a rock and a hard place right now regarding practices, and I couldn’t agree more, here are some of his thoughts:

This is why Josh McDaniels gets paid the relatively big bucks.

McDaniels has been trying to bring an Eastern-style of NFL toughness to the laid-back Rocky Mountains. So unlike his predecessor Mike Shanahan, McDaniels ordered his Broncos players to put the pads on and pop each other during training camp. Then came injury after injury leaving McDaniels with the realization that if he didn’t back off, the Broncos will struggle to reach the starting line.

And so McDaniels has backed off.

The problem with injuries dictating practice plans, though, is it can get the players to start thinking about all the injuries. Football players can never, ever fear getting hurt. It’s going to be difficult for McDaniels to continue instilling a physical mentality in his team if he continues to adjust the practice schedule around injuries. Then again, one more significant injury to a key player and the Broncos can start thinking about next year before this year begins.

McDaniels is in a tough spot.

And that IS why he makes the big bucks, there is a lot of pressure on this young coach, now more than ever it seems, it will be interesting to see how he responds to adversity this year, because adversity we already have and I’m afraid there is plenty more to come. A challenge of will if you wish. This season is by far the biggest and most difficult challenge McD has faced in his football life, so many issues, so much adversity, so many “ifs”, he is going to earn his money, I’ll say that, if he can motivate his players, whoever they may be, to play hard for 16 games, I will be very impressed in McD, regardless of the record. A very tall order indeed. Can’t wait to get all the answers.

I just got a real big kick out of Klis’ article today about all the question marks for the O line, because if Harris’ toe stays healthy he is the only non-question mark since Kuper got hurt. This is real funny, TRB, OC and others will get a kick out of it also is my guess, here is what Klis said:

One possible answer to all of these offensive line question marks was proposed to Orton, the Broncos’ starting quarterback. How about if Orton becomes more mobile this year? He doesn’t need to go Michael Vick or Tim Tebow, anything like that. But maybe Orton can slide in the pocket here, scoot for a couple of yards there.

“Their job’s to block. My job’s to throw,” Orton said.

So much for that thought. The offensive line, it seems, will have to ease concern on its own. “They’ll get it figured out,” Orton said.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Orton couldn’t run if the house was on fire, at least Orton knows it but it all goes back to what I have been saying all along, the O line is where this season hangs. Nothing else will matter if the O line doesn’t come together, and I can’t really remember the last time I ever saw an O line gelling the first time they’ve played together.

Monumental question mark.

I speak for EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BFE