Little late getting this up. Was in Key West over the weekend at a Charity fishing tournament and was on the water both days. Came in Sunday to see the last few minutes of the game. Then was in the air all day Monday getting back to town and played catch up yesterday at the office.
Hmmm, take it any way we can get it. Yea, somewhat like the Patriots game Monday night….a little luck involved, but we’ll take it right?? They did too.
Couple things come to mind. I watched the highlights. Like what the defense has done but we have a lot of work to do. Since I didn’t get a chance to watch the game, I did watch both Monday night games to see the Patriots offense and our two rivals the Raiders and Chargers.
I saw some interesting things. The entire game the Patriots threw dink passes. Even the announcers Mike & Mike of ESPN were commenting about how Brady had Moss and never went vertical. Remind you of anyone? But they spread the field and Buffalo played a 2 deep coverage so all you get in the underneath stuff or the middle of the field and some edges. If you watched you saw the same thing I saw. They picked the Bills apart where the Bills gave them room.
It will be interesting to see when our offense gets to that level. Patriots WEST? Maybe….maybe not? I’d be O.K. with that. I think Brady threw over 60 passes and Cassel executed that same offense last year.
It will be a week by week process. SO, what about the Raiders and Chargers. Chargers didn’t impress me like I thought and the Raiders won’t be a push over…much improved so they won’t be a given win.
What’s your take on the offense…specifically. Like to hear your take.
Coop
Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Postgame, Week 1
Hey Coop, I agree with you on the raiders not being a pushover Win. Yet I have confidence our Offense will begin to gel faster than some people believe, and we will be ready for the challenges. I also agree, it wouldnt be bad if our offense was Patriots West.
I would be fine with our offense that way. Torain ATV fan, I agree with you in that our offense will begin to gel, and soon.
Yeah Doomer,
royalbronco mentioned something interesting, it took Cassell a couple of weeks last year to gel with his offense, but once he did, they looked good. I think we will be in that same boat. Im just glad our schedule started against those 3 teams, gives us time to gel and maybe pull in wins during that proocess of gelling. Yet I feel we will be okay, especially if our D plays the way they did on Sunday.
If our D plays as well as it did last Sunday all year, we are going to win a few ball games, guaranteed. I think Orton is the perfect QB for this system. It’s mostly dink and dunk passes, but, if we need to, we saw on Sunday Orton can throw a little down the field. The recievers just need to catch.
Agreed doomervil
Cheers Coop!
I think that no matter how good or bad a team seems, we must kick their as**s if we want to be playoff contenders. I just have seen just 1 (ONE) game of this new era. There’s not enough data to analyze or get something accurate about the system, the players or even the rivals.
Yeah, the Raiders seemed upgraded and I think the Chargers overconfident. We can’t be overconfident in any game. We haven’t won a thing until the clock finishes and we have more points than the other team, no matter which team it is. Cinci can say something about that.
And that’s the whole thing… getting a W. No matter if it seems lucky, divine, ugly, awesome, by D, by O, by ST, by whatever… a W is a W and if the Broncos wouldn’t have been in a position where something could happen, we wouldn’t have had that W no matter that amazing catch. I mean, if we were 20 – 6, it wouldn’t have minded, right?
Go Broncooos!
Hey Coop, I agree about the Pats. Seeing the same formations and execution was uncanny. Just wish we would use Stokes like they use Welker. Stokely is the prototype and original after all.
As far as the offense goes: We started off well running the ball early. When it came to getting the passing game going we faltered a little. Dropped passes, Royal taking a big hit and dropping a ball (understandable), Marshall letting one get away that would have been the longest gain for either team. It was obvious to me that Orton was able to throw but was probably hindered by the finger. He also did not appear really comfortable in the pocket and, (this was glaring in my eyes) he was staring down his intended receivers. Cutler had this problem at times too. Hopefully we can fix that and incorporate more pump fakes and get Kyle looking off defenders. Don’t forget the sack he took….ouch. All mistakes are fixable.
Defense: I have been finishing all my posts with “The Orange Crush Lives” since the beginning of training camp. The presence of Coach Nolan (think Mecklenberg here) is going to revive a Mile High Legend…..the Orange Crush Defense. In my opinion the only reason a potentially prolific offense (bengals) scored was because our D was a little tired. We let up a little on the pressure too but look at the stats. Awesome!!!
Sorry so windy. Bring on the Browny Wownies!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!! South Stands Forever!!! The Orange Crush Lives!!
I was wondering this after hearing all this negativeness since the W. did the steeler fans in the 70s say they shouldnt of won beacuse the lucky catch (the imaculate reception) were they that down on them selfs as we are on are team Hey Im happy we won a Win is a Win.
The offense will get better with every game. I expect the offense to be better this week both running and passing the ball.
I liked the way our defense played. They played agressive and physical. I liked the blitz packages was very glad to see pressure on the QB. This is something that has been non existant the past few years and should lead to some turnovers. Dawkins was a great pickup. you can see his toughness and leadership rubbing off on the rest of the D.
I think the team will continue to gel. I hope for big things this weekend. I think it will be a good game. 2 ex-patriot coaches going at it.
Mark, nice to have an ex Bronco talking to us bloggers.
Offense, what offense?, just joking. Good analogy about the Pats using mainly the short pass game against the Bills because they used the 2 deep coverage. But the Pats have been doing different schemes with Belichick on Offense depending on who they play and what coverage they get for what seems like forever. On the other hand we’ve only done it for ONE GAME. Meaning, I am not so convinced as other ones here do that the O is gonna pick it up quickly. As I understand it this is a very cerebral offense having many different looks and to get it all down seems like a tall order. If I can see it running half way smoothly by the bye week, I’ll be impressed.
I also would like to see more out of Buckhalter and Hillis at RB. It seems that using them more to their potential would be a good way to alleviate some of the pressure the O is gonna be under this early season considering the learning curve.
Man, tough life, Mark, fishing in Key West, Glad you took some time off to write for us. LOL.
Im still confused as to why Peyton was mainly playing on Spec teams. He did look good, but i thought he would get at least 5-8 carries as well?
I will be interested to see how effective the offense is this Sunday. They should definitely have more confidence and have thier timing down better than thier dreadful performance last week. I hope that with Orton’s finger getting better, and some good film sessions and practice this week they are able to become more consistant and give that awesome D a rest throughout the game.
I still have a lot of question marks about Orton being our QB, but he does deserve a chance to prove himself. He didn’t look very good, but he didn’t throw any drastic int’s, which was good to see. However, if the offence only score 10 or so points in the next few games I serioulsy think it should at least be addressed.
Daniel Graham looks like he’s a gamer this year…….I think he has the potential to rack a lot of yards……not sure why Schef isn’t at his usual dominance though. I’m hoping Marshall becomes a little more involved which will allow Royal to pick apart the single coverage.
And our running game needs to be stronger. We have an awesome O-line and should be able to rack up close to 100 yards per game. I’m looking forward to seeing Moreno hit his stride.
I think next week will tell a lot about where our offense is, and where it’s heading. Game by game, that’s the only way to look at it I guess.
GO BRONCOS!
My prayers were answered! A little early season magic for the blue and orange! As long as we can contain Josh Cribbs we should be OK….after Sunday there wont be any more WR’s on the Browns….if DAWKINS has anythign to say about it!
edge —
Like you, I was disappointed that Peyton didn’t see the ball more. However, I think it will be that way for at least a while as I’m pretty sure the reason he was dropped out of the running back rotation was the injury to Spencer Larsen. Since he had to play the whole game at fullback in the 2-back sets and he HAS to play special teams (loved seeing him whack that guy on punt coverage!), he’ll probably only see the ball on a few check-downs a game so they don’t wear him out completely.
In the meantime, I’d like to see them give Buckhalter the ball a bit more and not keep pushing to get Moreno in there. I don’t know if there simply weren’t holes or if he overran them, but it looked to me like Moreno was reluctant to run hard up the middle — which makes me wonder if he’s really healthy enough to be playing in the first place.
On another note, I loved the way the D played except for that last drive. I know everyone thinks fatigue was a factor and it may have been, but I can’t help thinking that they overreacted a bit after the Bengals hit that hot read on the first play. They pulled back and played soft zones to protect the lead with WAY too much time left in the game and got picked apart. Note to coach Nolan — KEEP HAMMERING THE QB!!! Save the “prevent” for when you have a big lead and the only chance they’ve got to beat you is the big play.
OK, so, aside from those minor points I have to say I’m really encouraged by what I’m seeing in terms of progress on both sides of the ball. Sure the game was ugly — but there’s no column for Ugly Wins in the standings and the defense is already a LOT better than anyone expected. I also agree with those who’ve pointed out that it took Matt Cassell a few weeks last year before he really figured out how to work the system and the Pats got in a rhythm. If Orton stays healthy, the offense will get in sync soon enough — and it looks like the D can at least keep us in games until then.
Heya Coopster! Glad you had a good time in Key West.
The offense will get there, no doubt about it. The more they utilize the system in games the better they’ll get. They should be getting a hang of this system by the 3rd or 4th game. Most likely, they’ll get in the rhythm of things right before the bye week but they can’t let that week off slow ‘em down. Cause then we have quite the showdown… Pittsburgh at home on MNF. No pressure, right?
Orton will get the hang of things. McD wouldn’t have trusted him with the starting job if he didn’t think he was capable of learning this system. I’m gonna say this till I’m blue in the face… we all just need to have some patience. I’m sure its just as frustrating for the players to try and wrap their brains around the system. No one said it was going to be easy but you know what… the best things in life are worth fighting for. They want to win games and get to the playoffs… I say that’s worth putting up a fight for. They should be doing that anyway. I hate it when they just seem to give up, drives me crazy.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
I see in a couple of seasons or mabye even this season, I thik that the AFC West will be what it used to be, one of the toughest divisions.
I can see Orton as a game manager, but I can’t see him opening up this offensive scheme to it’s full potential. Knowshon needs to learn who he can run through in this league, and when to be smart about being taken down. He’s got too much potential to be hurt all the time, it will hold us back. Our running game shows flashes, we’re using it more than was shown in the preseason but I’d like to see more of it. Brandon Marshall needs to get it together. Our defense and special teams is going to be key this year, and maybe more to come.
P.S. Bronco fans, we’ve been spoiled by quarterbacks such as Craig Morton, John Elway, Bubby “The Bomb” Brister, and yes, Jay “Cry Baby” Cutler. We may have to deal with average for a while, other teams have been doing it for their entire existence. I still like what I’ve seen from Tom Brandstater though.
haha mad orange us bronco fans were not spoiled by bubby brister at all im pretty sure he led us to a 4-12 season when elway left, and as for Marshall, i dont know how he can step it up when he led the team in catches. It going to b ahard week or two for him to get in a rhythm with orton if thats even possible. the offense will step up this week and as long as we stop cribbs on special teams, this should be a win for us.
shawn, a number1 doesnt get 4 catches and 27 yds. trust me he can pick it up, and not drop too many damn balls.
Off the main point of this blog, but I was glad to see the results of the selections for the 50 year all Bronco team. The only “wrong” choice I see is Eddy Mac over Lionel Taylor. Younger fans have no concept how valuable Lionel was to the Broncos. A lot of the other choices were very hard to make. With three deserving choices at safety, somebody had to be left out. Same goes for DL and OL positions. I hope that Pat invites all first and second choices for the ceremony.
Just when I think we have it bad at QB I watch Jamarcus Russel play and realize we could have it worse lol. I think he key to our Victory next week is to dominate the run like vikings did. Sure we dont have an Adrian Peterson but we have 3 skilled backs that when combined make up Peterson lol. Morenos Burst and Vision, Buckhalters experience, and Hillis toughness.
Yea we will definitely take a win anyway we can. Like I said before the first game of the season, the team that wins isnt always the best team on paper but the team with a whole lotta Heart, Intensity and doing the right things at the right time. Cutler used to do too much (cuz thats how he is and we didnt have RBs) and Orton IMO does too little, We just need to find that middle ground at QB something that will come with time and chemistry. Chemistry not only improves performance but makes you more confident and less nervous.
THE SEASON IS OURS FOR THE TAKING
GO BRONCOS!!!
i just wanted to add, i dont think simms ankle was 100% and orton wasnt taking any chances what so ever. the finger wasnt good and orton couldnt throw with the glove, the way orton slid, and dumped the ball makes me think that simms wasnt ready and we wernt going to risk anything. other then that i am looking for a run game coop, thats going to be the key if WE have sucsess…
Well I think one of the bigger reasons the offense was somewhat stagnant on Sunday was the suspension of Brandon Marshall. He was almost a non-factor due to a combination of his lack of recent practice time, his resulting lack of familiarity with McD’s new offense, and finally the resulting lack of chemistry with Kyle Orton. I feel like this week it will be really important to get him on track, because it wasn’t long ago that Marshall and Royal and pretty much every other pass catcher tore up the Browns defense for 447 yards. Granted, we don’t have Cutler this time, but Marshall and Royal made a whipping boy out of the Browns starting right CB, McDonald; Eddie with a career long 91 yard TD reception and Marshall with the game winning TD catch late in the game. I’d look to pick on him some more this weekend.
But I also agree: pounding the rock with Buckhalter, Hillis, and Moreno would be the way to go. Honestly, I think Denver’s stable of RB’s could be as successful as the Giants of recent years, when they had Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw.
Whatever the case, Denver’s offense had better gel quickly this year, because they’re playing against the cream of the AFC in the Steelers, the Patriots, the Colts, and the Ravens. Not to mention the favored Chargers, revamped Raiders, and tough-nosed Chiefs. I have to agree with you about the Raiders–in fact, I think both cellar dwellers in the AFC West have made significant strides based on their performances this past weekend. Especially those Raiders. If Russel were more accurate, I have no doubt they would have shocked the Chargers on Monday night.
I hope the Broncos’ offense gels quickly. I’ll take the win although I know areas where improvement is expedient. Still, we’re farther along the learning curve than many of the experts think. It’s time to lay a beatdown on the Browns. Thanks, Coop!
Denver looked good in my oppinion (except the misseed passes). With the passes caught, there are five or six more first downs and an entirely different game altogether. The defense rocked at the right moments (except for the end). I was very impressed with out defense. Lets not forget what type of offense Denver was up against. The receivers just need to relax and catch the ball and we will be very competitive against any team in this league.
By the way…I am sooooo on edge waiting for Eddie and Brandon to break out!
Torain ATV fan and shawn723 normally I would say you are correct about a number 1 receiver getting more looks or who gets the most but check this quote from Coach McD:
“That creates turnovers,” McDaniels said. “Defenses would love that if you would force the ball to one guy 10 or 12 times every game. They are double teaming him, and you are still throwing it to him. You are stacking the line of scrimmage on defense, and we are still running it. I don’t think you can play good football consistently trying to do it that way.”
I totally agree with this philosophy. I think this might leave us (and opposing teams) wondering who the playmaker of the day is going to be every Sunday. Did anyone suspect Daniel Graham would be involved in the passing attack against Cincy? Who will it be against Cleveland?
I’m ready for the home opener. Ready to Rock the South stands. LET’S GET LOUD!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!! South Stands Forever!!! The Orange Crush Lives!!
Patience grasshoppers, Marshall will get in the groove much like Moss on what we hope will be the Patriots west. Kind of funny we are all thinking that.
I agree with a number of you in that I’d like to see Hillis nd Shef and even Buckhalter.
What’s fun is you guys/gals get it and it’s fun to get your perspective. It does take a few weeks to get it but it also takes a few weeks for Defenses to get it from the standpoint of tracking offenses and their tendencies so we’ll have to make the adjustments their too.
Hey!! I had to laugh, when, mad_orange_devil_27 said above “and yes, Jay “Cry Baby” Cutler. Nobody called him out or went after him like they did me when I made a similar crack at a Roast downtown for The Greek last year??? Huh?
) Do you all remember that? Goes to show you how fast folks forget, but at the time it was such a big deal and that’s what you do at a Roast. Pretty fuuunnnyyyy.
Call it like you see it and he may 0-2 this week?
O.K. Sportsfans…I know this is about the Broncos BUT>>>>>>>.The U is back if you saw the Miami-Georgia Tech game last might!! Not all the way…..but possibly top 10 or top 5 if they can beat Virginia Tech and Oklahoma in the next two weeks.
Cleveland this week…brings back memories of the DRIVE and the Fumble. The Drive was an incredible experience. Coldddddd game, getting hit with dog bones and batteries and food the entire game. Couple funny stories:
1st: They told us to keep or helmets on while on the sidelines because so many things were being thrown. So, I’m standing at about the 50 between series and I take my helmet off thinking there’s no way anyone can reach this far because the sidelines are so far away from the bleachers because it’s a old baseball stadium and we’re on the far side away from the stands. Boom I get an apple in the cheek and at first I was pissed, then I thought “Damn that guy has a arm” and laughed and put my helmet back on for the rest of the game.
)
2nd story, it’s a TV timeout and we’re in the dog pound-end zone, everyone in the huddle kinda has there heads down as we’re getting pounded with dog bones, batteries, you name it, bouncing of our helmets hitting us in the backs, etc. So I casually walk over to the ref and said,”Hey ref, when you going to call a penalty on these idiots throwing stuff at us, look at the field it’s littered with crap. The ref calming looks at me and says, “Cooper go get back in the huddle” I say, “aren’t you going to call anything?” He smiles and says, “do you really think it will help or do you think they’ll throw more stuff”. I looked at him, nodded, smiled and said, “good point” and walked back to the huddle, thinking he was probably right in that these people were so crazy and a penalty would probably make things worse.
It’s Alumni Weekend this weekend so you should see a lot of the former players around the stadium and in the stands this weekend. There’s a golf tournament Saturday at Interlocken in case you want to stop by and see some your old time favorites, get some autographs and before the game there will be an introduction of many if your going to the game. I’m taking one of my little guys this week so say hi if you get a chance.
COOP
Mark, great inside stories about “the drive” game. I was 32 back then and as big an Elway fan as any, always took his side over Reeves, ahahah. That game will always in my mind be the geatest Bronco game I have ever seen even if I had to watch it on TV which makes me realize from your post I never truly knew how cold it really was as you said. The greatest Bronco game I’ve seen that I attended was “the fumble” were I was lucky enough to get me and my step son a couple seats 10th row up, 5 yrd line, opposite end zone of the fumble, and funny thing, the whole game was so intense, I know it was cold (obviously, January), but I don’t remember that at all. Other than the game itself, I mainly recall the chant “superbowl, superbowl…” at the end of the game that went on for what seemed like an hour, no one was leaving their seats. It was crazy and unfortunately I know I will never experience that atmosphere at a Bronco game ever again. I am just blessed that I got to witness the best Bronco home game ever. Just my opinion. Thanks Mark for the memories. Won’t be able to attend the Interlocken thing, I live near Austin now. Would love to be able to be there and see some of my greatest sports idols from our past Broncos, not to mention get their autographs, at 55, I admit it, I am still a Bronco football junkie.
BRONCOS FOREVER!
baylinorcrush, two fo the best games I can remember too in Broncos History……..along with the Superbowl win against the Packers. Glad I could bring you on the field for some of the fun.
Be back after the Browns game for a new post. GO BRONCOS!!