Bruce Hall, Lance Ball, Eric Decker and Matthew Willis mixed in with Jabar Gaffney’s performance excited me. Yep, I’m a homer. Justin Fargas did a nice job, too. You know me if you’ve been reading this long enough. In preseason I look for bright spots and don’t really watch the game as much.
I liked what I saw out of the first team offense outside other than the tipped pass, which is going to happen from time to time, and the game got out of hand early, but by halftime we were only down by two. It was a nice drive during the 2-minute drill.
We got another three after missing a field goal in the 3rd quarter (chip shot). That hurts, and we were ahead only for the Lions to roar back. Ho-hummm, I know it’s preseason.
The O-Line got pushed around a bit, but that didn’t surprise me as much as guys moved around. Until they settle in I understand the holes, but over the next few weeks that will have to come to an end.
Tebow-mania is on hold for a while. Kyle Orton got what he deserved in a contract, and I was curious about your thoughts out there. You guys/gals are pretty vocal. I know it’s preseason and I know we’re just getting going, but what’s on your mind QB-wise, depth-wise and injury-wise. Chime in. I’m curious.
Coop
Tags: 2010, Bruce Hall, Denver Broncos, Eric Decker, Jabar Gaffney, Justin Fargas, Kyle Orton, Lance Ball, Mark Cooper, Matthew Willis
Orton gets pro-bowl consideration, Tebow gains valuable experience and Quinn, is our insurance policy! O-line, once they get healthy, WILL BE A FORCE FOR YEARS TO COME.
IF twos a company, threes a slot, four and five are a spread…which WR is out? I have to admit, its startin to look like it might just be Stokes aka slot machine. Too bad because I have a bad feeling he might land in San Diego.
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!! Pummel Pittsburgh
O line got pushed around a bit!!! Very diplomatic statement Coop, in my opinion in the first half (with the ones) both lines got pushed around to no end, it was down right embarassing.
As far as Orton, well deserved of the high price one year extension. It now evenly compensates him for his season last year and this one where he’s been paid peanut fees for a starting QB. But Obviously McD wants to leave the door open for his grand scheme long run with Tebow, but if that doesn’t come through he can fall back on Orton and sign him long term in a couple years, so vey smart move by the Broncos, they put themselves in a no loss situation with this signing.
Hey Coop and all my fellow Bronco fans! I’m back for another season of posting and reading your comments…..and I’m really looking forward to it!
I’m not sure what to think of this team yet…….
One thing’s for sure, Orton is the man and I have a feeling that if he stays healthy, we won’t have a lot of issues moving the ball and scoring points. I’m just a little concerned with our RB situation…..why does this position seem to haunt us every year? I know I ripped Moreno a lot last year and I’m looking forward to seeing how much he’s improved, now that, like Kyle, he has that extra year of being in this offence under his belt. Here’s to a speedy recovery KM.
Gaffney has really impressed me so far……seems as though he and Orton are clicking early. I just hope to see Royal be more involved in the O this season. I think between the two of them, Orton will have a field day out there and have way more receptions of 30+ yards.
So great, I think we can score a lot of points….
BUT
Can we stop other teams from scoring points as well?
The defensive side of the ball concerns me. The loss of Doom is certainly going to hurt us this year. They look a little soft so far, but it is still early in the preseason and there’s still a lot of work to be done. I just hope they’re ready for opening day!
It’s going to be an interesting season……I just wish it would start already!!
Very refreshing to see that Hochstein is not using injuries as many of the fans are to explain the anemic running game by the Broncos all off season, this is what he says as reported by Anthony Cotton at the DP:
The Broncos rushed for just 75 yards on 20 carries against the Lions.
“I’m sure it will be a point of emphasis this week,” Hochstein said. “It doesn’t matter who’s here and who’s not here, the play’s designed the way it’s designed. We all have to execute, and we’re not doing that at the highest level we’re capable of. Obviously, those guys are great players and we’d love to have them back, and when they do get back, things will be great. But in the meantime, we still need to make it go, and we’re not doing that yet.”
BTW, they also had only 31 yards on the ground against the Bengals. Sounds like it’s all up to the O line listening to Hochstein, I wonder where I’ve heard that before…
Killerkod, good to have you back. Actually instead of me wishing for the regular season to be here already, I’m gonna go the other way and wish we could go back to the start of TC, first we need LOTS more work, second we would go back to a healthy squad, haha. The way I see it this first game against Jacksonville is coming at us way too quick since we are in no way ready in so many phases of the game.
Let’s see, phases of the game not ready:
D line and LB’s on D, that’s two phases out of three.
O line, RB’s on O, that’s two out of three again.
And I’ll leave the ST alone for now, they should be improved in returns with Cox and the kicking game with Colquitt but they have a tough hill to climb in coverage.
Stats are stupid, granted, specially in preseason, but a look at these preseason stats still serves as an eye reminder of where we’re at and how much needs to be done to get where we want to go:
Halfway through the preseason, the Broncos rank 30th in the 32-team NFL in points allowed per game (29.0), 31st in total yards allowed per game (400.5) and 32nd in yards rushing allowed per game (171.0).
They are 32 teams in case anyone had any doubts, haha. And here I was all off season claiming I was not so worried about the D this year, moron I am! Afterall it looks like we might end up getting what we thought we would get in the first place when we brought McD in, an offensive genius.
We have to put up with Quinn, Cleveland is learning to love Hilllis as per the AP:
Peyton Hillis was a fan favorite when he played for the Broncos. Now he’s developing a following among Cleveland Browns fans, who roared as Hillis broke six tackles on a gutty 9-yard run to start the second quarter Saturday night against the Rams.
His new teammates were impressed too.
“He’s the epitome of tough, rugged football,” quarterback Jake Delhomme said.
Hillis, who was acquired for Brady Quinn, had a team-leading 51 yards on 12 carries.
“I just try to do the best I can,” he said. “We got some things going, but we still have a long way to go.”
Who got the best end of that deal???? McD stubborness in keeping Hillis in the doghouse is a prime example of what can come out of being hard headed. He seems to have grown a bit this off season, or is it because there is simply nothing on the line yet, I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Please show us you are going in the right direction with the handling of your players and that they are respecting you for it, otherwise we are in for a heck of a long season considering the adversity they are already facing with all the injuries.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not feeling real spunky about our Broncos this morning. I need me a serious dose of positive before the first regular season game and Sunday against Pittsburgh is it, considering the last preseason game is primarly playing back ups to find out who to keep and who to cut, if we crap out against the Steelers I will have a two weeks hangover leading to Jacksonville, and I’m afraid the team might too. All that can be fixed with a great outing Sunday, GO BRONCOS!!! Now that’s a true fan, haha.
I did not see the game so it is hard for me to comment, but I did see the game and have read about how the second one went.
I am very happy with how Orton has come along! He is showing a huge inprovement in pocket presence, which if the o-line does not improve he is going to need!
I think that if his ribs get feeling better and he continues to improve Tebow may take the second string job from Quinn early in the season if not befor. I know Tebow has a LONG way to go, so this is not me jumping on the band wagon but Quinn is not showing me much. Cleveland for sure got the better end of that deal.
Depth wise, I’m worried. The second team and for sure the third did not show me a thing, especially on D.
The injury bug sucks!! I am interested to see how things go when people are healthy. I hope that Sunday we can see most of our starters so we have a little idea how things will go. We need our first team backs back for sure. But I agree they can’t do much either if the o-line is not doing their jobs!
I am really pumped about or WR’s they look good and deep, I wish I could have seen decker play, I will have to catch the game on a replay of NFL network. Now I want to see Thomas.
sorry I ment I did not see the second pre-season game on saturday but did see the first pre-season game. I should proof read!!
bay i said that during the live game blog about hillis, everyone told me he wouldnt get any playing time while i said he was gonna jump the depth chart…looks like he just did that this weekend…hillis didnt leave denver the way marshall schef and cutler did..not sure why some bronco fans have it out for him…he will be in the browns starting running combo week 1..hows our running game? karma got McD on this one.
Bay, I totally agree with most of what you are saying. But on an optimistic note, we are missing so many impact players that it is too difficult to gauge how successful the Broncos can be. Hochstein is right, we have to execute no matter who is playing but once we get some guys back I feel things will run much more smoothly,
Lets look at who we are missing:
Oline- Kuper and Clady (arguably our best and most consistent0
Running backs- Moreno, Bucky, and White (our top 3 running backs)
WR- Thomas our top draft pick (although probably not ready to make a big immediate impact)
Once we get these guys back I feel our offense will be much more balanced. Right now our opponents know we are not the biggest threat running the ball so they are teeing off on Orton and only playing the pass. I believe that our run game will be potent and the offense will not be as predictable as it is now.
The D on the other hand, does not have as many excuses. We were missing two pro bowl caliber players in Bailey and DJ, but we should be able to do better then we did. The interception gave the Lions great field position because of a botched catch by Ball. However, the D did bend but did not break, except for the one pass for a TD over Goodman. Also, our D is mostly playing base and is not really attacking much. In interviews, our defensive players said that Wink runs a very attacking Dfense. It appears that we are just running base so we do not give away too much.
I don’t like to make excuses but the guys we are missing are not just OK players, they are some of our best players. I truley believe that if the Broncos get healthy, then we will be a team to reckon with.
Maybe I’m crazy and overly optimistic. I like what our O did with the guys we have. Our starting running back right now will only be a practice squader at best. As BFE says, this is just one mans opinion which done mean a hellova lot.
GO BRONCOS
Thanks for the picker upper Big D.
No offense but a good game against Pittsburgh would do more for me, haha.
Big D, I want to be as optimistic as you are. However I feel that having these players out due to injury only sets us further back! They have not been there to get their reps with the first teams.
I also hope your right about the defense, trying not to show too much of the havoc we all hope they can cause. Other wise if you watched the same game I did we are in for a log year, fantasy guys should pick teams us because we cant stop the run! The view from the south stands is different from the one on TV, there were so many players out of place. LB’s in a two week zone playing 18 yards deep. It was only a dress rehearsal right?
I strongly dislike the Steelers and their fans, I hope that Tebow-mania takes away their presence for this weekend.
And I’m gonna ask again and again until I get an answer for this:
Does any one know how I can contact Brady Quinn?
I think he needs to buy this jersey from me!
I always thought he got a bad rep having to play for the Browns.
He was great at ND showed lots of promise there.
Figured he’d have a chip on his shoulders. Something to prove.
He proved it! NOT AN NFL QB!
This is BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!!
LMAO!!! You got only yourself to blame, of all the players you could of bought a jersey, you had to pick Quinn, weren’t you one of the only one with one of those at the stadium? hahaha.
I was optimistic back in April, Plus a fan from the ND days.
I knew better after watching the cincy game not to wear in public!
I rocked the Royal for the Lions Game. You are right I think I only saw one other one Saturday night, The one on the field lol.
This is BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!
Too funny…
wildman,
Yeah, I would be a liar if I said that I watched the entire game. Bur I did see many things that we did well and many things we need to get better at. I agree that our first teamers need more reps but with the injury situation we are making due.
Also, I agree bay. A good outing against the Steelers would make me feel better too. I always enjoy your posts because you are knowledgable about football and you are a realist. You say it how it is and don’t cheerlead just because you want the Broncos to win.
Let’s just hope and pray that all of our worries will be answered and that we get healthy and start kicking some major butt.
GO BRONCOS….
Great compliment Big D, usually people call me a pessimist, it might be one of the first time I’ve been called a realist, and that’s what I strive for, that way I keep it leveled keel and nurture my heart in the process, haha.
However I will tell you guys one very big positive this year, that I haven’t heard discussed anywhere yet, in fact to me it is by far the biggest improvement over last year: We are actually doing outstanding in the red zone with the first team, scoring TD’s and not settling for FG’s like last year, that is the biggest difference so far.
Preseason really does`nt tell the truth IMO. All they do is evaluate other talent. Sometimes it`s hard to evaluate a team. The flip side of the coin for this year is all our starters being hurt, especially our offense. It`s hard to tell what kind of a team we have come week one. We shall soon see.
First off I feel o so sorry for wildman347 for buying that Quinn jersey. I just got my first jersey’s ever and I got one blue Tebow and one white Dawkins. I agree with you bay that it doesn’t matter who is at Running Back the O-line still should be blocking the same way they would if the 1, 2, or 3rd back was running.
S.D. Bronco the 2nd and 3rd string everything has scared me since the start of training camp. I’m gonna continue to have faith and support whoever is on the team, but lord does Quinn and many of the others make it ever so hard.
Could the real Robert Ayers please stand up! Please stand up bc now is your chance to shine. I hope the lack of our pass rush is due to our lack of blitzing, but at the same time we can’t blitz every play. I don’t want to hear anything else about this guy and that guy looking great in practice. Then when it comes to game time the same guy looks like it’s his first time playing. I hope Orton is getting into the habit of focusing only on Gaffney bc we’ve had way too much one WR offense for the past few years.
Bay, if we can get our running game going it`s only gonna get better. And your right the red zone is far better than last year. Good observation. We need TD`s not FG`s, especially against elite teams like the Colt`s or Raven`s otherwise we`ll just be an average team again. And if were gonna win the West we need to take care of SD and win both games and not just split. We are building and I like what I see for the future.
I’ll agree with that Bay! The RED ZONE does seem to be improved this year,lets jut hope the team can get there to score some TD’s!
ST looked a little better this week vs. last week. Kicking coverage is still a concern for me.
I’ll also agree with Big D, you are very down to earth, “realist” but still a true fan. I come to these blogs daily, don’t always post but love to see what every one is talking about. I, like every other fan would LOVE to see us win 10 – 12 game this year, take the west and make the playoffs, (if for nothing else, so my brother in law will cut his hair) I don’t think this team is ready for that. For me, this is my first season with season tickets. Wish they could win every Home game at least. There is nothing worse than the walk back to the RV after a loss!
Hope for the best, brace for the worst….
This is BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!
lets see… best and worst… we got DOMINATED in the trenches pretty much the whole first half! Suh at one point pancaked one of our guys on the right side. terrible! once again our lack of a running game was VERY evident. passing game looked ok. Red Zone offense greatly improved from last year!
i keep hearing the term bend but dont break when describing our D…. Deja Vu anyone? thats the exact same way we have described our D for about the past 4 seasons.. pretty much since Coyer left. problem is we EVENTUALLY DO BREAK! and when we do then look out cuz its not just a little crack but a full collapse! im hoping this has a lot to do with preseason and lack of a game plan as opposed to just another season of crappy defense in the making!
Orton did very well IMO. even moved around in the pocket to give the recievers time to get open. so how come Quinn the athlete couldnt move around? explain that to me!! quinn looks unsettled, nervous, confused and hobbled. there was at least one play where he chose to stay in the pocket and consequently take a sack as opposed to scramble, get a first down, and move the chains. honesly IMO that does not bode well for brady. honestly he just doesnt look like he is having fun to me! maybe that will change next game! oh wait… thats what i said last week
Go Broncos
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
also… i thought syd’quan thompson did a GREAT job on special teams. thats how you earn a roster spot!
I want 60 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL!!! Not just great football with orton out their doing what ever it takes to win. I’m going to stay positive and pray that this injury bug is long gone. I can’t believe it that even the raiders are looking like a better team then us.
Great to see our boys back at Invesco.
Some individual spotlights shined again, as is the case during pre-season.
* Great to see Orton & Gaffney establishing a rapport out on the field.
* Perrish Cox return really got everyone going !! Nice return.
* Jarvis Moss made a few great plays and had the big sack where he caused a fumble that Green recovered. (Moss has some speed!)
* Also good to see Ayers and Bannon get a sack.
Lions were getting a good push on the line of scrimmage with their 4-3 defense. Our young linemen were moved around so it was hard to keep track at live game. (Much easier on TV).
Hope we get a few starters back for the Steelers game. They’ll need the reps to work off some rust. If they’re not ready then hold em back.
At any rate, I’m sure I’m not saying anything that’s already been mentioned.
Would love to see Tebow and Thomas back for the Steelers game!
GO BRONCOS!!
Guys/Gals….it’ll be o.k….trust me!
Look, you know what is imperssive. How do you establish the run with arguebly the 4th string running back in Bell? YOU CAN’T….So what do you get? a heck of a lot of pass plays. What I love about the effeciency thus far through preseason is I know that’s what’s coming so I got to believe an NFL caliber defensive coordinator has too! right? Still effecient even when they know it’s coming.
I know we are talking about this player being out and that player. However, IMO Bailey looks sharp this year. Sorry, but Goodman is not Champ and you can bet Champ shuts that side of the field down. I guess what I’m saying is what’s the defense look like when Champ is on Calvin? Will he have catches? Yeah maybe but I’ll take Champ on Calvin all night.
Quinn….guys I’m with you for the most part on this one….However, each time he’s out there, I’m thinking man he’s having to do this with lesser talent. I like our WR’s but let’s be honest Gaffney, Royal, Loyd etc…they weren’t out there…Don’t get me wrong, Quinn made his share of mistakes but I wonder what he would do with the 1′s?? is all I’m saying.
Moreno & Buck…..this is their second year just as Orton’s….that’s HUGE! They’ll be ready. COUNT ON IT!
Lastly, we open up against Jacksoville…..
Bay, here’s to a new Broncos season
Broncos 31
Jacksonville 17
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
P.S. I will every so often share with you a story of my children. Here’s the latest story:
Today was the first day of school for my 7 year old son Jadyn who will now enter the 2nd grade. It was just a half a day but at any rate I had to fill out some paperwork at home before we left. You know the routine, emergency contacts, sibling names and ages etc. Mind you, I live in Illinois where all of Jadyn’s family members are fans of a certain team. So I get to question #5 and it reads….
Is there anything that upsets or angers your child?
I said to Jadyn….”Hey bud, is there anything that upsets you or angers you?”
Jadyn’s reply….”Dad, put the Chicago Bears!”
Priceless….
@ Broncfalls… man that IS priceless!
way to raise em! lol
Go Broncos
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
Broncos fall,
Dude, thats the epitomy of optimistic wow. Broncos 31 and Jacksonville 17. While Jax is not a force to be reckoned with, neither are we. We cant run the ball, and like last year its not the RBs fault, its the Oline and Run block scheme fault in my book. Or maybe the plays who knows. But its far from the RBs fault. While the young guys are doing good, its games like these that reaffirm why I wouldnt have had first round picks splurged on Oline men. At least we would more than likely be in a better place.
If we beat the Jax it will be more like 28-24, if even. Because our Run Defense is still nothing to write home about, and Theyve got one of the best RBs in the game today in MJD, which usually also correlates to one of the best run block Olines.
We may win because Jax is not that good from what I see but our offense is average, and our defense will not be as stingy as it was in the first 6 games last year, and if it aint stingy, I doubt we keep up in a scoring contest. We face our first formidable first team defense (dont get me wrong bengals are above average on D) this week against the Steelers, tho its just preseason I am eager to see how it goes. TRB out…
I would have*
BroncFalls
XD that is priceless. I’m from Illinois as well. I’m southern though, about a mile from the Indiana Border, so It’s a lot of Colts fans around there along with the Bears fans. I recently moved out to the Rocky Mountains, so it’s nice to be around a bunch of Broncos fans, but it is great to hear that there’s another Bronco fan in Illinois!
I think we might keep 6 receivers, because there is so much talent at the position and because it is likely that someone will get hurt. In that case, I’d say Thomas, Decker, Royal, Gaffney, Willis, and Stokley. Especially since McKinley is on IR.
Thomas u forgot Brandon Lloyd. He pretty much has his spot on luck. He is already on the first team and everything. Willis has impressed in practice but not so much in game. And stokely might sadly be the odd man out. Even had limited grabs last year. But with the way Bay Bay and Decker have gotten hurt, we might just keep 7 lol
Just because Willis couldn’t catch the easy long ball on the sideline from Tebow he has somehow not impressed in games? His two catches across the middle on the last drive of the game where he had the presence of mind to run across the whole field to get out of bounds both times showed great awareness and he caught many balls in these two games, I think he is playing real well and he is a return man also, now that McKinley is out we need to keep Willis for sure, unfortunately that means Stokley out.
Baylin, not tryign to start anything. I said he has impressed in practice but not “so much” in game. As in not lived up the his practice potential which based on reports was really high. I Only watched the first game and missed the second game, everything but highlights so i dont know about this presence of mind u speak of. My point was that Maniac left out out Brandon Lloyd who is on the first team. And while stokely is old, age is the only thing willis has on stokely in my book (who also had the presence of mind last year to walk the sidelines and burn time). We have Cox for returns, and Royal will still be returning whether we like it or not. Vaughn hasnt done too bad either. Thats just my take, hate it or love it. TRB out…
You maybe forget the most important thing, Willis has health on Stokley.
i watched both preseason games,and from what ive seen so far orton has looked great he moves well, knows where everyone is on te field and is been very accurate, quinn has looked horrible and should be cut,tebow needs to work on awareness in the pocket, and learn to protect himself better.
the running backs ill skip til i see the starters play
the Wrs have looked good but i agree with the other person that it still seems they are over looking royal, and as for willis he does something stokley doesnt and thats play ST
OL will get better once clady is back,and that will improve the run game.
one thing i want to see this year is a improved shortyardage game from the runningbacks
need 2 things from the defense pressure on the QB and run stopping,with dumervil out ayers,moss,and the others will have to make it up
one thing id like to say from what i heard vikings ar looking for a WR, think we could trade stokley to them for sage rosenfel? and cut quinn
Vikings just signed Javon Walker.
Be careful what you ask for because you guys are in mid-season form already WOW!!!
O.K. O.K. I did say I was a homer and I did ask for feedback. I won’t use the we have injuries excuse toooooo
) much but we we’re a little short handed and I’d rather save the fellas for the season that play them against the Lions…HONEST.
I don’t have extremely high expectations this year. You guys know I’m a realist and here to give you a old players perspective where I can and not sugar-coat it. The preseason is the only time you get to move a few folks around to see what they can do, so I understand the O-line dillema right now and I’m O.K. with that.
BUT really…stats in the preseason…come on. I don’t count preseason. We have a lot of weaknesses and we have very little to no depth, so it could be a long year.
Royalbroncofan1′s right about a live game though…very very tough to watch. I like it better on TV. Even though they replay almost every play still tough to watch from a distance and I was on the 4th level , then moved down to the 2nd level and it was still tough looking from the end zone area.
Steelers up next so it will be a good game to watch. I’ll buzz my buddy Gary Dunn in the Keys and get his take from their side and let you know what he says.
Coopster
Coop, that’s why I think you are the best writer on this site, you are a realist and do your best within your boundaries to say it like it is, and I respect that. I have just been called a realist here of late and that’s the only way I know how to be, so I don’t ever get too low or too high, good for the ticker, and yeah my expectations for this year aren’t too high either, I said 9-7 back in May, but I would gladly take 8-8 now with the injury bug. The Keys, one of my favorite place, I have a buddy who will go down to Marathon for a couple weeks labor day in his 53 foot cruiser, now that’s the life….
Coop I agree with the realists take on things. I also agree that it will be a tough year. Maybe I’ll sound pessimistic but I think 7-9 or 8-8 is very likely. I’m not going into the reason’s why because I think they’ve all been discussed here. O-line and D-line/front 7 would be where I would start though. I think we’re on the right track however and I have a bright outlook on the future. Hope I’m wrong in my predictions and I’m still excited to see the team progress.
BTW Coop: Some season ticket holders have been selected to receive devices that can be used in the stadium that will show replays and give instant info on games around the league. That may help the ‘live game’ experience a little.
GO BRONCOS!!!! The South Stands Forever!!! The Orange Crush Lives!!