Much like the preseason opener against San Francisco, the Broncos took some steps forward and also showed they have plenty to work on in preseason game number two.
For the second straight week, I liked the way the first-team offense moved the ball. That unit drove 78 yards in 12 plays and took nearly six minutes off the clock on its first possession and scored a touchdown after the Seahawks had taken an early lead.
Quarterback Kyle Orton completed passes to four different receivers on that drive and the Broncos gave a glimpse of how potent this passing game can be. Orton looked to be in total control on the drive and did again in leading the Broncos to a field goal on their second possession. An uncharacteristic penalty on tackle Ryan Clady put a serious damper on that series.
We know that Ken Lucas intercepted Orton’s awkward, left-handed pass in the Seattle end zone on the Broncos fourth possession. Let me again state the obvious: Orton cannot make that mistake. He knows that; we all know that.
At the same time, I take comfort in the fact that the drive was 14 plays, 86 yards and consumed seven minutes and 36 seconds. That is a terrific drive. Yes, I accentuate the positive. Despite the interception, Orton again showed me a lot on that drive. We know he has to clean up the turnovers and I believe he will.
Orton’s numbers and overall play was better than it was against the 49ers. All we have to go on is a couple of pre-season games and 18-of-26 passing for 182 yards with a touchdown and an interception is, in the big picture, a pretty good night in my book.
Was the offense great? By no means. Are there things to work on? You bet. But with two preseason game to go, I am encouraged by the way the offense has played. I would like to see the running game kick in a little but I’m not too concerned right now. There are likely a multitude of reasons the Broncos threw the ball more than they ran. I still believe they’ll have a more than effective rushing attack.
Defensively, I thought the Broncos were fine. The turnovers put the defense in a tough spot at times and nothing to this point has changed my thought that the defense is a work in progress.
The D did a good job keeping the Seahawks in check for most of the first half. It broke down on Seattle’s touchdown drive late in the second quarter and then the Seahawks took advantage of great field position early in the third quarter.
I saw enough from the defense the leads me to think it can be a better unit than it has been the last couple of years. That may not mean drastic improvement but at least it would be a start.
No doubt it would be good to see the defense start to create turnovers. I won’t pretend to know why that hasn’t happened yet. But I know it is an area the Broncos work on regularly. At some point, I believe it will start to pay off in games.
After two preseason games, I am neither abounding in excitement nor wallowing in discouragement by what I have seen out of the Broncos. I see a team that is working to install brand new systems. In that process, the Broncos have both shown progress and also the need to improve.
They’ll have the chance to take some more steps forward Sunday night against the Bears.
What did you take away from the Broncos’ performance against the Seahawks? Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Best,
Mike
Tags: Postgame, Preseason, Seattle Seahawks
Here are some stats for you Mike.
What I have been impressed with is our ability to at least force teams to do something on 3rd down.
We forced an average of 7.2 yards to go on 3rd down when the ball was snapped in the 1st half against Seattle’s 1sts. Seattle also had to face 3rd down on every set of downs bar two during the 1st half, and one of those was on a 1st and goal at our 2. Seattle had 11 set of downs in the first half, which meant we forced a 3rd down on 82% of Seattle’s first half set of downs. In comparison, Denver had 15 sets of downs in the first half, and was forced to 3rd down on just 7 of them (47%). We faced an average of 3.7 yards on 3rd down.
There were a lot of good things to take out of yesterdays performance by our 1sts and against Seattle’s 1sts.
i believe that the broncos are just fine…. just need to clean up the lil things
lomaxgr…Interesting numbers…good stuff. Over the long haul, that will bode well. To me, it points to the fact that the Broncos are making progress.
Mike
Nice stats lomaxgr
I agree with people saying dont panic about Orton but For those saying one play doesnt dictate a season…very true…but it very easily dictates a game. He is a game manager, he doesnt need to do too much. But Orton threw that interception that gave them OVERWHELMING momentum. But Orton Definitely looked better this week. After what we lost trying to get cassel I am soooooo mad we didnt end up with him. At least like many have said he woulda at least known the offense….sigh. If you are gonna backstab do it right….lol
I agree with BroncoBailey99′s stance on marshall, it was somewhat objective. Marshall would make his life easier I.E he wouldnt have dropped the pass Gafney did for the TD that led to INT on next play….I would like to believe. Plus he is good with the YAC yrds so he will be able to do both the short passes and the deep balls. Hope everything ends well with Im and he gets up to speed. We need Moreno, we need Ayers, and Bdawk will improve our DB core. What we really need now is what we lacked last year….TURNOVERS…well at least we’ve got the sacks down right.
The Season Is Still Ours For The Taking
GO BRONCOS
We still need a better pass rush in order to get turnovers ourselves. That’s why if we trade Marshal, we need a big guy in the meddle to help the pass rush.
Well I barely survived last nights game. The 2nd half was probably the worst second half of any game I think I’ve ever seen. We got one of everything… penalties, injuries, their D kicked our offense’s butt in the 4th quarter and I don’t think I even remember a first down being made by us in the 2nd half. Its all one big blur to me right now. Then I had a friend really tick me off last night before I left their house so it only angered me more about the game. Thank God its still only pre season.
Orton looked great till that one INT in the end zone by Lucas… there’s where the firestorm kicked off. They should have never gone for that TD on 4th down. I hope all the injuries aren’t too serious. Ya know that whole 2nd half was like one big flashback to our entire season we had last year. Not exactly what I had in mind. It will make a huge difference when we have Dawkins on our D and hopefully Moreno will get some playing time. Well he better if they let Torain go… dumb idea.
I think I’m the one that’s gonna pop a vein if I don’t stop talking about this. Rubbing my ears and saying woo-sah!! haha
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
Anyone know a team who has a big NT that they’re willing/trying to trade so we can get him?
Doom give it up, no way we trade marshall
1. Some may have forgotten but the guy is Pretty darn impressive once he hits the field. He’s got skills upon skills, reciever, Yac, Jumpball and Blocking. We have to many small quick guys. We kinda need Marshall. Or should I say he will open up uncountable oppourtunities on offense
2. He is currently a question mark to most teams till he proves his injuries wont stop him from getting the same production this year. Not to mention we already through 2 preseason games, too late to bring in a new guy and get them up to speed.
3. Our DL, shows flashes of brilliance, this 3-4 thing seems to be showing promise. Whether said promise will involve into greatness in enough time is the question. But im liking what I see especially for a new system. Plus I believe Chris Baker will be the future of the middle.
Bottom line is Marshall is worth more keeping than he is trading and thats even if we could get someone willing to trade somethign good. We need Moreno! We need Bdawk! We need Bmarsh! and I also wish that we still had Ryan Torain. McD makes random decisions.
PS: I didn’t mind them going for it on 4th down cuz its all about having situational drills so you can better perform when a game is actually on the line. Everythign we are doing in preseason is Trial and Error, till we reach perfection. Lets hope its within the next 2 weeks lol
The Season Is Still Ours For The Taking
GO BRONCOS!!!
If they aren’t going to trade Marshal, tell him that and tell him to learn the playbook!
He will, I believe he has every intention of learning it but he was injured and also held out so he is behind not to mention the random “Distrust” issues we all thought were behidn us. Even Orton that was around was still making mistakes not to talk about Bmarsh. Ayers still needs to get up to speed, and Moreno held out as well and now is hurt so he is behind as well. I don’t see everyone starting to fully gel until like week 4. Learning a new system isnt easy and even after learning, implementing what you learned is hards as hell too.
McD wont let Bmarsh get traded cuz he knows Bmarsh is good on the field and doesnt feel like dealing with more talks about trading another one fo the few Pro Bowlers on our team from last year. Thats why he didn’t trade orton or use someone else. He has to use who ever he traded for to get cutler cuz he refuses to admit he was wrong or he made a mistake….things will look up soon I hope. This is just my humble opinion. Like I always say, I want Marshall here, I think we need him but if he gets traded….oh well, I dont ocntrol that. Thought I wouldnt be abale to handle cutler trade and shann firing but Im still alive….same goes for bmarsh
GO BRONCOS
I want them to re-sign BMarsh too, even though I kinda make it sound like I don’t. What kind of contract would make him happy enough to wnat to play in Denver, though?
I don’t think our offense is all dynamic like many others do. Last night looked like last season where all we do is throw the ball, and just abandon the run. Other than Simms in the 1st preseason game has Orton even attempted a deep throw?!
Our 1st team offense couldn’t even move the ball against the Seahawks 2nd defense. Then our defense just has a thing for not stopping people on 3rd down. When they practice tackling drills this week I hope they focus more on wrapping up!
Doom will shine in his new position, Hillis needs to get the ball more, and man I hope Marsha Marsha Marshall comes to his senses!
Why don’t we use Hillis more? He’s a great blocker and can run better than most of our running backs.
Well Doom,
IF Marshall could get a contract like Roddy White of the Falcons, I think he would be very happy or like greg jennings of the packers. He is better than both in my opinion
The offense isnt dynamic. We did alot of what we did last year, throw alot. Only dif was last year we had JAY CUTLER, a guy who can throw for days and spread the ball. Did u see th way he carved the Giants. All im saying is if McD planned to pass alot why didn’t he keep a guy like cutler. With an impressive Arm, scrambling skills, mobility in the pocket and pretty smart guy.
CARAMELLOO,
I also pray the Bmarsh thing ends for the better. cuz we do need him. and not having him is the reason WE HAVENT DONE ANY DEEP THROWS. Looks liek we are also snake bitten again this year with all these darn injuries. Looking foward to Chicago game, and Cutler coming back to Invesco even if its on the Bears team. From what I heard, there are still alot of cutler fans on the Bronco team but since its a business, we move on lol
Hillis runs tough and catches the ball very well for a running back! He should get way more touches than Jordan!
TheRoyalBeast I’m glad you are on of the few who sees what I’m seeing in the lack of deep balls. Royal can go deep, Jackson can go deep, Sheffler’s specialty was the deep post last year.
Yea, Marshal should get contracts like Roddy White or Jennings because he’s done more than both of them. Why did we sign Jordan anyway? Hillis would be better at catching than Jordan, better at running, and better at goal line stands.
Remember that huge pass in the first Raider’s game last year to Scheffler? We need more of that.
Yup Caramelloo, and without Bmarsh, Royal is clearly our best, so he will be swarmed and given no oppourtunities. Bmarsh drew double coverage last year and sitll made plays and opened up plays for our other receivers. Sheffler is a quick TE we need to use him more. He messed up with the fumble tho. But yes we definitely need to go deep more, especially after we had established fear with our short screens but that wont be enough, we also need to establish the run to open up deep balls. But then again Orton doesnt have the Ideal arm for it
Hillis can catch puts the smash in our smash and dash…we really need Moreno’s vison and explosiveness. We also need a really speedy back like back in 2005 when we had the 1,2 punch with Mike anderson and Tatum Bell. Tatum was mad fast and broke for many tds, and almost had over a thousand ards as well. I would suggest getting him back, plus he wasnt to bad at the end of last years. We definitely need to use hilis more tho. Not a fan of Jordan and Buckhalter and Darius walker are like…Whatever to me lol
Even if Orton doesn’t have the arm to throw the deep ball, do some screens to fast WR, like Eddie Royal, and the can get YAC.
I think Orton is afraid of doing the deep throws we saw #6 do here. Plus I can just hear it now… Orton actually goes for a deep pass and gets picked off, then everyone here who wanted see that happen gets all ticked off at him for doing it. Yeah, that will go well. Of course he needs to be accurate at it, that’s why he hasn’t gone for that deep stuff yet. You can tell he’s already overwhelmed with having to learn this new and complicated offense, then put the stress of him having to go for deep passes, just hoping someone catches. To do that kind of thing, the ENTIRE offense on the field at that time has to be in sync or else it will end badly. Let the guy get adjusted to this offense first THEN let him take on deep passes when he feels comfortable with it. Plus if we want our running game back that Denver used to be known for, why do you want to see him throw so much?? Thought we hated when #6 used to do that? We need a nice balance of both a passing & running game.
I don’t want to see him throw the ball alot. In fact I hate when we throw the ball so much. I wanna see some deep balls attempted so we can keep the defense honest and on their heels.
Yea, I just don’t understand why we don’t use Hillis more. He might be the most important part of our run game.
If we established a deep passing game, the CB’s on the other team would have to look out for that. Both the 49′ers and the Seahawks knew we couldn’t and wouldn’t throw deep, so the corners played close coverage.
I see what you’re saying Caramel but I don’t want to see him attempt the deep passes just to say he did. If he’s gonna attempt to do that kinda stuff, he better get good at it. That’s why it would be nice to see #15 stay with us… we could use a WR with his height to catch those high deep passes. It would actually give the guy defending him a run for his money if he’s similar in #15′s height/body type.
1st off what uppppppp Ash! Man if we don’t keep or use Marsha Marsha Marshall then we need to see about using Sheff more in the passing game.
Hey Caramel! Sheesh, where are my manners? Think I’m still ticked about last night and I’m not talking about the game. Not that mad about a pre season game. And yeah, while this whole #15 drama is going on, we need to put our other WRs to good use. We can’t sit around waiting for #15 to play mind games with our staff and his team. We have great receivers to use without Mr. Drama but he would make us more explosive on offense. The choice is really all his… yeah we can give him a new contract but he needs to decide once and for all, does he want to remain a Bronco or not? Simple yes or no.
I look at it like this….. He should take a page out of Anquan Bolden’s book. Bolden is there @ practice and the games working his butt off.
Totally agree. Like I keep saying, he needs to decide if he’s staying or going.
Dunno about working his butt off but he has definitely at least been showing up to practice. Plus he also injured his hamstring and due to “coaching decisions” thats why he isnt out there, for injury, which led to the lack of knowing the playbook, I know he wants to play football, whether it is here or somewhere else. I think he is actually trying to get over the past but the past keeps biting back. I don’t think he is a “Drama King”. The Media brngs all the Drama, and he answers the questions politically. He plays the victim heavy when he is because for so long he has been the victimizer.
The only thing I can try to blame him for is learning the playbook but there are things that have led to him being setback, same with Moreno. Im sure they will all come up to speed and get to where they need to. I BELIEVE IT. And I believe he has made peace with being a Bronco…All we need is less “trust issues” so that he is not just settling but enjoying the Broncos. He loves to play, He loves to produce. A little “drama” isnt gonna stop him from getting the stats he wants.
Even without shanny and cutler, he still got some friends on the Broncos, Im sure that will be enuff. I just wish he wasnt too proud to ask Royal or Gaffney for some help getting up to speed. But who knows Maybe he is. He will defintiely be at chicago game I am sure of that.
The Season Is Still Ours For The Taken
GO BRONCOS!!!
does anybody remember what happened on the play before orton through that td pass? It allmost got picked! and that left handed pass, who the heck was he looking at? i love my broncos but darn they looked pretty bad last night and all those timeouts jeeez what going on on the side lines? Half the time the D line didnt look like they new what to do!! In all the years I have whatched Ds line up I never seen such confusion…well we got a few more weeks to get it right..McDs getting ready to put himself on the hot seat, but he still has more rings than the rest of the team combined so I hope the best for him.
GO BRONCOS!!!
You mean the one to Scheffler that was caught by him then was knocked out of his hands then as Scheffler fell he caught it but was out outbounds? There was no way that he would of picked it off the only play he would of had was the same that Scheffler had: catching it as it was falling to the ground even then he would of been out of bounds. So nope not even close to an interception, but hey what ever.
Left handed interception…I’ve seen Plummer and Cutler do it so it didnt surprise me one bit.
About the constant time outs, just a theory, but it could of been communication issues through the head sets. But I’m not sure because if that was the case they would switched out his helment.
Why didn’t Orton just run it? It looked like he had a wide open space to run.
I am watching the game from an analytical point of view and there are still a lot of things that disturb me. There are some people who say the positives are never pointed out by people so I will say this. Hillis looked good, and overall the secondary is playing well. The linebackers missed a lot of tackles, and the DL is just not good. I know they got some sacks, but if you look at them they happened 7-8 seconds after the snap of the ball, coverage sacks. The same thing happened in the San Fran game. Additionally, we do not have anyone who demands a double team on the DL. The entire game, they blocked our line and LBs man-on-man. The offense is suspect because of two things. Our lack of a downfield threat, and Orton’s poor arm strength. All of our passes were 5-10 yards. Teams in the regular season are going to begin to take that away because they are going to realize that we do not have a deep threat and that is going to be problematic. Maybe McD is a good OC, but he did have quite a few weapons in NE and it wasn’t his ship to run. I have said it before it will be a interesting year. Did anyone else notice that we played poorly in the second half with our 1′s vs. their 2′s? That Jordan is slow? Stay up!
Yeah he should of ran it in then if the defenders closed in just dived or better yet sacrificed himself for a TD. Liked how the announcers tried to sugar coat the interception. “Oh it was only 12 yards” Yeah only 12 yards I rather him throw it out the end zone or just take a knee/sack.
There was only two things that bothered me: Smith and McKinnely had trouble with the ball either they bobbled it or dropped it on punt/kick returns. Then Brandstater not knowing any of the offense. Running on 3rd and 25, he was sacked numerous times…it was painful to watch.
That’s why we need a new NT, vabronco. We need someone who can get a double team.
I REALLY wish Marshall would just get over himself. He has no leverage and isn’t going to get what he wants. All he’s doing is hurting himself.
I have seen alot to be optimistic about from both the offense & defense but I have a concern regarding the offense. It doesn’t seem as if coach McDaniels cares at all about the running game. Our running game could be dominant with our great o-line. I couldn’t understand why we were in spread formations on 2nd 3rd & 4th & goal from the 2 yard line. Based on what I saw from our running game Saturday night on a whole, it doesn’t appear that we practice the run game a whole lot in practice either. I hope that coach McD is just trying out different plays to get Orton up to speed before the season begins. It is my opinion that Orton would benefit greatly from a solid run game as he continues to get acclimated to the new offense.
Can’t wait for moreno to return. Im glad we drafted him considering how bad buckhalter and jordan are. We should have kept Aldridge(Replaced with thigpin?) bell(replace by buckhalter whos has not impressed me once. And jordan? he is a slower, weaker, older, not as good peyton hillis. If he takes snaps away from hillis that is ridiculus. Marcus thomas and darius walker are jokes. Now it looks like moreno was one of our best if not the best draft pick we made. Anyone else wondering when ayers is going to show up I have not seen any plays that a first round pick should contribute even playing against 2nd ant 3rd stringers.
The fun thing is… what if Orton would have completed that left handed pass? (not thinking that was smart at all, but…)
I agree with that about our 1st offense vs. their 2nd def… with highlights in Sheffler’s fumble. IMO that was the final blow.
I think Hillis is not playing more, just because security reasons. I’d be painful for the team to have him with some injury.
Marshall wouldn’t have completed that pass for Gaffney, just because he doesn’t know the play. And as far as I know, for getting into the playbook first a person needs eyes and brain… not a hamstring. Marshall’s in training camp just to avoid paying fines, not because he wants to get involved. But truth is I’d love to see him react, start doing what he should and doing all what he knows.
Now, this next game will be fun to watch and discuss.
Go Broncooos!
where the hell is T Scheff in the passing game? And better play calling on that interception drive could have erased that turnover. common 4 straight passes on 1rst 2nd 3rd and 4rth and goal?
I think that McDaniels is working on more situational football than getting the win in these pre-season games. I think he wants to see how the team does in different situations and with the different plays and things like that. That’s why I think is passing so much and not using the running game. Maybe he doesn’t want to get anyone injured for RBs??
There was definite improvement overall, IMO. And that left handed throw by Orton, come on who hasn’t tried to do that. Hopefully he won’t try it in a regular season game.
In the defense of Orton and that interception he threw down at the 1 yard line on 4th down… I believe McD is just trying to give his team situational type of plays as they come up? Do I believe that they would throw it 3 times within the 5? No. You just never know what is going to happen in the future when they may meet that situation again. I believe Kyle also knew this was a situational type of play. The Broncos are not there to win these pre season games, they are there to improve their team as a whole for situations that may come up in the regular season when it counts.
Here is the situation on that play, 4th and 1, no time left on the clock, its do or die time. Kyle flushed out of the pocket rolls left, no one open, cannot take a sack or the ball game is over doesnt have time to make a accurate throw lobs it in the air to give anyone a chance, even if it is an inkling of a chance, to grab it for the winning touchdown. Sometimes a field goal just won’t win you the game. McD was testing his team, it wasn’t a complete failure, even though we saw a little Plummer in Kyle. Kyle took the chance which is what McD will be glad to see, horrible throw, yes, but in a situation like that, sometimes thats all you can do is lob it up and cross your fingers. At least Kyle had the gonads to do just that!
Again, it wasn’t scoring the TD which was important in that part of the preseason game…. it was the situation that McD was trying to show his team. It’s experience before it actually happens.
A lot of coaches just want to play those games like a normal game – this is one thing McD learned in New England – to try to give your team as many situational type of plays in the preseason – so that your team can overcome them in the regular season – its not a bad logic.
I believe it was the coach who said before preseason game #1 – “I hope these guys can have at least 7 or 8 situations come up within the next couple games so they can see them before the regular season hits” or something along those lines…
Just my buck 1/2…
I’m sorry but I have to say I disagree on 2 of your points/arguments there football babe!
1. Orton is not known for throwing the deep ball yes, like you said. But I disagree that he isn’t accurate at it. He isn’t accurate enough and throwing it enough to be KNOWN for it like other qb’s. But the whole reason the Bears had Bernard Berrian was to stretch the field for the deep pass. In those games where he threw the deep pass, from my memory he did well with it. Yes he is a better game manager than a comeback kid like Cay Jutler was, he threw majority of his passes to the TE and short routes, but that doesn’t mean he can’t accurately throw the deep pass.
2. I probably took this wrong, but how you said the 2nd half of the game was the worst 2nd half of any game?? Seem too down there babe! Remember preseason only ever means our back ups are better than your back ups. Did we do bad in the 2nd half, yes! But for you to be down about it is too much, It was backups v.s. backups. 2nd half in a preseason game is the time to look at special teams I think, because that is where most of the people playing during that time will land, if they make the team!
Mike I like the point you brought up about us not getting int’s. We have been working hard at it with all the drills, question is when will it start to pay off?
I do like the point brought up about the pass rush too, we have had some, BETTER THAN LAST YEAR! It seems to get there a little late though, just as the ball is thrown or just after. I would like a little more there too, but I do think all these things will come. We have things to work on, but unlike last year, they are acknowledged and being taken care of, with emphasis being put on them. Mediocre will not satisfy anymore, we were too complacient in years past.
We will be fine, no worries guys!
Stay thirsty my friends!
Forgot to add, next game WILL be the one to watch and take things away from. A good strong defense to go against, and an aggressive qb with something to prove for our defense to take advantage of while also being aggressive!
Can’t wait! But I will add……. even though its preseason, watch for all the naysayyers and negatives to come out of their holes if we don’t do great! Just a heads up to all us real fans!
B55, spot on. Things would have been different in regular season with Moreno in the mix and the playbook completely “on.” Those who complain about not running the ball are not looking at the whole picture. They are not grasping what is going on. Moreno isn’t playing yet. Give the team time to get complete. Let the cuts get made and then watch the team develop. They need to rub their ears and say “woo-sah.” Hey, it seems to work for me, ha, ha.
Don’t forget, Orton knows the Chicago D. McD is picking his brain, I’m betting. Cutler doesn’t know the Denver team anymore, so Chicago doesn’t have that advantage the way Denver does. Come on Denver fans at Invesco, be the 12th man on the field! Get loud, be proud and GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Id rather not see orton throw deep balls. Just keep him doing what hes been doing the last 2 preseason games{minus a left handed fling on the goal line}. The fact is he does not have a good deep ball and you could go get sumthing to drink and eat before it gets to the reciever so keep him doing what hes been doing maybe 1 or 2 shots down the field during the game.
07elway- yeah the second half was horrible.
The major problem i see that has carried over from last year is the defense ability to get off the field on 3rd downs. not so much in seattle but it showed in the san francisco game.
This sunday!
Go Broncos!!!!!!!
The offense is moving good. Orton will come around.
Go Broncos!
I agree with you DD – this next game is probably going to be geared for a real game experience, rather than the situational drills that come up.
This is a big one, and I’m sure McDaniels is feeling the pressure to put more of a emphasis on this game than lets say, week 4 of the preseason. His starters will probably play all game due to the media hype, and since Simms is out, I highly doubt he will throw in Brandstater against the Bears.
Again, the Media is very influential… lots of money has been thrown at this game, McDaniels and Orton have to perform well here. Week 4 – not so much. If Orton doesn’t play all game, I would bet that he is in there for the first 3 quarters, if not longer.