I might as well start the season with a confession.
There was a time about a month ago, right before the preseason opener against Dallas, that I was afraid that the Broncos just might have a dismal season.
It’s amazing what a little time can do.
After what the Broncos have shown this preseason, I’m feeling a whole lot better about the prospects they will have at least a solid season.
Bring on the games. I’m ready to see where the Broncos stand.
Among those who cover the NFL nationally, the expectations for the Broncos seem to be overwhelmingly underwhelming. I get that. Given how the Broncos performed last year and the needs they still have on the roster, I wouldn’t predict a complete turnaround in one season. Sure, anything can happen in today’s NFL but I would have to see that to believe it.
On the other hand, I will be more than disappointed if the Broncos don’t show marked improvement in 2011. Here are several reasons why.
1 – AN IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE. The guys up front can do so much to influence a game. Ryan Clady is healthy. Chris Kuper is really good. J.D. Walton and Zane Beadles have a full year of experience and seem to be getting better. Orlando Franklin is a rookie but wow, the guy sure looks like he’s legit. Four of these five starters have played a lot of football together.
A better offensive line should mean a better running game. That should mean the Broncos do a better job of controlling the clock and thus, do a better job keeping the opposing offense on the sideline. Plus, a better offensive line should mean more success in third-and-short as well as red zone situations, not to mention making play-action even more effective.
2 – A BETTER DEFENSE. We all know it’s tough for the Broncos’ defense to be any worse than it has been the last couple of years. But that is the past. The Broncos, while still having plenty of pieces to add to the D, are off to a good start in turning the defense around, thanks mainly to getting Elvis Dumervil healthy and drafting Von Miller.
There is just no substitute for a good pass rush and the Broncos should be really good in that department.
Yes, I’m concerned about the interior of the defensive line and the rush defense. Like I said, the defense still has issues, but not as many as before.
3 – THE JOHN FOX FACTOR. I don’t mean to keep bringing up how much I like the Broncos’ new coach but I can’t get away from it. The guy is an absolute pro and the players, to this point, seem to have bought in. That means a lot.
Coach Fox seems to have created an atmosphere the players like being in. Of course, that will be tested if the Broncos struggle out of the gate.
But I have faith in his ability to keep this team united, grounded and headed in the right direction regardless of circumstance.
It’s time to play games that count. And I am really looking forward to seeing how the Broncos stack up.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming season? Thanks for reading and enjoy the opening weekend.
Sincerely,
Mike
Off to BW’s to watch the games. A much needed escape from the reality of the 10 year anniversary. And no lap top, just football, wings and coke….
bay,how the heck did you get free NFL Sunday ticket,I thought you said you had Directv for like 5 years,if there’s a trick to it,please let me in on it bro!
I’d love to have it(got it once for free for signing up) but I won’t pay over 300 bucks to get it now,WAY too much money!!!
btw,I’ve had it for like 7 or 8 years!
I know the 1st week of NFL Sunday ticket is free!!!
but next week it will cost major bucks!!!
That’s all I meant and this free week isn’t even working for me, every time I go on one of those channels, the pic freezes up and like a virus goes through my DirecTV receiver and I can’t operate anything on the remote, my wife is calling them now it’s totally bogus. Each time I’ve had to unplug the receiver for 30 seconds to restore the functions, just warning everyone.
I just talked to a technician and he told me they are having programming issue with that particular receiver of mine so I’m using another one in another room and it works fine, so now I can see exactly how bad KC is, LOL.
Yeah they were way overrated last year,now they will come back down to Earth,lol.
I am actually watching the free Sunday ticket too,just flicking back and forth to different games,too bad it’s not free next weekend,cause I know I won’t get that game,they would have a free Sunday when the Broncos are playing Monday Night.Everyone better go to or watch the game if they like primetime games,because it’s the only time we play on Monday or Sunday night the entire year,what a rip,but that’s what happens when you finish 4-12.
Since KC is getting blown away and I found out everything about them I need to, I’m now watching the red zone, no need to flip the channels because they do it for you and you don’t miss ANY score, real cool, still not worth the money, though, or the sports bar.
Pretty sweet that Red Zone was free. Just watched Pittsburgh got their butts handed to them. Wow! 35-7. Horrible game for Pitt. Turnovers left & right.
LOL, just saw the score for KC… bahahahahaha way too funny. Love when they lose. Makes my day!
Saw that one coming. And its clear as day that Indy is nothing without their anchor, Manning. Kinda nice to see Indy not on top. lol
K.C. GOT ROMPED! YES!!
I enjoy watching red zone, you can see all scores at once.
Now lets see a S.D. loss.
Bay,
I think you missed my 8-8.
Interesting, the Kicker of S.D. Nate Kaeting is out and the Chargers can`t even kick a FG. LOL
Man the Vikings should’ve stomped the Chargers. I would have loved to see that the only AFC west team to win this week would be in Orange and Blue. Oh well guess we’ll have to stomp the Chargers ourselves lol
oldsouth, you probably put it in before two weeks ago when I was taking them yet.
So, oldsouths’ prediction is not included?
BTW
My game prediction is
27-16
I believe that Dorkland gets into the red-zone 3 times and comes away with FG’s. as we bend but not break, and either a long TD on a play action pass early in the game or a fluke TD at the end of the game.
I think we get off to a fast start with an opining TD, then hit a couple FG’s in the first half. After the half, we put it away with two more TD’s.
-Royalty
I forget when you said the contest ends. If it hasn’t ended, mark me down for 8-8.
Cur
My game prediction…
Broncos 31
Raiders 10
Beatdown, and a whole hell of a lot of fun.
Curt
I also expect Dorkland to use the screen play ad nauseam. As well as test the middle of our D running up the middle.
*Season Predictions Closed*
You’re still good for the game prediction Curt
Ok, guys the season record predictions ended last night because no one had the advantage of seeing what transpired today, so the only way I can get someone in would be like the case of oldsouthstander if he can tell me what day he put it in and I’ll check it out, it would be even better if you found it yourself oldsouth and refer me to the blog it’s on. I used every double checking system I could to make sure every entry was accounted for during the last two weeks, before that entries were not taken yet as I’ve said dozens of time.
However Raider game score predictions are taken until midnight blog time tonight so I still can take those.
My score prediction:
Broncos beat Raiders 27-17.
Sorry oldsouth, that’s the only fair thing to do and I am sorry if indeed I overlooked your entry but I just don’t see that to be likely. Anyhow if it’s there you can find it, but that’s way too much work for what I’ve already put in, hope you understand.
Do you remember when you entered it oldsouth? i’ll help you look for it
If only he put it in earlier than right after the end of the KC debacle it would be much easier to enter him, but that performance would tell anyone to add two wins to our record, not saying that’s what oldsouth did but it’s just the precedent of the thing. We need to find his entry to put him in, but you are looking at August 29th through September 10th blogs, like thousands of posts.
I think I remember him stating our season record like the week prior to August 29th if my memory serves me right, maybe like the 26th or 27th… But I would then remind everyone no entries would be taken until the 29th, otherwise I take them for six months straight during the off season and folks want to change it all the time if you know what I mean. This is just the best way I can do it, with hard deadlines and it will be like that for every weekly score prediction entry, just warning folks, that’s why I always say no exception. Anyhow, good luck finding it and let me know.
I don’t know Mike, we lose Moreno or McGahee and our running game suddenly looks like it did in 2010. Unless the Fox has a henhouse up his sleeve…I do see a lot of improvement though and can’t see us doing any worse than last year. If the defense can stifle the run game then we should be in most games to the end. 13-3 baby!!! Until we ain’t!
After some digging here it is bay:
First his Game prediction:
oldsouthstander says:
September 5, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Broncos 24 Raiders 16 I
think I figured out why the Broncos didn’t claim anybody on the waiver wire. If you claim them off the waiver wire you’re stuck with their contract. If you wait until they clear waivers, EFX can negotiage a contract; obviously at a much lower contract cost to the Broncos. Makes sense to me.
45YEARBROINCOFANSTILLONSTRIKE!!!
Counting the hours to game time!!!!
And here is his season prediction:
It was under:
“Preseason Week 4: Monday Practice Blog” in the ‘older comments section’ I found this:
oldsouthstander says:
August 29, 2011 at 5:12 pm
I looked into my crystal ball, but it was waterlogged from the Hurricane, so it was a little fuzzy.
Game 1: Raiders Win!!
Game 2: Cincy Win
Game 3: At Titans Toss up, advantage Titans
Game 4: At Green Bay Loss Game
5 Chargers Toss up, advantage Broncos
Game 6: At Miami Loss. Broncos always suck at Miami
Game 7: Detroit Loss Lions will fight GB for division
Game 8: At Raiders Toiss up, advantage Raiders
Game 9: At KC Loss. See Miami comments
Game 10: Jets Toss up, advantage Broncos
Game 11: At Chargers Loss
Game 12: At Vikings Toss up, advantage Vikings
Game 13: Chicago Win
Game 14: NE UPSET OF THE YEAR!
Game 15: At Buffalo Toss up, advantgae Buffalo
Game 16: KC Win
5 wins, 5 losses, 6 toss ups
8-8
45YEARBROINCOFANSTILLONSTRIKE!!!!!
And pumped by what I’m seeing both offensively and defensively!!!
So there it is bay: 8-8
-Royalty on behalf of oldsouthstander who is now coming out of strike lol
Royalty, I also remember seeing that post. I just couldn`t remember the date. Job well done.
Thanks Royalty, much appreciated, went back to that blog and saw it, first day I was taking predictions too, guess his post was so long I didn’t see the 8-8 at the very end, but obviously a valid entry, thanks again on behalf of oldsouth too, so he is in with his 8-8, which makes 14 of those now.
I remember it now, it was all those toss up/advantage thing, made me think he was just still guessing, not definitive so I didn’t bother to finish reading it to the bottom, that’s what it was, but looking back it was obviously a prediction, an unusual one but a prediction nonetheless.
After today,
I am not impressed with S.D. at all. 7-15 out of McNabb? S.D. did not put up a valiant effort. Week 1 and Rivers is already going at it with good ol Turner… Long season in S.D. good for us.
I am not looking at K.C. as a dismal failure. Bad game, opening day. Bills had their game together. We just saw one of maybe five games with Fitz producing this year, it just so had happened to be against K.C. They still will play us tough and I did not see K.C. play to their potential.
Tomorrow night, we get to see what the Broncos are all about. WIll we look like K.C and make Oakland look that good? Will we squeak by like S.D. (as I am predicting) but show the league we are still very vulnerable.
Just got back from a store run; no problem, thanks strand and bay.
I remember him saying something about his “Crystal Ball” being waterlogged from the hurricane and I remember feeling bad for him having to go through all that yet still blogging.
That there was the stealth prediction lol, he went under the radar with that one because like you said “with all those toss up/advantage thing[s]” lol
I can’t wain for the game!!! Have a good night BC, hopefully by this time tomorrow we will be pointing out how stellar our W was.
-Royalty
McD was probably the worst head coach in franchise history. And it has nothing to do with his knowledge of x’s and o’s. The guy was pretty good at drawing up game plans, and the players frequently said in retrospect that they were well advised of the correct strategy/game plan ahead of time; they just didn’t get it done.
Well I figure there are two reason we lost so much under McD. First and most obviously, the guy had virtually zero talent as a personnel evaluator. Second, and perhaps more importantly, he was an arrogant, abrasive, little prat. I suspect that at least on a subconscious level many of our players probably didn’t want to play or win for the guy.
All bloggers would be better served always starting their post with their prediction up the very top of the post, i.e. season record prediction: 8-8, or score prediction, Broncos beat Raiders 27-17, and then they can go on at length about whatever it is they want to say in that post, but if they do it the other way around, posting just 8-8 at the end of a long drawn out post it stands a very good chance to be overlooked. Please keep that in mind, no one needs to work as hard as Royalty did last night.
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:-p
I hate to call certain players out but Mays and Goodman graded out in the 40′s last night. Mays took poor angles and terrible effort most of the time and acted like his arms were tied to his side while trying to make tackles, he seem to have big hit itis. Like he was trying to knock over a little child with a big shoulder bump, like he didn’t want to tackle McFadden or anyone. Goodman was playing on rollerblades and still one of the worst tacklers in the NFL, since becoming a Bronco, instead of spraying his hands with stick’um his uses cooking spray. If Haggan or Irving can’t do better than Mays did the Broncos are in for a long, long, long, long season, and everyone will run over them.
Well here we go again. I don’t care how much the head office is paying for Orton they are really turning off a lot of vans by keeping Orton in there. He is doing the same thing he did last year and this year I can’t take it. I use to record all the Denver Bronco football games and rewatch them but this year the only films I have been keeping is the presedason with Tim Tebow on them. He is exciting and you never know what is going to happen next, he may run, pass or just throw the ball away but he does something interesting. Orton is a nice football player but he doesn”t motiavate the team like Tebow does so they don’t play up to there potential. I have eraced the game yesterday and saw nothing exciting about football in Denver. I am a Bronco van since 1973. When John Elway played he was exciting and made the team get motivated and they play their best. Orton just doesn’t have it. If your not going to use Tebow send him to a team that will use his tallents and win ballgames. Orton had all last year to turn it around and now we are going to give him another year. I am only happy that I am not a season ticket holder having to return each week and see the same thing happen, week after week and spend the extra money to support Orton. I pay Directv but I can turn them off. Defense has improved some but with no offence they can’t play the whole game without getting hurt. We have some great players on the Broncos team but sorry to say no player leadership on the Offence. Let’s hope for change before we lose a lot of great vans.