On Deck: Broncos on Offense
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 9, 2008 10:00 AM PDT
26 comments
Last year Denver could only produce six points against the Chargers defense, this year could be very different. The Denver Broncos look to have a first class offense this season. With Jay Cutler's diagnosis of and treatment for diabetes, he appears to have regained his lost weight, and his zip. Coupled with Brandon Marshall at wide receiver and rookie standout Eddie Royal, he looks poised to have a breakout year. The Denver offensive line has been bolstered with first round draft pick Ryan Clady, but will be without Pro Bowl center Tom Nalen who is out with an injury. Clady has performed well in preseason, but with just a few rough spots. Denver's offense dominated Dallas' defense in the preseason, and just last night completely dismantled the Oakland Raiders; that without star Brandon Marshall who was suspended. Marshall will be back for the game against the Chargers next weekend.
Bronco tight end, Tony Scheffler performed admirably last year, in this offense he could also be a breakthrough candidate. In the preseason, Denver improved their pass protection with their retooled offensive line. The Broncos' zone run blocking is usually terrific. The one question mark is the quality of their running backs, Selvin Young did well last year, but it's a big question if he can hold up as the primary back. Andre Hall and Michael Pittman are their other tailbacks, neither have been dominant in preseason and they are very thin here after Torraine went down in camp. The old saw is that the Broncos can plug anyone in at RB and have them gain 1,000 yards, that just may be tested this season. Peyton Hillis has taken over as their starting fullback, and has paved the way for college stars McFadden and Felix Jones. How he fell to the seventh round of the draft is a mystery to me.
In 2007 the Denver offense ranked about tenth in most categories, except for points scored where they fell to twenty first. This was the result of too many turnovers as well as not converting in the red zone. To excel this year Denver need only maintain their performance from last year, but punch the ball into the endzone and, obviously, hang on to the darn thing.
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It's weird
Watching how awesome Denver played last night, you have got to be a little worried. Then I realize they were playing the Raiders and I stop worrying.
by matto619 on Sep 9, 2008 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One thing is
the Raiders defense is abysmal so it’s hard to make a judgement this early. Of course, Ted Cotrell’s defensive coordinator skills are also abysmal, so I’m not sure which direction to go here.
People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 9, 2008 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ted Cotrell ain't so bad
But he really shouldn’t encourage his players to cover themselves in Crisco before game time. That’s a big time mistake.
With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.
by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thoughts
So is the going theory that the Raiders were terrible or that the Donkos might actually be a decent football team? Somehow Cutler didn’t throw any picks (even with Saint Asomugha out there) and Eddie Royal looked like the next Steve Smith (although he was taking advantage of the overrated DeAngelo Hall a lot). I’m a little worried since next week is on the road, the Chargers have to get a lot together and Brandon "Safety Blanket" Marshall returns. It could be close. Better not choke again, Chargers.
With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.
by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Broncos have a good team this year. Thinking they don't is a mistake.
I also think that Raiders D, while not good last night, will eventually turn into… well something that’s not terrible, anyway. If Al Davis weren’t so busy trying to create Frankenstein’s Monster over there, they’d have the makings of a legitimate football team IMHO.
Fortunately for everyone, Davis is insane.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!
by DannoE on Sep 9, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to SBNation Bolts from the Blue
We may have few things in common besides the AFC West, but we do know one thing is for sure, we both hate the Raiders.
by Future Bronco DC on Sep 9, 2008 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
I look forward to a great game
I have never seen the Chargers so happy as when they are beating up on the Broncos, and Denver is tired of being dominated.
I think it will take at least 30 points to win this game. If they both score over 30, the game will be decided by turnovers or whoever has the ball last. The Broncos have a chance against a beat-up Chargers O-line (is Hardwick expected to play?), a wounded Gates, and a Merrimanless defense, but they’ll need to hold LT to less than two touchdowns. Either way I expect a fun game between two competitive teams with a growing QB rivalry .
by CoastalBronco on Sep 9, 2008 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Jay Cutler's getting taller?
He better not get fatter. He has diabetes.
With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.
by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing standing in the way of the Broncos and a W this weekend is
the mental edge the Chargers have over this team. The past four games were an embarassment and if the Broncos can overcome that then they can win this football game and take control of this division Week 2 into this season.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Tim Lynch on Sep 10, 2008 6:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Raiders ran
for a lot of yards. I’m real interested to see how your run defense does against LT & the running game.
"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 10, 2008 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You nailed it
The Broncos, like any SD opponent, have a chance if they can hold LT to less than superhuman numbers. If the Chargers’ run blocking manhandles the Broncos DL like the Raiders did some of the time, then LT is going to have a field day. Hardwick and McNeil injuries may be huge in this respect. The Charges OL didn’t dominate the Panthers like I expected them to.
Also, if the Broncos jump to an early, and big, lead, they could take the Chargers out of their gameplan and force Rivers to beat them. I think that’s a big reason why the Broncos blew up the Raiders on Monday night — the silver and black is a shambles without its run game. This is not true of the Chargers, who often play better when they’re behind.
by CoastalBronco on Sep 10, 2008 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is what scares me as a Bronco fan
Obviously LT has had some monster games against Denver recently and if the run defense can’t stiffen up then I think this becomes a shoot-out (35-34 or something like that), but getting back to Zappa point, I think it is key for the Broncos to look at last year’s game in SD and watch how Rivers acted like a clown and I am sure there will be no mental issues with us getting up for SD and getting ready to come to play. If I was Shannan, I would have had that video of last year’s game keyed up in the VCR for Dnevr to watch and not even looked at the Raider game.
"How do the berries taste Ralph?" Bart Simpson
"They taste like burning." Ralph Wigam
Broncoman
by Broncoman on Sep 10, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The run defense will need to step up
and I hope Shanny does show that video along with what happened in both games last year. This is a big game (divisional home game) and the Broncos need to start quickly and score TDs early. The one main thing we need to avoid is the freaking turnovers which I think SD turned into like 17 points in the game at Denver.
by weazel on Sep 10, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoa, I thought that this was a Charger's Blog
yet people come in and call our QB a clown. I’m new to the football blogs, but are there Charger’s fans over at MHR calling Culter a clown???
"...do hereby declare that I am not a member of the Human race (not an earthling) and in fact am an alien from another planet other than earth. I hope that this will prove to the person that is putting electric shocks to my head that I am an alien. I am declaring this so that I am not in any violation of any world or international laws of the earth as I am showing by this admission that I am in fact an alien."
by The Kipper on Sep 10, 2008 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess Broncoman got his feelings hurt
by the big bad meanie Phil.
People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 10, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also beating them 4 straight games kinds hurts too.
People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 10, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't you loose to an Panthers team that was 7-9 last season.
Also weren’t the panthers without their best player in steve smith. If they would have had smith they would have won by at least a touchdown
by gnarlybroncodude on Sep 10, 2008 6:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know who else was 7-9 last season?
and had their starting QB?
People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 10, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm, well
Actually I may have made some pointed posts there.
I like to think I was provoked though.
:-)
"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 10, 2008 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All we have to do is limit LT's yards. Which we will do.
our WR’s are weak against our DB. Marshall, Royal & Cutler are going to tear up your secondary up. You guys are going to miss Merriman more then you think. J Tucker is no where close to S Merriman. He is the heart and soul of your D and he will be missed and we are going to expose that on sunday.
by gnarlybroncodude on Sep 10, 2008 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You and all your pony fans needs to get over your boners for Marshall and Royal
Marshall has had ONE GOOD SEASON and Royal has had ONE GOOD GAME AGAISNT ONE OF THE WORST TEAMS IN FOOTBALL. Holy hell have any of you ever heard of sample size??? By the way, I know all of you have forgotten, but you were SEVEN AND NINE last season and have lost 4 straight in blowout fashion. Cut down all of the shit talking until you can back it up with something other than crying about how we kicking your asses and rubbed it in.
People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 10, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DaBolts DID make some “pointed” remarks… maybe you should search and see what the reaction was…. Or, I could just tell you, as should be obvious by your welcome into the blogsphere, DaBolts is pretty well like and respected at MHR. While the flaming needs to be toned down, I think the “interaction” between our fan-bases is positive and something that adds to the long work week between games.
Tannji
I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok.
Shaquille O'Neal
by tannji on Sep 11, 2008 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pravda!
Totally agree.
"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 12, 2008 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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