Jay Cutler was back in Denver but the return hardly mattered as it was but a preseason game. The former Broncos' quarterback started slow but had a solid evening (15-21, 144 yards, 1 TD) in a 27-17 Bears' win but the reason for the evening was to see how and if the Broncos would progress.
Kyle Orton was accurate (12-16) but hardly special. Rookie Tom Brandstater showed glimpses of potential (8-12, 110 yards) even though he threw an interception. Fellow rookie Kenny McKinley, a wideout from South Carolina and a Steve Spurrier favorite, grabbed four balls for 75 yards. That's the good news. The bad news is the Broncos struggled to run the ball and were penalty plagued.
And a not-so-irrelevant fact is that Denver is now 0-3.
This is not a situation of the team looking at a lot of players and getting ready for the season. This is a team lacking in explosive talent with running back Knowshon Moreno out with an injury and receiver Brandon Marshall struggling with maturity.
Marshall is going to be a cancer if not traded yet his value is at an all-time low.
Moreno needs to get and stay healthy.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
UPDATE: Breaking opinion on Marshall
Don Banks is a smart football voice. He isn't the go-to guy for everything but he hits the nail on the head, hard, here.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/08/28/brandon.marshall/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/08/28/brandon.marshall/index.html
McDaniels tiring of Marshall Plan
Brandon Marshall, what did we tell you, will not play this season in Denver. The man is doing everything he can to get traded, using both his mouth and behavior with adept aplomb.
He's history.
Coach Josh McDaniels can't stand Marshall's attitude and the players themselves are likely tired of it too. There just isn't going to be any reconciliation when one of the parties doesn't want peace.
Marshall is an ex-Denver Bronco on the field and in his head.
The problem is his trade value is diminishing by the second, with his injury and his attitude. He's worth a second-round pick at worst or mid-to-late first rounder but the Broncos will be lucky to get a conditional high pick.
The Jay Cutler trade was as much on McDaniels as Cutler but this deal is all on Marshall.
We still say don't trade a player when his value is low. The preference would be, if possible, to suspend him for half a season or the entire year but a trade might be forced by the NFLPA.
He's history.
Coach Josh McDaniels can't stand Marshall's attitude and the players themselves are likely tired of it too. There just isn't going to be any reconciliation when one of the parties doesn't want peace.
Marshall is an ex-Denver Bronco on the field and in his head.
The problem is his trade value is diminishing by the second, with his injury and his attitude. He's worth a second-round pick at worst or mid-to-late first rounder but the Broncos will be lucky to get a conditional high pick.
The Jay Cutler trade was as much on McDaniels as Cutler but this deal is all on Marshall.
We still say don't trade a player when his value is low. The preference would be, if possible, to suspend him for half a season or the entire year but a trade might be forced by the NFLPA.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Martin signed and Cutler talking drivel
Ingle Martin has been signed by the Broncos to play some quarterback, maybe, in the preseason. Forget spending the time researching Martin because the odds are astronomical he sticks with the team. Anyone signed in late August isn't too desirable. Martin, to be fair, and we do want to be fair, could see a lot of pieces come into play (injuries) to get a longer stay in Denver but right now, his appearance will be a lot more about getting some snaps in practice and a game to show the Broncos and other teams he has the goods to get a call later on this season if the need (again, injuries) arise.
Jay Cutler is downplaying his nasty feelings toward coach Josh McDaniels and the Broncos but don't believe a word he's saying -- he's so happy to be out of Denver and away from McDaniels. While Cutler has the talent to be a star for many years his attitude will likely doom him from achieving superstardom. His arrogance will need a come-uppance, which will come with time and experience, before Cutler thrives as a teammate and winner.
Honestly, the Broncos got a solid return in trading Cutler to the Bears but it's still highly questionable what they've done so far with the draft picks.
Jay Cutler is downplaying his nasty feelings toward coach Josh McDaniels and the Broncos but don't believe a word he's saying -- he's so happy to be out of Denver and away from McDaniels. While Cutler has the talent to be a star for many years his attitude will likely doom him from achieving superstardom. His arrogance will need a come-uppance, which will come with time and experience, before Cutler thrives as a teammate and winner.
Honestly, the Broncos got a solid return in trading Cutler to the Bears but it's still highly questionable what they've done so far with the draft picks.
Broncos trade for handyman
Versatile blocker Russ Hochstein is the latest New England-to-Denver import after the Patriots and Broncos, who continue to get better acquainted, agreed to a trade for an undisclosed draft choice as compensation.
This trade, on the surface, only elicits a yawn but if Hochstein is right, as in healthy then obviously Josh McDaniels sees an important role for the man.
Versatility is a Patriots mandate so Hochstein must have it to be desired.
This trade, on the surface, only elicits a yawn but if Hochstein is right, as in healthy then obviously Josh McDaniels sees an important role for the man.
Versatility is a Patriots mandate so Hochstein must have it to be desired.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Orton gets passing grade
Kyle Orton showed up looking like an NFL quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks, if only a preseason game, dimming his poor performance against San Francisco a week earlier. Orton was on target most of the night.
One thing to remember is, while explosive and productive Eddie Royal, talented-and-capable of more Steve Scheffler and dependable Brandon Stokely are established receivers, this offense lacks sufficient explosive talent and currently has a lot of question marks, such as: who will be the bell cow back behind Orton, who will be the no-doubt no. 1 (not Brandon Marshall, as the forecast for him this season, with attitude and injury is gloomy; see Chad Johnson, version 2008) and 3 receivers and who will take the heat off of Royal, who will look less attractive this season if forced to be the top dog.
Darius Walker, a solid back at Notre Dame, showed he has the capability to stick on this roster with his Saturday numbers. Another name to remember, as a contributor in 2009 and not a starter is receiver Kenny McKinley.
Defensively, the Broncos played the run well and rushed Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, getting to him occasionally. What they didn't do was disrupt his timing or make effective plays on the ball.
Preseason, especially this one, is about developing players, finding chemistry, getting into a rhythm and learning who can and will play. Winning, while important, is secondary.
Marshall trade idea a poor choice
Anyone desiring dumping Marshall merely to rid the Broncos of his selfish, delusional mindset is open to a self-inflicted wound on the team. Marshall's value is at an all-time low. For all his off-field baggage and on-field negative (low yards per catch average) the man is a big, dependable, productive target who, if not an elite receiver, is the next rung on the ladder.
Being hurt and a police report regular has likely made him as attractive as nuclear waste to other teams yet if healthy, if mentally adjusted, Marshall is an undeniable no. 1 receiver and that is worth a no. 1 draft choice plus other goodies. Right now, the Broncos could not get, would not get a no. 1 for Marshall nor even a no. 2. Getting rid of him for less than his true value would be foolish and would result in negative on-field and public relations consequences.
One thing to remember is, while explosive and productive Eddie Royal, talented-and-capable of more Steve Scheffler and dependable Brandon Stokely are established receivers, this offense lacks sufficient explosive talent and currently has a lot of question marks, such as: who will be the bell cow back behind Orton, who will be the no-doubt no. 1 (not Brandon Marshall, as the forecast for him this season, with attitude and injury is gloomy; see Chad Johnson, version 2008) and 3 receivers and who will take the heat off of Royal, who will look less attractive this season if forced to be the top dog.
Darius Walker, a solid back at Notre Dame, showed he has the capability to stick on this roster with his Saturday numbers. Another name to remember, as a contributor in 2009 and not a starter is receiver Kenny McKinley.
Defensively, the Broncos played the run well and rushed Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, getting to him occasionally. What they didn't do was disrupt his timing or make effective plays on the ball.
Preseason, especially this one, is about developing players, finding chemistry, getting into a rhythm and learning who can and will play. Winning, while important, is secondary.
Marshall trade idea a poor choice
Anyone desiring dumping Marshall merely to rid the Broncos of his selfish, delusional mindset is open to a self-inflicted wound on the team. Marshall's value is at an all-time low. For all his off-field baggage and on-field negative (low yards per catch average) the man is a big, dependable, productive target who, if not an elite receiver, is the next rung on the ladder.
Being hurt and a police report regular has likely made him as attractive as nuclear waste to other teams yet if healthy, if mentally adjusted, Marshall is an undeniable no. 1 receiver and that is worth a no. 1 draft choice plus other goodies. Right now, the Broncos could not get, would not get a no. 1 for Marshall nor even a no. 2. Getting rid of him for less than his true value would be foolish and would result in negative on-field and public relations consequences.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Orton improvement must show quickly
Kyle Orton must accept the responsibility of being a starting quarterback in Denver. His performance against San Francisco in the Broncos' first exhibition game was rated R. He must get a passing grade the second time around.
As strong as Chris Simms looked in relief he's not a starting quarterback in the National Football League. Orton has to be the guy or the Broncos could struggle to win 4 games. It's Orton and a prayer. The former Purdue slinger can play but only if he's a part of the machine, not the engine.
Orton knows what's expected of him, especially in Denver.
Coach Josh McDaniels knows he must win with Orton or look the part of the fool after the mutually embarrassing and costly Jay Cutler business blowup. This promises to be a rocky ride but the Broncos' quarterback and his head coach will be committed to proving doubters wrong.
As strong as Chris Simms looked in relief he's not a starting quarterback in the National Football League. Orton has to be the guy or the Broncos could struggle to win 4 games. It's Orton and a prayer. The former Purdue slinger can play but only if he's a part of the machine, not the engine.
Orton knows what's expected of him, especially in Denver.
Coach Josh McDaniels knows he must win with Orton or look the part of the fool after the mutually embarrassing and costly Jay Cutler business blowup. This promises to be a rocky ride but the Broncos' quarterback and his head coach will be committed to proving doubters wrong.
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