“Play Tebow” coming to Denver billboards? - BroncoTalk:
'via Blog this'
"Bench Orton, Play Tebow" coming to billboards near you?!
A group of die hard Broncos fans are preparing to put up the cash to purchase two billboard signs near downtown Denver if Orton has another cruddy game this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The fans say that they aren't Tebowmaniacs who have just started following the Broncos after Tebow signed in 2010, but they are fans who have enjoyed the Broncos for years.
After only a week of poor play by Orton fans are already ready to sacrifice Orton in a game where he passed for over 300 yards, but also turned the ball over three times.
If Orton doesn't play better next week, his drive to Mile High might be haunted by these signs calling for Tebow to take the helm for the Broncos.
Showing posts with label Kyle Orton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyle Orton. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Denver Broncos: Front Office and Fans Moving Farther Apart on Tim Tebow
The Denver Broncos front office has been paying the Broncos fans lip-service since they started the highly-paid, highly-drafted prospect Tim Tebow in Week 15 of 2010 against the Oakland Raiders.
The team at that point was hopelessly 3-10, had finally fired their coaching disaster, Josh McDaniels, and the cries for somebody else, anybody else at the quarterback position had become too loud to contain.
Fans chanting for Tim Tebow, the franchise quarterback of the future, resounded and finally won out when interim head coach Eric Studesville, coming off a shellacking by a lackluster Arizona Cardinals team, couldn't resist and inserted Tebow into the lineup as the starting quarterback.
The reason for the dismal 10 losses with Kyle Orton under center wasn't his lack of production. He threw for 3653 yards, 20 touchdowns and just nine interceptions with a 58.8 completion percentage in the first 13 games of 2010.
When it comes to scoring, moving the chains on third down, and making it happen when it really counts, the comparison between Orton and Tebow is surprisingly very similar. AFC West blogger from ESPN.com, Bill Williamson presented some ESPN Stats & Information details in early August, comparing the two in their stats last season.
Some key stats to consider:
Scoring:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Points/10 Drives..... 17.4........ 16.8
Percent of TD Drives. 20.5........ 19.1
Percent of FG Drives. 10.3........ 11.5
Scoring Percentage... 30.8........ 30.6
On Third Down:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Pass Attempts........ 37.......... 170
Pass First Downs..... 12.......... 55
Rush Attempts........ 10.......... 10
Rush First Downs..... 4........... 7
Conversion Percentage 34.......... 34.4
Yards Per Rush....... 10.2........ 5.3
Red Zone:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Completion Percentage 30.0........ 43.5
TD-INT Ratio......... 3-1......... 13-0
Sacks................ 1........... 2
Rush................. 8........... 1
Rushing Touchdowns... 5........... 0
On third down, their conversion percentages were nearly identical. In the red zone, each averaged a passing touchdown per game. Tebow has the advantage of rushing touchdowns in the red zone, as the Broncos used him in various situations out of the Wild Horses formation to score on stretch plays, beating defenders to the spot on outside rushes. In scoring, Tebow had a slight edge over Orton as more of his drives ended in touchdowns compared to field goals.
When you look at these stats, it is hard to see why the Broncos front office and coaching staff have resisted deferring to Tebow as their starting quarterback.
The greatest difference between Tebow and Orton is not statistics.
It is the part of the game, which one cannot define with metrics or measures.
It is the attitude, the leadership qualities, the intangibles that won Tebow two national championships in college at the University of Florida and the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore—the only sophomore to ever earn that honor. Some called Tebow the greatest college football player ever. He is also regarded as one of the greatest leaders in all of college football history.
The Broncos front office won't have any of it.
Former Broncos great John Elway, now the chief of football operations at Dove Valley, believes that a franchise quarterback for the Broncos is one of the team's greatest needs. In a season preview put together by the Denver Post, he made remarks about what he is looking for in a quarterback:
Far and away the most important position. You need the guy to win you a championship from the pocket, to be a leader, to make it go. And you're looking for the athlete at the position who can operate from the pocket and get out when he needs to.
Tebow isn't a pocket passer. He doesn't have the immense arm strength Elway possessed as a Bronco. He improvises and finds ways to get it done.
He doesn't fit the mold Elway forged in his illustrious career.
On a season-opening Monday night, Orton took a long time to get the offense going. He looked shaky and uncertain. The pressure of the Raiders defensive front harassed him constantly and by the third quarter, it looked like they had gotten to him. He lost the grip of the football in the soggy conditions and the Raiders scooped it up.
The Raiders capitalized on the miscue by scoring moments later on two huge plays.
It was demoralizing.
Orton showed some determination and grit when he finally propelled the Broncos offense into the end zone late in the fourth quarter. But it proved to be too little, too late.
Too little, too late appears to be the book on Orton during his time in Denver. As Orton starts his third season as quarterback for the Broncos, his lack of production in the win column is wearing on fans.
The Broncos' new head coach has dodged the questions about why Tebow didn't see the field against the Raiders and why Tebow can't get a shot at quarterback.
Orton remains the starter next week against a run-heavy Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. If Orton cannot guide the Broncos to victory against a fellow bottom-feeder like the Bengals, the pressure to make a change will soar through the roof.
If the losses pile up and no changes are made, EFX (John Elway-John Fox-Brian Xanders) will face some serious repercussions from angry season ticket holders, boycotting games, reversing a home-field advantage against the Broncos team.
Even fellow Broncos players like pro-bowl wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who has been an outspoken supporter of Orton, attacked Tebow fans in the media for booing Orton and chanting for Tebow, will likely face some backlash by paying customers.
Everything is coming to a head as the pressure mounts to make a decision about Tebow.
Fox needs to either start Tebow over Orton and see what happens, or the front office needs to trade him away and promise fans that they can make something happen next season at quarterback to make them forget about Tebow's stay in Denver.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is well aware of the situation he is in right now, and enraging the people who pay the bills is the last thing he wants to do.
The team at that point was hopelessly 3-10, had finally fired their coaching disaster, Josh McDaniels, and the cries for somebody else, anybody else at the quarterback position had become too loud to contain.
Fans chanting for Tim Tebow, the franchise quarterback of the future, resounded and finally won out when interim head coach Eric Studesville, coming off a shellacking by a lackluster Arizona Cardinals team, couldn't resist and inserted Tebow into the lineup as the starting quarterback.
The reason for the dismal 10 losses with Kyle Orton under center wasn't his lack of production. He threw for 3653 yards, 20 touchdowns and just nine interceptions with a 58.8 completion percentage in the first 13 games of 2010.
When it comes to scoring, moving the chains on third down, and making it happen when it really counts, the comparison between Orton and Tebow is surprisingly very similar. AFC West blogger from ESPN.com, Bill Williamson presented some ESPN Stats & Information details in early August, comparing the two in their stats last season.
Some key stats to consider:
Scoring:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Points/10 Drives..... 17.4........ 16.8
Percent of TD Drives. 20.5........ 19.1
Percent of FG Drives. 10.3........ 11.5
Scoring Percentage... 30.8........ 30.6
On Third Down:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Pass Attempts........ 37.......... 170
Pass First Downs..... 12.......... 55
Rush Attempts........ 10.......... 10
Rush First Downs..... 4........... 7
Conversion Percentage 34.......... 34.4
Yards Per Rush....... 10.2........ 5.3
Red Zone:
Category............. Tim Tebow .. Kyle Orton
Completion Percentage 30.0........ 43.5
TD-INT Ratio......... 3-1......... 13-0
Sacks................ 1........... 2
Rush................. 8........... 1
Rushing Touchdowns... 5........... 0
On third down, their conversion percentages were nearly identical. In the red zone, each averaged a passing touchdown per game. Tebow has the advantage of rushing touchdowns in the red zone, as the Broncos used him in various situations out of the Wild Horses formation to score on stretch plays, beating defenders to the spot on outside rushes. In scoring, Tebow had a slight edge over Orton as more of his drives ended in touchdowns compared to field goals.
When you look at these stats, it is hard to see why the Broncos front office and coaching staff have resisted deferring to Tebow as their starting quarterback.
The greatest difference between Tebow and Orton is not statistics.
It is the part of the game, which one cannot define with metrics or measures.
It is the attitude, the leadership qualities, the intangibles that won Tebow two national championships in college at the University of Florida and the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore—the only sophomore to ever earn that honor. Some called Tebow the greatest college football player ever. He is also regarded as one of the greatest leaders in all of college football history.
The Broncos front office won't have any of it.
Former Broncos great John Elway, now the chief of football operations at Dove Valley, believes that a franchise quarterback for the Broncos is one of the team's greatest needs. In a season preview put together by the Denver Post, he made remarks about what he is looking for in a quarterback:
Far and away the most important position. You need the guy to win you a championship from the pocket, to be a leader, to make it go. And you're looking for the athlete at the position who can operate from the pocket and get out when he needs to.
Tebow isn't a pocket passer. He doesn't have the immense arm strength Elway possessed as a Bronco. He improvises and finds ways to get it done.
He doesn't fit the mold Elway forged in his illustrious career.
On a season-opening Monday night, Orton took a long time to get the offense going. He looked shaky and uncertain. The pressure of the Raiders defensive front harassed him constantly and by the third quarter, it looked like they had gotten to him. He lost the grip of the football in the soggy conditions and the Raiders scooped it up.
The Raiders capitalized on the miscue by scoring moments later on two huge plays.
It was demoralizing.
Orton showed some determination and grit when he finally propelled the Broncos offense into the end zone late in the fourth quarter. But it proved to be too little, too late.
Too little, too late appears to be the book on Orton during his time in Denver. As Orton starts his third season as quarterback for the Broncos, his lack of production in the win column is wearing on fans.
The Broncos' new head coach has dodged the questions about why Tebow didn't see the field against the Raiders and why Tebow can't get a shot at quarterback.
Orton remains the starter next week against a run-heavy Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. If Orton cannot guide the Broncos to victory against a fellow bottom-feeder like the Bengals, the pressure to make a change will soar through the roof.
If the losses pile up and no changes are made, EFX (John Elway-John Fox-Brian Xanders) will face some serious repercussions from angry season ticket holders, boycotting games, reversing a home-field advantage against the Broncos team.
Even fellow Broncos players like pro-bowl wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who has been an outspoken supporter of Orton, attacked Tebow fans in the media for booing Orton and chanting for Tebow, will likely face some backlash by paying customers.
Everything is coming to a head as the pressure mounts to make a decision about Tebow.
Fox needs to either start Tebow over Orton and see what happens, or the front office needs to trade him away and promise fans that they can make something happen next season at quarterback to make them forget about Tebow's stay in Denver.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is well aware of the situation he is in right now, and enraging the people who pay the bills is the last thing he wants to do.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Denver Broncos Need a Lot More Than Tim Tebow to Win Big Games in the NFL
Denver Broncos fans, the chants for Tim Tebow to play need to stop! The Broncos need a whole lot more than Tim Tebow, a learning, growing young quarterback who has struggled with his mechanics to win football games.
The Monday Night Football opener was a glaring display of the gaping holes all over the field that the Broncos need to patch up in order to compete this season.
The first four preseason games for the Broncos were essentially meaningless. Coaches do very little game planning and really only want to see which players can really play and which players aren't good enough to cut it.
Some fans who were excited by the strides made in the preseason and ignored the deficiencies across the board for the Broncos must feel horribly mislead that the Denver Broncos had a real shot of contending this season.
The Broncos have lots of problems all over the field and if fans believe that just substituting in a new quarterback will fix those numerous issues, they are completely ignorant and delusional.
The brunt of the blame from fans will fall square on the shoulders on Kyle Orton.
Orton's performance Monday Night, in rain-soaked conditions, with "fans" shouting for Tim Tebow to replace him, against a top-tier defense, was pedestrian.
Orton was under immense pressure all game long. Defenders were constantly breathing down his neck as the offensive line struggled to create any kind of a pocket for him the entire game. Orton was sacked five times in the game. A few of those sacks Orton may be blamed for holding onto the ball too long.
Orton didn't handle the pressure very well. He appeared erratic and unsure of himself. The offense seemed to be stopping and starting constantly, and all around it wasn't a great performance.
Orton was asked to pass the ball 46 times. He passed for 304 yards scored a touchdown and tossed an interception on a mix up with Brandon Lloyd.
He can also be faulted for giving the Raiders the momentum to go 65 yards in 1:38 and score the winning touchdown. Orton gave up a costly fumble which appears to slip right out of his hands.
The blunder was followed up with big plays by Darrius Heyward-Bey (17-yard reception) and Darren McFadden (47-yard rush) to set up Jason Campbell for an easy one-yard QB sneak for a touchdown.
Orton didn't have his best game tonight.
But he did keep the Broncos in this game.
His impressive (and lucky) 12-play, 80-yard drive gave the Broncos defense the opportunity to make a stop and give the Broncos one last shot to win the game.
After connecting with Lance Ball on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left in the game, Orton never saw the field again.
It remains to be seen whether or not the game would have gone differently if Tebow was in there at quarterback or even Brady Quinn.
The truth is that the porous middle of the Broncos defense was the biggest reason the Broncos lost. Brodrick Bunkley and Kevin Vickerson couldn't get it done. Joe Mays at middle linebacker wasn't making the plays to drop Darren McFadden for a loss. McFadden is one of the best running backs in the league and the Broncos couldn't stop him.
What will happen when the Broncos face Chris Johnson in Week 3? Or Cedric Benson in Week 2?
The Raiders didn't beat the Broncos with the pass. Campbell passed for just 105 yards.
Without a run defense it isn't going to matter who is in at quarterback for the Broncos. At least not on this roster. Would Tebow have gotten out there and passed for 400+ yards like Cam Newton did in Week 1.
It is very unlikely. Even if Tebow matched Orton's 304 yards, I doubt that it would have been enough to overcome the Broncos lack of a run defense.
The offensive line for the Broncos is another story entirely.
They looked overmatched and inexperienced. Their youth across the entire line showed.
Orton did his best to stand in there and complete passes with defenders hurrying him every snap. How would Tebow have handled that kind of pressure. He probably would have tucked it and ran the ball on a lot of downs.
While Tebow brings another set of intangibles to the game when he is in, he isn't going to out run defenders in the NFL. He isn't going to take on Richard Seymour and win that battle. He won't bulldoze Rolando McClain. Tebow's fate after taking on some of the Raiders huge defensive players would probably be similar to many of the Broncos top stars in the game—out with injury.
It is very evident that the Broncos' offensive line needs to come together and grow up as a group very quickly or else Quinn or Tebow might have to come in out of necessity if Orton goes down with an injury after one too many sacks.
The Broncos problems right now don't revolve around the quarterback position.
Let's face it the Broncos were 4-12 last season. After a dismal season like that, that would signal that a serious overhaul at positions all over the team must be addressed.
Without making those changes, trades, selecting draft picks, to improve the team at its core on both sides of the ball, the Broncos will be headed back to the bottom of the NFL no matter who plays quarterback.
The Monday Night Football opener was a glaring display of the gaping holes all over the field that the Broncos need to patch up in order to compete this season.
The first four preseason games for the Broncos were essentially meaningless. Coaches do very little game planning and really only want to see which players can really play and which players aren't good enough to cut it.
Some fans who were excited by the strides made in the preseason and ignored the deficiencies across the board for the Broncos must feel horribly mislead that the Denver Broncos had a real shot of contending this season.
The Broncos have lots of problems all over the field and if fans believe that just substituting in a new quarterback will fix those numerous issues, they are completely ignorant and delusional.
The brunt of the blame from fans will fall square on the shoulders on Kyle Orton.
Orton's performance Monday Night, in rain-soaked conditions, with "fans" shouting for Tim Tebow to replace him, against a top-tier defense, was pedestrian.
Orton was under immense pressure all game long. Defenders were constantly breathing down his neck as the offensive line struggled to create any kind of a pocket for him the entire game. Orton was sacked five times in the game. A few of those sacks Orton may be blamed for holding onto the ball too long.
Orton didn't handle the pressure very well. He appeared erratic and unsure of himself. The offense seemed to be stopping and starting constantly, and all around it wasn't a great performance.
Orton was asked to pass the ball 46 times. He passed for 304 yards scored a touchdown and tossed an interception on a mix up with Brandon Lloyd.
He can also be faulted for giving the Raiders the momentum to go 65 yards in 1:38 and score the winning touchdown. Orton gave up a costly fumble which appears to slip right out of his hands.
The blunder was followed up with big plays by Darrius Heyward-Bey (17-yard reception) and Darren McFadden (47-yard rush) to set up Jason Campbell for an easy one-yard QB sneak for a touchdown.
Orton didn't have his best game tonight.
But he did keep the Broncos in this game.
His impressive (and lucky) 12-play, 80-yard drive gave the Broncos defense the opportunity to make a stop and give the Broncos one last shot to win the game.
After connecting with Lance Ball on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left in the game, Orton never saw the field again.
It remains to be seen whether or not the game would have gone differently if Tebow was in there at quarterback or even Brady Quinn.
The truth is that the porous middle of the Broncos defense was the biggest reason the Broncos lost. Brodrick Bunkley and Kevin Vickerson couldn't get it done. Joe Mays at middle linebacker wasn't making the plays to drop Darren McFadden for a loss. McFadden is one of the best running backs in the league and the Broncos couldn't stop him.
What will happen when the Broncos face Chris Johnson in Week 3? Or Cedric Benson in Week 2?
The Raiders didn't beat the Broncos with the pass. Campbell passed for just 105 yards.
Without a run defense it isn't going to matter who is in at quarterback for the Broncos. At least not on this roster. Would Tebow have gotten out there and passed for 400+ yards like Cam Newton did in Week 1.
It is very unlikely. Even if Tebow matched Orton's 304 yards, I doubt that it would have been enough to overcome the Broncos lack of a run defense.
The offensive line for the Broncos is another story entirely.
They looked overmatched and inexperienced. Their youth across the entire line showed.
Orton did his best to stand in there and complete passes with defenders hurrying him every snap. How would Tebow have handled that kind of pressure. He probably would have tucked it and ran the ball on a lot of downs.
While Tebow brings another set of intangibles to the game when he is in, he isn't going to out run defenders in the NFL. He isn't going to take on Richard Seymour and win that battle. He won't bulldoze Rolando McClain. Tebow's fate after taking on some of the Raiders huge defensive players would probably be similar to many of the Broncos top stars in the game—out with injury.
It is very evident that the Broncos' offensive line needs to come together and grow up as a group very quickly or else Quinn or Tebow might have to come in out of necessity if Orton goes down with an injury after one too many sacks.
The Broncos problems right now don't revolve around the quarterback position.
Let's face it the Broncos were 4-12 last season. After a dismal season like that, that would signal that a serious overhaul at positions all over the team must be addressed.
Without making those changes, trades, selecting draft picks, to improve the team at its core on both sides of the ball, the Broncos will be headed back to the bottom of the NFL no matter who plays quarterback.
Monday, August 29, 2011
NFL Preseason Grades: Denver Broncos Defense Ferocious, Offense Unspectacular
The Denver Broncos had a lot of work to do with many questions about what the 2011 season would look like during offseason shortened by an ugly NFL lockout
New head coach John Fox offered some promise, but many questioned how long it would take to turn around a team who went 4-12 last season.
The Broncos benefited most immediately from the 2011 NFL draft, but how much the 2011 NFL free agents might add for the Broncos remains to be seen.
With only one game left in the preseason, the Broncos look forward to their season opener under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in exactly two weeks.
How did the Broncos do this preseason? I have preseason grades for the Broncos right here.
Passing Game:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: None.
Kyle Orton is the unquestioned starting quarterback in Denver this season.
Orton outplayed the three other quarterbacks on the Broncos roster this offseason and has shown poise and veteran leadership in handling himself amidst the media frenzy concerning Tim Tebow. He held off Brady Quinn as well who looked much improved compared to last year.
I give the Broncos passing grade however, a B- because of the passing game's performance during preseason games. In Orton's most recent performance against the Seattle Seahawks, he looked out-of-sync with his receivers and it seemed to take him a long time to get comfortable.
Orton does a good job in the short yardage passing game, but hasn't really emerged as a quarterback who looks down the field to make plays.
Running Game:
Grade B
Changes this offseason: Added Willis McGahee through Free Agency.
Knowshon Moreno is in his third season in the NFL. In his first two seasons under head coach Josh McDaniels, he has rushed for 1,729 yards, has 585 yards receiving, and scored 17 touchdowns.
Those numbers are good, but not great. For a first round draft pick (No. 12 overall) the Broncos have expected more from him than he has done to this point.
This season Moreno needs to show he can carry the running game and break through the 1,000-yard mark, or else his time in Denver might be running out.
Good news for Moreno, he has shown a new spark and speediness that we haven't seen in Denver before. This positive sight gives fans reason to hope for the Broncos run game in 2011.
The major acquisition that the Broncos made in free agency to pick up Willis McGahee for $7.5 million over three years. McGahee has been utilized mostly in short yardage pick ups and red zone situations. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and pound it to the end zone.
If Moreno rushes for over a 1,000 yards and is a contributor receiving the ball out of the backfield, this grade would improve.
Offensive Line:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: Added Orlando Franklin through the NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos offensive line is a young bunch. Between four of their five starting lineman, there are only five years experience. Last year was an up and down season on the offensive line with injuries and inconsistencies and a myriad of penalties.
The O-Line is getting better with every game, but there will be growing pains again this season.
The Broncos need to help rookie Orlando Franklin improve with every game and avoid letting defenders into the backfield, giving rushing ends free shots at the quarterback.
The Broncos will rely heavily on their offensive line this season as it is head coach John Fox's intentions to run the ball early and often to control games.
Pass Rush:
Grade A+
Changes this offseason: Added Von Miller through the NFL Draft.
Von Miller already appears to be the best NFL player from this season's NFL Draft. He is a ferocious player with a knack to get to the quarterback.
Couple his addition with Elvis Dumervil back on the field following last year's pectoral muscle injury and the tandem makes the Denver Broncos the most feared pass rush in the entire NFL.
Dumervil had 17 sacks in his 2009 campaign. He came into camp after his injury in the best shape of his career with a deep desire to get back to football. From the camp's opening he has been far and away the best Denver Bronco on the field.
Von Miller is getting better and better. He is electrifying as he pursues opposing team's quarterbacks. Some people are already chalking up Miller as this season's defensive rookie of the year, he is that good!
The Denver Broncos are going to be the best defensive pass rush team in the NFL this season.
Run Stopping:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: Added Brodrick Bunkley via trade with Philadelphia Eagles, added Derrick Harvey through Free Agency, added Jeremy Jarmon via trade with Washington Redskins.
Last season, the Broncos defense against the run was 31st. Head coach John Fox was brought in to address those issues in 2011.
After passing on top defensive tackle options in the NFL Draft, Fox looked to add talent to the DT position through trades and free agency.
The biggest defensive signing in free agency for the Broncos was the experienced Ty Warren from the New England Patriots. The Broncos suffered a huge blow when Warren went down during training camp a few weeks ago with a serious triceps injury. The Broncos are hopeful he will be back by the end of season after the news that the tear was only a partial tear.
With Fox's "next guy in" approach, the Broncos will rely on the reliable Brodrick Bunkley to fill the gap in the middle along with Kevin Vickerson who was brought in by the Broncos last season.
Bunkley and Vickerson have had mixed results stopping the run in the middle thus far during the preseason.
One bright note has been Elvis Dumervil's play at stopping on the edges. He has shown some ability to pull down running backs trying to get around the end.
Overall, there still remain several questions as to how improved the Broncos will be in 2011.
Pass Coverage:
Grade A
Changes this offseason: Added Rahim Moore through the NFL Draft.
One of John Elway's first personnel re-signing during the offseason was retaining Champ Bailey with a four-year $43 million contract.
This signing was one of the smartest moves by the organization in recent years. Bailey, a fan favorite, is still a dominating cornerback. He still shuts down half of the field every week.
Andre Goodman lines up opposite of Bailey for a third straight season. Goodman has been consistent and does a very good job breaking up passes. His biggest issue last season was injuries. If he can remain healthy the Broncos look good at corner.
He has been the most consistent, reliable player on the Broncos since he arrived in 2004.
Also, the front office re-worked Brian Dawkins contract to keep him at a significantly reduced rate in 2011. He will work with the rookie Rahim Moore who appears to be the starting free safety for the Broncos this season.
Moore has some adjusting to do: to the speed of the game, to opposing receivers who run much sharper routes in the NFL, and to more skilled quarterbacks who do not telegraph passes. He is the weakest link in defensive coverage unit right now. Overall, however, the Broncos have some of the best cover guys in the league.
Denver Broncos Overall
Grade: B+
Overall, the Denver Broncos have made several key personnel changes this offseason and I believe they are much better because of it.
Not only has the personnel changes made an impact, but the defensive mindset that John Fox has brought to the Broncos will give them a great edge this season.
The Broncos had a lot of great defensive talent the past few seasons, but the leadership that the Defense needed to thrive was remiss.
I believe that in 2011 the Denver Broncos will be one of the best defensive units in the league. If the offense can do what's necessary to get a lead against opponents, this season, the defense will have no problems holding a lead.
New head coach John Fox offered some promise, but many questioned how long it would take to turn around a team who went 4-12 last season.
The Broncos benefited most immediately from the 2011 NFL draft, but how much the 2011 NFL free agents might add for the Broncos remains to be seen.
With only one game left in the preseason, the Broncos look forward to their season opener under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in exactly two weeks.
How did the Broncos do this preseason? I have preseason grades for the Broncos right here.
Passing Game:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: None.
Kyle Orton is the unquestioned starting quarterback in Denver this season.
Orton outplayed the three other quarterbacks on the Broncos roster this offseason and has shown poise and veteran leadership in handling himself amidst the media frenzy concerning Tim Tebow. He held off Brady Quinn as well who looked much improved compared to last year.
I give the Broncos passing grade however, a B- because of the passing game's performance during preseason games. In Orton's most recent performance against the Seattle Seahawks, he looked out-of-sync with his receivers and it seemed to take him a long time to get comfortable.
Orton does a good job in the short yardage passing game, but hasn't really emerged as a quarterback who looks down the field to make plays.
Running Game:
Grade B
Changes this offseason: Added Willis McGahee through Free Agency.
Knowshon Moreno is in his third season in the NFL. In his first two seasons under head coach Josh McDaniels, he has rushed for 1,729 yards, has 585 yards receiving, and scored 17 touchdowns.
Those numbers are good, but not great. For a first round draft pick (No. 12 overall) the Broncos have expected more from him than he has done to this point.
This season Moreno needs to show he can carry the running game and break through the 1,000-yard mark, or else his time in Denver might be running out.
Good news for Moreno, he has shown a new spark and speediness that we haven't seen in Denver before. This positive sight gives fans reason to hope for the Broncos run game in 2011.
The major acquisition that the Broncos made in free agency to pick up Willis McGahee for $7.5 million over three years. McGahee has been utilized mostly in short yardage pick ups and red zone situations. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and pound it to the end zone.
If Moreno rushes for over a 1,000 yards and is a contributor receiving the ball out of the backfield, this grade would improve.
Offensive Line:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: Added Orlando Franklin through the NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos offensive line is a young bunch. Between four of their five starting lineman, there are only five years experience. Last year was an up and down season on the offensive line with injuries and inconsistencies and a myriad of penalties.
The O-Line is getting better with every game, but there will be growing pains again this season.
The Broncos need to help rookie Orlando Franklin improve with every game and avoid letting defenders into the backfield, giving rushing ends free shots at the quarterback.
The Broncos will rely heavily on their offensive line this season as it is head coach John Fox's intentions to run the ball early and often to control games.
Pass Rush:
Grade A+
Changes this offseason: Added Von Miller through the NFL Draft.
Von Miller already appears to be the best NFL player from this season's NFL Draft. He is a ferocious player with a knack to get to the quarterback.
Couple his addition with Elvis Dumervil back on the field following last year's pectoral muscle injury and the tandem makes the Denver Broncos the most feared pass rush in the entire NFL.
Dumervil had 17 sacks in his 2009 campaign. He came into camp after his injury in the best shape of his career with a deep desire to get back to football. From the camp's opening he has been far and away the best Denver Bronco on the field.
Von Miller is getting better and better. He is electrifying as he pursues opposing team's quarterbacks. Some people are already chalking up Miller as this season's defensive rookie of the year, he is that good!
The Denver Broncos are going to be the best defensive pass rush team in the NFL this season.
Run Stopping:
Grade B-
Changes this offseason: Added Brodrick Bunkley via trade with Philadelphia Eagles, added Derrick Harvey through Free Agency, added Jeremy Jarmon via trade with Washington Redskins.
Last season, the Broncos defense against the run was 31st. Head coach John Fox was brought in to address those issues in 2011.
After passing on top defensive tackle options in the NFL Draft, Fox looked to add talent to the DT position through trades and free agency.
The biggest defensive signing in free agency for the Broncos was the experienced Ty Warren from the New England Patriots. The Broncos suffered a huge blow when Warren went down during training camp a few weeks ago with a serious triceps injury. The Broncos are hopeful he will be back by the end of season after the news that the tear was only a partial tear.
With Fox's "next guy in" approach, the Broncos will rely on the reliable Brodrick Bunkley to fill the gap in the middle along with Kevin Vickerson who was brought in by the Broncos last season.
Bunkley and Vickerson have had mixed results stopping the run in the middle thus far during the preseason.
One bright note has been Elvis Dumervil's play at stopping on the edges. He has shown some ability to pull down running backs trying to get around the end.
Overall, there still remain several questions as to how improved the Broncos will be in 2011.
Pass Coverage:
Grade A
Changes this offseason: Added Rahim Moore through the NFL Draft.
One of John Elway's first personnel re-signing during the offseason was retaining Champ Bailey with a four-year $43 million contract.
This signing was one of the smartest moves by the organization in recent years. Bailey, a fan favorite, is still a dominating cornerback. He still shuts down half of the field every week.
Andre Goodman lines up opposite of Bailey for a third straight season. Goodman has been consistent and does a very good job breaking up passes. His biggest issue last season was injuries. If he can remain healthy the Broncos look good at corner.
He has been the most consistent, reliable player on the Broncos since he arrived in 2004.
Also, the front office re-worked Brian Dawkins contract to keep him at a significantly reduced rate in 2011. He will work with the rookie Rahim Moore who appears to be the starting free safety for the Broncos this season.
Moore has some adjusting to do: to the speed of the game, to opposing receivers who run much sharper routes in the NFL, and to more skilled quarterbacks who do not telegraph passes. He is the weakest link in defensive coverage unit right now. Overall, however, the Broncos have some of the best cover guys in the league.
Denver Broncos Overall
Grade: B+
Overall, the Denver Broncos have made several key personnel changes this offseason and I believe they are much better because of it.
Not only has the personnel changes made an impact, but the defensive mindset that John Fox has brought to the Broncos will give them a great edge this season.
The Broncos had a lot of great defensive talent the past few seasons, but the leadership that the Defense needed to thrive was remiss.
I believe that in 2011 the Denver Broncos will be one of the best defensive units in the league. If the offense can do what's necessary to get a lead against opponents, this season, the defense will have no problems holding a lead.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Kyle Orton Named Denver Broncos Starting Quarterback, But For How Long?
Head coach John Fox has named training camp standout Kyle Orton the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos for the 2011 season. However, the coach has had problems sticking with his quarterback, especially when under pressure from a vocal fanbase. His naming of Orton as the starting QB for the Broncos, begs the question, “Yes, but for how long?”
I am not here to take away from the body of work that Orton has done in preseason thus far. Throughout the preseason, Orton has shown that he has the best command of the offense, he knows the reads, he looks the most polished and for those reasons, Fox has gone ahead and ended the debate of who will start in 2011.
In the Broncos' two preseason games, Orton has successfully led several drives, most ending in field goals, and has one touchdown thus far. He continues to improve on the field.
Orton for sure has the leg up on backups Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow; he has been the starting quarterback in Denver for the past two seasons, barring a couple of missed games due to injury and because the season was already “lost.”
However, the NFL is all about winning. Unfortunately for Orton, he managed only three wins in his 13 starts last season. Some may say that Orton had a career year in yards (3,802 yards) and touchdowns (21 TDs). He also had 12 interceptions and 10 losses.
The year before he came to Denver, as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, Orton had similar stats to 2010. He passed for 2,972 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Bears offense is similar to the type of offense Orton will run in 2011. It was run-heavy, and Orton was a “game manager” quarterback, a role that is best suited for him.
The Bears were 9-7 in 2008 under Orton. The year before, the Bears went to the Super Bowl and Orton watched from the bench.
Again, the NFL is all about winning.
Quarterbacks in this league are one of the most important factors in winning. Look at all the quarterbacks in the past seven years who’ve won rings: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Besides Eli, who claims to be elite, few would dispute that these quarterbacks are the best of the best. Also, few would argue that the play of these quarterbacks is the reason why their teams won the Super Bowl.
Many fans forget how wretched the Broncos were last season. The Broncos did so poorly that they “earned” the No. 2 draft pick in all the league, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers, John Fox’s old team.
Fox has the task of transforming the worst defensive team in the NFL into a dominant defensive force. But, Fox also must show that he has some acumen on offense to lead the team to more than the measly four wins it mustered in 2010.
The lowly Panthers won only two games last season as Fox and the coaching staff vacillated between quarterbacks, starting three different quarterbacks: Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen and Brian St. Pierre. St. Pierre came in as a starter having only thrown five passes in his NFL career.
Now the pride of average Broncos fan would protest, “We aren’t as bad as the Panthers!” But in the win category, we aren’t much better—especially coming out of an era with a reckless head coach who was given full control of all personnel decisions, and did everything he could to completely dismantle the Broncos franchise.
I think that the bar is set low for Fox though, at least in terms of wins. The Broncos need to be competitive enough in the AFC West and maybe come away with six or seven wins overall before the front office hits the panic button on Fox.
Last season in Carolina, Fox was set on Matt Moore as his starting quarterback—so much so that the team cut Jake Delhomme, their starter for seven seasons. But when things went south quickly, Fox heard the cries of the fanbase for the “Golden Boy,” Jimmy Clausen. Clausen started for a few weeks and then Moore was again named the starter.
With the rise of the former fan favorite, Brady Quinn, in recent weeks in Denver, it’s very interesting how things seem to recycle around amongst the league’s bottom feeders. Quinn was acquired from the Browns for Peyton Hillis (one of McDaniels’ most infamous trades), when the Browns decided to go a different direction, signing Delhomme to a two-year deal.
Quinn’s ascent to the No. 2 slot on the depth chart was not particularly surprising with Tim Tebow’s struggles in training camp and then the second preseason game, where Tebow as the third-stringer had no chance to showcase any of his talents as he handed the ball off and was asked to run and slide to run down the clock in the one-sided preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
It is curious that a coach would run down the clock in a preseason game, basically a training exercise to see the talents your team possesses before the start of the regular season.
If the Broncos get off to a rough start similar to last season, look for Orton to receive the blame, as is the case for most starting quarterbacks in the league. In favor of Orton, Quinn would be Fox’s first choice, and if playing for more draft picks next season, Fox would turn to Tebow.
In my estimation, this will be Orton’s last stand in Denver as the starting quarterback. His contract ends this season and he will be looking for big-time money that the Broncos won’t want to pay him unless he is the reason that they put together a stellar season, which would be a shocker to the rest of the league.
I expect next offseason will be another quarterback controversy with Orton out of the picture and fans continually irritated by another below-average, playoff-missing season by the Broncos, calling to start Tebow.
Ultimately, the Broncos need to draft a quarterback or trade for a quarterback whom they believe can get the franchise behind them and really take the team to the next level.
Look at the Arizona Cardinals—they believe in Kevin Kolb. Do I think they will succeed with Kolb? No. But they do—they have given up a great deal to acquire Kolb, and they are going to get behind him to push him to succeed. Their franchise’s future in the short term depends on his development and achievements. If the project fails, like most NFL teams, they go back to the drawing board to find the next great quarterback.
Denver needs to go through this process and upper management needs to stick with it and see it through to the end, not give up on it after they fire the head coach—for example, see Tebow. Until they do that, they will be rotating through quarterbacks for the next 10-plus years or so.
I am not here to take away from the body of work that Orton has done in preseason thus far. Throughout the preseason, Orton has shown that he has the best command of the offense, he knows the reads, he looks the most polished and for those reasons, Fox has gone ahead and ended the debate of who will start in 2011.
In the Broncos' two preseason games, Orton has successfully led several drives, most ending in field goals, and has one touchdown thus far. He continues to improve on the field.
Orton for sure has the leg up on backups Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow; he has been the starting quarterback in Denver for the past two seasons, barring a couple of missed games due to injury and because the season was already “lost.”
However, the NFL is all about winning. Unfortunately for Orton, he managed only three wins in his 13 starts last season. Some may say that Orton had a career year in yards (3,802 yards) and touchdowns (21 TDs). He also had 12 interceptions and 10 losses.
The year before he came to Denver, as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, Orton had similar stats to 2010. He passed for 2,972 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Bears offense is similar to the type of offense Orton will run in 2011. It was run-heavy, and Orton was a “game manager” quarterback, a role that is best suited for him.
The Bears were 9-7 in 2008 under Orton. The year before, the Bears went to the Super Bowl and Orton watched from the bench.
Again, the NFL is all about winning.
Quarterbacks in this league are one of the most important factors in winning. Look at all the quarterbacks in the past seven years who’ve won rings: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Besides Eli, who claims to be elite, few would dispute that these quarterbacks are the best of the best. Also, few would argue that the play of these quarterbacks is the reason why their teams won the Super Bowl.
Many fans forget how wretched the Broncos were last season. The Broncos did so poorly that they “earned” the No. 2 draft pick in all the league, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers, John Fox’s old team.
Fox has the task of transforming the worst defensive team in the NFL into a dominant defensive force. But, Fox also must show that he has some acumen on offense to lead the team to more than the measly four wins it mustered in 2010.
The lowly Panthers won only two games last season as Fox and the coaching staff vacillated between quarterbacks, starting three different quarterbacks: Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen and Brian St. Pierre. St. Pierre came in as a starter having only thrown five passes in his NFL career.
Now the pride of average Broncos fan would protest, “We aren’t as bad as the Panthers!” But in the win category, we aren’t much better—especially coming out of an era with a reckless head coach who was given full control of all personnel decisions, and did everything he could to completely dismantle the Broncos franchise.
I think that the bar is set low for Fox though, at least in terms of wins. The Broncos need to be competitive enough in the AFC West and maybe come away with six or seven wins overall before the front office hits the panic button on Fox.
Last season in Carolina, Fox was set on Matt Moore as his starting quarterback—so much so that the team cut Jake Delhomme, their starter for seven seasons. But when things went south quickly, Fox heard the cries of the fanbase for the “Golden Boy,” Jimmy Clausen. Clausen started for a few weeks and then Moore was again named the starter.
With the rise of the former fan favorite, Brady Quinn, in recent weeks in Denver, it’s very interesting how things seem to recycle around amongst the league’s bottom feeders. Quinn was acquired from the Browns for Peyton Hillis (one of McDaniels’ most infamous trades), when the Browns decided to go a different direction, signing Delhomme to a two-year deal.
Quinn’s ascent to the No. 2 slot on the depth chart was not particularly surprising with Tim Tebow’s struggles in training camp and then the second preseason game, where Tebow as the third-stringer had no chance to showcase any of his talents as he handed the ball off and was asked to run and slide to run down the clock in the one-sided preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
It is curious that a coach would run down the clock in a preseason game, basically a training exercise to see the talents your team possesses before the start of the regular season.
If the Broncos get off to a rough start similar to last season, look for Orton to receive the blame, as is the case for most starting quarterbacks in the league. In favor of Orton, Quinn would be Fox’s first choice, and if playing for more draft picks next season, Fox would turn to Tebow.
In my estimation, this will be Orton’s last stand in Denver as the starting quarterback. His contract ends this season and he will be looking for big-time money that the Broncos won’t want to pay him unless he is the reason that they put together a stellar season, which would be a shocker to the rest of the league.
I expect next offseason will be another quarterback controversy with Orton out of the picture and fans continually irritated by another below-average, playoff-missing season by the Broncos, calling to start Tebow.
Ultimately, the Broncos need to draft a quarterback or trade for a quarterback whom they believe can get the franchise behind them and really take the team to the next level.
Look at the Arizona Cardinals—they believe in Kevin Kolb. Do I think they will succeed with Kolb? No. But they do—they have given up a great deal to acquire Kolb, and they are going to get behind him to push him to succeed. Their franchise’s future in the short term depends on his development and achievements. If the project fails, like most NFL teams, they go back to the drawing board to find the next great quarterback.
Denver needs to go through this process and upper management needs to stick with it and see it through to the end, not give up on it after they fire the head coach—for example, see Tebow. Until they do that, they will be rotating through quarterbacks for the next 10-plus years or so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)