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Published on 10/05/2009 at Mon Oct 05 16:30.
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BT Game Balls: Week 4

Posted Mon Oct 5th by

BroncoTalk Game Balls

Broncos 17, Cowboys 10. Game ball time, BT Staff, who ya got?!

Champ BaileyThe general opinion among Broncos fans regarding Champ Bailey had shifted. He had “lost a step.” He was “getting up there in years.” He “wasn’t the same.” I know I’ve been guilty of saying such things during game time over the past few seasons, but Champ silenced his doubters yesterday. Two game-clinching passes defensed? Check. Acrobatic-as-hell red zone interception? Check. Yesterday, #24 reminded the NFL why his side of the field is a permanent “No Throw Zone.” – Kyle

Brian DawkinsPeople will say, “Romo isn’t that good”. They will try to discredit our defense. “Barber was hurt”. Don’t listen. Our defense is here. Not here(.), but here(!). We still have NE, PIT, BAL, SD, and until then, we won’t be here(.). I was taking a piss during halftime at Sidebar in NYC, a Broncos bar, when asked by a fellow pisser(a Cowboys fan), “Your defense looks good, what did you do?”. My response: We hired Mile Nolan & brought in Brian Dawkins. He said Nolan was good but it can’t really be Dawkins making the difference. Yes it can. Brian Dawkins is special. We’ve heard it from every Eagles fan, now it’s time to believe it. Solidarity. You take a team with skills(last years team, and give them fire), this is what you get. B-Dawk. Not since Al Wilson have we had a fire burn so strong. – J. Kenneth K.

Brandon MarshallCall me what you will, I’ve been feeling like keeping Brandon Marshall out of the offense the way Josh McDaniels has has really been a detriment to our offense. I mean. Jabar Gaffney? C’mon. Yes, Stokes is an awesome receiver, but one of the reasons Royal shines is that Marshall draws serious coverage. With Marshall on the field, he draws coverage and opens up other receivers. And his ability to get yards after the catch means that if it’s a real threat, they HAVE to keep extra help back to assist a cornerback that you know won’t be able to take him down. That takes away the 8th man in the box. With his ability and willingness to block, he further opens up the run game. Even when the ball isn’t in his hands, Marshall changes the game. But for that to happen, the defense has to be scared of him. And for that to happen, he has to make some game changing plays.

Today, Marshall made a game changing play, and he can make the offense dynamic. – E. Halsey Miles

D.J. WilliamsD.J. Williams. Williams has replicated the production of 49ers ILB Patrick Willis who excelled under the tutelage of Mike Nolan. Williams is an athletic player who has found his role working on the inside in Nolan’s 3-4 scheme. Williams was credited with 9 tackles, a fumble recovery and sack in today’s game and laid out Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams late in the fourth quarter. There is no doubt Williams is on the way to having a Pro Bowl season. – Christopher D. Hart

Ryan CladyI will go with Ryan Clady. DeMarcus Ware‘s box score says it all:

D. Ware

2 tackles
2 assists
0 sacks
0 ints
1 forced fumble
– Josh Temple

Kyle OrtonI’m going with Kyle Orton… once again this guy doesn’t throw a pick. Despite his questionable throws he keeps Denver in the game. Each week he keeps improving while still not throwing a pick. He may be a game manager, but he’s 17-2 at home. I’ll take it. – Mr. East

Elvis DumervilLast but not least, Elvis Dumervil. If you don’t know why Dumervil deserves a game ball, just read this. DOOOOM!
BT Game Balls are brought to you by whoopings of the Dallas Cowboys and McDaniels-Marshall hugs. We credit Sunday’s heroes without doubling up. Who got your Game Ball? Take the poll and dish it out in the comments.

Who do you give your Week 5 Game Ball to?

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  • roshon2411

    Game Balls for me:

    Defense:

    Champ Bailey – Game changing pick, plus two crucial pass deflections at the end. Glad Romo went his way.

    Offense:

    Brandon Marshall – Don't know if anyone else in the league could have made the play he did at the end of the game.

    Now if Orton and McDaniels can get this offense out of 2nd gear, this could be a magical year.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Testing something real quick… http://disqus.com/profile/login/

  • MrEast

    You're exactly right Roshon. I really hope the offense improves week by week.

    As a lifelong Denver fan (and many others share this sentiment) every time the defense is tested every game my stomach churns with anxiety. It's still strange to see a phenomenal defense wearing the good old Orange and Blue.

    Next week I hope no one wearing blue plays good defense, because the Broncos will be wearing they're old school duds, whereas the Pats will still sport blue.

  • NMBronc

    Game ball – The whole Defense! The only other option is Clady.

    Now to come back to reality, because I saw room for improvement. (Which is expected in just our 4th game.)

    First a question for some of those watching more closely. Was Romo just off on a lot of throws or was there good presure on his poor throws?

    On offense; Game calling and Orton. Why we went completely away from the run at times and had Orton throwing incomplete 20 yrd throw again, and again and again, I do not understand. The opposing D know he can't throw deep accurately, so this strategy is not keeping them 'honest”.

    Orton is not the answer. Period. The kool-aide crowd want him to be the answer, but in your hearts you know that he is not. He is the weakest starter on either side of the ball. He is our best option this year and luckily his bad throws are so bad, that opposing D's will not likely be able to intercept. So back to the game calling…play more to his strengths or let the Orange Rush run a muck.

    Still in shock that we are 4-0 and if this D keeps it up, we will win the AFC West…..who knew.

  • AtomicLeo

    Right on NMBronc.

    Watched the game on the net and saw the highlights later and although I'm glad we're 4-0, the offense just seems …. bleh. I keep thinking that if Dallas had not moved away from the run game in the second half would have been very different for the Broncos.

    I hope that this win streak continues but I wonder if winning is also putting off the eventual painful decision to make a change at QB.

  • Andpark

    I am all for talk for Brandstater but the fact is Orton still isn't 100%. I think both of you are right that Orton is not the long term answer but let's give him the benefit of seeing what he can do with the glove off. Next week?

  • stav

    More bitching, huh? We win, Orton has a great game, and more bitching? Switch teams already. How can anyone even say the name Brandstater right now? Give me an effing break. Orton is now in the top 10 for QBs in the NFL, not the AFC, the NFL, and you can sit there and criticize? I guess no one is really watching how the playbook is starting to open up a little more game by game. Give me winning over a big arm any day. Do you thing anyone was bitching like this when the “game manager” Trent Dilfer collected his Ravens SB Ring? You guys are pathetic. This guy keeps winning, isn't turning the ball over, is raising his completion %, and four games into the season he's now the 7th ranked QB in the league, and we have to see what he can do with his glove off next week? Save it, you guys are ridiculous, maybe we should see if some people are actually worthy of being Bronco fans. I've been a fan for 26 years and this some of the most moronic stuff I've ever heard.
    23 -21 Denver over NE, you heard it here first.

    Aside from the garbage being thrown around: Is it just me or is there way less commenting going on since this site switched formats?

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Comments are up about 15% since the switch while unique commenters are down about 30%… so less people commenting more.

    We're also updating the site 5+ times a day instead of 2-3 times per day, so they look more watered down. You can generally expect a new story on BT every 2-3 hours during the day, during the season.

  • broncoNM

    The guy is undeated and has yet to throw a pick… lets lay off him a little bit. He does miss some throws (gaffney over the middle wide open for 25+ yards) comes to mind and i think he lucked out by not throwing a pick yesterday (TD toss to moreno was a magic trick)… BUT… Orton is wearing a glove he hates with a split open finger and is still learning the system. I dont want to make excuses for him because as great as our defense is they will need help from the offense. Thinking back to wk 1 against Cinn Orton has made improvements weekly and is getting a grasp on game management and the system. He knows his job and he doesnt try and do too much… he does not put the defense in bad positions and seems to make plays when needed. Right now i am OK with orton with the idea of him continuing to improve.
    The guy actually did not have a bad stat line for the game….
    20/29 for 243 yds 2 TD's and 0 Ints.

  • NMBronc

    Orton is and should be our Qb this year…unless it all falls apart. Don't believe that it will. My concern is that the D and Off role players do so well, that Orton is resigned in lieu of upgrading the position.

  • roshon2411

    Orton's looks pretty good b/c of Marshall's great play…should have been picked.

    19/28 for 192 yds 1 TD not impressive… his TD to Knowshon should of been picked too.

    Having said that, this team is 4-0, so really no need to change QB's at this point but the offense has not been very good. Where's Eddie Royal been?

  • roshon2411

    Yeah, I'm stoked about the uni's this week. Wish this was a sunday night game b/c they would look great under the lights. However, glad they made the switch to Orange and Blue. Mustard and Brown can only be had in small doses

  • anthony33

    Cannot believe what I am reading about Orton and McD. Good God people give it a break.
    I’m not saying Orton in is second coming of Elway, but CONSIDER this:

    • Shanahan used to say that it took 2-3 years for a QB to get comfortable with his offense (west coast) and he was right.
    • You have to admit that our current offense is at least as complex, probably more so for the QB, as the west coast offense.
    • Orton and the rest of the offense have been in this, under actual game conditions, for four games…four games!
    • Orton is playing with an index finger that was so badly dislocated it broke through the skin.
    • The team is 4-0
    • Orton has not thrown a pick
    • The offense looks to be improving every week
    • Again, we’re talking about the 4th game. It’s going to take time folks.

    Like I said…I certainly don’t think Orton is the next Elway, but I’ll take him, his heart and his toughness just the same. He and this offense are a long way from peaking.

  • Nick

    Dawkins gets my game ball. Last year Hurd takes that 4th & 3 play to the house against our safeties. This year Dawkins saves the TD giving Champ the opportunity to clinch the game.

    My favorite stat so far: Points Against – 26, next fewest 53 by Atlanta and that is only 3 games b/c they just had their bye

  • denpowerhouse

    My game ball goes to the denver defense, with dallas rushing for over 193.4 yds a game and denver holding them to under 79yds on the ground says alot about how far our defense has come in one year under mike nolan. When the glove comes off the throwing hand of Orton, the % of his completions will be highier, lets hope, BRONCOS 5-0 ? MAYBE

  • stav

    Should have been? Is that what we're reduced to? And I should of been a millionaire but that didn't happen. And I should of been in the NFL if only I was 10″ taller. And Shanny SHOULD still be the coach, where would that get us, with the same bunch of underachievers on defense. There's no should of beens, there's only WHAT DID HAPPEN. Which is Orton playing great and directing a 4-0 team on offense. Marshall out jumped Crybaby Newman for the ball, now that is what SHOULD happen alot more with his skills.

    Give me a break, the guy is showing what he's only done his whole NFL career, winning.

  • flbronc

    in any game, no matter the qb you can point to 'should have been picked' balls. the fact is he hasnt thrown one. in four games. its starting to look less like luck and more like a trend. the guy can win. it aint flashy, but they are wins.

    his stat line is above average on the year. 97.7 passer rating (league avg 83.5), 5 td's (avg 3). 59% completion rate for 906 yards. No int's or fumbles lost. Averages 7.7 yds per completion (Brees only averages 8).

    How do people hate that he is our qb?

  • SivNiz

    I completely agree about Dawkins bringing a fire to the Broncos D this season. I’m not sure if it was televised but before the game Dawkins was squatting and swaying over the ball while performing a voodoo hex curse thing in the north end zone. I was scared, and I’m a Broncos fan. Personally, if I was out on the field and saw guy with that kind of passion it would only propel me to take my game to next level, which is exactly what I’m seeing from everyone on defense. And If I was on the opposing team’s offense I would be scared as hell. Then add in the hit DJ had , oh baby!

  • Ed

    Not only did the D hold Dallas to less than half of what they usually do on the ground, but shut them the f out quarters 2-4. I'll take a super strong defense over a Cutler-led play-from-behind all day offense every day of the week. Look at what Baltimore did last year. Was Flacco an all-star and did they have a productive offense? No, they just went out and shut down teams. And they went to the AFC Championship with a rookie QB.

  • Estes2SD

    Right on Stav! and to everyone else supporting Orton. Orton is a true Winner. He gives credit to his teammates and understands he is not the best QB. When the trade happened and we recieved Orton I made comparisons between Orton and Brees, I was laughed off…. Both QB's were under Joe Tiller who is also a class act, and he produced two QB's that are acting as class acts. I understand Orton is not Brees but remember Brees use to be critisized for not being able to throw the ball deep. Understand he will make mistakes, but I would much rather have a QB that wins than a chump with a strong arm.

  • Andpark

    you are 100% right. Let's keep positive, back our guy and see what happens without the glove. He has improved every week and this system cannot be easy to learn. I am just excited that I think the offense still has a lot of room to grow.

    I really liked the interview with Marshall saying in the huddle Orton noticed the mismatch and broke knowing exactly where he was going. Only a QB in the league for awhile can pick up those nuances. I'm sorry Orton, show me what you got against NE!

  • roshon2411

    Stav,

    No playoff wins let alone playoff experience, i wouldn't call him a winner quite yet. Shanahan is gone for a reason, 9 and 10 win seasons didn't cut it around here for him nor will it for Orton.

  • Big_Pete

    sorry for the cussing that is about to take place in my post, but….
    This shit drives me fucking INSANE! All you assholes that say “IF Marshall didn't make that catch, Orton would have this stat line” and “If Stokely didn't make that catch, this would have happened” or “That LB should have intercepted Orton's TD pass to Moreno, and then his stat line would be this”… ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
    IF Reggie Wayne drops that TD, Manning wouldn't have had 3 on the day. If Moss didn't catch that lame duck rainbow from Brady, it would have been picked for 6 the other way, and then he would have had this stat line….” WHY DON'T YOU SAY THAT? WHY? WHY FUCKERS, WHY? I'll tell you why, because it's ridiculous to say those things. So stop saying it about Orton! He threw a ball, Marshall made a catch and scored a TD. That's what they're paid to do! It is non-negotiable. The play happened, you can't take it back! ENJOY THE RESULTS ALREADY!!! Big plays happen to every team, every week (with the exception of the Rams, Chiefs, and Raiders). They are part of the game. Hell, we'd have won the super bowl if the power of perception could undo all the plays that were made against us last year. The reality of the situation is that you can't take away plays. You can't take away results, and you can't take away stats.
    So stop saying the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” shit and root for a different team. Cause if I see you in the parking lot tailgating and I hear you say that, you're gonna get a beat down! If you are sitting next to me at the stadium, and I hear you say that, you're getting your ass kicked! Either enjoy the victories and the fantastic plays that we are finally making, instead of being the victim of, or find a different team to cheer for!

  • roshon2411

    Stav,

    No playoff wins let alone playoff experience, i wouldn't call him a winner quite yet. Shanahan is gone for a reason, 9 and 10 win seasons didn't cut it around here for him nor will it for Orton.

  • Big_Pete

    sorry for the cussing that is about to take place in my post, but….
    This shit drives me fucking INSANE! All you assholes that say “IF Marshall didn't make that catch, Orton would have this stat line” and “If Stokely didn't make that catch, this would have happened” or “That LB should have intercepted Orton's TD pass to Moreno, and then his stat line would be this”… ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!
    IF Reggie Wayne drops that TD, Manning wouldn't have had 3 on the day. If Moss didn't catch that lame duck rainbow from Brady, it would have been picked for 6 the other way, and then he would have had this stat line….” WHY DON'T YOU SAY THAT? WHY? WHY FUCKERS, WHY? I'll tell you why, because it's ridiculous to say those things. So stop saying it about Orton! He threw a ball, Marshall made a catch and scored a TD. That's what they're paid to do! It is non-negotiable. The play happened, you can't take it back! ENJOY THE RESULTS ALREADY!!! Big plays happen to every team, every week (with the exception of the Rams, Chiefs, and Raiders). They are part of the game. Hell, we'd have won the super bowl if the power of perception could undo all the plays that were made against us last year. The reality of the situation is that you can't take away plays. You can't take away results, and you can't take away stats.
    So stop saying the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” shit and root for a different team. Either enjoy the victories and the fantastic plays that we are finally making, instead of being the victim of, or find a different team to cheer for!