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Published on 08/18/2012 at Sat Aug 18 23:14.
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Broncos backups burned as Russell Wilson leads Seahawks to 30-10 win

Posted Sat Aug 18th by

Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) shakes hands with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) following an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, in Denver. Seattle beat Denver 30-10. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The best quarterback of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks‘ Week Two preseason game wasn’t Peyton Manning.

It was Seattle rookie Russell Wilson.

Wilson continued to claim his stake on the Seahawks’ starting quarterback position, outplaying Matt Flynn (and Manning, and Broncos rookie Brock Osweiler) while routing Broncos backups in the second half to turn a 9-10 halftime deficit to a 30-10 Seahawks victory. Wilson finished 10 of 17 for 155 yards and two touchdowns while playing the entire second half in his second NFL preseason game.

By comparison, Manning also played an entire half (the first half), completing 16 of 23 passes for 177 yards. His home preseason debut was tarnished by several dropped passes, but even more tarnished by two interceptions thrown. The first, a deflection at the line of scrimmage by Seahawks DE Red Bryant, ended the Broncos’ opening drive deep in Seahawks territory. The second interception was the worst ball Manning has ever thrown in a Broncos uniform — an overthrown duck intended for Joel Dreessen, raising questions about Manning’s arm strength and ability to accurately throw the deep ball.

Manning did his best to silence those questions with an impressive two minute drill to end the first half, but it was still an up-and-down performance that merits further close observation.

The Broncos only played one other quarterback — rookie Brock Osweiler for the entire second half — and he struggled, especially when compared to the impressive Wilson. Osweiler and the second team offense did not convert a first down until the fourth quarter; they did not score against Seahawks backups, and Osweiler went 5 for 11 for 38 yards.

Head Coach John Fox could only relent in a postgame interview, several times, that the Broncos “have a lot of work to do” after their depth was exposed in the second half.

We’ll have much more on this game ahead, but in the meantime — what were your thoughts on the Broncos’ Week Two Preseason outing? Are you worried about Manning? The depth? Where do the Broncos go from here to improve before the season opener, less than a month away ?

  • http://Twitter.com/Jon_BT Jon

    We have a lot of work to do, indeed.

  • anthony33

    Goes without being said, but where was Russell Wilson on our radar screen?

    Living in Seattle, Wilson has been a hit since day one of camp. You can tell he has that instinct of just knowing where to go with the ball and throws a great ball. They say he plays taller… I believe it.

    Manning is just knocking off the rust, and it will definitely take some time for his receivers to be on the same page. Going to be 4 or 5 games into the regular season before things start clicking on all cylinders,

  • AZDynamics

    We shouldn’t forget that Wilson’s performance was against mostly backups. I didn’t see Von, Elvis, or Champ out there, and Porter didn’t play. I don’t see Wilson being so spectacular against them.

    Peyton’s performance was better than many are saying, IMO. People keep talking about two INTs. Actually, he had one that is really on him. On the tipped pass, Beadles should have been taught to punch the defender in the gut to keep him from jumping like that. It was a touchdown pass, as was the one that Tamme dropped. Peyton’s official passer rating was 55.9. However, if Beadles and Tamme do their job, and Peyton gets those TD passes, his rating soars to 103.0.

    About the only part of the team that really concerns me is the O-line. McGahee ran well because he is McGahee. By contrast, Ball stunk. I still say they need to slide Franklin into guard where he can maul some holes for the RBs. But I also realize this is a couch fan talking and not someone who could ever get a job as a coach.

    But what’s worse is the lack of depth on the O-line. Once they started substituting, the Seahawks’ D-line just had their way with them. Damn, Kup, why did it have to be you?

    Thanks for the report, Monty. Good job, as usual.

  • anthony33

    AZ, agree, Wilson was working against second and third teamers… so was Osweiler.

    Not worried about Manning, just a matter of how much time it will take for everyone to be on the same page.

    O-line and secondary, beyond the starters, not so good.

  • MOUNTAINDAVE

    Pre-season game one Manning throws a couple of pretty long passes and his ability to go deep is “confirmed”! Next week he fires a wounded duck and his ability to throw deep is ” questioned”. I don’t know for sure if the first is right or the second, but making any analysis on the basis of two games is preposterous. When we get so focused on individual plays or even games, we miss the bigger picture. Classic “can’t see the forest for the trees”. same with the D, world champs one week, total disaster the next. Too soon to go either way, “Patience Grasshopper, patience” I know Monty quoted those folks, good read.

  • tdblt

    If Brock Osweiler is the #2 quarterback, the Broncos will be losing a lot of games! He really stunk it up last night!

  • rcsodak

    Meh….the neighsayers will be salivating to get their words in dave. I’m waiting for the “Tim wouldve won that game” bloviating. Ha! PM hasnt played a game since the ProBowl of the ’10 season. Morons arent only fans, but also the allknowing, so-called analysts.
    I’m with you, bud. Pm doesnt win preseason games…..only the ones that actually count.

  • Big_Pete

    Here’s to hoping that our #2 QB won’t be called on to play any time soon. Not cause I don’t like the kid, but #2 QBs aren’t suppose to play unless we’re resting starters cause we got the playoffs clinched early. Can you name more than a handful of #2 QBs on any team other than naturally the Jets, Chiefs, Cowboys and possibly Patriots? #2 QBs are seen but not heard of and usually are terrible. If they were as capable as the starters they’re behind, they’d be starting themselves.

  • Big_Pete

    Yep. Just like in 2008 or 2009 when he had his knee injury. It took him until Week 5 of the regular season to “look like Peyton”, and that was after only missing the preseason games on a team that he had been on for a decade. If it took him that long to get into rhythm (and eventually win the division too) after missing preseason, imagine how long it might take to knock the rust off after sitting out an entire year!?

    I have no worries. I think we did right by playing him the whole 1st half. The more we play him now, the faster he’ll knock the rust off once the real ga mes start. I fully expect us to be hitting on all cylinders by week 6 or so. And by then, look out NFL!!! I don’t expect us to make the SuperBowl this year cause it’s an acclimation year, but next year, I fully expect to be truly competing for it.

  • Doom92

    I agree also Ant… Pete I as well think the preseason games are, in a way, a bonus right now. I actually think we’ll be hitting on all cylinders before that, I think between game 3-4 myself. It would be foolish, I think, to not play him at least the first half in the remaining preseason games including the 4th where most starters don’t play at all. That plus the first 2-3 whole regular season games will be enough, I truly think that and not just going with the “home team” with orange and blue colored classes.
    What worried me with this game was the way the second D flat out collapsed. Yes I was enjoying watching this Wilson kid play, reminded me of a young CFL Warren Moon but I don’t think he was as outstanding as we were poor. The Bears second Offense must really suck bad…lol. Yes I know, different game but still.

    Any way, Jack needs to seriously take a long look at each and every plaer that was on the field in the second half defensively. AND Brock is a project for sure. As much as I dislike Hanie and hate even signing him it would be as big a mistake not to give him ALL the upcoming second half snaps in these 2 games.

  • Doom92

    LOL… Amen. You’ll laugh at me but I would put the Skins in there as well. At least Rex is serviceable ;-). Oh and I like John Skelton as well. That kid should start for AZ period.

  • Doom92

    You know Dave I think the first is the right one as well. I’ve never, ever seen a QB ever play this game that some didn’t “get away” from them. That toss was no different, any one could see that as soon as it left his hand. Any analyst worth their salt will not only state that but know it.

  • Doom92

    Absolutely!!!

  • Max Green

    I agree with coach Fox when he said, “we have a lot of work
    to do.” The Bronco starters came out and
    had a pretty good performance, but the backups that came in the second half didn’t
    show much of anything. I was not able to watch the game live because I was at
    work, but one of my coworkers at Dish reminded me that it would be recorded on
    my Hopper DVR. I had Primetime Anytime feature set up on it which automatically
    records everything during primetime TV. I am glad that I had it recorded to
    watch Manning take his first hit, and get up to the delight of the Denver crowd. With Manning
    being fragile and the Broncos history of injuries over the last couple seasons those
    backups are going to need to step it up.

  • anthony33

    Doom and BP
    Agree that Manning needs as much playing time in the preseason as possible. With his quick release I do not see too much risk in letting him work out the kinks as long as the number 1 o-line is with him.

    Second team defense was bad, but I think Wilson is the real deal.

    The only point I would argue is in Hannie. I would rather suffer with Osweiler to see if he can develop. Let’s face it, if God forbid, Manning goes down, we need to immediately start looking to the future and Hannie ain’t it!

  • Doom92

    Oh, please dont misunderstand me, I cant stand Hannie, however I think Brock needs to develope MUCH more before he were to be tossed out there. I think it would ruin him but I do also think its possible that he could be the future, he has good moments when I think wow, then that turns to WOW what was I thinking…lol.
    If, as you said, PM went down I’d rather suffer through some Hannie time that ruin Brock.

  • areferee

    Barring a critical injury, I doubt Caleb Hanie is still a Bronco for the Pittsburgh game.

  • anthony33

    areferee, great to hear from you!!! You been working these preseason games or what?

  • anthony33

    Doom
    See your point… either way we are in the Barkley sweepstakes!!

  • anthony33

    I am so DAMN glad it’s FOOTBALL season, AND we have a QB that puts the absolute fear of God in defenses!! Have not seen that since #7 was chuckin’ it!!

    Bring on Pittsburgh!!

  • areferee

    Thanks Ant. Although most referees probably need replacing, this referee would never be a replacement in a contact dispute. But if preseason is any indication, the NFL Official’s holdout needs to end.

  • 350legend

    Although Wilson is good, he didnt do what he did to our first string defense… No need to panic….

  • 350legend

    Orange Crush looks like its coming along Nicely!!