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Published on 08/15/2008 at Fri Aug 15 15:48.
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DEN vs DAL: Thoughts and Predictions

Posted Fri Aug 15th by

DAL @ DEN

For your info, the game versus Dallas will be on the NFL Network on Sunday (4pm EST). We were going to be able to watch it live on Saturday, but some schmuck named Favre is playing QB for the Jets and our Denver game got bumped – jerks!

So, here are my thoughts and predictions for this weekend…

*****

Casey Wiegmann and Patrick Ramsey at the Texans

Small Quick O-line meets Giant Immovable Objects-
Yes, our smaller O-linemen got beat in one-on-one drills with Dallas this week… so what. We run a zone blocking scheme and that has less to do with one-on-one match ups than it has to do with coordinated effort. Casey Wiegmann will be starting at center again and Holland will finally get onto the field by getting some reps with the second team. Most eyes will be one our new tackles Ryan & Ryan (they should start a law firm). The big deal is for our guys not to be surprised or destroyed by a possible blitzing Dallas defense. Last year they got one over on us… this year, we’d better not hear those excuses – you know it’s coming.

Prediction: I think we see improvement from both Ryans, but not perfection. There are going to mistakes but I think we’ll see fewer penalties from Harris and more confidence from Clady. The middle of the line did well last week and I think we’ll see some running lanes tomorrow for Young and our stable of backs as well as decent pass protection. That said… I think Cutler gets sacked for the first time tomorrow – the Dallas defense is pretty good folks.

*****

The Marshall-Royal Show –
I think we’ve witnessed Brandon Marshall’s extra incentive this week. I think he’s going to be performing his best tomorrow. But I also think that’s going to help rookie Eddie Royal. With Jackson sidelined with an ankle sprain, I think we’ll get more Eddie and maybe some Brandon Stokley (who had a good practice yesterday).

Prediction: Marshall burns Adam ‘no-longer-Pacman’ Jones all night long. Look for Royal to make some fantastic move which enables him to gain big yardage and a nice highlight reel moment. Later in the game, I hope to see Glenn make some good catches and I’d love to see Stokley grab one for a critical 3rd down conversion.

And I want to also mention our TE’s here. I think you’re going to see these guys block a lot more than catch this game. With Dallas’ lineman being such giants among men, I would assume that the need for extra protection and blocking will override the need for an extra receiver.

*****

Andre Hall vs. Cowboys in Practice

Young Leads the Ground Campaign –

I think we’ll see some good running from our backs tomorrow. Selvin Young will be the starter and with Alridge likely out with a pulled hammy, Andre Hall will get plenty of chances. Michael Pittman will likely play on short yardage plays. But most exciting for me will be to finally see FB Peyton Hillis. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to our FB position (even on the second team offense).

Prediction: This is Hall’s best, last chance to prove he should be the starting RB. It would take an unbelievable game for Hall to jump past Young, but it’s possible. In unbiased fairness, I think Young is positioned to have great game tomorrow. I think he’ll be locking up that starting job tomorrow evening.

*****

DB Testing –
Fact: Romo IS going to throw the ball to T.O. — and we had better be ready.
With Champ sitting out of this game, that means Bly and Foxy will have the first team slots tomorrow. This will be an interesting match up to compare with the Marshall vs Jones match up. In both cases I think the WR’s have the talent advantage; however, Bly has been able to pick off Romo when he aims for T.O. in practice, not because of T.O.’s lack of skills, but because of Romo’s dependence on his star wideout. Romo is often locked on T.O. and will return multiple times in his reads to the dominate receiver. So, if we can use that inclination, our CB’s might be able to detect the pass coming and jump it.

Also of note is the apparent position battle at Safety. Marquand Manuel has been taking first team snaps over last year’s starter Hamza Abdullah.

Prediction: I’ll give our defensive backs at least one INT on the night. I would also give the Dallas receivers a TD or two, but that’s hardly a surprising prediction.

*****

Niko Koutouvides tackles Cowboys RB Marion Barber

Linebacker Battles –
Nate Webster is still listed as the starting MIKE linebacker and this week he seemed to be doing even more of the defensive leading on the field (with and without his helmet). But Shanahan has been splitting his first team reps with Niko Koutouvides and Niko has had some good practices. I would look for Niko to start the game tomorrow. I think that’s necessary to evaluate these two in gameday situations.

Also, Jamie Winborn (another of my personal favorites) is doing well filling in for Boss Bailey on the strong side. He’s also been pretty vocal this week…

To T.O. after Owens complained about not getting a pass interference call: “Quit cryin’!”
To an unnamed Dallas O-lineman after flattening him on a pass rush: “The giant has fallen!”

I love me some Jamie Winborn attitude!

Prediction: I expect Niko to have a more visible performance this time out; however, I have to suggest that Webster remains more dominate in the Middle even on the second team defense. I’m also looking forward to see Wesley Woodyard again. That guy has made my preseason game 4th quarters actually entertaining!

*****

D-Rob on the D-line –

We get to see Dewayne Robertson start with Marcus Thomas tomorrow! Hopefully this means we’ll maintain our run defense dominance we established last week. I know it will be harder to stack the line with the deep WR threat Dallas has, so I will be very interested in how our line does in run defense.

Also in play is our lack of pass rushing last game. This has been addressed this week and I would look for our DE’s to get their motors turning early in an attempt to pressure Romo and give our CB’s an opportunity to pick off a pass or two.

Prediction: Elvis Dumervil gets his first sack of the preseason. And, what the heck, Nic Clemons gets one too!

*****

Battle of the Backup QB’s –
Brad Johnson versus Patrick Ramsey. I just plain wonder who will have a better night and how that might effect their respective team’s plan at backup QB.

Prediction: I honestly think both guys will have average games and that will just prolong the media and fan driven discussions about both backups.

*****

Finding Something Special on ST –
Matt Prater was less than perfect this week in practice when Dallas was providing their defensive rush. This will hopefully provide valuable experience for his game tomorrow.
On return coverage, we’ve been doing pretty well. Let’s keep that up, guys!
I’m also ready to see one of our returners break off a HUGE return. Don’t get me wrong, I like +20 yard return averages, but I think a nice TD would be make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Prediction: Prater nails 100% of his field goal attempts under 45 yards. If he attempts one near 50 yards out, he misses it to right or left but has plenty of distance. Eddie Royal, Glenn Martinez and Marquay McDaniel all do well… no TD return though. :(

And finally, I’ll mention the number one thing we need to take away from this game… our health. We need to play smart and keep our guys from getting injured before the season even starts.

P.S. On a completely unrelated note, I now have DirectTV with Sunday Ticket! It took three techs, 5 hours and a dish in the middle of my front yard, but it’s working! WOOT!

GO BRONCOS!

(Photo Courtesy: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, David Zalubowski/AP)

  • http://www.broncomadness.com Garret Barnes

    Our lines against each other are when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object.

  • 96isgone….

    Predicting the 2nd preseason game is hilarious. And your predictions look alot more like “hopes” and “wants’ then predictions.

    Here’s my prediction 7-9 for the season:

    Defense: 2 new safeties, 2 hurt cornerbacks (fine, I’ll give you they’ll probably be healthy by Reg season); untested linebacking crew (new middle linebacker, new strongside {hurt} and DJ at weak); defensive line of either hurt, unknowns, or unproductive 2nd year players. Exactly where they finish below 25th in the league is up for debate….

    Offense: OL is a mess: 2 unproven tackles, center is hurt (fine, Weigman is a good back-up), guards that are so, so; no tailback that has the ability to bang out the tough yards or carry the load (man, how I miss TD!) and no outstanding FB to lead; the recieving TE is hurt, best WR is suspended for the 1st 3 games, the other guys are either veterans that are 3rd recievers or an untested rookie; QB has diabetes (proud of his volunteer work for the cause!), and is only entering his 2nd year with only a half year of starts behind him.

    6-10 maybe????

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    We don’t use generalizations to talk football around here. If you’re going to tear this team apart you need to be specific. “new” and “rookie” etc. are just generalizations that don’t really mean anything once you hit the field.

    One-by-one, here’s my response.

    Safeties: new, but better.
    Cornerbacks: Best in the league, come on
    Linebackers: A question mark at mike. Both guys are serviceable, neither a star. If Boss comes back Sam becomes a strength. DJs a pro bowler this year.
    DL: 2nd year players is another generalization. So what? Hurt? Who? Unknown? Thomas and DRob sound like they’re tearing it up. The DE position is probably my greatest concern on the entire team.

    OT: Unproven, ok. Another generalization, but ok. Theyve looked good in camp and average in first preseason. Give them another game or two.
    C: Great. Fine. We still have Hamilton too.
    G: PHENOMENAL. So-so is just plain BS. We have three guys who would be starters for just about any team in the NFL.

    RB: Come on. Are you kidding? Who cares when they were drafted? Young and Hall will get the job done.
    TE: No, he’s fine. We’re very deep at TE.
    WR: 2 games. A concern, but not major.
    QB: I can’t believe you played the diabetic card. Shameful. Cutler will become a Top 5 QB this year.

  • 96isgone….

    Kyle…..You may not use “generalizations around here” but you clearly don’t use reality.

    The safeties are untested, and one of the two leaders on defense was a safety and now is gone (Lynch). How can you say they are better when they haven’t played areg season game yet together?…lol

    Like i said, the cornerbacks have been hurt (and by Blye’s own admission, he had a crappy year last year)…Calling them the best in the league is silly. Clearly, they are the strong point on this defense…but the rest of it is untested, unproven, or simply not good.

    The linebacking crew is completely new to each other. Any defensive head coach will tell you it takes time for them to gell together. The middle position is by far the weakest but, DJ continually has been caught out of position in the past, and Boss is hurt as is his back-up.

    “Thomas and DRob sound like they’re tearing it up”…that’s just plain funny. They “sound” like it? Robertson can only practice half the time and has a terrible wheel. Neither of the three rookie DLs showed last year that they can be stars. I like them but, they’ve got to produce, and haven’t yet.

    On offense, both tackles are unproven. And so far both have been getting beat bad. At OG we have one guy returning from serious concussion issues, and another guy too out of shape to play with the team. Exactly which three guards are you talking about? Stop “generalizing”…LOL. Neither Hall nor Young is an everydown back. And they have no back that can grind out the tough yardage. The old adage “In the fourth quarter you’ve got to be able to rush the passer and push the chains”. They’ve got no back to push the chains. Yes, deep at TE. But Scheffler IS hurt. Even when the no1 WR is back, the rest of the guys are not even average in the NFL. QB is a ? mark. His diabetes is a concern, and it’s not “shameful” to bring it up as one. He’ll have to carry the team throught he air because of no ground attack. Saying he will be a “top 5 QB this year” is what you are hoping for. I hope he becomes one too. But he is unproven and has a big health issue.

    Most of what you wrote is simply what you WISH, HOPE, and WANT to happen. Quit trying to be “hollier then thou”. If you don’t know who the “new” and “rookie” guys are, go get a roster.

  • Pat

    Yo Kyle ust ripped u a new one

  • Person

    96… The safteys are untested? I guess you’re right Marlon McCree has never played football well before… and Hamza Abdullah hasn’t been playing well on this team for a few years now. Who cares about Lynch? He left because he couldnt start what does that tell you?

    The Cornerbacks are the best in the league. When Champ first became a Bronco had had 3 ints that year. The next year he had 8. It takes a bit getting used to a system (especially after Detriot tearing your spirit apart).

    The linebacking crew may have some questions but nothing to rock the boat over. Yes DJ has been moving from position to position, but that means he is that great. Webster may not be the best LB but his natural position is the MIKE and he will uphold.

    And apparently you don’t understand football. The reason why Robertson is out is because he is proven talent and the management knows what he can do and do not want to aggrivate his knee. D-Rob and Thomas will tear it up. Thomas is finally in football shape, he even admitted that he was in terrible shape last year and looked forward to playing on the road because he couldnt deal with the air. I can see where you’re coming from and there is room to doubt, but you just go off the deep end.

    Once again you look at the only side of the facts you want to see. I halfly agree, tackle is unproven, not tackles. I believe Clady will be able to come in and step up. Harris on the other hand will be a problem but has the TEs to back him (Graham is one of the best bloking TEs) Sheffler is hurt… yes he seem so bad out there catching great passes and the run and he has sat on the bench since he’s been a rookie… Jackson has been running with the 1st team and looked good in Houston. Cutler played amazing last year for untreated diabetes, and you’re telling me that now that he has it treated he can’t play better? Do you even know what diabetes is? And PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Tell me one time where RB has been a problem, PLEASE TELL ME! So you just proved yourself as an ignorant negative nancy.

    See your problem is that your a negative person. I would hate to watch a football game with you. You like to nit pick and question everything. If everyone was like that, no one would watch football and the Giants would have never even made it to the playoffs after starting 0-2. You have no faith. If Jesus came back today you would ask him for I.D.

  • boydy2669

    Bruno, or 96….
    Umm, 6-10 dude??? Interesting.
    I find your summary at the least pesimistic, and at the most, one posted by someone that wants the Broncos to fail.
    Check out below:
    Here’s my prediction 7-9 for the season:
    MY PREDICTION 11 – 5 OR 10 – 6.
    #2 new safeties NEW IN DENVER BUT VERY EXPERIENCED. DONT KNOW HOW THAT IS A WEAKNESS. TOO MUCH IS MADE OF LOSING A LEADER IN LYNCH. HE TURNED OUT TO BE FULL OF CRAP AND CLASSLESS AND CUTLER IS STEPPING UP AS THE REAL TEAM LEADER ANYWAY. A YOUNG TEAM NEEDS A YOUNG LEADER.

    # hey finish below 25th in the league is up for debate….UP FOR DEBATE WITH WHO? BY FINISHING AHEAD OF WHERE THEY WERE LAST YEAR SHOULD BRING THE TEAM ANOTHER 1 OR 2 WINS. THEY WERE 7-9 LAST YEAR, THAT WOULD BRING THEM TO 8-8 OR 9-7 BASED JUST ON CHANGE OF SCHEME AND NOT ON ANY NEW PERSONNEL.

    # defensive line of either hurt, unknowns, or unproductive 2nd year players. EKUBAN IS COMING BACK FROM INJURY BUT NOT HURT. ROBERTSON HAS MISSED 4 GAMES IN HIS WHOLE CAREER WITH THE SAME KNEE CONDITION. THOMAS IS BLOSSOMING. DUMERVIL IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER. CROWDER CONTRIBUTES BUT NEEDS TO DO MORE. JARVIS MOSS NEEDS TO STEP UP BUT CLEARLY NOT THE SAME PICTURE YOU ARE PAINTING.

    Offense:
    # OL is a mess: 2 unproven tackles, center is hurt (fine, Weigman is a good back-up), guards that are so, so UMM…A MESS. HOW SO? CUTLER IS VERY HAPPY WITH THE LINE, THEY PROVIDED HIM WITH PRETTY GOOD POCKET TO PASS FROM LAST WEEK. GUARDS ARE BETTER THAN SO, SO. FIRST PRE SEASON AND YOU ARE READY TO CRUICFY THEM. CLADY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB FIRST GAME (NO SACKS). HARRIS HAS TO IMPROVE BUT PROVIDED SOM BRIGHT SPOTS.

    # no tailback that has the ability to bang out the tough yards or carry the load (man, how I miss TD!) and no outstanding FB to lead; I WOULD SAY THAT PITTMAN AND HILLIS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BANG OUT TOUGH YARDS. THAT HAS BEEN PITTMANS MO FOR A LONG TIME, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TO CHECK ANY OF HILLIS FOOTAGE TO REALISE HE MORE THAN HAS THAT ABILITY. HILLIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE AN OUTSTANDING FB. CECIL SAPP IS ABOVE AVERAGE AND PLAYS WITH A LOT OF HEART. COMPARED TO LAST YEARS RB CORPS (WHICH STILL FINISHED 9TH IN THE NFL) WE HAVE MANY MORE OPTIONS AND FIRE POWER. SHANNY HIMSELF HAS SAID THIS.

    # the recieving TE is hurt, best WR is suspended for the 1st 3 games, the other guys are either veterans that are 3rd recievers or an untested rookie; IS SHEFFLER HURT? NO. HE HAD FOOT PROBLEM BUT IS A 100% NOW. MARSHALL WILL MISS 2 GAMES. OUR OLDEST WR IS STOKLEY WHO IS THE BEST SLOT IN THE GAME. JACKSON IS A PROVEN NO1/2 WR AND ONLY 29. COLBERT IS 26. HARDLY OLD. ROYAL IS A ROOKIE BUT IS THE FIRST ROOKIE AT WR TO START A GAME FOR THE BRONCOS. DANILE GRAHAM GETS FORGOTTEN IN PASS GAME BUT WILL BE A BIGGER PART OF IT NOW THE O LINE HAS BEEN SOLIDIFIED.

    # QB has diabetes (proud of his volunteer work for the cause!), and is only entering his 2nd year with only a half year of starts behind him. I DONT WHAT TO SAY HERE. HE IS THE MOST TALENTED QB IN THE NFL. PERIOD. AND A HEADS UP, HE HAS PLAYED 20 GAMES WHICH IS MORE THAN A HALF YEAR OF STARTS.

    6-10 maybe???? I AM WILLING TO TAKE THIS BET ANY DAY.

    WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE MAN, BUT I DONT SEE HOW THE TEAM GOES BACKSWARDS FROM LAST YEAR.

    WE BOTH HAVE OPINIONS, BUT YOUR OPINIONS ARE NOT ANY MORE FOUNDED THAN MINE OR ANYONE ELSE ON THIS BOARD.

    THANKS!

  • 96isgone….

    Pat…..Kyle didn’t rip anything. He wrote the typical drivel of the typical Bronco die hard fan drinking the Shanahan Kool-ade. This isn’t about “ripped u a new one”. This is about objectively reviewing the team, and discussing it’s players and what it’s chances are. And from my analysis, those chances aren’t good. ESPN’s current Power Rankings: Broncos are 22nd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=0). 22nd = 7-9 at best. They certainly aren’t good enough to challenge the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Jaguars, or Steelers for the top 5 spots in the AFC. That leaves them fighting the Browns, Titans, Bills, Texans, Ravens, and the Bengals for the last Wild Card spot. You like their chances? Even if they did get the last spot, another First Round exit appears sure.

    This is a team that again isn’t going to the playoffs, again will be mediocre…

  • 96isgone….

    Person….. I’m a realist. I’ve been a Bronco fan for quite some time. I played college ball. I helped coach a high school team in CA for a year. If you watched a game with me, you’d have a completely different experience then you probably do watching them currently, as I know what to look for during the play, and how to analyze it.

    This isn’t about being negative or having no faith. This is about reality. This team is hugely unproven. You want to “believe” that it’ll be good, fine. I don’t think it will, and I’ll believe it when I see it. If I analyzed the Patriots or Colts for you, you’d see that I’m not all negative, as they have many fewer holes then the Broncos, and are much stronger at almost every position. The Broncos though, have huge question marks everywhere except Center and Cornerbacks.

  • boydy2669

    The sky is falling!!!!….ESPN ranked us 22nd. Oh crap!
    They had us ranked around the 20’s the year we went 13-3.
    96….I, and many others from around different boards must be all full of drivel.
    Once again, just opinions, but what makes yours right?
    Thanks!

  • jcampb72

    Like power rankings mean anything. What was the Giants ranked on the holy espn’s power ranking last year…come on im waiting. [Comments Policy]. Stick with your 4-12 raiders or chiefs. And if your a charger fan, hope your defense and LT bring it next year bc Rivers is a choke artist. Good riddance to bad rubish.

    Kyle: Edited due to violation of BroncoTalk’s comments policy. Personal attacks against other commenters are not allowed.

  • Zac

    He said he was a broncos fan I am pretty sure

  • broncfanstuckinsd

    WOW this dudes basis is 0ff power rankings? [Comments Policy]. My favorite line is there are question marks everywhere but CB and center. Thats laughable. I guess Cutler is a question mark. [Comments Policy].

    Kyle: Edited due to violation of BroncoTalk’s comments policy. Personal attacks against other commenters are not allowed.

  • Person

    Let me make it more simple for you…

    Don’t write off a team because you think you’re “college ball exprience” makes you able to analyize every team perfectly. There’s a difference between realism and negativity. You need to find that out.

  • jcampb72

    I didn’t read all his trash so if he is he’s a pessimistic fan and I’d rather him not be a fan at all. The last thing we need is a “realist” to act like he knows what hes talking about. Nothings for sure untill the season starts. Yes there’s a lot of unknowns right now but soon enough we shall see. The negativity is unwarrented. A true fan is optimistic up until the very end.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    EVERYONE: Every fan has a right to disagree here. Some are more optimistic than others, it doesn’t make them more or less of a fan.

    This is a place to talk football, not personal issues. PERSONAL ATTACKS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED. Settle down.

    96 – last year the Broncos headed into the season ranked in the top 10. Here’s proof: http://broncotalk.net/2007/09/power-rankings-from-around-the-web/

    It doesn’t mean much, really it doesn’t. I understand most of your concerns, even if I don’t agree with them. I admit that the Cutler Top 5 comment was backed by hope more than fact, obviously. But I use reality in everything else I said – reality based on what I’ve seen in one preseason game and what I’ve heard in several, several training camp reports. As the owner of this blog, I spend hours each day reading and writing for fellow fans.

    But I still have so much to learn from fellow fans, and I value your input. Thanks for commenting on this site, I hope you come back often to talk football.

  • socal denfan

    I think 96 is a closet raider fan!
    This bronco fan is excited for this year to start and think the boys will do some great thing this year. I look for Cutler to take that next step and become that top 5 QB.The defense will be better and the offense will be just fine. And since when did they did they give out SB titles in sept. I didn’t get the memo! That’s why they play the game! Any given sunday!! So good luck watching your raiders have another 3-13 year.
    Go Broncos !!!
    From A True Fan!!

  • kerry

    i cant make a prediction but i will say this, i just hope our guys get through the game healthy so they are ready to go for the regular season. i swear the preseason needs to be 2 games and no more. other then that i hope we win but if not it has no bearing on the regular season

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    OK and now to talk football 96. I love this.

    CB – Champ Bailey is the best cornerback in football. Arguably over the past 20 years. Look at the film, look at his coverage, and it’s impossible to deny he’s the best over the past 5 years and at least Top 3 in the last two decades. Dre Bly isn’t Champ, but he’s better than average and has shown incredible toughness for this team. I believe Foxworth would start on 20+ teams in the NFL as a #2 CB.

    S – I’m going to miss John Lynch, both off the field and on. I’m not convinced that Lynch’s drop off in 2007 wasn’t due to his concussion/neck injury. Healthy, I thought he could return to “true” Pro Bowl form (not just voted). To say our other guys are inexperienced is simply wrong. McCree and Manuel are both journeymen who started for their previous teams. Hamza Abdullah is a project the Broncos have been developing and is finally getting a chance to play 16 games. I’ll agree that it’s not known how he’ll play this year, but I wouldn’t call safety a strength, no.

    LB – DJ Williams is underrated and deserving of a Pro Bowl, and I honestly believe he will get there this year. He’s back home where his athleticism and nose for the ball make him ideal. He can play as a damn good mike in a pinch too. I addressed Niko and Webster before… Sam is a huge concern with injury. You can’t help injuries though, and if Wesley Woodyard continues to look good in preseason I could see the Broncos moving him to strong side.

    DE – My biggest concern on the team, for certain. Moss and Crowder aren’t stepping up yet; I headed into training camp hoping both were fighting for a starting job by this point. They’ve moved Ekuban inside, which befuddles me, as he was our most physical end against both the run and pass. I’ve commented on Doom’s every-down status time and time again.

    DT – We’re not deep, but we have two guys who really get me excited. D-Rob and Thomas have been displaying a nasty attitude the Broncos haven’t had in two DT’s since I don’t know when – the last time one guy had it was Warren in 05. Again, not deep at all, but the starters have me very excited.

    Offense

    OT – I’m a big fan of Ryan Clady. I think he has Pro Bowl potential, even in his rookie year. I need to see a few more preseason games. Harris got beaten badly on the plays where he was called for holding. On the bright side (and yes this is a stretch), at least he’s holding and not letting his QB get killed. Polumbus is raw but has the size to be dominant.

    OG – Holland was overweight. Was. He has three weeks until the regular season. He’ll be fine; he was our best offensive lineman last year. Hamilton is a Pro Bowler on another team (Broncos linemen rarely get those types of awards because of their style), and I was very impressed by Kuper in the preseason game.

    C – I’m less confident about C than you are, except I know Hamilton’s there too. Wiegmann is durable and that’s about it. He wasn’t exactly lighting it up for Kansas City the last few seasons. He did play well against Houston though so we’ll see. Nalen is my favorite Bronco and is a beast.

    I graded the offensive line in a recent post… maybe you’d like to take a look. http://broncotalk.net/2008/08/breaking-down-the-offensive-line/

    TE – Incredibly deep. Scheffler finished Top 10 despite missing several games. Graham is a beast. We have great depth behind them.

    WR – Marshall missing hurts. But for 14 games we have one of the best wide receivers in the league. He has good hands. He blocks downfield like nobody’s business. He’s fast as hell. He’s physical. HE’S THE TOTAL PACKAGE. Just talking about him gets me all freaking crazy-eyed waiting to see him work his magic. The #2 is a mystery, but combined with Scheffler and potential 2nd round diamond in Royal, along with DJack, I think we’ll be fine for the first two games.

    RB – Young averaged 5.2 per carry last season. 5.2. Andre Hall is severely underrated. I dunno, i just get the feeling like it’s going to be Hall who ends up with 1,200 yards this season. Maybe Jonathan’s rubbing off on me, just a feeling I have there (no, not based in “reality”, let me spell it out again, it’s a feeling). Both run hard, Alridge is looking great (I’m not worried about a hamstring tweak, jeebus).

    QB – It might have been hope/fantasy to say Cutler will finish Top 5, but you need to know that’s what I believe based on what I’ve seen. We all know he has a cannon. His accuracy looks better. His decision making looks better. He’s just as nimble as ever (did you see the preseason game), and I believe he’ll have a better offensive line pass protection than last year.

    We’re better at almost every position on the field. Look at last year. Here’s the question – at every position, ask yourself, “Would I rather have 2007’s version, or 2008’s?” You won’t find many, I can only think of 2. (MLB, #2 WR).

  • boydy2669

    Good points Kyle.
    I am in agreement. Like you, it is great to speak football. We will not always agree with everyone, but thats what makes it so fun. We will not know how good this team is until the end of the season.
    I would take this years team AND coaching staff over last years in a heartbeat.
    I would even take our #2 WR over last years based on team chemistry and character.
    Thanks!

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    Wow.

    I stepped out after I posted this and just got back home to read all the comments. Wow. Just wow.

    All this drama over some light-hearted fun-loving preseason game predictions. I feel a bit overwhelmed, 96.

    I really think you need to consider a head check-up if you believe anyone on this board takes my silly (but hopefully entertaining) predictions seriously. Heck, last week I predicted Nate Webster would lose his helmet twice (he only lost it once – so I was still wrong).

    It’s just for fun, dude.

    In this media-flooded age, you really need to figure out what information sources best suit your needs. I this case, I think the Denver Post might be more your speed… They love to rip on the Broncos under the guise of neutral reporting.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    P.S. Kyle said no personal insults, SOCAL DENFAN.

    “96 is a closet raider fan!” — You were pretty close to the line on that one. :)

  • HogBlog

    Gentlmen, let’s take a breath and relax, we’re only 20hrs away from our 2nd chance to watch this team develop, and the chemistry build. But I do love to read the personal insights and rhetoric, it’s very entertaining.

    This team has real talent. I agree w/Kyle..I think that our DE’s could be the soft spot that hurts our defense, but I’m praying that Im wrong. Maybe “96” could employ his collegiate insights and ‘Break it down” for me. NOT an insult, it’s an invitation to be enlightened …

    We are very vulnerable in our 1st 2-3 games w/Marshall’s suspension. Let’s be honest…it’s going to hurt us, as is our depth at RB as well. Especially if we dont even have Aldrige to carry some of the load. Im very pessimistic about Colbert, he’s shown nothing, but my hopes for Parker are strong. He’s showed flashes of real skill. Add to that his “World Class Speed”, and if he continues to catch the ball, he could be real sleeper. With he, Royal, Aldrige, we have the ability to stretch defenses like never before. Maybe a pipe dream, but I love the speed. Anyone see Chris Johnson run for Tenn. tonight? Geez, he looked like he was being shot out of a canon. Dudes’ got blinding speed.

    As I was watching the Raider/Titan game tonight and realized 2 things”

    1. How glad I am that we kicked Javon to the curb
    2. How sad I am that we gave Gerard Warren away.

    Can’t wait for 2morrow night….Go Broncs!

  • ryanbroncos

    This doesn’t really have anything to do with the intense conversation progressing, but I thought this story was interesting.

    http://www.gazette.com/sports/nfl_39336___article.html/broncos_sabol.html

  • Quicksilver

    This guy is the reason i tried so hard to find a blog post outside of the DP or RMN. are you guys optimistic about the season? of course, and there are some good reasons to be, does it mean we have filled every hole, no, but you like what you see and are excited about the new season. Guys like 96 just love to find the faults in teams, and when you claim to be a long time fan of a team and watch all their stuff you can find em all. one of my best buds lives just outside of Indy and he said the fans there area already all Down on Manning and the Colts, and talkin about how they couldn’t possibly compete with the Chargers, Patriots, Jags, based on last years look. One of the profs at my school is from NE and he said the fans up there are talkin how the Pats wont be able to shake loosing the SB last year and that they could fall under 500 because of it (oh how i would LOVE that). don’t you you see 96 you can get negative or you can get positive, either way you can call yourself a realist because you are looking at things that are REALLY THERE!

    Just a side not, coming from a fan who posted on DP for years, Kyle you my man have steel cojones, this guy laid in to you and your entire post and you stood there like a man and said he had the right to, you didn’t just take it, you defended his right to give it. Dude I give you superprops for that display of patience and grace under fire, not many blog owners would put up with a guy like that

    on one final note to NFLWrestling… i mean 96, i think i sniffed you out again, keep the negativity for the DP bro.

  • 96isgone….

    My first post in this thread was my first post to this blog. I’m not “NFLWresting” or posting here under any other name. I’m certainly not a Raiders fan (LOL at that one). I certainly have not insulted anyone here, but have been insulted several times. Once so much that Kyle had to censor the guy. I’ve been called “negative”, “ignorant”, etc., simply because I disagree with the unobjective fanaticism of the majority. And that’s fine. I understand this is what happens on blogs, where annonymity allows people to behave in boorish ways….

    When I mentioned the college and HS coaching experience, it was in response to someone saying I didn’t know what I’m talking about. What those two experiences do give me is a different take on how to look at a game and a team then most fans have. Most people watch a game by looking at who has the ball at the time, all the time. I don’t. I referenced the ESPN Power Rankings as back-up testimony by some very good ProFootball writers.

    I understand that almost everyone here is fanatical about their Broncos. I was fanatic about them during the great years (SuperBowl time). Not cause they were winning, but because they were compelling to watch. Elway was great, TD was the 2nd coming of Jim Brown, the offensive line was an incredible cohesive unit, McCaffrey and Smith and Sharpe were great recievers. It was exhillerating to watch that great offensive unit. I was in Silicon Valley during the 49ers run, the same kind of compelling reasons to watch. I HOPE that this version of the Broncos turns out to be tremendous, as there is nothing that adds excitement to an area then to have their ProFootball team be great. I don’t see reasons enough to believe that this team will be good.

    This team is not compelling. It has question marks everywhere except (in my opinion) C and CB. When you look at the Patriots, Chargers, Colts, etc. objectively (you do look at them objectively, don’t you?) do you see the same amount of questions? The same amount of people who will be working together for the first time?

    Kyle, thank you for taking out the censored stuff and thank you for understanding that discussion of different opinions is a good thing. We may not agree on the teams strengths and weaknesses, but you are able to discuss them in depth with good analysis. It’s nice to have some discourse with someone who can do more then say “Yea Bronco’s, and if you disagree then you are ‘negative’ or ignorant’ “.

    As for which team I would prefer 2007 or 2008 Broncos,,,,I prefer neither.

  • Richard

    I agree Quicksilver, this week I was looking at a few Cowpies sites and their bloggers were EXTREMELY pessimistic. And this is about a team that went deep into the playoffs. Guess its just human nature to see the glass half full or half empty. Now if we could only find some realistic faider fans.

  • 1Texan

    Ok Denver, you’ve got the great city of Houston behind you today, so go kick some dallas (we don’t capitalize that) A–. We play NO tomorrow, and heard Reggie has ducked out of that game as well, after practicing next to Mario during the week. Best wishes, stay healthy and humiliate those boys!

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    This discussion with 96, brings up another interesting point…

    If the team does come together and preform well this year (I personally have said repeatedly that they will be a play-off team in 2008), I will be very interested to see which reporters (and fans) that were not very optimistic early this year will begin saying that they “knew all along this was a playoff quality team.”

    I think we might want to copy down all the preseason projections (most of the Denver media seems to have been in the 9-7 area). I’d love to hold them to their early predictions when we begin to roll this season. :)

    It just reminds me of those super bowl years. Man, NO one was high on the Broncos that 97 Super Bowl run (in the media). But come the second year, it was like every media outlet in the world become Bronco fans. lol

    P.S. Thanks 1Texan. Most of us that have watched Kubiak for years with Denver now watch Houston pretty closely. Good luck this weekend vs NO.

  • inrodwetrust

    I would just like to comment on the seemingly biggest concern of our defense, the DE position. I think it is a positive sign for the position that Ekuban was moved since that would suggest we have more talent on DE than DT. Tim Crowder is my personal favorite to step up to the position with Doom. He had flashes last year: 3 games in a row with at least one sack, and great speed when running back fumbles. Moss is behind a full season due to injury, so I would look to ’09 for him to prove worthiness of the trade up, if at all. Assuming we start D-Rob he will demand a double team, this will free the ends up to do some serious damage. The game in 8 hours and counting is billed as the proxy for our whole team and possibly our season. I think that was evident in last years pre-season cowboys game/practice. I also (grain of salt included) look to how we matched up against the texans this year vs. last year (not 1 sack), and consider how well the defense line played without 3 starters in the secondary (which gives the ends and tackles more time to get to the QB), and our most notorious D-Linemen D-Rob. We can only wait and see how things will shake out, though through my orange colored glasses, I think the cowboys media and Thomas’s helmet bashing may just put a chip on all the defensive linemen’s shoulders.

  • kerry

    uh question here: is this game gonna be livestreamed anywhere online? im in Japan so i dont happen to get Denver locals anymore. lol. some info or a link would be greatly appreciated

  • Patrick

    Call me crazy but I like the possibilities of how good this team could be with all of our young players in contrast to the ceiling we saw from our older players just a couple years ago. We’re gonna surprise people. We won’t be ranked 22nd at the end of the season you can bet your sweet ass on that one!

  • Patrick

    BTW I am completely JACKED to see the Broncos on Hard Knocks!

  • rick

    96isgone.. This guy is right on. Bronco fans need to step back and look at this year realisticly. There are Too many weaknesses in this Bronco squad.

  • Zac

    Kerry, the game is on channelsurfing.com tonight

    enjoy!

  • azbronco7

    Its channelsurfing.NET.

    Dude 96, so you would ‘take neither’. Damn. After one quarter of preseason action, eh?

    You’ve already decided this season is a wash, huh? Why dont you watch a few preseason games before doom and glooming it everywhere. Just bc a team is young deosnt mean it sucks.

  • 96isgone….

    AZBronco7….

    I’ve neither decided this season is a “wash” or isn’t a “wash”. I’ve merely stated that I don’t like either team. And what I’m saying isn’t based on “one quarter of preseason action”. It’s based on evaluating their current talent vs other teams talent in the conference they are in, and the schedule they face. I never cease to be amazed at people who can’t seem to be able to differentiate between “doom and gloom”, and someone who simply states a critique that isn’t flattering….

    I agree that “just becuase a team is young doesn’t mean it sucks”. But football is a team game, based on players ability to assimilate a huge amount of knowledge (playbook, technique, film, etc.), and execute it in concert with the other players. It’s a lot harder for “young” (read: inexperienced) players to do that. And with the conference they are in, I think it would be an achievement for this team to be in contention for the 6th playoff spot in Week 15.

    I’m neither for, nor against this years Broncos. I just don’t think they are compelling or good. If they turn out different then that….I would be happy. I just don’t think they will……

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    6-10 is pretty gloomy, I must say.

    And how have you evaluated their current talent? On paper?

    Do you see the point we’re trying to make? Just give it a few preseason games to really judge this team. Games 2 and 3 are the most important. In two hours, we’ll have a better idea of how this team looks against a quality opponent.

  • McLAMP

    Is it supposed to be just a pic right now -the link cause it starts at 6 pacific

  • Jason

    I must admit: looking at your post 96 I was initially a little perturbed but after reading through I see you’re giving a fair assessment of the coming year as you see it.
    Some thoughts:
    1st, someone unproven is just so until they prove themselves one way or another, it is not a gage of their future performance or how they will fit into their respective team. Some choose to hope they will pan out based on various sources such as team camp reports and pre-season results, others see this, not with hope but just as it is, nothing. Until it is shown for what it is as camp and preseason are not necessarily great measuring sticks.
    I think the real issue is the culture of this blog. It is positive with a hope until all hope is lost mentality. I haven’t been here long but appreciate it as I am a skeptical hopeful myself. True objectivity is an impossibility for any fan of any team. I can be mostly objective regarding, say, Buffalo and I can assess their performances and comment on their weaknesses and strengths because I am completely ambivalent to the outcome of their season.

    Regardless, I am looking forward to seeing an improvement to our passing game. Jay is looking healthy and I believe him when he says it’s under control. He’s got another year under his belt and with a couple extra weapons.
    Yes, there is a question at the No. 2 WR position but it’s a question of the choice between a solid proven vet and a rookie that appears to be exceeding everyone’s expectations. The rest is a wash unless Colbert can prove something and keep Parker only for depth.
    I do have big question marks regarding Clady’s run blocking though. I expect we’ll see a bit more with tonights game.
    I’m also quite uncertain about the RB stable. I don’t really like any of them that much but I was looking forward to seeing what Torain could bring. Oh well. I think, before this is all said and done, we could see about the surplus of RBs in free agency. I don’t think Hall and Pitman aren’t going to be enough for a championship run.
    And anything will be an improvement defensively I hope Niko actually plays football this game instead of the spectating he did last week.

  • Quicksilver
  • Quicksilver

    and by the way, how you like us now?!

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    96isgone, I’ve read your analysis, and I definitely disagree with you on a couple of points.

    You seem highly concerned about Jay’s diabetes, but he’s sharp in practice, he is sharp in preseason. There is nothing about his diabetes that leads me to believe he’ll do any worse than last year, which makes him a top 10 quarterback, and therefore, IMO, not a concern. Even if he has diabetes issues from time to time, the guy is clearly a warrior. I see no reason to believe that he’ll drop off at all.

    We have rookies on the O-line, that’s definitely a concern.

    There is concern about the defensive ends stepping up.

    However, one thing that really bugs me is that people compare the defense to last year’s defense, when the reality is that the defense of 2 years ago is a better comparison. Compare the talent levels of the players on this team versus the team 2 years ago, and I think you’ll get a much more fair comparison. Doing a player by player comparison, I think they are overall equivalent.

    Nick Ferguson never really impressed me, but we don’t have anyone in Lynch’s category from that year, so we lose a little at safety.

    Dre Bly is a little better than D-Will was that year. Plus, Foxworth and Paymah both are better than they were that year; we have some depth at CB that we seriously lacked. This is actually a serious point of improvement from 2 years ago.

    DJ Williams is back in his natural position (go all the way back to his rookie year when he played Will and you’ll see that he came out and impressed) — and he’s better than Ian Gold; he should never have been moved to make way for Ian. We lost Al Wilson, and that’s still a step down, but the strongside is a wash — Boss Bailey vs DJ on the strongside. Maybe Bailey is a slight step down. Definitely not as good at LB. And we know what we’ll get from Nate Webster, which is playable but certainly no Al Wilson. But no one could be. We dunno what we’ll get from Niko, but if he does badly, we’ll get Webster instead, so consider Webster a baseline of what we’ll get. It’s either Webster or better, if Niko happens to be any good.

    On the line, though, our d-line 2 years ago was simply not that good. Gerard Warren was good, and everyone else was a bunch of average guys that were made better by creative blitzing packages. If you look at history, I think D-Rob is pretty equivalent to Warren (remember, when Warren came here he was considered a 1st round bust and people thought he was washed up) and Marcus Thomas is actually better than Michael Myers. We still have Ekuban, and we have Dumervil in place of…um. ok, I forget who our other DE was. Sad, isn’t it? All I can remember is whoever it was was no Trevor Pryce.

    J. Moss hasn’t had a chance to prove himself. We just don’t know. Tim Crowder proved himself, and as I said, Thomas is better than Myers. I think the D-Line, with as many questions as we might have about it, is improved.

    Given that we’ll be running a very similar scheme, my feeling is that we’re probably about as good as that defense was. I think that defense got very lucky and played beyond their ability but I think in reality our current defense should be somewhere around league average.

    To predict 6-10, you’re predicting that we’re below league average on both offense and defense. The thing is, there’s absolutely nothing ot suggest we’ll be below league average on offense. Jay Cutler is a top 10 QB (Honest, go look at his stats). Marshall is a fantastic WR. We don’t know who else is going to be on WR, but I just listened to the first half of the Cowboy’s game. Sure, it’s preseason, but Royal actually can justify his presence on the field. Darrel Jackson used to be good. We dunno what we’ll get out of any of the other 3 WRs we brought in this season, but of the 3 do we really think we won’t get someone who is at least average? And as Kyle said, we’re really deep at TE. Graham and Sheffler, but Nate Jackson has been coming on as well. We have an embarassment of riches at tight end this year. The OTs are questionable, but even as a rookie, Clady can’t be worse than Lepsis was last year. For the record, Lepsis was wretched last year. And he knew it. That’s why he retired.

    If the defense is league average and the offense is above league average, shouldn’t that at least be good for 9-7? Especially when you consider our schedule, where there are 6 games that are against teams all considered to be well below average on one side of the ball or the other? Please look seriously at the schedule again. If you can’t find 9 winnable games there, I’ll be shocked (unless you think the Raiders & Chiefs don’t make up 4 winnable games).

  • Socal Den Fan

    Ok I may have piled on 96 too much.We are all intitled to have opinions. But unless you are a broncos coach pushing these guys to their limits you really don’t know what they are capable of doing.I know we may have a tough road to get back to where we want to be winning super bowls.But I look at it like this agree or diagree on how the team looks I will always be a faithful broncos fan. I stuck with them through thick and thin,winning or losing. I know I may not the smartiest man in the world but I know that I am a broncos fan though and though.