BT Stink List with JKK & Kyle Mo. – Week 1

Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison, left, gestures after San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, was sacked during the first quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Good Morning Broncos Country.  How does it feel to be tied for first in the division?

Guess what? The Chargers don’t look that great, AGAIN! After hearing Super Bowl predictions, and landslide AFC West predictions, the Raiduhs gave the Dolts a reality shock! I, on behalf of BT, am taking notice of Oakland – the running attack looks something fierce. They aren’t there yet with their passing game, and may never be with Russell, but they can pound the ball.  Seymour looked great, and Nnamdi Asomugha is the new Champ Bailey.

Chargers, you’re supposed to be the best team in the league, YOU STINK! You know who doesn’t stink though? Darren Sproles, set your hating aside, who here wouldn’t want him on the Denver Broncos? This guy is lightning in a bottle, a perfect back to have in a stable, don’t see A.J. Smith letting him go for anything less than bank. Enough about the rest of the division, Kyle will be joining me this week to call out some Broncos. Oh, I almost forgot…RAIDERS YOU STINK! Click on it.

O-Line, not a strong start, didn’t think I’d be saying it, but you stunk. Cincy’s defense ranked 21st in rushing defense last year, allowing 120 yards per game. They also managed to rank 30th in the league last year in sack totals with a measly 17. I understand that our passing game did nothing to help our backs, but our line was simply being handled up front. The Bengals had 3 sacks in the game, not to mention the numerous tipped balls at the line of scrimmage.

However, let me pin point the moment at which the offensive line sent me into convulsions (followed by a fit of repeating “We’re going to lose the game because of that” over and over and over). It was our seven minute drive in the fourth quarter leading 6-0. Ben Hamilton was guilty of a hold, looking like a hobo, and a false start, the latter of which preceded a crucial holding penalty on Casey Wiegmann.  That penalty negated a 1st down pass to Buckhalter that would have placed us at the Cincy 25 yard line, which would have at the very least given us another (breath holding/hands clenched/holy water drinking, and by holy water I mean Coors) field goal attempt by Matt Prayer(sp).  That would have put us up 9-0 and squashed any chance of me having a heart attack. The following play Orton held the ball too long and was sacked, setting us up for a Brett Kern punt from the Cincinnati 42. Sigh, only Luck could save us now.

Hey Luck, on the way back from the john could you grab me another Coors? At least the mountains were blue.

Folks, I know it was Orton, I know it was dropped passes, but if this offensive line is going to be the crutch we fall back on whenever defending our right to win, they have got to play a whole heckuva lot better. Amen.  Speaking of Kyle Orton and dropped passes, a speacial guest Stink Lister, our very own Kyle Montgomery.

But wait wait, real quick, sorry Kyle, but everyone, have you seen this? Everyone please, please click this: Jay Cutler you stink!

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 13: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall #15 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football as he is tackled by Chris Crocker #42 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Broncos defeated the Bengals 12-7. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Thanks J.  First man on my stink list is Brandon Marshall.  The guy looked like he was half-assing it out there.  Seriously.  Drops are one thing, but there was no way #15 was giving 100% Sunday.  I don’t know what it’s going to take to get it through this guy’s head that he needs to put in the effort to earn his fat contract.

Also – news flash to Marshall – the season has started.  You told reporters before your suspension that, in order to learn the playbook, it’s just a matter of taking the time to knuckle down and eat it up.  So do it.  No time like the present (expect for last week, of course, when you would have been more help to the team as the #1 receiver than sitting on the sidelines on third downs).

Second on my Stink List is Kyle Orton.  Yes, the offensive line didn’t do him any favors, but he didn’t do them any, either.  He looks jumpy and uncomfortable in the pocket, and while people point to his lack of turnovers there were at least two throws that could have been easily intercepted had the Bengals defender made a better play on the ball.  He’s locking onto targets, and he doesn’t know how to get rid of the football.  Throw it away, dump it off to a RB (something JaMarcus Russell did several times last night), do WHATEVER, but don’t take that sack in the fourth quarter.  If not for God’s Hand, that was a game-costing mistake.

I applaud Orton’s toughness for starting the game, and I love his heart and quiet strength/leadership.  But maybe I’m picky, I also like my quarterback to throw well.  I’m going to be re-watching the game today, but if memory serves, he had one good throw the entire game (the deep bomb that went right through my fellow Stink Lister’s hands).  The others were either 7-yard snoozers or heart-attack-inducing ducks.

What about you Broncos Country?  Who’s on your Stink List after Week 1 – Broncos or otherwise?