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Published on 01/02/2010 at Sat Jan 02 15:54.
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A test for Kyle Orton

Posted Sat Jan 2nd by

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (8) directs wide receiver Brandon Stokley as they take part in an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (8) directs wide receiver Brandon Stokley as they take part in an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs will give the Denver Broncos an opportunity to scout some of their players scheduled to enter restricted free agency in a unique way.

In particular, quarterback Kyle Orton will be tested in a manner he hasn’t been this season. Orton’s favorite target, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, will be unavailable after being deactivated by head coach Josh McDaniels. Marshall has caught 1/3 of Orton’s completions this season (101 of 304) that include an NFL record 21 catches against the Colts in December.

As the season has gone on, Orton has learned to rely on Marshall, and the offense on that connection. The point is amplified over the last eight games, in which Marshall leads the team with 68 catches, and Jabar Gaffney ranks second with 19.

Gaffney is the Broncos’ second-leading receiver on the season as well (40 rec., 519 yards), followed by Eddie Royal (37 rec., 345 yards) and Tony Scheffler (31 rec., 416 yards). Clearly no other receiver on the Broncos has come close to the type of production Marshall has enjoyed this season (101 catches, 1,120 yards, 10 touchdowns).

What’s more, neither Royal nor Scheffler will be available Sunday (due to injury and attitude, respectively). In fact, behind Gaffney, Orton’s next best options Sunday are at running back — Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter — with less than 300 yards and 30 catches apiece.

No Marshall. No Royal. No Scheffler. How will Orton, who is scheduled to hit restricted free agency in March and has yet to sign a contract extension with the team, perform without his favorite targets?

Similarly, Marshall’s absence gives the Broncos an opportunity to gauge another unsigned player: Marshall himself. If Orton struggles, it will only amplify Marshall’s perceived value to the football team.

Of course, McDaniels has already publicly questioned Marshall’s toughness and integrity. No amount of offensive mediocrity this Sunday can put those words back in McDaniels’ mouth.

Marshall’s last game wearing a Broncos uniform was likely last week in Philadelphia.

Whether or not Orton’s last game as a Bronco is this week against Kansas City could depend on how well he executes an offense in handcuffs.

  • Mike

    Handcuffs…did you say handcuffs, I guess the rest of the season he only had a ball and chain connected to his arse. I think the coach is either clueless as to how to run an offense or the handcuffs have been on the entire year. SHEEESH!

  • http://manchester-architects.com T-Money

    Way to go McDumbass…You really know how to something that is slightly broken and really f*** things up. Standing ovation.

  • Mike

    The past two years of meltdowns have made me think…why do I watch the NFL and the Broncos specifically? The answer is simply entertainment. Yes, I know who the players are and which ones I enjoy watching the most, etc., however, not one player knows me. Not only that, but not one player or coach gives a rats ass about me, the person. They simply don't know me. Since I recognize the NFL is entertainment and nothing more, I think about what type of “entertainment” I like to watch. It occurs to me that the entertainment the Broncos put on the field for roughly half the game (offense) is not entertaining to me at all. I suspect some of you may agree with that. So why watch it? Why not look for a product that has an entertainment value that I appreciate? Example: a team that is fun to watch on both sides of the ball. I wonder how many of the readers here watch a game and then come unglued at the result. They have a bad day, days or week. All because the entertainment was not to their liking. Yet they continue to watch. WHY? Ah, the human condition…interesting isn't it?

  • Critter's Wifey

    Shannahan lost his job in my opinion because he coddled Crybaby Cutler. Now they do have this McDumb*ass and he IS clueless. I told my husband that the first 6 wins were flukes… go back and look at the games… it was only by sheer dumb luck at the last minute when the opponent made mistakes that they won… told hubby it wasn't going to last and it didn't. I wonder how long Bronco fans are going to have to tolerate McDumb*ass now?

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    WHY people root for teams and become emotionally invested in the result of a sporting event is and has been the subject of a lot of good books. Basically it's because sports kick ass, and your home team is better than the Raiders.

  • herc_rock

    Yes.

  • herc_rock

    Why watch? Because they haven't been elimanated yet. Go front-run somewhere else.

  • herc_rock

    Go Raiders!

    /loads pistol

  • Kent

    Test? This is NO Test! No Brandon, Scheffler, or Royal. No coach that has any brains would bench 3 key players when they still can get in . Hey Daniels, the fans have had enough of you let Nolan take over.

  • Rob_Bronco

    It isn't the coaching that's costing us these games. It's the play of Orton and the offensive line. I can't tell you how many times the Broncos have been penalized for a false start or holding in the red zone or on a critical play. The offensive line lacks discipline, and it shows. They need to step it up if the Broncos are going to do anything long term. And you've all heard me bitch about Orton. I realize that I'm beating a dead horse, but Orton's not the answer. And the longer we “keep our options open”, the more painful it's going to get. The guy doesn't throw a lot of ints, but that's because his accuracy sucks beyond 10 yards, so the coaches don't let him throw the ball deep.

    And while we're at it, Moreno needs to learn to hold on to the damn football. Nothing is more depressing than watching the Broncos drive down the field only to give up the ball on a fumble.

  • NMBronc

    With all due respect Kyle, KC is not a test. Not tomorrow, not this year. No decisions can be made by a win tomorrow. A good bit could be made by a loss. Perhaps even more could be made by a lack of interest in top free agents siging on to play for McD next year. Something is very wrong in this locker room and this offseason should be telling.

  • Mike

    Check back tomorrow after the jets/bengals game! Sorry, I was a tad early. I am, err, was a huge fan but the recent turn of events has cooled my interest, sorry if that is offensive to you. What is offensive to me is the mediocrity, wait 2 wins and 7 losses, that doesn't even garner mediocre as a descriptor. They don't even belong near the playoffs. Hopefully this ship can be righted but for now it is sinking.

  • Mike

    So it has come to this, now fans are proud to be better than the Raiders? WOW! I am speechless!

  • mikebirty

    If the first game and the KC performance against cleveland is anything to go by all Orton will be doing is handing off to Buck and KnoMo.

  • broncoinva9986

    We root for teams because we love them…Thank God for Madden Football which allows us to stretch reality for Denver Broncos. The reality of this situation is that we were a 5-11 team with the capibility to achieve 11-5. Meaning we were going to have a 5 win to 11 win season. This team in my opinion is heading into the right direction. I am shocked that Royal has less catches than Gaffeney. THat litterally blows my mind, but There were games this year when sheffler was utilized one week, than non existent in other weeks. We will be a good team definately next year, but the question mark is what happens with marshall? Right now I don't believe he returns because of a lack of trust to the team. If Marshall wanted to sit out practice to heal his hamstring that should be marshall's decision. This kinda of follows the concussion issue in my opinion. As far as Eddie Royal goes he is more interested in selling sports water and his lame t shirts than catching the football this season. Rack em Im out

  • anthony33

    Orton is a decent NFL QB, he's just not an elite or the next step down NFL QB.
    What to like:
    He is smart
    Hard worker
    Seems to decent leadership qualities
    Has decent arm strength
    Makes decent reads
    Seems respected be team mate (current and past)

    What not to like:
    Terrible out of the pocket, even when stepping up in the pocket
    Goes down way to easy
    Limited mobility
    No sixth sense to feel and avoid the rush
    Not a playmaker

    I like Orton for the short term and even as a long term backup/mentor (if he would accept that), but he is not the long term answer as a started… my opinion.

    Bronx should sign him to a decent offer, but not a 'franchise' type offer if possible. Again, I think it's about what role he would be willing to accept.

  • NMBronc

    According to Bill Williamson, http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=479… , McD still owns the locker room. We'll see.

  • vince_mairne

    You're right, Shannan got fired because he was to soft not only with Cutler but with other players like Marshall, and now it has lead to Marshall being a brat. Reminds me of my kids. McD is taking a well needed hardline approach with a team first attitude! It's well needed in that locker room!

  • Mike

    This was an enlightening link. I believe that Coach McDaniels had to do what he did if this story is correct. It is absolutely necessary that the Coach be in charge. I also can't help but feel that these actions (or reactions) were necessary in part due to his own errors of judgement. He has alienated a number of players. Players with a lot of upside that certainly can help a football TEAM win. What is is about McDaniels that alienates so many people? I don't know, but I would be interested in hearing about any other NFL coaches that have encountered these kinds of difficulties. I just can't think of any others. Something is not right in Bronco land.

  • anthony33

    Interesting artical and Schefty is ususally spot.

    If this is indeed the case, where the team leaders involved in this decision, then I say kudo's to McD.

    For the short term (today) this will most definitely hurt us, but in long run we will be better off for it. Once again, Marshall has exposed himself as 'the slug' rather than 'the beast'.

  • broncobabe

    McDumbass is not taking any much needed approach in the lockerroom. He is only adding fuel to the fire and needs to be let go. Talk about acting like a baby… McD comes out and clearly states one of his players should play hurt WTF is wrong with you people thinking a player should ever come out and ruin themself for one game for a team that clearly doesnt appreciate talent. I am not saying that Marshall doesnt have his faults but clearly McD is not the coach for the Broncos.

  • vince_mairne

    McD came in taking the much needed approach. Why do you think Cutler is no longer a part of the Broncos organization. He was a “me first” player. As for your argument that players should not play hurt, yes I agree if in fact they are hurt. Marshall was not hurt. MRI's revealed that his hamstring was fine. This is football (a sport you obvisously have never played). You play with bumps and bruises and sometimes with nagging injuries! A prime example is BDawk. That guy has been through so much this year and still finds his way onto the field. I have no sympathy for a pre-madonna receiver who makes 2 million dollars a year and crys about everything. Getting these players out of Denver is exactly what the Broncos need and McD is here is ensures this happens! It's a TEAM game!