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Published on 09/12/2010 at Sun Sep 12 14:40.
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Broncos slop, drop opener 17-24 to Jaguars

Posted Sun Sep 12th by

Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (28) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith, left, and linebacker Kirk Morrison, right, during the first half an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (28) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith, left, and linebacker Kirk Morrison, right, during the first half an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

From start to finish, the Denver Broncos‘ 2010 season opener will be remembered as a game marred by miscues.

In the end, the mounting mistakes proved too much for McDaniels‘ men to overcome.

It began in the first half, when the Broncos twice drove down the length of the field only to fall short due to costly mistakes. Zane Beadles‘ untimely holding penalty ended the Broncos’ first scoring opportunity, while Correll Buckhalter‘s fumble netted the Broncos 0 points after an 80-yard drive.  And while the defense held the Jacksonville Jaguars to no points through the first 29 minutes, it was only when they goofed, putting 10 men on the field with 0:58 left in the first half, that Jacksonville capitalized and scored the games’ first touchdown.

Had the Broncos corrected these mistakes, they might have come away with a victory today. But even a 33-minute lightning delay before the start of the fourth quarter couldn’t fix what ailed Denver, who continued their sloppy play through their last heartbreaking offensive snap, and the Jaguars (1-0) defeated the Broncos (0-1) 24-17 at EverBank Field.

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton hands the ball off to Knowshon Moreno (L) during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida September 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Daron Dean)

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton hands the ball off to Knowshon Moreno (L) during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida September 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Daron Dean)

It was a heartbreaking result because, at times, the Broncos showed they are capable of very competent football.

Kyle Orton was brilliant through three quarters, and Knowshon Moreno showed flashes of what made him the Broncos’ top draft pick in 2009, juking, leaping, and stiff-arming his way to60 yards on 15 carries (4.0 avg.) and a touchdown. The offensive line, which featured three different starters from 2009, held its own for the most part.

The defense was a mixed bag, playing well in the first half but really struggling in the second. Ryan McBean‘s two 15-yard facemask penalties set up the Jaguars’ game-winning drive, although by that time David Garrard was in an unstoppable rhythm. The Jags QB finished with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a career-high 138.9 passer rating — not a strong selling point for Don Martindale‘s defense.

In the end, the Broncos had two opportunities to tie the game, down seven, and the offense couldn’t capitalize. Brandon Lloyd‘s brilliance (five catches for 117 yards) fell just short as his left foot fell inches away from a game-tying touchdown, and Orton’s final throw was an interception to Daryl Smith that ended the Broncos’ comeback hopes.

And, for the record, Tim Tebow‘s pro debut was wholly unremarkable: two direct snap carries for two yards.

It’s hard to point your finger at any one aspect of today’s loss. The Broncos just didn’t execute consistently. They show promise, but they need to fix the mental mistakes and display more discipline to compete with the league’s best.

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  • Dan

    Denver was the better team today. We just had so many injuries in the preseason that this became a preseason game for us. Stupid penalties, confusion on defense in the red zone, bonehead mistakes on kick-off coverage. Jacksonville was coached-up and ready to go. We were not. Cox and Jones burned by the tight-end didn't help either. Tough day…we needed that win.

  • mikebirty

    what an odd game, the Broncos appeared to be in no trouble whatsoever and seemed to be really comfortable and then you look at the scoreboard they are tied or losing. just disappointing in the end. i don't think they deserved to lose it but didn't do enough to win.

    guess ryan mcbean will be sitting next to richard quinn on the flight home.

  • Gatorair

    I know Ortin is not a running QB, but when you need 4 yds for a 1st dwn you run not slide like he did in final min. of game. And they were I think on the Jags 25-30 yd line—-geezz go for it. I believe they do have a QB that would have picked up that 4 yds.

  • areferee

    Lackluster musings:

    Lots of rookie mistakes for game one…unfortunately, most of them were made by veterans. R. Quinn, McBean, Buckhalter, Hill. Orton's protection was better than I had feared, but could improve. Our run game was mediocre. Not sure Moreno will ever be a star.

    Defense about as poor as I had feared with only a few glimmers of hope. The Jags 21 yard touchdown was one of the poorest defensive plays I've ever seen by a Bronco team.

    Special teams was atrocious against the return. McDaniels was an embarrassment. All in all, about a C- to a D with nowhere to go but up.

    I have a feeling Tebow was chewing his knuckles off wanting to be more than a token in the game. (Just the first of many frustrations for him if he's standing on the sidelines.)

  • Nisse

    dislike.

    orton>tebow

    i think he showed it this game.

  • Whidbey Bronco

    yeah, coach was PISSED!!

  • Sd419h

    Yeah it was a big bummer seeing the broncos lose but all we can do is keep rooting for them all the way.

  • anthony33

    Very reminiscent of the Philly and Wash games from 09. Played just badly enough to get beat.

  • robtink242

    i totally disagree with the Knowshon comment he showed lots of promise coming from a guy who hasn't taken a snap from the season finale.. What i didn't like is that coach McD didn't use him enough… I also had a problem with our lack of blitz packages… I don't want to see corners and safeties blitzing… why wasn't McBath assign to a TE to cover?

  • Paterade

    The plan was to get rid of the play makers and bring in a bunch of first rounders. I guess that means a bunch more first rounders. I see a lot of stalled drives, field goals and very few touchdowns coming out of this group in the future. There is noone on the offense to be a afraid of

  • anthony33

    What I liked:

    Orton was very good most of the game.

    Ayers is improved.

    Short yardage defense was better.

    Lloyd, Royal and Gaffney were excellent

    What I didn’t like:

    When it mattered most Orton throws the pick

    Moreno was average

    Defense overall was average

    Special teams sucked

  • anthony33

    McBath was inactive… still hurt… broken arm I think.

  • Ltmorales2004

    I am a huge Broncos fan but Denver will never win with Orton. He is a a decent QB but not a winner. Late in the game Denver needed a first down worse than our economy needs a boost. What does he do? He slides with 4 yards to go for a first down and ends up 2 yards short. All he had to do was put his shoulder down and hit the DB who might have weighed 190lbs! Remember when Elway dove forward and was hit into a helicopter spin but got the first down. It is that passion that Denver needs at QB! Then mediocre Kyle Orton throws an interception late in the game.

  • Ltmorales2004

    Absolutely BRO! I hadn't even read your blog yet and posted almost the same thing. We need a QB with a passion to win that is transferred onto the field.

  • DTurtle

    That's right. Elway never threw an interception, he never lost a game by seven, and he was the only reason the Broncos won those two Super Bowls. I with you man. Let's just live in the past the rest of our lives.

  • MeOMy

    Why risk getting hurt when it wasn't even third down? Earlier in the game when it was third down he did go for it and got it. Orton had a good game. The offensive line really struggled. There could have easily been another 3 sacks in the game. To blame him for the loosing is just stupid.

    If it wasn't for the sloppy play from others on the team Denver would have come out with a win.

  • Dbaumga797

    Right…Orton was what cost us the game…specifically that slide.

    I remember #7 sliding plenty of times. The play you reference was at a key point in THE SUPERBOWL, not the first game against the Jags…huge difference.

    If you hate Orton just say so…don't compare these two plays as if they are in the same universe!

  • anthony33

    Just for grins.

    Hillis: 9 carries for 41 yards

    We technically don’t have a fullback that runs the ball

    Marshall: 8 catches for 53 yards

    Lloyd and Gaffney more than made up

    Scheffler: 6 catches for 43

    We all saw what Quinn did

    Cutler: 23-35 372 yards,2 TD 1 INT 108 rating

    Orton 21-33 295 yards 1 TD 1 INT 89.8 rating

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    Moreno was running behind a young line and was playing for the first time since … a long time … But I agree besides that. He wasn't however fantastic, but I think when all his wheels start rolling he'll beast the League.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    I'm a big Hills fan and probably will never understand why Denver traded him. I'm glad he's doing well in Cleveland though and don't hold it against McDaniels for letting him go to a team that uses him correctly.

    All the other guys I couldn't care less about though

  • Vince_marine

    We have to remember it's only the first game of the season. The Broncos are notorious for starting fast and falling apart late in the season. I think this year will be different. There were a lot of positive things that came out of today, and the things that weren't positive can be fixed easily. GO BRONOCS!

  • GatorgoneBronco

    …..i don't think orton showed anything today, had he gone for the short yardage as we know another QB would have…the score may have been the other direction.

  • http://twitter.com/jholm7 Jason

    The play you're thinking of was a 2nd and 11, which he(Orton) turned into a short 3rd. It was a smart play.

  • crazykid

    In Orton's INT, I notices he had Gaffney WIDE OPEN on the sideline. Of course, he was pressured, and I could see the play from a birds eye view, but its still a little disappointing, since it could have actually been a big gain.

  • http://www.tanystropheus.wordpress.com Tanystropheus

    Historically, Jacksonville has been to us what we've been to New England. Even when the Patriots are in championship form and the Broncos are the embodiment of mediocrity, Denver has always given the Pats a world of trouble… this is a trend which dates back to the conception of both franchises in 1960. Similarly, the Broncos have always been hard-pressed to defeat the Jags, even with the odds stacked heavily in their favor. Hopefully, our guys will be able to buck the trend soon enough…

  • Tkacik

    What in the world did the Broncos do during the weather delay? Is there a rule about getting your act together during such events? I would have thought the Broncos, at least, would have taken the event to script a set of plays together and then execute those plays. BUT, it would seem they had not. If they had, perhaps they may have thought the word “execution” means shooting one self in the foot….

  • ShotNDarkMusic

    Hmmm….first lets correct the easy thing….the spelling is BRONCOS. The way the “Bronocs” lost today would seem to be easily corrected. However, the mistakes made were the kind made out of habit…habits are broken over a 30 day period…..that is well into their season…and even then the hopes of making the playoffs will be in peril. Go Bronocs!!!

  • roshon2411

    Team played today, exactly what they've been the past couple years, average.

    Orton, played ok, wasn't spectacular but didn't lose the game. Continues to have mental lapses though. Takes too many sacks.

    What the line give up, 3 sacks? How many were coverage sacks? That first drive was big, needed 3 points there.

    I don't see the leadership. Not stretching for the 1st down, looking towards the sideline to see if he needs to call a timeout?

    He's not a rookie. He's a 6th year, 27 year old pro. Man up!

    Team game, but 17 points, never had the lead. Starts at the QB position.

    Running game: Average/Bad

    Moreno doesn't look to be a every down back. Doesn't have the speed.

    Receiving game: Good

    Lloyd was a big surprise today. Nice to see Royal back. Gaffney had a decent game. TE's were again absent that first drive, no surprise there.

    O-Line: Average

    Pass Protection looked good for the lack of reps these guys had together. Run blocking couldn't tell you. Not sure if its the new scheme or the talent running behind them but they weren't good.

    D-Line- Average

    I thought Jamal Williams and Vickerson looked good at times, but the whole team begin to wear down in the heat. Holding MJD under 100 yards and no TD's should be considered a win but dumb penalties. This comes down the discipline at the end of games.

    Linebackers Average/Bad

    DJ didn't have an awful game but didn't stand out. Ayers looked a lot better, but needs to improve even more to justify a 1st round pick. Haggen and the rest of the group, were really slow.

    DB's Bad/Awful

    Bailey had a bad game, but can still tackle better than any DB in the league. Dawkins looked a step slow. Hopefully the heat/rust and not losing a step because of age. Though, he still brings the wood. Garrard didn't have to throw all over them, but could, if he had to.

    Special Teams: Bad/Aweful

    Prater and Colquitt looked great, but the coverage teams were the 2nd worst coverage teams of the weekend.(2nd only to my beloved Buckeye team, who gave up a punt and KO return)

    Coaching: Bad/Awful

    McDaniels again was out-coached. Though after watching the Skins/Cowboys game, I have more faith in McDaniels than Wade Phillips. But that's not saying much.

    10 guys on the field on a TD hurts, penalties and blown assignments, this falls on the coaches.

    Special Teams have been a joke in Denver the past 10 years.

    Overall, I can see them improving in many areas, but not sure I see a playoff team.

    Prediction 7-9, 3 road wins, 4 home wins.

    Hey, here's to me eating some crow this year!

  • ShotNDarkMusic

    Orton was playing against a much better team? Ummmm…the Lions beat the Broncos in the preseason…..Oops…I am sorry you did say you were writing what is above for grins….. :-)

  • roshon2411

    In which he then turned into two straight incompletions and turnover-on-downs.

    Not blaming him for the loss, but not a so-called “smart play”.

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

    I've got one word for the Broncos:

    Fundamentals.

    A defensive player should NEVER be offsides! You've never been allowed to tackle somebody by they're facemask…Not even in 4th grade! If you are on the field, then you need to know what your job is and where, and how to do it. Most importantly, if you are a DB you never take your eyes off the football.

    Are you kidding me Richard Quinn?! You are getting paid millions of dollars to memorize 200 pieces of paper and you cant line up or block correctly? Come on man!

    If Renaldo Hill doesn't turn around and take his eyes off the ball he doesn't allow that touchdown…Interception at best.

    We should have hands down won this game. I would not want to be a Denver Bronco this week at practice.

    PROS:
    DJ Williams – Had a number of solid tackles and looked like he was having fun out there.

    B Dawk – With the exception of that tremendous catch at the end, Brian was flying today and was making so solid plays.

    Kyle Orton – Has been looking really good all up until the last little bit there. Making a number or really nice throws into tight windows.

    Brandon Loyd – Ummm… I don't think I've said “wow” that many times on consecutive plays… That kid was doing everything he could and it's to bad that the NFL changed the force out rule or that would have been a highlight reel catch.

    Knowshon Moreno – You guys are ripping this kid way to much. For not having any contact before this game he made some nice moves and had some good gains. I do agree that he needs to be more decisive and make a cut and run north and south.

    Eddie Royal – It was nice to see him back in action after basically not seeing him at all last year. That one move that he put on the safety was sick!

    CONS:

    Richard Quinn – Come on man. Pull your head out of you butt and get in the game.

    Renaldo Hill – You’ve got to make a play in the end zone. I’ve seen you make that play 8/10 times. Keep your eyes on the ball.

    Ryan McBean – You not only gave up 30 free yards, but you arguably broke and already bending defense.

    Correll Buckhalter – Cant put the football on the ground. You can not turn the football over and expect to win.

    Lack of Turnovers – What happened to that defense that I saw a few weeks about picking the crap out of Pittsburg? Where did all the turnovers go?

    ARE YOU KIDDING ME:

    Josh McD – You've got to control yourself. That was just embarrassing watching you tear into your team!

    Special Teams – They apparently missed the flight from Denver.

    10 guys on the field???????????? Really?????????? What the hell??????

    I hope that we slaughter the Seahawks next week! I know that the Broncos are better than that piss poor performance and I hope we rip 50+ points into that defense!

    You need a statement game?! September 19th, 2010

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

    Don't get to carried away… That safety was playing zone and had Orton thrown it to Gaffney he would have been there… However, that should have been where the ball went, I agree… not to a smothered Eddie Royal…

  • mikebirty

    Spot on T. Think I'm with you on most things there. I liked Moreno and thought he showed some good moves and carries. Orton, Lloyd and Royal were good and I agree with almost everything you said apart from on Dawkins, I didn't think he had a very good game.

    Still there are a lot of fans out there who've had a nasty shock this week after thinking that their teams were better than they were. 49ers and Raiders were hammered and the Eagles and Dallas were beaten too. I'd rather have this game now than after starting 6-0.

  • anthony33

    Still waiting for Moreno to have that breakout game. He is a solid player, but does not seem to be great at any one thing. He's not big, not especially fast or quick and does not have a nose for short yardage. Good at a lot of things, but not great.

  • anthony33

    You got me on that. Lions have won what, two games in the last 32? They will be much better this year no doubt, but I still think jville is better. The call at the end of the Lions-Bears looked kind of like that ump that made that terrible call to end the perfect game. What a bullshit call.

  • MiamiMike

    As Denver fans we all want to win each and every game. We all want to get the first win so we feel good about the season our team and maybe get the chance to talk a little fun smack at the water cooler.

    We also need to remember this team had around 13 starters hurt at some point this off season. If I am correct there was not a time we had the entire offensive line prcatice at once. We did not have the same 2 running backs. The D-Line was missing players as well as Champ and Dawk missing time. We wont talk about the Wr's who missed time as well. Sure it hurts to not win this game but I look at the (entire) picture and realize considering what went on in the off season was this team really going to gel week one. This game was our first game and still the O-Line was not all playing. Lets not over think this loss to much. Lets see how we start to come together week to week and then lets decide the fate of the season. We might not win next week as well with the O-Line not 100%. Lets get EVERYONE BACK and let them play 2 games together. Lets not think we are in trouble after 1 game. Denver when healthy never does well here in Florida in the early part of the year. I think they are 0-5. We had to many players not playing TOGETHER in the pre-season games to think we would come out firing in all cylinders Sunday. Lets get this team healthy and all on the same page BEFORE we decide the fate of the team.

  • anthony33

    Hope you're right about next week. Coming into town to see that game. Agree with most of what you said, but was not really impressed with anyone on defense and I thought Dawk was a second late all day.

  • anthony33

    All in all the Bronx played a decent game. Considering being on the road, the heat and humidity and a new offensive line, they did okay.

    They basically beat themselves which is far better than getting waxed.

    Couple of comments above mentioned McD's demeanor on the sideline. Not sure what to think of that, but he clearly is being what he is and not holding back. Just not sure if it's effective.

    Time to get ready for the Seachickens… can't wait til Sunday!!!

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    I agree with the comment on Knowshon, I was impressed at how good he looked for no preseason and little to no training camp. His 14 yard scamper to the sideline was about the prettiest 14 yarder I've ever seen in which he broke two tackles and made a 3rd miss. I think as he gets more touches this season he's going to learn how to break out of the 2nd level.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    I couldn't agree with this more. I'm reminded of the Oakland/Denver game a few seasons back when the game was halted for lightning. Denver was taking it to the Raiders all game and when Oakland went into the locker room they coached up the players and made a ton of adjustments. I was hoping Denver would do the same here. A delay gives the struggling team's coaching staff a mulligan.

  • http://twitter.com/DantePakistan Michael Land

    hnbnj

  • VINCE_MARINE

    That was a typo, and I should have looked over it first. Thanks! In regards to the mistakes I don't see it taking 30 days to correct. Face mask penalties, holding penalties, turnovers can be corrected from week to week. I think they will be fine. What I am curious about is how they will play next week coming off a loss. They didn't do well last year. GO BRONCOS! LOL!

  • VINCE_MARINE

    You can't forget about the Colts….I don't think all of these teams are throwing up their hands and giving up on the season. Some of the fans in here are ridiculous! GO BRONCOS!

  • Vince_marine

    I personally like the fact that he rips them. It might not be the most effective but at least the players know where he is coming from. Some of those players need that!

  • herc_rock

    Unless we get some semblance of a pass rush, having the oldest starting secondary in NFL history is going to be a problem the entire season.

  • herc_rock

    Well said.

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

    Seriously… It's only one game.

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

    I like seeing him ear-hole people as the come off the field… But to have him rant about it, then go after coaches for 10 minutes after it happened… There's a line that can be crossed there and in my opinion he certainly crossed it.

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

    Doesn't matter how old they are… If you give a QB all day to throw he'll rip you apart. Darrell Revis would of had problems yesterday.

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

    I went back an forth on Dawkins. He wasn't horrible but he wasn't all that great either. He had a few nice plays like the pass break up where he went up about 400 feet to get and the huge hit near the beginning that broke up a for sure catch.

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