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Published on 10/12/2010 at Tue Oct 12 10:09.
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Broncos 17 – Ravens 31: Studs and Duds

Posted Tue Oct 12th by

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (R) gets off his pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) closes in during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland October 10, 2010. (REUTERS/Joe Giza)

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (R) gets off his pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) closes in during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland October 10, 2010. (REUTERS/Joe Giza)

Analyzing player performances from the Denver Broncos‘ 17-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, highlighting the good and the bad.

Kyle OrtonStud: Kyle Orton

Had the man been able to reign supreme over the offense the Broncos would have come away with a win. It is pathetic that Denver was even attempting to run on the Baltimore Ravens. Run should have been no part of the Broncos game plan. Orton orchestrated the two minute offense, not once, but twice to perfection…

Teams like the Indianapolis Colts run their two minute offense the entire game…

It’s time for Denver to do that. -Ian Henson

Josh McDanielsDud: Coaching Staff

The Broncos were beaten in every phase of the game. Special teams turned it over. Defense allowed 5 70 yard drives. Offense couldn’t run the ball (even if they did better than last week, but the bar is so low that it doesn’t matter), and without a run game couldn’t succeed enough in the passing game to consistently score. The offense couldn’t stay on the field to keep the defense fresh.

There was only one point in the game where the Broncos even looked like they were competitive and that was late in the second quarter. but they couldn’t keep that momentum in the second half. Honestly the score makes the game look closer than it really was. The coaching staff failed to have the team ready for this game, and has failed to find a way to address the problems on the team. -E. Halsey Miles

Brandon LloydStud: Brandon Lloyd

Who needs Brandon Marshall when you have Brandon Lloyd? If Lloyd keeps this up he’ll be a Pro Bowl lock-in! After a slow first quarter Lloyd went on to catch 5 catches for a buck thirty-five and two scores, sadly though in a losing performance. I was furious after watching that game, Lloyd was the one bright spot. –Jon

Jamal WilliamsDud: Defensive Line

The Broncos defensive line. I’ve heard this story before, the one about inconsistent play, I’ve heard this story for the past four years. A week after holding the explosive Chris Johnson in check, the holes the defensive line were allowing gaped wide for Ray Rice. It seemed way to easy for Rice as he spurted through the gaps at what seemed to be 6 to 8 yards every time. When you see a running back smiling for most of the game, it’s not a good thing. What Broncos defense will show up next week? –J. Kenneth K

Champ BaileyStud: Champ Bailey

Champ’s effect on the game could hardly be seen — which simply means he was doing his job. He had a “measly” one tackle and a “measly” one pass defensed, to go along with a “measly” three dozen displays of sheer domination as he shut down whomever had the misfortune of lining up opposite him. This on a week where tens of millions of dollars were literally dangled in front of Bailey’s eyes, then ripped out from his hands. And Bailey just went to work. Just another day in the office.

Josh McDaniels questioned the Broncos’ mental toughness after the game Sunday. Some players on defense straight up quit. This man didn’t, when he, more than any other, had several million reasons to. Please, Denver… please, Pat Bowlen… make this man a Bronco for life. Now. –Kyle

Agree or disagree with our takes? Anyone not make the list who deserves a mention? Your Studs and Duds in the comments.

  • herc_rock

    Nobody from the O-Line?

  • areferee

    Spell check: Stud: Champ Bailey

  • jbronco

    Coaching was a Dud for sure this week. Not mentioned was the number of penalties wracked up this game… which, to me, should be attributed to the coaching staff.

  • DLMyers

    Pentalties are at the forefront. Clean them up and you at 5-6 minutes TOP.

    DL is not the problem, IMO. LB is. I know DJ got 10 tackles but not in the hole or TFL. And Mario is reminding me about Webster.

    Put Joe Mays in there and bring up Diyral Briggs.

  • robtink242

    McD has been a dud all season

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Thanks

  • AKfan

    DL may not be the problem, but clearly is not part of the solution. Few great teams lack playmakers on their d-line as the Broncos do. The d-line cannot be taken care of in free agency unless a team is willing to pay top $ for the few players that hit the market or over pay for mediocre players (Denver's path). Ignoring the d-line in the draft is going to haunt McD/Xanders. The lb's and secondary would be looking much better if the d-line consistently got after the qb.

  • areferee

    Agreed, and I see no signs of its changing. Bowlen is the only one who can change things. If I were Pat Bowlen, I would keep Mike Singletary on my speed dial for when he becomes available. (It won't be long)

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    You could probably give one to the o-line as a whole.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Dud, that is.

  • mikebirty

    really? a guy who thinks alex smith is an NFL quarterback and is 13-17 as a head coach.

    rather have mcdaniels any day.

  • adrenaline27

    Mike Singletary…. LMAO If Bowlen were to make any changes I could see him pulling the trigger only if Bill Cowher wants the job. Thats a big if too…

  • herc_rock

    Seriously. Singletary is a nutbag.

  • herc_rock

    Clady and Harris came back too soon.

  • AtomicLeo

    Disagree that Orton was a stud. Most of his scores and yards came in the last two minutes of the half when Baltimore was in a prevent defense. The Offense did squat while Baltimore jumped out to a 17-Nothing-lead.

  • areferee

    Compared to Josh who thinks Maroney is a running back and is 10-11 as a head coach. Mike IS a nut, agreed…but he knows defense and how to make needed changes. And he doesn't tolerate mediocrity. What is happening with the Niners is player related, not coaching.

    Like adrenaline27, Bill Cowher would be my first choice as a head coach, but Singletary would dramatically improve our defense, and I believe he would NEVER consider letting Champ get away. I don't think Cowher would gel with Bowlen.

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

    They were trying to prevent the deep ball in that prevent defense and what did Orton and Lloyd do twice against the defense?

  • Vince_marine

    Dud…the fans that say they are fans but yet don't support the team or the coach! I understand McD isn't perfect but which coach is? Point is, the season is a long way from being over. The division is wide open for anyone to win. Stay positive and support the team!!!

  • john616

    Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal continue to shine on offense. However, I agree with Ian that Denver needs to start emulating the Colts offensively, let's play to our strengths and start going no huddle.

    I didn't expect Denver to beat the Ravens, period. I believe Baltimore is the top team in the league at this point in time. That being said, if we can manage to beat the Jets at home this week, then we aren't sitting too bad at 3-3 with apparently the toughest part of the schedule behind us. Yet, without a running game, every game will be tough.

  • Jthamm2003

    McD is living with what Shanny left him…..a team that COMPLETELY ignored the front 7 year after year. Denver's only front 7 players drafted in the the first 3 rounds during the last 5/6 years have been Moss, Crowder and Thomas (until Ayers last year)….they will not cut it. Denver MUST use it's 1st and 2nds next year to improve!

  • CourtneyBrown98

    DON'T LOOK NOW BUT ALPHONSO SMITH HAS THREE PICKS!!!!

  • anthony33

    Kyle,

    Enjoy reading this segment each week… great comments… thanks.

    So far Orton is the surprise player of the year in the NFL. Kudos to him and the entire receiving core. Have to admire the gumption that guy has.

  • TheTroglodyte

    Kyle I agree with you that Bailey was a stud but “he had several million reasons to quit” are you CRAZY????? He is playing for his last chance at a massive pay day. He has several million reasons to play lights out because if he doesn't he might as well retire as he isn't getting paid from anyone at his age.

  • TheTroglodyte

    lol yeah apparently he was a 1st round worthy pick, we just suck at plugging in talent on defense.

  • areferee

    “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”

    Just like real life, where a Republican can be a good American with a Democrat in the White House, we can be critical of the coach or his decisions and still support the team…or vice versa.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    Thanks for the comments anthony33!

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    How many holdouts have we seen this year in the NFL? Vincent Jackson, Logan Mankins, and until a few days ago, Marcus McNeill were all holding out waiting for paydays. Brandon Marshall isn't a Bronco in large part because he and the Broncos had a verbal agreement for a new contract a year ago, and it was denied him.

    Champ had an 85% done deal that got pulled from under him. How'd he respond? — he just went to work.

    And I disagree on your last assertion. If he hits the free agent market, he will get paid.

  • anthony33

    Agree that the coaching staff in general is a DUD. What I am not sure about is if it's McD's poor selection of position coaches (o-line LB and ST), or is it McD does not know or has not learned how to manage or coach the coaches. That's what a head coach is all about… getting coaches to coach better, and then from there it's up to the position coaches to coach up the players to play better. The head coach can't do it all.

    There is no doubt McD is a great QB coach and an excellent offensive mind… I also believe he knows defense. My question is does he know how to be a head coach?? He's learning, BUT is this just a case of how fast he will learn and adapt or is it a case where he just isn't cut out to be the man…. that's the question.

    What happens over the course of the next three weeks will go a long way to answering those questions. Personally… I think its poor selection of coaches, but what the hell do I know.

  • anthony33

    Agree that the coaching staff in general is a DUD. What I am not sure about is if it's McD's poor selection of position coaches (o-line LB and ST), or is it McD does not know or has not learned how to manage or coach the coaches. That's what a head coach is all about… getting coaches to coach better, and then from there it's up to the position coaches to coach up the players to play better. The head coach can't do it all.

    There is no doubt McD is a great QB coach and an excellent offensive mind… I also believe he knows defense. My question is does he know how to be a head coach?? He's learning, BUT is this just a case of how fast he will learn and adapt or is it a case where he just isn't cut out to be the man…. that's the question.

    What transpires over the next three weeks will go a long way in answering those question. IMO it's his choices as coaches. Case in point: most improved team in the NFL right now is Kansas City. Why: Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel… preceeded by Scott Pioli… which is the other major issue with this franchise.

  • TheTroglodyte

    At his age, getting paid and “getting paid” are two different things. He's playing for a big contract and nobody is going to give a 33 year old player who has been injured a lot the last few years AND quit on his team a big contract. Unless he proves he still has it, nobody has any reason to believe he hasn't lost a step or two.

    Also notice McNeil gave in, and neither Mankins or Jackson are going to get paid this year AND they are all under 30 years old so those aren't the best examples.

    Can you give me an example of a 32+ yr old defensive player who held out and scored a BIG contract?

  • TheTroglodyte

    At his age, getting paid and “getting paid” are two different things. He's playing for a big contract and nobody is going to give a 33 year old player who has been injured a lot the last few years AND quit on his team a big contract. Unless he proves he still has it, nobody has any reason to believe he hasn't lost a step or two.

    Also notice McNeil gave in, and neither Mankins or Jackson are going to get paid this year AND they are all under 30 years old so those aren't the best examples.

    Can you give me an example of a 32+ yr old defensive player who held out and scored a BIG contract?