Jeb Putzier in 2005

It’s clear after listening to Jeb Putzier‘s interview with Scott & Al on FM 104.3 The Fan Tuesday afternoon that the veteran journeyman is disillusioned with the Denver Broncos, and the NFL in general. Released along with three other players this afternoon, it must have been difficult for Putzier to keep his composure and not reek of sour grapes, and for the most part he succeeded. But when asked about the state of the team, the picture he painted was none-too-pretty.

Saying that overall he was appreciative and didn’t want to burn any bridges, Putzier dropped this nugget midway through the ten-minute spot:

“It’s not the same 13-3 team I was on three years ago when we went to the AFC Championship Game, I can tell you that much. It’s going to take a lot to turn around this organization from where it was at, and it needs to start in that locker room. It has a long way to go.”

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Knowshon Moreno returned to practice Tuesday. (courtesy DenverBroncos.com)

Possible good news for two thirds of the Denver Broncos backfield today, it looks as if rookie running back Knowshon Moreno and Kyle Orton could be available for the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals in less than two weeks. Moreno returned to the practice field today, while there are mixed reports on Orton.

If Orton can’t go, Chris Simms may be able to overcome his “lower extremity” injury and start in his place.

The speculation on Orton came after The Denver Post reported Orton’s injury an “Open dislocation,” meaning Orton’s finger popped out of place so severely that it snapped and tore the skin from the inside out. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Putzier

The NFL requires rosters to be cut from 80 to 75 players today, and the Denver Broncos released four players and placed Brandon Marshall on the reserved/suspended list to meet the requirement.

The four players released are TE Jeb Putzier, P Britton Colquitt, C Blake Schlueter, and WR C.J. Jones.

Putzier is the big surprise of the early cuts, but rookies Colquitt and Schlueter are also surprising.  No doubt the team will try to get Blake, whom they drafted in the seventh round this year, on the practice squad. Don’t be surprised to see Colquitt picked up by another team.

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• The Broncos must cut their roster from 80 to 75 today.  But that’s the same case for every NFL team.  Will they also be looking at other released talent, like QB Kevin O’Connell?  [No link, just thinking out loud]
• No one’s certain if either or both Kyle Orton or Chris Simms will be available Week 1.  [Denver Post]
• This Miami Herald columnist thinks the Dolphins should go after Brandon Marshall. [Miami Herald]
• Might the Broncos be actively shopping Marshall?  [ProFootballTalk]

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Do you need a Brandon Marshall? Craiglist has them. Cheap.

Thanks, The Fan.

Kyle Orton jogs onto the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at INVESCO Field at Mile High. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

There isn’t much of a split amongst the fans of those harbingers from Dove Valley: Trading Jay Cutler was a mistake, but now we hate him, Josh McDaniels may be a genius, but I ain’t seein’ it, Mike Shanahan may have been a better option as head coach this season and Kyle Orton sucks…

Or does he?

Or do Broncos fans just want him to suck?

Here’s the thing folks, short of busting a ligament in his finger Orton may have finished Sunday night with one of the better performances in the preseason. Completing 12/16 for 75% is no easy feat, particularly with Brandon Marshall and Jabar Gaffney sidelined and the offensive line forgetting it was a professional football unit. Yeah, it’s preseason, but if it’s only preseason, then why all the concern with the Broncos quote/unquote ‘sucking’ so bad? HUH! Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton holds his right hand as he walks off of the field after being injured during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Some unofficial good news out of Dove Valley Monday – the injuries that quarterback Kyle Orton and right guard Chris Kuper sustained during Sunday night’s loss to Chicago appear to be relatively minor, and both starters could possibly be available for the regular season opener in Cincinnati on September 13th.

It’s possible they won’t be available as well, but the fact that a quick turnaround is even possible after what looked like two potentially extensive side-linings is encouraging.

Orton bloodied his right index finger in the second quarter after banging it into another player’s helmet. Head Coach Josh McDaniels told reporters after the game Sunday that the finger wasn’t fractured, but that they were going to continue with further tests. Today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Orton suffered a strained/partially torn tendon in the finger, but should be good to go two Sundays from now. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Ok, I made this comment in connection with the ongoing Cutler Bowl debate, but I think it’s a big enough topic to separate it out from the talk of last nights game.

I truly think that the entire Cutler discussion is distracting us from the real issue…

Here is what I think our problem is:

Bronco fans are more motivated by the hatred of an ex-player than they are motivated by the passion and excitement of the current players/coaches on the team. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

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• Chris Simms may be ready before Kyle Orton, and some promising news on Chris Kuper.  [Denver Post]
• Is Jay Cutler that good, or are the Broncos that bad?  [Latest Word]
• Last night’s game felt like a playoff game, says SI’s Peter King. [Sports Illustrated]
• The ratings reflected that atmosphere. [Colorado Springs Gazette]

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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) scrambles out of the pocket to avoid the rush of Denver Broncos' Elvis Dumervil (92) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Fans hoping for a Jay Cutler goose egg were disappointed Sunday night, as the former Denver Broncos quarterback finished his starting duties in the second quarter with a 98-yard touchdown drive that put the game out of the reach. The Chicago Bears went on to win 27-17 in Week 3 NFL Preseason action.

Of greater concern to the Broncos are the injuries they suffered Sunday. Right guard Chris Kuper, who did not allow a sack in 2008, left the game in the first quarter with what looked like a serious knee injury. Quarterback Kyle Orton also left the game with a finger injury, although his appears less serious. Safety Josh Barrett also left the game, while several other players were nicked up for a few plays at a time. Click here to read the rest of this entry »