Football The Broncos: I don't see it. - Page 5

Direckshun · 05-02-2012, 05:10 PM

I really don't.

The Manning thing was a stroke of genius, if only because John Elway has the benefit of being Manning's idol. I tell you what, if I was a future Hall of Fame basketball player, and none of you know me so let's just say I am, I'd probably be more inclined to play for the Pacers under Larry Bird (favorite player of all time) than on a small market playoff team like the Memphis Grizzlies.

I think the Broncos, with that acquisition, are about to have themselves a Top 5 passing game in the NFL.

The problem is, I'm pretty sure that's all this team is.

The offensive line is not close to being fixed. Orlando Franklin has been serviceable on the right side, but is not an Eric Winston world beater at the position. And unless they move Franklin inside, their interior line is a joke. Beadles looks like he's getting another year sucking it up at RG, and it looks like JD Walton will be sucking it up at C yet again, because I honestly don't think Phillip Blake unseats him. And if he does, we'll take 680 lbs of nose tackle and shove it up right up the rook's nose.

Which would mean a ton if they had a demonic run game to threaten defenses with -- which, ding ding ding, you guessed it: it's average. Willis McGahee was running like a wildman when Tebow was under center, but they couldn't move the ball against the Chiefs bottom-third run defense late in the year. The only reinforcements they've brought in? A scatback from San Diego State, Ronnie Hillman.

I've no doubt that teams will drop eight, giving the Donks a chance to run better, but it's nothing a stout defensive line and a fast linebacker corps can't rectify.

Their defensive line continues to underwhelm me up the middle -- I like what they have coming off the edges, but I think you can run right at Dumervil and Ayers (I regard Miller as the real deal). I've never been a big DJ Williams fan, just plays too much like Derrick Johnson from the Vermeil days for me to get too excited about.

Their secondary has some talent. Bailey is an All Pro in his twilight years, and I love that safety they drafted from UCLA last year. But Porter has spent the past year or two getting his ass handed to him in New Orleans, and their rookie corner is coming off a devastating injury and is going to take a year or two to develop anyway.

The more things change, the more they stay the same... the Broncos are looking a lot now like the Colts did in the latter Manning years: all pass game with an average run game, with a shit defense apart from two passrushers.

It was a successful strategy in Indianapolis, when the run game was better. The offensive line was better. The defense was better.

And the quarterback was younger, stronger, not a year out of football, one hit away from being sidelined.

In which case, we'll either see a lanky-ass rookie with a Tebow-style delivery, or Caleb Hanie, who we beat in 2011 with Tyler Palko under center.

Sorry folks, don't see it.

San Diego or Kansas City make a ton more sense as division winners.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-02-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H5N5

I understand and even can get behind that a bit... but statistically speaking, they benefitted from, in baseball terms, an EXTREMELY HIGH BABIP. you have to assume that they'll return to the mean by at LEAST a bit, and lose several more than they should win (rather than vice versa like they did last year).

Normally, I'd agree. But QB play in this league trumps all.

If healthy, Manning will make these fringe players better.

Hell, Demaryius Thomas racked up 300 yards in two playoff games with Tebow throwing him the ball.

It'll be interesting to watch, that's for sure.

**notorious** · 05-02-2012, 08:09 PM

Denver played a mediocre schedule last year.

Offenses played conservative, since Denver's offense was shit. Against Manning the other teams are going to attack again.

I see them going 8-8 again.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-02-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Denver played a mediocre schedule last year.

Offenses played conservative, since Denver's offense was shit. Against Manning the other teams are going to attack again.

I see them going 8-8 again.

The played the exact same "difficult" schedule we did - save two games.

And their two extra opponents combined for an 18-14 record, while ours combined for a 14-18 record.

**RealSNR** · 05-02-2012, 08:15 PM

You don't just plug in Manning, do a training camp and some preseason games, and then go.

That's a complicated offense they'll be running, and a lot of the direction is going to have to come from Manning himself. Mike McCoy, while a fantastic offensive coordinator, is unfamiliar with this playbook and can only do so much.

I'm disappointed we don't have any early games against the Broncos, because I think they'll be weak and vulnerable to start the season. As the year progresses, however, they'll finally start to click if Manning is at full strength.

Time will tell if they can click into an offensive groove and be what the Colts were come the playoffs. It may very well take two seasons to see the full potential of that team.

**notorious** · 05-02-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The played the exact same "difficult" schedule we did - save two games.

And their two extra opponents combined for an 18-14 record, while ours combined for a 14-18 record.

I didn't say shit about our schedule.

-King- · 05-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

McGahee ran for 1200 yards - good for 8th overall and 4th in AFC.

Obviously, Tebow running for 600+ is why they led the league, but to imply their backs were bad is ridiculous.

McGahee and Knowshon are average backs. Well, McGahee is an average back. Knowshon is terrible.

**notorious** · 05-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Denver is a much better franchise overall then KC, though.

In time they will eventually go back to SB's while the Chiefs are left with their dicks in hand.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-02-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I didn't say shit about our schedule.

No, you didn't.

However, the majority of this board uses the "7-9 against a tough schedule missing our two best players" excuse quite often, so this needed to be pointed out.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 05-02-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

McGahee and Knowshon are average backs. Well, McGahee is an average back. Knowshon is terrible.

Agreed on Knowshon, but 8th in the league (WM) isn't anything to sneeze at.

If calling the 4th leading rusher in the AFC "average" makes you feel better about him playing for a rival, so be it.

**notorious** · 05-02-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

No, you didn't.

However, the majority of this board uses the "7-9 against a tough schedule missing our two best players" excuse quite often, so this needed to be pointed out.

I got it, and you are 100% correct, that is a common excuse.

Denver is probably going to be better then us because they have the one component that matters. If he is healthy, they will be tough to beat.

Teams will play them differently, though. The opposition will attack knowing that they have to keep up. The defense will take a step back IMO.

Let's not forget the "Peyton" factor, which is the fact that the officials will bend over backwards to protect him, and Denver will probably get a lot of ticky-tack defensive holding and PI calls to go their way.

-King- · 05-02-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Agreed on Knowshon, but 8th in the league (WM) isn't anything to sneeze at.

If calling the 4th leading rusher in the AFC "average" makes you feel better about him playing for a rival, so be it.

670 yards
540 yards
380 yards
1200 yards

Those are his last 4 years. He's average.

Shit, Peyton Hillis puts up comparable stats.

**RealSNR** · 05-02-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Agreed on Knowshon, but 8th in the league (WM) isn't anything to sneeze at.

If calling the 4th leading rusher in the AFC "average" makes you feel better about him playing for a rival, so be it.

Do you think Baltimore used him as a short yardage back only just to be dicks, then? Or did they just think LeRon McClain was that much better? After all, when the Ravens were short on RBs that year, they turned to McClain to start some games, and favored him OVER McGahee.

The Ravens have been wrong about RBs plenty of times before, so it's possible they were just idiots, I guess.

**RealSNR** · 05-02-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Let's not forget the "Peyton" factor, which is the fact that the officials will bend over backwards to protect him, and Denver will probably get a lot of ticky-tack defensive holding and PI calls to go their way.

Ugh. Not looking forward to that at all

Hammock Parties · 05-02-2012, 08:31 PM

PFF gave the Donks run blocking a shitty grade last year.

It's entirely possible, without the option threat, their running game goes to shit.

Marcellus · 05-02-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

No, you didn't.

However, the majority of this board uses the "7-9 against a tough schedule missing our two best players" excuse quite often, so this needed to be pointed out.

The same board that claimed before the season 7-9 would be a success with that schedule?

05-02-2012, 05:10 PM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4173447	The Broncos: I don't see it. I really don't. The Manning thing was a stroke of genius, if only because John Elway has the benefit of being Manning's idol. I tell you what, if I was a future Hall of Fame basketball player, and none of you know me so let's just say I am, I'd probably be more inclined to play for the Pacers under Larry Bird (favorite player of all time) than on a small market playoff team like the Memphis Grizzlies. I think the Broncos, with that acquisition, are about to have themselves a Top 5 passing game in the NFL. The problem is, I'm pretty sure that's all this team is. The offensive line is not close to being fixed. Orlando Franklin has been serviceable on the right side, but is not an Eric Winston world beater at the position. And unless they move Franklin inside, their interior line is a joke. Beadles looks like he's getting another year sucking it up at RG, and it looks like JD Walton will be sucking it up at C yet again, because I honestly don't think Phillip Blake unseats him. And if he does, we'll take 680 lbs of nose tackle and shove it up right up the rook's nose. Which would mean a ton if they had a demonic run game to threaten defenses with -- which, ding ding ding, you guessed it: it's average. Willis McGahee was running like a wildman when Tebow was under center, but they couldn't move the ball against the Chiefs bottom-third run defense late in the year. The only reinforcements they've brought in? A scatback from San Diego State, Ronnie Hillman. I've no doubt that teams will drop eight, giving the Donks a chance to run better, but it's nothing a stout defensive line and a fast linebacker corps can't rectify. Their defensive line continues to underwhelm me up the middle -- I like what they have coming off the edges, but I think you can run right at Dumervil and Ayers (I regard Miller as the real deal). I've never been a big DJ Williams fan, just plays too much like Derrick Johnson from the Vermeil days for me to get too excited about. Their secondary has some talent. Bailey is an All Pro in his twilight years, and I love that safety they drafted from UCLA last year. But Porter has spent the past year or two getting his ass handed to him in New Orleans, and their rookie corner is coming off a devastating injury and is going to take a year or two to develop anyway. The more things change, the more they stay the same... the Broncos are looking a lot now like the Colts did in the latter Manning years: all pass game with an average run game, with a shit defense apart from two passrushers. It was a successful strategy in Indianapolis, when the run game was better. The offensive line was better. The defense was better. And the quarterback was younger, stronger, not a year out of football, one hit away from being sidelined. In which case, we'll either see a lanky-ass rookie with a Tebow-style delivery, or Caleb Hanie, who we beat in 2011 with Tyler Palko under center. Sorry folks, don't see it. San Diego or Kansas City make a ton more sense as division winners.
Posts: 59,314

05-02-2012, 08:09 PM	#62
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2555884	Denver played a mediocre schedule last year. Offenses played conservative, since Denver's offense was shit. Against Manning the other teams are going to attack again. I see them going 8-8 again.
Posts: 83,617

05-02-2012, 08:19 PM	#67
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2555884	Denver is a much better franchise overall then KC, though. In time they will eventually go back to SB's while the Chiefs are left with their dicks in hand.
Posts: 83,617

05-02-2012, 08:31 PM	#74
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4340478	PFF gave the Donks run blocking a shitty grade last year. It's entirely possible, without the option threat, their running game goes to shit. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,943