Greybeard
08-27-2007, 12:15 PM
Broncos confident, but remain a mystery
BY JOHN J. ROBERTS
JohnRoberts@coloradoan.com
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs....35/1006/SPORTS
DENVER - You've got to believe the Denver Broncos have been holding
something back this preseason.
Another bland, unimaginative performance Saturday night in a 17-16 loss to
the Cleveland Browns left the Broncos at 1-2 in the games that don't count
and left one to wonder just what the plan is for getting ready for the season
opener in Buffalo in less than two weeks.
By most accounts the Broncos have the talent to compete for the AFC West
title, but the past two preseason games, losses to Dallas and Cleveland, have
shown nothing.
Maybe going strictly vanilla with the game plans on both offense and defense
is just what coach Mike Shanahan has in mind as a means to not give away
anything to his opponents.
"We have a lot of work to do, but we're not there yet," he said simply. "But
we'll get there."
The Broncos coach more likely is fed up with seeing his players get hurt in
these games and would rather do his evaluations over the course of his own
practices for the cuts that are coming this week. The teams must be down to
75 players by Tuesday and the final 53-man roster by Saturday.
Running back Travis Henry and his backup Mike Bell didn't play against the
Browns after getting nicked up against the Cowboys, and barely any of the
Broncos regulars are due to play Thursday against Arizona in the final
preseason game.
While the games don't count in the official standings, playing well helps
players feel better. And for a team that has an infusion of new faces and
schemes, getting a win in the final preseason game this week might go a long
way toward creating something positive heading into this season of questions
marks.
"We need to have some success to help our confidence," said veteran safety
John Lynch, speaking for the defense that has been shaky at best. "I think
we all believe this is going to be a very good unit. We haven't shown it yet,
so, is there some concern? Yes.
"... You play each preseason game just to build for the opener. We made
some strides ... but we have to continue to make strides."
For the offense, which had its best drive of the season, going 80 yards for a
TD near the end of the first half Saturday night, quarterback Jay Cutler says
things are coming together.
"I don't think we need to get all worried, flustered and panic," he said. "We
have to have a sense of urgency. We'll clean some stuff up and get ready for
the real thing. We're getting there. I still feel good about everything.
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Not much new here, but I thought I would post it, anyway, during this news lull.
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BY JOHN J. ROBERTS
JohnRoberts@coloradoan.com
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs....35/1006/SPORTS
DENVER - You've got to believe the Denver Broncos have been holding
something back this preseason.
Another bland, unimaginative performance Saturday night in a 17-16 loss to
the Cleveland Browns left the Broncos at 1-2 in the games that don't count
and left one to wonder just what the plan is for getting ready for the season
opener in Buffalo in less than two weeks.
By most accounts the Broncos have the talent to compete for the AFC West
title, but the past two preseason games, losses to Dallas and Cleveland, have
shown nothing.
Maybe going strictly vanilla with the game plans on both offense and defense
is just what coach Mike Shanahan has in mind as a means to not give away
anything to his opponents.
"We have a lot of work to do, but we're not there yet," he said simply. "But
we'll get there."
The Broncos coach more likely is fed up with seeing his players get hurt in
these games and would rather do his evaluations over the course of his own
practices for the cuts that are coming this week. The teams must be down to
75 players by Tuesday and the final 53-man roster by Saturday.
Running back Travis Henry and his backup Mike Bell didn't play against the
Browns after getting nicked up against the Cowboys, and barely any of the
Broncos regulars are due to play Thursday against Arizona in the final
preseason game.
While the games don't count in the official standings, playing well helps
players feel better. And for a team that has an infusion of new faces and
schemes, getting a win in the final preseason game this week might go a long
way toward creating something positive heading into this season of questions
marks.
"We need to have some success to help our confidence," said veteran safety
John Lynch, speaking for the defense that has been shaky at best. "I think
we all believe this is going to be a very good unit. We haven't shown it yet,
so, is there some concern? Yes.
"... You play each preseason game just to build for the opener. We made
some strides ... but we have to continue to make strides."
For the offense, which had its best drive of the season, going 80 yards for a
TD near the end of the first half Saturday night, quarterback Jay Cutler says
things are coming together.
"I don't think we need to get all worried, flustered and panic," he said. "We
have to have a sense of urgency. We'll clean some stuff up and get ready for
the real thing. We're getting there. I still feel good about everything.
-----
Not much new here, but I thought I would post it, anyway, during this news lull.
-----