My every Monday thread-Broncos Team Report - The Orange Mane

TheReverend · 06-20-2005, 06:10 PM

Broncos Team Report
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Patrick Saunders /
Posted: 1 day ago

The Broncos won't have many starting jobs on offense up for grabs when training camp opens next month, but competition at running back will be red hot. That's because veteran Mike Anderson, coming back from a torn groin injury that cost him all of the 2004 season, is back in the hunt. He was running with the first unit at Denver's two offseason minicamps. Whether he can keep second-year back Tatum Bell from grabbing the starting job depends on Anderson's speed and his ability to stay healthy. He turns 32 in September and he's taken a lot of punishment. Never a flashy back, Anderson just proves he can make the quick, decisive cut so crucial to Denver's ground game. . . .

There were some major changes in Denver's offseason program this year. Although it's held a so-called quarterback camp and team camp, the team has yet to hold it's mandatory minicamp. That comes on July 6-8, just three weeks before training camp opens. Coach Mike Shanahan and the players say that it will keep their heads in the game throughout the summer and they can hit the ground running when two-a-days begin. The rookies, especially, should benefit from the three-day July camp.

SCOUTING REPORT: Wide receiver Ashley Lelie took a big step forward last season, catching 54 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged a gaudy 20.1 yards per catch. But he's still not the complete receiver the Broncos need him to be. Lelie is excellent as a downfield threat, particularly on streak routes. But he must prove he can make the tough catch across the middle and in the red zone. His blocking also needs to improve. Rod Smith is QB Jake Plummer's go-to receiver, but Lelie needs to gain that kind of trust from Plummer.

OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: Expect Denver's tight ends -- Jeb Putzier, Stephen Alexander and Nate Jackson -- to become downfield receivers, rather than dump-off targets or safety valves. All three can beat linebackers in coverage. Putzier, in particular, is ready to become the kind of downfield threat Shannon Sharpe used to be. . . .

Denver's ground game -- based on zone blocking, cut-backs and downhill running -- won't change much. However, don't be surprised to see more two-back sets featuring a fullback or even a tight end in the backfield in short-yardage situations. Denver's failures in short-yardage situations last season need to be fixed.

INSIDE DISH: One of the reasons the Broncos drafted three cornerbacks is because starter Lenny Walls is in the final year of his contract, and his agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Walls, 6-5 and fast, has a terrific upside, but he still has a lot to prove. If he has a big year, the Broncos will no doubt try to rework his deal long before next year's free-agent market opens. However, if Walls and Rosenhaus sense a chance to make a killing, Walls could be gone.

WIDE RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: Grade: C+. Aging Rod Smith can still get it done, but Ashley Lelie and Darius Watts must be more consistent. And does Jerry Rice have anything left?

-------

Another article I cant really argue with... aside from bumping our WR grade to at least a B.

SoCalBronco · 06-20-2005, 06:11 PM

good article, thanks reverend.

Sir Mawn · 06-20-2005, 06:18 PM

We're not far from having an all out catastrophe at WR. If Rod goes down we're ******.
Lelie hasn't proven to be a consistent WR (quite the contrary), Watts hasn't proven a damn thing, Rice has proven too much already, etc. etc.

TheReverend · 06-20-2005, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Mawn

We're not far from having an all out catastrophe at WR. If Rod goes down we're ******.
Lelie hasn't proven to be a consistent WR (quite the contrary), Watts hasn't proven a damn thing, Rice has proven too much already, etc. etc.

When injuries at Seattle forced Rice into significant playing time he showed he could still get seperation. Dont underestimate Ashley, sounds like he got the will this off-season

Tombstone RJ · 06-20-2005, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Mawn

We're not far from having an all out catastrophe at WR. If Rod goes down we're ******.
Lelie hasn't proven to be a consistent WR (quite the contrary), Watts hasn't proven a damn thing, Rice has proven too much already, etc. etc.

Thank God the Broncos are pushing Putzier to be a threat downfield, eh?

Clockwork Orange · 06-20-2005, 06:31 PM

There's no reason Lelie shouldn't be able to be successful running intermediate routes. He's already an established deep threat, which forces corners to play off of him. Combine that with the Peyton Manning rules that are being enforced on defenses these days and Lelie should be able to become a threat in shorter patterns as well.

If he can't get it done it'll be no one's fault but his.

FADERPROOF · 06-20-2005, 06:32 PM

Putzier, in particular, is ready to become the kind of downfield threat Shannon Sharpe used to be.
--------------------------------

That's what I like to read!

Sir Mawn · 06-20-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

Putzier, in particular, is ready to become the kind of downfield threat Shannon Sharpe used to be.
--------------------------------

That's what I like to read!

And I agree, too. Putzier would've been a terrible loss this offseason.

I'm happy to see some optimists talking about Lelie's consistency. I've been waiting for the guy to become consistent for years and i sometimes doubt if he'll ever become a reliable threat (I'm thrilled about the big plays, as long as Rod is there to run the short routes) but it's only a matter of time....

BroncoManCanuck · 06-20-2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

Thank God the Broncos are pushing Putzier to be a threat downfield, eh?

I thought that only Canucks say eh. But I guess Yankees do it also.

DivineLegion · 06-20-2005, 09:16 PM

If Rod goes down were gonna have a feuture star on our hands...one of those young WRs were holding is gonna do something...Jackson...Watts...Adams...Luke!

DarkHorse · 06-21-2005, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineLegion

If Rod goes down were gonna have a feuture star on our hands...one of those young WRs were holding is gonna do something...Jackson...Watts...Adams...Luke!

I agree - just because we haven't seen someone in extended action doesn't mean they suck.

Remember, I think it was Rod who was on the practice squad for a while honing his skills. He turned out somewhat ok wouldn't you agree?

Dudeskey · 06-21-2005, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivineLegion

If Rod goes down were gonna have a feuture star on our hands...one of those young WRs were holding is gonna do something...Jackson...Watts...Adams...Luke!

If Watts can get rid of his field-goal-hands syndrome, Denver should be set @ WR for a long time. Too bad Jackson gets hurt all the time, otherwise he'd make a good possession WR...™

06-20-2005, 06:10 PM	#1
TheReverend www.PatrickTurley.org ^ buy this... twice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 32,987 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mike Shanahan	My every Monday thread-Broncos Team Report Broncos Team Report Story Tools: Print Email Patrick Saunders / Posted: 1 day ago The Broncos won't have many starting jobs on offense up for grabs when training camp opens next month, but competition at running back will be red hot. That's because veteran Mike Anderson, coming back from a torn groin injury that cost him all of the 2004 season, is back in the hunt. He was running with the first unit at Denver's two offseason minicamps. Whether he can keep second-year back Tatum Bell from grabbing the starting job depends on Anderson's speed and his ability to stay healthy. He turns 32 in September and he's taken a lot of punishment. Never a flashy back, Anderson just proves he can make the quick, decisive cut so crucial to Denver's ground game. . . . There were some major changes in Denver's offseason program this year. Although it's held a so-called quarterback camp and team camp, the team has yet to hold it's mandatory minicamp. That comes on July 6-8, just three weeks before training camp opens. Coach Mike Shanahan and the players say that it will keep their heads in the game throughout the summer and they can hit the ground running when two-a-days begin. The rookies, especially, should benefit from the three-day July camp. SCOUTING REPORT: Wide receiver Ashley Lelie took a big step forward last season, catching 54 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged a gaudy 20.1 yards per catch. But he's still not the complete receiver the Broncos need him to be. Lelie is excellent as a downfield threat, particularly on streak routes. But he must prove he can make the tough catch across the middle and in the red zone. His blocking also needs to improve. Rod Smith is QB Jake Plummer's go-to receiver, but Lelie needs to gain that kind of trust from Plummer. OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: Expect Denver's tight ends -- Jeb Putzier, Stephen Alexander and Nate Jackson -- to become downfield receivers, rather than dump-off targets or safety valves. All three can beat linebackers in coverage. Putzier, in particular, is ready to become the kind of downfield threat Shannon Sharpe used to be. . . . Denver's ground game -- based on zone blocking, cut-backs and downhill running -- won't change much. However, don't be surprised to see more two-back sets featuring a fullback or even a tight end in the backfield in short-yardage situations. Denver's failures in short-yardage situations last season need to be fixed. INSIDE DISH: One of the reasons the Broncos drafted three cornerbacks is because starter Lenny Walls is in the final year of his contract, and his agent is Drew Rosenhaus. Walls, 6-5 and fast, has a terrific upside, but he still has a lot to prove. If he has a big year, the Broncos will no doubt try to rework his deal long before next year's free-agent market opens. However, if Walls and Rosenhaus sense a chance to make a killing, Walls could be gone. WIDE RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: Grade: C+. Aging Rod Smith can still get it done, but Ashley Lelie and Darius Watts must be more consistent. And does Jerry Rice have anything left? ------- Another article I cant really argue with... aside from bumping our WR grade to at least a B.

06-20-2005, 06:11 PM	#2
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,298 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	good article, thanks reverend. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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06-20-2005, 06:18 PM	#3
Sir Mawn Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mexico City Posts: 1,926	We're not far from having an all out catastrophe at WR. If Rod goes down we're ******. Lelie hasn't proven to be a consistent WR (quite the contrary), Watts hasn't proven a damn thing, Rice has proven too much already, etc. etc.

06-20-2005, 06:31 PM	#6
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	There's no reason Lelie shouldn't be able to be successful running intermediate routes. He's already an established deep threat, which forces corners to play off of him. Combine that with the Peyton Manning rules that are being enforced on defenses these days and Lelie should be able to become a threat in shorter patterns as well. If he can't get it done it'll be no one's fault but his.

06-20-2005, 06:32 PM	#7
FADERPROOF Bucknuts Colossus Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eastlake OH Posts: 17,338	Putzier, in particular, is ready to become the kind of downfield threat Shannon Sharpe used to be. -------------------------------- That's what I like to read!

06-20-2005, 09:16 PM	#10
DivineLegion There can only be one... G.O.A.T Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Peak of Good Living Posts: 4,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Nate Irving	If Rod goes down were gonna have a feuture star on our hands...one of those young WRs were holding is gonna do something...Jackson...Watts...Adams...Luke!