Broncs v. Boys analysis

[JCMElway]

Hadn't seen a thread dedicated to breakdown yet. If there is one please feel free to merge it.

Thoughts:

--Cutler looked sharp and made the correct reads. I'm pumped to have him at QB for the next 12 years or so.

--Hall was a beast. When we get Torrain back and healthy we will have a great stable of RBs. And Hall ran tough inside. That kind of tough running may make Sapp or Pittman expendable. Will Hall steal some carries from Young? Yes. Will he start at some point. Dunno. Hall did seem more amped up than Young did.

--B Marsh is a beast and Royal looks to be the real deal. Stokely was dependable as usual.

--N Jackson made a couple of catches. He may actually be productive this year.

--The O line looked very good. I'm going to have to go back and watch for individual performances, but Jay had ample time to throw. Did Harris start the whole time? If so, good times.

--The execution got pretty sloppy for a while on offense, but we seemed to pull it together.

--Ramsey sucks, Ramsey sucks, Ramsey Sucks. Suck, Suckier, Suckiest. Good god we have to cut him and then put our faith in Hackney or a FA. If Cutler gets injured we are doomed with Ramsey as the back up. What FAs are available?

--The good and bad news about Prater; Good -- He was booming kicks into the endzone. Bad -- He missed a 49 yard field goal badly. We probably lose a game or two because of Prater this year. But maybe we win a game or two because of improved field position. I hope he can be more consistent.....

--I bet Paulescu is the punter on opening day. He nailed one deep, and Kern had one blocked (although his picking it up and running for the first down was neat.) Lorne's blocking on that play was awful.

--Our D played solid against their first team O without Champ and Bly. Granted everything is very vanilla now, but it's a good step.

--I didn't see as much pressure on passing downs as I'd like, but the contain on gaps in stopping the run was very good. We will be a more consistent D this year.

--Niko is not the fastest LB, but he is smart and always hits his assignment.

--Winborn is one of my favorite Broncos. Always around the ball.

--Paymah had a decent game, especially covering T.O. Reports of his Broncos demise may be exaggerated.

--JMFW. 'Nuff said.

--McCree and Manuel played well. We may not miss Lynch.

--Woodyard had a couple of plays where he was fooled badly, but then came back and broke up a couple of passes with his speed and athleticism. He is a definite project with lots of upside.

--Cowboys observation -- Felix Jones is the real deal. Wow that guy is fast and shifty. Also, Pacman had a decent return, but was tackled by the PUNTER. Ha ha.

[Rohirrim]

What I liked most about last night's game is that after their lackadaisical showing last week, the Broncos came out against the biggest team in the NFL, pinned their ears back and took it to 'em. Fun to watch. The Broncos, as a team, were not intimidated in the least (the press is really hyping the cowgirls this season). So, not only do we have some really good looking rookies, skills-wise, but they seem to have that mental confidence as well. That's a big deal.

Cutler played so well that I'm trying not to think about it. I don't want to jinx it. Clady manhandled Ware. That's a big deal. It means from last week to this week Clady got better. That's what you want to see in a LT. He's taking ownership of the position and his nine square yards on the field has become Clady Territory. Royal looks even better than advertised. Marshall is a star in the making (hope his head grows quickly enough into the role). The running looks like it's coming together (Reggie Rivers told Andre he was calling him "Bowling Ball Hall" ) Hall said, "Just make sure you call me when it's time to play."

The front seven on the D is still the key worry on this team, IMO. Of course, appearances can get skewed when you're going up against that frigging meat locker Oline of the cowpokes. I'm not impressed with Jarvis Moss but Elvis is the man, AFAIC. Game two preseason was better than game one. As far as it goes (as Martha Stewart would say) "It's a good thing."

[gunns]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

What I liked most about last night's game is that after their lackadaisical showing last week, the Broncos came out against the biggest team in the NFL, pinned their ears back and took it to 'em. Fun to watch. The Broncos, as a team, were not intimidated in the least (the press is really hyping the cowgirls this season). So, not only do we have some really good looking rookies, skills-wise, but they seem to have that mental confidence as well. That's a big deal.

Cutler played so well that I'm trying not to think about it. I don't want to jinx it. Clady manhandled Ware. That's a big deal. It means from last week to this week Clady got better. That's what you want to see in a LT. He's taking ownership of the position and his nine square yards on the field has become Clady Territory. Royal looks even better than advertised. Marshall is a star in the making (hope his head grows quickly enough into the role). The running looks like it's coming together (Reggie Rivers told Andre he was calling him "Bowling Ball Hall" ) Hall said, "Just make sure you call me when it's time to play."

The front seven on the D is still the key worry on this team, IMO. Of course, appearances can get skewed when you're going up against that frigging meat locker Oline of the cowpokes. I'm not impressed with Jarvis Moss but Elvis is the man, AFAIC. Game two preseason was better than game one. As far as it goes (as Martha Stewart would say) "It's a good thing."

My thoughts exactly. I think my faith in Cutler was justified. Cutler and Clady had me smiling big time. So did Manuel and McCree. Yes it's preseason but things are looking much better.

[Hotrod]

Give Cutler time and he is a man amonst boys.

The wr's are much less of a concern then I first thought

Our DE's are all a liability vs the run (exception is obviously Engleburger)

The D was for the most part playing smart. Not alot of missing assignments I dont think.

Our kicker blows

Our backup QB is horrible

Our punter can run like the wind

I have a limit on beers I can consume and post.

[gyldenlove]

Cutler is already a man among boys, his poise in the pocket is uncanny and his accuracy is much improved, that touch pass he made to Marshall for the TD would have been an incompletion or interception last year.

Koutouvides should be our starting MLB, he is not going to fly around and cover recievers, keep containment on the edge, pressure the QB and intercept deep balls on the same play, like Ray Lewis used to do, but he sees the holes very well and he hits them with authority. I loved how Koutouvides and Beck both made tackles on plays where they were blocked, that is the kind of tenacity we need.

DJ Williams is a star. I thought this moving around would have hurt him, but he looks like such a complete linebacker, he covers very well, he uses his speed to get to the runner and he can tackle. Even though we have seen less than stellar play from him the last couple of years, in the long run playing all 3 positions will make him a weapon.

Robertson and Thomas is actually a pretty good duo, they had good control on the run game and broke down blocks and absorbed double teams well to allow other to come up and make the play.

Jarvis Moss was our best DE last night, which doesn't say much because they were all bad, but he got in the QBs face a couple of times and broke down a few run plays as well.

Royal is the real deal as a WR, but I am skeptical of him as a returner. His hands are sweet and he gets nice seperation.

I got the feeling watching the game last night that Cutler only looks to Marshall in the preseason when he needs an important conversion or everything else is closing up, I really do think he feels it is unfair to just give Marshall the ball all the time, because he will move the chains.

Hall and Young are solid, I was happy with how they both got gains on almost all their plays and how they complement each other, Hall had a great run in the red zone where he worked his way for 5 more yards after contact and another one where he ran into Zach Thomas, Tank Williams and Roy Williams and got away from them and picked up a 1st down.

Ramsey should not be on the field, I think we should still keep him to coach Cutler, but he has no business playing.

I am very happy with our Run D, they have been very good through the two first games and with Cutler at the helm, we can score a LOT of points.

Our 1st team O through 2 games so far:

Cutler 24 for 30 for 237 yards and 1 TD passing
1 att for 15 yards and 1 TD rushing

Andre Hall 15 carries for 67 yards and 1 TD

Selvin Young 13 carries for 39 yards

Marshall 8 recp for 68 yards and 1 TD
Eddie Royal 4 recp for 80 yards
Brandon Stokley 3 recp for 34 yards

The 1st team has yet to give up a turnover or sack through 3 quarters of play, they have scored 21 points and the kicker missed a 49 yard FG.

Boys and Girls, we are in good hands.

Just a heads up for those who didn't watch the game on CBS Dallas last night, the commentators there stated that they thought Cutler would be the best of the big 3 from 2006.

[bronco610]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Give Cutler time and he is a man amonst boys.

The wr's are much less of a concern then I first thought

Our DE's are all a liability vs the run (exception is obviously Engleburger)

The D was for the most part playing smart. Not alot of missing assignments I dont think.

Our kicker blows

Our backup QB is horrible

Our punter can run like the wind

I have a limit on beers I can consume and post.

[Broncoman13]

I'll tell you what, Ryan Harris is improving by leaps and bounds. Good lord, what a transition this kid has made! Cutler wasn't getting any pressure last night and #94 was often lined up in front of Harris. I watched him closely on a couple of plays and Harris whipped Ware's ASS! I'm not saying he didn't get beat at all last night b/c I haven't watched him play by play, but the couple times I made sure to focus on him, he was stellar.

Prater is going to get better and better. The missed kick was due to pressure and a high snap. He should have hit it, but it's not like it was a chip shot. 49 yards, high snap, pressure, and wet. I'll give the kid a break on that one.

Eddie Royal is a phenomenal football player. He showed some wiggle in one of his returns and I have to wonder if it's our returners or our schemes? There were two kickoff returns and one punt return that would have gone for nice yardage had our returners took it outside. Year after year our guys are asked to run it inside and rarely (if ever) break through that initial clump of defenders. Hall and Royal are both very good returners though so I think we're in good hands. Eddie Royal after the game talked about breaking down film and knowing what would work well on the Cowboys DBs. Thus the stutter step move that opened him up for 40+. Brandon used the same move to make the Cowboy's DBs look silly all week!

Kern's blocked punt can hardly be blamed on him. The only thing he did wrong last night, IMO... the touchback from around the 50.

[ScottXray]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I'll tell you what, Ryan Harris is improving by leaps and bounds. Good lord, what a transition this kid has made! Cutler wasn't getting any pressure last night and #94 was often lined up in front of Harris. I watched him closely on a couple of plays and Harris whipped Ware's ASS! I'm not saying he didn't get beat at all last night b/c I haven't watched him play by play, but the couple times I made sure to focus on him, he was stellar.

Prater is going to get better and better. The missed kick was due to pressure and a high snap. He should have hit it, but it's not like it was a chip shot. 49 yards, high snap, pressure, and wet. I'll give the kid a break on that one.

Eddie Royal is a phenomenal football player. He showed some wiggle in one of his returns and I have to wonder if it's our returners or our schemes? There were two kickoff returns and one punt return that would have gone for nice yardage had our returners took it outside. Year after year our guys are asked to run it inside and rarely (if ever) break through that initial clump of defenders. Hall and Royal are both very good returners though so I think we're in good hands. Eddie Royal after the game talked about breaking down film and knowing what would work well on the Cowboys DBs. Thus the stutter step move that opened him up for 40+. Brandon used the same move to make the Cowboy's DBs look silly all week!

Kern's blocked punt can hardly be blamed on him. The only thing he did wrong last night, IMO... the touchback from around the 50.

Agree on Prater...that miss was not bad considering the blocker in front of him. He had to adjust his kick to avoid a block, which caused the hook.

Harris did well. Looks like he is sealing the RT position.

Special teams stil needs work. Kerns punt being blocked and the FG miss due to a blocker are concerns. Return game is still weak alos.

Overall, I think the D is MUCH better than we thought it would be. We are still going to have to win games by outscoring teams...but for now that looks like Cutler is gonna be really capable of doing that.

Have to get through the first 4 weeks at least 2-2, but thats not looking impossible at all.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I'll tell you what, Ryan Harris is improving by leaps and bounds. Good lord, what a transition this kid has made! Cutler wasn't getting any pressure last night and #94 was often lined up in front of Harris. I watched him closely on a couple of plays and Harris whipped Ware's ASS! I'm not saying he didn't get beat at all last night b/c I haven't watched him play by play, but the couple times I made sure to focus on him, he was stellar.

Prater is going to get better and better. The missed kick was due to pressure and a high snap. He should have hit it, but it's not like it was a chip shot. 49 yards, high snap, pressure, and wet. I'll give the kid a break on that one.

Eddie Royal is a phenomenal football player. He showed some wiggle in one of his returns and I have to wonder if it's our returners or our schemes? There were two kickoff returns and one punt return that would have gone for nice yardage had our returners took it outside. Year after year our guys are asked to run it inside and rarely (if ever) break through that initial clump of defenders. Hall and Royal are both very good returners though so I think we're in good hands. Eddie Royal after the game talked about breaking down film and knowing what would work well on the Cowboys DBs. Thus the stutter step move that opened him up for 40+. Brandon used the same move to make the Cowboy's DBs look silly all week!

Kern's blocked punt can hardly be blamed on him. The only thing he did wrong last night, IMO... the touchback from around the 50.

Since watching him last week, i've been thoroughly impressed. His play is key. If he can come in and not only be a competent starter but a very good player, he just moved this rebuilding program forward one year. I thought RT was going to be a huge hole unless filled by a true guard in Kuper.

Harris and Clady are very important building blocks. They will be the one's defending the walls with SD comes a'knocking. I'm encouraged after watching them against Mario Williams, Greg Ellis and Demarcus Ware.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I'll tell you what, Ryan Harris is improving by leaps and bounds. Good lord, what a transition this kid has made! Cutler wasn't getting any pressure last night and #94 was often lined up in front of Harris. I watched him closely on a couple of plays and Harris whipped Ware's ASS! I'm not saying he didn't get beat at all last night b/c I haven't watched him play by play, but the couple times I made sure to focus on him, he was stellar.

Thanks for pointing this out. That was the biggest thing I noticed. Harris was great in pass pro, but in the run game he was mauling. It was pretty incredible. I think we're going to be fine over there.

[rovolution]

Originally Posted by JCMElway

Hadn't seen a thread dedicated to breakdown yet. If there is one please feel free to merge it.

Thoughts:

--Cutler looked sharp and made the correct reads. I'm pumped to have him at QB for the next 12 years or so.

Only 12 more (which would make it 14 seasons for Jay)? With his talent, Ill be disappointed if he doesnt match Elway's 16 or exceeds it.

[Sassy]

Matt has a better leg than Jason...but Jason was more consistent. Hopefully, that improves with time. I think he'll be ok.

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Thanks for pointing this out. That was the biggest thing I noticed. Harris was great in pass pro, but in the run game he was mauling. It was pretty incredible. I think we're going to be fine over there.

Couldn't agree more. Which in itself is amazing because the first Saturday we all were at camp he looked like a sieve. He has made great strides. The OLine looked really good last night.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

I have a limit on beers I can consume and post.

We know..........

[Broncoman13]

I'd just like to point out that Jason Elam's first season with the Broncos he was 26 of 35 for 74.3% Let us not forget that you have to start somewhere. Prater may miss a few FGs (right now he's 75%) but he's most almost certainly our future at the position. It's gonna take some patience though. In the meantime, we have a guy that will kick 3 our 4 through the uprights and boom some kickoffs. I think it's a pretty good trade off. Could we lose some games b/c of his kicks... yep! Could we have our kicker for the next 10 years... yep!

[theAPAOps5]

Its just nice to see a kicker actually force a touch back.

[Broncoman13]

Originally Posted by ApaOps5

Couldn't agree more. Which in itself is amazing because the first Saturday we all were at camp he looked like a sieve. He has made great strides. The OLine looked really good last night.

That was a good day to be at camp. You, Khan, and I sitting there pointing things out to one and other was awesome! I remember all of us thinking Ryan Harris was going to kill us this season. He was slow to pick up, but he's improving every day. The difference between that first Saturday and last night is so vast, I think he could end up being one of our better lineman before it's all said and done. This kid's learning curve turns out is pretty quick!

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

That was a good day to be at camp. You, Khan, and I sitting there pointing things out to one and other was awesome! I remember all of us thinking Ryan Harris was going to kill us this season. He was slow to pick up, but he's improving every day. The difference between that first Saturday and last night is so vast, I think he could end up being one of our better lineman before it's all said and done. This kid's learning curve turns out is pretty quick!

Perhaps Holland being TFTP turned out to be a blessing. Got Harris a ****load of reps at RT (which has obviously been quite good for his development the last month) and kept Kuper at his best position. I suspect Montrae might not see the field this year, barring injuries ofcourse.

[Broncoman13]

I don't know SoCal, I think Holland and Kuper will duke it out for a starting position and my money is on Holland. Kuper can play but think about it this way. Holland is the RG. He's not gonna fill any other position on the line. Kuper can play any position on the line. He could very well end up our swing Tackle AND Guard! Either way, we're in pretty good hands at RG.

[broncofan2438]

If we as fans can see that Ramsy sucks ass, why can't the coaches see this and do something about it?

[theAPAOps5]

Maybe the coaches see something we don't. He did have a rough week. Thurs his Grandma died and Friday his wife gave birth. So that may have something to do with it.

[KansasBronco]

Kuper isn't giving up anything. He is playing with one hand and kicked rear!

[hambone13]

Originally Posted by OSKIE!!!

I'd just like to point out that Jason Elam's first season with the Broncos he was 26 of 35 for 74.3% Let us not forget that you have to start somewhere. Prater may miss a few FGs (right now he's 75%) but he's most almost certainly our future at the position. It's gonna take some patience though. In the meantime, we have a guy that will kick 3 our 4 through the uprights and boom some kickoffs. I think it's a pretty good trade off. Could we lose some games b/c of his kicks... yep! Could we have our kicker for the next 10 years... yep!

I couldn't agree more about Prater. It was nice to see someone else was actually watching that the details on that miss. Bad snap (High), wet ball, pressure from the line forcing the adjustment. Not to mention, it was 49 yards. It's not like he botched a chip shot. I like him. His ability to force touch backs is a nice trade off. I thought it was pretty impressive that he saw it was probably going to get blocked if he didn't try and adjust. The Prater Haters need to chill.....he may lose a game because he's not as clutch as Elam but he has the leg to win one from further out than Elam has been capable of for the last couple of years. I think he'll be in the top 25% of the league and that's not too shabby.....

[jsco70]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Perhaps Holland being TFTP turned out to be a blessing. Got Harris a ****load of reps at RT (which has obviously been quite good for his development the last month) and kept Kuper at his best position. I suspect Montrae might not see the field this year, barring injuries ofcourse.

My buddy and I were laughing at TFTP Holland. He waddled off the field after each possesion. He looked like he was going to pass out.

My thought from a birds eye view:

1. The OL played great. Cutler had all kinds of time.
2. The RB's played well. Selvin had a couple of runs he tried to bounce outside that he probably should have taken up field. Hall ran hard with great balance. He can take a hit and keep moving forward.
3. Marshall and Royal = pro bowl caliber wideouts for the next decade.
4. Someone else said it - Nate Jackson is playing very well. He might actually earn his paycheck this season.
5. The run defense against Barber was impressive. The front seven were flying to the ball, DJ Williams in particular.
6. Barrett and Woodyard each made some mistakes but I think/hope they are both future starters.
7. Prater has amazing power. The ball truly explodes off his foot. But I think we all need to expect he's going to miss some kicks this year. Hopefully they won't cost any games.

I think what's important is, unlike last year, Dallas did not bully Denver all over the field. Denver is obviously improved and Cutler is going to breakout this year with Marshall and Royal. I'm very optimistic, not only for this season, but for the future.

[Rock Chalk]

Defensive line still sucks but I liked most everything else I saw last night.