The Broncos defeated the Packers 20-17 in Week 3 in the preseason. Here are my thoughts and observations on the game.....
1) Trevor Siemian looked okay, and he it was typical stuff for Siemian. Overall, he is what he is and this wasn't a bad tuneup for the regular season.
2) Shelby Harris continues to impress on the defensive line, and I would think that he has a legitimate shot to make this team.
3) Jamaal Charles looked good, and I think he should have sealed his roster spot. I definitely think that Charles can help this team this year on offense.
4) Paxton Lynch played one series and hurt his shoulder after a sack. It looks like a bruised shoulder for Lynch, and he will miss at least the first two regular season games, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the backup QB position to start the year.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Trevor Siemian Named Starting Quarterback and Preseason Week 2 Thoughts
After Denver's win over the 49ers on Saturday night in preseason Week 2, and on Monday they announced that Trevor Siemian won the starting QB job. It seems like Siemian won the job based on the fact that he was consistent, steady, and solid enough to beat out Paxton Lynch. Siemian will start the season opener on Monday September 11th against the Chargers. For the second straight year, it seems as if Siemian won the job by default. There is plenty of time to talk about Siemian's upside or downside, but we'll save that for a later date. As for Lynch, this is a setback and it is clear right now that he just isn't ready to become a starter for this team. Hopefully, he will continue to progress and if he gets a chance to play this year, maybe he can make the most of it. I think it is too early to call Lynch a bust, but this is certainly not what myself or other Broncos fans envisioned to start this season. In any event, as a Broncos fan, I have to get on board with Siemian as the starter because if he succeeds, then the Broncos will do well this year. Here are my other thoughts on the game.....
1) DeAngelo Henderson has to make this team. He continues to impress each week, and I love the way he runs. He looked good again in the 49er game.
2) I like the way that Zach Kerr and Adam Gotsis looked good during this game. I think that if they can step up as rotational guys on the defensive line, then we could be in business stopping the run once again.
1) DeAngelo Henderson has to make this team. He continues to impress each week, and I love the way he runs. He looked good again in the 49er game.
2) I like the way that Zach Kerr and Adam Gotsis looked good during this game. I think that if they can step up as rotational guys on the defensive line, then we could be in business stopping the run once again.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Broncos Preseason Game #1 Thoughts and Observations
The Broncos opened up their preseason with a 24-17 win over the Bears in Chicago on Thursday night. The game provided a clearer answer to the question of who will start at quarterback, and it gave a glimpse into some of emerging young players that could help this team this year. Here are my thoughts and observations.....
1) Trevor Siemain was okay and steady in the game but he was nothing spectacular as he got the start in the first preseason game. He finished 6-7 for 51 yards with 0 TD and 0 INT. He produced one scoring drive, a field goal, in a quarter in a half of work. I think Siemian might end up winning the job by default because........
2) Paxton Lynch did not do himself any favors in this game. He finished 6-9 for 42 yards and 0 TD and 0 INT. The biggest thing that I noticed is his inaccuracy. It was an issue in his two starts last year, and it was an issue again. He is very inaccurate, and that is what is holding him back from beating out Siemian this year. We'll see how he does with the starters in the second preseason game next week against the 49ers, but unless he blows up and goes crazy, I think he will start the season as the backup.
3) I loved the way two rookies played: S Jamal Carter, an undrafted free agent, and late-round pick, DeAngelo Henderson. Henderson scored the game-winner on a scamper late in the fourth quarter, and he reminds me of C.J. Anderson when he runs. Carter was a presence in the secondary, and he looks like a beast out there. He definitely has a shot to make the team based on what I saw in this preseason game.
4) The Kyle Sloter debut as third string QB was fun to watch as he hit Isaiah McKenzie on a bomb to tie the game at 17 and then he led the drive to win the game late. Sloter's story is really an interesting one, and he looked very smooth and polished in the pocket-more so than Lynch. Sloter should definitely be a candidate for the practice squad if the Broncos don't decide to keep three QBs on the roster.
5) The Broncos couldn't avoid the injury bug as NT Billy Winn went down with a torn ACL. That is a blow to our depth on the defensive line, and Winn was effective as a rotational player last year. The injury bug has really hit the Broncos this preseason. First, Devontae Booker and Shane Ray suffered hand and wrist injuries that will keep them out of the first few weeks of the regular season at least. Then, Winn goes down, and two days later, Derek Wolfe injured his ankle and his status is up in the air, and Carlos Henderson needs to have thumb surgery and he is out indefinitely. Injuries are apart of the game, but sometimes it seems that it is contagious on a team.
1) Trevor Siemain was okay and steady in the game but he was nothing spectacular as he got the start in the first preseason game. He finished 6-7 for 51 yards with 0 TD and 0 INT. He produced one scoring drive, a field goal, in a quarter in a half of work. I think Siemian might end up winning the job by default because........
2) Paxton Lynch did not do himself any favors in this game. He finished 6-9 for 42 yards and 0 TD and 0 INT. The biggest thing that I noticed is his inaccuracy. It was an issue in his two starts last year, and it was an issue again. He is very inaccurate, and that is what is holding him back from beating out Siemian this year. We'll see how he does with the starters in the second preseason game next week against the 49ers, but unless he blows up and goes crazy, I think he will start the season as the backup.
3) I loved the way two rookies played: S Jamal Carter, an undrafted free agent, and late-round pick, DeAngelo Henderson. Henderson scored the game-winner on a scamper late in the fourth quarter, and he reminds me of C.J. Anderson when he runs. Carter was a presence in the secondary, and he looks like a beast out there. He definitely has a shot to make the team based on what I saw in this preseason game.
4) The Kyle Sloter debut as third string QB was fun to watch as he hit Isaiah McKenzie on a bomb to tie the game at 17 and then he led the drive to win the game late. Sloter's story is really an interesting one, and he looked very smooth and polished in the pocket-more so than Lynch. Sloter should definitely be a candidate for the practice squad if the Broncos don't decide to keep three QBs on the roster.
5) The Broncos couldn't avoid the injury bug as NT Billy Winn went down with a torn ACL. That is a blow to our depth on the defensive line, and Winn was effective as a rotational player last year. The injury bug has really hit the Broncos this preseason. First, Devontae Booker and Shane Ray suffered hand and wrist injuries that will keep them out of the first few weeks of the regular season at least. Then, Winn goes down, and two days later, Derek Wolfe injured his ankle and his status is up in the air, and Carlos Henderson needs to have thumb surgery and he is out indefinitely. Injuries are apart of the game, but sometimes it seems that it is contagious on a team.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
John Elway Signs Five-Year Extension with the Broncos
Right before training camp started this week, John Elway returned from vacation and ready to start the new year. When he returned, Elway signed a five-year extension with the Broncos to remain their General Manager through the 2021 season. This is great news for Broncos fans, and it was a move that most of us felt was going to happen. Although there was some nervous reports out there, the general consensus in Broncos Country was that Elway was going to get this deal done with the Broncos, and he did. You can't overstate how important Elway has been to this franchise since becoming the GM back in 2011. His resume speaks for itself, and it is big relief that it got done, and now the Broncos and Elway can fully focus on training camp and the beginning of the 2017 campaign.
Friday, July 21, 2017
2016 Broncos Training Camp Preview
The Broncos enjoyed tremendous success and national appraisal during the Peyton Manning era in Denver from 2012-2015. Last year, Manning retired, and the Broncos set out to defend the Super Bowl with a unproven Quarterback in Trevor Siemian, an ailing Head Coach in Gary Kubiak, and a top-notch defense led by Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. All three of those key positions are either led by different men or could be led by someone else in 2017. The Broncos enter training camp with Head Coach Vance Joseph replacing the retired Kubiak, and the team is certainly not the favorites in the AFC, a distinction they held every year Manning was in the Mile High city. The Broncos head into camp this year as underdogs, and many people are picking them last in the AFC West. The Broncos are not rebuilding but really rebooting, but the consensus around the team is that just making the playoffs this season would be a success. That is a far cry from just a few years ago when the consensus was that the Broncos were one of the few teams in the entire NFL with a legitimate shot to win the Lombardi Trophy. As we get set for training camp, here are some facts and questions for the team as the new season is almost upon us.
Where We Left Off: The Broncos defeated the Raiders 24-6 in Mile High in Week 17 to finish the 2016 season with a 9-7 record. The Broncos didn't qualify for the playoffs and their fate was sealed the week before in a loss at Kansas City, which officially eliminated them from playoff contention.
Where We Left Off: The Broncos defeated the Raiders 24-6 in Mile High in Week 17 to finish the 2016 season with a 9-7 record. The Broncos didn't qualify for the playoffs and their fate was sealed the week before in a loss at Kansas City, which officially eliminated them from playoff contention.
What Happened Since? In the never ending drama that follows the Broncos, Gary Kubiak announced right after the Week 17 win over Oakland that he was retiring from coaching the Broncos. Kubes stepped down from his duties due to his health concerns that plagued him the last few seasons. In his place, the Broncos hired Vance Joseph, formerly the Defensive Coordinator from the Dolphins. Joseph is a first time Head Coach, but he brings in a good staff, which includes new Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy and QB coach Bill Musgrave. Unfortunately, Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips left after his contract expired to go to Los Angeles to coach the Rams. In his place, DB coach Joe Woods was promoted to DC. The Broncos biggest offseason personnel move was the signing of Guard Ronald Leary from the Cowboys and the selection of 1st Round pick OT Garett Bolles in the draft. The Broncos lost a key leader of the team when DeMarcus Ware announced his retirement leaving a huge void on this team.
Position Battles at Camp: All eyes will be on the QB battle between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. Siemian has the edge going into camp since he started the majority of games last year, but Lynch came on pretty strong in OTAs, so we will find out more about his progress during camp. I think that everyone in the Broncos organization wants to see what they have in Lynch, and I think a majority of them want Lynch to get the job, but Siemian won't go down without a fight. We'll see how this plays out, but I am rooting for Lynch, and I think he will be the starter unless he really struggles in camp and in the preseason games.
Surprise Cuts: After the drafting of WRs Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie, there seems to be a plethora of options at that position. I would think that one or even two out of these three players could get cut out of nowhere: Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, or Jordan Taylor. Also, don't be surprised if a guy like Jared Crick gets let go in camp based on the improvement of Adam Gotsis and the play of rookie DE DeMarcus Walker
Out of Nowhere Players: I know he kind of made a name for himself last year in camp, but lookout for LB Vontarroius Dora and his impact during the preseason and training camp. Dora turned quite a few heads last summer, and let's see if he will get a more expanded role in 2017.
Biggest Questions That Need To Be Answered: The biggest question is who will win the starting QB job? Can Paxton Lynch step into the starting role? The answers to those questions will determine how successful this season will be for the Broncos. Also, the contract status of GM John Elway is still an issue and there are a lot of questions of why this new deal didn't get done yet. That question will linger over training camp until Elway signs a new deal.
As I stated before, the Broncos come into the season lacking a lot of respect from a lot of experts and analysts from around the media world and the NFL universe. The Broncos have been flat out disrespected, and they can use that as motivation once training camp and the season begins. It is a different world from the one they enjoyed when Peyton Manning was the quarterback, but that doesn't mean that this franchise is far away from being a playoff caliber team. The Broncos could be a darkhorse in the AFC and a team that surprises a lot of experts this coming season.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
10 Facts About the 2005 Denver Broncos
With training camp over a month away, I thought it would be a good time to have some fun and go back and continue the 10 Fact About series that I started a few years ago. Here is how it works: I take a random team in Broncos history (Focusing on teams from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s) and find 10 facts that are interesting about that team. Let's go back to 2005 and take a look at 10 Facts About the 2005 Denver Broncos.....
1) The Broncos ground game was so potent that year that the team almost got TWO 1,000 yard rushers in the same season. Mike Anderson led the Broncos with 1,014 yards and Tatum Bell had 921 yards.
2) 2005 was a very productive year for Jake Plummer. Plummer completed 60/7% of his passes, for 3,366 yards, 18 TDs and only 7 INT. He also ran for 2 TDs during the season. Plummer played very smart each week and protected the football in the process. He was a gamer that really helped lead Denver to a 13-3 record.
3) The Broncos finished 13-3, won the AFC West for the first time since 1998, and were the #2 seed in the AFC behind the 14-2 Colts. The Broncos could have very easily finished 15-1, but they lost a heartbreaker to the Giants 24-23 in Week 7, and nail-biter to the Chiefs 31-27 in Week 13.
4) The Broncos played a game on Thanksgiving at Dallas, on Christmas Eve against Oakland, and on New Year's Eve at San Diego, and they won all three games. They beat Dallas in a classic OT game 24-21. They buried the Raiders 22-3 in Denver to clinch the West and a first round bye, and they shut down the Chargers 23-7 in Week 17 in SD.
5) Champ Bailey was phenomenal that year. He finished with 8 interceptions and returned 2 of them for touchdowns. He also forced a fumble and made 64 total tackles.
6) Rod Smart led the team with 6 receiving touchdowns that season. Interestingly, FB Kyle Johnson finished second on the team with 5 receiving TDs.
7) John Lynch actually tied for the team lead in sacks with 4. Ebenezer Ekuban and Trevor Pryce also had 4 sacks on the year.
8) The Broncos defeated the Patriots in the Divisional Playoff Game 27-13. It was the first playoff loss for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as New England Patriots. Both had previously been 10-0 together.
9) The Broncos played a Saturday game four straight weeks from Week 15 through the Divisional Round. In Week 15, the Broncos played at Buffalo for an ESPN Saturday night special. In Week 16, they hosted the Raiders on Christmas Eve because most of the NFL games were played that day to avoid Christmas Day. In Week 17, the Broncos played a special game at SD on a Saturday afternoon, and for the Divisional Playoff, Denver hosted the Patriots on a Saturday night game on CBS.
10) The Broncos lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game in Denver 34-17. At the time, it was only the third playoff lost at home in Broncos history. The 1996 Broncos lost to the Jaguars in the Divisional Playoffs, and the 1984 Broncos lost to the Steelers in the Divisional Playoffs as well.
1) The Broncos ground game was so potent that year that the team almost got TWO 1,000 yard rushers in the same season. Mike Anderson led the Broncos with 1,014 yards and Tatum Bell had 921 yards.
2) 2005 was a very productive year for Jake Plummer. Plummer completed 60/7% of his passes, for 3,366 yards, 18 TDs and only 7 INT. He also ran for 2 TDs during the season. Plummer played very smart each week and protected the football in the process. He was a gamer that really helped lead Denver to a 13-3 record.
3) The Broncos finished 13-3, won the AFC West for the first time since 1998, and were the #2 seed in the AFC behind the 14-2 Colts. The Broncos could have very easily finished 15-1, but they lost a heartbreaker to the Giants 24-23 in Week 7, and nail-biter to the Chiefs 31-27 in Week 13.
4) The Broncos played a game on Thanksgiving at Dallas, on Christmas Eve against Oakland, and on New Year's Eve at San Diego, and they won all three games. They beat Dallas in a classic OT game 24-21. They buried the Raiders 22-3 in Denver to clinch the West and a first round bye, and they shut down the Chargers 23-7 in Week 17 in SD.
5) Champ Bailey was phenomenal that year. He finished with 8 interceptions and returned 2 of them for touchdowns. He also forced a fumble and made 64 total tackles.
6) Rod Smart led the team with 6 receiving touchdowns that season. Interestingly, FB Kyle Johnson finished second on the team with 5 receiving TDs.
7) John Lynch actually tied for the team lead in sacks with 4. Ebenezer Ekuban and Trevor Pryce also had 4 sacks on the year.
8) The Broncos defeated the Patriots in the Divisional Playoff Game 27-13. It was the first playoff loss for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as New England Patriots. Both had previously been 10-0 together.
9) The Broncos played a Saturday game four straight weeks from Week 15 through the Divisional Round. In Week 15, the Broncos played at Buffalo for an ESPN Saturday night special. In Week 16, they hosted the Raiders on Christmas Eve because most of the NFL games were played that day to avoid Christmas Day. In Week 17, the Broncos played a special game at SD on a Saturday afternoon, and for the Divisional Playoff, Denver hosted the Patriots on a Saturday night game on CBS.
10) The Broncos lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game in Denver 34-17. At the time, it was only the third playoff lost at home in Broncos history. The 1996 Broncos lost to the Jaguars in the Divisional Playoffs, and the 1984 Broncos lost to the Steelers in the Divisional Playoffs as well.
Broncos Summer Mailbag
The end of June and most of July is vacation time in the NFL. OTAs and mini-camps are over, and the players and coaches are all away as they prepare to return to training camp towards the end of July. There isn't much news at this point in the offseason, but it is always good to look into some of the major questions the Broncos have as the summer begins and training is over a month away. Here is a six-pack of burning questions surround the Broncos as we head into July.....
Who do you think eventually wins the QB competition? This is the main position battle as we enter training camp. After OTAs and mini-camp, the consensus was that Paxton Lynch really started to come on as the practices continued. It was also stated that Trevor Siemian had some really good days as well. Siemian will enter the training camp as QB1, but Lynch will get every opportunity to supplant him once camp gets going. In the end, I'm going with Lynch to win the job because the Broncos have to find out what they have with their 2016 first rounder.
Who do you think eventually wins the QB competition? This is the main position battle as we enter training camp. After OTAs and mini-camp, the consensus was that Paxton Lynch really started to come on as the practices continued. It was also stated that Trevor Siemian had some really good days as well. Siemian will enter the training camp as QB1, but Lynch will get every opportunity to supplant him once camp gets going. In the end, I'm going with Lynch to win the job because the Broncos have to find out what they have with their 2016 first rounder.
Besides QB, what is the biggest issue facing the offense after OTAs are over and training camp is on the horizon? The offensive line is the biggest issue going into training camp. Center Matt Paradis is coming off double hip surgery, and he hasn't practiced in the offseason yet. You have Ronald Leary and Max Garcia at the guard positions, but the tackle spots are up in the air. Can Garret Boles win the LT spot? Can he not get our QBs killed if he does start from day one? Will Menelik Watson start at RT and stay healthy all year? Can Ty Sambraillo contribute and somehow improve from his disastrous season last year? Can Donald Stephenson contribute if needed? The focus will be on the QB battle, but the offensive line play will be a huge area to watch as training camp progresses.
Which position on defense is the one area where the Broncos have a lot of questions surrounding heading into training camp? I think the biggest area of interest is the defensive end spot. Jared Crick is penciled in as the starter because he started last year, but it looks like Adam Gotsis has bulked up and put some weight on. Can he step up and win the position? How about rookie second rounder, Demarcus Walker? Zach Kerr was signed from Indy to beef up that position too. The DE spot opposite of Derek Wolfe has to improve from last year, and that is the area to watch come late July in Dove Valley.
What has been your first impressions of new Head Coach Vance Joseph after OTAs? From what I have seen, I have been impressed with Joseph's on-field presence and demeanor in the press conferences with the media. As a NFL head coach, you have to be a leader, motivator, and a CEO-type off the field. I feel like VJ seems to fill that criteria. Watching video of him the first few days of OTAs was impressive to me because he looked, acted, and sounded like a NFL head coach. That is a good sign. I just think he seems natural at it, and that might help all the players buy in to his vision and his program.
Will John Elway sign a contract extension before training camp or before the summer? It is starting to worry me that Elway didn't sign an extension yet-considering it was reported that he has been talking to the Broncos since October about signing a new deal. I think there are two factors in play here: Deadlines spurring action and Elway waiting to see any type of ownership situation. I think the closer we get to the end of his contract is when the real negotiations will pick up with the team. I also think that Elway might know that Pat Bowlen could pass away soon, and maybe he wants to see what the ownership transferal will look like before he signs off. Elway has stated many times on the record that it isn't a concern and he will sign a new deal and be a Bronco for life, but I'm still worried it hasn't gotten done yet. Ultimately, I do think it gets done at some point this season.
Will John Elway sign a contract extension before training camp or before the summer? It is starting to worry me that Elway didn't sign an extension yet-considering it was reported that he has been talking to the Broncos since October about signing a new deal. I think there are two factors in play here: Deadlines spurring action and Elway waiting to see any type of ownership situation. I think the closer we get to the end of his contract is when the real negotiations will pick up with the team. I also think that Elway might know that Pat Bowlen could pass away soon, and maybe he wants to see what the ownership transferal will look like before he signs off. Elway has stated many times on the record that it isn't a concern and he will sign a new deal and be a Bronco for life, but I'm still worried it hasn't gotten done yet. Ultimately, I do think it gets done at some point this season.
Where does this team stand in the AFC West and in the overall playoff picture in the AFC?
Right now, the Broncos are behind the Raiders and Chiefs in the AFC West pecking order and they are clearly behind teams like the Pats and Steelers as far as contenders go in the AFC. Not too many people are expecting much from the Broncos this year. In fact, there are a few websites that are actually predicting the Chargers to finish above Denver this year. I don't mind the lack of faith from the media and low expectations for this team. In fact, I like it better that way. With that said, right now they are behind KC and the Raiders, and I don't think they are in the mix with the other AFC contenders, but it is June and not September, so many things can change.
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