Injuries will play a big part in Denver's season again this year.
I know the preseason isn’t over yet, but that last game is just for the scrubs to have one last chance to make their mark and try to make an NFL roster. Very few of the starters will get enough playing time to justify any sort of evaluation, so historically the third preseason game is the best marker for where a team is at before things get started for real in Week One.
The first game, I watched with half-interest due to visiting family in town, but we all piped down our conversation and paid attention when Tebow hit the turf in Cincy for the first time. The second game, I watched intently, hoping to glean whatever insight I could. The third game I watched from the friendly confines of Section 530 at Invesco Field, which provided an interesting birds-eye view and a glimpse into the hearts of the Bronco faithful. Today’s preseason review and season preview takes the form of What I’m Buying and What I’m Not Buying. Josh McDaniels is no different from any other coach (we did some things well, we have some things to work on, it’s just preseason, etc etc blah blah blah). But what are you buying that is legit about this team, and what is not legit? Here’s my answer.
What I’m Buying
Tim Tebow. First things first – I’m not buying that he’s ready to be an NFL starter. I am buying that he is good for the Broncos, and he’s ready to be a backup QB. He’s made some good decisions, and couple bad decisions. But what I saw against Pittsburgh was a guy that made the defense think twice about just sending the house in a blitz package because of his mobility. With the exception of the one interception, he seemed to see the field well. His throwing motion is a bit long, like all the scouts have said, so he’ll have to tighten that up, but he’s an exciting player to watch, and I think for once Broncos fans almost universally have the right attitude – start Orton, as he’s clearly the only guy that gives Denver a chance to win, and let Tebow learn and get some reps and grow up as a QB, and he’ll be our franchise guy in due time. I’m also buying the goodwill he brings to the franchise. Fans at Invesco were clamoring for more. Tebow jerseys outnumbered any other single player represented in the crowd, except maybe Elway. (That includes Marshall jerseys altered with duct tape)
Jabar Gaffney as a #1 receiver. Dude is quick, runs routes well, and has all the makings of a #1 receiver. Glad he’s getting the chance.
Parrish Cox. Seriously. That guy can run. He’ll make some boneheaded plays because he takes chances, but that’s the kind of reckless play that defined Champ Bailey early in his career – a risk-taker.
Kyle Orton as the starter. I kinda summed this up in the Tebow paragraph – Kyle is the guy. He knows the system, and anyone with half an iota of football sense knows he’s the Broncos best chance of winning some football games. An all-pro he probably ain’t , but he’ll win the Broncos some games this year, and I doubt he’ll cost them many, if any at all.
What I’m Not Buying
The defense. Sorry. I’m not buying any of it. Byron Frickin’ Leftwich moved down the field on them. I know, I know, it was the scrubs not the #1 unit, but they didn’t exactly shut Dixon down either. To be fair, I’d probably put this in the “half-buying/half-not-buying” category, because I think they showed some flashes of brilliance, but in the last few years, no matter the coordinator, the Denver D has made average quarterbacks look great. And Denver’s schedule pits them against several elite QBs. I’m just not convinced this is a unit that can stop much of anybody.
Brady Quinn. He’s been simply awful. There’s no possible way he stays #2 on the depth chart. I’m sure he’ll make the roster, but you have to activate Tebow as the backup/special package guy, and hang on to Quinn in case Orton goes down. Even at that, based on preseason I can’t imagine BQ is the guy you want. He looks like a lost puppy on the field. I feel bad for the guy, he got stuck with the crappiest of situations, but he’s just not looking like an NFL QB right now.
The running game. These ain’t your momma’s Broncos. No zone-blocking, chop blocks, plug-and-play RB system here. It’s all about beef and power, and the O-line is young. They’re going to wear down, and even Buckhalter will have a hard time hitting holes. That assumes he’s back. Moreno has a bad hammy, and it looks like probably LenDale White will make the squad behind Buckhalter and Moreno. Yikes.
The Bottom Line
This team is, in the oft-quoted words of Dennis Green, exactly who we thought they were. An 8-8 team that will miss the playoffs, but contend in some good games, and be a couple breaks away from either going 6-10 or 9-7, depending on how the breaks fall. It’s an average team, make no mistake. The short pass game that tries to set up the run game is dangerous, the long-passing game, while improved, can’t be relied upon to save a season, and the defense just won’t be able to hold up to massive offensive assaults. This is a very utilitarian year for me. Get through it without too much damage, get guys healthy, pray for a new CBA, and roll in to next year with a solid squad that’s ready to contend. I think they’re close, but this won’t be their year.
And even still, I’ll wear my orange every Sunday and hope for the best.
