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Lonestar
02-09-2010, 11:18 PM
SB lesson No. 1: QB must be accurate
By LINDSAY JONES

FORT LAUDERDALE — Surely most of the Broncos were home watching Super Bowl 44, just like the rest of you were.

So here’s hoping they learned some lessons from the way the Saints were able to win their first-ever Super Bowl title. We’ll be checking in throughout the day with a couple of key things the Broncos should take from this.

Lesson No. 1: It is all about the quarterback

Kyle Orton, take note.

The Saints beat the Colts Sunday night not through a vertical passing game, but by picking apart Indy’s defense through short, accurate passes. It was an offensive performance that Josh McDaniels must have loved watching, if he watched the game at all.

But not just any quarterback could execute it.

Brees has complete command of the timing of the offense, allowing him to almost always find his first read (on Sunday is was often a receiver or running back on a screen or a short crossing route) and the accuracy to hit almost every single one of those throws.

Orton, as he moves into his second year in McDaniels’ offense, should improve his knowledge of the system, but he must also find a way to become more accurate in that short passing game. Too many of Orton’s throws this year were just off mark, either too high, too short or just behind his receivers.

Brees Sunday night completed passes to eight different receivers, and like Peyton Manning does in Indianapolis, has an uncanny ability to make every receiver around him better. In Denver, Brandon Marshall at times this year made Orton look good. Marshall’s future in Denver remains in doubt, and how Orton clicks with whatever receivers Denver has next season will be critical to improving what was a mediocre offense in 2009.