DenBronx
09-19-2010, 09:53 PM
http://maxdenver.com/blog1/2010/09/19/three-postgame-thoughts-broncos-31-seahawks-14/#more-1262
DENVER – Three post-game observations following the Broncos’ 31-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Invesco Field on Sunday.
1. DEMARYIUS THOMAS.
It was less than five minutes before halftime, and the Broncos’ first-round pick knew his moment was nigh.
“My receivers coach (Adam Gase) said, ‘You’ve got this drive,’” Thomas said.
And with that, Thomas proceeded to introduce himself to the NFL, snagging four passes for 56 yards during a six-play span, propelling the Broncos to a 91-yard, 16-play march that culminated in Matt Prater’s 20-yard field goal that put the Broncos up three scores, a perch that gave them a comfortable buffer zone for the remainder of the game.
He finished the game with eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Only one rookie has ever had more receptions and receiving yardage in his first Broncos game — when Eddie Royal had nine catches in the season opener at Oakland in 2008. Making Thomas’s play more impressive was that it was his first professional game, period, after missing the entire preseason when he re-injured his foot while catching a touchdown pass during the Broncos’ practice at Invesco Field on Aug. 7.
“It’s nice to have him out there finally,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. “I think you saw a little bit of what he think he can be.”
2. FIRST-RATE ON THIRD DOWNS:
Denver’s third-down conversion percentage of 70.0 percent (14 of 20) was the team’s best since converting 10 of 14 against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 3, 1993, and matched the 70-percent ratio (seven of 10) against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oc. 21, 2007.
“I thought they key was trying to get it into third-and-under-5,” McDaniels said.
Thirteen of the Broncos’ third-down attempts were at five yards or less; they converted 11 Their percentage from eight yards or more wasn’t bad either; Denver converted three-of six — three-of-five if you remove the end-game kneeldown from consideration.
At one point in the second quarter, the Broncos converted five consecutive third downs; at another juncture in the second half, they reeled off seven in succession — the final one being Thomas’s 21-yard touchdown catch.
The Broncos would have set a franchise record had they not needed to take a knee three times at the end of the game. Orton’s final kneeldown — on third-and-14 — dropped the team’s percentage from 73.7 percent to 70, costing them the record.
3. OF CONCERN FOR NEXT WEEK …
will be the health of Denver’s cornerbacks.
Perhaps the worst sight in the Broncos’ locker room was that of Champ Bailey on crutches with an apparent right angle injury. KCNC-Ch. 4 sports director Vic Lombardi Tweeted that Bailey said the crutches were “precautionary,” but it nevertheless gives Broncos followers pause.
Andre Goodman didn’t return after suffering what was announced in the press box as a thigh injury. Goodman had a wrap around his thigh when he walked into the locker room during the open-media period after the game.
There could scarcely be a worse time for cornerback injuries, what with the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning coming into Denver next weekend. The Broncos’ cornerbacks beyond Bailey and Goodman include just one with any NFL experience before last week (nickelback Nate Jones).
With Goodman and Bailey sidelined at the end of the game, undrafted rookie Cassius Vaughn saw action on one side. Perrish Cox, who’d worked as the Broncos’ dime back and kickoff/punt returner the last two games, intercepted a pass.
DENVER – Three post-game observations following the Broncos’ 31-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks at Invesco Field on Sunday.
1. DEMARYIUS THOMAS.
It was less than five minutes before halftime, and the Broncos’ first-round pick knew his moment was nigh.
“My receivers coach (Adam Gase) said, ‘You’ve got this drive,’” Thomas said.
And with that, Thomas proceeded to introduce himself to the NFL, snagging four passes for 56 yards during a six-play span, propelling the Broncos to a 91-yard, 16-play march that culminated in Matt Prater’s 20-yard field goal that put the Broncos up three scores, a perch that gave them a comfortable buffer zone for the remainder of the game.
He finished the game with eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Only one rookie has ever had more receptions and receiving yardage in his first Broncos game — when Eddie Royal had nine catches in the season opener at Oakland in 2008. Making Thomas’s play more impressive was that it was his first professional game, period, after missing the entire preseason when he re-injured his foot while catching a touchdown pass during the Broncos’ practice at Invesco Field on Aug. 7.
“It’s nice to have him out there finally,” Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. “I think you saw a little bit of what he think he can be.”
2. FIRST-RATE ON THIRD DOWNS:
Denver’s third-down conversion percentage of 70.0 percent (14 of 20) was the team’s best since converting 10 of 14 against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 3, 1993, and matched the 70-percent ratio (seven of 10) against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oc. 21, 2007.
“I thought they key was trying to get it into third-and-under-5,” McDaniels said.
Thirteen of the Broncos’ third-down attempts were at five yards or less; they converted 11 Their percentage from eight yards or more wasn’t bad either; Denver converted three-of six — three-of-five if you remove the end-game kneeldown from consideration.
At one point in the second quarter, the Broncos converted five consecutive third downs; at another juncture in the second half, they reeled off seven in succession — the final one being Thomas’s 21-yard touchdown catch.
The Broncos would have set a franchise record had they not needed to take a knee three times at the end of the game. Orton’s final kneeldown — on third-and-14 — dropped the team’s percentage from 73.7 percent to 70, costing them the record.
3. OF CONCERN FOR NEXT WEEK …
will be the health of Denver’s cornerbacks.
Perhaps the worst sight in the Broncos’ locker room was that of Champ Bailey on crutches with an apparent right angle injury. KCNC-Ch. 4 sports director Vic Lombardi Tweeted that Bailey said the crutches were “precautionary,” but it nevertheless gives Broncos followers pause.
Andre Goodman didn’t return after suffering what was announced in the press box as a thigh injury. Goodman had a wrap around his thigh when he walked into the locker room during the open-media period after the game.
There could scarcely be a worse time for cornerback injuries, what with the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning coming into Denver next weekend. The Broncos’ cornerbacks beyond Bailey and Goodman include just one with any NFL experience before last week (nickelback Nate Jones).
With Goodman and Bailey sidelined at the end of the game, undrafted rookie Cassius Vaughn saw action on one side. Perrish Cox, who’d worked as the Broncos’ dime back and kickoff/punt returner the last two games, intercepted a pass.