omac
08-10-2008, 05:27 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10153834
Some good, bad and, yes, ugly
By Woody Paige
The Denver Post
HOUSTON — The first of the Broncos' two Texhibitions was a spaghetti Western — someone good, something bad, somewhat ugly and some meatballs.
As an exhibition, it went.
At least they played in an air-conditioned building on Saturday night. (Double 100 degrees in Denver, and you have Houston.)
The Broncos lost 19-16, as if that matters. The Broncos lost a couple of linebackers, and that does matter.
Mike Shanahan said the Broncos "need a little more continuity here, and I thought we got it. . . . I will have to take a look at the film for sure."
I don't have to stare at the film. I watched the game from near the roof.
Start with the good:
Jay Cutler played very well. He certainly doesn't have a QB-in-the-headlights expression, and he certainly doesn't seem to be affected on the field by his diabetes, and he certainly understands the wants, the needs, the playbook of Shanahan.
The Broncos' opening series was a shambles. But, in the next possession, Cutler impressively took the group 74 yards and finished off the touchdown with a 15-yard scramble and jump into the end zone that was rather reminiscent of a past figure.
A satisfied Cutler then relaxed.
Eddie Royal, the club's receiver/returner second-round draft pick, acts like a pro player. He caught a couple of passes, offered a couple of early returns and should contribute — and will have to — right away.
Rookie running back Anthony Alridge revealed why he had more 40-yard-plus plays than anyone else in college football the past three years. He came up with a 27-yard kickoff return and a burner 19-yard run outside on the right side. But he fumbled, which won't get him a gold star. Andre Hall, who is trying to be a gold starter at running back, rushed eight times for 43 yards and was handy.
The offensive line — missing its center and starting new guys all over — held up (and held on), not allowing a sack despite . . .
and we'll get to that in the bad and ugly.
The Broncos' defense allowed only one touchdown and, given injuries in camp and in the first quarter, is improved over last year's Arena League-like outfit. Backup corners Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah, starting for the dinged Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, performed like starters. Cornerback could be the Broncos' best depth of position.
D.J. Williams is home again on the outside.
The defensive line was not generally embarrassed; a duct-taped linebacking corps did OK, and new free-agent safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Rogers won't make you forget John Lynch — and especially not Steve Atwater or Dennis Smith — but they came on the blitz, hit hard and were smart.
And a fellow named Christian Morton, who is the ninth-string cornerback or something, has a sack and six tackles. He had the strongest game by a C. Morton since the Broncos' former quarterback.
Sam Paulescu feathered a 51-yard punt.
Brandon Marshall caught a couple of short passes and had no, uh, trouble.
The bad:
The Broncos didn't start three-fourths of the defensive secondary because of injury, then lost two linebackers — Boss Bailey (sprained ankle) and his replacement, Louis Green (neck), in the first six minutes.
Ryan Clady, the No. 1 pick, became the first Broncos' rookie to start the opening exhibition at left tackle, and he looked every bit of it. Clady played the entire first half and was flattened like a dry-cleaned starched shirt in the beginning, and often. He was overmatched against Texans defensive end Mario Williams (the former No. 1 pick overall). He will need help. Ryan Harris was no bargain at right tackle. E-74. But veteran pickup Casey Wiegmann filled in admirably for Tom Nalen, and the line did keep the Texans several feet away from Cutler.
If running back Selvin Young intends to rush for 2,000 yards (his prediction), four attempts for 3 yards — running in wet cement — is not the way to do it. Michael Pittman didn't help himself or the Broncos.
And the other new wide receivers were unnoticed.
Second-year defensive end Tim Crowder is third on the depth chart, and he might fall farther except nobody else was a jumpin' Jack Flash on Saturday.
The ugly:
Matt Prater is supposed to be the heir apparent to Jason Elam. The Praternator promptly missed a 30-yard attempt. Not good. He did make his next three, but none occurred with anything on the line. And he was not booming kickoffs through the end zone. The jury has not come back with a verdict.
The Broncos scored one lousy, stinking touchdown. That's as ugly as last year.
Some good, some bad, some ugly, some garlicky.
But all those former Broncos assistants (six, led by head coach Gary Kubiak) with the Texans and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan must feel more good than bad.
Next, the Broncos play the other Texas team and former Broncos coach Wade Phillips.
What is this, an updated George Strait song? "All the Broncos' Exes Coach in Texas."
I'm glad that the OL seems to be much better at protecting Cutler, and it's good to know that Aldridge, Royal, and Hall made show some promise. I'm really glad that Cutler is in full command of the offense.
Some good, bad and, yes, ugly
By Woody Paige
The Denver Post
HOUSTON — The first of the Broncos' two Texhibitions was a spaghetti Western — someone good, something bad, somewhat ugly and some meatballs.
As an exhibition, it went.
At least they played in an air-conditioned building on Saturday night. (Double 100 degrees in Denver, and you have Houston.)
The Broncos lost 19-16, as if that matters. The Broncos lost a couple of linebackers, and that does matter.
Mike Shanahan said the Broncos "need a little more continuity here, and I thought we got it. . . . I will have to take a look at the film for sure."
I don't have to stare at the film. I watched the game from near the roof.
Start with the good:
Jay Cutler played very well. He certainly doesn't have a QB-in-the-headlights expression, and he certainly doesn't seem to be affected on the field by his diabetes, and he certainly understands the wants, the needs, the playbook of Shanahan.
The Broncos' opening series was a shambles. But, in the next possession, Cutler impressively took the group 74 yards and finished off the touchdown with a 15-yard scramble and jump into the end zone that was rather reminiscent of a past figure.
A satisfied Cutler then relaxed.
Eddie Royal, the club's receiver/returner second-round draft pick, acts like a pro player. He caught a couple of passes, offered a couple of early returns and should contribute — and will have to — right away.
Rookie running back Anthony Alridge revealed why he had more 40-yard-plus plays than anyone else in college football the past three years. He came up with a 27-yard kickoff return and a burner 19-yard run outside on the right side. But he fumbled, which won't get him a gold star. Andre Hall, who is trying to be a gold starter at running back, rushed eight times for 43 yards and was handy.
The offensive line — missing its center and starting new guys all over — held up (and held on), not allowing a sack despite . . .
and we'll get to that in the bad and ugly.
The Broncos' defense allowed only one touchdown and, given injuries in camp and in the first quarter, is improved over last year's Arena League-like outfit. Backup corners Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah, starting for the dinged Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, performed like starters. Cornerback could be the Broncos' best depth of position.
D.J. Williams is home again on the outside.
The defensive line was not generally embarrassed; a duct-taped linebacking corps did OK, and new free-agent safeties Marlon McCree and Marquand Rogers won't make you forget John Lynch — and especially not Steve Atwater or Dennis Smith — but they came on the blitz, hit hard and were smart.
And a fellow named Christian Morton, who is the ninth-string cornerback or something, has a sack and six tackles. He had the strongest game by a C. Morton since the Broncos' former quarterback.
Sam Paulescu feathered a 51-yard punt.
Brandon Marshall caught a couple of short passes and had no, uh, trouble.
The bad:
The Broncos didn't start three-fourths of the defensive secondary because of injury, then lost two linebackers — Boss Bailey (sprained ankle) and his replacement, Louis Green (neck), in the first six minutes.
Ryan Clady, the No. 1 pick, became the first Broncos' rookie to start the opening exhibition at left tackle, and he looked every bit of it. Clady played the entire first half and was flattened like a dry-cleaned starched shirt in the beginning, and often. He was overmatched against Texans defensive end Mario Williams (the former No. 1 pick overall). He will need help. Ryan Harris was no bargain at right tackle. E-74. But veteran pickup Casey Wiegmann filled in admirably for Tom Nalen, and the line did keep the Texans several feet away from Cutler.
If running back Selvin Young intends to rush for 2,000 yards (his prediction), four attempts for 3 yards — running in wet cement — is not the way to do it. Michael Pittman didn't help himself or the Broncos.
And the other new wide receivers were unnoticed.
Second-year defensive end Tim Crowder is third on the depth chart, and he might fall farther except nobody else was a jumpin' Jack Flash on Saturday.
The ugly:
Matt Prater is supposed to be the heir apparent to Jason Elam. The Praternator promptly missed a 30-yard attempt. Not good. He did make his next three, but none occurred with anything on the line. And he was not booming kickoffs through the end zone. The jury has not come back with a verdict.
The Broncos scored one lousy, stinking touchdown. That's as ugly as last year.
Some good, some bad, some ugly, some garlicky.
But all those former Broncos assistants (six, led by head coach Gary Kubiak) with the Texans and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan must feel more good than bad.
Next, the Broncos play the other Texas team and former Broncos coach Wade Phillips.
What is this, an updated George Strait song? "All the Broncos' Exes Coach in Texas."
I'm glad that the OL seems to be much better at protecting Cutler, and it's good to know that Aldridge, Royal, and Hall made show some promise. I'm really glad that Cutler is in full command of the offense.