Denver Native (Carol)
08-31-2009, 07:00 PM
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9286
BRONCOS FACE CARDINALS IN FINAL TUNE-UP BEFORE REGULAR SEASON
The Denver Broncos (0-3) wrap up their preseason schedule on Thursday night when they host the Arizona Cardinals (0-3). Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 7 p.m. MDT.
QUICKLY:
* In their last game against the Bears (27-17 loss on NBC’s Sunday Night Football), the Broncos forced Chicago to start six of its 12 drives at or inside the team’s own 12-yard line.
* Denver has posted a greater time of possession than its opponents in eight of the 12 quarters it has played this preseason. The Broncos have held the ball for nearly a full quarter more (12:56) than its opponents through three preseason games.
* The Broncos are 9-1 in their last 10 preseason finales and have won their last four such contests. Thursday’s game marks the sixth consecutive year Denver ends its preseason against Arizona, which is the Broncos’ second-most common preseason opponent (19 mtgs. / Denver is 14-5).
OFFENSE:
* During Denver’s last two games, QB Kyle Orton has completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating). He is fourth in the league in completion percentage (67.2%) and sixth in passing yards (367) this preseason.
* Rookie WR Kenny McKinley, a fifth-round pick from the University of South Carolina, has caught two passes of at least 50 yards this preseason. He ranks fifth in the league in receiving yards (165) while placing ninth in the NFL in combined yards (274).
DEFENSE:
* Against the Bears last week, the Broncos forced seven three-and-outs, including on all four Chicago possessions to open the second half.
* ILB D.J. Williams leads Denver in tackles (16) and is one of three Broncos linebackers with at least 12 defensive stops this preseason.
* Denver is eighth in the league in total defense, giving up an average of 294.3 yards per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
* The Broncos lead the NFL in kickoff coverage (14.0 yds., 8-112) through three preseason games.
* P Brett Kern is third in the league in gross punting average (47.5 yds.). Rookie P Britton Colquitt, a college free agent from the University of Tennessee, leads all NFL rookies in net punting average (40.3 yds.).
ORTON AMONG PRESEASON LEADERS
Quarterback Kyle Orton is fourth in the league in completion percentage (67.2) and sixth in the league in passing yards (367) through three preseason games.
In Denver’s last two games, Orton has completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating).
MCKINLEY GETS IT DONE ON OFFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie wide receiver Kenny McKinley, selected by the Broncos in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft from the University of South Carolina, is ninth in the NFL (6th among rookies) in combined yards with 274 through three preseason games (91.3 per game). He leads the club in receiving yards (165) and special teams return yards (109).
McKinley ranks fifth in the NFL (second among rookies) in receiving yardage (165).
BRONCOS FACE CARDINALS IN FINAL TUNE-UP BEFORE REGULAR SEASON
The Denver Broncos (0-3) wrap up their preseason schedule on Thursday night when they host the Arizona Cardinals (0-3). Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 7 p.m. MDT.
QUICKLY:
* In their last game against the Bears (27-17 loss on NBC’s Sunday Night Football), the Broncos forced Chicago to start six of its 12 drives at or inside the team’s own 12-yard line.
* Denver has posted a greater time of possession than its opponents in eight of the 12 quarters it has played this preseason. The Broncos have held the ball for nearly a full quarter more (12:56) than its opponents through three preseason games.
* The Broncos are 9-1 in their last 10 preseason finales and have won their last four such contests. Thursday’s game marks the sixth consecutive year Denver ends its preseason against Arizona, which is the Broncos’ second-most common preseason opponent (19 mtgs. / Denver is 14-5).
OFFENSE:
* During Denver’s last two games, QB Kyle Orton has completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating). He is fourth in the league in completion percentage (67.2%) and sixth in passing yards (367) this preseason.
* Rookie WR Kenny McKinley, a fifth-round pick from the University of South Carolina, has caught two passes of at least 50 yards this preseason. He ranks fifth in the league in receiving yards (165) while placing ninth in the NFL in combined yards (274).
DEFENSE:
* Against the Bears last week, the Broncos forced seven three-and-outs, including on all four Chicago possessions to open the second half.
* ILB D.J. Williams leads Denver in tackles (16) and is one of three Broncos linebackers with at least 12 defensive stops this preseason.
* Denver is eighth in the league in total defense, giving up an average of 294.3 yards per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
* The Broncos lead the NFL in kickoff coverage (14.0 yds., 8-112) through three preseason games.
* P Brett Kern is third in the league in gross punting average (47.5 yds.). Rookie P Britton Colquitt, a college free agent from the University of Tennessee, leads all NFL rookies in net punting average (40.3 yds.).
ORTON AMONG PRESEASON LEADERS
Quarterback Kyle Orton is fourth in the league in completion percentage (67.2) and sixth in the league in passing yards (367) through three preseason games.
In Denver’s last two games, Orton has completed 30-of-42 (71.4%) passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and one interception (87.2 rating).
MCKINLEY GETS IT DONE ON OFFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie wide receiver Kenny McKinley, selected by the Broncos in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft from the University of South Carolina, is ninth in the NFL (6th among rookies) in combined yards with 274 through three preseason games (91.3 per game). He leads the club in receiving yards (165) and special teams return yards (109).
McKinley ranks fifth in the NFL (second among rookies) in receiving yardage (165).