Broncos Gameday Thread: Broncos vs Texans 08/23/14

[sneakers]

Go Broncos! Score 4 touchdowns on the first 4 drives so we can see the backups!

Hopefully our defense will be just as impressive as the offense!

No injuries pls!


http://i.imgur.com/7heeXiD.jpg

[DenBronx]

Go Broncos!!!

[chazoe60]

Go Broncos!!!!

[Canmore]

I don't get the game until NFL Network re-airs it at midnight Pacific time. Oh well.

Let's continue to play hard. Go Broncos.

[Ziggy]

I think the Broncos come out and take out their frustrations with the joint practices on this team. With the starters playing 3 quarters, I'm expecting a big time blow out.

[CrazyHorse]

WAT?
http://i.imgur.com/adQTznO.jpg

[VonDoom]

I think the Broncos come out and take out their frustrations with the joint practices on this team. With the starters playing 3 quarters, I'm expecting a big time blow out.

I think we continue to see a lot of fighting. And penalties. But then we light 'em up. Go Broncos!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Broncos starters Von Miller and Montee Ball are expected to make their 2014 preseason debuts Saturday.

Miller, the Broncos' strongside linebacker who has 35 sacks through his first three NFL seasons, has been sidelined since tearing the ACL in his right knee early in a game Dec. 22 at Houston. His return will be against those same Houston Texans, the Broncos' opponent in the preseason game Saturday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The Broncos and Texans held three joint practices this week at Dove Valley.

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26390768/montee-ball-von-miller-kevin-vickerson-ready-action

[Denver Native (Carol)]

KUSA-Lightning delays have become a big annoyance for Broncos fans during the preseason, and there is a chance for an early thunderstorm in the Saturday night match up with the Texans, according to the Colorado weather forecast.

With a sunny start to the weekend, the heat of the day will boil up a few storms late in the day Saturday. Current forecasts show storms forming over the Denver area between 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday.

rest - http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/2014/08/22/denver-broncos-weather-rain-lightning-forecast/14444837/

[Ziggy]

rest - http://www.9news.com/story/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/2014/08/22/denver-broncos-weather-rain-lightning-forecast/14444837/

I see a crap storm in the Texans near future!

[MasterShake]

Looking forward to seeing Montee Ball and Von Miller get some game action. Looking forward to seeing the starters for a bit, and also am interested to see if we can get our punt return duties squared away.

NO INJURIES! Go Broncos!

[BroncoJoe]

Is Ball playing?

[Jaws]

Have a good game and don't get any injuries.

[sneakers]

I don't get the game until NFL Network re-airs it at midnight Pacific time. Oh well.

Let's continue to play hard. Go Broncos.

contact me via PM around gametime if you want a link to see it live.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Is Ball playing?

It looks like he will, unless something changes
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26390768/montee-ball-von-miller-kevin-vickerson-ready-action

[VonDoom]

Is Ball playing?

It looks like he will, unless something changes
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26390768/montee-ball-von-miller-kevin-vickerson-ready-action

I guess that answers my question on Vickerson. Glad to see so many starters ready to go

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Lindsay Jones @bylindsayhjones · 21h

Will never get old RT @ChrisBurke_SI: Time for football. http://twitpic.com/ealjdz/full

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Denver Broncos @Broncos · 2h

Tonight’s #HOUvsDEN game available live online here: http://dbron.co/4hg pic.twitter.com/zH4JZOtyA5

The price is now $14.99

[broncofaninfla]

Fingers crossed for no significant injuries.......

[Magnificent Seven]

Go Broncos! I was at the Costco and took a pic of my hat with cases of Orange Crush!

5385

[tomjonesrocks]

Gonna have to watch this one delayed on NFLN here in SD--sucks. Have fun those tgat see it live--

[sneakers]

if your charter internet is down go here: http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php/590535-Charter-internet-is-down-nationwide?p=2218694

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 37s

Von Miller is in uniform. Just took the field for warmups.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 2m

Wes Welker in uniform and warming up. He missed two days of practice this week for an excused, personal absence.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 3m

Montee Ball is in uniform and warming up.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 3m

Only three tight ends in uniform tonight: Julius Thomas, Jacob Tamme & Cameron Morrah. Green, Konz, Robinson not in uniform.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 6m

Emmanuel Sanders is in uniform and warming up.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 9m

HOU's not-expected-to-play list has 11 names, including RB Arian Foster & LB Jadeveon Clowney.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 1h

C.J. Anderson & Julius Thomas are on the field at the 10-yard-line, practicing one-handed throws & catches. Now Virgil Green joins in.

[Dzone]

Virgil Green is not in uniform but is practicing one hand catch? Whats up with Green I didnt know he was hurt

[PatriotsGuy]

Is this game on tv nationally? Can't seem to find it.

[BroncoWave]

Is this game on tv nationally? Can't seem to find it.

No. It will be replayed like way late at night on NFLN.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 15m

Because he hasn't worked an entire practice yet. He expects that clearance this week. RT @alec_camhi: why not Harris?

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 16m

Seeing Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware lined up on the same flank as the defense sets during warmups quickens the pulse a bit.

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 27m

By the end of the week, both were on sidelines working w/ trainer. RT @AlaskanBronco: Interesting with Green and Konz.

[BroncoWave]

Good to see Montee getting involved early.

[sneakers]

go Badgers!

[sneakers]

did hillman even know what the play was lel

[Simple Jaded]

Watch your knees, Julius, when Swearinger is on the field.

[Dapper Dan]

Ugh. You hate to see a good drive stall like that.

[ShaneFalco]

I havent watched much Broncos preseason, has Ball played well?

[Dzone]

som,eone pass a note to zapollo that it is not JadaveuS clowney...geez how does he not know that.
Chris clark is getting manhandled on the right side.

[Simple Jaded]

I didn't know the Broncos signed Jared Lorenzen to kick FG's.

[MasterShake]

I havent watched much Broncos preseason, has Ball played well?

This is his first game since his surgery.

[ShaneFalco]

Von looking good in his first game back

[sneakers]

Ryan fitzpatrick = episode III obi-wan kenobi

[sneakers]

looks like sanders thought he was going to be crushed there

[Dzone]

dammit manning, whats wrong with you LOL

[CrazyHorse]

Roby!!

[spikerman]

Listening to the Texans' announcers, Houston is SB bound.

[ShaneFalco]

looks like Ball and Hillman getting bitch slapped around tonight

[sneakers]

CJ Anderson is 4 foot tall

[spikerman]

This team is sleepwalking. Ha ha

[DenBronx]

Are we going to show up tonight?

[atwater27]

I haven't seen JJ watt or the rookie in the stat column. are they playing?

[CrazyHorse]

I hope they use this opportunity to practice a 2 minute drill.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

:salute: TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS :salute:

:salute: EMMANUEL SANDERS :salute:

[Dapper Dan]

I haven't seen JJ watt or the rookie in the stat column. are they playing?

Clowney isn't playing.

[Dapper Dan]

Not bad.

[sneakers]

woooo

[chazoe60]

That'll work.

[Dapper Dan]

What's up with Prater? Has he fallen off the wagon?

[ShaneFalco]

way to go sanders.

[sneakers]

woooo!

[ShaneFalco]

Hahaha no way did manning just do that

[ShaneFalco]

Wow thats so awesome. Manning is the ultimate g.

[gregbroncs]

Can't watch the game. But 2 deep passes to E. Sanders in the last 2 minutes? Nice.

[ShaneFalco]

After Swearinger hit Welker, Manning ran up to and headbutted him after that TD throw.

Manning got a penalty for taunting. hahahahaha.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

:salute: SANDERS :salute:

:elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant: :elefant:

Good for you Peyton, sticking up for your player :salute:

[UnderArmour]

First Manning with the attempted scramble, and now a flag for taunting? This is a really entertaining preseason.

[DenBronx]

Wow! $anders is a stud!

[DenBronx]

Decker who???

[Joel]

So, starters start the second half, or is their preseason over now? Good way to end it, if so. At least, as long as Welker's OK.

[Dapper Dan]

Dang. Can anyone post the gif or video replay of the TD and Manning taunt?

[Joel]

Dang. Can anyone post the gif or video replay of the TD and Manning taunt?
It has it's own thread. :tongue: Just the taunt though, not the TD, which is too bad, because it was a pretty sweet play.

[Dzone]

Didn't look good for welker. Swearinger is a ******

[ShaneFalco]

Dang. Can anyone post the gif or video replay of the TD and Manning taunt?

http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php/590538-Mannings-taunt-penalty

https://vine.co/v/MLQIDuiAKr6

[BroncoWave]

Dammit, I went out of the room after the first TD thinking we wouldn't see the ball again. My mistake it would appear.

[UnderArmour]

So, starters start the second half, or is their preseason over now? Good way to end it, if so. At least, as long as Welker's OK.

Most likely the same as last year where Brock starts 2nd half with the ones and other second teamers are eased in after a few series. Manning should be done for the night.

[Magnificent Seven]

Did Mile High Magic return? We were 3-7. Right now, we are 17-7. I miss Old Mile High Magic. :)

[Nomad]

GO BRONCOS! What's the score?

[Nomad]

Did Mile High Magic return? We were 3-7. Right now, we are 17-7. I miss Old Mile High Magic. :)


I guess if I would have waited a minute:lol:

[ShaneFalco]

o damn micheal sam just laid out Manziel.

[Dapper Dan]

o damn micheal sam just laid out Manziel.

Money shot.

[Joel]

Most likely the same as last year where Brock starts 2nd half with the ones and other second teamers are eased in after a few series. Manning should be done for the night.
Works for me; Oz can't get too much time with the ones, IMHO, and Manning should be good to go for Opening Day. I wish we'd run Manning with backup "skill" players for the first half last week, then gone to Oz with starters for the second half, so all WRs get experience with both QBs (and vice versa; throwing to Isaiah Burse won't help Ozs development much.)

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Great - Welker having tests for a concussion

[Dapper Dan]

They've showed this Michael Sam sack on Manziel about three times on NFL Network. I'm still waiting to see something about PFM.

[CrazyHorse]

Great - Welker having tests for a concussion

Is he still wearing those special helmets?

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Is he still wearing those special helmets?

I think he is

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Andrew Mason @MaseDenver · 2m

Peyton Manning's preseason stats: 43-of-54 (79.6 pct.) for 423 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, QB rating of 110.1.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Mike Klis @MikeKlis · 5m

Kevin Vickerson, Marvin Austin, Mitch Unrein all playing along front four. All are D-tackles. Unrein playing end.

[Joel]

Mike Klis @MikeKlis · 5m

Kevin Vickerson, Marvin Austin, Mitch Unrein all playing along front four. All are D-tackles. Unrein playing end.
That's kind of weird. I'm curious whether Unrein can stick for another year; if Vickerson's 100% and we keep Austin behind Knighton, Unrein would be the 5th DT. Do we keep that many?

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Jeff Legwold @Jeff_Legwold · 24m

Manning 21-of-27 for 243, 2 TDs, 1 int in first half .... Sanders 5 catches for 128 yards, 2 TDs..

[spikerman]

I didn't think Manning was particularly sharp tonight, but I love the fire.

[DenBronx]

Dang. Can anyone post the gif or video replay of the TD and Manning taunt?

http://www.broncosforums.com/forums/showthread.php/590538-Mannings-taunt-penalty

https://vine.co/v/MLQIDuiAKr6

Not working

[Joel]

Okay, is it just me, or are the Texans LG and ESPECIALLY their LT not on the LoS at the snap? The Flying Wedge's been illegal for about 109 years, ya'll.

[spikerman]

Vickerson seeing a lot of time with the 2nd and 3rd stringers

[spikerman]

Okay, is it just me, or are the Texans LG and ESPECIALLY their LT not on the LoS at the snap? The Flying Wedge's been illegal for about 109 years, ya'll.
They're legal.

[ShaneFalco]

Not working

check thread again

http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4926278/peyton_taunting_medium.gif

[Dapper Dan]

Not working

What's happening?

It works for me.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Jeff Legwold @Jeff_Legwold · 8s

Carter has neck injury for #Broncos...likely done for the night.

[underrated29]

Anyone else sick of hearing him call jadaveon clowney, jadavius..?

[Dapper Dan]

I'm not sure how to post these gifs. So, here.

http://gfycat.com/BonyUnsungHartebeest

http://gfycat.com/DelayedAstonishingBettong

[Joel]

They're legal.
If you say so. I've heard ya'll give linemen a yard of "grace," is it one of those deals?

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I'm not sure how to post these gifs. So, here.

http://gfycat.com/BonyUnsungHartebeest

http://gfycat.com/DelayedAstonishingBettong
Wow, Sanders can flat out motate.

[silkamilkamonico]

One of the most boring games I've seen in a long long time.

Sanders is a stud.

I dont think welker should play another snap in the nfl, for his own health.

Not really sure why crennel was bringing so much heat in the end. But whatever.

Denver just looked out of it. From Peyton manning to the kickers to dropped balls to defensive lapses. Really not sharp all the way around.

[Dzone]

chris clark got his ass kicked tonight

[spikerman]

If you say so. I've heard ya'll give linemen a yard of "grace," is it one of those deals?

No, if it's really close most officials will talk to the guys to move up, but usually they'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Most officials wouldn't give them a yard though. I suspect that if the officials were concerned about it they would have warned them. Trust me, the wing officials are watching that closely. It could be that the angle you were looking at was misleading.

[spikerman]

chris clark got his ass kicked tonight

I actually thought the o-line played pretty well overall.

[Simple Jaded]

That's kind of weird. I'm curious whether Unrein can stick for another year; if Vickerson's 100% and we keep Austin behind Knighton, Unrein would be the 5th DT. Do we keep that many?

Keep 5 DT's, it's not like Vick is making a ton of money ($2.26 mil according to Spotrac) and (when healthy) you know he has starter ability, plus he plays with a **** you attitude. Austin had this team made weeks ago and Unrien is too valuable. Fua was on the street when they needed him last year.

[Joel]

I actually thought the o-line played pretty well overall.
It looked like Clark and Franklin both got owned a few times, and Garlands penalties on the penultimate series didn't help (although if Ewald can't hit from just inside the 20 in Mile High, he can't hit anywhere; why did we bring a second kicker to camp a season after Prater broke the record for longest FG and most PATs? He only missed ONE kick ALL YEAR—and it was from 51 yds.)

[Simple Jaded]

Did anyone else notice a limp in DT on his way to lockerroom before halftime?

[tubby]

Did anyone else notice a limp in DT on his way to lockerroom before halftime?
My wife did. I thought pimpwalk myself. But there was a trainer staring him down.

[MOtorboat]

Everyone wanted Franklin and Clark moved to get them both starting. Let's give them a few games before we start moaning about their play at a new position.

[Joel]

Everyone wanted Franklin and Clark moved to get them both starting. Let's give them a few games before we start moaning about their play at a new position.
They've had three: From now on, it's for keeps....

[MOtorboat]

They've had three: From now on, it's for keeps....

Joel, deep down I know you have a sense of humor. I'm hoping this is one of those times where it's showing.

Otherwise, you're just continuing your reactionary crap.

[Simple Jaded]

...why did we bring a second kicker to camp a season after Prater broke the record for longest FG and most PATs? He only missed ONE kick ALL YEAR—and it was from 51 yds.)

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4502/matt-prater

Maybe this is why.

[MOtorboat]

Denver brings multiple kickers and punters to camp nearly every year.

Every team does.

[Joel]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4502/matt-prater

Maybe this is why.
Yeah, that made it a lot more logical. Good thing we don't have any big games the first month of the season, right? :(

[GEM]

Went to the game tonight, offense wasn't great. Clady was effing great, he's just special, I though Clark did well in most situations, I didn't watch the other guys much. Paid most attention to the edge rushers.

I'll keep saying the same thing, Hillman is terrible! Nothing special out of him. Ball looks good, Cj was alright, couple good runs. Thompson still make me want to see more. He is a force with the ball in his hands.

Von looked pretty good, Ware looked pretty good. Dline is so improved, it is actually nice focusing on them now instead of cringing.

Roby will be good with more experience. They test him and he can make them pay.

[Dzone]

5386

[Joel]

Went to the game tonight, offense wasn't great. Clady was effing great, he's just special, I though Clark did well in most situations, I didn't watch the other guys much. Paid most attention to the edge rushers.

You and everyone else, but neither Ball, Hillman, Thompson nor anyone will get much without some inside push and line surge by the end zone. ;) Franklin needs to be a much better G than he was a RT, especially since Vasquez is a better pass blocker than run blocker. I'm hoping this isn't a flashback to the '05 Broncos who couldn't run anywhere but the left side, so everyone always stacked the left in short yardage knowing we didn't dare run right behind Carlisle and Foster.


I'll keep saying the same thing, Hillman is terrible! Nothing special out of him. Ball looks good, Cj was alright, couple good runs. Thompson still make me want to see more. He is a force with the ball in his hands.
He's fun to watch, for sure, but Bibbs didn't do badly either; Houstons second half comeback looked mostly on their backups pass rush and our backup Ds inadequacy. Bolden did better than I expected against Posey, and our front seven wasn't bad (except for Nelson, whom I won't miss) but the rest left me hoping our starting secondary stays healthy; even a little Quinton Carter, Tony Carter & Duke Ihenacho is too much. Still like Jerrell Harris, but not as much as Steven Johnson, and it's hard to imagine keeping 8 LBs once Trevathan's healthy. Maybe PS for Harris?


Von looked pretty good, Ware looked pretty good. Dline is so improved, it is actually nice focusing on them now instead of cringing.
C'mon, Phillips wasn't THAT bad; he led the team in sacks, so Ware's not a HUGE upgrade. The sole difference between this line and the old one is a starter and a couple backups: How much improvement is POSSIBLE? 100% Wolfe>80% Wolfe, sure, and Sylvester Williams is good, but so was Vickerson before dislocating his hip. Smith looks like solid relief for Ware, but still a backup.


Roby will be good with more experience. They test him and he can make them pay.
That's how I felt about Webster last year; here's hoping we're both right. I liked how Roby played against Andre Johnson; if an extra offseason's improved Webster as much as I hoped it would, I wonder if Tony Carter will have a job once Harris is 100%. As a converted safety who returns kicks, Bolden looks secure as our 5th CB, Bruton's just as secure as a backup safety and STs ace, and the coaches seem to see something they like in Quinton Carter: That's 9 DBs before a spot's available for Tony Carter or Ihenacho, who may have to seek it on another team.

[GEM]

I am not talking just one season, I am talking dumpster diving for a browns dline. It's been a slow build with great results. I should have clarified, I guess. It's also nice that they don't get complacent and let it drop when a guy leaves, they intend on putting in the work necessary. It's just nice nice to watch after so many years of a horrible patchwork dline.

[Joel]

I am not talking just one season, I am talking dumpster diving for a browns dline. It's been a slow build with great results. I should have clarified, I guess. It's also nice that they don't get complacent and let it drop when a guy leaves, they intend on putting in the work necessary. It's just nice nice to watch after so many years of a horrible patchwork dline.
I thought (and still do) some of our DEs the past decade were underrated (Ekuban and Ayers are the main ones who come to mind, though Phillips was probably the least appreciated team sack leader in NFL history,) but the DTs... consistently and shockingly awful. Demetrin Veal was well named: Veal is a baby cow clubbed until soft. Yet he somehow STARTED for us, strongly implying he was (at least) the second best DT we HAD. Typically so until Fox arrived; it got a little better than, and a LOT better last year.

I've gone from a decade wishing we had two starting quality DTs while merely HOPING we had ONE realizing our top subs could START on most teams. It feels as nice as it does strange.

The DEs are just as good and just as deep, though, again, I always thought our DEs better than our DTs (to set the bar low.) They weren't all stud pass rushers, but the LDE's more about run stuffing (at least in base D,) and most of ours did that well, so we were in good shape once we had Doom on the right. The big difference I perceive there is Wolfe and Jackson are both solid rushers as well as run-stuffers, and Ware (like Phillips) can stop the run as well as he rushes the passer. None are one trick (i.e. down) ponies forcing us to keep two starters for one spot.

[BroncoWave]

GEM, I think you have convinced yourself that Hillman is terrible and you won't see it any other way. He made a couple of really nice runs last night including a few big 3rd down conversions. I'm not saying he's great or should start over Ball or anything, but I just think you've been crazy unfair concerning his play this preseason.

[VonDoom]

My quick thoughts:

Roby - looking pretty good out there. I was worried after hearing the TC reports, but it seems like he's working hard and is doing a good job in coverage. He also hits hard, which fits our new defensive style. I know Webster has improved and I can't wait to get Harris back out there. Our CB's might actually be a strength this year.

Sanders - I've been waiting to see what he can bring, and I think we finally saw it. I think he fits this offense better than Decker at this point; Decker was kind of like DT-lite, but Sanders brings a whole new dimension to our receiving game. He can take the top off a defense and will be a major threat. Side note - seems like Manning can still throw the ball vertically, huh?

Welker - I'm really concerned for him. He always seems to be involved in these dangerous plays. I love having him on this team but his health should be his first priority and I hope he doesn't try to rush back.

Running backs - I actually thought everyone looked pretty good, including Hillman. Maybe a testament to our OL? Though Thompson was running behind our second string line again and still managed to look decisive and brutalize people. As for Hillman, I think if Ball is what he's supposed to be, Hillman can be dangerous as a change of pace guy. That always should have been his role. He's not a feature back, but I think that he can confuse defenses who are used to a pound it straight ahead type runner.

Osweiler - I admire him for standing in the pocket and taking shots as Houston blitzed the heck out of us. That INT was dreadful, though.

Burse - Hard to say, really. He got destroyed on his first two "returns" but then seemed solid enough, if unspectacular. At least he held onto the ball after those hits.

Prater - It's bad enough he eats (or drinks) up a hefty salary, but now this. I wish I knew the whole story here, but he has seemed kind of out of shape this preseason and was awful in this game. Sadly, Ewald was no better. Idiot kicker, indeed.

Manning's taunting penalty - Loved it. Swearinger is a little b*tch who runs his mouth like Sherman but can't back it up. It's hard to believe that anyone could get under Manning's skin like that.

[Joel]

Headhunting Welker was what set Manning off, and I don't blame him; all the big talk in practice and claims his Int off Manning caused the fights was just background noise. I doubt many HoFers have much patience for guys so insecure in their talent they feel the need to compensate with "attitude" and cheap shots. No one likes a bully, and Welker's a LITTLE dude Swearinger has 1" and >20 lbs. on, but Manning's got 4" and >20 lbs. on HIM, so that may've had a little "pick on somebody your own size, before someone bigger shows you how it feels" in it.

The moral is don't run your mouth and take cheap shots when a better team's driving the field to put you down 2 TDs. I'm curious what the Commissioner says about that play, especially after Swearingers "that's not a penalty, but so what if it is; it ain't MY head" attitude. The bottom line's the bottom line, and Welker makes the NFL a butt load more money than Swearinger ever will.

[BroncoWave]

Just out of curiosity, I am focusing on Hillman while rewatching the game. Here is a play by play recap of his runs:

3rd and 1: Hit the hole quickly and had a nice run for 11 yards.
1st and 10: Was met by two guys in the backfield, no gain. Not much he could do on that play.
3rd and 15: Caught a screen pass, broke a tackle (but he aaaaaallllllways gets tackled by first guy!!1!11!!) picked up 6 yards.
1st and 10: Made a nice initial cut, picked up 7 yards.
2nd and 3: Broke a tackle in the backfield (but he aaaaaallllllways gets tackled by first guy!!!11!!1!), and turned a loss into a two yard gain.
3rd and 1: Run up the middle, picked up two yards for the first down.
2nd and 2: Run up the middle, gained 3 yards for the first down.
1st and 10: Lost one yard on run from shotgun.

Overall, he was stuffed a couple of times but he also broke a few tackles and picked up 3 short yardage first downs. If you watched this game and came away with "Hillman is terrible!", then you were not watching the same game that was actually taking place IMO.

Was he a world beater? No. Was he solid? Absolutely.

[GEM]

GEM, I think you have convinced yourself that Hillman is terrible and you won't see it any other way. He made a couple of really nice runs last night including a few big 3rd down conversions. I'm not saying he's great or should start over Ball or anything, but I just think you've been crazy unfair concerning his play this preseason.

Would he be second string on any other upper echelon team had he not been taken in the second round? I dont want average. South stands last night and every single person around us said the same thing. Guess we're all just being too hard on him.

Keep in mind though, he has had a couple ok preseason, it's when he gets to the regular season he gets fumbleitis.

[GEM]

He's going to be on the team either way, whether I like it or not. For my teams sake, I hope he proves my dislike for him wrong.

[BroncoWave]

Would he be second string on any other upper echelon team had he not been taken in the second round? I dont want average. South stands last night and every single person around us said the same thing. Guess we're all just being too hard on him.

Keep in mind though, he has had a couple ok preseason, it's when he gets to the regular season he gets fumbleitis.

He's a backup. If you aren't ok with backups being average, I think your expectations of what a backup should be are a little high. It's impossible to have 53 starting caliber players on a team. Most of the time, your backups are going to be average to below average players. That's why they are backups.

If everyone in the South Stands was also saying he was horrible last night, they were wrong too. Go back and watch the tape if you have it recorded. He was breaking tackles and picking up first downs.

I think it's wholly unfair to say he sucks now because of what he has done in past seasons, unless you think it's impossible for a player to improve. From what he has done in the preseason, he looks much improved. He seems to have improved on both of his biggest issues (fumbling and going down on first contact). I am going to go on that assumption until he proves me wrong.

[TXBRONC]

I'm curious as what Manning said to Swearinger who by the way is a creep.

[BroncoWave]

I'm curious as what Manning said to Swearinger who by the way is a creep.

Swearenger was quoted after the game saying Manning told him "F you".

[GEM]

He's a backup. If you aren't ok with backups being average, I think your expectations of what a backup should be are a little high. It's impossible to have 53 starting caliber players on a team. Most of the time, your backups are going to be average to below average players. That's why they are backups.

If everyone in the South Stands was also saying he was horrible last night, they were wrong too. Go back and watch the tape if you have it recorded. He was breaking tackles and picking up first downs.

I think it's wholly unfair to say he sucks now because of what he has done in past seasons, unless you think it's impossible for a player to improve. From what he has done in the preseason, he looks much improved. He seems to have improved on both of his biggest issues (fumbling and going down on first contact). I am going to go on that assumption until he proves me wrong.

As I said before, I hope he proves me wrong. It's hard to change first impressions, if he does, it means he's done good things. I don't expect it at all, but it will be a great surprise.

[BroncoWave]

Speaking of horrible preseason announcers, holy crap that guy doing play by play for us last night was horrible. Was constantly calling players by the wrong names, most notably "Jadaveous Clowney". Seriously, how do you not know the name of the #1 overall pick? If you can't get that right, you shouldn't be calling an NFL game. And it's not like he just messed it up once. He was calling him that all game.

[MOtorboat]

Speaking of horrible preseason announcers, holy crap that guy doing play by play for us last night was horrible. Was constantly calling players by the wrong names, most notably "Jadaveous Clowney". Seriously, how do you not know the name of the #1 overall pick? If you can't get that right, you shouldn't be calling an NFL game. And it's not like he just messed it up once. He was calling him that all game.

This won't end well.

[GEM]

Speaking of horrible preseason announcers, holy crap that guy doing play by play for us last night was horrible. Was constantly calling players by the wrong names, most notably "Jadaveous Clowney". Seriously, how do you not know the name of the #1 overall pick? If you can't get that right, you shouldn't be calling an NFL game. And it's not like he just messed it up once. He was calling him that all game.

The ref at the game kept calling penalties wrong... Holding on the defense, I mean offense. :lol:

[BroncoWave]

The ref at the game kept calling penalties wrong... Holding on the defense, I mean offense. :lol:

I think that guy is new. I don't recognize his face at least. But yeah, he was definitely struggling a bit.