MasterShake
10-08-2009, 12:09 PM
Haven't seen this posted yet. From NFL.com
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8133a519&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
McDaniels has turned turmoil into triumph, doubters into converts
By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
Analyst
Josh McDaniels' mailbox at the Denver Broncos' training facility should be full of apologetic cards from fans seeking to make amends with the rookie head coach.
McDaniels endured a firestorm of criticism after trading away Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler in the spring and seemingly sending the franchise into a tailspin. However, after watching the Broncos race out to a surprising 4-0 start this season, even McDaniels' harshest critics must admit the 33-year-old might have been right about this one simple fact:
The Broncos are a better team without Jay Cutler.
Associated Press
Through four games, Kyle Orton's statistics compare favorably to those of the Jay Cutler. The difference? Orton has yet to turn the ball over, while Cutler has thrown five interceptions and lost two fumbles.
Quarterback TD INT Yards Comp. Pct. Rating
Kyle Orton 5 0 906 59.0 97.7
Jay Cutler 8 5 901 64.3 89.3
While that sentiment comes as a surprise to those mesmerized by Cutler's immeasurable talent, the opinion resonated with McDaniels early in his Broncos tenure. Steeped in the Patriot Way after spending years working under Bill Belichick as an assistant, McDaniels had a strong desire to add a quarterback experienced in his system and philosophy. In a trade proposal that went awry, the Broncos would have acquired former Patriots backup Matt Cassell and sent Cutler to another location (possibly Tampa Bay or Washington) for a handful of draft picks. Although the trade didn't go through, it served as the impetus to the acrimonious split between Cutler and the Broncos.
With the two sides unable to reconcile their differences, the Broncos shipped Cutler to Chicago for Kyle Orton and three draft picks. While the acquisition of Orton drew the ire of many fans in Denver, the newest Bronco was viewed as an ideal game manager in McDaniels' spread system.
McDaniels was emboldened by the success Cassel had within his system at New England, and Orton's reputation for being a risk-adverse distributor made him a perfect fit. Of course, it didn't look like it would work out successfully after Orton suffered through a disappointing preseason, but he has been solid during the regular season, with a quarterback rating hovering around 100.
Orton has completed 59 percent of his passes and tossed five touchdowns without any interceptions. Though he arrived in Denver pegged as a "dink-and-dunk" passer, the fifth-year pro has completed 13 passes over 20 yards and connected on three completions that covered 40 yards or more. Those numbers place Orton among the NFL's top 10 in those respective categories, which has made the loss of long ball specialist Cutler a moot point.
Whereas Cutler served as the offense's driving force under the previous regime, Orton is only asked to complement a unit that is using a strong running game as its foundation. Led by Correll Buckhalter and rookie Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos are fielding the league's fourth-best rushing attack at 148 rushing yards per game. Although the duo fails to crack the top 10 rushing leaders individually, they each have tallied more than 249 rushing yards and have helped the Broncos average 4.7 yards per attempt on the ground, eighth-best in the NFL.
Although McDaniels' retooling of the offense has been a success, it has been the exceptional play of the defense that has sparked the Broncos' impressive start. In one of his wisest moves, McDaniels tabbed former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan to lead his defense, and the 3-4 mastermind quickly remade the "Orange Crush" into the league's top defense.
The Broncos have surrendered a league-low 26 points in four games. Additionally, the Broncos rank second in total defense (239.8 yards per game), which includes top 5 rankings in run defense and passing yards allowed. Moreover, the Broncos have generated 10 takeaways and amassed the second-most sacks in the league (15).
The Broncos have stolen a page from the Patriots' handbook by bringing in a host of veterans to lead their defensive revival. Brian Dawkins, Andre Goodman and Vonnie Holliday have joined Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams as team leaders, and the venerable crew has shined in Nolan's aggressive system. Although Elvis Dumervil's scintillating play off the edge has been critical to the Broncos' suffocating defense (Dumervil is tied for the league lead with eight sacks), the jelling of the unit has come along at a rapid pace, and the rookie head coach's plan to rebuild with productive veterans has been the key.
From an Xs-and-Os standpoint, McDaniels has pressed all of the right buttons, but his best play has been his direct approach with his players. Though the Cutler ordeal tested the young coach's mettle, his no-nonsense reaction established order within the locker room and led the team to fall in line. His handling of the Brandon Marshall situation firmly entrenched him as the unquestionable leader of team. Considering the team won immediately out of the gate, it is not difficult to understand why the players quickly fell in line with their young leader.
After watching the baby-faced leader guide the Broncos to a 4-0 start, it is apparent that McDaniels' plan to build a "tough, smart and physical" team that emphasizes teamwork and selflessness is working.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8133a519&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
McDaniels has turned turmoil into triumph, doubters into converts
By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
Analyst
Josh McDaniels' mailbox at the Denver Broncos' training facility should be full of apologetic cards from fans seeking to make amends with the rookie head coach.
McDaniels endured a firestorm of criticism after trading away Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler in the spring and seemingly sending the franchise into a tailspin. However, after watching the Broncos race out to a surprising 4-0 start this season, even McDaniels' harshest critics must admit the 33-year-old might have been right about this one simple fact:
The Broncos are a better team without Jay Cutler.
Associated Press
Through four games, Kyle Orton's statistics compare favorably to those of the Jay Cutler. The difference? Orton has yet to turn the ball over, while Cutler has thrown five interceptions and lost two fumbles.
Quarterback TD INT Yards Comp. Pct. Rating
Kyle Orton 5 0 906 59.0 97.7
Jay Cutler 8 5 901 64.3 89.3
While that sentiment comes as a surprise to those mesmerized by Cutler's immeasurable talent, the opinion resonated with McDaniels early in his Broncos tenure. Steeped in the Patriot Way after spending years working under Bill Belichick as an assistant, McDaniels had a strong desire to add a quarterback experienced in his system and philosophy. In a trade proposal that went awry, the Broncos would have acquired former Patriots backup Matt Cassell and sent Cutler to another location (possibly Tampa Bay or Washington) for a handful of draft picks. Although the trade didn't go through, it served as the impetus to the acrimonious split between Cutler and the Broncos.
With the two sides unable to reconcile their differences, the Broncos shipped Cutler to Chicago for Kyle Orton and three draft picks. While the acquisition of Orton drew the ire of many fans in Denver, the newest Bronco was viewed as an ideal game manager in McDaniels' spread system.
McDaniels was emboldened by the success Cassel had within his system at New England, and Orton's reputation for being a risk-adverse distributor made him a perfect fit. Of course, it didn't look like it would work out successfully after Orton suffered through a disappointing preseason, but he has been solid during the regular season, with a quarterback rating hovering around 100.
Orton has completed 59 percent of his passes and tossed five touchdowns without any interceptions. Though he arrived in Denver pegged as a "dink-and-dunk" passer, the fifth-year pro has completed 13 passes over 20 yards and connected on three completions that covered 40 yards or more. Those numbers place Orton among the NFL's top 10 in those respective categories, which has made the loss of long ball specialist Cutler a moot point.
Whereas Cutler served as the offense's driving force under the previous regime, Orton is only asked to complement a unit that is using a strong running game as its foundation. Led by Correll Buckhalter and rookie Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos are fielding the league's fourth-best rushing attack at 148 rushing yards per game. Although the duo fails to crack the top 10 rushing leaders individually, they each have tallied more than 249 rushing yards and have helped the Broncos average 4.7 yards per attempt on the ground, eighth-best in the NFL.
Although McDaniels' retooling of the offense has been a success, it has been the exceptional play of the defense that has sparked the Broncos' impressive start. In one of his wisest moves, McDaniels tabbed former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan to lead his defense, and the 3-4 mastermind quickly remade the "Orange Crush" into the league's top defense.
The Broncos have surrendered a league-low 26 points in four games. Additionally, the Broncos rank second in total defense (239.8 yards per game), which includes top 5 rankings in run defense and passing yards allowed. Moreover, the Broncos have generated 10 takeaways and amassed the second-most sacks in the league (15).
The Broncos have stolen a page from the Patriots' handbook by bringing in a host of veterans to lead their defensive revival. Brian Dawkins, Andre Goodman and Vonnie Holliday have joined Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams as team leaders, and the venerable crew has shined in Nolan's aggressive system. Although Elvis Dumervil's scintillating play off the edge has been critical to the Broncos' suffocating defense (Dumervil is tied for the league lead with eight sacks), the jelling of the unit has come along at a rapid pace, and the rookie head coach's plan to rebuild with productive veterans has been the key.
From an Xs-and-Os standpoint, McDaniels has pressed all of the right buttons, but his best play has been his direct approach with his players. Though the Cutler ordeal tested the young coach's mettle, his no-nonsense reaction established order within the locker room and led the team to fall in line. His handling of the Brandon Marshall situation firmly entrenched him as the unquestionable leader of team. Considering the team won immediately out of the gate, it is not difficult to understand why the players quickly fell in line with their young leader.
After watching the baby-faced leader guide the Broncos to a 4-0 start, it is apparent that McDaniels' plan to build a "tough, smart and physical" team that emphasizes teamwork and selflessness is working.