PDA

View Full Version : McDaniels has turned turmoil into triumph



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.

Tempus Fugit
10-08-2009, 12:12 PM
The bipolar nature of sports media and sports fans strikes again. It's 4 games. If the team drops 4 straight, all the complaining will be back.

MasterShake
10-08-2009, 12:13 PM
The bipolar nature of sports media and sports fans strikes again. It's 4 games. If the team drops 4 straight, all the complaining will be back.

Thats true, but when every game counts and we are a quarter of the way through the season you gotta like this start a little.

T.K.O.
10-08-2009, 12:19 PM
The bipolar nature of sports media and sports fans strikes again. It's 4 games. If the team drops 4 straight, all the complaining will be back.

hush a you mouth !;)
this team is not capable of losing 4 straight.....the defense is bound to match up well to one or more of the next four opponents...and there is good chance the offense will improve significantly over the next 4 games as well.
i would bet we win at least 2 of our next 4,and as long as we split the next 8 i think we cruz to the playoffs (no meltdown like last year):beer:

Tempus Fugit
10-08-2009, 12:24 PM
Thats true, but when every game counts and we are a quarter of the way through the season you gotta like this start a little.

Oh, there's no question about that, to my way of thinking. If you looked at the schedule before the season, you probably looked at the Broncos and figured 3-1 right now. That's how I had them, at least. So, to me, they are a game better than their schedule right now, which is a great start to the season.

The thing is, though, that most people are who they are, and events only paper that over. Those people that spent months bashing McDaniels may be quieter now, but they'll be back in full force when the team struggles. They'll also be joined by the bandwagon fans and those fans who's emotions ride the roller coaster with every game.

Lonestar
10-08-2009, 01:19 PM
I have been shocked at the play of the TEAM so far.

With the Excpection of Warhorse's bold 16-0 d season, I think everyone would not have predicted 4-0 at this time.

While we might have had better stats with Jay I sincerly doubt we would be 4-0.

The offense needs to improve the passing completion % but other than that I do not see anything else that we have deep issuses with.

All I'm looking for is consistent play, no turn overs, that we play all game, we show up mentally each week and do not lose trap games.

If we get beat by a better team, I can deal with that as long as we do not give up in the game.

I've been impressed by Mc Kid almost from day one, the more I hear him talk the better I like him.


Sent via Blackberry by altell.

honz
10-08-2009, 01:58 PM
Nice article, but Bucky Brooks is a hack.

WARHORSE
10-08-2009, 02:36 PM
Nice article, but Bucky Brooks is a hack.


Hes climbin aboard the love train.

Id like to see what he wrote about Josh a few months ago when the doo doo was hitting the fan.

All we care about is what those within the lockeroom are sayin. :salute:

WARHORSE
10-08-2009, 02:43 PM
With the Excpection of Warhorse's bold 16-0 d season, I think everyone would not have predicted 4-0 at this time.

Sent via Blackberry by altell.

Actually, my bold prediction was 19-0.

Bold homerism at its best.

Its simple. Predictions are nothing, and pleasing only to me.


Warhorse NEVER predicts a Broncos loss......no matter if they were 14 pt underdogs...............(see Superbowl 32)..............or 14 pt favorites.

Upsets are just as easily predicted as picking the favored team.


I mean, who the heck thinks........"My team is gonna lose this week?"


No need to answer that.



19-0


BRONCOS BABY!:coffee:

Lonestar
10-08-2009, 07:34 PM
Actually, my bold prediction was 19-0.

Bold homerism at its best.

Its simple. Predictions are nothing, and pleasing only to me.


Warhorse NEVER predicts a Broncos loss......no matter if they were 14 pt underdogs...............(see Superbowl 32)..............or 14 pt favorites.

Upsets are just as easily predicted as picking the favored team.


I mean, who the heck thinks........"My team is gonna lose this week?"

No need to answer that.



19-0


BRONCOS BABY!:coffee:



after 50 years of watching them I lapse sometimes and believe they are going to lose.. I feel much better about them after the last four weeks but am realistic enough to KNOW they will lose a couple-8 this year..

I learned after about the 1965 season that getting HIGH on the broncs each week lead to a lot of downer weeks..

SO I adopted the idea to hope they win and not be disappointed on MON each week.. have been a happier camper since..

Day1BroncoFan
10-08-2009, 10:40 PM
after 50 years of watching them I lapse sometimes and believe they are going to lose.. I feel much better about them after the last four weeks but am realistic enough to KNOW they will lose a couple-8 this year..

I learned after about the 1965 season that getting HIGH on the broncs each week lead to a lot of downer weeks..

SO I adopted the idea to hope they win and not be disappointed on MON each week.. have been a happier camper since..

This works for me. I hope they win each week but I don't expect them to go 19-0. I am ready for the game they don't quite find a way to win. It's double digit whippings that still kill me.