Broncos report: Strategy and personnel Sep. 10, 2007
The Sports Xchange
Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes
REPORT CARD VS. BILLS
PASSING OFFENSE
B -- Jay Cutler made some huge plays, passing for 304 yards. He also made some mistakes, and the Broncos scored only one touchdown. Overall, the Broncos were thrilled with Cutler's performance in his sixth career start, especially the way he drove the team in the final minute for a game-winning field goal. And Denver's top three receivers -- Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley -- all played well, especially Walker. But there are a few things to improve upon. With Cutler's talent, that will be possible.
RUSHING OFFENSE
B -- Travis Henry had a couple of big runs. Overall he played well, with 139 yards. He had some big runs, but was stuffed on others. The Broncos offense will be running on all cylinders when Henry consistently picks up four yards every time he runs with the ball. His physical style fits Denver's offense well, and he should have a big year.
PASS DEFENSE
A -- Buffalo's top two receivers, Lee Evans and Peerless Price, had three catches for three yards. That's what Denver envisioned when they traded for Dre Bly to pair with Champ Bailey. The only thing missing from the performance was an interception by one of the cornerbacks, but they should come with time.
RUSH DEFENSE
C-minus -- Buffalo's Marshawn Lynch had a very good NFL debut. He ran with power, and a few times the Broncos did a poor job tackling. That was a problem in the preseason as well and bears watching over the first few weeks of the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
D -- The field-goal unit rushed out and hit the game-winner and had only about 10 seconds to pull off the feat, which salvaged an otherwise poor day. Roscoe Parrish returned a punt for a touchdown and Terrence McGee broke a long kickoff return. Domenik Hixon made a bad judgment when he should have caught a punt, and it was downed at Denver's 1-yard line. Even reliable Jason Elam missed two field goals.
COACHING
B -- The Broncos struggled through the preseason and trailed in Sunday's opener until Elam's field goal split the uprights after the final second ticked off the clock. However, the Broncos will take any win in a road opener. They're still learning a new defensive scheme and are incorporating a load of new starters. Denver will get better over time and the coaches deserve credit for putting the Broncos in position to pull off a late win in Week 1.
Copyright (C) 2007 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.