Denver Broncos 1st Quarter Review

[fightinredantz]

The Broncos have not seen this season go as planned. The Broncos have 11 guys on IR and 7 of those guys were expected to have large roles. Below is the IR list:
Mark Barron
A.J. Bouye
Austin Calitro
Jurrell Casey
Austin Fort
DreMont Jones
Von MIller
Justin Strnad
Cortland Sutton
DeMarcus Walker
Elijah WIlkinson

The IR list is not the complete list of injuried players as we also have as Lock and Lindsay have also missed time. Injuries have limited some of the things we planned on doing on offense and defense.

The Broncos have been mostly competitive in the first 4 games despite all the missing players.
Titans 16 Broncos 14
Steelers 26 Broncos 21
Buccaneers 28 Broncos 10
Broncos 37 Jets 28

The Broncos had chances to beat the Titans and Steelers but came up short. Both these teams are expected to make the playoffs with potential to make a run. The Buccaneer game I view as a one off as Driskel was horrible most of the game. With next to no offense it is tough on the Defense. The Jets game was concerning with how the Defense played as the Jets offense is not exactly explosive. The Darnold run on the first drive was embarrassing. The 3 picks did the defense no favors either.

There have been several things that I find encouraging after 4 games:

• The team continues to fight and compete at with the players that are available.
• Garrett Boles has been much better then most of last year.
• Lloyd Cushenberry III has done well
• Noah Fant is on the brink of being a dominating TE. He is not utilized enough in the offense in my opinion.
• Rypein is looking like there is potential to be a good to great backup QB. I think he can make spot starts and keep the team competitive, and potentially win some. He is also learning form his mistakes. The route he through the pick against the Buccs was a TD to Patrick. He is going to have some ups and downs as any young QB.
• Tim Patrick has stepped up to be that #1 for this team. He probably is not a #1 for a lot of other teams, but he is becoming the number 1.
• Jerry Jeudy is progressing nicely as well. He will continue to make a lot of plays as the season goes forward. He seems to disappear some times, but that might be a play calling thing.
• Malik Reed is playing better and better. He made some plays against the Jets and continues to develop. I don't think he will be a Von Miller or Bradley Chubb, but a valuable role player.
• With the experience the backups are getting it will help when some of the guys come off IR.

There have been some disappointments to:

• Injuries have been to key players and put the Broncos in a position to be at a talent deficit in most of their games.
• Graham Glasgow has been flagged too many times.
• Pat Shumur's play calling has been head scratching at times. Other times he seems to over think or get to cute with his play calling. I did think the Jets game was better.
• Jeff Driskel had the most starting experience of any QB on our roster to start the season. He looked lost in the Bucs game.
• Lack of forced turnovers s hurting.

I am sure I have missed some good and bad, but I am sure between all of us we can get a complete list.

Looking forward to the 2nd quarter of the season.
Broncos at Patriots - This maybe a more even game for server reasons.

• The game has been oved to the late afternoon slot so no 1 PM EDT kickoff.
• Patriots now appear to be on a short week given the positive COVID tests.
• Cam Newton may not play given his positive COVID test.
• Broncos are getting healthier. Lindsay will return, and Lock and Fant maybe able to play as well with the extra time between games.
• The game against the Broncos could be overlooked with the Chiefs prior and the 49ers after.

Dolphins at Broncos - This is a game that both teams have struggled starting the season. The Broncos are at home. This could be a another close game, but the Broncos will hopefully have a few more of their injuried players back of IR.

Chiefs at Broncos - This seams like an impossible task given the talent difference, but with a team as young as the Broncos if they start hot they could make it interesting. The Chargers showed how to slow down the Chiefs offense, if the Dline gets healthy then the Broncos might be able to do similar things as the Chargers. Sadly I don't know that we will be able to end the Chiefs dominance against us.

Bye Week

Broncos at Atlanta - Atlanta is a team that is really good for 3 quarters, but then gives up just enough to lose. This will be a dangerous game being on the road and early kickoff. If we can go into this game and get a win it will build some momentum for the stretch run.

Best case at the end of the first half of the season I see the Broncos being 4-4 which would be huge. I am thinking more like 3-5 but that is step in the right direction. With this team showing that it can get stronger as the season goes on it could put them in an interesting position for the final month. How much fun would it be to have Von return in December for a final push toward the playoffs. A lot can happen yet. The next 4 games will determine which direction this team goes. If they go 2-2 or better in the next 4 they may surprise some with a possibility of a wild card berth at season ends. If the Broncos go 1-3 or worse then we are looking at top 10 pick and building for hopefully a really fun 2021.

At the end of the year no matter how it goes we will be sitting here wondering what might have been if the Broncos didn't have so many key injuries. Time will tell and while expectations have been lowered with all the injuries.

 

[wingsauce7]

Completely agree that Fant is waaaay underutilized. The guy makes a great play and is then forgotten. Too many throws to Vannett that should go to fant imo.

 

[Mingo]

Completely agree that Fant is waaaay underutilized. The guy makes a great play and is then forgotten. Too many throws to Vannett that should go to fant imo.

I still haven't see anything impressive about Vannett.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Vannett, Beck nor Butt have given us much this year. Albert O is gonna be good. He gets seperation.

 

[Mingo]

Vannett, Beck nor Butt have given us much this year. Albert O is gonna be good. He gets seperation.

I'm sure Butt has caught a pass, but I can't remember it. Albert O and Fant in a double TE set - has got to be very difficult to cover.

 

[CEH]

Vannett, Beck nor Butt have given us much this year. Albert O is gonna be good. He gets seperation.

Albert O is going through what Fant did last year. Has the tools but needs to fight more for every pass or block. Green Bay last tear was a wakup call for Fant. NE this year for Albert. Future looks bright for both.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Albert O is going through what Fant did last year. Has the tools but needs to fight more for every pass or block. Green Bay last tear was a wakup call for Fant. NE this year for Albert. Future looks bright for both.

Yes- Exactly what I was going to add. Agree!

 

[Mingo]

Yes- Exactly what I was going to add. Agree!

1st year TE success is rare in the NFL - because you have to block, run routes and catch balls - that's about two things more than a TE in college has to do.

 

[megalodon30]

I'm sure Butt has caught a pass, but I can't remember it.

According to pro football reference, he has 2 receptions for 5 yards this year.

 

[LGM]

Agree with everything but one: Pat Shurmur.

I'm not completely (or even remotely) sold on his offense. I'd say there really hasn't been any difference in his playcalling all year, including teh Jets game. The difference there was that it actually worked.

 

[nflbronco]

According to pro football reference, he has 2 receptions for 5 yards this year.

This is Butt ugly so far

 

[megalodon30]

This is Butt ugly so far

Hey, at least he’s stayed healthy. Almost seems like he’s the only one, ironically.

 

[wingsauce7]

Not exactly sure what the fix for this team is, but some things seems obvious.

Elway has shown imo, to not have the ability to make good personnel decisions. I see a couple bad coaching hires and obviously he doesn't seem to have the ability to sniff out a QB in the draft or free agency. I would think Elway (of anyone) would realize the importance of making the O-line a priority, but after several years, still puts up with what he can find.

The team doesn't seem to receive ANY help whatsoever from team ownership. It almost makes you wish the "consortium" would sell to a hungry owner.

I have to think that Pat Bowlen wouldn't stand for this and would have made changes in staff long ago.

 

[fightinredantz]

Not exactly sure what the fix for this team is, but some things seems obvious.

Elway has shown imo, to not have the ability to make good personnel decisions. I see a couple bad coaching hires and obviously he doesn't seem to have the ability to sniff out a QB in the draft or free agency. I would think Elway (of anyone) would realize the importance of making the O-line a priority, but after several years, still puts up with what he can find.

The team doesn't seem to receive ANY help whatsoever from team ownership. It almost makes you wish the "consortium" would sell to a hungry owner.

I have to think that Pat Bowlen wouldn't stand for this and would have made changes in staff long ago.

Elway signed the top guard in free agency this year, and drafted on of the better centers in the draft, and spent a second round pick on Risner in 2019. He also added James in 2019, not that we have seen him play yet. How much more do you want him to do? If anything he may not be patient enough to let a line gel. We will see what happens after this season. Does he sign Bolles to a contract extension? Does he keep James around one more year? Elways has tried to put a line together, but it has not always worked out. The line we have today is better then some we have seen, but not the best in the league.

 

[wingsauce7]

Elway signed the top guard in free agency this year, and drafted on of the better centers in the draft, and spent a second round pick on Risner in 2019. He also added James in 2019, not that we have seen him play yet. How much more do you want him to do? If anything he may not be patient enough to let a line gel. We will see what happens after this season. Does he sign Bolles to a contract extension? Does he keep James around one more year? Elways has tried to put a line together, but it has not always worked out. The line we have today is better then some we have seen, but not the best in the league.

Appreciate your comments, but I don't feel the same way.

Signing Glasgow was big and I'm satisfied with our talent at the OG position, but I don't think addressing an obvious need in the 2nd round of '19 is really going above and beyond.

He's basically done nothing to improve Denver at OT. The position is by far the biggest weakness coming into the season. Bolles finally having a decent year is something I don't think anyone saw coming - and yes, if it stays consistent, he should be resigned. James is a huge disappointment-what's he played?, about a games worth of snaps in 2 seasons?. Who else do we have? Wilkinson? Teams of need drafted six OTs in the first round alone last year and for FAs, I'd have thought we would have at least been in the running for a Bulaga or Conklin.

We've been talking about the OL as a team weakness going back to Manning days. I think he's done just enough to keep fans from saying he's done nothing. I would think as a QB himself, he would know better than anyone the value of a strong OL (remember how much improved he was after we signed Zimmerman?). To say he's done all he can is laughable.

Combine it with the coaching and QB moves, are you surprised at the state of the team?

 

[CEH]

5-5 after 10 would be awesome and better yet if 2 wins vs Raiders and Dolphins

 

[fightinredantz]

Honestly I think we can win our next 4 games.
At Atlanta
At Las Vegas
Vs Miami
Vs New Orleans

Atlanta is a lot like the Chargers in the fact that they have blown many leads this year. With the fact the Broncos don't give up, and keep playing hard it could work out in our favor. The other wild card is that Atlanta may trade several players before tomorrow's deadline which could affect their team talent wise and mind set.

The Saints have been a mediocre team. Right now Kamara is the only play maker that scares me on their offense. We will see if their offense starts click once Thomas and Sanders return.

 

[Mingo]

Well if Fangio's pattern remains the same (opens season with incredibly tough losses - then team turns into a Marine expeditionary force) - the Broncos will play like playoff contenders. The Raiders may be the toughest game in the next four (hope I didn't jinx anything).

 

[Draft Crazy]

Hey, at least he’s stayed healthy. Almost seems like he’s the only one, ironically.

You jinxed him.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Honestly I think we can win our next 4 games.
At Atlanta
At Las Vegas
Vs Miami
Vs New Orleans

Atlanta is a lot like the Chargers in the fact that they have blown many leads this year. With the fact the Broncos don't give up, and keep playing hard it could work out in our favor. The other wild card is that Atlanta may trade several players before tomorrow's deadline which could affect their team talent wise and mind set.

The Saints have been a mediocre team. Right now Kamara is the only play maker that scares me on their offense. We will see if their offense starts click once Thomas and Sanders return.

Your Saints comment surpriseme. Mediocre? What?????

The Dolphins are a good team that is very well cosched. Flores is gonna take that team far w out another off season. Raiders aren’t fancy but unfortunately they are better then us.