Five Surprising Heroes

[MileHigh64]

There were significant contributions from a few surprising players in last night's Broncos victory. These are my top five:

1. Cody Latimer - his special teams play was, well....special.
2. Adam Gotsis - played his best game to date.
3. Darian Stewart - he's not the defensive player that I thought would stand out last night but he did!
4. Bennie Fowler - with tight coverage on DT/Emmanuel, Bennie came through.
5. Shelby Harris - it doesn't get much better than that blocked field goal.

Trevor looked good last night too but many expected him to be pretty decent, so I wasn't shocked. Agree with any of these? Who am I missing?

 

[Draft Crazy]

Stewart surprising? He's been doing it for us for 3 years!

I think you got the others. Not sure surprised, but I get what you're saying on the others.

Maybe McGovern? Came in and filled a role smoothly with Leary out.

Watson struggled.

 

[cdumler7]

I'll give a surprising one...The combo of Garcia and Barbre. The two combined only gave up 2 pressures and both graded out positively in the run game. For all the issues they had during the preseason they actually showed up well when it mattered most.

Another for me was the TE's. Combined had 5 catches for what 99 yards. They made some big catches in traffic that really helped to extend some crucial drives.

I would also add Riley Dixon to that group. He had 2 of his 3 punts inside the 20 and the one return that the Chargers did try went for -3 yards thanks to Latimer being special. He had great hang time to allow the coverage units to make plays and was very controlled in what he was doing.

 

[MileHigh64]

Yeah, Stewart is probably the least surprising but if I had to pick a defensive player of the game heading into it, I probably would have chosen Von, Talib or someone more predictable. Stewart has been great but seems to be a little invisible in some games and then goes nuts in others....like last night.

 

[MileHigh64]

I'll give a surprising one...The combo of Garcia and Barbre. The two combined only gave up 2 pressures and both graded out positively in the run game. For all the issues they had during the preseason they actually showed up well when it mattered most.

Another for me was the TE's. Combined had 5 catches for what 99 yards. They made some big catches in traffic that really helped to extend some crucial drives.

I would also add Riley Dixon to that group. He had 2 of his 3 punts inside the 20 and the one return that the Chargers did try went for -3 yards thanks to Latimer being special. He had great hang time to allow the coverage units to make plays and was very controlled in what he was doing.

Great call on some of the O-linemen and our Tight Ends actually showed up!

 

[Draft Crazy]

I guess I've never really noticed Stewart vanishing in games. He seems to be one of our most consistent players, IMO. Love the way he plays. Wish more S's played the game like him.

 

[cdumler7]

Yeah, Stewart is probably the least surprising but if I had to pick a defensive player of the game heading into it, I probably would have chosen Von, Talib or someone more predictable. Stewart has been great but seems to be a little invisible in some games and then goes nuts in others....like last night.

Well we do play a lot of single high safety so one of his main jobs is just to make sure the Broncos don't get beat deep. So if he is doing his job right his name probably won't be called as much as some. Still he was a rocket in the run game and has always been that since he arrived in Denver.

I remember some wondering who our big hitter is when the Broncos let go of Ward and I actually think Stewart has had some of the bigger hits on the team even more so than Ward over the last couple of years.

 

[MileHigh64]

All right, gents. I love Darian Stewart and wasn't intending to have my thoughts viewed as disparaging. I'll informally remove him from my "surprising" list and replace him with Derby/Green. Better?

 

[Draft Crazy]

All right, gents. I love Darian Stewart and wasn't intending to have my thoughts viewed as disparaging. I'll informally remove him from my "surprising" list and replace him with Derby/Green. Better?

No no. It's fine. Just discussion.

I'd actually call Stewart our better S of the two last year.

And that is pretty darn good, cause Ward is pretty darn good.

I think last year when we extended Stewart that sorta put a possible end to Ward getting another big deal from us especially after drafting Simmons the year before.

 

[MileHigh64]

No no. It's fine. Just discussion.

I'd actually call Stewart our better S of the two last year.

And that is pretty darn good, cause Ward is pretty darn good.

I think last year when we extended Stewart that sorta put a possible end to Ward getting another big deal from us especially after drafting Simmons the year before.

All good points. The No Fly Zone should be in good shape for the 2017 campaign. It will be interesting to see how Talib is handled next year. I would hate to see him go. One of my favorite current players on the roster.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Did anyone see a glimpse of Demarcus Walker last night?

I did not.

 

[Draft Crazy]

All good points. The No Fly Zone should be in good shape for the 2017 campaign. It will be interesting to see how Talib is handled next year. I would hate to see him go. One of my favorite current players on the roster.

I just didn't think Ward would be let go a year early.

 

[MileHigh64]

Did anyone see a glimpse of Demarcus Walker last night?

I did not.

Now that you mention it, I didn't either. Totally forgot about Walker.

 

[Duffman]

Did anyone see a glimpse of Demarcus Walker last night?

I did not.

It could take him awhile before he starts showing flashes of what he can do(just like our 2nd round pick last year Gotsis who played very good last night).

 

[Draft Crazy]

It could take him awhile before he starts showing flashes of what he can do(just like our 2nd round pick last year Gotsis who played very good last night).

Right- Was just curious if anyone noticed he was on the field. I know he was active, just never saw him get in.

 

[cdumler7]

Did anyone see a glimpse of Demarcus Walker last night?

I did not.

Unfortunately my one time of seeing him was where he tried to beat the tackle to the inside on a play where the Chargers ran to the outside. He lost contain and allowed the 2nd biggest run play of the game for the Chargers on their 1st TD drive.

 

[58crash]

1. Bennie Fowler - with tight coverage on DT/Emmanuel, Bennie came through. He was Clutch and Impact the SB year . With out him that year we probably don't win the SB ... And before someone gets all saucy on me and say 3rd down WR are a dime a dozen I will tell you Clutch ones are not !

1. Shelby Harris - it doesn't get much better than that blocked field goal. You missed the best part to win the game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoooo Impact over and over and we got him from a hated rival

 

[cdumler7]

1. Bennie Fowler - with tight coverage on DT/Emmanuel, Bennie came through. He was Clutch and Impact the SB year . With out him that year we probably don't win the SB ... And before someone gets all saucy on me and say 3rd down WR are a dime a dozen I will tell you Clutch ones are not !

1. Shelby Harris - it doesn't get much better than that blocked field goal. You missed the best part to win the game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoooo

Bennie lost some weight over the offseason on a Vegan diet from what I understand. Definitely looked a little better than in the past. Plus this time around made the tough catches.

 

[Mingo]

Bennie Fowler for a game ball (sorry I called for him to get cut this year) - that's a good call.

I will throw a shout out to CJ Anderson - for yards from scrimmage. His ability and threat to run - set up most of the passing game.

Great job on 3rd down play calling - props to McCoy for that.

 

[cdumler7]

Bennie Fowler for a game ball (sorry I called for him to get cut this year) - that's a good call.

I will throw a shout out to CJ Anderson - for yards from scrimmage. His ability and threat to run - set up most of the passing game.

Great job on 3rd down play calling - props to McCoy for that.

Nice to see some routes going beyond the 1st down this year.