Preseason week 1 thoughts

[Broncos6482]

Hey all, haven't posted in awhile but I have been lurking every now and then. Thought I'd give you some of my thoughts on the first week of preseason.

I thought overall Brock played well. Not fantastic, as he missed on a couple of throws, but overall he was good. Definitely gives me hope for life after Manning.

Of the running backs, Hillman definitely looked like the best one. His speed is great and it seemed like he was even fighting through contact well. Very impressed. I also though Ball looked pretty good. Although his night was short, wasn't impressed by CJ at all. Fumbling is a big no-no, CJ. Juwan looked bad but I didn't really see any holes for him, especially since Seattle knew we were trying to run out the clock, so I'm willing to give him a pass.

I thought both Virgil Green and Cody Latimer looked really good. I could definitely see them adding something in the passing game this year. The nice thing about Virgil is that because he's such a good blocker, teams can't automatically key on him as a receiving option, unlike with JT who everyone knew wasn't a threat to block.

Overall, I was happy with the way the first team offensive line looked. Naturally there were mistakes, but I did think they at least looked like they were coming along and had potential to turn into a decent unit.

Defensively, wow. Super impressed with just about everyone (except Tony Carter). The pass rush looks INSANE. I fully expect Von to threaten the sack record, if not break it. Loved the play of Malik Jackson also, and Barrett and Anunike looked fabulous. Really I thought all of the linebackers played exceptionally well, it's probably the deepest area on the team.

Now for special teams: McManus looked good and I really hope he wins the job. Barth's kick-offs were terrible; line drives that weren't that deep and set Seattle up for some great returns. Unless the Broncos want to carry a kick-off specialist again this season, I wouldn't give Barth the job. Colquitt looked pretty bad, too. I hope the Broncos can find someone to replace him. Special teams coverage was obviously bad, and so were the returns.

As for non-Bronco thoughts:

Chiefs fans around here are super excited for their performance Saturday night, but I'm not sure why. Their first team struggled and they didn't really pick it up until the back-ups took over for both teams (at which point the Chiefs did dominate). I think the Chiefs might have a higher ceiling with Chase Daniel, but I don't think they'd actually switch qb's.

The Patriots are in trouble if Tom Brady's suspension doesn't get shortened. Garropolo looked BAD.

Did you see Trent Richardson miss that huge hole in Oakland? That guy just has no vision whatsoever.

Tim Tebow still doesn't look very good to me.

 

[cdumler7]

Just to give people an idea on the difference in kickoffs between Barth and McManus. Distance wise honestly there wasn't a ton of difference. It was the hang time though that was huge. Barth's kick offs averaged 3.8 seconds of hang time. McManus on the other hand averaged 4.25 seconds. It is part of the reason why McManus' coverage units did so much better.

Also just so people understand about CJ Anderson there was more going on than just the ankle injury. He spent the entire night before the game throwing up from what I understand. He has the flue and still today is sick but feeling better. Hopefully it doesn't spread throughout the team. I'm actually surprised they played him knowing how sick he was.

Also great to have you back Broncos6482. So glad the off season is coming to a close and we finally have football to talk about again! Throw in looks like we got quite the new crew to add to our group here.

 

[cdumler7]

Also had a Chiefs sports writer not be happy that the Broncos are getting such high praise for their pass rush. Kept saying something along the lines of "Malik Jackson's whole 3 sacks last year definitely leaves me scared"
Told him I hope he understands the Broncos have a brand new coaching staff that is known for attacking the QB where Del Rio is known more for wanting to control the LOS with having his DL 2-gap most of the time leading to less pass rush work. Also said I hope he understands this is a new season not only with a new coaching staff but good chance a few new players getting after the QB such as Shane Ray. He responded after my first post about this being a new scheme and coaching staff and said "fair enough but nobody outside of Ware and Miller are a major pass rush threat" Since I pointed out us drafted Shane Ray and having the attacking defense he hasn't said anything.

 

[SpringStein]

Glad to meet u, 6482. I'm sorry you have to abide in Chiefs territory!

Good observations. I'm not too concerned about CJ - his last year's resume speaks a lot more to me than his few plays on Friday night. I was encouraged with Hillman - and I say that as a critic of his from the day we drafted him. So I hope he is a better fit in this system and is physically maturing.

I'd mention a couple others who stood out. Max Garcia, not that I'm prejudiced, looked like a vet at LG. I only watched the game live, but I focused on him quite a bit and he was great, especially in the run game. I thought Paradis also did well overall at C. My friend Crash has been saying for six months that Paradis will start at C - and I'm starting to be a believer.

Frankly I thought Simien was an awful selection. But once again, I might be wwwwwrrooon... Nah, can't quite say it yet! But he looked in total control. He way outplayed Dysert.

Finally, I thought Benny Fowler, if he didn't make the team already, took a big step toward that.

 

[Broncos6482]

Just to give people an idea on the difference in kickoffs between Barth and McManus. Distance wise honestly there wasn't a ton of difference. It was the hang time though that was huge. Barth's kick offs averaged 3.8 seconds of hang time. McManus on the other hand averaged 4.25 seconds. It is part of the reason why McManus' coverage units did so much better.

Also just so people understand about CJ Anderson there was more going on than just the ankle injury. He spent the entire night before the game throwing up from what I understand. He has the flue and still today is sick but feeling better. Hopefully it doesn't spread throughout the team. I'm actually surprised they played him knowing how sick he was.

Also great to have you back Broncos6482. So glad the off season is coming to a close and we finally have football to talk about again! Throw in looks like we got quite the new crew to add to our group here.

Didn't know CJ was sick. That is a little surprising he played.

It is so great the offseason is finally nearing it's end! Can't wait for that first Sunday of the new season.

 

[Broncos6482]

"fair enough but nobody outside of Ware and Miller are a major pass rush threat" Since I pointed out us drafted Shane Ray and having the attacking defense he hasn't said anything.

What a stupid argument. I could just as easily say "no one outside of Houston and Hali are a major pass rush threat." Is this Chiefs writer a blogger?

 

[Broncosr0k]

Of the running backs, Hillman definitely looked like the best one. His speed is great and it seemed like he was even fighting through contact well. Very impressed.

Hillman looked pretty good. I am not a big fan of his but if he can make some of those plays in the regular season and limit the fumbles I may have to eat some crow.

Also had a Chiefs sports writer not be happy that the Broncos are getting such high praise for their pass rush. Kept saying something along the lines of "Malik Jackson's whole 3 sacks last year definitely leaves me scared"
Told him I hope he understands the Broncos have a brand new coaching staff that is known for attacking the QB where Del Rio is known more for wanting to control the LOS with having his DL 2-gap most of the time leading to less pass rush work. Also said I hope he understands this is a new season not only with a new coaching staff but good chance a few new players getting after the QB such as Shane Ray. He responded after my first post about this being a new scheme and coaching staff and said "fair enough but nobody outside of Ware and Miller are a major pass rush threat" Since I pointed out us drafted Shane Ray and having the attacking defense he hasn't said anything.

Chiefs fans are getting really confident about their team. Makes it a little more interesting to be a broncos fan in KC.

 

[cdumler7]

What a stupid argument. I could just as easily say "no one outside of Houston and Hali are a major pass rush threat." Is this Chiefs writer a blogger?

IT was one of the writers for Arrowhead Pride I think. I had accidentally added him on Twitter a while back and decided to keep him just to see what the enemy is thinking about their team and sometimes then as we see our team. To me just looking at the Chiefs in that first preseason game I thought the first units looked pretty mediocre. I know it is first preseason game so can't get too excited or down but the OL looks average at best and looks terrible in run blocking and while Maclin looks to be an improvement I wouldn't say anything else they have at the WR position should give them hope. Smith did push the ball down the field a little more but then again this is preseason. When things matter will he continue to do that?

 

[cdumler7]

Hillman looked pretty good. I am not a big fan of his but if he can make some of those plays in the regular season and limit the fumbles I may have to eat some crow.



Chiefs fans are getting really confident about their team. Makes it a little more interesting to be a broncos fan in KC.

I live in Chief country as well and yeah they are definitely getting hyped. They definitely have some talent especially on the defensive side of the ball but to me losing Poe for the first half of the season will be huge and offensively I just don't think they have the firepower needed to compete with the big boys.

 

[Broncos6482]

I did read an article on NFL.com the other day predicting the Chiefs to win the AFC West. I don't buy it. The Broncos still have the best qb and the best defense in the division, and the Chiefs schedule to start the season is brutal. Missing Sean Smith the first 3 weeks is going to really hurt them, since two of those games are against elite passing teams.

 

[gowazzu02]

stopping by to say hello, see what you guys saw from the game. I figure there would be alot of excitement about how your dline performed cause it was ugly from a seattle stand point. But Im not sure that was as much your guys being unstoppable or the fact SEattles oline is really an embarrassment. Its been a weakness the past two years, and this year its markedly worse.....

Brock looked good doing "the brady" check down check down check down. But honestly seattle and denver both rested alot of the normal stars so not too much should be taken from the results.

good luck the rest of the way, hoping for good health for you.

 

[cdumler7]

stopping by to say hello, see what you guys saw from the game. I figure there would be alot of excitement about how your dline performed cause it was ugly from a seattle stand point. But Im not sure that was as much your guys being unstoppable or the fact SEattles oline is really an embarrassment. Its been a weakness the past two years, and this year its markedly worse.....

Brock looked good doing "the brady" check down check down check down. But honestly seattle and denver both rested alot of the normal stars so not too much should be taken from the results.

good luck the rest of the way, hoping for good health for you.

Thanks for stopping by. I would guess it was a combo of Seattle still trying to figure things out OL wise and that of the Broncos showing they could have an elite pass rush. Us fans have been hearing all off season how much more in shape and ready to go Von Miller is. If he can take his game to an even higher level than he has already shown then this league is in trouble. Same with Ware in he has shown up in much better shape since he didn't have any kind of off season surgery like the last few years. The biggest thing though is the DC for the Broncos. Del Rio is known as a guy that is big on stopping the run. He has his DL guys stop run first then pass rush 2nd. Phillips is about the opposite in that regard in he wants to get after the QB.

Again it is preseason so have to temper some expectations but so far definitely do like what I see from this team.

 

[cdumler7]

I did read an article on NFL.com the other day predicting the Chiefs to win the AFC West. I don't buy it. The Broncos still have the best qb and the best defense in the division, and the Chiefs schedule to start the season is brutal. Missing Sean Smith the first 3 weeks is going to really hurt them, since two of those games are against elite passing teams.

Yeah nobody wants to pick the 4-time defending AFC West champ. That is just boring so the Chiefs keep getting some love. I honestly still think San Diego is the bigger competition. I worry a heck of a lot more about Rivers than I ever do Smith. And like you said they are starting the year without their top Corner and maybe even top Defensive player not named Justin Houston in Poe.

 

[randymon]

Yeah I`am not too worried about Chiefs anymore than I have been which is only when we play there and the 12th man syndrome. To me their still too one-dimentional with Charles. Don`t believe Macklin will make much diff either. Their D although has always had a tenatious pass rush but you can run on them. San Diego poses a bigger problem with a more versatile offense and solid D play and always seem to give Denver troubles no matter what. I still don`t think Denver will finish worse than 5-1 in Div. Every yr lately we hear how much improved SD and KC will be and for the most part their still underwhelming.We still own them as of late. Not saying Denver can take either lightly but they shouldn`t take any team lightly if they want to be playing in Feb.. Not worried about our Div. More worried about Nov and Dec and how healthy we`ll be for that final push.

 

[Mingo]

The Broncos played well.

I like the way Brock Osweiler played - I also like how the his teammates responded to him in the locker room when Kubes called him up to break it down.

The run game against the Seahawks looked very promising - even though it was pre-season and early.

Cody Latimer looks to be a gamer.

I like how Kubes gives guys the opportunity to play early and contribute.

 

[Draft Crazy]

the front 7 really lit me up. Fowler looked good. Hillman and Ball looked good. Our OL was a bit shaky at times but our run game looked pretty good. I don't look too much into preseason especially the first week, but overall I was pretty happy.

Dysert appears to have made no progress however. Which isn't a big deal.

 

[WalkerBoh]

100+ yards in the first half rushing really impressed me. Sure it's preseason, but it was still Seattle. They don't give much up on the ground. Oz also played well. He looked like a very poised QB out there. I'm really looking forward to what the defense will do. The West is in for a shock.