Better Late… Again

Once again I come in late. I’m perpetually late. The only time I’m not late… nevermind. You can ask the misses.

The Broncos managed to shock the world, again, and yes… I am going to listen to all of the folks I listed from the industry in the game preview with hopes of hearing apologies. Before the season started those same folks, the heads, voices, and print-worthy hands of the NFL media, took full view of the Broncos’ schedule for this season and they all proclaimed, “The first true test will not come until Week 4 against Dallas.” They followed by picking against Denver in that game, claiming the defense couldn’t be nearly as stout as indicated against unworthy opposition in Weeks 1, 2, and 3. The ‘Boys had too much, Denver had not enough.

Those same heads, hands, and mouths then proclaimed amnesia, forgetting Tony Romo isn’t worthy of praise (for whatever reason… I still don’t get this) and Wade Phillips is unworthy of trust, and thus that test didn’t count. Clearly they are a far worse team than imagined, and thus the true test would not be met until Week 5 against the New England Patriots, and surely then the fraud that is Josh McDaniels and the deception of the defense-minded Denver Broncos would be exposed.

And now we will see if those folks turn to further excuse or acceptance.

(For the record, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Peter King, and Tony Kornheiser are already confirmed believers. I’ve been harsh on Dungy in the past but he is, at the end of the day, a voice of undeniable experience and proven performance. Having his support behind this team speaks volumes.)

If I could speak to each of them (someday), I would tell them the same as I will tell you.

You don’t need to apologize to Kyle.

He understands. He spent three years in Chicago learning. He couldn’t get a sniff of the starting gig over the catastrophe that was Rex Grossman, and once he got a spot on the mantle no one ever put faith in him. He was endured, not appreciated. The plan here in Denver was the same. If we were to be honest we might suggest it was still that way… until that drive.

Down 17-10 with 9:59 left in the game, Orton orchestrates a drive and casts himself as the man behind the wheel, going 7-for10 with the arm for 76 passing yards and the score. They started on Denver’s 2-yards line, used Knowshon twice for 11 yards, and went the length of the field for six plus the kick (granted, he was helped by the unbelievably irresponsible taunting penalty by Brandon Meriweather, but the point stands).

In that drive he was the leader of the Denver Broncos, and now he’s the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. That trumps any apology you can offer.

You don’t need to apologize to Brandon.

Every single one of us cast doubt and he all but begged for it. All of the ego, all of the contempt… if he were honest with you and himself, Brandon would admit fault and would sympathize with your feelings towards him… before the last three weeks.

Now, over those last three weeks, he has all but solidified his place on the roster. He has 17 combined receptions for 222 combined yards. More importantly, he has four touchdowns, and more importantly than this, he has started the reclamation of his character and reputation. He’s made amends with Josh, he’s made amends with the franchise, and it appears he has made amends with the game, ‘cause the game has started to give back… and that trumps any apology you can offer.

You don’t need to apologize to Josh.

He’s 32-years-old, the youngest man ever to be hired as an NFL head coach. He comes from a land that serves as the focal point of hatred for many of the game’s most faithful followers. He replaced the most successful coach in franchise history, in the history of Denver sports. Mike Shanahan brought John Elway and the Denver Broncos to the promised land, a journey destined for disappointment and frustration before his arrival… and then he did it again (and his decision to screw Al Davis along the way didn’t hurt). He alienated the most promising offensive talent the town has seen on the gridiron since The Franchise (more commonly known as John) and sent him packing to City with Big Shoulders. He battled with the only proven offensive weapon left on the roster after the quarterback was dispatched. He sent the entire town into a crippling state of depression.

Now he stands at 5-0, he is the face of the young-and-rising emotion of hope and glory, and he is the future of the franchise. And as he figured, that trumps any apology you can offer.

If you have apologies to unload…

… doll ‘em out to this guy.

He’s been treating this town to an unbelievable run of NFL success. For 50 seasons this team has been the source of love and adoration for this town, and for 26 of those years this man has worked with diligent fervor, undying dedication, and passionate enthusiasm for this franchise, this league, and this city, and he’s working at a 62% rate or success (in 16 of the 26 seasons played this far, the Broncos have produced a winning record, an amazing feat in a league built on parity… and that number rises if you want to include the five .500 seasons). Since purchasing the team in 1984 the Broncos have never, EVER produced back-to-back losing campaigns.

Sammy Winder, John Mobley, Rod Smith, Gary Zimmerman, Trevor Pryce, Al Wilson, Tom Nalen, Louis Wright (at least the rebirth), Steve Atwater, Karl Mecklenberg, Shannon Sharpe, Champ Bailey, and of course, John Elway can all blame this man for their shot to be who they were and who they are.

He’s giving that same shot to Josh McDaniels… and you questioned his choice. You cast doubt, suggested you knew better, and lost faith. For a moment you acted like the player, thinking you knew more about the business of running a successful NFL franchise than the man who has been doing it for years.

Shame on you.

(Don’t sweat. All is forgiven and your spot on the bandwagon has been sitting in wait… that’s just how Pat rolls.)

The Stable Points of Interest from Week 5

- While the world is focusing on Orton (the Denver Post called it “Orton’s winning streak” and ESPN’s Adam Schefter blamed their success against New England on the passer), I was significantly more overjoyed by the performance of Eddie Royal.

10 catches for 90 yards matched by eight for Marshall at 64 and six more for Gaffney at 61… the entire group did well, but this is the first surge we’ve seen from the Royal Treatment this season and we should hope it is the beginning of a trend. Having Royal and Marshall working in tandem with a mixer from Gaffney (not to mention the tight ends: Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham both contributed as well) is a formidable concern for any defense to encounter.

We’ll see if they can ramp it up once again next week in San Diego, home of the league’s 12th-ranked pass defense.

- While the defense played well they struggled to get pressure on Tom Brady. The Broncos registered just one sack (Vonnie Holliday) and D.J. was the only other player to put a hit on the most renowned passer of this generation. The New England offensive line is good… I’m not sure it’s THAT good. They also struggled to limit Wes Welker, but that was expected. He’s a tough assignment for any backfielder or linebacker. Nonetheless, the lack of pressure on the pocket was concerning.

It should improve next week… only nine of the NFL’s starting QBs have suffered more sacks than Philip Rivers.

- As we suggested before the game the Broncos needed to win one major battle against New England to have a shot at the win. Denver: three penalties for 20 yards. New England: four penalties for 46 yards. The Meriweather taunt, the unnecessary roughness call on Logan Mankins in the 2nd quarter, and the 15-yard roughing the passer flag on Ty Warren shortly after that… those three calls left the window open just wide enough to let Josh in.

A couple of additional observations for good measure:

- I’d like to see Knowshon improve on protecting the football. I believe he will.

- The NFL’s play-by-play report notes the Broncos utilized the Wildcat Formation on almost every snap of the first drive (nine plays for 46 yards, capped by a missed field goal for Matt Prater from 48). They only used the formation two more times during the rest of the game.

- Orton filed 48 pass attempts in this game, a career high. He’s only heaved 40 or more twice before (both were last season) over 37 previous starts. More importantly, his 72.9% completion rate… also a career mark.

We’ll be checking in later this week with news, a healthy offering of links, our own points of commentary and analysis, all wrapped around a preview of the Week 6 battle with San Diego.

Thanks for stopping in.

Tags: Brandon Marshall, Brandon Meriweather, Denver Broncos, DJ Williams, Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney, Josh McDaniels, Knowshon Moreno, Kyle Orton, Logan Mankins, Mike Shanahan, New England Patriots, Pat Bowlen, Tom Brady, Ty Warren, Vonnie Holliday