FSH: THAT'S MY TAKE

October 15th, 2009 10:37pm PST

THAT’S MY TAKE

Flying A Mile High



When NFL Training camps opened back in late July, very few people, if any thought the Broncos would have a 2009 season to savor. With a new regime taking over and many changes taking place this team had more of the look of rebuilding, than contending.

Following what could only have been described as a disastrous and tumultuous beginning with the trading of former franchise quarterback Jay Cutler, the Broncos new Head Coach Josh McDaniels appears to have made a complete one-eighty. After all McDaniels was replacing what some may have considered to be one of the leagues best head coaches and offensive masterminds (Mike Shanahan). Shanahan had led the Broncos to back to back Super Bowl victories with the last coming in 1999, but after a decade of struggling it seemed change was overdue.

When Pat Bowlen made the decision to go in a new direction this past offseason, even with his credentials McDaniels hardly seemed to be the right fit. The young up and coming offensive coordinator was busy making a name for himself in New England as an offensive guru himself.

For the past several seasons one of the Broncos major deficiencies and their biggest Achilles heel last year was the defense. A season ending meltdown (three game losing streak), culminated by a 52-21 loss that ended any postseason hope told Bowlen all he needed to know; new blood was in order.

Enter the young Mr. McDaniels, whose youthful exuberance and charismatic spirit has breathed new life into the franchise and the city. With his arrival came difficult, but needed changes. One of his first and perhaps least publicized (at least didn’t cause much of a stir), yet key decisions that has this team riding a wave of orange was the hiring of Mike Nolan.

A New Improved D…


Nolan brings with him the pedigree of winner as a defensive coordinator. His defenses of the past have built a reputation for being aggressive, bringing pressure, and most critical causing turnovers; all areas that the 2008 Broncos lacked. This season playing a new 3-4 scheme under Nolan the defense has racked up 16 sacks, held their opponents to 43 total points this season, and recorded 11 takeaways.

Of course Nolan is only as good as the talent he coaches and another credit to McDaniels, the key free agent signings made in the offseason. Like a glove Andra Davis (former Brown), Renaldo Hill (former Dolphin), and Darrell Reid (former Colt) have all stepped in to play a big part in the defenses turnaround. Without question the biggest signing was the acquisition of former Eagle’s safety Brian Dawkins. His leadership and infectious sell out attitude has this defense playing at a level like the city hasn’t seen in some time.

Offense is coming around….

Just as the firing of Shanahan was blasted in some circles, McDaniel’s hiring came with its’ own criticism. A franchise that needed a defensive injection instead brought in the next Mike Shanahan. The comparisons were obvious; McDaniels had accomplished great things as the offensive coordinator in New England with Tom Brady and helped a seeming mid-level talent like Cassel blossom. It was McDaniel’s offense that Brady ran in 2007 when he rewrote the record books with 50 touchdown passes.

With the defense suddenly playing inspired ball this season, it has taken McDaniel’s “Patriot’s West” offense a little more time to get simmering. Only last Sunday against the Patriots did the Bronco’s offense start to resemble something of what many that they would see in 2009. In their win over New England the Broncos had 27 first downs, ran up 424 yards of offense, and held the ball for over 36 minutes; characteristic of a McDaniels offense. The next step in their evolution will obviously be more points.

With players like Marshall and Royal beginning to hit their stride in the passing game and the rookie Knowshon Moreno anchoring the ground game (when he holds onto the ball), the Bronco's have what appears to be a potented offense. And with a supporting cast of Gaffney, Scheffler, Buckhalter, and Hillis; these guys are only going to make for long days for opposing defensive coordinators. If last Sunday against the Patiriots is any indication of the potential of this unit, their ceiling appears to be a mile high.

A Big Test Lies Ahead……

With everything starting to click in Denver and McDaniel’s team 5-0, there is still much to prove for this highly scrutinized over-achieving ball club. In the first couple of weeks, it was “they haven’t played anyone” and then last week, "well they’re always better at home." This may very well be a recurring theme all season long, but one fact that is hard to escape, this coming Monday night is going to be a tough road test no matter how you look at it. In recent history, the Chargers have owned the Broncos and with their team sputtering, this divisional matchup will be critical.

So far the Broncos have yet to really be perfect this season, but with a little lady luck they stand 5-0 and atop the AFC West with a two and a half game lead over the Chargers. Monday night is yet another test for McDaniels and his boys, but one if passed should not only satisfy the critics, but legitimize this team as the 'real deal.'

That’s my take.


By David Ortega

Check back every week for more of “That’s My Take”

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NOTES

August 30th, 2009 8:57pm PST

Sunday Night Football Notes

Denver Broncos: No state of Defense

Still a work in progress….
For those of us that engage in the country’s unofficial second national past-time of fantasy football, it’s no secret that the Broncos defense is one to avoid in fantasy drafts. While those in the Mile High area are hopeful that this reputation won’t precede this year’s edition, after watching their Sunday night debut there’s still much work to be done.

While it was only the team’s third preseason game, this match-up had a little home flavor and enough incentive to bring out their “A” game. Making his return to the Mile High area, the Bronco’s former starting quarterback Jay Cutler should have been more than enough to motivate Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the defense to bring it. It was Cutler that brought it Sunday night and got the better of this match-up, completing 15 of 21 for 144-yards and a touchdown.

With all the changes that head coach Josh McDaniels has made on defense by adding veteran players like Brian Dawkins, Andre Goodman, Andra Davis, and Renaldo Hill to help complete the team’s makeover even with some signs of improvement, the defense has a long road ahead. Some may view the changes with great optimism, but Sunday night clearly exposed some of the same short comings of the team’s defensive play in the past; no quarterback pressure.

Against the Bears, the Bronco’s defenses on occasion came close to getting to Cutler, but were never able to put him on the ground. It’s been the story of the past for this franchise and the 2009 version did not seem to show any noticeable improvements. Again, it was only the team’s third preseason game so you might not expect to see to many complicated blitz packages, but if Denver fans were ever hoping to see a sign that times could be changing, playing against the Bears and Jay Cutler seemed to be the perfect excuse.

What to Expect in 2009….

There’s no question this unit is going to have to find a way to bring more heat up the middle and pressure on the edges if they are going to have any success. Linebackers DJ Williams and Andra Davis look ready to thrive in Nolan’s new 3-4 scheme and safety Brian Dawkins looks like he could have at least one more pro bowl season left in him. The lack of pressure is going to put a lot of demands on the secondary in pass coverage, an area the team struggled with in 2008 (ranked 26th).

The defense does not lack any speed, but size in the middle could become an Achilles unless players like Kenny Peterson, Ronald Fields, and Ryan McBean really step up this season and make a difference. Optimism can only offer so much hope, something the Denver defense is going to need lots of this season.

Fantasy owners shouldn’t expect any significant jumps of improvement from the Bronco’s defense this season that would generate any drafting interest. We have no doubt that with McDaniels enthusiasm and Nolan’s influence this unit will get better, but middle of the pack is going to be a realistic landing spot for the 2009 unit. The defense will be loaded with plenty of talent again this season, but it will take Nolan and his staff some time to develop its’ chemistry and effectiveness.

While this unit may not be worthy to draft in leagues that employ team defenses, it could very well be an attractive waiver wire option much later in the season. Keep watch, take plenty of notes, and let’s see where things stand in the second half.

That’s my take and I’m sticking to it.

By David Ortega

Check out more “Sunday Night Football Notes” every week!

FSH: TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

May 26th, 2009 8:37pm PST

Defense Reborn in Denver?

Can Dawkins and Company Improve?….
After last season’s tumultuous collapse and ultimate undoing before a national audience on NBC’s Sunday Night Football against the Chargers, the Denver Broncos face many questions in 2009. Their season finale that finished with an embarrassing 52-21 loss to their hated division rivals (Chargers) from Southern California concluded a three game meltdown that cost the team the division, a playoff berth, and ultimately former head coach Mike Shanahan’s job.

A lot has changed since that game. The team has added a new head coach, a new coaching staff, and a new quarterback. One more important thing the team has done this offseason is given the defense a complete makeover, or so it would appear.

Last season the defense was the team’s Achilles heel and biggest culprit in the team’s disappointing finish, allowing 112 points scored and an average of 388-yards of offense in their three game slide to complete their horrid 2008 campaign.

As a result one of new head coach Josh McDaniels tasks was to reinvent the defense, by giving it a new look, a new attitude, and leadership that just might help it find a new identity. Last year the Broncos had one of the leagues best offenses but perhaps one of the worst defenses (ranked 29th overall).

One of McDaniels first moves was to find the heart and soul for the 2009 edition. With the acquisition of former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, the team may have done just that. Dawkins brings in a winning attitude and the type of give-it-all-you-got relentless style of play the team hopes will be addicting. More importantly he brings the kind of leadership that leads by example.

McDaniels has not wasted anytime lowering the boom on many underachievers and less than stellar performers such as; DL Dwayne Robertson, LB Jamie Winborn, DL John Engelberger, and DB Marquand Manuel. All were average performers at best, but none made the defense any better than mediocre.

The new faces to join Dawkins in Denver include LB Andra Davis, DL Darrel Reid, DB Renaldo Hill, and DB Andre Goodman. With existing talent returning, like LB DJ Williams and DB Champ Bailey, the defense certainly has an improved look.

One of the big keys for the defense will be the big boys up front stopping the run. Last season the defense ranked 27th against the run allowing almost 150-yards/game on the ground. This has been an area of noticeable weakness for the Broncos in season’s past. The team will be counting on the addition of a ball-hawking Dawkins to help fill some gaps and with Davis and Williams adding great speed inside and Boss Bailey and Elvis Dummerville on the edge, the defense is hoping to shore up its duties against the run.

Bailey will do his formidable job on one side locking down the opposing teams big receiving threat, but because this defense is still considered by league standards and averages to be undersized defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will have to find creative ways to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

From 2002-2004 as the Baltimore Raven’s defensive coordinator, Nolan’s defenses averaged over 35 takeaways and more than 39 sacks. The Broncos defense recorded just 26 quarterback sandwiches and just 13 takeaways. The Broncos are a far cry from the Ray Lewis led Ravens, but there’s no question this unit was made to improve. With the ingredients that McDaniels has added, it seems it may have a few of the flavors needed to cook up something sweet in 2009.

After ranking near the cellar in consecutive campaigns, there’s no need to fool oneself into believing miracles can happen overnight, but the fans in the Mile High City have to already like the look of what will take the field this season as compared to 2008.

Already making the move to the 3-4, the Broncos are addressing the biggest deficiency on defense; stopping the run. Not to go too far out on a limb, but if Nolan and Dawkins can get these bad boys in Denver to believe, this defense could be reborn in 2009 or at least improve considerably.

By David Ortega


Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”