FINAL GAME NOTES

WIN NO. 150 FOR SHANAHAN

* - With the win, Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan earned his 150^th overall career victory (150-96-0, .610) and became the 17th coach in NFL history to reach that win total. His overall record with the Broncos improves to 142-84-0 (.628).

SIXTH IN A ROW AT HOME

* - The Broncos extended their home winning streak to six games with their victory against Tampa Bay. It is their longest such streak since posting 13 consecutive home wins in the regular season from Dec. 12, 2004, through Oct. 15, 2006.

CUTLER MILESTONES

* - Broncos QB Jay Cutler completed 23-of-34 passes for 227 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 96.1 passer rating.

* - His 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Stokley in the third quarter moved him ahead of QB Steve Tensi for sole possession of seventh in Broncos history in career touchdown passes (39). 

* - Cutler also became the eighth player in Broncos history to reach 6,000 career passing yards, finishing the game with an even 6,000 for his career.

* - The victory improved Cutler’s career record as a starting quarterback to 13-13.

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At this point in the season it feels pretty good to be a Broncos fan.  Cutler is playing like a Pro Bowl talent, and his targets are playing at the same level.  Perhaps the best news about the Broncos is the youth movement.

Does anyone doubt that Clady and Harris will play at offensive tackle for years to come?  How about Marshall and Royal?  The team is throwing points at opponents at a staggering rate, and the Broncos faithful are loving it.

But questions remain, even for a team out to a three and zero start.  It may not be pleasant to consider, but it bears discussion.

1. Some statistics point to an effective defense, and the case can be made that the defense isn't doing so bad.  On the other hand, teams are putting up a lot of points.
2. Does the offense need balance?  Can we really keep winning putting the ball in the air so much?
3. Are the Broncos changing their identity on both sides of the ball, leading to new era?  Is this a good thing?

Let's look at these points and bring together our community at Milehighreport.com for a discussion.

Read on...

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YOUR SOURCE FOR THE VERY BEST

IN DENVER BRONCO PRE-GAME ANALYSIS

 FROM MILEHIGHREPORT.COM

How important is this game to the Broncos?  After all, this isn't a game against the Chargers for the title of AFC West best.  However, it is an important game in many, many ways.

1. The winner is undefeated, the loser has to win two games in a row for a winning season.
2. The game is a divisional pairing; crucial for playoff tie breaks.
3. This is Monday Night Football; the big stage.  The confidence boost (or lag) could be a major factor going into the early season.

For Denver fans, it doesn't get any better than this.  Denver playing in the opening MNF game against the hated Raiders.  Let's break down the Xs and Os, and take a look at how these teams match up.

Read on...

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Webster gets the first shot at MLB

The Broncos made some decisions yesterday regarding some of the positional battles that have been going on all summer.  Based on what I saw when I was in Denver, combined with what we have seen on the field, I have to say I am a bit surprised at some of the decisions the Broncos' Brass made.

I will create a separate post for each one, starting with....

Nate Webster over Niko Koutouvides at MLB -- There is little doubting the energy Webster brings to the football field.  There is also little chance an entire game or practice can go by without Nate losing his helmet.  The energy and flying head-gear have become synonomous with Webster, who has gone from a player looking to resurrect an injury plagued career to the starting Middle Linebacker of the Denver Broncos in the span of a few seasons.

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A Mix of Good and Bad

The thing about our 'backers going forward, is that Bob Slowik, our new defensive head-honcho, will have to make a few choices.

He will have to choose between versatility, provided by some players to our nickle coverages, and  comprehension, players with a grasp of the playbook.  He will have to choose between a guy who makes his tackles, but who hesitates, and a guy who never hesitates, but always misses his tackles.  He will be choosing between tangible size and intangible heart.

In the end, he will be choosing between the future, and now.  If he chooses now, we might get off to a hot start with our linebacking corp.  They will be fast and powerful, but with time, they will be exposed.  If he chooses the future we may fail to gain purchase in the early goings of the season, sacrificing early momentum for the hope that eventually sound technique and consistency will win out, but by then it may be too late.

Or, he may choose to balance both ideas on the edge of a razor, which could cut either way, or neither.  Or, if handled incorrectly, as our defense has been for the past several years, it could cut both ways.

Lets look at the players poised on this thinnest of edges amongst the Broncos' hopeful, and see what case they have made for their future.

My early vote for our starting MLB, Niko has had his ups and downs.  The NPLB analysis points out that he can help this team if he is on the field, especially when it comes to stopping the run.  He shows tremendous instincts when he gets into the garbage around the line, and sometimes you are left to wonder just HOW he managed to slice through and get his hands on the tackler.  The other solid trait that he brings is his tackling.  Whether he is a hard hitter is still up in the air, and for my money, a starting MLB better be able to lay some wood when he gets the chance.  But in every other respect his tackling is exactly what you should hold a MLB too.  It is sure and consistent, and it is a breath of fresh air to see the SAM take out a FB with Niko right behind him.  It gives me a confidence that I haven't felt since Al manned the middle. 

But Niko had his share of mistakes so far in the preseason, including misreading his gaps, and worst of all, playing tentatively.  You see it on the (very few) blitzes that get called, where he looks slow and uncertain, two things he isn't, judging by his physical displays on special teams.  You also see it when he is reading playaction.  He has a knack for staying at home and not overcommitting, and he definitely reads 90% or better of his plays very well, but sometimes his patience borders hesitation, and you are left to watch him choosing a proper angle for pursuit rather than seeing a tackle for a loss.

He seems to be getting his guys into a good position, and though DJ has more familiarity with Webster, he and Niko are getting the plays in and the guys lined up.  When Niko was in with the starters I saw only a handful of instances where players seemed unsure on their assignments, and those were nickle formations, where Niko isn't normally in.  Niko has seen only 3 reps in the nickle so far this preseason, and he was able to hold his own, though he was brought on a blitz one of those times, and showed his tentative side, unable to effectively penetrate to the QB after hesitating near the line.  In goalline situations he led the second team LBs to an above average overall performance against Green Bay, and if he had lined his guys up a yard closer to the LOS, Rodgers wouldn't have gotten through on his sneak.  That Niko laid back a little is a telling sign that he needed more room within which to read the play, something that only experience can change.

Above all, however, Niko is fundamentally a sound player, still adjusting to the speed with which he must read, register and react to the offense.  He executes so consistently that there is no drop off whether he is in with the starters or second teamers, and he is the only LB, including DJ not to receive the lowest grade on at least one play.  In the end he grades out as one of the top backers because he never follows a bad play with another bad play, or a worse one.  I can't say when he will pick up all the nuances and be able to change games, but I can say that he won't hurt this team if he is on the field.  Is that good enough Broncos fans?

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To Follow The Week From The Packers Perspective, Check Out AcmePackingCompany!

There just can't be enough corny catch-phrases on one site, so here's another one.  Five Point Stance will be my list of 5 things I'll be focused on each game.  Plus, it sounds better than "5 Things I'll Be Focused On Against The Packers".  

This new feature gets welcomed to the site as the Packers come to town for Pre-Season Game #3.  We all know the starters will play most of the first 45 minutes so this is going to be our best chance yet to see where the Broncos stack up on both sides of the ball.   Here's my 5 Point Stance for tonight's game --

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Here's a Friday edition of Horse Tracks.  Enjoy!

 Take a look at Broncos' five point plan according to the Denver Post.  See here

 Just a short time after Jim Armstrong gave some players a little love, he's back to tell us his doubts about the Broncos' playoff chances.  here

 The first wave of cuts are coming.  See here

 Sam Adams, the small, asks if it is showtime for the defense.  See here

  Is it Nate Webster or Niko Koutouvides?  We will know very soon.  See here and here

 Niko talked about his Greek heritage and upbringing.  See here

 Nate Jackson is still pushing ahead to land a roster spot.  See here

 Here's an outsider look at the Broncos for 2008.  See here

 Will the changes Shanny made this season equate to success?  Let's hope so!  See here

 If you still haven't seen it yet, here is the story about Torain's recovery schedule.  See here

 A Broncos cheerleader was in the news too.  See here

 Brandon Stokley has a group of specialists that keep his body in good shape.  See here and here

 Here's a story about the gang involved with Darrent Williams' murder.  See here

 Former Bronco Tatum "needs new cleats/grass tackled" Bell sounded off on Mike Martz.  See here

 Some former Bronco players took time to remember Gene Upshaw.  See here

 Former defensive coordinator and father of Jeremy Bates, offensive coach, Jim Bates has inducted into his high school's hall of fame.  See here

AFC West

Looks like Phyllis and his merry men got extra merry at the water park.  What a way to prepare for the season.  See here

Apparently things are not looking too hot for Javon Walker and the conquered fader nation.  See here

From the looks of this write-up, however, seems there are some fans that are in a faded charcoal and gray version of la-la land.  See here

That is all I have for now, enjoy the game tonight.  Have a great weekend and GO BRONCOS!!!

       @       

  Dallas Cowboys 13      @          Denver Broncos 23

August 16th, 2008 - 7:00pm MST
Invesco Field @ Mile High
Denver, CO

The Broncos don't have much time to enjoy Saturday Night's win over the Cowboys, turning quickly around to prepare for a Friday Night match up with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.  That means we can't dwell on it for too long, either.  After watching  and studying the game, I did want to take a few moments to break down a few of the things I saw.  At the end, of course, will be a break down of community participation in the Open Threads.  

I have gone on record saying that wins or losses in the pre-season are not as important as playing well for 60 minutes.  I definitely feel that way, but it sure does feel good to win a game.  I am looking for progress as we head through August, and the Broncos improved from Game 1 to Game 2.  Let's break it down --

PASSING GAME(QB and O-Line)

 It was obvious the two teams had different things in mind coming into the game, but it was still the Cowboys 1st team defense that Jay Cutler dissected on Saturday Night.  I can remember back in 1998, after the Broncos had won the Super Bowl and were preparing to defend.  They didn't want to lose any game, ever.  Cowboys fans will say, and they have to me, that the Cowboys took it easy on the Broncos, especially after all the hub-bub last year. Maybe.  But as an athlete, you never want to be embarrassed, and Cutler did a little bit of that.

Jay Cutler has improved just about everything in his game.  Footwork, mechanics, delivery, the way he looks off of receivers.  Yes, we all know about the diabetes stuff, but this is more about Cutler feeling comfortable and confident in the offense than it is about insulin levels.  Cutler is going to the line of scrimmage, reading the defense, and knows at the snap where he is going with the football.  Cutler is also getting the Broncos into the end zone, scoring 3 TD's in 6 offensive possessions.  There could have been more points by the first strong in the 2-minute drill, but Matt Prater's long field goal at the end of the first half went wide.  More on the later.

I thought Patrick Ramsey came in, and after a disastrous beginning that was saved by undisciplined play by the Cowboys, Ramsey settled down and started to make some throws.  He is still slow at reading through his progressions and frequently delivers the ball late.  It pains me to think of how dummied-down the playbook would have to be with Ramsey at the helm.

The Offensive Line once again had its' ups and downs in the passing game.  There were once again way too many penalties, with Ryan Clady and Chris Kuper getting hit with holding penalties.  More importantly, Jay Cutler once again stayed clean as the O-Line did not allow a sack in the first half(the sackless streak ended in the 4th quarter when Darrell Hackney was sacked).  I liked what I saw from Ryan Clady, who did a solid job on DeMarcus Ware.  There were time Ware even stunted inside to try and avoid going up against Clady, a good sign since that means it will usually be Ben Hamilton or Tom Nalen/Casey Wiegmann that the De is going to get a face full of.  I am happy about where the O-line is right now in pass protection, but the penalties need to be cleaned up.

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       @       

  Dallas Cowboys      @          Denver Broncos

August 16th, 2008 - 7:00pm MST
Invesco Field @ Mile High
Denver, CO

   To Follow The Week From The Cowboy's Perpective, Check Out Blogging The Boys! 

The Broncos open the home portion of their pre-season schedule tonight against the Dallas Cowboys still looking to answer many of the questions we have been asking all reloading season.  Last week, many of my target areas were general as I focused on the play of the O-Line as a group, or the defensive line as a group.  As the pre-season continues, my focus grows more and more specific, tageting players.  That will start tonight.  Like last week, I have also included what the other contributors on MHR are looking for tonight as well.

1.  The Two Ryan's(Harris and Clady) -- I will be watching closely to how Clady progresses from last week to this week.  Nothing like being thrown right into the fire, with Clady going up against Mario Williams last week and Demarcus Ware this week.  If Clady can hold his own tonight, not only in pass protection, but in avoiding penalties and silly mistakes, I will feel good about where he is at this early in his rookie year.  I am also looking for Clady to become more of a physical presence in the running game.  Early on last week, the Broncos O-Line struggled in the run game, leaving Selvin Young gasping for breath in the backfield.

Much of the same goes for Harris, who struggled early but seemed to settle down as the game wore on.  We need to remember that Harris was a Left Tackle in college, and learning to play from the oppisite side is kind of like learning to write with your left hand if you are a right-handed person.  I am looking for Harris to also become more physical in the run game.  If Harris struggles again, it could open the door for Montrae Holland to re-emerge.  While Hollad's weight will always be an issue, there is little doubting his physicality.

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Here is a Friday edition of Horse Tracks.  Enjoy!

 Practice got pretty chippy yesterday between the Cowboys and Broncos.  See here and here

 Comparisons are being made between Jay Cutler and Tony Romo.  I do think there are some differences though.  See here

 Ryan Clady has had some big challenges in less than a week.  First was Mario Williams and the next is DeMarcus Ware.  See here

 DJ Williams finally has a home with the defense.  See here

 Former Bronco John Lynch officially signed with New England.  See here

 Mike Klis gave a five point plan for tomorrow night's game.  See here

 Offensive plays will be made by a committee.  See here

 A Dallas paper reported on Jay Cutler's sharp practice.  See here

 In a confusing story, the Rocky Mountain News had some notes on the Cowboys and a good quote from NIko to "Pacman".  See here

 ESPN had an article about some of the former players that played in the CFL and made it in the NFL.  It includes one former Bronco.  See here

NFL News

Are the Buffalo Bills leaving?  Will they be called the Toronto Bills in the future?  See here

That's all I have for now.  Have a great weekend and GO BRONCOS!!!