First off, I'm highly disappointed at the New York Giants.  Being from New Jersey and having the Chargers violate the same biosphere I reside in, I figure I'd root for the G-Men.  Well, anytime the Giants lose I normally feel great to begin with simply because its a team that's highly overrated.  Great job on the Chargers for overcoming a 38 minute time of possession and two turnover performance by Rivers. 

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I was reading some throw down on Sports Illustrated and found a link that really caught my attention.  I used to record statistics for my university's women's volleyball team (why women don't wear spandex more often is beyond me). We had an athlete that simply was unstoppable but many schools and conference officials started to send their own stat people to ensure the integrity of the sport was being neglected.

What I learned in the next two months of having a complete stranger standing over me was that even when the rules are clear, it comes down to interpretation of any said rule.  Sadly, I had to explain that discretion is normally offset if you eliminate all biases and follow the flow of any sport and record information for what it is. 

This led me to the comeback victory list.

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I've given up on the MSM for any real insight for this matchup and won't expect anything unbiased or relatively researched until Sunday's pregame panel of "journalists".  Since most hypothesis require some facts, just look below the jump as I try and argue why a victory is in order come Sunday.

*Listening to "Where's Your Head At" by Basement Jaxx

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It can also be found in the comment section of the original post but decided to create a fanpost.  What I was wondering was this, how is it Denver's accomplishments this early in the season is discredited whereas as teams such as the Chargers (ravaged by injury and hand picked to represent the AFC in the SB), Pittsburgh (defending SB Champs), Saints (scoring machine), Colts (veteran playoff team), Giants (veteran playoff team), and New England (veteran playoff team) seem to get a pass on their QBs passing prowess?  

I guess the NFL is desperate for new heroes as the shadows of time hover P. Manning and T. Brady.  The league has also made passing the ball so much easier so to compare achievements to past accomplishments just 8 years ago is slightly unfair.  MSM understands that winning starts a the QB position and after the jump I include a response w/a little more detail regarding the running production of the six teams mentioned above and how Denver stacks against the vanity picks this early in the season.

Please note that you will not find any defensive stats or rankings as CBS.com was interested in a poll of the following QBs Brees, Rivers, Big Ben (easier to spell), E. Manning, P. Manning, and Brady.  So enjoy the stats below and what the following teams have accomplished this early in the season.  If anything, I think its an early indication of what teams worked on during the preseason and how well its worked.

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Even more interesting are the following QBs are tops in League Passing Yards:
1 P. Rivers SD 688
2. D. Brees NO 669
3. P. Manning IND 604
4. T. Brady NE 594
5. E. Manning NYG 586
6. B. Roethlisberger Pit 584

Not to cut corners I’ll also include the running game’s production.
SD 44 carries 130 yds 65 avg 3 ypc 2 TD Rank-30th
NO 64 carries 290 yds 145 avg 4.5 ypc 2 TD Rank-8th
IND 42 carries 132 yds 66 avg 3.1 ypc 2 TD Rank-29th
NE 43 carries 156 yds 78 avg 3.6 ypc 1 TD Rank- 26th
NYG 57 carries 200 yds 100 avg 3.5 ypc NO TD Rank-22nd
PITT 45 carries 141 yds 70.5 avg 3.1 ypc 1 TD Rank-28th

The one team that stands out are the Saints but also the Giants as the only two teams to have broken 57 attempts. I excluded the top rushers simply because different teams utilize their personnel for their runs and I’m certain that a few QB scrambles add to the totals. On a side note, I expect the Colts rushing game to have better numbers as the season progress simply because their Monday showdown against Miami, the Colts only had the ball for 15 minutes to the Dolphins 45.

To see Denver’s run production in the top 12 (57 attempts 261yards 130.5 avg 4.6 ypc 2 TD) is clear that coaching have no intention of converting into a scheme that incorporates short passes to replace the run (Moreno looked good w/over 90 yds of total offense week 2).

What good would this be if I didn’t include overall statistics of the offense right?
Team YDS YPG PTS PTS/GM (Yards are total of pass and run)
(1) Saints 936 468.0 93 46.5
(5) Chargers 791 395.5 50 25.0
(6) Giants 778 389.0 56 28.0
(9) Patriots 740 370.0 34 17.0
(12) Colts 721 360.5 41 20.5
(16) Steelers 665 332.5 27 13.5

Giants and Saints are two of the teams w/a minimum of 57 rushing attempts from the list of top 6 passing yardage according to the poll. W/out considering defense performance, I’d say these two teams may be fighting for that SB slot to represent the NFC.

Now what good what I be not to include:
(8) Broncos 751total yards 375.5 ypg 39 TPS 19.5 PPG

This is w/a passing offense ironing out a few kinks and will only get better. Personally, I rather have Orton and the Broncos under the radar. We’ve had enough national media attention for one year.

Mike Shanahan fired.  Jay Cutler traded.  Brandon Marshall requests trade.  Knownshon Moreno still holding out. These were just the many story lines coming out of Denver.  What did it mean?  Well the truth is, nothing.  These are events that happened but by no means did it effect the current regime's staff in their operations.  What does concern me however is the amount of coverage Denver received during compared to what national coverage was before those Super Bowl wins, 4th quarter comebacks and the pursuit for 2000 yds.

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Just like a football game, I see the season in 4 Quarters.  The first quarter usually has a team trying to establish themselves w/o showing too much to gauge the defense.  The second quarter we have an idea what we do well and exploit what has not been working for the defense.  Halftime is where the adjustments are made.  Whether its lack of focus in penalty department or dropped passes, adjustments are made that either put players in position to be successful or put the team in a position continue developing.  3rd quarter is where the adjustments are  paying dividends and adding to what has been working from the first two quarters.  4th quarter aka the grind.  Its here where we learn about our football team.  Do we have the mettle to fight for a first down, add to the lead or pull as last drive victory.  To me, the season isn't any different and normally reserve my thoughts in that manner and I'll do my best to explain after the jump.

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First let me state how I love this website.  Regardless if I agree or disagree with some of the posts, I have an arena where I can share insight, ideas and discuss Bronco football.  With all that being said, I like to share my opinion on Brandon Marshall's worth. 

His body of work in his three years as a Bronco.

Very impressive indeed but I find a few things troubling.  Now in an interview from a few months back, Marshall had admitted that he had issues staying focused during the course of last year.  This was tough for me to understand let alone comprehend because he was playing in his third season meanwhile rookie Eddie Royal fooled the entire NFL as he performed beyond all expectations.  I bring this up because I don't believe Marshall will be successful in just any scheme (not sure what system was run in Central Florida where he played).

In order for Denver to truly get full value for Marshall, he'd best be suited to stay within a West Coast Offensive scheme where only the terminology and minor details will be required of him while the fundamentals are still in place.  This excludes the Giants, Jets and Titans as potential trade partners.  I think teams such as the Eagles (don't need WR), Texans (no need), Packers (no need) and Vikings (no need-unless Farve needs) would be ideal locations.

Brandon Marshall's stats could be better in my honest opinion.  CBs figured out a habitual pattern from Marshall, normally after a catch he takes a step back as if he's anticipating the CB to over pursue.  What defenses started to do was simply wait for this signature move and then converge.  I don't know about the rest of the community here but if you catch 100+ passes I'd expect 10+ touchdowns.  I like to think that for every ten passes caught one should result in a touchdown.

Now what is Marshall's worth?  First player that comes to mind is Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys who has caught a total of 281 passes and 30 touchdowns (1td per 10 catch formula).  I don't think both players are similar in performance or style but what Dallas paid Detroit for Williams' service are what interest me.

The proposal.  This year's 1st and 3rd and next year's 3rd.  The second 3rd can go up to a 2nd round selection in the event Marshall leads the team/league (can be negotiated between clubs) in yardage/reception/touchdowns or all.  If Brandon Marshall leads the team to either a Super Bowl or selected as NFL MvP, it would then change to a 1st rounder selection.  This is clearly a means of ensuring Marshall what Denver's evaluation would be of his talent combined with his potential given his short body of work in the NFL.  I also think its fair to say that if the deal falls apart, the agent will know that it was a fair approach on Denver's side to accommodate Marshall's attempt at a trade.

In closing I'm disappointed in Brandon's approach heading into this off season after Shanahan was replaced by McDaniels and Jay Cutler traded back in June 2nd.  I understand that management will employ an atmosphere, culture of selfless athletes striving for greatness through healthy, tough competition.  Marshall is not prepared for this regime or the expectations that most on the team have already committed too.  I also like to thank Bena's article for the inspiration to share this opinion.  I for one believe, if not know, that Marshall had quit on Denver it just wasn't apparent to all because of the trial looming.

Has Brandon Marshall quit on the Broncos?

I wanted to do something to showcase who Kyle Orton is outside the usual public relations remarks whenever asked about football related issues.  You know them well, "how do you feel about your performance today" or "now that you're in Denver, how are the fans".  Well, my Itunes has Denver's season from 2006-2008 and enjoyed watching the team's highlights.  To my disappointment, it was moreso the Jay Cutler show.  Then I started to think, Kyle Orton has to have his own clip of plays made so I search youtube!

To my disappointment not much for Orton but here is an interview w/Orton and it gives me an insight of the person he is.  Resourceful.  Conservative.  Big fan of the Beatles.  Explains the purpose of his "neck beard".  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXTNeqVvFKw&feature=related

Though Denver ranked 12th in the NFL rushing the ball, many of the runs were rather empty long gains between the 20 yard line.  Here is something I feel is important and wanted to piggy back on your point:
TOTAL FIRST DOWNS      249 (Denver)    229 (Opposition)
By Rushing                       65 (26%)              87 
By Passing                     164 (66%)             127
By Penalty                          20 (8%)              15

Seems respectable as we compare it to where Denver finished (8-8).  What jumps out at me are the penalties, very disciplined on both sides of the ball considering its 8% first downs during the season.  66% of our first downs are through the air. Our RB committee by default netted 26%.

TIME OF POSSESSION      18:50 (Denver)     20:00  (Opposition)
Again, a very respectable ratio in my opinion so Denver was clearly in games considering the talent on the offensive line, wide receivers, and quarter back.  Sure we know the defense was not the greatest.  We know about the occasional interception, fumble and the 20 penalties netting a first down in favor of the opposition.

Rushing Touchdowns    15 (Denver)      21 (Opposition)
We know the numbers.  7 RBs and IR, the most important stat among Denver fans.  Of these 15 touchdowns (don't have the energy to research), I wonder how many were where they mattered, inside the Red Zone.

Now in anticipation of a resourceful reader, I also have our overall penalties and again we'll see that Denver wasn't too far from where the opposition had their share of error.  I just imagine one pass play that cost Denver 40 yards in pass interference.

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I am very excited heading into training camp this month.  We know the headlines.  We've seen the bad turn ugly.  We've seen fan favorites "turn" against it's fan base.  I am excited about the potential of playing winning football.  You remember those years in the mid to late 90s.  Running game.  Two sometimes three runs in a row.  Play action.  Big first down.  Amazing individual plays.  The root of the success was the run game.

I don't have hours of research and data to iron out any bias.  What I do have is this fact here.  Clinton Portis.  The last Denver Bronco to start back to back years for the Orange and Blue.  One could argue that the trade had benefited both the Redskins and the Broncos.  In hindsight, well we know neither team has won the Super Bowl let alone dominated the defense.  What it did do was hurt both franchises in a position of what was their strength.  Redskins had both Bailey and Smoot.  Denver had the philosophy that any RB can fill the void.  Well Hall is now a Redskin, w/a nice raise at that (the same hall that got lit up like a Xmas Tree in Royal's first game as a pro), and Denver's "coach for life" given the pink slip because of many personnel choices.

We now have Moreno.  Not very popular to many since Maualaga was a fan favorite to man the middle of the defense.  Truth is this.  The history of the NFL has always been secured w/successful running teams.  Then evolved the title of the "Big Three".  If Moreno can be that special player w/the same ceiling as Adrian Peterson, Royal evolve as a team lead AND evolve as the face of the franchise, all Orton has to do is develop in this new offense and be the "quiet" leader Aikman was w/the Cowboys.

The best thing that can happen right now for this team's defense is to play football the way its meant to be played.  Success isn't measured by looking over your shoulder and worry about your job or minutes on the field.  I think if Denver can manage 7-9 minutes of possession per quarter, we will see some special football.  A defense fresh in the 4th and players such as Woodyard, Smith, and Williams shining as they can allow plays to come to them instead of trying to make plays.

Don't get down on this group.  There are alot of unknowns but this is part of change.  I bought into the scheme of change and though I may not agree with how some things played out, I do believe.  My expectations are: Moreno rushes for 12 touchdowns 2 receiving.  Hillis rushes for 600 yards and 4-6 touchdowns.  Orton throws for 24 touchdowns and Royal contributing to 6-9 touchdowns.  These are not loud expectations, just the basics. 

If Denver's offense can manage 28-34 minutes of ball control, I think the defense will be in the middle 14-19.  Sorry if I don't have the diagrams and countless hours of data to support my view.  What I do have is Moreno as my RB, Royal as my WR, and Orton as my QB.  Trust me, it is more than just Cutler and Marshall, its about team players and we're slowly winning there.