SB Nation User Blog: dr.mort

2009 Schedule - A new viewpoint

dr.mort — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:10:42 -0000

The off season and preseason were days where the fans of MHR tried to determine how many wins the Broncos might be able to pull off during the regular season. Among the factors that were discussed were the state of the defense, Orton's ability to lead the offense, Marshall's eventful off season, the new coaching staff and the schedule - which appeared fairly daunting before week one.

There were plenty of pundits and people who didn't know anything about this team who suggested that with a tough schedule, the Broncos would count a successful year one in which they were about to win 6 games. Others figured that at 8-8, this team would be better than last year's because of so many elite opponents. The 13-3 crowd was unfazed, and we should examine why.

Before the season, many thought that San Diego, Dallas, NYG, Indy, New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly would all be in the playoff hunt. Should that have intimidated the Broncos when they had such low expectations? Couldn't they have just wished for the Chargers' schedule (or New England's for that matter!) which appeared easier when Denver should have had the division's second place schedule? Because Miami and Tennessee finished about the Pats and the Colts respectively last year, Denver got the 'second place' teams.

Coach didn't complain. He talked about playing physical, smart football, preparing and winning games. And that has happened. As a result, this team has improved each week - dating back to the preseason. And the schedule does allow for us to have a bigger challenge each week.

We can agree that the offense wasn't really clicking at Cincy, and that the Cleveland and Raider game allowed the team to settle into good habits. Then the Cowboys were stopped in the second half and Marshall was added back into the offense. Then Coach introduced his old team to the Wild Horse(s). And last week, we got the revenge game at San Diego. It bodes well for our future tests on the calendar.

Steel gets forged at high temperatures which gives it its strength. Glass is tempered by the same process so it can avoid shattering. Tough upper-level college courses prepare students for the real world. These analogies are all the same. The point is, an easy schedule might not have counted for as much. Maybe wins could have come easier, but this team has sites set on something beyond Week 17.

In all reality, by the time playoffs are here, the Broncos might face an opponent they had seen in the regular season. You've seen how this coaching staff reacts in second halves so far right? Advantage Broncos. If they get to play against a team that they were challenged by in the regular season, they can prepare and beat them. How much do you think the Pats game against the Bucs is gonna help them long term? I'll yolk my wagon to Coach McDaniels and crew.

I, for one, am happy that we have regular season challenges, and think we have a chance to win every week. And with the lessons being learned by this team, I think that could continue well into January of next year.

Bring on your toughest teams, NFL! We will do our job, and be ready.

Go Broncos!

Clayton dishes out respect?

dr.mort — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:22:41 -0000

No admission of his dastardly ways, erroneous predictions, or egregious vitriol of the past six months, but John Clayton actually put Denver on his positive list today.

Quote:

Broncos are no fluke: The Broncos are for real. They beat the Cowboys 17-10 in what was supposed to start an impossible stretch of games for Denver. As turbulent as the offseason was, head coach Josh McDaniels made the regular season smooth. The Broncos are 4-0 and appear to be big players in the AFC playoff race. Beating the Cowboys was huge. Denver's defense withstood a last-minute drive by Tony Romo. Mike Nolan, the Broncos' defensive coordinator, totally took away the Cowboys' running attack. Like he did in Week 2 against the Giants, Romo made bad decisions. The last pass of the game was broken up by Champ Bailey. If you need to win a game, never throw on Bailey. Romo threw a costly interception in the Broncos' red zone early in the second half. That interception, which was grabbed by Bailey, might have been the turning point. Had the Cowboys settled for a field goal, they would have led 13-7.

Broncos QB Kyle Orton is doing a lot of the same things that made him a winner in Chicago. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He might not be making spectacular plays like Jay Cutler. But he's winning. Welcome back to the playoff race, Denver.

11 Commandments for Quarterbacks

dr.mort — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:25:15 -0000

Back in 2007, Bill Parcells related his quarterbacking statutes and bylaws by which his quarterbacks should live. This was during a MNF game tape in preparation for the game the Cowboys eeked out over the Bills in the waning moments of the fourth quarter (25-24); this is another in the long list of reasons that antidepressant medication is dissolved into the city of Buffalo's tap water.

Before reading the list, I'd like to suggest everyone run through a list of Parcell-chosen quarterbacks. A rough list would include, Hostettler, Simms, Quincy Carter, Pennington, Romo, Testeverde, and a new project Chad Henne.

Do these players have things in common? Maybe not in terms of playing style, but it seems were all on the path of becoming the type of player that the Tuna wanted to either take his team to a championship level (Giants) or out of the cellar (like he was brought on to do in Dallas & Miami).

He really never cared about bringing in a hot new prospect, or paying top dollar for a high impact free agent. He just wanted to see that his guy could buy in to the system, not complain too much and not screw up.

Before you totally destroy the veracity of the list on first site because you saw Quincy Carter is present, remember that with him and Chad Hutchinson (yikes) on the roster in 2003, the Cowboys went from 5-11 (in 2002) to 10-6 (in 2003).

We, the fans of the Orange & Blue, have debated Orton/Cutler/Cassel as much as the media has for better or for worse (though we're normally able to at least contribute viable arguments and thoughtful commentary - ahem Mike Klis), and though that's no the intention of this post, it will surely be in the back of our minds and up for discussion.

Parcells' former defensive coordinator was Belicheck over 20 years ago, which is how this list is relevant for Broncos fans. We have to decide if Bledsoe, Brady, Cassel, and Orton (especially) buy into this list of commandments which Parcells has been developing for years.

It's interesting that Phil Simms' kid is now indirectly tied to this list by being a product of the system, though he was not truly selected by Coach McDaniels.

Ok, sorry about the proLONG. List time:

11 Commandments for Quarterbacks

1. Ignore other opinions – Press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on – ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here.

2. Clowns can’t run a huddle – don’t forget to have fun but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.

3. Fat QBs can’t avoid the rush – A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run.

4. Know your job cold – this is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study.

5. Know your own players – Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.

6. Be the same guy every day – in condition. Preparing to lead. Studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.

7. Throwing the ball away is a good play – sacks, interceptions and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.

8. Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.

9. Get your team in the end zone – passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged.

10. Don’t panic – when all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.

11. Don’t be a celebrity QB – we don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week and every season and lead their team to win after win after win.

The following numbers describe Kyle Orton pretty well to me:

1 - he hasn't been affected by mainstream opinions, negative local fan base, or even former criticism.

2 & 5 - I really like how he has good relationships with his offense without demanding the spotlight.

7 - clearly throwing the ball away during the Cleveland game brought a few boos, but no turnovers.

8 - debatable with wasted timeouts, but end-of-half game management has been good.

10 - he hasn't panicked so far, knock on wood.

11 - besides a couple of party pictures with girls during his rookie campaign, he's no Romo, Cutler, or Brady.

In all cases, GO BRONCOS, and we won't be seeing JaMarcus Russell obeying any of these commandments or his Weight Watchers diet.

dr.mort's 53 blue (& orange) man group

dr.mort — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:32:01 -0000

Okay fellas. No way Brandst8r or McKinley get through waivers. I'm not buying Moss' resurgence. The only times he made plays were when he gambled on the snap count. He is quick, but still not strong. He was lucky to not have been hard-counted by Palko. In a real situation, he would have been eaten up by a real tackle or jumped off sides and hurt the team. I vote Crowder.

Things are looking up.

I'm guessing LK Smith starts on PUP, so I've listed 53 and left him off.

Broncos Offense
WR	19 E. Royal	84 B. Lloyd
LT	78 R. Clady	76 T. Polumbus
LG	50 B. Hamilton	70. S. Olsen
C	62 C. Wiegmann	65 R. Hochstein
RG	73 C. Kuper	61 M Erickson
RT	74 R. Harris
TE	89 D. Graham	88 T. Scheffler	81 R. Quinn
WR	14 B. Stokley	11 K. McKinley
WR	10 J. Gaffney	15 B. Marshall
QB	8 K.Orton	2 C. Simms	3 T. Brandstater
RB	28 C. Buckhalter	27 K. Moreno	22 P. Hillis	34 D. Walker



Broncos Defense
DE	98 R. McBean	93 N Clemons
NT	91 R. Fields	75 C. Baker
DE	90 K. Peterson	79 M. Thomas
OLB	57 M. Haggan	95 D. Reid	96 T Crowder
ILB	55 D.J. Williams	59 W. Woodyard
ILB	54 A. Davis	46 S. Larsen
OLB	92 E. Dumervil	56 R. Ayers
LCB	24 C. Bailey	33 A. Smith

RCB	21 A. Goodman	26 J. Williams	40 R Moulton
SS	23 R. Hill	30 D. Bruton	36 J. Barrett
FS	20 B. Dawkins	31 D. McBath

Specialists
P	1 B. Kern
K	5 M. Prater
Long Snapper	66 L. Paxton

Chargers signed QB Philip Rivers to a six-year, $92 million extension through 2015. $38-39...

dr.mort — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:52:47 -0000

Chargers signed QB Philip Rivers to a six-year, $92 million extension through 2015.
$38-39 million is guaranteed. The Giants guaranteed Eli Manning $35M, but his annual average is $16.25M. Rivers' is only $15.33M, making it a pretty good deal for GM A.J. Smith. Rivers doesn't have the ring, but is clearly the superior passer in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and aggressiveness. Eli might have a stronger arm, but Rivers is much better going down the field.
Source: ESPN.com

Defensive 'Inbetweenness'

dr.mort — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:21:04 -0000

Greetings friends. Six months ago when DC Nolan was new news, there was much ado about a transition from 4-3 to 3-4. While no one argued that the personnel was not in place for such a switch, the news was received with much excitement to the knowledgeable Bronconationites, as this has proved a successful model for the Patriots, Steelers, and arguably the Ravens (who use a hybrid model that is difficult for offenses to react to NYTimes Sports).

But what about this transition? Nolan and McD thought it would be gradually added to the system as players adjusted and as the roster took shape of the adequate sized dudes for the job. Watching the '1st string' defense during Friday's game, we saw mostly 3-4/5-2ish line ups during the first half. It didn't seem like there was switching going back and forth.

Was this just like the throwing into the fire of the offense (KO's 17 different formations on passes)? Possibly, as Coach McD's tendency is to get players in the heat for analyzing their abilities more so than for results as Styg recently taught us. Or maybe the defense has just backed off of the notion of keeping both systems on the broiler because it might just be too much to handle. And not backing off the notion like the White House is backing off the 'public option' for health care, but for a more logical reason.

Think about this: last year's opening day roster had 8 LB's (if we include the heaven sent versatility of our ballistic Mormon, Spencer Larsen) and 10 DL. Last year's roster relied heavily on rotating the big guys up front as we had no real proven stars and were hoping to develop young guys and make due with some serviceable vets. That was 18 roster spots for the front 7, and nearly all these guys were activated on game days (except Moss). Now, clearly we had massive injuries to the LB corps, but this was the needed roster spots for a 4-3 with some LBs who were STers week in and week out.

In the case where a 3-4 is in play, the team will likely need more than 8 opening day line backers, and will probably not keep 10 down linemen. Perhaps the talk of using both systems in the off season is easily accepted by the media and the fans, but the logistics of such a suggestion may be cuffed by roster dealings.

I'm a dentist by trade (we'll still have to call 911 if someone collapses when I'm in the room), but there was a time when I thought about applying to both medical and dental school. This would mean taking two difficult entry exams, preparing for interviews at double the number of schools and spending way more money. I realized that I'd still have to make a decision about what I wanted to do down the road, so I did my homework, chose dentistry and didn't look back. Had I been between the two scenarios, I would have stretched myself too thin and compromised the dental preparation I made in result.

The point is, I don't think it bodes well for being in between systems. The coaches will go one way or the other. No sense in making the defense more complicated than it needs to be. I think Nolan will use the 3-4 in 1st and 2nd down, and now the roster looks like it will serve itself better for 3-3-5 in the nickel.

I'm no expert like the talented MHR professors, but with the addition of Le Kevin Smith today (NFL caliber 5 technique DE depth), it seems as though this is the thought process. On to wins and progress. Defense might have some growing pains, especially with the converted ends trying their hand at pass coverage, but signs point to future success.

2008 Opening Day LB DT DE

Larsen Robertson Engleberger

Winborn Thomas Dumerville

Green Clemons Crowder

Koutouvides Peterson (tweener) Moss

Williams Josh Shaw (member him?) Ekuban

Webster

Woodyard

Bailey

2009 Projected OLB ILB DT DE

Dumerville Davis Fields McBean

Haggan Willams Baker Peterson

Ayers Woodyard Powell(?) Smith (new guy)

Reid Larsen Thomas

Crowder Clemons

My guess is Pedescleaux and L. Robinson make it to the PS, and we wish Rulon Davis the best in the near future.

Keep on keepin' on. Peace.

Cutler expects say in Bears' roster....

dr.mort — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:53:37 -0000

Sounds like Jay is on his way to GMdom in year four.

When asked about having a say on the roster, he said:

"Oh yeah," Cutler said. "I think they're definitely going to ask me. If they don't ask me, I'm going to tell them what I think because I've got to be the one throwing to them on game day, and I've got to trust them. But (offensive coordinator) Ron (Turner) and I have been on the same page since the start of training camp in what guys we wanted to see working in with me and what guys have stepped up and what direction we want to go with this group."

Chicago Daily Herald

I mean, one can't get a lot of yards without scoring a lot of points alone, right?

The Next Great Divide - Marshall

dr.mort — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:56:21 -0000

Another morning in Broncoland, with an eerily similar feeling to other mornings we've had here - the prospect of another cheered for face/number who not being with the team. The early rumors trade rumors of Cutler were pretty surprising to most of SBNation, and I, for one, thought they'd go away without a trade. The firing of Shanahan, the Cutler drama, and the draft have all brought on divisions inside Bronconation. WIth passing time, and a little more vision, we are seeing the clarity of the future. The True Bronco Spirit is returning. Now again, some degree of uncertainty arises returned with the first reports of Marshall's lack of attendance to mandatory camps.

(Let's be realistic here: It's way too early to be paranoid; he'll be healthy long before the regular season starts; we might just be collectively the burned child fearing the flame. So all this 'saga' talk might just be a touch over-dramatic).

I have watched Bronco games since I was 4 years old. I've got the Broncoland license plate on my car even though I live out of state. I stand with you as a passionate fan of the game, and of the true Bronco favorites: Tom Jackson, Eddie Mc, Fletcher, Atwater, Elway, Hillis, Clady, Rulon Jones, etc.

These times in the NFL have changed. The arrival of Marshall in 2007 showed elite WR talent on the team beyond what we had seen in recent memory. He was 'like TO, but better because he had a good attitude,' we all thought. He arrived at dominance after showing his hunger and drive to improve and win. We wanted to embrace him like we did Rod Smith - a true Bronco. We became accustomed to watching Marshall catch crossing routes and run over DBs and stretch the field and force corners to play him honestly. We feel like we need him to win, maybe even moreso than we felt about Cutler.

But is Marshall one of the True Broncos? I suppose it's too early to say. I think most of the NFL world would agree, that a contract extension would be in order if there were less concerns about injury and behavior. We want #15 to be on the field catching passes from Orton/Simms/Brandstater this year and for the next 5-6 right?

INJURY

Brandon's hip treatments and (un)diagnosis has caused him distrust with the med staff. Is he Justified?

It's kind of funny now, but some of my coaches thought I was getting 'big-headed' and just didn't want to practice, but I needed some fine-tuning. What made last years so weird was that I got two MRIs, one in training camp and the second around Week 6 and was told nothing, but come to fine out THERE WAS A BIT OF A PROBLEM after all. – Brandon Marshall SOURCE: Fox Sports

So the last MRI was week 6, yet he played the whole year on the hip. Is it possible, those MRIs were correct, and the damage was done to the hip after that? Obviously the team wouldn't want Marshall to be damaged goods. We all know what a busted hip can do to an aggresive football player (see Bo Jackson). Maybe the staff handled things just right. Was there any deception? We hope not. Either way, it's clear with his Florida rehab, that he prefers the healing of his hip to be done by people he's chosen.

I wonder too if Brandon is realizing for the first time that he is not indestructible. The arm injury (from the glass case) healed quickly. His hamstring problems always cleared up fast. He used to be invincible. But pain that's lingered for months and months is something he's never dealt with before. With that, comes some realization that football is a big price to pay for fame/fortune/glory. Unfortunately for lots of players, the injury side of things is still part of 'the business,' just like contracts.

He may be wanting money to protect his past, or money to gaurentee his future, but Marshall does want to get back to healthy. We've all got to hope that he can recover quickly like ARod did from surgery and be an impact player in two more months. Let's face it: he shouldn't be making less money than 57 other WRs in the league (and Royal's contract will be worth more in his fourth year than Marshall's is this year).

BEHAVIOR

Marshall is getting taken to the cleaners in the public eye. Outside the Lines didn't read the following statement:

Here’s what the letter, dated July 29, 2008, had to say: “My name is Rasheedah Watley, I am the ex girlfriend of Brandon Marshall. I read in the newspapers that he is in trouble with the league because of me. I will let you know that he never hurt me or hit me, I was pressured by my family to make up certain things [to] get money. I was told to say that Brandon hit me and hurt me so that I could get him to pay to keep me quiet. I want you to know he never did.”

- http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/06/espns-brandon-marshall-story-omitted-key-facts/

Still, there has been lots of smoke surrounding Brandon the past 6 years. People might assume that means fire. There probably is some, and he has been trying to extinguish them. Marshall deserves fair trials in court and in the public realm if and when they happen. We hope this was a case of extortion and someone who was looking to take advantage of a situation, and the league thus far has seen no reason to suspend Marshall as of yet. We all sighed relief. We loved it when he indicated he didn't care Cutler had moved on, because stats meant less than wins. We want to give him all that credit. We don't want to think of him as the next Plaxico Burress.

What about what his teammates say? Javon Walker was an impact player for Denver for a couple seasons before he needed a change of scenery. We all remember how we were robbed of another Bronco we cheered and took pride in. DWill had spirit, talent and loved the game. He wore his jersey proudly. After his death, Walker wasn't the same, as I'm sure none of us would be. He came back angry about how it was turning into 'Marshall's team.' It was like they couldn't coexist. I never could figure out why.

I read this article last week about the altercation leading up to the fateful shooting that night:

Another Broncos receiver, Brandon Marshall, and his cousin were partying with Williams' group that night and began spraying champagne around, "some of which hit a club patron and his friend, who confronted Williams and his entourage," Marshall told "Real Sports." Those men flashed gang signs and were escorted out of the club, said members of a rap group from Williams' hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, who were with him that night. Fellow teammate Javon Walker said he didn't see the encounter inside the club but saw trouble brewing when he left the club at closing time. Marshall and his cousin were exchanging heated words with two men, he said. The rappers said it was the same men who had been kicked out of the club earlier that night.

- http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17665629/detail.html

Marshall was even involved then. Ugh. I wish I didn't even know any details about this tragedy. Makes me sick. Maybe something happened that night and Walker just couldn't live being next to Marshall in the locker room. I hope that's not the case, and I'm not intending to throw blame. But once again, Marshall's actions don't reflect the spirit of Rod Smith, Jim Ryan, Nalen, or Coach Turner.

It's time for Brandon to unite with the team and embrace the team concept like Bronconation is willing to embrace him. Let's hope that this situation ends happily for all parties - that Marshall can be a model citizen and return to his dominating physical presence, that Coach McD can lead a group of team-first players, that the fans can cheer for someone who deserves all the cheers he merits, and that we head back to Super Bowls. Let's hope that we don't have another division among the nation arguing if the team's direction is right or not. It's time to come together.

RIP DWILL