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Tuesday Morning QB: Bailey won't bang AFC West title drum: 'It's a good start'

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 15, 2008 at 11:50 p.m.

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Numbers Game

The Broncos have faced the Saints only eight times, and the teams have not played in Denver since 1994, the season before Mike Shanahan became coach.

Nov. 22, 1970: New Orleans, Broncos 31-6

Oct. 13, 1974: Denver, Broncos 33-17

Nov. 4, 1979: Denver, Broncos 10-3

Sept. 15, 1985: Denver, Broncos 34-23

Nov. 20, 1988: New Orleans, Saints 42-0

Dec. 24, 1994: Denver, Saints 30-28

Dec. 3, 2000: New Orleans, Broncos 38-23

Nov. 21, 2004: New Orleans, Broncos 34-13

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Two weeks do not a season make, but when a professional football team drops 80 points on two other professional football teams, it certainly gets a look.

First, the Broncos piled 41 on the Raiders.

Then they followed with 39 against the Chargers, shoveled by Jay Cutler's right arm. Fifty pass attempts, 350 yards, four touchdowns against San Diego with enough throw-it-around bravado that some folks were looking for the ol' white ball the AFL guys used to chuck around.

"We know we put a lot of pressure on (Cutler's) shoulders," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "You throw the ball 50 times like we did, and the quarterback has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. That's a lot to ask of a guy."

Still, when searching for perspective on all things Broncos, Bailey's locker is a good place to start. He has been to eight Pro Bowls in his nine seasons. He likes trips to Hawaii and all, but he really would like to play in a Super Bowl.

He's the same guy who always says that only "average or below-average" players don't want to compete every day on every play against the best the league has to offer, and he has a steady gaze when he looks at things.

And he sees a young team around him, the youngest in Mike Shanahan's tenure as head coach.

Bailey sees an explosive offense with a quarterback on the brink of some coast- to-coast face time on some late-night talk shows.

He sees the 80 points, the two wins. He sees a little September success.

And just about the only thing that comes close to the amount of optimism every NFL team holds each summer as a new season approaches is the hubris of some September success.

"Now, we have to see how we handle ourselves," Bailey said. "We've done some good things, we've won and all that, but now we see."

Because deep down, veteran players are pessimists of sorts. They've seen too much, watched too many leads, too many seasons evaporate through the years.

In 16 regular-season games, it's hard to hide your blemishes, difficult to keep them from being discovered.

That will now be the Broncos' challenge. And such is life in any sporting vocation that includes "professional" on the letterhead. Because when you turn the corner on any success that doesn't include holding a big silver trophy after the last game of a season is played, another challenge always is waiting.

And the Broncos' challenges are:

* To protect Cutler well enough to play the wide-open style that obviously suits him and the offense.

* To fill in the gaps on kickoff coverage that already has seen Oakland's Johnnie Lee Higgins take one back 58 yards after the Broncos had scored their first touchdown against the Raiders and Darren Sproles go 103 yards for a TD on Sunday.

* To find a way to make opposing quarterbacks more uncomfortable than they have been.

That's at least some of the list for the 2-0 first-place Broncos.

Asked what that means, Bailey quickly said: "It's a good start. It means right now we're on the right track. That's it, just on the right track. I mean, we were 2-0 last year, too."

BREAK IT DOWN

For as good a day as Cutler had Sunday, the Chargers' Philip Rivers threw for more yards - 377, compared with 350 - and almost as many touchdowns - three, compared with Cutler's four - against the Broncos defense.

And Rivers was sacked only once, with 12:02 left in the second quarter.

Now comes Drew Brees, who is fourth in the league with 559 passing yards.

The Broncos have tried to use a three-man front - with two linebackers and six defensive backs - in some passing situations.

And at times in that look, they have added some players as blitzers.

But the Chargers still found some room to work against it. Before San Diego's last possession of the game, when the Broncos were in a prevent look, they had been in the 3-2-6 six times.

And among those six plays, San Diego had gains of 7, 16 and 48 yards with a touchdown. On another, Rivers overthrew an open Chris Chambers for what would have been another touchdown.

All in all, the percentages did not favor the Broncos on Sunday, and as they continue to use the look, the video certainly will make the rounds, starting with the Saints.

MATCH GAME: Broncos safety Marquand Manuel vs. Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey

The Broncos used Manuel, a seventh-year veteran they signed in free agency, to shadow Chargers tight end Antonio Gates all over the formation.

In the past, the Broncos have matched a safety on Gates instead of a linebacker to try to keep the four-time Pro Bowl selection in check. In past years, the Broncos used Sam Brandon for the job, but Sunday, the assignment went to Manuel.

They could go that route again with a player such as Shockey.

Gates finished with four catches for 61 yards in the Broncos' 39-38 win and did not score a touchdown. He now has scored three touchdowns in 11 games against the Broncos, compared with eight career touchdowns against the Chiefs and six against the Raiders.

Shockey is another quality power/speed matchup and is second on the Saints in receptions with eight.

GET IT DONE

The Saints have protected Drew Brees well in the first two games. New Orleans has surrendered only three sacks and is fifth in the league in passing yards per game.

At least part of being in the league's top five right now is protecting the quarterback.

The Broncos are first in the league in passing and have allowed only one sack, a team sack awarded on the Jay Cutler fumble in the fourth quarter Sunday.

The Chargers are the second-ranked passing team and have allowed only two sacks.

And with the Saints' run game struggling some at 78 yards a game - they ran for only 55 on Sunday against the Redskins - they have leaned on Brees plenty. So, the Broncos' play in the defensive front seven will be tested again when it comes to chasing quarterbacks.

The Saints are without receiver Marques Colston, so they still are working out plenty of kinks in their plan - they had a three-possession stretch in the fourth quarter Sunday in which they gained only 44 yards.

But if Brees gets a chance to stand and look around, he'll find a place for the ball.

HOT SPOT

Brandon Marshall has caught at least 10 passes in four of the past five games in which he has been in uniform. In fact, dating to last season, his 55 catches in those five games are the most in NFL history for any five-game span.

A guy doesn't get much hotter than that. It also means Marshall will get plenty of attention Sunday - and all weekends forward from this point.

"That's what he's capable of . . . we see him every day in practice," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "The guy is a special talent."

The Saints are dealing with some injuries in their secondary. Cornerback Aaron Glenn suffered a right ankle injury against Washington and is a question mark this week, and the Saints' other cornerback, Mike McKenzie, is just now returning from a knee injury. McKenzie underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee in the offseason.

Comments

  • September 16, 2008

    10:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BlueSky writes:

    "Two weeks do not a season make"

    Geez... don't you columnist/writer, or whoever you're labeled as, check your own writing anymore? This is quite embarrassed even for a student writing their term paper, let alone a professional writer.

  • September 16, 2008

    10:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hwatney writes:

    Actually that is a grammatically correct turn of phrase. And I think you meant 'embarrassing', not 'embarrassed'.

  • September 16, 2008

    11:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    azis1100 writes:

    Owned.

  • September 16, 2008

    11:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ShowMe writes:

    Can we re-sign Lynch? He might not be able to cover like some of the younger guys (who actually aren't great at coverage either so far) but at least he can make a tackle.

  • September 16, 2008

    11:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dehag24 writes:

    LMAO...

  • September 16, 2008

    11:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dehag24 writes:

    maybe we can get Al Wilson to come out of retirement....I keep hearing about how fast our D is, fast is great but we need to be able to tackle too.

  • September 16, 2008

    12:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ShowMe writes:

    Maybe Romanowski can get juiced up again and come back...as long as he doesn't punch someone in the huddle.

  • September 16, 2008

    12:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    royalewithcheese writes:

    Although if Romanowski punched Paymah in the huddle, I'd be cool with that.

  • September 16, 2008

    2:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    One Saints CB with a bad ankle and questionable and the other CB coming back from a bad knee injury. Good luck against the Denver dynamic duo. Not to mention Scheffler who is playing extremely well and Stokley who isn't a slouch, either. We just need to shut down Brees as much as is humanly possible. They won't stop our offense.

  • September 16, 2008

    2:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Also, let's hope Shanahan has the wisdom to play Jack Williams and bench Paymah.

  • September 16, 2008

    2:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ShowMe writes:

    I'd be happy if Shanahan played Serena Williams instead of Paymah...

  • September 16, 2008

    3:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Where was Dre Bly? I don't recall seeing him after the first few plays, did he get hurt? If he is not hurt than they must have stayed away from throwing his way.

  • September 16, 2008

    4:02 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    Yeah, Dave, I agree totally. I would like to see Williams in. I was hoping the offense could light up the board as they have done. I was hoping that would take some pressure off the D and allow them to make some plays. Well, they seriously need to do that. If we put up over 34 a game, and it is still close, that is unacceptable. The D needs to get it together. They looked OK against that sorry offense from the Bay Area (which, wow, how bad is KC that they let that team hammer them?), but when a real offense, with bona fide weapons arrived, they looked a lot like a wet paper bag. There is too much talent for this to be the case. And special teams need to be more consistent. They did some good things, but those get washed away when you give up a big play, especially one that gives the opposing team points. I am sticking with my prediction of an undefeated season, but the D needs to at least match half of the offense's production and intensity. Do not want to end up like the Colts of a few years ago. All offense and no defense to stop the good teams. The Saints will be a good test. Not a fan of the Saints, but I do respect their team. Should be a real good game and fun to watch.

  • September 16, 2008

    10:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aragornzxl writes:

    I am thinking this will be another blowout. Here's why.
    1) Marshall and Royals. As far as I've seen, no one can stop those two. Considering Marshall just came back from a suspension and a major arm injury (in the offseason), 18 catches for 166 yards is pretty darn good. Royals, as usual, is outplaying his expectations as a rookie. He did not look like a rookie to me. He responded well during clutch time, and he is getting more and more comfortable.
    2) rEGGIE bUSH You kow that he's gonna spring one on the Broncos on sunday. I mean, look at Sproles. Bush has the speed and the agility to make the woeful bronco defense look dazed.
    The way I see it, neither team can stop the other (especially the saints secondary). The Broncos vs the Chargers looks confused in blitz packages and obviously they need to learn how to tackle, open field or not. If Paymah is still starting, i am going to eat donuts until I get fat. Foxie looks like Bailey compared to Paymah. Dre Bly was also playing catch-up constantly. There was no pro-calibre play from him last sunday. As uncomfortable as it for me to admit it, Bailey played a horrible game. Maybe it's the chargers, maybe he was hungry, but he was getting beat over and over again. By Jackson, Gates, Chambers, etc. That was not a good game for the Broncos defense (and we all know the win was an act of god).
    Final score:
    Broncos 38
    Saints 30

  • September 16, 2008

    11:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncody writes:

    10 year vets at CB aren't the problem to me. Broncos need to start drafting their replacements and they may have started to with Williams, but to me Paymah needs a wakeup. Every QB is going to be looking at whoever Paymah is covering and why not? It is working so far. It makes releasing Poole and trading Foxy very puzzling for me. Either one of those guys would be preferable to Paymah's current playing ability. Also I want MLB adressed. I haven't seen much impact from Webster and the middle position is supposed to have a large impact. I may be wrong but wasn't it Webster who allowed Sproles to cross field right in front of his face when he was the last man to beat? That was embarassing. I know I am getting way ahead of myself talking about next year's draft but I'm thinking MLB 1st round and CB/Safety 2nd and/or 4th round (because that fourth round is GOLDEN). That is just my humble oppinion though.

  • September 17, 2008

    12:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dmotomd writes:

    ShowMe, pretty funny. I'm also a tennis guy,and I've always thought if the women pro tennis players chose up sides and played football, Serena would be like Jim Brown in his prime against some high school players.

  • September 17, 2008

    7:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Broncody, I say draft DE 1st. Then worry about the MLB. McCree is fine at safety for awhile. Manuel, also. Bailey has some more years in him. We can work on T. Denver will take care of the Saints. Our D, though, MUST play better. I'm not worried about our O.

  • September 17, 2008

    10:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jefferson3 writes:

    Hochuli wants forgiveness for handing the game to the donks. This should no longer be viewed as a W, but an asterisk.

  • September 17, 2008

    9:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    jefferson3, in "YOUR" books, maybe, not in mine. It's a win. Deal with it in your own fashion. Still whining, are we?

  • September 17, 2008

    10:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mrdux777 writes:

    Jefferson3, you can kiss our collective asterisk. A W is a W, there are no asterisks in the NFL (unless it's a strike season of course).

    As for the D, hard to imagine them getting worse, so they can only get better right? (let's just keep repeating that like a mantra). Call me optimistic, but I can't write the D off as a total loss until at least a few more games. They have their backs to the wall and I'm sure they know they've been horrible, let's see what they do about it.

    GO BRONCOS!!

  • September 18, 2008

    2:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    johnnycolorado writes:

    Here is an interesting fact. The Denver Broncos first string offense has the least experience, and also the lightest five man front in the NFL. And as great as Denver is playing now, “WOW!!!” Look out NFL, hear comes the Denver Broncos.
    Oh, and here are the numbers as of today I checked all the rosters and depth list of all the teams and compared them. Denver first string offense has only 41 years experience, only 3 other teams, Miami 42, Baltimore 48, and Atlanta 42 were less than 54 years. The rest at between 54 and 94, Jets are 94. Denvers 5 man front line starters weigh 1500 pounds, and only 3 other team were less than 1530 pounds, Houston 1502, Washington 1510, and Indianapolis 1511. The rest weighs between 1531 pounds and 1661 pounds, Buffalo has the heavy weight offense.
    Here are all the FIRST STRING offense experience numbers and 5 man front weight as of 9-17-08 these numbers do change week to week: NP 63 - 1531, BB 58 - 1661, NYJ 94 - 1549, MD 41 - 1580, PS 60 - 1607, BR 48 - 1605, CBR 58 - 1545, CBE 59 - 1630, TT 60 - 1537, IC 68 - 1511, JJ 64 - 1604, HT 48 - 1502, DB 41 - 1500, OR 65 - 1555, SD 56 - 1557, KC 54 - 1553, NYG 73 - 1576, DC 76 - 1634, PE 70 - 1651, WR 89 - 1510, GBP 56 - 1549, CHB 80 - 1539, DL 60 - 1606, MV 57 - 1600, CP 65 - 1536, NS 66 - 1592, TBB 68 - 1548, AF 42 - 1586, AC 69 - 1583, SF 61 - 1570, SLR 70 - 1557, SS 71 - 1561.