Orange colored glasses: preseason week one
Each week I will bring you my observations relating to the most recent Denver Broncos performance in this new column I call “Orange colored glasses”. It will come from the perspective of a lifelong Broncos fan without credentials or, for that matter, credibility.
Today I examine preseason game one at San Francisco on August 8, 2013
I honestly can’t recall ever have been as excited to watch a pre-season NFL game as I was yesterday evening.
It’s been a tough year for being a Denver sports fan and the prospect of football coming back into my life was something I welcomed with open arms. Ever since the Broncos allowed the Ravens to come into town and eliminate them from the playoffs in shocking fashion I have been grasping for hope. The Nuggets could not provide it. The Avalanche couldn’t either. God knows the Rockies haven’t. About the closest thing I have found to a salve for my emotional wounds was the wonderful season played by the CSU Rams men’s basketball team under Larry Eustachy (who’s contract was recently extended). But college sports, as exciting as they can be, don’t really move the needle for me. I need to see my professional teams do well.
Aside from the fact that the broadcast team assembled to cover the first preseason game sucked hairy balls, seeing Broncos football appear on the television again was simply awesome. Knowing Peyton Manning would play only one series in the tilt, I wasn’t even too bummed out that the ‘Niners would receive the ball first. It was very discouraging, though, how easily Colin Kaepernick and friends sliced through the Broncos defense. San Francisco’s first team made it look easy. Yes, they settled for a field goal on that opening drive, but they earned yards in bunches. Denver’s defense got no penetration at all, caused Kaepernick no worries and appeared to need a second pass rusher helping out Von Miller. Miller, who may yet get suspended, if not for four games for two, was working his tail off but not getting anywhere near the ‘Niners QB. Elvis Dumervil’s absence was felt.
The Broncos first team offense did not go three-and-out on their first drive, but it wasn’t extremely gratifying, either. We knew that the offensive line would be a mess – and it was. What folks weren’t anticipating was the ineffectiveness of the run game, the stale, predictable play calling and general blandness of the starting offense. The Broncos’ first series didn’t offer much in terms of excitement. But it is what it is. The preseason doesn’t always tell us much. The Broncos eked out a win and that’s just fine, even if their only scoring came on defense – and from a Charger no less.
Here are some random observations:
CJ Anderson displayed more heart than anybody on the field for the Broncos last night. The running back clearly wants to make the team. I would not be a bit surprised to see Lance Ball cut from the 53 man roster. Anderson, even though he seemed to earn a spot, could well end up on the practice squad since he is still eligible and Jacob Hester is not.
Julius Thomas may finally be the man. Cecil Lammey and others have been touting the former basketball player at tight end for a couple years now. He has been a training camp all-star but a regular season bust. It’s beginning to look like his coming out party is just around the corner.
Duke Ihenacho, besides having a kick-ass name, is everywhere. The kid was somehow present on nearly every defensive play. He’s leaving it all out on the field both in camp and in the preseason. The Broncos might have a starter.
Nate Irving looked great against the ‘Niners back ups. He got consistent penetration and has been lauded for it. We didn’t fet to see much of him against SF’s starting offensive line, though.
There’s still no reason to assume the Broncos will need to replace Brock Osweiler when Peyton Manning retires. He is still raw, but he’s talented and he’s HUGE. Brock looks like a man among boys out there – like Big Ben but even bigger. I, for one, am holding out hope that Brock will be the future starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos.
Montee Ball seems to be taking his role for granted. As much heart as CJ Anderson displayed, the far more talented Ball treated the game like a walk-through. He made zero impact. Ronnie Hillman didn’t look much better. More than ever I feel as though the Broncos are going to miss Willis McGahee. They never should have let him walk.
