The Monday Mommy: The Broncos aren’t who we thought they were, in a good way.
“Bronco fans crossed their fingers and hoped that the preseason Broncos were nothing like the real thing and that the leaders of this team would take control and get it all worked out by the regular season.”
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There was certainly no shortage of hype surrounding the Denver Broncos coming into the 2013 season.
They were picked to win the Super Bowl before training camp even started by several members of the national media. Procuring Wes Welker during free agency escalated the Bronco buzz to an eleven based on the amount of offensive weapons now at Peyton Manning’s disposal.
The thought of a loaded Manning run offense combined with a stellar defense led by Von Miller had the media and Bronco fans foaming at the mouth and creating folders on their computers containing their pertinent Super Bowl travel arrangements.
Then preseason started. We learned of the shocking news that Von Miller was facing a possible suspension and were still unclear what the extent of it would be and just how much time if any he would be missing from the field.
The Broncos basically brushed it under the rug as far as preparation was concerned and Miller continued to practice with the ones, even playing with the starters through the preseason. Once it was announced that Miller would indeed miss six entire games for his previous transgressions involving the NFL drug program, there was a bit of panic amongst the fans.
Would Denver’s defense be able to hang with other offenses without their best pass rusher? Is the road to the Super Bowl over before it even begins? Those questions became less clear during the actual preseason games.
On both sides of the ball, the Broncos did not play to their potential and there were still question marks all over the field. What was going to happen at running back and did John Elway waste draft picks two years in a row on the position with Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball? Neither of them appeared ready for the starting role and had acquired a decent case of fumbleitis over the offseason.
Bronco fans crossed their fingers and hoped that the preseason Broncos were nothing like the real thing and that the leaders of this team would take control and get it all worked out by the regular season.
Lucky for all of Broncos Country, that has appeared to have happened but not in the way in which we thought it would go down. Through two games, aside from Peyton Manning, this team has been led by a string of somewhat unlikely heroes.
Manning has been amazing, no shock there. After only two weeks, he has thrown for 769 yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions. That makes him on track for 10 million touchdowns and 12.5 billion yards after the sun has set on the 2013 season.
His leading targets however, have been a slight surprise. Locally, we knew that tight end Julius Thomas was having a great camp; however we didn’t realize just how key he would be to this offense. Thomas is currently the second leading receiver behind Demaryius Thomas with three touchdowns and 157 yards.
Free agent darling Wes Welker is fourth amongst Bronco receivers and has experienced his share of drops so far including a fumble. I’m not saying that Welker has been a disappointment by any means; however he has been outplayed so far by Thomas.
The Denver murky backfield seems to have gotten a bit clearer as well, following Sunday’s 41-23 win over the Giants. Through the preseason, most thought that either Ronnie Hillman or Montee Ball would get the bulk of the carries and the job done this season on the ground.
Knowshon Moreno, the Rodney Dangerfield of the Broncos running back stable, proved once again like he did at the end of last season, that he can do it all in the backfield. Moreno was in beast-mode against the Giants, not only running like a man possessed but blocking like one as well. He has the only two rushing touchdowns so far this season and is playing like a guy who is ready to finally get the “bust” monkey off his back.
The offensive line is playing much better than anticipated as well, with Manny Ramirez doing a solid job at center in place of Dan Koppen who was sidelined for the entire season due to a knee injury in July.
Defensively, there was concern about the level of play without suspended superstar Von Miller and the injured Champ Bailey. Did the Broncos have the kind of depth needed to get through these games without their defensive studs?
Once again, the leader board on defensive stats looks a little different than we would have thought heading into this season. Strong safety Duke Ihenacho is having a solid start to the season leading the defense with 16 solo tackles and four passes defended. While Wesley Woodyard is not an unknown hero, he has elevated his game to another level so far with nine solo tackles and a half a sack.
Last year’s final-round draft pick Danny Trevathan is having a hell of a season at linebacker for the Broncos as well. Aside from his goal-line blunder against the Ravens, Trevathan has been all over the field with 12 solo tackles, a sack and an interception. This defense is currently not feeling any affects whatsoever from missing Von Miller, which comes as a surprise to most.
The secondary is also thriving without perennial pro bowler Champ Bailey. There have been six interceptions in just two games for this Bronco defense. Once again, unsung guys like Chris Harris and Tony Carter are stepping in and making key plays for this Denver team.
While neither of the games so far have had any real point when Denver appeared to be in danger of losing, it is still great to know that this team is chocked with talent. Whether it is injuries, suspensions or anything else that can be thrown their way, the Super Bowl or bust mentality of the front office has apparently tricked its way down to the team.
This Bronco team is confident in its abilities regardless of place on the team. Whether labeled as the number one guy or the 53rd man on the roster, these athletes are ready to get in there and get the job done.
With a team mentality like that and the play thus far to back it up, Bronco fans, I give you permission to optimistically continue shopping for those online deals to New York in February.
Just be sure to bring me a t-shirt, and maybe a foam finger.
