DENVER, Colo. -
The Denver Broncos company line in preparation for their third preseason game will probably read something like this:
"We are continuously working to improve ourselves and get ready for the season opener against Cincinnati. The Bears are a great club that will give us a stiff test in how close we are to where we want to be. It'll be a great game."
Translation for the fans:
It's Cutler week.
This could be in the top-10 of all-time most anticipated preseason games. Just pairing the words "preseason" and "anticipation" are enough to let anyone and everyone know how much this game means for everyone involved.
Cutler wants to torch the Broncos defense. McDaniels wants to do the same to the Bears. It's going to be incredibly entertaining.
Of course, beyond Cutler and McDaniels is the fact that the Broncos STILL have a lot to work on, both offensively and defensively. Here now, some items I'll be watching intently Sunday night.
The Broncos Defense: They were aggressive against the 49ers, and more conservative against the Seahawks. Their pass rush has produced sacks, but not a lot of consistent, pocket-collapsing pressure. This is a problem that needs solving.
Also worthy of note: For the first time in the preseason, the Broncos defense will be facing a quarterback who has the ability to absolutely shred a defense. With all due respect to my BC classmate Matt Hasselbeck, he's more of a surgeon who calmly, surgically deconstructs a defense. Cutler is a swashbuckler with a rapier who can disembowel with one crank of the arm.
Turnovers: The Broncos are 0-6 in the takeaway/giveaway game. If this trend continues into the regular season, it's a recipe for disaster. Turnovers are the red death of football, and like the plague: they seem to spread and infect everyone on the club. The Broncos MUST stop giving it away, and MUST start taking it away.
Orton: How will he play against his former team? Will he subconsciously try to outperform Cutler? Can he go a game without throwing a pick? Orton showed improvement from the 49ers to the Seahawks. Let's see if he can keep it up against the Bears.
Will I be watching for Jay? Of course, but he doesn't play for the Broncos anymore, so my concern isn't primarily with how he does. After all, the Broncos are "continuously working to improve and get ready for the season opener against Cincinnati. The Bears are a great club that will give [them] a stiff test in how close [they] are to where [they] want to be. It'll be a great game."
"We are continuously working to improve ourselves and get ready for the season opener against Cincinnati. The Bears are a great club that will give us a stiff test in how close we are to where we want to be. It'll be a great game."
Translation for the fans:
It's Cutler week.
This could be in the top-10 of all-time most anticipated preseason games. Just pairing the words "preseason" and "anticipation" are enough to let anyone and everyone know how much this game means for everyone involved.
Cutler wants to torch the Broncos defense. McDaniels wants to do the same to the Bears. It's going to be incredibly entertaining.
Of course, beyond Cutler and McDaniels is the fact that the Broncos STILL have a lot to work on, both offensively and defensively. Here now, some items I'll be watching intently Sunday night.
The Broncos Defense: They were aggressive against the 49ers, and more conservative against the Seahawks. Their pass rush has produced sacks, but not a lot of consistent, pocket-collapsing pressure. This is a problem that needs solving.
Also worthy of note: For the first time in the preseason, the Broncos defense will be facing a quarterback who has the ability to absolutely shred a defense. With all due respect to my BC classmate Matt Hasselbeck, he's more of a surgeon who calmly, surgically deconstructs a defense. Cutler is a swashbuckler with a rapier who can disembowel with one crank of the arm.
Turnovers: The Broncos are 0-6 in the takeaway/giveaway game. If this trend continues into the regular season, it's a recipe for disaster. Turnovers are the red death of football, and like the plague: they seem to spread and infect everyone on the club. The Broncos MUST stop giving it away, and MUST start taking it away.
Orton: How will he play against his former team? Will he subconsciously try to outperform Cutler? Can he go a game without throwing a pick? Orton showed improvement from the 49ers to the Seahawks. Let's see if he can keep it up against the Bears.
Will I be watching for Jay? Of course, but he doesn't play for the Broncos anymore, so my concern isn't primarily with how he does. After all, the Broncos are "continuously working to improve and get ready for the season opener against Cincinnati. The Bears are a great club that will give [them] a stiff test in how close [they] are to where [they] want to be. It'll be a great game."
