Broncos Camp - July 27, 2009.
DENVER, Colo. -
Broncos training camp is officially under way. This year, more than any other in recent memory, success in the regular season will be directly predicated on how the team meshes beforehand.
The organization is in a massive shift--not only in personnel, but in eras. Josh McDaniels will install the Amoeba Offense. From week to week, it will shape-shift to best attack each opponents soft defensive underbelly.
Kyle Orton will be counted on to play mistake-free, efficient football. The running back corps will be responsible for alleviating that pressure with a consistent rushing attack.
Defensively, a band of brothers brought together in the off season will have to learn to play with and trust each other implicitly.
And that's just the start. Here are three things I'll be specifically watching for this entire preseason:
3. The Spearhead. While the 3-4 defense is strong at the edges, its potential weakness is between the guards. The triangle formed by the noseguard and two inside linebackers is critical for stopping the opposing offenses attack. We all know D.J. Williams can play, but what of Ronald Fields and Andra Davis? We'll find out.
2. U-N-I-T-Y. Thanks to Queen Latifah for that line, by the way. In the first week Alone, Brandon Marshall has pouted, Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers are still without contracts, and the rookies are still getting yelled at. When the veterans arrive for the first full session on Friday, the team will need to come together on multiple levels and learn McDaniels' system ASAP.
1. The Hogs. Football starts with the offensive line, and this unit is the key to the
Broncos offensive success this season. Can they give Orton the time he needs to
make his reads and deliver the ball effectively? Can they learn a new blocking
scheme?--One that is predicated on man-blocking and pulling over zone blocking.
If the O-Line can accomplish what it needs to, the Broncos will have surprising
success this season.
If we can put a check mark next to each of these items in time for the season opener at Cincinatti, the Broncos will be a 9-win team, minimum. If notÂ…..it's going to be a long season.
The organization is in a massive shift--not only in personnel, but in eras. Josh McDaniels will install the Amoeba Offense. From week to week, it will shape-shift to best attack each opponents soft defensive underbelly.
Kyle Orton will be counted on to play mistake-free, efficient football. The running back corps will be responsible for alleviating that pressure with a consistent rushing attack.
Defensively, a band of brothers brought together in the off season will have to learn to play with and trust each other implicitly.
And that's just the start. Here are three things I'll be specifically watching for this entire preseason:
3. The Spearhead. While the 3-4 defense is strong at the edges, its potential weakness is between the guards. The triangle formed by the noseguard and two inside linebackers is critical for stopping the opposing offenses attack. We all know D.J. Williams can play, but what of Ronald Fields and Andra Davis? We'll find out.
2. U-N-I-T-Y. Thanks to Queen Latifah for that line, by the way. In the first week Alone, Brandon Marshall has pouted, Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers are still without contracts, and the rookies are still getting yelled at. When the veterans arrive for the first full session on Friday, the team will need to come together on multiple levels and learn McDaniels' system ASAP.
1. The Hogs. Football starts with the offensive line, and this unit is the key to the
Broncos offensive success this season. Can they give Orton the time he needs to
make his reads and deliver the ball effectively? Can they learn a new blocking
scheme?--One that is predicated on man-blocking and pulling over zone blocking.
If the O-Line can accomplish what it needs to, the Broncos will have surprising
success this season.
If we can put a check mark next to each of these items in time for the season opener at Cincinatti, the Broncos will be a 9-win team, minimum. If notÂ…..it's going to be a long season.
