11
Sep
2009
Kyle Orton is back–and will start this Sunday
Big bad Kyle Orton will be back in the starting lineup for the Denver Broncos this Sunday against the Bengals.
Per Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Orton, who suffered a gash on his hand September 8th, has practiced with the team all week and is “wearing a glove on his right throwing hand to protect his bandage [and stitches]… Orton is throwing the ball with his usual zip and depth.”
Would there be a better story in 2009 than Orton setting the league on fire?
5
Sep
2009
Broncos rookie QB Tom Brandstater will start Week One
As we hinted at earlier this week, CBS Sports is reporting that injuries to Kyle Orton and Chris Simms have thrust rookie QB Tom Brandstater into the starting role for Denver’s season opener against the Bengals.
Denver Broncos rookie signal caller Tom Brandstater (#3), will hopefully sport a more TV-ready haircut next week in Cincy.
2
Sep
2009
Former Patriot Assistants trip over themselves trying to claim Kevin O’Connell
Kevin O'Connell could reunite with Josh McDaniels in Denver
When the Patriots released back-up QB Kevin O’Connell on Monday, it seemed clear that at least one of Belichick’s former staffers would make a play for the 2008 3rd round choice. With the recent injury to Kyle Orton and presence of his former OC Josh McDaniels, Denver seemed like the most obvious fit for O’Connell.
But according to ProFootballTalk, not one, but FOUR teams have put in a waiver claim for O’Connell: Denver, Cleveland, Detroit and the NY Jets. Both the Jets and Lions need back-ups for their rookie QBs, so those teams make sense too. Cleveland is interesting, though. They already have a QB controversy, so does this mean Eric Mangini simply wants more in-house fodder for trade talks?
Let’s face it, Belichick could release a turd, and most of his disciples would kill themselves trying to scoop it out of the toilet. So is O’Connell a real viable option at QB, or just a sign that these young head coaches are desperate, and would be happy with Belichick’s table scraps?
Interestingly, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t made a claim for O’Connell, which means that the GM who drafted him (Scott Pioli) a year ago isn’t interested. And with an ailing Matt Cassell, that could be a statement in and of itself.
1
Sep
2009
Things get worse in Denver…
With news leaking that Kyle Orton has suffered an “open dislocation” to his finger (meaning, essentially, that the bone split the flesh, requiring an abundance of stiches), will the Broncos be willing to start the season with a backup leading the way? Potentially slated to start: 2009 sixth-round selection Tom Brandstater.
At this stage, we're rooting for McDaniels to get through the 2009 season.
Or, is it time for Josh and the boys to make a move? Assuming that Orton is not the long-term solution in Denver, will the Broncos sit patiently, or pursue a capable signal caller from another team? Perhaps Minnestota’s Sage Rosenfels or Cleveland’s Derek Anderson have been mentioned in the past, but Anderson doesn’t fit well into McDaniels system.
It would be intriguing to watch the rookie head coach start his career with a rookie signal caller. We found this video of Tom B. (Brandstater, not Brady) talking strategy:
30
Aug
2009
Denver-Cutler Love Fest: Photo Essay
Jay Cutler tries to block out the boos of his former fans (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
I have just returned home from Mile High Stadium (I still refuse to call it by its new corporate name), the site of the much-anticipated Bears vs Broncos pre-season match-up, featuring the return of QB Jay Cutler to his old stomping grounds … much to the dismay of the Denver faithful.
It’s clear that the Broncos’ fan base is harboring some bad feelings about the way Cutler ended his career there, but I can’t help but wonder if their anger is slightly misplaced. Sure, Cutler came off as whiny and immature throughout the whole off-season soap opera with Josh McDaniels that led to his departure. But it was the young maverick head coach who has come into town and essentially run out his best players, determined to put his stamp on the franchise.
Regardless, Broncos fans used this game as an opportunity to unleash their furor on Cutler … showering him with boos at every chance, and turning their once-prized #6 jerseys into tools of derision for their new enemy. The game itself actually proved to be a relatively mediocre affair, with Cutler leading the Bears to a victory, and new Broncos’ QB Kyle Orton leaving the game with a cut finger.
But the real highlight of the evening was checking out the creativity of Broncos fans in their abuse of Cutler. Everywhere you looked, people were decked out in their most clever anti-Cutler outfits, channeling their frustration into an arts & crafts extravaganza for the eyes.
After the jump, check out the ReadAndReact photo essay of the Denver-Cutler love fest:
29
Aug
2009
Free love: Cutler’s return to Denver
It’s just a preseason game, but Jay Cutler’s return to Denver tomorrow pits a cranky, irritated fanbase against a punkish, moody quarterback–who used to be their punkish, moody quarterback. For the Bears, it’s a third preseason game–then get out of town. For the Broncos, and their fans, it cuts deeper. Beyond crushing Cutler and ending his season with a mind-blowing concussion, it’s just a game of sticks and stones–the Broncos fans still have to enter 2009 with Kyle Orton at quarterback (doubt many Bears fans are ringing their hands over that reunion).
It seems like a bear would rather spend time in Colorado than Chicago--but that would make too much sense, of course.
Moreover, Denver has bigger fish to fry than Cutler. The “sense of entitlement” void left by Cutler was immediately filled (and then some) by Brandon Marshall, perhaps the most tedious player west of Ochocinco. Josh McDaniels, who has been bathed in drama since taking the job, took a stand in suspending the flagrantly lazy, diva-like Marshall–and it may have earned back his respect with the team.
If something doesn’t feel right in Denver–beyond the exodus of star power–it may be the fact that the team’s schedule includes the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, and the NFC East. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, however, is not dismayed, at least openly. He told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis, “I’m really optimistic about — not so much we’re going to win 12 games or anything like that — but optimistic that we’re going to be a good football team,” Bowlen said. “I like what I see. I’m really happy with my staff and the coaches. I’ve got to know most of them pretty well. I’ve watched how they interact — it’s a good buzz going around this upstairs floor.”
We wonder if the state’s rich supply of Coors could have something to do with that.
2
Apr
2009
Report: Cutler to Bears
Jay Cutler mopes his way into Chicago's heart
ESPN.com is reporting that the Broncos and Bears have agreed on a deal for Jay Cutler.
The Bears apparently gave up Kyle Orton and TWO 1st round draft pics (’09 & ’10) and a 3rd (’09) to get Cutler.
This is a shocking development on a day where rumors were swirling wildly about where Cutler might end up (including reports that a deal with the Redskins was imminent), but very few predicted he’d end up in Chicago.
UPDATE: Fox Sports is now reporting that the Bears have also just signed OT Orlando Pace to protect their new QB. It sure has been a busy day in Chicago!
The sexiness of this trade is undeniable
Dan Snyder must be throwing a tantrum right now.
