NFL: Preseason Team by Team Observations – Broncos

Broncos

(2nd Preseason Game verse the Detroit Lions)

QB – Kyle Orton played really good, and overall has had a solid preseason. Orton went 16-22 with 177 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. His interception was his only blemish of the day. Orton will be the starter no doubt and it seems by a long shot. This solid preseason he is having has given Broncos fans something to look for. Even with no Brandon Marshall out there Orton has found a replacement in Jabar Gaffney.

QB – Brady Quinn didn’t raise eyebrows with his performance. Quinn a once highly touted quarterback, now a possible 3rd stringer for the Denver Broncos. Quinn just couldn’t get anything going really and blew scoring opportunities. Quinn went 11-17 with 115 passing yards. Quinn was also sacked 3 times, and fumbled once.

RB- Bruce Hall had a strong game for only limited carries. Hall had 5 carries for 43 yards. Hall is in a tough spot to make the team, the Broncos are carrying 7 running backs including Knowshon Moreno, LenDale White, Correll Buckhalter, and Justin Fargas.

Wide Receivers Jabar Gaffney, Eric Decker, and Matt Willis all stood out. Gaffney looked like Orton’s favorite target as he hauled in 6 catches for 98 yards. Gaffney if not already should be a lock as the number 1 receiver in Denver. Decker the 3rd round pick out of Minnesota looked strong out there with 5 catches for 66 yards. Willis had 3 catches for 32 yards. Willis has put together a solid preseason with one blemish which being the dropped touchdown pass from Tim Tebow.

Tight End Marquez Branson an undrafted rookie out of Central Arkansas followed up a strong first game with another strong game. Branson had 3 catches for 20 yards, and 1 touchdown. Another strong game from Branson and i’d say he is a lock to make it as the 2nd stringer tight end.

DL- Le Kevin Smith was the only bright spot on the Defensive Line. Smith had 4 tackles and 1 assisted tackle. Smith seems a lock to be a backup on the Defensive line.

Linebackers Jarvis Moss, Akin Ayodele, Joe Mays, Wesley Woodward, Johnny Williams, and Mario Haggan had good games. Moss had 1 tackle, 1 sack for 9 yards, and 1 forced fumble. Ayodele led the team with 5 tackles, and 1 assisted tackle. Mays had 3 tackles, and 2 assisted tackles. Woodward, Williams, and Haggan all had 4 tackles. The Defense was strong at stopping the Lions in the redzone but needs to work on not letting them there. The Denver Broncos strong suit seems to be the depth at linebackers.

DB- Alphonso Smith had a really bad game that hurt his chances to play alongside Champ Bailey. Smith missed tackles, got burnt by a QB, and had a stupid penalty. Smith could be on the bubble after this game.

DB – Andre Goodman played well and had 5 tackles. Goodman with Smith’s terrible game seems a lock to be the number 2 corner playing alongside Champ Bailey.

Special Teamers Perrish Cox, and Syd’Quan Thompson might have locked up rosters spots. Cox to be a punt return expert with a nice 65 yard return. Cox was a star returner at Oklahoma State, so the Broncos are hoping this will carry over to them. So far so good. Thompson had a solid tackle on special teams and ended up with 2 tackles. Thompson also looked pretty good on his 1 punt return of 17 yards.