Broncos @ Niners - A Few Good Questions With...John Bena from MileHighReport.com
Hello Niners fans, Guru here from Mile High Report welcoming you to the start of the 2009 Pre-Season and Broncos/Niners week.
It has been a long off-season for both teams, and if you are like me you are extremely excited that football is back! There are plenty of questions surrounding both teams and at last we can start answering some where it matters most, on the field.While it is just Week 1 of the Pre-season, I thought this would be good practice for how I am going to handle cross-blogging during the season.
Got a Broncos question? Fire away! I'll check back in regularly to get those questions answered! I'd appreciate a REC so that the post can stay at the top for the week!
Good luck on Friday, and more importantly than a win or loss, let's get through the game healthy!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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No more Fantasy hell?
At least everyone will hopefully know who will be the RB for Denver once we get into the pre-season a little bit! Shanny use to drive me crazy with how quick he rotated the RBs each week! Hopefully that won’t happen anymore.
ANSWER
There are two schools of thought on this. First, some people think McDaniels will use all the RB’s, similar to how the backs were used in New England. The other, of course, is that one back will become the primary.
I fall into the latter. The Broncos didn’t draft Knowshon Moreno at #12 to have him split carries. Once he gets the hang of the offense, and more importantly, pass pro., he’ll be in there. I believe the Pats wanted Maroney to be that guy too, but it never happened.
That said, Peyton Hillis is too versatile a weapon not to get the ball, as are LaMont Jordan/Correll Buckhalter. I just don’t see all of them making the team, so someone is going to be the odd-man out, unless there is an injury.
-TSG
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I don’t think you pay KnoMo that kind of money if he’s not going to see some serious playing time. I think Moreno will be the primary back with Hillis as the second back and FB.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
How do you fans think of Nolan ?
Do you think your D will get better ?
ANSWER
I was pleasantly surprised when I watched him up close at camp. They guy is always teaching and he is extremely enthusiastic in his coaching. Some guys just aren’t cracked up to be Head Coaches, but from a DC standpoint he has had success everywhere. We’re hoping it continues – It can’t get any worse than last year….
-TSG
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bwhahahahah...
good luck with that.
and up rode a camargue horse named Victory, upon the magnificent beast sat a triumphant rider, that rider's name: Noodle Arm.
I think that Broncos fans are excited that Nolan is back in Denver. I think the general consensus is that the defense and scheme can’t be worse than it was last year. I think Nolan may be one of the guys that doesn’t make a great HC but is a very good DC. Sounds like he’ll be running a similar defense as in SF, sort of a hybrid 3-4. Although I’ve been to several TC practices and it looks like it’s mostly just 3-4. I think I’ve seen some comments on this site that he didn’t blitz much in SF. Every indication is that he’s planning on blitzing frequently in Denver.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you excited about Tom Brandstater?
Also, how is he developing in your eyes? When will he be ready, what are his pros and cons, etc. etc.
ANSWER
When I watched him at camp I saw exactly what I expected – a young guy that is extremely raw. He does have tremendous size and appears to be able to make all the throws. From what I saw, however, he is a project at this point and is probably a couple years away from being stable enough to make a run at a 53-man roster. He’s likely headed to the Practice Squad.
-TSG
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do u guys..
think you’ll be the worst team in the league this year?? i do, it looks bad in every direction. and nolan will only make that worse on the d, u guys might let up the most points in history
Stop embarassing us all.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
that's unnecessary
Let’s stop this line of the thread now. Do not even reply to this acknowledging the comment. Just move on.
by David Fucillo on Aug 10, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions
HA...
Definitely…Sometimes I wonder why the Broncos are even fielding a team this year…A complete embarrassment!
-TSG
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When you purge the roster (sorta of a purge) and you change both offense and defensive philosophies it suggests a rebuilding year.
From our own experience the transition to the 3-4 defense is a long one. In fact, 4 years later 49er fans still complain we don’t have the right personnel to run the defense effectively.
Worst team in the league?
No way. I think there will be at least two worse teams in our division (KC and OAK).
I think the offense is going to be pretty potent. I think we our O-line, WRs, RBs, and TEs are all among the best in league. This is really a huge opportunity for Orton and I think he’ll make the best of it. There is plenty of reason to believe that Orton will be very effective in this offense. He’s been handed the keys to the Ferrari…now he needs to show he can handle it. The Broncos have so many playmakers on offense that Orton just needs to get them the ball and let them do their thing.
The defense is still the question. I don’t think any Broncos fans thinks we’re going to have an elite defense. However, if we can somehow manage to be middle of the pack and force some turnovers then the Broncos might surprise some folks this year.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I have to agree with this
KC IS rebuilding and Scott Pioli has acknowledged that they are at least 2 years worth of drafts from being a viable entity in the playoffs, and the Raiders continue to show disparity as long as Al Davis continues to breathe. The Lions will field an improved team this year but I hardly expect more than 3 wins out of them. So No, I do not think the Broncos will be the worst team in the league. To me the 2 biggest questions reside with the Defensive line and the WR’s ability to get open. Kyle Orton has showed that he can make all the throws necessary to compete in the NFL, although in my opinion, having watched him in Camp, his long ball has a little too much loft. He has a history of being a good decision-maker, so if the Receivers can get open, he will get them the ball. The WR’s that we have are strongly suited to the short to medium passing range that play right into Orton’s strengths.
The D Line has looked OK to me in Camp, but to be objective, I would have to see how they will fare against our opponents this year. What are your assessments on Ronald Fields?
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
by KaptainKirk on Aug 12, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Fields is serviceable.
He started for us some in 2006 but will never come close to top NT in the league.
Fields
I’m pretty sure Nolan has said multiple times in the past that he feels Fields is better at 3-4 DE (I think RE, specifically). The guy just doesn’t have the leverage to play the 2-gap nose. If the Broncos play a single-gap NT, then Fields may be okay.
Worste team in the league? Seriously?
If you choose not to do your research, that is fine, but if you go that route please don’t form your opinion by listening to others who are in your same boat in that regard (the MSM).
Let me help you out where the MSM has failed:
The biggest reason the Broncos were 8-8 last year was our 29th ranked D. Well, that D has been completely over hauled with much more talented players. Not to mention the biggist reason our D sucked last year is gone; Bob Slowik. As much as you guys may dislike Nolan the HC, Nolan the DC’s track record speaks for itself. Nolan is a huge upgrade over Slowik.
Let’s get into the upgrades on D real quick. Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill are major upgrades over Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree. The biggets weakness on D last year (besides Slowik) was the safety play. Even an aging Dawkins & Hill are way better than what we fielded last year. The rookies Bruton & McBath should learn a lot from Dawkins.
Andre Goodman, IMO, is an upgarde over Bly. I am not a Bly basher and I supported him throughout his campaign with us. I agree with others who say he was killed by Slowik when he made Bly line up 10 yards off of his receivers all year long. However, Goodman’s game tape from last year is impressive. The Dolphins did not want to lose him this offseason. We also have a very promising rookie playmaker in A Smith. He should win the job as Nickleback at some point this year which is an upgrade over Josh Bell from last year.
This secondary is scary good. Champ, Dawkins, Hill, Goodman, and Smith >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Champ, McCree, Manual, Bly, and Bell.
Another HUGE upgrade on D from last year was bringing in Andre Davis to replace Nate Webster at MLB. Davis is a proven run stopper who has played LILB in a 3-4 before. DJ Williams is also moving back to RILB, his natural LB position. The OLB’s are unproven but undenialbly talented. They are unproven b/c they are either moving to OLB from DE (Dumerville, D Reid aquired from the Colts, Crowder, & Moss) or a rookie (Ayers). This group is a question mark but
People can use statistics to prove anything, 87% of all people know that.
Posted too early, sorry
This group is a question mark but not because of talent just lack of experience at this position.
The D Line is the weakness of this squad but it was still addressed in the off season. Much needed beef was added with FA additions such as R Fields (315 lbs), J Parker (325 lbs), C Baker (329 lbs) & we still have Marcus Thomas (305 lbs). Compare this to players like John Engelberger (260 lbs), Dewayne Robertson (317 lbs on wrecked knees), J Moss (257 lbs), & T Crowder (260 lbs). If they are a significant upgrade over last years version is yet to be seen but they definately are bigger, which should lend itself to run support & the ability to tie up O Linemen.
The offense is still dangerous as well. A step back at QB but a step up at RB (Knowshon ). We still have one of the best lines in the league. A slew of dangerous WR’s and TE’s. And a deep backfield with Moreno, Hillis, Buckhalter, & Jordan. If you truely think an 8-8 team last year which has a great offense and an improved defense is somehow going to be THE WORST team in the NFL, then I need to be betting football games with you all season long.
People can use statistics to prove anything, 87% of all people know that.
ANSWER
It was largely divided early on to be sure. Even now there are people that clamor for Cutler and Shanny to come back. I’ll say this, however – the more time goes by, and the more Cutler bashes the organization and the fans the more people are seeing what kind of a guy he is.
Personnally, he’s a Bear, and the fact that Chicago is in the NFC, and their success/failure has little to do with Denver’s makes Cutler a non-factor but some Broncos fans will always compare.
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
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Let’s just say that if Cutler isn’t Denver’s public enemy number one then I’m not sure who is.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
What's the biggest difference in camp your've noticed between McDaniels and Shanahan?
Besides their vastly different views on Cutler.
ANSWER
I compared it this way – Shanny ran TC practices that were more of a show for the fans and media. Alot of 11X11, very little hitting, done in 75 minutes, go sign some autographs.
McDaniels runs his practices like a High School Camp. A lot of individual and positional work, lots of work in pads, 3 hour practices, alot of hitting, tons of competition. It has been refreshing to be sure.
-TSG
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Similarly, Shanahan’s camp was often likened to a country club. To say there was ‘very little hitting’ is an understatement. Shanahan seemed like he was always afraid of injury and, ironically, the Broncos always seemed to have lots of injuries.
HCMcD is full pads and full contact twice a day every day (with an occasional break).
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
There is a lot of actual coaching
and a particular attention to detail that I find very refreshing.
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
by KaptainKirk on Aug 12, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
I guess you guys don’t like Nolan too much?? :)
-TSG
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Nope
I personally think he ruin the Niners.
by LASVEGASNINER on Aug 10, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow.
And the end of Eddie D’s run and the Donahue era had NOTHING to do with Nolan’s struggles?
Slight correction
Lets ignore the “end of Eddie D’s run” part. Donahue’s screw-ups took the 49ers more than half of Nolan’s tenure to fix.
Ther wasnt much left to ruin...
…by the time Nolan got there. 2-14 team with Kevan Barlow as its offensive centerpiece and a defense that was as fast as it was injured. I respect Nolan for what he was, and he left the team in better shape than he got it, but he also just wasn’t the right guy to lead. I think we have that guy now in Singletary.
Nolan blitzed Rogers last pre-season....
We have our reasons to think why about that.
Well, we're waiting....
how cold does the temperature in hell have to be for the broncos to win this game?
"There is no pressure. Pressure only exists when you're not prepared."
-The Samurai
It gets pretty cold in San Francisco in August, right?
-TSG
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you know this is
a preseason game, right? it might as well be decided by a coin flip.
I take full responsibility for my irresponsibility.
How do you feel about giving the Seahawks a likely top 5 draft pick?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
ANSWER
The Broncos have never had one, ever. I doubt that changes this season.
-TSG
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Mike Nolan - the DC
I think the most interesting factor in this game is Mike Nolan the Defensive Co-Ordinator (even though it’s preseason). Us 49ers fans had Mike Nolan the Defensive Co-Ordinating Head Coach. This year, we finally get to see Manusky’s actual defensive scheme (or so I hope). As for Nolan, I think the same can be said as well. It will be interesting to see the Mike Nolan DC call a game, without having to worry about his status as HC. It seemed with Nolan, his focus was always never on one thing, but many, in Denver he just has that one thing.
How does Nolan’s Defense look so far in training camp?
by Andrew Davidson on Aug 10, 2009 2:23 PM PDT reply actions
ANSWER
It is still a work in progress, certainly, but the team did a good job of bringing in a solid Defensive backfield with Brian Dawkins, Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman. They then drafted underneath those guys with David Bruton, Darcel McBath and Alphonso Smith. The thing about D-Linemen, they don’t play special teams and the learning curve is a long one. Drafting one early in the 1st Round and spending all that money for little production is a bit counter productive. By adding speed and youth, along with experience, to the DBs and LBs, the Broncos are solidifying from the back. Time will tell if it works this season, but it was the only way to go.
-TSG
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Darcel McBath
long live the Red Raiders baby.
by Andrew Davidson on Aug 10, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
What are you most looking forward to in this game?
The big story lines here will be,
Smith returns to Nolan (Smith vs. Hill by default)
Bly returns to Denver?
Something else?
ANSWER
To me, the Pre-Season is more about internal storylines as opposed to team V. team stories. Sure, Nolan is a hot button for fans of the Niners, but the fact that he is a DC in Denver and not the head man takes much of the luster off of that angle.
For me, I am excited to get my first look at the Broncos new offense. I want to see the progression of the quarterbacks in the system. I want to see what the D-Line can do, if anything, and see where the team stands this early in the Pre-Season.
Above all else, it is going to be great to see the Broncos and Niners back on the field, hitting someone other than themselves. Let’s hope both teams come out of it healthy and injury free…
-TSG
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D-Line Test
You want to see your D-line tested and we’re looking for good things out of our O-line and the run game. Should be an interesting evening :)
What am I looking forward to?
1. Seeing Knowshon Moreno in action.
2. Checking out the new offense and defense (granted they’ll be seriously watered down versions).
3. Seeing what the new QBs can do.
4. Can our defense get a pass rush?
5. Can our defense stop the run?
6. Can our defense force some turnovers?
7. How do the converted DEs look at OLB (especially in pass coverage)? Particularly Crowder and Dumervil.
8. Interested in the play of all of our rookies, but particularly Ayers (OLB), Moreno (RB), Smith (CB), Quinn (TE), McKinley (WR), and Brandstater (QB).
What will you guys be watching for?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Some of the same items for me :)
1) Can the new offense put up some points, and hold onto the ball, minimize turnovers and 3 and outs.
2) After half a season of Manusky calling, will the D continue to improve
3) Do we have a pass rush?
4) Can we get the tough yards, is 3rd and 1 a gimmie?
5) Can we get some int’s out of the secondary
6) Can our prior 1st rd picks step it up? (Lawson, Davis, Balmer)
7) It RT fixed or is this going to be an issue.
8) Will either QB leap ahead of the other?
Broncos offense
Hi John, what is your take on the Broncos offense and the installation of McDaniels system? I’ve read how Brandon Stokely will be in the Wes Welker role…are you seeing the players ‘getting it’ in camp so far regarding their performance? Assuming Marshall and Orton can develop some chemistry I would think the offense has more potential than many might think.
Hey man
My take on that is that Stokely will be half as good as Welker. Welker is what he is because of a void at WR besides Moss. We have Eddie Royal, Brandon Marshall, Stokely, and Jabar Gaffney…with two pretty solid TE’s and two RB’s with great hands(Knowshon Moreno & Peyton Hillis). I wouldn’t worry too much about the Broncos offense. I’d worry more about the patchwork defense we’ve got. The talent is decidedly better than last year, but with like only two starters returning to start for us, the chemistry may take half a season to fully begin to gel. I am not convinced we’ll make the playoffs, but I am convinced we will finish the season very strong. Which is also why I have the 49ers beating us 17-13 this Friday…meaningless game, but we have soooo many new faces. It all depends on how quickly McDaniels brings this group together I suppose.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
ANSWER
The process has been slow to say the least, especially for the quarterbacks. While both say they love the offense, they have admitted it is tough to learn. That said, once they all get on the same page it is hard to argue with the results. What the Broncos do have on offense is depth all over the field. Stokley has been running as the 4th WR in Camp, but the dude is too good to not find a way to get on the field.
It is hard to gauge a team when they are playing themselves to be sure. I think we’ll learn alot about where the offense is on Firday.
-TSG
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Coaches
What is the general feeling regarding the coaching change there? Is it felt as a needed change or a gut reaction to the late season problems the Broncos had? If its the latter, than what does McDaniels have to do to show that the move made was the correct one? Is most of the fan base still think Shanahan should be there or have they moved on? I may be wrong, but I think the situation we had several years ago with George Seifert being resigned early (in my opinion) and then Mariucci being brought it in is not entirely dissimilar, and Im interested on the Broncos fans take on it.
I think that Denver’s fans are split right down the middle on whether Shanahan should have been fired. Of those that think he should of been fired, about half of those are happy with McDaniels as the new HC. There are also many people who despise McDaniels for his handling of Cutler and are prediction doom and gloom. My take is that I wish Shanahan was still our HC because I think he was only a few key defensive pieces away from the Broncos being a legitimate contender. However, I support McDaniels and like many of the changes that he’s made. I haven’t liked everything he’s done, but he definitely seems to have a plan and sticks to it. Obviously if McD wants to “show that the move made was the correct one” then he needs to win football games. He’s not going to get a ‘honeymoon’ period in Denver. I have never seen Denver fans so disgruntled and divided.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Aug 11, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
ANSWER
I was on the Chris Townsend show the other night and he asked me the same thing. Whether people thought it was the right move or not really doesn’t matter because Shanahan, in a lot of ways, had become bigger than the organization. He was a huge weight that needed to be removed. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It just isn’t a good thing when the face of the franchise is the Head Coach.
There are few, if any, coaches in the NFL that are better than Shanny at pure Xs and Os. I think he struggles in a few other areas, mainly his intense loyalty to friends and certain players. I think the complete control he had(no checks and balances), coupled with his personnel mistakes, lead to a situation where the Broncos had no other choice.
The fact the Shanny is touring Training Camps this year(he’s gone to Pittsburgh and New England so far) tells me he had lost a bit as well and is observing the best of the best so he can come back better than ever.
-TSG
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Fooch,
I am not sure if you’ll go back to MHR to get this message. Joe Montana wasn’t a pansy. He was a Hall of Fame QB, so I apologize for harping on him/you. Truth be told, I am jealous that Montana had the team he had.
Though I shouldn’t be, since Elway ended up having a similar team in the late 90’s around him. ;-)
**I hate having a conscience.
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
A few thoughts on Dre Bly.
Bly is the type of CB that would cause you to curse his name on one play and then retract it all on the next play. I don’t think the Broncos set him up for success over the past couple of seasons and he often took the blame for it. When you have Champ Bailey covering the other side of the field then there are going to be a lot of balls thrown your way. Unfortunately, the Broncos have lacked a pass rush and Bly was often required to cover WRs for longer than can be fairly expected. Furthermore, the Broncos struggles in run defense meant that Bly was often left without safety help. Bottom line is that I think you have a talented, although aging, CB who can be quite adequate when utilized correctly. He will take some chances and get beat occasionally; however, he’ll also make some big plays.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
This description of Bly has me nervous
Sounds a lot like Nate Clements, and the parts about the Broncos defense (lacking a pass rush, covering WR’s too long, no Safety help) sound all too familiar. Hopefully we are able to generate at least a little pass rush this year, otherwise we will get beat deep bad again like happened often last year.
by Pearlsofwisdom on Aug 11, 2009 10:22 PM PDT reply actions
Bly
The thing about Dre Bly, and I never really was a fan, is the Broncos completely mis-used him. Bly’s aggressiveness is his strength. He needs to play close to the line of scrimmage in order to get his hands on WRs as they go into their routes. Too often the Broncos had Bly 7-10 yards away from the LOS. That really hampered his ability to do what he does best. Instead of reading and reacting, Bly was forced a hang back and break on the ball/receiver when the ball was already in the air.
It’s hard to say what the Niners are getting, but the Broncos really didn’t let Bly do what he’s done well during his career.
-TSG
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To add to John's comment
Dre Bly was all too often relied on to help cover the safeties position too last year. For good reason, our safeties last year flat out sucked. It’s hard to do one job out there, but when you constantly have to look down to your safeties to make sure they are getting their coverage right will hamper your ability to cover your guy/zone.
Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

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