Mid-season grades for the 2009 Broncos

November 12, 11:45 PMDenver Broncos ExaminerGreg Henry

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Denver Broncos Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Brandon Marshall has 44 catches at the midway point in 2008. Below right: Safety Brian Dawkins; below left: Kicker Matt Prater; bottom right: Coach Josh McDaniels.
(AP Photo)

Now's a good time as any to give out grades through eight games (or midway through the 16-game NFL season).

Here's a position-by-position grade and my take on each position:

OFFENSE
Quarterback: B. After two consecutive losses, the safe way is to pile on Kyle Orton. While Orton has been far from perfect through eight games, he has been efficient. Orton has 1,838 yards at the midway point with a 63.2 completion percentage (170 of 269). His 88.2 quarterback rating is higher than the Bears' (and former Broncos QB) Jay Cutler (83.8). At this rate, Orton will throw for more than 3,500 yards. He has nine TD passes and four interceptions -- three in his last game.

Running back: C+. I liked the two-pronged attack of Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno. But neither back has run the ball well in the past two losses. Buckhalter has been slowed by an ankle sprain and perhaps still is having trouble with it. Moreno is a rookie and at times plays like it, especially with his handling of the ball. Moreno is the NFL's top rookie rusher, but we need to see more of his breakaway threat capabilities.

Wide receivers: B+. This position is the Broncos' strength on offense. Brandon Marshall has 44 catches and still has a chance for another 100-reception season. Eddie Royal won't get close to his 91 catches in his rookie year in 2008, but he's an obvious favorite target for Orton. Tight end Tony Scheffler has been a disappointment and that could be Orton's fault in not finding him or Josh McDaniels not utilizing him more. Jabar Gaffney has become a reliable go-to receiver, Brandon Stokley has been a ghost since his miraculous game-winning catch and run in the season opener at Cincinnati.

Linemen: C-. It's hard to tell if Ryan Harris' injury in the Baltimore game has been the reason for the running game's downfall. Or is there more to it? A year ago, the Broncos allowed just 12 sacks, an NFL low and a franchise record. But with the same five interior linemen returning, the Broncos have allowed 13 sacks in just eight games. Part of that could be ineffective line play and Orton's inability to escape the rush like Cutler did a year ago. Ryan Clady's streak of 20 consecutive games without a sack has ended, but the Broncos left tackle is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Center Casey Wiegmann is not playing like the Pro Bowler he was last year. Ben Hamilton may be the escape goat for the whole line by losing his left guard spot to Russ Hochstein this week.

DEFENSE
Linemen: B+. The line has not been flashy, but they certainly have been effective. Ronald Fields has been a bulldog at nose tackle. Kenny Peterson has made play after play and the line didn't allow a 100-yard rusher until Monday night's loss to Pittsburgh.

Linebackers: A-. Elvis Dumervil is tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 10.5. He may be overmatched against huge left tackles, like Pittsburgh's Max Starks (6-foot-8, 345 pounds), but his speed presents problems for many offensive linemen. D.J. Williams and Andra Davis have been a solid 1-2 punch on the inside and both have boosted Denver's blitz package. Darrell Reid, Mario Haggan, Wesley Woodyard and rookie Robert Ayers also have added pressure and run-stopping.

Secondary: B. The Broncos' defensive backs are older and wiser. Sure, Champ Bailey has shown he can be beaten, but often times when tested he remains one of the NFL's best corners. Andre Goodman has been an excellent trade-off for Dre Bly from a year ago. He has quick reaction to the ball and great instincts. At 36, Brian Dawkins does not show signs of slowing. He's smart, heady and a great leader. Dawkins has added an leadership that has helped the defense become the Broncos' strength.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker: B. Matt Prater has made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts. He made the game winner in overtime over New England, but hasn't been tested much. Prater is ranked second in the NFL on kickoff length 69.3), but what does that really mean. He's also had one kickoff returned for a TD (Darren Sproles of San Diego). He needs to be better on the road.

Punter: D. Brett Kern had a better average but was a poor positional punter. Plus, his hang time was mediocre. Veteran Mitch Berger's age is starting to show with his average. Berger's hang time is better than Kern's, but his net average is about the same. Too early to judge Berger but overall the punting game has killed Denver in the field-position game.

Returners: B-. Eddie Royal's two returns for touchdowns in the San Diego game raises the grade here. He ranks 41st in kickoff returns (23.7 average) and has just one return over 40 yards. On punts, Royal is 10th, averaging 11.6 per return.

Kickoff, punt teams: D+. Denver ranks 23rd on kickoff coverage, allowing 21.2 yards a kick. The Broncos have forced two kick return fumbles, though. Denver ranks 11th in punting average but 30th in net average (34.6). Only New England (33.4) and Green Bay (32.6) are worse.

COACHING: B+. You can belittle the Broncos' play in the past two losses, but you have to admit a 6-2 start is pretty remarkable. Josh McDaniels still is the leader at the midway point for NFL Coach of the Year. But, as McDaniels says to his team and the media, the Broncos have to play them one game at a time and concentrate on the team next on the schedule. That mantra has worked so far. It remains to be seen how McDaniels does now that he has faced some adversity.

MORE ON EXAMINER.COM:

Steelers clock Broncos.

Barrage of Steelers fans upsets Broncos faithful.

Larry Johnson unlikely to become a Bronco.

Washington Redskins Examiner.