Author: Bob Morris

I'm a sports writer in real life, though I've always focused on smaller communities, but that hasn't stopped me from learning more about some of the ins and outs of the NFL. You can follow me on Twitter @BobMorrisSports if you can put up with updates on the high school sports teams I cover.

Broncos Wednesday Practice Notes

* Peyton Manning did not practice. I think it’s clear he won’t take another snap for the regular season. Looks like the KC game will be his last game with the Broncos, unless the Broncos make the playoffs (good chance) and he is able to practice and the team starts him (slim chance).

* T.J. Ward returned to practice. Looks like he’ll be on track to start Monday vs. the Bengals.

* Others not practicing were Darian Stewart, Omar Bolden and Todd Davis. For those three, the key is if they practice by Friday.

Market For Osweiler May Be Overstated

Call me inspired after taking a few days off from writing, but I wanted to get something in quickly regarding Brock Osweiler and whether or not the market for his services is really going to be as big as some might think it will be.

First of all, we need to remember the season isn’t over yet and that, while Osweiler has had good moments, he’s had his bad moments as well. He’s not yet in the category of where Colin Kaepernick once was (two NFC title games and a Super Bowl trip), and not in the category of what Andy Dalton was when he signed his extension (playoff trip every year he started). And while Nick Foles got a nice extension, he already had two full seasons as a starter under his belt, while Osweiler will have no more than seven regular-season starts this year.

Second, it’s not just a matter of teams throwing money at a quarterback just to do so. A team that is going to throw money at a QB is going to be a team that’s desperate to get over the hump and has a regime that senses its necks are on the line in 2016 if it doesn’t do something big. Furthermore, no team is going to give Osweiler big money if it already has money tied up in a quarterback, is developing its own QB, considering extending a current QB or won’t have the cap space to play such a game.
Continue reading Market For Osweiler May Be Overstated

The Morning After: Answering A Few Questions

If any words were to describe yesterday’s outing by the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would be “mixed bag.”

The problem, of course, is the first half was mostly positive while the second half was mostly one we’d like to forget.

I don’t think anyone who is frustrated would feel as bad if it had been a back-and-forth game in which the Steelers happened to get the game-winning drive and the Broncos’ final drive fell short. Instead, we get a “tale of two halves” narrative and we are ready to throw everyone under the bus.
Continue reading The Morning After: Answering A Few Questions

Not So Scientific Rankings And A Note About Life

I don’t have much to say this week for reason I’ll explain once I’ve rolled out this week Not So Scientific Rankings. As always, they average the following:

Pro Football Focus Power Rankings

Pro Football Reference Simple Rankings System

Five Thirty Eight ELO Playoff Probability Rankings

Football Outsiders DVOA Rankings

Andrew Mason’s Power Rankings
Continue reading Not So Scientific Rankings And A Note About Life

Bar Has Been Set For Jackson And Wolfe

For perspective, Jason Fitzgerald projected Daniels would get four years at $25M to $29M. Oops.

At any rate, the bar is now set for guys like Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe, and tells me that, even with the Broncos cutting Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware and Britton Colquitt, they aren’t going to be able to keep both Jackson and Wolfe.

Unless you want to cut Ryan Clady, too. And after yesterday’s game, I think most of you will be hesitant to do that.

The Morning After: This One’s On The Offense

Anybody got an aspirin?

Let’s review what happened yesterday: The Denver Broncos defense gave up 126 yards of total offense, 13 points (the two the Raiders scored on the safety aren’t the defense’s fault) and the Broncos still don’t win the game.

Even if you take away the safety and Brock Osweiler throws the ball away, the Broncos still lose if everything else remains equal.
Continue reading The Morning After: This One’s On The Offense

Trevathan, Ward Won’t Play Sunday

Also, CJ Anderson tried to practice Friday but had to leave the field. Gary Kubiak has listed him as questionable. Kubiak said Ronnie Hillman should be fine, so expect he and Juwan Thompson to get the bulk of touches.

David Bruton, however, practiced on a limited basis. If he is active, I would imagine the Broncos would do everything they can to limit his snaps. If he doesn’t play, it’s at least a good sign that he’ll be available to play against Pittsburgh.

Shane Ray returned to practice Friday, so he’ll be active. All indications are Vernon Davis will play Sunday, too. And Kubiak expects DeMarcus Ware will be active.

Midweek Musings: Round Two With The Raiders

Hello, Bronco fans! Just have a few things to go over about this week’s game with the Raiders and some other things to consider.

* The biggest difference between the Raiders team now versus the one the Broncos first played in Oakland is the Raiders defense has lost a couple of key players. Aldon Smith, of course, has been suspended for a year for violating the substance abuse policy. Per Pro Football Reference, Smith played 88 percent of Oakland’s defensive snaps in the Week 5 matchup. He was credited with four tackles and half a sack.

Also gone is defensive end Justin Tuck, who tore his pectoral muscle in the Week 5 game. Before the injury, Tuck played 64 percent of the defensive snaps and had one tackle. Linebacker Neiron Ball, who played 62 percent of the defensive snaps and 35 percent of the special teams play, is out for the season with a knee injury he received against San Diego Oct. 25.
Continue reading Midweek Musings: Round Two With The Raiders