Desperate Broncos play Van Pelt for 3 quarters

[GP]

Facts are facts.

We took out our starting guys well before they did. AND, we were cycling in our third stringers while they STILL had their second team out there. How can Van Pelt have really done any damage to us, and build up his confidence, knowing that he was playing against third-stringers?

It would have been nice to win the game, but at least we didn't leave our first and second teamers in there longer (like the Broncos did) JUST to try and win it. Geez, the Broncos fans and media must really be putting a lot of pressure on Shanahan for him to pull that stunt last night.

Oh, but I forgot. We "didn't punch the ball into the end zone from the one-yard-line,"...yeah, what a horrible game we played last night.

We scored twice. Nobody got hurt (seriously hurt). We didn't get blown out at home. For a pre-season game, what else do you want?

[RTP2110]

It's not that Denver left thier good players in longer. It's just that thier depth is better than our depth, thus they looked better.

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by gpshafer_1976

For a pre-season game, what else do you want?

I want Super Bowl rings.

[phan1]

I was really impressed with him. He played great. As for a problem keeping him on the field the whole game? I don't care one lick. But he was going so well, why not keep him out there and get the reps?

[rittenhouserobz]

I think it is wonderful that they kept their 1st string players out there to play our second string players. I think it is a gift. Our 2nd string players getting exposure to 1st string talent.

[Runner]

I think the starters (many if not all) usually go the full first half the second game, but I'm not sure.

[dtran04]

On the segment last night on Ch.13, Casserly said to expect the starters to play the entire first half. We'll see if that's true or not...

[BroncoMan13]

Originally Posted by gpshafer_1976

I haven't seen anybody (maybe I missed it in another thread somewhere) mention the fact that Denver kept their second-string QB in the game until the fourth quarter. Each time they trotted Van Pelt out there during the third quarter, I kept thinking, "Geez...am I really SEEING this?!"

Had we kept Banks in the game that long, we would have scored more points, and the Broncos wouldn't have done as well as they did.

To me, it was very obvious that the Texans were using this game primarily as a way to experiment different schemes and to really evaluate individual performances.....while it looked as though the Broncos were primarily trying to win the game. I'm not saying that the Broncos didn't use the game to try out different schemes and evaluate players....but it sure seemed like keeping your second-string QB in for 3/4 of the game and just pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, was an attempt to ensure a win first and foremost. If they need the confidence THAT bad, then that's pretty sad.

If I am not mistaken, they also had Ron Dayne in the game the whole time (he broke a long run towards the end of the game). So, there's another example to support my theory.

Anyway, it just makes me mad when I see comments about how "boring the game was," and how "nobody should pay money to see that," such as what someone reported McLame of the Chronic say about last night's game.

1. No season-ending injuries. 2. Good first-team execution on both sides of the ball. 3. We scored two TDs. What else can someone expect for a flippin' pre-season game that doesn't count for anything?

Don't drink the McLame kool-aid. This was by far the best first-game pre-season game we've had, IMO.

I haven't read past this first post so this may have been covered already...

The Broncos needed to play Van Pelt a lot. Last season he was on the PS and didn't see more than one series in all of the preseason last year (his rookie year 7th round draft pick). He hasn't played in NFLE and just won the #2 spot last week in camp. The Broncos said all week long that they wanted to get a good look at him in a "real game". While Bradlee is our #2 at this point he has less experience than 99% of the 2nd year players in this league. It was a smart move on Denver's part to keep him out there and get a quality bit of film on him. I was impressed with his touch and already knew about the athleticsm. I also noticed that he focused on his hot target a lot and will have to get out of that habbit in a hurry!

One thing we can certainly agree on... thank god neither team had any major injuries!

[BroncoMan13]

Also I forgot to add that Ron Dayne is currently a 3rd stringer and he just moved up the week prior to the game.

As for depth, I would say yes our 2nd team is deeper than the Texans at this point.

As far as your 2nd teamers getting some time against our 1st team... I would be excited if it was vice versa. I'm really interested in seeing what a guy like Van Pelt could do against the "real" comp in the league. Same with Dayne in our system.

Also please note that guys like Nick Ferguson, John Lynch, DJ Williams, Al Wilson, and Ian Gold played only two series. Along the line you saw a few guys stay in a little longer but they aren't our true starters. The only real starter along the line was Trevor Pryce. He played extended snaps b/c Shanahan wanted to see how his back responded. For those of you that didn't know he had a bad back injury last year... bad enough that one of his legs was completely numb, no strength, control, etc. We needed to get him some reps to see how the back responds. Warren, Fatefahi, and Brown did not play. In reality it was our 2nd team DL that was playing most of the game and that might be why you so those guys so long. Same thing on offense at LT w/Lepsis out.

Anyhow, I thought your boys played a good game. Dom Davis is strong as always. Not sure why Capers doesn't like him... I'd take him in a heart beat! Andre looked good. The little quick out that he caught at the beginning of the game was a good play. Nice audible by Carr recognizing the coverage was 10 yards back and that it was a smaller corner that probably couldn't (and didn't) take Andre down one on one. Besides that play and the PI penalty in the endzone I thought our first draft pick, Darrent Williams played pretty well. The hit he put on Wells was great. Considering he is 5'8" and 175# he blew him up! Wells responded well with a smack to the helmet... good on him!

I think you guys got a player in T.Johnson as well. He has a nasty streak and is playing out of position in the 3-4 but he brings it and will succeed. He is one of a few players I was hoping the Broncos would make a move on!

[Huge]

Man, they must be hurtin' at QB if Van Pelt has made it to 2nd string. And if that's the case and I was their head coach, I'd have left him in the game longer than what they did.

He was fun to watch at Colorado State. But that was because of his running ability. He needs a ton of reps for this league and pre-season is the best time to get 'em.

[ATX]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan13

Dom Davis is strong as always. Not sure why Capers doesn't like him... I'd take him in a heart beat!

where'd you get that from?

[BroncoMan13]

Dom hasn't liked Davis as his feature back since day 1. He doesn't like his size which like I said before is puzzling b/c Morency is basically the same size.

I used to live in Houston (moved this past March) and remember many a time the Texans commenting on needing and wanting a larger feature back. Thus the supp pick in Hollings. Like I said, I think Davis is a big time gamer and would love to have him in Denver... he does need to hang on to the ball a bit better though.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by BroncoMan13

Dom hasn't liked Davis as his feature back since day 1. He doesn't like his size which like I said before is puzzling b/c Morency is basically the same size.

I used to live in Houston (moved this past March) and remember many a time the Texans commenting on needing and wanting a larger feature back. Thus the supp pick in Hollings. Like I said, I think Davis is a big time gamer and would love to have him in Denver... he does need to hang on to the ball a bit better though.

He asked for a source. Supply just one occasion where the Texans commented that they needed a larger feature back. And FYI-Hollings and Davis are listed at exactly the same weight right now. DD has been listed at 5 lbs heavier. Morency is lighter. IMO some folks just want to perpetuate the myth that a run oriented offense means a big RB. Dom Capers and Emmitt Smith (212 lbs) would seem to disagree.