Plenty Of Buck: Denver Sporting a Slower But Potentially Better Offense

The entire offseason was filled with speculation on how bad the Broncos would be offensively without Cutler.  After Jay threw himself as the biggest interception of his career into Lovie Smith's run-heavy scheme, it began to look like Brandon Marshall wouldn't be around for too much longer either.

Two pro-bowler losses may have been too much for fans to stomach.

As the season has started to plug along, the Broncos defense has picked up some well-earned respect but it seems that in the eyes of pundits the offense is still lacking its old glow.

Make no mistake, it is.

And it should be.  I am happy about it.

The Cutler flash is gone and the Moreno dash is in style.

I never really understood the hype surrounding the Denver offense last season.  I know that in yards and offensive power and ESPN "blah-blah" the offense was ranked second in the NFL, but the team was 8-8.  The defense may have been the key factor in Shanahan's firing and in the eight losses, but I'm certain the offensive performance wasn't analyzed correctly.

The Broncos had on average some of the worst starting field position in the NFL (thanks in great part to dismal special teams performance and defensive mishaps).  In order for a team like that to put four touchdowns on the board, they would need to have 320 yards or more of successful drives.  When you factor in unsuccessful drives and turnover margins, the number jumps to more like 500 yards or more. 

An offense that needs that type of yardage to be competitive by making up for defensive problems creates stars out of guys like Cutler and Marshall by forcing risky, high-octane plays.

That helps to explain Jay's turnover numbers on interceptions.

When the pressure is taken off of the men with the ball by defensive presence and ability, you get something similar to the Broncos offense now.

Aside from offensive penalties (which are a major concern) the Broncos are doing exactly what they need to.  Kyle Orton doesn't have the accuracy that Cutler did (I do think he has better judgment as a side note) so passing plays have become shorter and the run game has become more essential.

But the team doesn't have to move the ball as far in a contest to stay competitive.

The yardage drop isn't a concern.  In fact, it is a good thing.

Wait for it.  Wait for it.  You don't believe me?  Okay... fine... I'll explain:

When Orton has the ball in his hands, the other team doesn't have it in theirs, which means the Broncos are winning the all-important time-of-possession battle.  That usually results in much healthier defensive production through a "feedback" process (I hope you went to science class).

The biggest dig on this team is that Kyle Orton cannot perform.  I would dispute that by looking at the statistics from last season.

In every major category Orton's numbers were roughly two-thirds of Cutler's (that includes attempts and completions).  Kyle missed some games which helps to explain that discrepancy, but using logic you would have to assume if the pair threw the same number of passes they'd have similar numbers.

Does that sound like the Kyle Orton you have been hearing about?

The guy can play well so with him replacing Cutler and us having a better run game, why aren't we lighting up the scoreboard?

No need.

One of the reasons he isn't putting up any interceptions is because he hasn't had to--the new offensive style is slower paced, more trodgy, but probably better from the standpoint of controlling the game.

You won't see flashy unless McDaniels deems it completely necessary, but fortunately this year it hasn't been often.

When it was, Orton completed a fifty-one yard touchdown pass to Marshall.

And Jesus deflected a pretty ugly pass into Stokley's hands, but things could have been worse.

Expect movement to be slower on this team, but know its strategic rather than from lack of ability.  They are performing in the way they need to in order to win games.

The Titans ran a similar style of team last season and remained unbeaten for the longest period of time.

Couple that with one of the best O-lines in football and ask yourself, "what are people complaining about?"