On offense it is pretty easy. Jay Cutler is huge and his level of play usually dictates how the Broncos are going to go, especially offensively. That said, alot of Cutler’s questionable play came when many of his weapons were injured. Tony Scheffler is a huge piece to the puzzle who gets little attention. Scheffler missed 3 games in a row, all Broncos losses, before returning last Thursday – a game the Broncos won.

On defense, mny of the key players are injured. The Broncos are without all 3 of their starting linebackers, and Champ Bailey has been out as well. There are rumblings, however, that Champ is going to try and play since the game is in his hometown, but that is questionable at best.

The Broncos do a decent job against the run, despite the statistics. The Problem has been the big play. They may stop a guy like Michael Turner 4 or 5 times in a row for little gain then give up a 40 yarder. That will be the big test this weekend.

Personally that was a bit ridiculous. The Broncos got out to a hot start, and the National Media jumped all over Cutler. All of a sudden he was everywhere, doing every interview. I can’t say that it hurt his play, with all the injuries the Broncos have suffered, but I am alot happier with the pissed-off, chip on his shoulder Jay Cutler than the media darling Jay Cutler.

So to answer your question, since I wasn’t jumping on the MSM bandwagon I didn’t really have far to fall. I am realisitic about the Broncos and can say this, every game they have lost they brought upon themselves. Turnovers, penalties, etc.

Broncos fans love Cutler and are dealing with the growing pains. He has no fear and has a complete trust in his arm. Though I hate to say it, he has a bit of Brett Favre in him. There are some fundamental and mechanical flaws that need cleaned up(Locks on to receivers, throws off his back foot), but when he gets in the zone, like he was in the 4th quarter Thursday Night, he can be very, very good.

The interceptions are frustrating, but Cutler is special and I think us Broncos fans know it.

1 — My personal belief is that you can’t be a consistent offense without the threat of a running game. The Broncos will definitely test that theory. Without a consistent threat on the ground, the Broncos are likely to spread it out and throw the ball around. Luckily the Broncos are getting healthy on offense, with Tony Scheffler and Brandon Stokley returning. Playing a team that is going to throw the ball around, and that has the talent to do it, would scare me if I were a defensive coordinator. Over time, however, I think the Broncos are going to have to find something in the ground game.

2 — That’s a solid question because I haven’t really noticed much of a difference. That IS NOT a shot at Bailey, but the fact is most quarterbacks avoid going to his side anyway. The Broncos definitely miss his run support and tackling, but the defense was stacking 8 in the box anyway so even that is a huge loss.

The defense the Broncos are using now, with backup linebackers, isn’t as talented, but I think they play a bit more fundamentally sound. Word on the street is Camp may give it a go since the game is back near home for the former UGA standout.

that Hillis really isn’t even the fourth string RB.

We started the year with 5 RBs: Torain, Young, Pittman, Hall, Alridge; and 2 FBs: Hillis, Larse (a converted middle LB)

Out of those seven players 4 were rookies, 2 were second year players, and one was an 11 year veteran, a unique mix.

Alridge went to IR at the beginning of the season, Torain broke his elbow, but was kept on the roster in case we needed him. Hall hurt his wrist in the second game, Young pulled his groin a game or two later, both kept playing until Young simply couldn’t go. The next game Hall broke his hand and went to IR and Pittman hurt his neck and went to IR. Torain returned in the following game, and the game after tore his ACL and went to IR. Young will be out for the upcoming matchup. That is all five RB strings.

Hillis could be considered a 6th string RB, and will probably start this week. We signed two players to the practice squad this season, our seventh and eighth stringers, if you will, and one of them, PJ Pope has gotten some reps with the first team in practice, though their is no word on whether he is ready. We signed a backup FB to replace Hillis as a lead blocker, adn we also just picked up Tatum “Fumbles” Bell, who was exiled in Detroit for the last two years. He would be considered our 9th attempt at a RB this year.

At this point, strings are the last thing on our mind. We tend to think in terms of “threads” of desperation instead….

I like the Broncos passing game better, when the Broncos have all their weapons. That has happened in 4 games this year — Weeks 1,2,3 and 10. That said, Jay Cutler doesn’t have the experience of Drew Brees yet, and makes mistakes that he simply cannot make.

Another caveat is the Falcons and Saints know each other better than other teams because of the divisional rivalry. That doesn’t mean the Falcons don’t have a stout defense because they do, and John Abraham is a BEAST, but I am hoping some of the infamiliarity with the Broncos will help a bit.

1.Typo Corrected….

2. All season I have been answering that question with Eddie Royal, but that cat is a bit out of the bag by now. Before the season started I did an interview with ESPN The Mag and told them Royal was going to be the offensive ROY. It is safe to say that Matt Ryan has a firm grasp on that now, and deservedly so, but Royal has had a tremendous year, even when compared to guys like Randy Moss and his rookie season. If I had to pick someone else I would say RB Peyton Hillis. He was our 7th Round pick from Arkansas and can do it all. He is primarily a FB, but he has H-Back skills, much like Chris Cooley in Washington. He may be the starting HB this weekend if Tatum Bell can’t get up to speed and he has done a solid job.

3. For Broncos fans it is easy. Michael Turner. We saw enough of Turner when he was with the Chargers, and many Broncos fans had wanted the Broncos to go after him. If the Broncos are going to have any chance they need to contain Turner….somehow.

Champ practiced a bot the past two days, and while he would love to play in front of the hometown fans, it is likely the Broncos will air on the side of caution. To me, winning or losing on Sunday does not depend on Champ Bailey. Why risk losing him for the season?

First, what Cutler said is he had a stronger arm than Elway, and he might be right. As Falcons fans know, a strong arm doesn;t a great QB make — see Jeff George.

As for the locker room, Cutler’s teammates love him. He is confident, but not in a condescending way towards his teammates. He has alot of Elway in him, like to be with the guys, hang out and stuff. What Cutty will do is answer a question honestly when he’s asked. He’ll need to be a bit better in filtering what he says at times but there will never be a problem with his teammates.