Darcel McBath:The Denver Broncos Unsung Hero, Out For Season

In a day of big hits, flashy celebrations, and underachieving superstars, a rookie defensive back slowly made a name for himself amongst veterans like Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey.

Darcel McBath, a second-round pick out of Texas Tech, may be one of the most overlooked players that have helped turn the Broncos around this season. The Broncos over the past few years have been horrible tacklers on special teams and McBaths’ 28 tackles this year have come almost exclusively on the third side of the ball.

Twenty-eight tackles, 22 of them solo, is quite a feat for a near exclusive special teamer. Eleven of these solo tackles came in his two games against San Diego. This is absolutely spectacular considering San Diego’s knack for breaking big plays with speedster Darren Sproles. I have a feeling he will be sorely missed when the Broncos play big-play-man DeSean Jackson and the Eagles in two weeks.

Josh McDaniels had this to say about rookie Darcel McBath: “He’s the personal protector on the punt team, which is no small chore. He handles all the communication there. He’s our leading tackler, very unselfish, plays great on all of the teams. He has been a great addition in that regard and he will be missed.”

Steve Tasker is in the conversation for the one of the greatest players to not make the Hall of Fame and apart from 51 career receptions, he was a exclusive special teams player for the Bills back when they almost won all those Super Bowls. A form tackler with great speed and an unselfish attitude;that is who McBath reminds me of when he plays.

Studying under arguably the best safety and cornerback of this decade, Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey, I think McBath has an opportunity to grow into much more than just a hard-nosed special teamer. He has two interceptions this year with limited defensive playing time.

One of those picks came this last weekend against Peyton Manning’s undefeated Colts and gave Kyle Orton and Brandon Marshall a short field to work with unfortunately, McBath will be on IR for the remainder of the season with a broken right forearm he acquired in the fourth quarter of Sundays game.

Perhaps, just perhaps if he had stayed in, Peyton would not have been able to make a game ending drive at the end of the fourth quarter.

McBath will be missed, but veteran Vernon Fox has been signed in his place and hopefully, will help the Broncos not miss a beat against a hungry Raiders team this weekend.

Sometimes it is the players you don’t see who make the biggest difference; hopefully McBath will be a productive player for the Broncos for many years to come.

Also, big shout out to Brandon Marshall and his record 21 receptions this weekend. Keep it up big boy!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

A Classic Tale: Josh McDaniels Defeats Bill Belichick

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, Mike Ditka did it to Tom Landry, Steve Young did it to Joe Montana and Dana Holgerson did it to Mike Leach.

This is the story of a young pupil, Josh McDaniels, dismantling a seasoned master, Bill Belichick.  A storyline straight from Star Wars, taking place on our planet, in the stadium closest to the stars above—Invesco Field at Mile High.   

 

Josh McDaniels will face Bill Belichick on Oct. 11, 2009, and the game will be a turning point in both coaches’ careers – Belichick will begin his course towards the chop-shop; McDaniels for a nonstop swap to the top.

 

Denver coming off a solid win at home against Dallas, will finally get the recognition they deserve after beating a legitimate team without the help of God himself.  New England, looking solid on both sides of the ball, defeats Baltimore at razor stadium, and will rise to the top of most week four power ranking lists. (These hypotheticals need not be argued because the real story lies in the week five game.)

 

This game will be won by the Broncos to the tune of 28-10.  You have every right to read this in disbelief and have doubts.  But before you write the Broncos off, at least give them a chance to be great.  The media is labeling the Broncos as the worst 2-0 team ever and the worst 3-0 team ever…At this rate, perhaps they will be the worst 5-0 team ever.

 

The Broncos’ defense has been the surprise of the season thus far in the NFL – I would wager not a single fantasy owner picked the Broncos for their defense this year.

 

Mike Nolan has implemented the 3-4 defensive scheme seamlessly, and Broncos have bought into it completely, allowing only 215 total yards per game (first in NFL).  They have also only given up a mere 16 points in their first three games (tied for second all-time).

 

An explosive Elvis Dumervil with a six pack of sacks on the year will need to get to Tom Brady early to disrupt his poise.  Early is the key word here as all six of Dumervils’ sacks have come in the second half of games.  A first quarter sack is a must.  Brady has shown considerable weakness under pressure this year, and the Broncos will need to take advantage of this.  

 

Future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey will need to shadow Randy Moss all game letting the other defensive backs roam free.  Last year, Bailey held Moss to one catch for the entire first half before leaving the game with a groin injury.  Like he said before the last Patriot’s game, “I’m like the FAA, all flights closed to my side.”

 

Athletic linebackers D.J. Williams and Mario Haggan need to make Wes Welker and Ben Watson non-factors over the middle.  They will also have to keep their eyes peeled for the screen and delayed draw play, both of which could go for big yards if the they aren’t discipline about assignments.

 

Brian Dawkins must fly to the ball and hit the receivers at the point of the catch—The Patriots have shown a case of the dropsies lately, which is bad news for them considering Brian Dawkins is the second all-time leader in forced fumbles.

 

Possibly the most underrated member of this defense will be McDaniels.  No one knows the offensive schemes and concepts of the Patriots better than him, save Tom Brady himself.  This could cause problems for Belichick as so many of his short passes rely on an element of surprise.

 

The Bronco’s offense doesn’t look as explosive compared to last year’s with the loss of Jay Cutler and Mike Shanahan, but with the way the defense is playing, they don’t need to be as explosive.  That being said, red-zone scoring is crucial against the Patriots.  Kyle Orton cannot drive the ball 60 yards only to settle for a Matt Prater field goal.  

 

Running the ball effectively with rookie Knowshon Moreno (avg. four yards per carry) and Correll Buckhalter (avg. over seven yards per carry) is key. Denver is among the best in the league at rushing the ball (fourth in NFL) and they will need to pound it against a good Patriot’s defensive line.  The running backs will have the help of a superb offensive line anchored by left tackle Ryan Clady who has yet to give up a sack in his young career.

 

Avoid turnovers (only one on the season) and let Kyle Orton (0 INT) take what the defense gives him.  Make good use of the tight ends Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler biding time until Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall get open deep.  

 

Only a matter of time remains before Orton gets on the same page as his skillful receiving corps, and when this happens look for the Bronco’s offense to get exponentially better.  

 

One must also remember that Orton has been playing with a glove on his throwing hand since the Bears preseason game due to a finger injury.  His accuracy will only get better when the glove is no longer needed.

 

If the Bronco’s can score on the ground, not settle for field goals in the red zone, and keep third downs manageable, Tom Bradys’ time on the field will be minimal.  The defense will also remain fresh which is a scary thought for New England.

 

The Patriots have not won an October game in Denver since Oct. 4, 1964 and don’t expect that to change this year. With a league-leading defense, consistent offensive play, home field advantage, and an extensive knowledge of the Patriots, à la Josh McDaniels, look for Bill Belichick to fall to his pupil.  

 

The week following the gut-wrenching loss to the Broncos, the Patriots will lose to the Titans and this will mark the beginning of the end for Bill Belichick and his dynasty.  

 

History is full of parallels which do not always accurately predict the future, but they are great indicators.  Teams, especially the good ones, go through cycles of extreme success and extreme let-down.  

 

Past decades have for the most part been ruled by one team per decade; Green Bay in the ’60s, Pittsburgh in the ’70s, San Francisco in the ’80s, Dallas in the ’90s, and yes, New England in our current decade.   

 

Unfortunately for New England, this decade is coming to a close and it is time for them to pack up.  A new decade is upon us, and though it may be a slow decline to mediocrity, it is a sure one for the Patriots.

 

A new man is in Denver, Josh McDaniels, and he will lead the team to the promised land sooner, then later too. He has proved himself thus far, and it is only a matter of time before the playoffs become a reality once again for Broncos fans.

 

Denver 28

Patriots 10

 

All is good in Bronco Country for the time being, so watch your football, drink your beer and live happily ever after.

 

 

THE END

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The Slot Machine: Eddie Casino Royal

While Brandon Marshall whines about a contract extension even though he is an injured criminal, the Broncos’ Eddie Royal, No. 19 is slowly creeping into the number one receiver spot in the Mile High City.

Royal, the second year player out of Virginia Tech is a special player, combining a 4.39 forty time, 24 reps on the bench press, and a 36 inch vertical.  He has excellent hands, is a crisp route runner and makes excellent decisions.

In his rookie debut against the Raiders last season, Royal caught nine balls for 146 yards and a touchdown. This won him rookie of the week honors, however I was most impressed by his decision making.

During the game, Royal ran an end around which turned out to be a trick pass play.  He was under heavy pressure and instead of throwing into coverage or taking a sack, the rookie threw the ball out of bounds…and he is a receiver! Some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL can’t make the right decision in that situation, but a rookie receiver did.

Now good decisions will only get you so far.  He is also an explosive player.  In his rookie year he caught 91 passes (second all-time for a rookie) for 980 yards and five scores.  His numbers would show that he narrowly missed the Pro Bowl considering he was seventh in the league in receptions and sixth in total yards.

Despite great rookie numbers, Royal is one of the more underrated receivers in the NFL, partly due to Brandon Marshall, partly because he is more of a slot-man than a wide-out. Fantasy owners, look for Royal as a solid second receiver in your draft.

In Denver’s first preseason game this year against the 49ers, Royal looked good catching four balls for 46 yards and was wide open in the in-zone but Orton threw a horrible ball which was picked off.  Royal was taken out soon there after, but in the time he played, he looked as polished as ever.

Look for Royal to have another great season this year, regardless of who is under center.  Who knows, if Marshall can’t/won’t play this season, Royals’ numbers may explode.  Thank you for reading, and come draft day, don’t forget about this diamond in the rough.

Top 10 Greatest Denver Broncos of All Time

Once a great franchise, now a wasteland for disgruntled players and knucklehead coaches. Perhaps it is the lack of oxygen in the Mile High City that is causing the Broncos to self destruct.

With Cutler traded, Marshall hurt/jailed/whatever and Shanahan, a Hall of Fame coach fired I think Denver fans need to reflect on a better time… A time of joy and laughter and umm… wins.

I feel like most of the Broncos of this list come from the same era… that 90’s run that Denver had. I wish I could have sprinkled in a few more oldies, however most of the Broncos best players played for the team in the 90’s.

So, let us take a look back at the top 10 Broncos of all time and try to find strength in the fact that we, at least used to be good.

Begin Slideshow

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010