Broncos’ passing system caters to former Browns QB. Matt Bowen
Now that Brady Quinn has been dealt to the Broncos -- and removed from Mike Holmgren’s plans in Cleveland after both the Seneca Wallace trade and the two-year deal given to Jake Delhomme over the weekend -- we can focus on how the former first-round pick will fit with Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton and Denver.
I had some doubts there would be takers for Quinn once Holmgren made those two moves because the now former Brown ultimately might have been released over time.
But when we look at quarterbacks in this league, and quarterbacks who have struggled to establish themselves as starters, systems and schemes do come into play when we watch them develop.
I’m firm believer that Quinn struggles when he has to play in a vertical, down-the-field passing offense that requires a QB with a big arm. The accuracy isn’t there, and he’s lacked big-play ability outside of a game against a Detroit Lions defense that was far below average in ’09. In general, he didn’t shown enough with the opportunities he had in Cleveland.
However, when we look at Denver, the passing system it runs under McDaniels does, in fact, cater to Quinn. I do think he can throw the short-to-intermediate passing tree. The Broncos have a high percentage of throws that come out of the 3-step game (slant, hitch, smash, China). And when we talk about the intermediate game, Denver runs the 15-yard dig, the deep curl, the out and the skinny post -- all throws that an NFL starting QB has to make. And all throws that Quinn should make when he gets into camp this August. Multiple looks, multiple personnel groupings and various route combinations that will teach Quinn to get the ball out of his hands quickly.
The deep ball. Of course it’s in the playbook, but it isn’t relied on as much as other offenses we watch on Sundays.
I think this a good system for him, and no matter what we think of his time in Cleveland, he still has that tag of a first-round draft pick. Because of that, he will get another opportunity with the Broncos.
But how much of an opportunity?
In a pretty standard report after a trade, the Denver Post cites a league source that says Orton will remain the Broncos’ starting QB in 2010. I agree — to an extent — that Orton should go into this summer as the No. 1, but calling Orton your starter in March has little meaning. That’s why names are usually written on the depth chart in pencil at this time of the year.
Sure, Quinn still has a lot to prove, and there are still multiple question marks whenever he’s discussed as a legit starting NFL QB. But for the former Notre Dame star, this system under McDaniels does tailor to his game, and he should be able to show enough in camp to at least get a look. And at least make McDaniels think twice.
He’s not the type of QB who’s going to sling the ball down field, and even if we do call him a system QB of sorts, he might have just found the right one in Denver. Now, he has to show his doubters that he can go ahead an win a job.
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Great, now McDaniels has two QBs who can't play.
McDaniels is hands down the best QB coach in football. He will be working directly with Quinn. McDaniels has shown he can coach any QB, with Cassel in NE, he threw for over 400 yards in a game, which Cassel sure couldn't do in KC. He coached up Tom Brady while he was a backup behind Drew Beldsoe. He also worked Orton into having one of his better seasons of his career. Plus with a good running game and a young defense, this is a good move for Quinn to develop.
Feel Sorry for Quinn, McDaniels is the Dumbest coach in the NFL. It will be years before the Broncos are a playoff team again. McHoodie thinks he is a General the way he treated Hillis reminds me of what Al Davis did to Marcus Allen. I'm glad that Hillis has a chance to go somewhere and play. Sorry Broncos you now have lost another fan and a season ticket holder.
Wait, what? Did you just say that Hillis reminded you of Marcus Allen? Hillis has been in the league for 2 years and had one good stretch of 3-4 solid games in 2008 and suddenly the guy is a great asset?
For everyone that wants to link this with Orton or McD, you are stretching this. For 2010, all this does is correct the mistake of Chris Simms. Orton is a free agent after the 2010 season, Quinn gives the Broncos a starting option in 2011 if they let Orton go, or in 2010 if Orton struggles. If Orton was on a 4-5 year contract, I don't think this move gets made. It give the Broncos a solid backup and an alternative considering Orton's contract sitaution after this year. That's all.
Good point Steve. This move also pushes Orton to play better as he has competition now. It is always good to provide competition at the QB position as long as you are strong enough a decision-maker to prevent a QB controversy.
Quinn needs a good system, but if Cleveland is going West Coast, I thoght that was a short pasing game system, too. What Quinn needs is another acrobatic WR with great hands, like he had at Notre Dame. Too bad Samadzija didn't follow Quinn to the NFL. He single-handedly made Quinn a 1st round draft pick with his circus catches of poorly thrown balls. For what it's worth, anybody who has languished in Cleveland for a couple of years deserves at least one chance to go someowhere else and prove himself. Wipe the slate clean and let's see how he does in Denver.
Steve I did not say that Hillis reminded me of Marcus Allen . I said the way he was treated reminded me of the way Al Davis treated Marcus Allen. Hillis can and will be a solid player But Mchoodie wasn't letting him play, because he was a Shannahan guy. Bozo the coach has started and will soon get the job done of getting rid of the Shannahan guys. The Broncos are in for some long lean seasons as long as this fool is the coach.
Good grief -- the cult of Peyton Hillis. We're going to be hearing for a year about how McStoopidy wrecked the team by arrogantly trading an injury-prone back-up player who'd be anonymous if he weren't a good 'ol boy. It's ridiculous.
This move is in keeping with the Broncos' plan this entire offseason -- smart, incrimental moves that build depth and add upside without adding financial risk. And yet the fans are ready to run the new regime out of town. It's really weird.
I do like McDaniels as a coach and I think he is one of the better QB coaches today, but lets not get too crazy with the credit JBall. Tom Brady was brought up under the tutelage of Charlie Weis and Belichick. McD learned more from Brady than the other way around.
"Shannahan Guys" - Right, according to dflippinpotinman, the only reason Hillis is gone is because he was a "Shannahan Guy". I guess the Broncos can say goodbye to Clady, Harris, Doom, DJ, Champ and Prater too since they were all Shannahan Guys. Get ready for McD to trade Ryan Clady because he can't stand having guys on the team from the previous administration! The 2009 Broncos would have won 10 games if only they had let Hillis play!Seriously, get real.
I don't care how you slice it or dice it, you don't go far in the NFL without a franchise QB. The Broncos had one, they stupidly let him go in an infantile "I'm the man" posture by McHoodie. Now they have one solid backup, or a decent game manager or whatever you want to call Orton - and I saw him enough years with the Bears to know he's not going to take you to the promised land - and one unknown.
Sooner or later the boy genius is going to have to draft a potential franchise guy and then we sit back and watch what he does with him. Until then, I feel sorry for Bronco fans. It's another year of mediocrity at the QB position, which means no playoffs or one and done.
Hey BearMarket, how's that "Franchise QB" working out for you?
I do like McDaniels as a coach and I think he is one of the better QB coaches today, but lets not get too crazy with the credit JBall. Tom Brady was brought up under the tutelage of Charlie Weis and Belichick. McD learned more from Brady than the other way around.
While I don't disagree that a Franchise QB is needed, I question your logic that the Broncos "had one." Are you talking about Elway because I know you aren't talking about Cutler.
2009 stats:
QB A: 60.5 Comp %, 6.61 YPA, 27 TD, 26 INT, 76.8 QB Rating
QB B: 62.1 Comp %, 7.03 YPA, 21 TD, 12 INT, 86.8 QB Rating
Apparently, QB A is a franchise quarterback since that's what Cutler did. While I agree that QB B probably won't win you a Super Bowl, Orton certainly can perform well enough until you identify a QB who can. I have no problem with the statement that Orton isn't the long-term answer.....however I just don't see how Cutler is a "Franchise QB". Cutler's Completion %, Interceptions and QB Rating have gotten worse each of his three years as a full-time starter.
I'll post here what I have elsewhere. When I put $50 on the over-under of Cutler's 2009 INTs at 19 and picked the over, it was the EASIEST bet I made all season. He'll never win a Super Bowl, and he is not a leader. He's a prissy and a prick all wrapped in one, a self-entitled primadonna who should have been born in a WR's body.
All you McDaniels haters kill me. You want to get rid of your season tickets, I'll take them and you'll be weeping when your in the Superbowl in the next 3-5 years. Teams are built over time not magically created. That means bringing in guys that fit your system and share your philosophy of hard work and dedication. If your not on the bus as player you'll find yourself off it. In any solid organization leadership starts from the top and demands respect. There can only be one Captain of the ship and that's not going to be a player. As far as those let go already I haven't seen much production from any of them so far. Cutler a franchise QB? Seems to me he regressed the Bears last year not made them better.
McDumbass is a cocky little douch bag, He's collecting everyone else's trash and bringing it to Denver. We will not win the superbowl anytime soon, As for people givin up ther season tixs.. Your the type of people we don't want at invesco. Keep your corporate cappacino drinkin ass at home and let the real fans get loud and rowdy like old Mile high was.
Are you seriously giving McD the credit for Matt Cassel's year with the Pats? Let's not forget that he had a top-5 WR (Moss), arguably the best short man in the game (Welker), a pretty solid O-line, and some of the top coaching in the league aside from McD.
Aside from that, how much time do you really think a HC is going to spend tutoring a QB? As I've said before, Quinn is strictly backup material and a motivator for Orton. No way he wins the starting job.
Ridding yourself of season tickets because a backup RB was traded....Makes sense.
Hey Dflippotinman, can I get your season ticket rights?
After all, since you have wood for McD and want to jump ship over a 2nd team RB who can't block and showed little. Did you ever think maybe his torn hammy from 2008 may not have healed right?
Anyhow, I'll take the season ticket rights, no problemo bro.
Ridding yourself of season tickets because a backup RB was traded....Makes sense.
I think while Quinn and Orton are fretting over one another on who'll start, Brandstater will take it upon himself to continue to immerse himself into McDaniel’s playbook and hone in on the one thing he possesses that the other two don’t...the ability to stretch the field with the deep ball. When the time is right, Brandstater will rise up to the occasion and step in as the Broncos franchise QB.
Why has Denver become a graveyard for ex-Browns?
I highly suggest that you stop viewing Quinn as a possible starter in 2010. After a 3 years of bickering and fighting the Browns have wisely devised a solution for their QB problems. Cut one of the turds loose and find a sucker for the other one.
Of course, you may think that a RB and two low draft picks are good value for a "never-been" QB. Don't let the muscles fool you, he's very fragile( not an Italian word). He hit a hotdog vendor in the head with a Hail Mary pass, twice in back-to-back plays.
BTW this is payback for all of the years that Elway ruined our SuperBowl dreams!!!!
Anyone remember a stupid trade between Atlanta and Green Bay a few years ago? Whether or not Quinn becomes a franchise QB, Cutler certainly was not. Last season my Bears Friends could only say "well, the Bears don't have any receivers". But Cutler had great receivers in Denver and produced the same results. This year the Bears are getting him receivers, and we'll see if Jay ever lives up to his potential. A strong arm is not what it takes to win, although it certanily helps. One of the weakest arms in History won 4 rings with San Fran. By the way, that trade between Green Bay and Atlanta gave the Packers Brett Favre. I'm just sayin.
I do not think Brady Quinn is not a great talent at all. I think he is way overrated. At best he is a second string quarterback.
We will not win the superbowl anytime soon, As for people givin up ther season tixs
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Mar 15, 2010
07:32 AM
I love how reports are out about Orton already. The same guy who the Bears didn't want and the same guy who was a QB of a team that fell apart down the stretch in Denver.
Not saying Quinn will win the job, but McD had to be thinking of the possibility when he made the trade.