Kim Constantinesco Returns to preview the Broncos Game with us

You remember Kim, she is the lead blogger from Predominantly Orange the Denver Broncos FanSided Site. She runs a great site for Denver fans. Since I get a lot of flack for mentioning the “T” name, if you are a “T” fan, head over and see how he is doing.

But our focus is on Denver and the Jaguars. Now that preseason is over, let’s hear what Kim saw and what to look for in the game on Sunday.

Hey Kim: What has emerged as your strength and weakness on the offense?

"There are a lot of question marks on offense because of injuries and a lack of familiarity with the system for some players. During preseason, Kyle Orton showed that his arm was a strength. He improved his strength and accuracy, making throws that we didn’t see him complete last season. We have a talented group of young receivers that he can throw to. Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Lloyd are the seasoned veterans of the group. We drafted Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker who could be compared to Brandon Marshall in terms of size. The offensive line has a lot of talent with Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris (questionable for week 1), Chris Kuper, and rookie Zane Beadles. They will give the QB plenty of time to throw the ball. Right now, our weakness lies in the running game. We had a slew of injuries beginning with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter on the first day of training camp. Both backs have been practicing with the team, but Moreno hasn’t seen action in a real game since last season and we don’t know if he will play against Jacksonville. Either way, a lot of point production responsibility will fall into the arms of Orton in week 1."

Well, if Kyle Orton has to throw to win, that is the winning formula against our Jaguars. Please don’t let me here Simon Wilcox say “That pass sets the NFL completion percentage record held by Kurt Warner set last year at the Jaguar home opener”. I know we can stop the run and Denver can’t run anyway. Aaron Kampman, go get Kyle Orton please.

Well, it is the defense that Denver has pride in. Kim: What has emerged as your strength and weakness on defense?

"Our consistent strength lies with the secondary. Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman are more than reliable at the corner positions and Brian Dawkins is one of the best safeties in the business. They’ve got the deep ball and the sidelines covered. Last season, the Broncos could not stop the run. To aid that situation, Josh McDaniels brought in a larger front three which includes Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams. Both guys played in strong AFC 3-4 defenses, and did well in preseason. The major question is who will be the Broncos defensive playmaker now that Elvis Dumervil is out? Second year man, Robert Ayers, played well in preseason, but another linebacker will have to step up in order to fill the big shoes that Dumervil left behind."

Denver is playing with new people on both lines. The defensive line is not a group that has played together before. We need to be strong on the O-line. David needs to be very accurate against this secondary. If I had Marcedes Lewis in a fantasy league, I’d play him.

OK Kim, let’s get to the real question: Why will your team win the game?

"The Broncos have the talent. The question is whether or not they can glue it together to execute their game plan on Sunday. I think ultimately the Broncos are the more talented team, but like Lindsay Lohan at a Hollywood club, they can self-destruct at anytime. The Broncos win this game on energy. They’ve had critics riding them since the draft and Josh McDaniels knows how to get the team fired up for a big game. Case in point – last year against New England. My prediction is Broncos – 24 Jaguars – 17."

I wouldn’t expect her to say anything else. She is a real good fan of her team in a town in love with football.  Our stadium will be sold out, the noise will be loud. The energy level will be very high.  Expect Josh McDaniels to use Tim Tebow against us, to split the crowd. This is going to be a real head-knocker of a game. We are counting on conditioning and the heat to melt the Broncos and run over them in the third quarter. We need to hold the game tight into the half. We will need everything we got including the crowd. Be there, this one could be classic!

Thanks Kim! It is always a pleasure.

– Terry O’Brien