Silence is Orange; Denver nips Bengals

The Denver Broncos came into the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in midseason form. One game into the season and fans were already frustrated on more than one platform; the running game was inept, the quarterback’s job should be in question and the defense aloof and looking for answers.

But as we see in all sports; winning silences all critics.

“This is one of the best wins that I’ve ever been a part of,” quarterback Kyle Orton said following the 24-22 Denver win. The 3-year Broncos starter has received much of the blame for much for the obvious offensive struggles in the opening week against the Oakland Raiders.

Orton threw for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns on the sunny Sunday afternoon, and buys himself at least another week as the starter.

The running game can also be attributed to this offensive success. “I was happy with the way our guys handled themselves offensively just because we were going to have to run the ball," said Fox, "and we did."

Willis McGahee was the leading rusher for the Broncos a week after Denver accumulated 38 total yards on the ground. McGahee ran for over a hundred yards and kept the Bengals defense guessing the whole game.

“We stuck with it. The line did a great job. Willis making yards, making downhill yards, making tough yards." Orton appreciates this change of pace, and he needs this to be consistent part of the Broncos offensive schemes.

But this two-point victory isn’t only moral, but its promising figuring the amount of injuries the Broncos were facing. Champ Baily, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Lloyd and many others were forced to sit out put the onus on some back ups.

“The mentality we have here is next man up. The guys that are after those guys came in and performed great." said Miller

It was philosophy that carried swiftly inside the Broncos locker room. And breeding this idea, along with the first win of the year will give the confidence and a key learning point. Coming at the right time, after several years of disappointment, and moving in the right direction.

“You have to learn to win in this league, and,” said Fox, “not saying anything about the past, but when you have that culture these types of wins give you confidence."

The first tally in the win column for the Broncos came in an exciting 2 point win against a team they should beat. But it also comes with a good, quick, librarian like ‘shhhhh’.

Nene No Longer a Nugget

Experts think a do-it-yourself napkin centerpiece would be an improvement for the Denver Nuggets. They are the softest team in the league, according to some experts. They lack the inside presence that, experts say, it takes to win a NBA Championship. 

These ‘experts’ can only be described as the greater population of Nuggets Nation.  

Nene leaving only makes for one large hole to fill. The big Brazilian opted out of his nearly $12 million contract earlier this week; Nene departs any semblance of a productive center in Denver.

Nuggets fans found a way to dislike the most proficient scorer in the league. He Big Bad Wolfed (blew) the top off the rest of the league in field goal percentage this year. He has the 11^th best percentage of All-Time. He is more proficient around the basket than a paper shredder. He’s not flashy, he doesn’t make the wrong play, he rebounds and Denver fans don’t like him one bit.

Nuggets fans, like a sad country love song, won’t know what they had until he’s gone. 

Nene may not be the best center in the league, he’s not in the ‘Elite Centers’ category. He may not even be in the top 5, but Nene looks great compared to many others. Zaza Pachulia or Joel Anthony? Or how about Omer Asik or Chuck Hayes?

The Nuggets do have the Russian Timofey Mozgov waiting in the wings. They will have cap room (pending the decision of higher management, and more likely the departure of Kenyon Martin and JR Smith) to go out and get a “quality” big man. 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1107/nba-top-free-agents/content.1.html

Nene will most likely go get a new, more welcoming home.