Sep 3, 2009 8:33 pm US/Mountain
Broncos Blank Cardinals For 1st Preseason Win
Text 4broncos to 66247 sign up for CBS4 Broncos text alerts More Info
PAT GRAHAM - AP Sports Writer
DENVER (CBS) ―
-
-
Quarterback Tom Brandstater throws a pass during warm-ups.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
-
-
Pat Bowlen before the Broncos final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 3, 2009.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
-
-
Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Wisenhunt shakes hands with Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
-
-
CBS4 is the official television station partner of the Denver Broncos. Visit our Broncos section for the latest news.
Poll
Now that the Broncos preseason is complete, share your predictions for what the team's record will be this season.
You need the latest Flash player to view our Poll.
Click here to download.
Click here to
bypass this detection if you already
have the latest Flash Player.
Rookie quarterback Tom Brandstater turned in a solid dress rehearsal. Next up just may be the real thing.
With Denver's top two quarterbacks injured, Brandstater stepped in and guided the Broncos to a 19-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason finale Thursday night.
In a composed and effective performance, Brandstater completed 16 of 30 passes for 187 yards, and led the Broncos to scores on four of their first five possessions. The only blemish for the sixth-round draft pick out of Fresno State was an interception by Michael Adams just before halftime.
While Brandstater shined, the defending NFC champion Cardinals (0-4) struggled -- again. On the heels of a disappointing performance last week against Green Bay, coach Ken Whisenhunt hinted he might play his starters longer than usual for a final exhibition game.
But he gave Kurt Warner & Co. an early exit. Warner completed just 2 of 7 passes for 48 yards and one interception before heading to the bench following the first quarter. Warner, who threw 30 touchdown passes last season, had none in the preseason.
The Broncos (1-3) avoided their first winless preseason since their first year of existence in 1960. The team will officially kick off the Josh McDaniels era on Sept. 13 at Cincinnati.
Just who may be at quarterback, though, remains up in the air.
Brandstater could be in line to start should Kyle Orton and Chris Simms not heal in time.
Orton cut and dislocated his right index finger when he smacked his right hand on a defender while following through on a pass against Chicago on Sunday night. Simms, who's backing up Orton, was already sidelined after spraining his left ankle two weeks ago at Seattle.
Brandstater looked sharp in his first start, completing a 43-yard pass to Chad Jackson and another 32-yarder to Brandon Lloyd down the sideline that set up the Broncos' only touchdown, a 1-yard run by Darius Walker in the first quarter.
He nearly threw a touchdown pass to fellow rookie Kenny McKinley, but Greg Toler swatted it out of McKinley's hands in the end zone at the last moment.
While the Broncos moved the ball efficiently, their drives stalled out near the red zone. Matt Prater connected on four field goals, making him 7-for-7 in the preseason. Prater went through camp with no competition.
Denver's defense has scuffled at times to pick up new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's 3-4 scheme, producing zero turnovers through the first three preseason games.
However, the Broncos forced four on Thursday, including one by defensive end Darrell Reid when he drifted back into coverage and intercepted Warner's pass over the middle. Backup safety David Bruton had an interception and recovered a fumble.
Walker received the bulk of the carries for the Broncos, rushing for 68 yards on 21 carries. He finishes the preseason as the team's leading rusher.
The team's top draft pick, running back Knowshon Moreno, returned to practice this week for the first time since spraining his knee Aug. 14, but was held out of the exhibition finale as a precaution. Moreno carried just three times in the preseason.
NOTES: The Broncos are 15-5 against the Cardinals in the preseason. ... Denver went with a patchwork offensive line as rookie Seth Olsen started at left guard for Ben Hamilton (back) and Russ Hochstein stepped in for Chris Kuper (ankle). ... Cardinals OL Elton Brown was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected after bumping an official on the final play of the first half. ... The Cardinals begin their NFC title defense on Sept. 13 by hosting San Francisco. ... Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin sat out with a hamstring injury.
Stay Up To Date On The Denver Broncos
•
Text: To sign up for CBS4 Broncos Insiders text alerts, text
4broncos to
66247 (
More Info)
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Curious & Controversial News
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Images From Frozen Dead Guy Days 2010
Man Says Packers Loyalty Saved His Life
Video: Giant Cruise Ship, Little River
Stumble It!
Comments