Orchard Park, N.Y. – Jim Bates was saying one thing, while the eyes saw something else.
Among the lessons learned in the Broncos’ 15-14, season-opening victory Sunday against the Buffalo Bills was that Bates is a man of his word.
The Broncos’ defense was dreadful during the preseason. The first team gave up 44 points and 574 yards in total offense in less than six quarters. Bates explained he wasn’t concerned because he was playing his base, 4-3 defense.
There were doubts. Bates had a strong track record elsewhere, but he was new to Denver. Could he be trusted? Fans and the media knew only what they were seeing, and the heat was on Bates.
Perhaps he has earned an apology.
“You think that bothers me, as long as I’ve been coaching?” Bates said, smiling. “No, you can’t ever get too high or too low in the game whether you’re a player or a coach.”
The Broncos not only stifled the Bills (184 total net yards) all game with the exception of one series, their aggressive, sophisticated packages were unlike anything Denver has seen.
“I’m telling you, we didn’t show anything in the preseason,” Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. “Who’s going to remember who we played in the preseason or what the score was?”
In this game, only three players – cornerbacks Dré Bly and Bailey and middle linebacker D.J. Williams – stayed on the field every play. Sacks came from the blitzing Williams and safety John Lynch.
“Coach (Mike Shanahan) had a great suggestion as far as with the blitz package we did,” Bates said. “It really worked for us.”
