Welcome back and keep the queries coming
Today’s comes from Chris in Denver:
Q: I know quarterbacks have favorite receivers. Who do you think is Kyle Orton’s “favorite” target on offense?
A: It would be interesting to do one of those man-on-the-street interviews and go up to folks and say, “Quick, who’s the Broncos’ leading receiver right now?”
Not sure, but I’d guess more than a few folks would not say Brandon Marshall after all of the drama surrounding him in recent months. But that’s exactly who leads the Broncos in catches after three games.
Marshall has 12 receptions to Jabar Gaffney’s 10, while Brandon Stokley, Daniel Graham and Eddie Royal each have six.
I think the opinion of most football people — and I confess to have written this several times — was that Royal was the best fit in the new offense because of his route-running skills.
But in fact, his catches have taken the biggest dip. He is commanding a great deal of attention right now and will have to work through seeing some coverages rotated toward him from time to time.
The fact Marshall leads the team in catches in intriguing because so much has been made of the time he has stood on the sideline and his acknowledged lack of knowing the playbook.
Marshall hasn’t stretched the field much and does have some drops already.
But to your question I would say Orton has been coached not to have favorites, but to throw to the open man against whatever look he’s getting from the defense. And if nobody is open to throw the ball away.
He will force far fewer balls into coverage than Jay Cutler might have.
That said he likely has the most faith in Gaffney being where he is expected to be simply because Gaffney is the most familiar with the offense having played in New England.
Stokley, who only played three snaps Sunday in Oakland because of a thigh injury, has been the most likely target on third down. Three of Stokley’s six catches are on third down and he is averaging 21.3 yards per catch on those three receptions.
Marshall has five of his 12 receptions on third down, with two Sunday — a 2-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and a 23-yard reception to convert a third-and-8 in the third quarter — with Stokley on the sideline most of the day.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
