Polumbus: High-fives from Broncos and Bengals game

Let’s go with a little different formula this week.

There are so many positives to take away this week that I am picturing all the guys in the locker room I would be going out of my way to give high-fives to if I were still on the team.

So without further ado …

High-five to the offensive line

The Cincinnati Bengals did a great job of taking away the Denver Broncos’ running game, but I continue to be impressed by our offensive line. When the Bengals schemed up ways to stop the rushing attack, these guys strapped their laces up for a long day of pass protection against some of the best pass rushers in the game.

A huge high-five to Michael Schofield. Schofield has played right guard, right tackle, back to right guard, over to left tackle, and back to right guard again all in the last two games. Not many starters in the NFL are as versatile as that. Matter of fact, many would have a mild panic attack if asked to switch positions to a spot they haven’t practice all week in the middle of the game.

This guy is a huge asset to our offensive line right now.

High-five to Trevor Siemian

After throwing for 312 yards and four touchdowns, not much needs to be said about Siemian’s performance. Sure, there were a few poorly-placed passes. But are you kidding me? What is it going to take for the media and fan base to go all in on this guy?

He overcame incredibly long odds in unseating Mark Sanchez, and all he has done is win three football games for the defending world champs.

Keep doing your thing Trevor.

High-five to Rick Dennison and Gary Kubiak

It is certainly no secret that the Broncos want their identity to come from the rushing attack offensively. The Bengals knew that and effectively schemed up ways to shut it down and force the Broncos to win the game in the air.

It would be easy for an offensive coordinator to bang his head against the wall and try to force the rushing game when schematically it wasn’t the best call, but Dennison and Kubiak coached very smartly and called the best plays available for the defense they were lining up against.

High-five to Von Miller

Derek Wolfe described Miller the best when he described him as such: “He just gets more and more energy. He’s like a shark when there’s blood in the water.”

Miller generally doesn’t make much noise early in the game because teams are able to scheme up ways to stop him with double teams and chips. The longer the game goes, the more opportunities he finds to get singled up.

And with the game on the line, Miller was able to come up with four hurries and added another sack to his resume.

Double high-five to Shane Ray

Ray was tasked with the enormous challenge of stepping into the shoes of DeMarcus Ware, and what a job he did.

By the end of the game, Ray left the field with three sacks and a defeated Bengals offensive line behind him.

Ray gained 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason and benefited from a preseason of “coach” DeMarcus Ware, as he missed training camp rehabbing his back, speaking into his ear.

This guy is becoming exactly what we need as a compliment to Miller when Ware is not in the game.

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