Jim Balz Responds to Harry’s Preseason Take: He’s Right About the Broncos, Wrong About Everything Else
So Harry “The Hairy” Balz drops his preseason hot takes over at The Hairy Times, and naturally, as the superior sports mind in the Balz family, I need to set the record straight. My brother’s got some things right — shocking, I know — but he’s also missing the forest for the trees on several key points.
Let me break down where Harry nailed it and where he needs his older brother to school him.
DREW ALLAR: HARRY’S RIGHT, BUT HE UNDERSOLD IT
Harry mentions Allar’s 10-of-13, 153-yard, 2-TD performance like it’s just another nice preseason debut. Wrong. DEAD WRONG. This is the most important development of the entire preseason so far, and it’s not particularly close.
The Steelers have been quarterback purgatory since Big Ben hung it up. They’ve trotted out Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and a parade of “maybe this time” projects. Drew Allar isn’t just completing passes — he’s showing NFL arm talent with college production already baked in. Those “cleaned-up mechanics” Harry casually mentions? That’s the difference between a backup and a franchise guy.
Pittsburgh’s defense can keep them in every game. If Allar is even 80% of what that debut suggested, the Steelers are a legitimate wild card threat. Harry sees a good performance; I see a potential franchise-altering development. That’s why I get paid the big bucks — well, metaphorically speaking
CAMDEN BROWN AND THE UNDRAFTED ROOKIE DARLINGS
Harry’s got Camden Brown in Dallas and Malachi Fields with the Giants on his “rocking it” list. Fine. They’ve made plays. But let’s pump the brakes on anointing every undrafted rookie who catches two touchdowns in August.
You know how many undrafted receivers have had great preseasons and then disappeared by Week 6? I don’t have the exact number because it would take three articles to list them all. Remember when we all got excited about every training camp hero? Preseason stars are like summer blockbusters — big noise, often forgotten by fall.
That said, Brown’s contested catch ability is legitimate, and Fields’ hands are real. I’m not saying ignore them — I’m saying let’s see them do it when Micah Parsons and Kayvon Thibodeaux are trying to murder their quarterbacks on third down.
THE BRONCOS: WHERE HARRY NAILED IT
Here’s where I have to give my little brother credit — his Broncos take is spot-on accurate. The starters look playoff-ready. The backups look like they should be selling insurance. And special teams? Holy hell, what a disaster.
Bo Nix at 6/9, 76 yards and a touchdown with full mobility after ankle surgery is EXACTLY what Denver needed to see. The Jaylen Waddle connection has Pro Bowl potential written all over it. When Nix and Waddle are on the field with that defense, the Broncos are dangerous.
But Harry’s right — once the depth takes over, it’s like watching a completely different franchise. The backup defense got torched by the Packers’ second and third-stringers. The special teams unit couldn’t cover a kickoff if you gave them a head start and a road map.
And those injuries? Riley Moss leaving with a rib injury is concerning because cornerback depth is already suspect. If Denver loses a few key players — which happens to EVERY team — they’re going from playoff contender to draft lottery in about three weeks.
Should Broncos fans worry? Harry says “be annoyed.” I say be realistic. This team’s ceiling is a wild card berth and a first-round playoff game. Their floor is 7-10 if injuries hit wrong. That’s life in the AFC West when you’re not Kansas City.
KESHAWN BANKS: THE REAL SLEEPER NOBODY’S TALKING ABOUT
Harry mentions Banks with the Falcons and his 90.2 PFF grade. This deserves way more attention than a bullet point. Atlanta has needed legitimate pass rush help since Grady Jarrett started collecting social security checks (figuratively — Grady’s still a dog).
A 90.2 PFF grade in preseason means Banks is dominating against backups, sure, but he’s also showing technique, effort, and football IQ. Those things translate. The Falcons added Kirk Cousins to make a playoff push. If Banks can provide even 60% of this production in real games, Atlanta’s defense goes from “liability” to “good enough to let Kirk cook.”
This is the under-the-radar story Harry should be screaming about but instead just mentions in passing. That’s the difference between good sports coverage and GREAT sports coverage.
TITANS AND CAM WARD: CALM DOWN, TENNESSEE
Harry mentions Cam Ward struggling with accuracy and decision-making. The Titans fanbase is probably already calling for his head. Here’s what I know: it’s one preseason game, he’s a rookie, and Tennessee’s offensive line is still trying to figure out who’s playing where.
Does Ward have questions to answer? Absolutely. Is it time to panic? Not even close. The Titans aren’t competing for anything this year anyway. Let the kid learn, adjust, and develop. If he’s still throwing ducks in October, then we can have the conversation about whether Tennessee whiffed on the pick.
MARTIN EMERSON JR.: THE SAINTS FOUND SOMETHING
Three pass breakups and elite coverage grades? In New Orleans? Where Dennis Allen actually knows how to coach defense? Yeah, this matters.
The Saints have been rebuilding their secondary for two years, and Martin Emerson might be the answer they’ve been looking for. If he can maintain this level of play through September, New Orleans has a legitimate top-10 defense. Combined with whatever they’re getting from Derek Carr and that run game, the Saints are a sneaky NFC South contender.
Harry mentions it. I’m EMPHASIZING it. See the difference?
THE BOTTOM LINE: HARRY’S SOLID, BUT JIM’S BETTER
Look, my brother did good work here. He identified real talent, called out real problems, and gave Broncos fans a realistic assessment instead of the usual “everything is fine” nonsense.
But he missed the deeper implications. Allar isn’t just a good story — he’s potentially franchise-altering. Banks isn’t just a preseason standout — he might unlock Atlanta’s defense. Emerson could transform New Orleans’ secondary.
Sports aren’t just about what happened — they’re about what it MEANS. That’s where Jim Balz separates from the pack. Harry gives you the facts. I give you the facts AND the future.
Preseason is halfway done. Some teams are showing us who they really are. Others are still figuring it out. And the Broncos? They’re showing us they’re good enough to break your heart when the backups blow a December game.
That’s sports, baby. And that’s why you read Sports By The Balz.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to call Harry and remind him who the real star of the Balz family is.
JIM BALZ Does Sports – Check him out over at The Hairy Times
