Protecting Against The League’s Best

November 6th, 2009 - 2:34pm by Chris Gentilviso

When it comes to stopping the run, no NFL team has been better at harnessing that responsibility than the Steelers.

Through seven games this season, Pittsburgh’s defense is allowing a league-low 76.6 rushing yards per game. The Cincinnati Bengals (100 yards) and Detroit Lions (110 yards) are the only two Steelers opponents to post 100-plus yards on the ground.

While Pittsburgh has been stout against the run, offensive line coach Rick Dennison was more focused on what his unit can control, beginning with improving its toughness from the previous week.

“I think you have to execute every week and you’ve got to be tough every week,” Dennison said. “There is nobody that is going to just let you walk around and make yards. We just have to be better than we were last week.”

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Keeping Things In Perspective

November 6th, 2009 - 1:00am by mike_rice

One game does not make a season. But it can be cause for some concern. Such is the place where the Broncos find themselves, at least to some degree.

The bottom line is the Ravens dominated the Broncos last weekend. There is no getting around that.

But it’s one game. It’s not a trend; it’s not a pattern; it’s not necessarily the start of the Broncos’ demise. There is no need to call Chicken Little.

All together now…breathe in deeply…hold it for a moment…slowly exhale. The Broncos are still 6-1. Last I checked, that’s pretty good.

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A Familiar Foe

November 5th, 2009 - 2:38pm by Zach Eisendrath

Arguably no one in the Broncos’ locker room knows the Pittsburgh Steelers — as presently constructed — better than Ryan McBean.

After all, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive lineman spent his first two seasons in the NFL (2007-08 and 2008-09) on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. So he got a first-hand look at the defending Super Bowl Champions last season.

Well-versed in Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme, McBean said he has been able to share a few notes about Dick LeBeau’s unit with his offensive counterparts. But he has plenty of confidence that the offense will be ready for the challenge at hand.

“I try to share my part, give my part,” McBean said. “But these guys, they come here to work. All they’ve got to do is just watch tape and it shows for itself.”

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When Overtime Became Reality

November 4th, 2009 - 5:35pm by jim_saccomano

One of the things that happens when you have seen a lot of games is that one thought connects to a memory, and another, and another.

Today we had a weekly staff meeting, and I was sitting a couple of chairs away from Billy Thompson, who now handles all the alumni affairs for the team but who in his previous life was a three-time Pro Bowl performer who set the all-time Broncos record for turnovers with 61 (40 interceptions, 21 fumble recoveries).

In fact, he returned four of those fumbles for scores and was around the ball seemingly as much as any Bronco defender in history.

Anyway, as we play the Steelers this week, my mind drifted a bit to one of the greatest games in team history.

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Ecstatic To Enter The Locker Room

November 4th, 2009 - 5:17pm by Chris Gentilviso

The last time Carlton Powell suited up for the Broncos, the defense turned in the type of performance it had been craving all preseason.

The Broncos shut out the Cardinals in the exhibition finale, 19-0, at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Seven games later, Denver is 6-1 and its defense leads the NFL in yards allowed per game (266.7).

Back in orange and blue after being signed to the practice squad on Tuesday, those totals were no shock to Powell.

“I’m not surprised at all, from the work ethic everybody had put in during training camp and the type of scheme that we’re running now,” he said. “I kind of expected this and I’m definitely glad to be back and be a part of it.”

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Ball, Powell Added to Practice Squad

November 3rd, 2009 - 4:46pm by Gray Caldwell

The Broncos on Tuesday announced several roster moves involving the practice squad.

Running back Lance Ball was added to the practice squad, and the club’s second 2008 fifth-round pick, Carlton Powell, was added to the practice squad as well.

In addition, Darius Walker was waived from the practice squad, and Everette Pedescleaux was placed on the practice squad/injured list.

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Marshall to Brew Sports Soup

November 3rd, 2009 - 12:48pm by Gray Caldwell

Brandon Marshall will be spending this Tuesday honing his comedy chops on television.

The receiver is taking over the hosting duties for one episode of Sports Soup — a show that is described as “an irreverant look at the state of sports and the people who play and report on them.”

The show plays clips from the world of sports — even pulling from pre- and post-game shows, press conferences and local media — and the host makes witty comments in between highlights.

The host is typically Matt Iseman, who was actually born in Denver, and the comedian said in a press release that he is honored to have Marshall take over his hosting duties for Tuesday’s show.

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No Laboring About One Loss

November 2nd, 2009 - 5:52pm by jim_saccomano

The Denver Broncos finally dropped a game Sunday, to an always tough Baltimore Ravens team that, in this case, came into the game with three straight losses and was desperately in need of a win.

Denver remains in good shape with a 6-1 record following the loss, which was a tough defensive struggle that at halftime saw the Broncos trailing by just a 6-0 score. The ravens returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown and slowly pulled away after that.

With that loss, Denver Head Coach Josh McDaniels fell one victory short of becoming just the second or third (and we’ll explain) first year head coach to start off his coaching career with seven consecutive wins.

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Harris Ruled Out for Monday Night Matchup

November 2nd, 2009 - 3:09pm by Zach Eisendrath

Speaking with the media on Monday morning from Dove Valley, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said that starting tackle Ryan Harris will not be available for Week 9’s Monday Night Football matchup with the defending Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I don’t know the whole entire prognosis,” McDaniels said. “I am meeting with Greek (Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos) here as soon as this is over, but he will not play this week.”

Harris left Sunday’s 30-7 loss to Baltimore in the first quarter with a toe injury. He was replaced for the remainder of the game by Tyler Polumbus.

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Monday Morning Blues, 6-1

November 2nd, 2009 - 9:58am by mark_cooper

Coach McDaniels said it best after the game. They’re a good football team and you can’t play poorly on the road against a good football team.

Both lines of scrimmage were dominated by the Ravens. I’ve always been told, “give credit, where credit is due.” They earned it. Our crew had dominated that sacred ground up until this Sunday. That’s really where the game is won when you really pay attention. No one knows or understands when you win because all ESPN, FOX and the rest of the TV shows share, are highlights.

Highlights: High flying catches, diving catches, great runs from scrimmage, dipping and dodging. Never the blocks that sprung them or the line of scrimmage being pushed back during the running plays or at the goal line and the amount of time Kyle Orton has to go to his third or fourth read.

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