Archive for November, 2008

Off Early for the Holiday

November 27th, 2008 - 4:01pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by Adam Zinser

The Broncos held an early 10:20 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. practice at Dove Valley so players could get home to spend Thanksgiving with family, and by all accounts, everyone was in high spirits, laughing and joking around in the locker room before heading their separate ways.

But we were able to chat with a couple players before they headed out, so here are some quick hits from the day’s events.

DINNER WITH IRVIN

A few days before Thanksgiving, Brandon Marshall had dinner with a Hall of Famer — former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.

“It was right after the Oakland game,” Marshall said. “I sat down with Michael Irvin after the game for dinner, and he put a lot of things into perspective for me.”

When you’re an up and coming young wide receiver in the NFL, seeking out a knowledgeable veteran who has been there and done that can only help.

“I think we all know what type of guy he is and the things he has been through,” Marshall said. “All I did was shut my mouth and listen a lot. He told me to surround myself with good people, to do the right things and continue to do what I am doing. I feel good with the direction I am heading as a person and I am thankful. It is Thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for including the season, the organization, the NFL giving me another chance and the fans giving me another chance.”

Click to continue reading “Off Early for the Holiday”

Talking Turkey and Jets

November 26th, 2008 - 4:16pm by Jake GrilleyOther posts by Jake Grilley

Conversation in the Broncos locker room on Wednesday focused on Sunday’s showdown against the Jets. However, with Thanksgiving a day away, players also chimed in on tomorrow’s fast-approaching holiday.

DUMERVIL ON FAVRE

So what is Elvis Dumervil’s opinion on Jet’s quarterback Brett Favre?

“Brett Favre is overrated,” Dumervil told reporters before pausing a moment.

“Is that controversy for you guys?” he said with laugh.

“Nah, Brett Favre is excellent. He’s playing his best ball — like 70 percent completion — you can really see he’s in rhythm right now, they’ve got a ground game going and they’re an explosive offense. We’ve got our hands full.”

Click to continue reading “Talking Turkey and Jets”

Broncos Add Fullback Pinnock

November 26th, 2008 - 11:20am by Adam ZinserOther posts by Adam Zinser

Now Spencer Larsen has a little company at fullback and may not have to start both ways.

The Broncos have signed free agent fullback Andrew Pinnock, Head Coach Mike Shanahan has announced.

Pinnock joins the Broncos in his sixth year in the league after spending his first five with the Chargers. The 5-foot-10, 250-pounder was selected by the Chargers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft from the University of South Carolina.

He has played in 42 career games with three starts, totaling 18 rushes for 56 yards and four receptions for 31 yards. His three starts came last year as he saw action in 10 games. In 2005, he played in 12 games, and he saw action in all 16 contests as a rookie.

Click to continue reading “Broncos Add Fullback Pinnock”

A Crazy Season Continues

November 25th, 2008 - 9:18pm by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

It looked like the Broncos were heading in the right direction. They had won two straight road games, the offense was starting to roll again and the rushing defense was coming along.

But after Sunday’s 31-10 loss to the Raiders, I still have no idea what to expect from the Broncos, except a little bit of everything…good, bad and yes, even ugly.

Unfortunately, the bad and the ugly took center stage on Sunday. The Raiders offense generated three consecutive second half touchdowns after the Broncos had tied the game at 10. Remember, the Raiders are a team that had trouble generating anything on offense the four games prior to Sunday.

Click to continue reading “A Crazy Season Continues”

Davis, Sharpe Among 25 H.O.F. Semifinalists

November 25th, 2008 - 5:28pm by Adam ZinserOther posts by Adam Zinser

The list of players eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2009 has been narrowed down to 25 semifinalists.

Four first-year eligible players are in the group, including former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe. The other first-year eligible players are John Randle, Bruce Smith and Rod Woodson.

Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis is also among the 25 semifinalists.

Click to continue reading “Davis, Sharpe Among 25 H.O.F. Semifinalists”

Roderick Rogers Waived

November 25th, 2008 - 4:31pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

The Broncos on Tuesday waived safety Roderick Rogers, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Rogers, a second-year player from the University of Wisconsin, saw time in Denver’s last three games, starting in the team’s most recent loss to the Oakland Raiders. In the three games, he posted six tackles on defense along with two special-teams stops. He spent the first nine weeks of the season on the Broncos practice squad before he was signed to their active roster on Nov. 4.

Click to continue reading “Roderick Rogers Waived”

Improving Upon Inconsistencies

November 24th, 2008 - 5:29pm by Jake GrilleyOther posts by Jake Grilley

The Broncos locker room was fairly quiet on Monday.

Although the day marked the start of a new week, this weekend marks a tough road contest at New York against the Jets, the team was still trying to gather itself after Sunday’s disappointing 31-10 home loss to the Oakland Raiders.

In his post-game interview Ebenezer Ekuban called the flow of the team’s contest against the Raiders “a little bizarre.”

“But there are ebbs and flows about every game,” Ekuban admitted. “You just have to take it as-is.”

Click to continue reading “Improving Upon Inconsistencies”

Red Bull Air Force Pictures

November 24th, 2008 - 4:20pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

During the pregame festivities before Sunday’s game against the Raiders, I was pretty shocked when I saw people parachute into INVESCO Field at Mile High and land near midfield. I just saw a documentary on “Fan Man,” some guy who would randomly parachute into sporting events, so I half expected to see security sprint out to grab the parachuters.

Then I remembered the Red Bull Air Force was part of the pregame entertainment. They’re an elite crew of air savvy professionals that continue to push the envelope in the sports of paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving and BASE jumping.

Anyway, we just got some pretty cool pictures of them jumping into the stadium.

Like I wrote in the blog yesterday — I think I want to sky dive at some point in my life, just not sure I’d be willing to try to land in the middle of a football field in front of 70,000 fans.

More pictures after the jump.

Click to continue reading “Red Bull Air Force Pictures”

Is the Raider Rivalry Over?

November 23rd, 2008 - 8:56pm by mark_cooperOther posts by mark_cooper

I don’t know about you but I didn’t see anything that resembled a rivalry today. A loss 31-10, nobody showed up and the crowd left early. That really, really bothers me.

Is it over? Maybe it is. Hmm, I’m not sure how to handle that one as I’ve never-ever thought that rivalry would end. Heck, I got a little grumpy just thinking about it last week. I know that sounds weird, but maybe is “post NFL stress disorder.” Somebody call me a doctor. :o) Seriously!!!

Don’t blame the coaches — blame the team. I’m not going to even name names. I know how HOT a lot of you are, so let it out.

This is a young team that doesn’t know how to win yet. Win is really not the right word. They need to consistently show up and play hard, week-in and week-out.

Click to continue reading “Is the Raider Rivalry Over?”

Broncos vs. Raiders: Fourth Quarter Notes

November 23rd, 2008 - 5:27pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

15:00: The Raiders have a first-and-10 at the Denver 30-yard line. JaMarcus Russell drops back and lofts a pass to Darren McFadden who was streaking down the sideline. His legs got tangled up with Marquand Manuel’s and both players fell down. A flag is thrown and pass interference is called on Manuel. It’s a first-and-goal for the Raiders at the six-yard line.

14:54: Justin Fargas takes the handoff two yards before being brought down by Marcus Thomas. That brings up second-and-goal from the four-yard line, and Russell fakes a handoff before finding Ashley Lelie in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown.

The Sebastian Janikowski extra point is good, and the Raiders’ lead over the Broncos is extended to 24-10.

Click to continue reading “Broncos vs. Raiders: Fourth Quarter Notes”