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Archive for 2009

Broncos at Colts: Pregame Blog

December 13th, 2009 - 9:13am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

From high up in the Lucas Oil Stadium press box, it’s almost an aerial view of the field. This is easily the highest above the field we’ve been this season, but it should be interesting to watch as plays develop.

It’s a gloomy day in Indianapolis, but you’d never know in the stadium. An announcement was just made that the gates are open, and fans are slowly making their way toward their seats. A few player are already on the field warming up, including Kyle Orton, Marcus Thomas, Darcel McBath, Alphonso Smith and Chris Simms.

Speaking of the gloomy day, normally we would put the weather report here, but obviously with the contest being played in a dome, it won’t affect anything come game time.

We’ll post the inactives as soon as we get them, and Zach Eisendrath is on the field taking pregame pictures as we speak.

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Now Hold On Just A Minute

December 12th, 2009 - 9:52am by mike_riceOther posts by

I know the Colts are undefeated. I know they have the best quarterback in the NFL. I know they are hosting the Broncos.

But unlike certain past trips to Indianapolis, the Broncos have a shot to win.

Most Broncos fans have a tough time forgetting the debacles of playoffs past in Indianapolis. If they did forget, this week probably reminded them of the Broncos inability to keep those games competitive.

To this point, the Colts have shown themselves to be the best team in the AFC. At home, they are rightly the favorite against a Broncos team that keeps showing people wrong.

I would not be shocked, however, if the Broncos at least kept the game competitive and even won. Here are a few reasons why.

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Broncos Backfield Picks Up Pair of Awards

December 11th, 2009 - 12:19pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by

After rushing for a combined 199 yards against the Chiefs in Week 13, Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter have each received a weekly award.

For an NFL high fourth time this season, Moreno has been named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. The Georgia product rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 44-13 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. He is the only rookie to win the award four times this season, as Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez won it during Week 1 through Week 3.

With 113 rushing yards on 12 carries against the Chiefs, Buckhalter has been named FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. The nine-year veteran is the first Bronco to win the award this season.

When asked how the two complement each other, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said each back has their own method to reach the edge of a defense.

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As Fundamental As They Come

December 10th, 2009 - 2:56pm by Zach EisendrathOther posts by

On Tuesday, a six-person committee of both USA Football and NFL Players Association members selected Ryan Clady to the inaugural USA Football/NFLPA “All-Fundamentals” Team. The second-year lineman was recognized as one of the league’s most fundamentally-sound players and a community service activist.

Clady and Head Coach Josh McDaniels reflected on that prestigious honor during a press conference at Dove Valley before the team’s Thursday practice session.

McDaniels called Clady “one of the most athletic left tackles” in the game today, praising the 6-foot-6, 325-pound left tackle’s ability to play with constant effort for 60 minutes.

“In order to be as successful and productive as he’s been at left tackle, you have to be good fundamentally,” McDaniels said. “You can’t guess. You have to use your hands and your feet equally effectively, and he does that. (He’s a) very smart player. He knows what he needs to do, not only in the pass-protection game but also in run blocking. He does a nice job working with the other interior linemen. (This is) a very well-deserved award for him.”

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Stepping Back Into Starting Shoes

December 9th, 2009 - 4:18pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by

After Wednesday’s announcement that Ryan Harris was placed on injured reserve, the majority of future reps at right tackle will belong to Tyler Polumbus.

A starter from Nov. 9 against Pittsburgh through Nov. 26 against the Giants, the Colorado alum has gradually made greater strides on one of the stronger lines in the league.

“He knows what we’re doing and he knows our system,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “He communicates well with the other players and he’s playing beside good players. We think that we have a guy who’s getting better each week.”

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Remembering The Barrelman

December 9th, 2009 - 2:33pm by jim_saccomanoOther posts by

Some things are just too crazy to believe. And so it was with the improbably story of The Barrel Man, and how he came to be.

Virtually every Denver broncos fan and a great many pro football fans are familiar with Tim McKernan and how he painted up a barrel on a bet with his brother, just to see if he could get on TV.

He got on TV, alright. Over and over again, national fame following his initially simple ploy.

Tim became symbolic of the passionate Broncos fans who follow, cheer for and believe in their team at all times, at all costs.

Including the risk of hypothermia, in Tim’s case.

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Broncos Sign Taylor, Place Harris on IR

December 9th, 2009 - 9:51am by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by

The Broncos have a new tackle in town, announcing the signing of free agent Herb Taylor on Wednesday. After leaving last Sunday’s game at Kansas City, Ryan Harris was also placed on injured reserve with a toe injury.

A third-year tackle, Taylor entered the league with the Chiefs as a sixth-round pick in then 2007 NFL Draft. He was waived by Kansas City at the end of the team’s 2009 training camp.

Taylor appeared in 18 games for the Chiefs, including all 16 contests last season. As a rookie in 2007, he appeared in two contests, was inactive for 11 games and dressed but did not play in three games.

A college stalwart at Texas Christian University, Taylor earned first-team All-Mountain West recognition during both his junior and senior seasons. He set a school record by making 48 consecutive starts and helped the Horned Frogs to a win in the Poinsettia Bowl during his senior season.

Clady Recognized for Fundamentals

December 8th, 2009 - 11:35am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by

Ryan Clady has been recognized as an example for youth football players because of his fundamentals.

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels, and the NFL Players Association selected Clady along with 25 other NFL players to the inaugural USA Football/NFLPA “All-Fundamentals” Team. This 26-man roster honors the NFL’s most fundamentally-sound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities.

Clady was selected as an example particularly for aspiring offensive tackles to emulate because of his quick hands in pass protection.

In addition to his fundamentally-strong play, Clady does exemplary work in the Boise, Idaho, community. His efforts have benefitted the Ada County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Employees Association and many other local causes.

As part of this honor, Clady will designate a youth or high school football program to receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football. He will also receive a pewter-dipped “All-Fundamentals” Team helmet trophy produced by Riddell, USA Football’s official helmet and equipment partner.

Dynamic Ground Duo Up For Awards

December 8th, 2009 - 9:26am by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by

After strong ground games against the Chiefs in Week 13, Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter are each up for weekly awards.

Moreno is eligible to become the Pepsi Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season. The rookie running back finished with 86 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the Broncos’ 44-13 win at Kansas City. He previously won the weekly accolade during Week 4 against Dallas, Week 5 against New England and Week 12 against the New York Giants.

Through his first 12 games in the NFL, Moreno leads all rookies with 182 rushing attempts and 774 rushing yards. For four straight weeks, Moreno has eclipsed 80 yards rushing. His six games with 80 or more rushing yards ties for second among all NFL rookies since 2000.

Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin, Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy, Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis, and Colts cornerback Jacob Lacey are the other finalists this week for the the honor. You can vote for Moreno here through Friday at 10 a.m. MT.

Buckhalter has received his first nomination of the season for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. He rushed for 113 yards on 12 carries against the Chiefs, marking the third-highest single-game total of his career.

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A Special Teams Statement

December 7th, 2009 - 3:37pm by Zach EisendrathOther posts by

After reviewing the tape of Sunday’s 44-13 win at Kansas City, Head Coach Josh McDaniels came to a quick conclusion as to why the Broncos were able to snatch the game’s momentum early and hold onto it until the final gun.

“I think it started with our performance in the kicking game,” McDaniels said. “We knew that that had been a strength of Kansas City’s. I felt like we really challenged them in every phase of our special teams.”

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer’s units were stout from start to finish. Matt Prater went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts. Mitch Berger boomed three punts for a 51.7 yard average. Between punt and kick returns, Eddie Royal notched 149 return yards.

Perhaps most importantly, the team’s kickoff coverage was superb. On nine Matt Prater kickoffs, Kansas City was limited to an average return of 20.9 yards, the longest being a 26-yard run by Quinten Lawrence.

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