To watch the entire press conference, please click here.
1:26 P.M. MDT: After hearing media-relations intern Jason Taylor say “check” at least 267 times while testing the sound going out to the various TV and on-line video concerns who will be broadcasting the press conference, we finally have good sound –we believe.
1:27 P.M. MDT: The live video link is working and can be accessed here.
1:30 P.M. MDT: On time, as usual.
1:31 P.M. MDT: Shanahan reiterates that spiking the football to stop the clock in the dying seconds of regulation was not an option. “You’ve got to anticipate that before stepping onto the field,” he said.
1:32 P.M. MDT: On the celebration: “I think it’s the most excited I’ve ever seen a pro team … It was kind of like a college atmosphere … Sure nice to win a game that way.”
1:34 P.M. MDT: “It’s a long season,” Shanahan says, emphasizing that as thrilling as the win was, it was just the first game.
1:35 P.M. MDT: “We’ve got some work to do. Special teams, we didn’t play very well with the exception of the field goal, but the good part of it is we found a way to win.”
1:36 P.M. MDT: “I’m not sure he was too excited about that, but he executed it pretty well,” Shanahan says of Jay Cutler’s reaction to the installation of the option.
1:37 P.M. MDT: “Jay’s first two years at Vanderbilt, they ran the option. For a guy that’s done it a couple of years at the college level, it’s pretty easy to run it at the pro level … Vince Young’s been doing it at Tennessee; he’s been doing a great job.” Shanahan added that the option might be installed on a weekly basis now.
1:39 P.M. MDT: “Jay had to pull up; the only thing he did was throw it too far,” Shanahan said when analyzing the second-and-13 lateral on the final drive that nearly sunk the Broncos’ comeback hopes. “He wasn’t afraid to make a play.”
1:40 P.M. MDT: Defense: “You just take it game by game. After the first game if you’re No. 1 on defense, you can’t complain … we know we haven’t arrived and by no means was it a clean game … but we’re going to keep on trying to get better, take it day by day.”
1:41 P.M. MDT: On Simeon Rice: “I was happy with him … He came in there, played 17 plays and made a couple of big-time plays. Just got a good feel.”
1:41 P.M. MDT: Shanahan said that he would have a better feel for the status of the injured Broncos on Wednesday.
1:42 P.M. MDT: On guards Montrae Holland and Chris Myers, both of whom made their first Denver starts: “I’m pretty pleased with how they handled themselves.”
1:44 P.M. MDT: On Champ Bailey handling kickoff-coverage work: “The great players want to play special teams.”
1:45 P.M. MDT: On D.J. Williams: “I think for his first game (at middle linebacker), he played well.”
1:46 P.M. MDT: On the Raiders: “Their offense is much better and their defense has the same personnel back … They’re a different football team, and I can see it already.”
1:46 P.M. MDT: Louis Green “should be okay,” Shanahan said. Green was injured in a second-half collision Sunday.
1:46 P.M. MDT: And … that’s it.
Tags: Buffalo Bills, Mike Shanahan
Hmm, not sure I like Cutler running the option but hey if we can make plays with it, I’m in. Just don’t want to see the kid get blown up. Jay likes to hit and won’t shy away from contact.
All in all it was good game and very fun to watch.
Thanks for the blog Mason.
Thanks for posting the press conference. Did he say anything more about Champ playing special teams in the future? Thats fine if great players want to play it, but I just dont think the risk equals the reward. Even thought he did had a TD saving tackle..
I agree, they better use it sparingly. On the upside, I can’t think of a better play than the option to set up a reverse (Like the one Walker took 70 yards last year).
Boy, did I love this game. It’s was a real nail biter. I hope they don’t have many more like this, I don’t think my heart can take it… I’m stoked about the up coming season. Colts be warned, there’s a new stallion in town!
I feel sorry for the injured Bill TE that got carted away after the impact with Hixon. I hope that he makes a full recovery. Any updates on his condition?
Did you all catch the stats? AWESOME!!!!!
bronco t:
He didn’t specify anything about Bailey on special teams in the future, but it’s not unusual for keenly gifted star players to handle special-teams work under Scott O’Brien; Julius Peppers was on the field-goal rush team in Carolina under O’Brien’s watch.
broncosfan73:
There’s an update here … it’s still early in the process, but he apparently could feel pressure down to his feet, had some voluntary movement and breathed for a short time without a respirator.
FURTHER UPDATE:
According to an Associated Press story on ESPN.com, the outlook is not promising. Excerpts follow:
The Buffalo Bills’ Kevin Everett sustained a “catastrophic” and life-threatening spinal-cord injury and his chances of regaining a full range of body motion are very small, an orthopedic surgeon said Monday.
“A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely,” Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said.
I love the option if Travis can run for 30 every time. If Jay gets hurt out there by himself, is it worth it ?? Awesome game !! I knew we had it the whole way !!!! It’s a game we would have lost during the past 5-6 years. No way Jake would have won this game. What an offense !! Kudos to Travis, Javon, Stokley & Especially Jay Cutler !! Speaking of Cutler, he will cut down on the stupid stuff in time. He can move very well & has a cannon !! Go Broncos !!!
sdfda
Sorry, that was me with the “sdfda” comment. I didn’t think it would let me submit that.
Anyways, I just want to say that I’m not impressed with Dominik Hixon at all. To me, he seems like he’s very skittish, and afraid to run with the ball. Everytime I saw him about to get hit, he seemed to slow his pace significantly as if he’s already given up on the play… then he gets licked and doesn’t gain much.
He also had the missed punt that ended up at our 1 yard line.
I think he needs to play with a little bit more passion next time.
Ditto on the Hixon comment…
Play as a pro - you certainly are paid as a pro.
I agree to an extent on Hixon. He seemed a little timid at times, but the punt that fell in the 1 yard line was not a mess up; it was textbook. If a punt comes inside of the 10 yard line with no one from the other team hovering, the return man is supposed to let it drop. 19 times out of 20 that punt rolls out of or into the end zone. Unfortunately for Broncos fans and Hixon, because of a phenomenal punter and a little luck, the ball died instead of bouncing through. The good news is, the Broncos are 1-0 to start the season!!!
Wow, y’all are hard on Hixon … it is only his first regular-season game. Certainly he was better on kickoff returns; he averaged 24 yards a pop and broke a couple of ackles. You are right, BroncosFan … if that thing goes inside the 10, you don’t field that thing unless you’re Dante Hall or Devin Hester. Hixon’s new, the special-teams coordinator is new, and some of the coverage guys are new to the duty.
Give Hixon time…he is a young player, and was playing in his first ever pro football game after being inactive BECAUSE OF INJURY all last year. Give him time, as we would anyone/thing else that is new this year…i.e the defense!!! The kid is very talented, and has a lot of speed…something that hasn’t been associated with the Broncos specials team too often (outside of d-will). Speaking of witch, keep in mind d-will was a little inconsistent early on as a returner. D-Hix did a lot of damage in college as a returner, and the coaches have enough faith in him to have released Morgan and make Clark inactive!
Basically, what Andrew said!
*witch-i meant to spell/say which above*
Yea i agree be easy on hixon first nfl game plus he was in on the play that everett which he probably is feeling guily about he did as best as he could.
Yea i agree be easy on hixon first nfl game plus he was in on the play that everett was hut on which he probably is feeling guily about he did as best as he could.
i meant to spell (hurt) my bad
Wow, what a game. All you bronco bloggers as well as myself please keep Kevin Everett in your prayers. I loved the option and cannot believe that we made that field goal in time. Incredible. I also thought Hixon was a little bit timid on punt returns but I think he will turn out to be a pretty good returner.
I just hope Kevin Everett doesn’t end up like Derrick Thomas. Similar injuries (Thomas was hurt in a car wreck though). Then DT had a blood clot come lose and that was it. It’s scary the complications that can arise from this sort of injury and the resulting hospitalization. So sad.
Just pray for Everett. That’s all any of us can do. He seemed like a nice fellow, a quiet guy, when I briefly crossed paths with him at the Combine back in ‘05. All we can do is hope for the best.
I saw something from Jay I didn’t expect, when he threw the ball behind him, I believe to Selvin, not sure, He ran ahead to clear the way and made a tackle… That was impressive! That boy want’s to play football now! His stats were good as was Jevon’s, and Henry’s!! I think the team did a lot of good! Hixon will get in there once he learns what a great team he is on and they will watch his back! Jason Elam, being the Christian that he is, praying for that boy, is an example to all!! He is a wonderful person and a friend to all! Lynch, Champ, are great teachers!! Go Bronco’s!! Prayers to Kevin, all of America that has suffered from 9/11 and all the fallen in the Iraq war! Jay could be a little Elway, without the attitude!!! No one could have Elway’s attitude! Coming in or going out!! Still love that man! After yesterday, I love Jay! God Bless all!
MY mistake, It was Travis Henry he threw the ball to!! I don’t know where I got Selvin??????????? SORRY!
Good, no great, news on Everett: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/sports/football/12everett.html?_r=2&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
On Evertt/Hixon….the look on Hixon’s face after the play told me everything I had to know about the kid…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player look so concerned for a player he never played with or against before(as far as I know)…when a player goes down, obviously every one is concerned…but the look on Hixon’s face spoke volumes to me.
Guys this is the most exciting time of the year…im at work and im trying not to jump out of my seat. Jay is learning every day and getting better every game. He is already a leader on the team which means the respect for him is undeniable. Travis Henry is running hard in the backfield and the defense is reminiscent of the Orange Crush…i cant sit still