After a three-day respite that represented a second bye weekend for all intents and purposes, the Broncos returned to the practice field Monday for a session that lasted just under an hour and was conducted without linebacker Ian Gold and tight end Daniel Graham, although both were in uniform alongside their teammates.
Head Coach Mike Shanahan offered similar prognoses for Gold and Graham, saying that “maybe” each would be able to return to the practice field this week. Gold suffered a knee injury in Thursday night’s loss at Houston, while Graham incurred a high ankle sprain, the same kind of injury that running back Andre Hall played through at Chicago on Nov. 25 before sitting out the loss at Oakland seven days later.
“Exactly when (Graham) will be able to practice, I’m not really sure,” Shanahan said.
As for the practice itself, safety John Lynch described it as “business as usual,” noting that the team was able to get into deeper work that it might otherwise have been able to in the return from a weekend off because of its collective familiarity with the San Diego Chargers.
As for the mental frame of mind knowing that the team had been eliminated … that was something different, given the fact that few in the locker room are used to playing a game without postseason ramifications or without the playoffs on the horizon, since this will be the Broncos’ first such week of preparation in six years.
“You’ve been clinging to hope,” Lynch said. “It’s reality and you’re at the stage where you say, ‘What are you going to do about it now?’ The only thing I know how to do is go play your tail off these last two weeks and move forward.”
Dre’ Bly experienced five consecutive season-ending scenarios like the one in which the Broncos currently find themelves — one in St. Louis in 2002 and four with the Detroit Lions from 2003-06.
“I’ve been in situations where guys shut it down, guys get into a little funk,” he said. They start putting their house on the market. When they know they’re not in the postseason, or their season is over they put their house on the market and start packing — stuff like that to take their mind off of football.
“We can’t afford to do that.
“You really find out the character of the guys that are here in the last couple of games in a situation like that. I’m going to try to do everything I can do within my power to try to help this team win.”
And no matter whether Gold and Graham are in uniform next Monday, that’s what the coaches ask of the players — and the players ask of each other.
“This is your job,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “We’re professionals and you don’t want to go out there and put bad tape on. You’ve also got to put it up for the guy next to you. We’ve been through a lot this whole season and there’s no reason to falter now.”
Tags: Champ Bailey, Daniel Graham, Dre Bly, Ian Gold, John Lynch, Mike Shanahan
How I’ve missed the Jay vs. Jake debates (NOT!) I don’t think it takes a whole lot of perspective to say Jake was better than a rookie QB, but that wasn’t really the issue. Jake wasn’t going to get us to the SB, and that’s the standard in Denver (as it should be everywhere). Jake has his chance against Pitt in ’05, and what he delivered was two interceptions, two fumbles and a SB Ring for the wild card Steelers. Not to mention the first home AFCCG loss in Broncos history. I liked Jake, I really did, but Cutler was and is the future, and picking him was a brilliant move, IMHO, knowing that however Jake played last season his days as an NFL player were numbered. Had Jake posted a season passer rating of 88.5 like Cutler did last year, let alone the 90.8 he has so far this season, there’s no doubt he’d have remained the starter and Denver would’ve been back in the playoffs. His actual 2006 rating of 68.8 put him 41st out of last years 50 starters, and it was time for a change. Ask yourself how many sophomore QBs would have a 90+ PR with two of their three best linemen and their two best receivers out for most of the season…?
To my mind that’s been one of the biggest problems this year:
Ben Hamilton, our best run blocking guard and the only pulling guard to speak of, never played a regular season down; he’s been replaced by a second year guard making his first starts.
Tom Nalen, the lynchpin of our line, went out early and never returned; he’s been spelled for most of the season by a third year guard making HIS first starts.
Our remaining starting guard, Montrae Holland, has been healthy, but it’s still his first season as a Bronco. The only real stability we’ve had is Lepsis coming back strong from his season ending injury and sophomore Erik Pears showing what a great find he was at RT. That Cutlers sack numbers aren’t in triple digits and our rushing average is >1 is a tribute to Shannys “dafting”.
Rod Smith never played a down; Javon Walker played about a month and a half, and our leading receiver is another second year guy who, if his first two seasons are any indication, will be a star in the future, with the only concern being how to keep him under contract.
Travis Henry has been dinged most of the year, as well as having a lot of off the field distractions; judging by each backs rushing average, if Selvin Young is developing any kind of pass blocking skills at all I’d say he should be the starter (assuming HE can stay healthy).
So many people seem to think Gerard Warren belongs among the unbroken string of Shanahan draft mistakes (for all that he was actually a trade from Cleveland) but he didn’t look too bad the two times we played Oakland. Our porous run D surely could have used him, but the good news is Dumervil has 11 sacks (so far… ) and Tim Crowder has 4 despite missing the first part of the season and backing up Engleburger. Would I be happier if we still had Ebenezer Ekuban to chase down LT from behind for a loss like he did last year? You bet, but we don’t; naetheless, the ends we have are still pretty good, just like last year, but, just like last year, they still need DTs who can draw doubles and collapse the pocket or teams will just run up the gut all year (as they’ve done… ) when they don’t just put two blockers on every end and blitzing LB and throw it deep (see “OT hosting GB” ).
Which brings us to Messers Bates and Shanahan. IMHO, a head coach needs a MINIMUM of five years and an O/DC three to build a team that fits his gameplan. Bates has had 14 games. His philosophy is sound as far as it goes, but we don’t have the personnel to run it–yet. Give us an off season or two to acquire some EFFECTIVE run stuffing DTs and that should change; McKinley has played better than most expected, and if we can find a couple true cloggers to rotate in Adams’ spot next to him, we’ll have the makings of a very stout front four who can give our offense the ability to take advantage of our high rankings in passing and running.
What we CAN’T afford to do is fall into the trap so many mediocre teams do, having a revolving door of coaches who are always trying to turn players chosen by their predecessor to a new style. That’s an exercise in futility, and if you take a look around the League at teams that do that (e.g. the Cardinals) I’ll believe you’ll find that while their fans get what they demand in the short term (“FIRE THE BUMS!!!”) they’re still not happy because they don’t reach their long terms goals of finishing better than .500.
I’d still like another quality MLB to go with D.J. even if he HAS done what he required: Play well and never get hurt. But this is a very talented team whose biggest strength is also their biggest weakness (other than DT… ) : Youth. Young guards, young QB, young backs, young DEs. But all very talented, and all going to get better. We just have to grit our teeth, take our lumps for the present, and use the draft and free agency to fill a few holes and get back to the SB. Be patient, and don’t be a fairweather fan.