Over the next few weeks, we’ll look back at each player’s performance during the 2006 season here in the blog. We’ll go in alphabetical order by surnames — let’s face it, it’s easiest that way — starting today with safety Hamza Abdullah.
By December of this year, Hamza Abdullah had already established himself as a key member of the Broncos’ coverage units. But with injuries ransacking the Broncos’ safety corps of starter Nick Ferguson and “big nickel” back Sam Brandon, the second-year player found himself playing defense in the regular season for the first time in his career in the Dec. 10 game at San Diego.
Twenty-one days later, he was forced into more extensive action and responded with three solo tackles and an assist in the Broncos’ season-ending defeat to San Francisco. His solid tackling that day showed a hint of the kind of consistency he could display with more playing time, but his preseason work demonstrated what kinds of big plays he could make.
During the August warm-up clash with the Tennessee Titans, he forced a fumble and intercepted a pass but had both plays rendered meaningless. The fumble out of the hands of eventual Offensive Rookie of the Year Vince Young was picked up by the quarterback for a touchdown, while the interception was nullified by a penalty.
Just a day earlier, Abdullah had intercepted two passes in a practice. Therefore, the rotten luck that kept his plays from helping the Broncos against the Titans didn’t keep his work from being noticed by John Lynch, who quickly mentioned Abdullah when asked which of the young safeties had impressed him during training camp and the preseason.
“He’s a guy who turned some heads in the preseason and I like the way he plays,” Lynch said.
With Brandon and Ferguson rehabilitating their injuries and fill-in safety Domonique Foxworth planning on moving back to cornerback — “I’ve got several more years at cornerback,” he said during the season — there could be some chances for Abdullah to expand on his late-season work as the offseason progresses.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Ranked fifth on the team with eight total special-teams tackles … Forced an Antonio Cromartie fumble on a kickoff return at San Diego that led to a touchdown. Officially, it was his second career forced fumble following one at Kansas City in 2005, but in his mind, it’s his first, as he doesn’t count the play from his rookie season because “I just happened to be standing right there and they credited me with it,” he said … After four games up on the active roster to open the season, Abdullah was scratched from Weeks 5-9 for games against Baltimore, Oakland, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. The spate of injuries at the safety position pushed him back onto the 45-man gameday roster beginning in Week 10 at Oakland; he remained there for the rest of the year.
NEXT UP: Tight end Stephen Alexander.
Tags: 2006 Season Review, Hamza Abdullah, Safeties
Hi Andrew! My name is Alexandre, im from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Congratulations for your blog! I have one question and I hope you can help me… There’s a place where the fans could talk to his favorites players? Im a biggest fan of Jake Plummer here. My numer is 16 and here we play footaball at the beach! We have championships, tournaments and leagues. It’s really interesting! But for now, I really want to send him an email. Is it possible? Could you help me?
Thanks Mason! My email and MSN you can find im my profile!
I’ll wait! =)
Thanks again!
(Sorry for my english)
Good look at a player that is gonna have to step it up in ’07. With the tragic departure of D. Williams, D. Foxworth should be seeing at least a few of those ‘several years’ at CB. All that remains is to see what acquistions are made in the of-season, but it would probably be a better idea to develop H. Abdullah as he is already integrated into the system. With J. Lynch giving him a nod, DEN should be able to look forward to a great seaon from their ’07 safety corps.
I also was impressed by Hamza’s play late in the season. In fact, I cheated on my Madden game and increased his ratings to reflect how I think of him as a player.
With Lynch as a mentor to him, im sure he will learn many valuable traits of the position.
I think he has great potential to in the safety position especially if Lynch likes the way he plays. Lynch obviously sets the tone back there but Hamza needs to get his weight to become a bigger hitter like Lynch. It could potential be a dynamic duo….Bring back the Orange Crush!!! Lets go!! Cant wait for next year:)
Yes, liked see’in him out their. Always like watching for new players on special teams. His name, Abdullah, seemed to be around the ball on special teams which is a good sign of possible things to come. It’s cool to see great plays on coverage then in the same game great tackles in the secondary.
Anyone on our coverage teams should actually be pretty embarassed by their play this year. But the past is now the past, heres to next year and much better S/T play.
ABDULLAH WILL be a significant part on Denver’s D this upcoming season. I think there is a big advantage by having Champ and John as mentors, it brings the best out of the entire young secondary’s playing ability. It doesn’t hurt to pick there brains every minute! Good size, speed, and seems pretty bright. The future for Denver’s D looks sunny and bright just like my Imperial Valley Desert! Let’s go ABDULLAH!
DESERT BRONCO
HE’s a keeper Mike, I’ve got this yo say about all four of Mason’s first four players on this over view, NEXT YEAR OH YEA!!!!!
I think he has a strong chance of being our starter for next season. He can tackle, he has great speed (something that has been missing at that position) and he can lay a hit on someone too. I look for him to be a starter next year.
HIs soundsa just like mine which is Humza Abdul-Basir
his name sounds just like mine