Week 13 leftovers and Week 14 appetizers …
… At least now the questions about Travis Henry can stop. Seldom was the press briefing for Head Coach Mike Shanahan in the last few weeks that the subject of his appeal did not arise. Now the public focus on Henry can go back to his recovery from a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, which had progressed enough for him to play Sunday and score twice — although his playing time was more than Shanahan hoped, as he noted at his postgame and Monday afternoon briefings. The first illumination on the health of Denver’s running backs will come Wednesday afternoon at practice …
… With Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards already ruling Larry Johnson out for Sunday, it’s their quarterback situation that bears watching in regards to injuries. Brodie Croyle missed last week with a bruised lower back, and Edwards indicated he wouldn’t try to shove the second-year passer into Sunday’s game if he wasn’t healthy enough.
“If he can’t protect himself and we feel he’s not mobile enough to get out of the way, then there’s no need to play him this week,” Edwards said Tuesday. “But he’s going to come to practice tomorrow and we’ll see where he’s at.
“You definitely want to see more of Brodie Croyle, but you’re not going to put him in there wounded either. That’s not fair to the kid.”
If Damon Huard starts Sunday, it will give him two consecutive starts for the Chiefs at INVESCO Field at Mile High. He played throughout the Chiefs’ game in Denver in September 2006, a game that ended in a 9-6 Broncos overtime win …
… A few words about Jeff Shoate, whom the Broncos waived Tuesday. Few to come through the halls of Dove Valley have been friendlier, more accommodating or warmer than Shoate. It wasn’t so much Shoate the NFL player that stands out in my mind as much as Shoate the man — a man who grew up faster than most after becoming a father to Jesiah at the age of 18.
Three years ago, two months after the Broncos drafted him, we ran a profile on Shoate that focused on his commitment to his young child and his wife, including the jobs he had to hold down in his college years to make ends meet — including working for an undertaker, running cadavers around San Diego. It wasn’t the most pleasant job, but it was the only one that would allow him to continue playing football at San Diego State, remain a full-time student and provide support and time to his young family.
Jesiah, now eight years old, occasionally accompanied his father to Dove Valley and possesses his father’s wild hair, a frizzy Afro that would have fit nicely in the 1970s. But I think it’s a good bet that he’ll grow up imparted with his father’s diligence, honor and respect — traits that will serve both generations of Shoates well, no matter what path their future takes. Here’s hoping that for the elder Shoate, it involves playing somewhere in the NFL, because he’s definitely the kind of fellow for whom it’s easy to root …
… Two signs you spend too much time buried in football:
1. You find yourself listening to Christmas music as you write the daily notebook or some other piece, not so much because you’re in the mood to hear a pack of long-deceased dogs bark “Jingle Bells,” but because you want to remind yourself that this is still December, even though from your vantage behind a laptop, every day looks the same, and your only reminder of which month it is lies in the number of the week on the NFL schedule — Week 13, Week 14, et. al. This also means that you walk out the front door of your place in a heavy leather jacket because you haven’t read the weather forecast that called for a high temperature in the mid-60s. This happened to me Tuesday.
2. When The Most Wonderful Time of Year pops up on your iPod, you find yourself singing, “There’ll be tales of the glories of bowl games from long, long ago.” Bring on the annual ESPN college-bowl game commercials …
… And with that, let’s bring on some photos I shot from pregame warmups on Sunday:
As I turned the zoom lens on quarterback Jay Cutler, it struck me how classic his delivery is. He might have a somewhat unorthodox style at times, particularly in his ability to adeptly execute variances such as the option, but when he fades back to pass and fires, it’s exactly what one wants to see. To lapse into cliche’, he just looks like a pro quarterback.
Just because it’s only warmups doesn’t mean guys aren’t getting in each other’s faces, so to speak.
Remember, Rod Smith was the emergency quarterback when he was on the active roster. He’s still got it, one would reckon.
Now, the up-close shots:
Javon Walker.
Nate Webster.
Matt Lepsis.
Travis Henry.
Selvin Young.
Kenny Peterson.
But I can’t imagine a much more compelling photo subject than Brandon Marshall. Even in the relative tranquility of warmups, his face and eyes cross the spectrum of emotion, while his voice is often heard.
And just like in the locker room during an interview, No. 15 is rarely at a loss for words. All he needs is someone to listen, whether it’s a teammate or line judge Tom Barnes.
Few players are more intriguing to watch from a press-box observer’s perspective than Marshall. The fact that his statements and answers to queries traipse into the realm of the outrageous has nothing to do with this; it’s the passion and colorful manner with which he plays every down that often leaves my binoculars focused on what he does from play to play. A fascinating player, indeed.
That’s enough for now; press conferences and open-locker room will come soon enough … I need a little sleep in between. If I’m tired today, then, as Jimmy Buffett sang in Margaritaville, “It’s my own damn fault.” Truer words have rarely been spoken. Talk to you again soon … until then, vaya con Dios.
Tags: Brandon Marshall, Jeff Shoate, Personal Thoughts, Photography, Self-Indulgence, Travis Henry
Mason, what on Gods green earth is going on with Shanahan this year? He’s cutting and releasing guys faster than he ever has before! I mean it seems to me he has officially hit the panic button. Is there any chance he will admit maybe he’s not the guy for the GM job and concentrate on coaching? Head Coach/GM’s simply don’t work in the NFL and it’s about time he admits his own short comings.
Mason,
I just wanted to let you know that you do a great job. Your commitment shows in your work. Thanks.
Mase, again those photos get better every time.
On another note you finally nearly stole a sentence from us….
“To lapse into cliche’, he just looks like a pro quarterback.”
Now I know you meant it in a flattering way, unlike us. This is EXACTLY what we have said for nearly two years! The entire city of DENVER went nuts simply because Jay looks like a pro quarterback. Remember how we always point out his 11 wins 35 losses as a college qb and everyone ignores that!? How else can you be excited by a QB with that kind of record from a school full of doctors, dentists and lawyers? You can’t, especially when the kid hasn’t proven a thing in the NFL.
the only way you can, or the only reason to be as excited as Denver was to see someone throw as many interceptions as touchdowns, well granted one less int at this point, is the fact that the kid LOOKS LIKE A NFL QB.
But hey so did Ryan Leaf.
Awesome pics, Andrew!
You know LPP you really are picking the wrong stat to harp on. I believe your boy was good for 161 picks and 161 touchdowns over a 10 year career and then reverted back to the “other Jake” at the end. Pick another subject, one you can sound intelligent arguing. I hope Shanny decides to enlighten the rest of us why he kept Adams on the team for ¾ of the season and then suddenly decided he wasn’t good enough to stick around.
hrdnokd…I’m not picking the wrong stat to pick on, I’m merely pointing out that if Jake were QB this year, this whole season would be his fault. Since Jay is at QB, its everyone elses fault.
We have been saying Shanahan needs to go for 2 years, and now there are actually tons of people agreeing….
Poor Jay, another two years like this one and you’ll be crying for him to be pulled and some new kid to start. So will I if it’s Jack Elway!
I don’t think anyone is going to say this year is the qb’s fault for several reasons. The defense simply sucks, plain and simple. Last year they were holding guys to FG’s game after game and the offense simply didn’t score. Was it all Plummers fault? No, but Jay came in and the offense did in fact spark but it was too late. This year we have 2 quality starters out there on the offensive line, Meyers might be good in the future but he’s no ready to play the cornerstone. D.J. is playing much better at MLB, no question about it, but like I’ve said, Champ doesn’t look healthy and Bly is an overrated nickel back. The running game has had one long run for a TD all year, that doesn’t work in this offense. Bottom line, this team is in dire need of a serious turnover. I’d only keep a handful of the defensive players and it looks as though Shanny is starting to figure it out. It’s just too little, too late. PLEASE hand over the GM duties coach as it’s simply not your forte.
hrdnokd, since my job is a bit lax, I again have time to scoff at your post. Everyone including Mason always talks about how Jay came in last year and gave the offense a boost?
He averaged more point than the first 11 games but so what. Jay came in and drove the Broncos to a 2wins 3 losses record and right out of the playoffs, I don’t think missing the playoffs 2 years in a row is a good thing and that’s what’s happening because of Shanahan and his decisions.
letplummerplay, shanny obviously knows a tad bit more than you do about the game, otherwise you would be an nfl coach with 2 rings as head coach, several more as an O.C., and only one losing season to date. you would also own ALL the credable offensive records like shanny has done since he has been in denver. i mean jake was ok for a season does he have the tools that cutler has no. and like ive said before if jake is sooooooooooo good why isnt he in tampa. gruden said on national television that he wanted plummer, maybe plummer knows that his best shot to win the big one was in denver, and maybe he knows that he cant do that good any where else so he decided to retire. ever look at it like that? dont get me wrong jake is an increadable athlete but a so so Q.B. at best, he rarely threw from the pocket which we all know is very critical in the nfl, im not tryin to bash on jake man, i still have his jersey but lets give cutler his fair shake ya know? peace
For his first 16 starts he posted better numbers that all but 4 quarterbacks who came into the league since 2000. If the best you can do is take jabs at the fact that he looks like a qb maybe it’s time to re-evaluate. You can cry about Plummer all you like, but it won’t bring him back. He was a stain on the organization who never respected the fans and I feel no sympathy for him or remorse over our getting rid of him. For the record I never endorsed him. I was calling for BVP to replace him when he was around because I thought Plummer was a joke.
If we want to look at Cutlers past let’s go back and look at his perfect high school record. He played multiple positions at the time too. There’s really only one game he played in prior to him coming to the NFL that matters at all: That game against Tennessee. Vanderbilt is not a football factory school. The fact that Vandy hadn’t won in Tenn since the 60s is pretty significant. You can put the blinders on if you like but Jay is better than Jake.
THEjerg
thejerg
Thanks for reminding me that while the city of Denver has BOOED every QB since Elway, Brister, Griese, Jake and yes they have even booed JAY this year, thanks for reminding me that JAKE is the only one with QBALLS BIG enough to FLIP YOU ALL OFF not once but TWO TIMES!
HAHAHHAH, everyone calls us at LPP fair weather fans, whatever, you guys are the ones booing your QB cause he misses a 3rd down pass, well y’all booed Jake and got what you paid for the BIRD 2 x! I love it, go visit our site we still have pics of that on there.
man, thanks again Jerg for reminding me about that, it had been a while since I thought about that.
I’m so mad at the Broncos for losing again! Mostly because LetPlummerPlay stays in his hole after wins, and it’s always nice and sane around here when that happens!
You guys are insane. Everyone always says we stay away when the Broncos win?
To quote Robert Horry “you need to read a paper or something.” I think even Mason would agree, we’re on here every single week, win or lose.
It’s just you’re not used to the Broncos winning anymore, since it comes so sporadically, that’s not our fault. Blame that on Mike.