For a second consecutive day, neither Travis Henry nor Javon Walker practiced as they Broncos continued their preparation for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.
There was good news for the Broncos as several players went from limited participation in Wednesday’s session to full participation Thursday — running back Mike Bell, kicker Jason Elam, offensive tackle Ryan Harris, safety John Lynch and wide receiver Brandon Stokley.
Fullback Paul Smith, on the other hand, did not take part on Thursday as he grapples with a neck problem; he saw limited action Wednesday. Tight end Stephen Alexander (calf) and defensive end John Engelberger (shoulder) each saw limited work both Wednesday and Thursday.
Defensive tackle Sam Adams returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session, as is custom this year.
In San Diego, a slew of players did not practice Thursday: wide receiver Eric Parker, fullback Andrew Pinnock, wide receiver Buster Davis, defensive tackle Jamal Williams, cornerback Antonio Cromartie, tight end Antonio Gates and linebacker Carlos Polk.
Gates and Polk both practiced Wednesday but were missed Thursday’s work due to an illness and a knee problem, respectively.
BACK IN DENVER: I still find myself thinking about John Lynch’s Wednesday afternoon response to a query about the Colorado Rockies’ postseason appearance — which continued to be a stunning success after they used a Kaz Matsui grand slam to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 10-5 Thursday afternoon, giving them a 2-0 cushion in the best-of-five series.
Lynch is an admitted San Diego Padres fan, and grew up watching the exploits of Dave Winfield, Tony Gwynn, Goose Gossage and others to don the taco-beef brown uniforms the club once wore. But with the Rockies defeating his hometown team, he stood in his new hometown’s corner.
“I’ll jump on that bandwagon,” he said.
“You grow up in San Diego, Padre fan, and it always sticks with you. But I’m a Rockies fan as well, and from here on out, it’s Go Rox.”
Sure, it’s the political answer to give … but does that make it a lousy one? I heard Lynch’s reply and wanted to jokingly castigate him … but then I’d have to call myself out, since even I’ve been at least somewhat infected by “Rockies Fever,” “Rocky Pox” or whatever marginally catchy nickname you choose for the description of what afflicts the region this week.
Yes, my veins pump red fluid for the Atlanta Braves. They always will. But come Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. MDT, I’ll be sitting in a 300-level seat with my girlfriend on the other side of the armrest, a scorecard on my lap, a pencil in my right hand, portable radio in my ear, binoculars dangling around my neck, commemorative program at my feet and hot chocolate in the cupholder, watching the first postseason baseball game played here in a dozen years, and there’ll be no place in the world I’d rather be.
(By the way, I need to give my girlfriend some kind of nickname on here for blogging purposes … something based around the fact that she puts up with me for reasons I cannot fathom, she’s from Wisconsin, she loves Chili’s and she’s a doctor — an anesthesiologist, to be precise. Any suggestions, please offer them below.)
I may not be a die-hard Rockies fan, but I love baseball the way Ron Burgundy loves scotch, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to miss a postseason game contested five miles from my home (unless, of course, there’s a Broncos game or work conflict that precludes my attendance).
So, yes, I’m admitting that I’m as much of a bandwagoneer as anyone right now. Painful to say that … but true.
So like Lynch, I’ll say it:
Go Rox.
Until the next post, vaya con Dios.
Tags: Javon Walker, Travis Henry
It has been a long time since the Rockies fans had something to cheer about. Year after year I watched big names come and go, and the results were always the same…..Rockies in last place in the West. Every year I waited patiently for the Rox to come to AZ and play the D-backs so I could put away the Randy Johnson jersey and dust off the ol’ #9 Vinny Castilla jersey and cheer for my favorite team. Now I will be torn about who to cheer for in the NLCS when the Rockies come to Arizona to decide who gets to face the overpaid juggernauts of the American League. Both teams are such unlikely heroes that it is impossible to choose which one deserves the chance to play more. We had our parade in 2001. We have the memories of one of the greatest World Series ever played. We still have the Suns getting ready to play and finish the job for once. It is the Rockies turn to fill the streets of Denver with screaming fans and sellout games, like it used to be in the first years of the franchise when they were more affectionately known as “The Blake Street Bombers”. Go Rockies!!!!!!
I have to admit that I’m really excited for the Rockies making it. I like you am a Braves fan by heart but loving Colorado, I have to cheer for the guys in the purple.
Go Rockies…
Aside from that, is there any truth to the Travis Henry news posted on MyFoxColorado.com that he tested positive for marijuana?
http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4547952&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
yardo:
All I know, frankly, is what I’ve read on-line, so I really don’t know any more about this than you do right now.
It may be too obvious (and unwieldy), but “Chili Cheese Doc” sprang to mind almost immediately. It covers the love of chili’s, the Wisconsin (cheese…well, cheesehead, angle) and Doc instead of….okay, if I have to explain it this much, it’s probably not nearly as good as it sounded at first…
Well, we all know that Henry is a class guy (50 kids by 50 different women) so I have little doubt that him testing positive for marijuana (and probably a few STD’s…lol) is probably true. Looks like Mike and Selvin will get their shot at being the next 1000yd rusher for the orange and blue. Perhaps why he hasn’t practiced this week?????????
Andrew,
Any comment on the Travis Henry marijuana report? Thanks.
orangebronco:
Like I wrote in one of the above comments, all I know is what I’ve read on-line.
If all of this is true and we decided to cut Henry, would we be able to get back all or part of the signing bonus. What would be the cap implications?
Bye Travis! We really enjoyed your 4 weeks here. Way to go idiot.
Now you’ll have more time to spend with your 9 kids. Unless their 9 moms want nothing to do with you.
It’s starting to pop up in a lot of places now. Did you see the report that T. Henry is allegedly suing the NFL to prevent them from using his sample?
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/10/04/travis-henry-fails-drug-test-sues-nfl-could-get-one-year-suspe/
there is no way that i am condoning the use of marijuana… but i do believe that we as non-nfl-athletes cannot fathom the amount of physical abuse that these guys endure every weekend. and when you look at a guy like henry, welp… he takes it on the chin harder than just about anyone in the league. marijuana is illegal and against league policy, but sometimes i feel like the demand for the intensity of the game out stretches our capacity to understand the reality of what these guys endure. there is an analgesic effect with marijuana that helps these guys recover. personally, i would imagine that marijuana use is rampant in the NFL. i don’t think it is SMART what henry did… but we are demanding this out of him as well… am i making any sense?
oh well… come on selvin! let’s see what you can do!
peace
Looks like Mike is moving over to back up tailback again, unless Andre Hall is ready to back up Young…….
Mr. Mason,
Calling yourself a bandwagon fan is analogous to those people that ask their therapist if their crazy. Your not crazy if you still have enough self awareness to ask the question. So your calling yourself a bandwagon fan really implies that you have enough respect for the team and the fans that have been there from the beginning to be considered a fan. Now, as we depart that ring of my hazy circular logic… I used to work with the Sheriffs Department out here specializing in the handling of priority prisoners while they were in civilian hospitals having any number of procedures done. One of the cases I was in charge of was a former taxi driver that had been convicted of a double homicide that was particularly brutal. It was a weird scene when the guy was wheeled into the OR with me at his side. I was dressed from head to toe in greens but due to regs I had to keep my firearm on. I thought that the doctors would have a problem with this until the anesthesiologist walked in. He looks at me and says jokingly “I know its tough out there but when did our doctors start carrying guns?”. I explained the predicament I was in as he went to work taking the inmate down. After about five minutes of me standing there watching the procedure the anesthesiologist looks at me and asks what the guy had done. I told him what I knew of the case. He nodded thoughtfully then said, and I kid you not, “So do you want me to kill him for you? I could do it and not leave a trace!” I knew he was joking but it opened the door for me to spend the next one and one half hours talking to this doctor. He was one of the most intelligent human beings I’ve ever met. I’ve meet many doctors before and since and their consensus is that anesthesiologist are the best trained doctors in the entire medical field. They also seem to be the most easy going too.
In relation to her blog name you could appeal to her being a smart doc and from Wisconsin with this name: Mason’s Mentally Mighty Madison.
If that ones to long then you can appeal to her beauty and her profession and simply call her: Lights Out.
Or if you wanted: Doctor Blue Blood. A statement to her lineage, being a Bronco fan, the potential she shows as the newest addition to your blogging community (blue chip) and it being cold both in Denver and Wisconsin.
I hope you two have fun at the game and with all of the suggestions your going to get.
Mike in San Diego
The whole Travis Henry thing…More proof Shanahan has lost his edge. He has no idea how to pick players anymore….BY the way straight from ESPN:
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: October 4, 2007
* Comment
* Email
* Print
Where’s Jake Plummer when you need him?
During Jake the Snake’s QB days in Denver, the rivalry
between the Chargers and Broncos was predictable.
Plummer would win the games in Denver with his smarts
and feet, always making two or three big plays.
Meanwhile, coach Mike Shanahan would do a masterful
job catching the Chargers’ defense off guard with his
running attack.
In the rematch in San Diego, the Chargers would keep
Plummer in the pocket and pound him. The series
usually was a split.
Now that Plummer has retired to Idaho, the
Chargers-Broncos series is unpredictable.
LPP: At least we were good for one good win, now Denver will probably be swept!
To Let Plummer Play. Dude get a life, go spend time with your woman. Wait, your womens at my house. Sorry.
T. Henry….WTF
This is goina really hurt the team….I like selvin young but he is no t. henry…
Henry thing is true….. how pathetic…. might aswell sign Ricky Williams if he is reinstated. I’m drunk right now and very upset/ bummed… what a mood kill, feels unreal.. selvin young hopefully can step up to the plate… i feel like crap now going to bed… lets beat the chargers this weekend, regardless of the circumstances with players… sorry for the unorganized post.
Apparently it is true and Broncomania is up in arms over the situation. Pretty sad if you ask me. I’m disappointed in Henry for even being in this situation but I’ll wait for the NFL to make its decision before I bury my head in the sand over it.
I just don’t get it.
A filthy pervert and a pothead who lets his team down. Shanahan really knows how to attract guys with character!
At least his children won’t be influenced by him because they probably don’t even know what he looks like.
But our culture should be happy about this because they are always promoting sex outside of marriage, drugs, violence, etc.
I have no major qualms if this goes down and Selvin starts. Henry is a proven “stud” RB, but Young is showing some amazing talent. Don’t forget we also have Sapp and Bell, and, failing them, Andre Hall. Have no worries about depth at RB….Hopefully, that fumble of Selvin’s was an anomaly.
I’m am excited at facing the Chargers. They are going to be angry and feeling cornered, but Denver is going to be loud, and our defense is going to step up. It’s going to be a great game, there is lots of skill on the field, veteran players, players at their peak, and young talent. GO BRONCOS!!
you guys are a bunch of panzies!!!! Who cares what Henry has done, i’m sure ya’ll just a bundle of perfect. We as fans want wins. Henry and Young are all we got. Remember that bell can’t do crap with the ball and andre hall is just here for comfort. We could care less to give him or bell the ball. I’d rather give the ball to Sam Adams than those two. Bell had one good game against the colts who last year were as bad as we are at stopping the run. Every other game he sucked. So we bettr hope for the best with henry…cuz we need him on this team.
Yay!!! It’s a good thing our backups running backs weren’t good enough to be drafted. That spells huge success for the rest of the season.
Mas,
First, how dissapointing will T. Henry be when the inevitable happens, he’s going to lose his case, and anyways, he still tested possitive, BroncoNation, although confident in the rook and haller the baller, will be crushed. We also have to be concerned about Javon Walker. He says he’ll be back, and I am no one to doubt, but it seems like this could be more serious than expected, good luck in your return J-Walk. I also have made a startling discovery, it seems to me, that the new face of the broncos, through the first 4 games, no not Jay Cutler, not Champ, or Lynch, or Travis, or Javon, but it has to be Brandon Marshall, im falling in love with baby T.O., hopefully this week we get a win, i definately see it coming, but i think we can beat anyone…and i agree with the players’ comments, its only one person here, another person there, one step away to domminating teams, but that step seems to be growing in stride length, hopefully we can make that step sunday.
[...] Injury report on the Chargers - WRs Eric Parker, Craig “Buster” Davis, DT Jamal Williams, and TE Antonio Gates all missed practice Thursday (among others). - Mason’s Morsels [...]
AM - Your girlfriends ‘blog-name’? Now I’ve heard of people kissing others and bringing them “back”; at least in the world of fairy-tales. But your situation is quite unique - your lady has the know how to “take you out” : ) You’ve got to throw the “Dr.” in there; how about a name like - DTMO (Dr. Take Me Out) - it could be a universal take you out - like taking your breathe away, or since she is a Doctor she may literally want to take you out to your favorite steak house, pub, or even library. Anyways - enjoy and have fun with it! We are just glad that YOU ARE A BRONCO!!! I always enjoy the latest from your blogs - Thanks AM.
So Henry is suing the NFL because they didn’t allow his medical guys to be present during the drug test?? I guess that’s a technicality, but if it is against league procedures it could be enough to throw this test out. Of course, that doesn’t stop them from taking several more, so one way or another he’s probably gone.
Everyone quit jumping on Shannahan for this. It’s widely known that Shanny gives 2nd chances to many players that others have given up on, and more often than not, the change of scene changes the players. Obviously it didn’t work out with Henry, and that’s a bad thing, but it’s not shanny’s fault, it’s Henry’s. He’s the idiot.
Hopefully Selvin can step up. And even if not, I for one do NOT excuse players for bad behavior just because they’re talented. I’d rather not have Henry and lose than have him and have the character of the Broncos marred this way. I’ll let it play out, but if it’s conclusive that he violated the policy, I’d like to see him fired.
A nickname for an anesthesiologist… “The Sleeper”
One thing the Henry situation should do…it should make Broncos fans everywhere appreciate Mike Bell, Cecil Sapp, and Rod Smith (among others). All 3 of them have and continue to be team first guys, doing things the right way and working their tails off. While the media harps on the negative things a small fraction of players in the league do, we should thank the ones that don’t get the attention for doing everything the team asks, all while apparently staying clean and out of trouble….
coloradoBOY-
Are you crazy? I guess if you call performances of 90 yds 2 TDs, 61 yds 2 TDs, 69 yds 1 TD, 58 yds 1 TD, 66 yds while splitting carries (primarily as the secondary back) and averaging 4.3 per carry all year poor…..yeah I guess he was bad then.
If anyone is worried about RB depth they are smoking worse stuff than Henry supposedly is.
Alright — Here is what my quick recap is;
It will be good to have Lynch back as it’s obvious we need him.
And I don’t mean to sound insensitive here, but who care what happens with Travis Henry? We could put just about anyone behind our blocking scheme & they would rush for 1,000+ yards, plus Young has looked impressive even going up against first team defenses. So if we lose Henry, no biggie for us. Sad day for him.
Also I would like to speak to LetPlummerPlay, as Andrew has said about 50 times, it’s not Cutler who is the problem. I most definintly agree, the problem all comes down to the run defense — enter Al Wilson, without him we have looked horrible on that side of the ball! We need to get some awesome sports theripists let them get Al all better and then unleash him, that’s what’s missing, NOT PLUMMER… LET WILSON PLAY!!!
…oh and one other thing…
If the Broncos don’t start stepping it up & playing to the level they can play they won’t have to worry about it to long… because they will continue to take a back seat to the Rockies & instead of watching the Broncos everyone will be at Coors Field watching the Rockies in the World Series. (Wow, hard to believe I just wrote that, and used Rockies & World Series in the same sentance and it’s realistic…)
LetWilsonPlay;
Thanks for reminding me about our streak of consecutive 1,000 yard backs. If Henry gets suspended, that streak is almost certainly guaranteed to be over.
1000 yard rusher wont get you very far. thats about 70 yards a game. Travis brings about 130 yards a game to the table. It will be a huge blow if we lose him. Mike bell is a good back up but thats about it. Please commisioner it was only pot and dont forget the guy has 9 mothers to deal with.
Correction, 62 yars per game
It’s not “only pot”. It’s not about pot at all. It is about Henry KNOWING that pot is against league rules (regardless of how harmful, or not harmful it is) AND he had previous warnings and KNEW if he did it again it meant a one year suspension.
If it turns out he did it anyway . . . what does that say about his feelings toward the team. “I’ll just leave the team out to dry, who cares as long as I can get high!”
This is not about pot, it’s about a lack of respect for the other 52 players, coaches, and fans that he let down. We don’t need that kind of selfishness in Denver, I don’t care how many yards per game it gets us.
CAMBIEN A CUTLER, RENUEVEN SE LINEA OFENSIVA ES MUY LIGERA, NO VAN A LLEGAR MUY LEJOS , POSIBLEMENTE TERMINEN CON UNA MEDIOCRE TEMPORADA DE 7 GANADOS Y 9 PERDIDOS . PRESIONEN A SHANAHAN ES MUY NECIO , DEFENSIVAMENTE EL COORDINADOR JIM BATES NO VAN A LLEGAR A NINGUNA PARTE , CAMBIEN A SAM ADAMS ESTA MUY PESADO Y ESTA MUY VIEJO PARA SEGUIR JUGANDO, SUS MEJORES AÑOS QUEDARON ATRAS. ES FRUSTANTE VER JUGAR A LOS BRONCOS Y VER COMO LOS VAN MERMANDO PARTIDO TRAS PARTIDO.LAMENTABLEMENTE RENOVARON EL CONTRATO DE SHANAHAN PERO SUS MEJORES AÑOS FUERON LOS 90s
Seriously… Selvin Young will fill Travis Henry’s shoes nicely, you T. Henry overreacters have to remember that people like Tatum Bell, Olandis Gary & Ruben Drougns rushed for 1000+ & I think Selvin has more talent than all of those guys. Stop overreacting about Travis… Oh & bring back Big Al so that we can stop the run! Big Al in ‘08! (or before…)
Selvin Young looks like he’s going to be special, and a special running back in Denver leads to, at best, Terrell Davis, and at worst, a Clinton Portis who can be traded for a Champ Bailey. (Loved Terrell, and the trade for Champ made me sad until I came to my senses… speaking of which, I’m wearing a Champ Bailey jersey right now). I hate to lose someone like Henry, especially to drugs, but I’m not concerned from the team’s standpoint. This is offensively a very young team besides the line.
Also, last weeks game “injured” Bob Sanders, meaning he has ’sore’ ribs, and now he’s questionable for this weekend’s game. Uhhh… if Bob Sanders misses a game for sore ribs, I’m revoking his Iowa Alumnus card, because he is shaming his alma mater. (Nile Kinnick, who won Iowa’s only Heisman trophy in 1939 at 5′8″ and 167 pounds, scored Iowa’s only score against Notre Dame in a 6-7 win with ‘a couple of broken ribs’. Suck it up.)
I think Selvin Young has been watching some Terrell Davis highlights…
HE’S GOT THE ARM SWEEP!
TH You’re a dumb-ass. Young? You’ll be fine if you don’t fumble. Al? Where are u? We NEED u! Meanwhile, Marty must be feeling pretty smug about now! Haven’t been so lucky to see a coach leave our division since Gruden! Let’s beat em before they catch up, eh? Go Broncos!!
LetWilsonPlay is right about one thing, if we don’t stop LT and every other premier running back we face, it won’t matter who the running back is. Cutler and company score very few touchdowns while on the sidelines. It wouldn’t make any dirrerence if we DID have Nile Kinnick lined up behind Cuter.
‘Now that Plummer has retired to Idaho, the
Chargers-Broncos series is unpredictable.’ –QTD by LPP
Nice use of a source, LetPP. Wanna explain how that supports your contention that “Denver probably will be swept?”
SWEET! The Rox are in the NLCS, USC lost, Colorado is looking good, now if we can just get the Broncos to stop the run tomorrow we’ll be set. Andrew I actually am good friends with one of your ex-girlfriends (she’s married now & her name starts with an M & that’s all I’m saying in the post), I called her and asked her if she had any suggestions about the girlfriend thing she didn’t have any thoughts, sorry bro. Also, just a question, what’s up with good ol’ Al Wilson now days? We could really use him…
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