Author Archive

An Equal Protection Clause

November 20th, 2009 - 2:22pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

Whether Kyle Orton or Chris Simms starts on Sunday against the Chargers, one difference between the two quarterbacks is certain.

With the right-handed Orton in the lineup, the blind side blocking falls on the shoulders of Ryan Clady. With the left-handed Simms behind center, that onus shifts to Tyler Polumbus.

In the eyes of offensive line coach Rick Dennison, the quarterback’s throwing hand has little effect on pass protection responsibilities.

“I don’t think it is that big of deal,” Dennison said. “He is getting back there and we’ve got to give him time to throw. We just do our protections, we don’t really worry about what hand he is tossing it with.”

Head Coach Josh McDaniels echoed Dennison’s sentiments, noting that the most substantial changes, if any, occur in situations outside of the hashes.

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Bringing a Backfield Presence

November 18th, 2009 - 4:43pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

The last time the Broncos and Chargers were on the same field, loose footballs were at a premium.

Denver forced four fumbles in its 34-23 Week 6 win over San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium. Most crucial of those miscues was a late-third quarter strip by Elvis Dumervil that landed in the hands of Vonnie Holliday.

Leading 24-23, the Broncos converted the turnover into a Matt Prater 50-yard field goal, and the Chargers were held scoreless the rest of the way. Come Sunday at INVESCO Field at Mile High, Mario Haggan sees those types of errors again tipping the balance.

“The game is predicated on mistakes,” Haggan said. “Hopefully on Sunday, they make more mistakes than we do and we come out on top.”

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Forward Progress

November 16th, 2009 - 5:33pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

Through his first nine games as a pro, Knowshon Moreno’s versatility has surfaced early and often.

No rookie has recorded two 100-yard games from scrimmage — except for Moreno. He’s also set himself apart through the air, as the lone NFL newcomer with both a rushing and receiving touchdown this season.

Moreno turned in a career-high 97 rushing yards against Washington on 18 carries. Week by week, the rookie is improving in an area the Broncos stress to their backs — gaining yardage on every play.

“There were some plays where there wasn’t much there, but he didn’t go negative,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “He went, got a yard, got a two-yard gain here or there and kept us in positive situations. That is something that he’s doing better and better as the year goes on.”

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Barrett, McBean Out Against Washington

November 14th, 2009 - 8:08pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

A pair of changes were announced to the Broncos’ Week 10 Injury Report on Saturday.

Previously listed as doubtful and questionable, respectively, Josh Barrett (hamstring) and Ryan McBean (knee) were both downgraded to out for Sunday’s contest against the Redskins at FedEx Field.

For the full injury report, click here.

Becoming a Champion Corner

November 13th, 2009 - 1:51pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

To Head Coach Josh McDaniels, the best cornerbacks in the game are ones who can juggle two simultaneous tasks.

In his mind, becoming a great interceptor requires spotting when the quarterback releases the ball, while following the covered receiver on his route progression.

One of the players who most helped McDaniels recognize that skill is his current corner — Champ Bailey.

“If you can’t see the quarterback, sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you are covering because you don’t know when the ball is coming,” McDaniels said. “But he has that ability to do both. I have a great appreciation for it now that I am here.”

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Getting the Ground Game Going

November 11th, 2009 - 3:37pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

Entering last Monday’s contest with the Steelers, the Broncos were aware of the potent run defense on the Pittsburgh sideline.

That awareness did not translate into results on the field, as Denver finished with a season-low 27 yards on the ground.  Pittsburgh’s front seven maintained its No. 1 tag, squelching any chance for a balanced attack from the home team.

“We’d love to get balance,” Kyle Orton said. “It’s tough when you have 20 yards rushing or whatever we had. It’s tough. Saying that, there’s games where it’s going to happen and you’ve got to rely on the passing game.”

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Laying Down The Law

November 7th, 2009 - 1:56pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

On Tuesday, Ty Law was celebrating the birth of his baby daughter. Four days later, Law was celebrating his first practice in a Broncos uniform.

The Broncos announced the signing of the 15th-year veteran cornerback on Saturday — 48 hours before Monday night’s kickoff against the Steelers.

Despite the quick turnaround, Law expects to be out there competing with his new teammates on the national stage at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

“Of course (in) a limited fashion, but I did it last year so I think everybody is expecting the same thing,” Law said. “When I signed one day before we played the Patriots when I was in New York, I came out and played 57 plays. But I don’t know. I’m just going to kind of wing it and go out there and do the best that I can.”

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Protecting Against The League’s Best

November 6th, 2009 - 2:34pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

When it comes to stopping the run, no NFL team has been better at harnessing that responsibility than the Steelers.

Through seven games this season, Pittsburgh’s defense is allowing a league-low 76.6 rushing yards per game. The Cincinnati Bengals (100 yards) and Detroit Lions (110 yards) are the only two Steelers opponents to post 100-plus yards on the ground.

While Pittsburgh has been stout against the run, offensive line coach Rick Dennison was more focused on what his unit can control, beginning with improving its toughness from the previous week.

“I think you have to execute every week and you’ve got to be tough every week,” Dennison said. “There is nobody that is going to just let you walk around and make yards. We just have to be better than we were last week.”

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Ecstatic To Enter The Locker Room

November 4th, 2009 - 5:17pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

The last time Carlton Powell suited up for the Broncos, the defense turned in the type of performance it had been craving all preseason.

The Broncos shut out the Cardinals in the exhibition finale, 19-0, at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Seven games later, Denver is 6-1 and its defense leads the NFL in yards allowed per game (266.7).

Back in orange and blue after being signed to the practice squad on Tuesday, those totals were no shock to Powell.

“I’m not surprised at all, from the work ethic everybody had put in during training camp and the type of scheme that we’re running now,” he said. “I kind of expected this and I’m definitely glad to be back and be a part of it.”

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Marshall Ready To Rival Ravens Attack

October 30th, 2009 - 1:25pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

In his three-plus seasons with the Broncos, Brandon Marshall has faced 26 different opposing teams.

The Baltimore Ravens will become the 27th team on Sunday.

While Marshall did not play in the teams’ 2006 contest as a rookie, he knows plenty about the vaunted defensive attack that he and his teammates have been preparing for.

“It’s going to take four quarters,” Marshall said. “They’re a great team that’s used to winning, that’s used to being in difficult games.”

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