For the Taking
Welcome to the wild, wild AFC West.
Only three wins separate the first-place Chiefs from the last-place Broncos. With five divisional games left on the schedule, the Broncos are confident they have time to turn their season around.
“If you are down, obviously you would like to play those teams,” Kyle Orton said. “It’s a way to basically pick up two games. You have to play your best ball every week when you are at 2-6, which we are.”
Bakke: Priceless Moments
Over the years I have photographed many losses. Some losses were close, leaving you with that heartbreak feeling you might have experienced in junior high.
Others maybe not so close, leaving you with a sense of bewilderment.
I struggle sometimes in those types of games trying to capture the moment, or a key play or even better a bright spot in a rather difficult environment.
Fortunately for me, last weekend’s best images came before kickoff.
A Talented Twosome
Mario Haggan doesn’t care how many wins and losses litter San Francisco’s schedule. The 49ers are 1-6 coming into the game this weekend, but five of those games were decided by seven points or less.
“The record doesn’t say what this team is,” Haggan said. “They have a great defense. Some things have been a little inconsistent, but they have a lot of explosive players.”
Point of No Return
Explosive was the word of the week.
Since Monday, Head Coach Josh McDaniels and his players have talked about the physically gifted players that fill up the Raiders roster. On Friday, the talk turned to special teams.
“They’re the biggest team, the fastest team and the strongest team that you’re going to find in the NFL,” Joe Mays said. “It carries over to their special teams, no doubt.”
Three’s Company
The Broncos are four days away from facing the Raiders and they’re still no closer to solving the starting quarterback mystery in Oakland. Will it be Bruce Gradkowski, Jason Campbell or Kyle Boller?
The Raiders couldn’t tell you either.
“We have no idea at this point,” Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable said in conference call on Wednesday.
Tuesday Transactions
On Tuesday, the Broncos calculated a little NFL arithmetic.
After subtracting Matthew Willis from the active roster by placing him injured reserve, the team signed Diyral Briggs from the practice squad.
The team filled Briggs’ spot on the practice squad by signing wide receiver Eron Riley.
A Constant Test
Perrish Cox can thank the man sitting next to him in the meeting room for his early season production.
Champ Bailey has served as the rookie cornerback’s sounding board as he acclimates himself to the NFL, but the nine-time Pro Bowler’s field presence could be the biggest reason why he and Cox are tied for the team lead with 7 passes defensed.
Orton Wins
With the help of your votes, Kyle Orton has been named the FedEx Air Player of the Week following his performance at Tennessee last Sunday.
FedEx is making a $2,000 donation in Orton’s name to the local Safe Kids USA coalition in Denver to support pedestrian safety improvements.
Home on the Road
Justin Bannan didn’t make the call to Baltimore. The friends he collected in the past four years as a Raven reached out to him before he could pick up the phone.
“Those guys have already called me,” Bannan said. “They’re funny, they’re good friends of mine and they’re friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
The Broncos bring Bannan back to M&T Bank Stadium — where he contributed to 23 wins as a Raven — for the first time since he signed with Denver in the offseason.
Vote for Orton
Kyle Orton’s performance at Tennessee last Sunday earned him a spot in the running for FedEx Air Player of the Week. Cast your votes here.
Orton completed 70 percent of his passes against the Titans, threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns and posted a 93.8 quarterback rating. With 1:33 remaining in the game, Orton hit Correll Buckhalter on a 6-yard touchdown pass to give his team the lead.