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Broncos at Ravens: Pregame Blog

November 1st, 2009 - 9:55am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Here we are in the press box at M&T Bank Stadium for just the second 1 p.m. Eastern kickoff of the season — the first was the season opener in Cincinnati. Hope you all remembered to set your clocks back an hour last night. It took a minute to figure out what time to set the alarm for last night, what with it already being two hours earlier than Denver time, then losing another hour.

It’s a little rainy here in Baltimore, though the precipitation seems to have stopped falling for the moment. Here’s the weather report for today’s game:

Broncos at Ravens Weather Report

A few players are already on the field warming up — including Mario Haggan, Robert Ayers, Chris Simms, Kyle Orton, Tom Brandstater, Lonie Paxton and Brandon Stokley.

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Elway Named “Man of the Year”

October 22nd, 2009 - 12:28pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

The Walter Camp Football Foundation has named John Elway the recipient of its prestigious “Man of the Year” award, the organization announced.

Elway joins a distinguished list of former winners, including Roger Staubach, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus and Morten Andersen, who was last year’s recipient.

President and CEO Pat Bowlen congratulated Elway on the honor on Thursday.

“On behalf of the Denver Broncos Football Club, I’d like to congratulate John Elway for receiving this great award,” Bowlen said. “In addition to being the greatest Denver Bronco of all time, John is one of the few who is among the greatest players of all time in both college and pro football. His receiving this accolade from the Walter Camp Football Foundation is an honor well deserved by John for public service and community work that equal his greatness on the field. He has always been generous with his time for a myriad causes that benefit those in need and it is gratifying to me and the entire Broncos organization to see John named for this honor.”

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Broncos at Chargers: Second Half Live Blog

October 19th, 2009 - 8:22pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Q3 14:56: The Broncos receive the kickoff to start the second half, and the offense takes over at the 26-yard line after Eddie Royal’s kickoff return. On first down, Knowshon Moreno is wrapped up near the line of scrimmage for no gain. Second down brings a deep pass from Kyle Orton intended for Tony Scheffler, but it is broken up. Flag on the play — pass interference on the defense. That sets up a first down on the Denver 45-yard line.

Q3 13:50: After a six-yard gain on a pass from Orton to Scheffler, Moreno finds a hole for a gain close to the first-down marker — it sets up 3rd-and-1. The handoff goes to Moreno, and there’s no indication whether it’s a first down or not — there are flags all over the field. Two fouls. Illegal shift on the offense, which is declined, and delay of game on the offense for spiking the ball after the play. It’s fourth down, and Brett Kern is in to punt. Darren Sproles is back at his own 10-yard line ready to return. The punt sails into the end zone for a touchback.

Q3 12:34: Brian Dawkins is back in the secondary and Mario Haggan is back in at linebacker as the defense trots onto the field. Andra Davis makes the tackle on first down as LaDainian Tomlinson picks up three yards. On second down, Rivers is nearly sacked by Dumervil before throwing a ball intended for Chris Chambers that falls incomplete. Two flags on the play, both on the Broncos. A holding call on Haggan makes it 1st-and-10 for the Chargers at their own 28-yard line.

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Broncos at Chargers: First Half Live Blog

October 19th, 2009 - 6:39pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

COIN TOSS: The Chargers have won the coin toss and will receive the ball to start the game. Matt Prater is on the field for the kickoff.

Q1 14:57: After the Monday Night Football theme music pumped through the speakers and Darren Sproles was taken down at the 28-yard line, the starting defense is on the field. It’s Kenny Peterson, Ronald Fields and Ryan McBean on the line, Elvis Dumervil, D.J. Williams, Andra Davis and Mario Haggan at linebacker and Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill in the secondary.

Q1 14:19: The first play of the game is a run by LaDainian Tomlinson, and he is tackled after a three-yard gain by Dawkins. Tight coverage by Bailey forces an incompletion on second down, and the Chargers now have a 3rd-and-7 on their own 27-yard line.

Q1 14:13: Darrell Reid and Brian Dawkins nearly sack Philip Rivers, but he throws it away just in time. The screams from the crowd seem to indicate there are plenty of Broncos fans here in Qualcomm Stadium.

Q1 13:59: The offense is on the field for its first drive of the game. It’s Kyle Orton at quarterback, Knowshon Moreno at running back, Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffer at tight end and Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal at receiver. Ryan Clady, Ben Hamilton, Casey Wiegmann, Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris make up the offensive line.

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Broncos at Chargers: Pregame Blog

October 19th, 2009 - 4:46pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Sunny day here in San Diego, and we’re packed into the press box at Qualcomm Stadium. It’s an open-air press box, so it’s always fun to be able to soak in the full atmosphere of the game.

Like the Broncos, the Chargers have painted the field with an old-school feel, as well — the end zones are blue with white diamonds outlined in yellow, and the AFL’s 50th anniversary logo is painted at midfield.

Players are on the field warming up, and there have already been sightings of the brown-and-white striped socks along with the brown and gold pants. Clearly we’re in for an interesting uniform combination yet again.

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Motivated for Monday Night

October 17th, 2009 - 11:02am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

At 5-0, the Broncos head into their second AFC West road game as underdogs. When they visit the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football, there will certainly be plenty to feel motivated about as the team strives for a 6-0 record heading into the bye week.

“It is going to be a 60-minute game, and it’s on Monday night,” Kyle Orton said. “I don’t think we will have any issue being emotionally ready to play this game.”

The Broncos know the Chargers will be ready as well. At 2-2, quarterback Philip Rivers admitted the team isn’t where it hoped it would be at this point in the season. In a hostile atmosphere against a team playing like it’s desperate for a win, it could be a tough battle all night.

For that reason, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said the team is looking to start fast on Monday.

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Orton and Moreno Finalists For Week 5 Awards

October 13th, 2009 - 9:34am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

After the team’s Week 5 overtime win against the Patriots, two more Broncos are up for weekly NFL awards.

You can vote for Kyle Orton for the FedEx Air Player of the Week, and Knowshon Moreno is once again nominated for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.

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A Little Broncos Trivia

October 5th, 2009 - 6:18pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

With this weekend’s matchup against the Boston Patriots designated a Legacy Game, we figured we’d give you a shot at a little Broncos trivia from their inaugural season — 1960.

In the 50th season of Broncos football, plenty has changed. But do you know just how much? Take a look at the following 10 questions, and then click to see the answers after the jump.

1) Who was the Broncos’ first pick in the inaugural AFL draft?

2) What was the first player transaction in franchise history?

3) What did original Bronco Bud McFadin once say about the team’s 1960 uniform socks?

4) What is the origin of the name “Denver Broncos?”

5) Who won the first-ever regular season AFL game, and what was the score?

6) Who was the head coach of the Broncos in 1960?

7) The Broncos are one of only two original AFL teams to have never changed their name or moved to a different city. What is the other team?

8] What two players from 1960s teams have had their jersey numbers retired, and what were their numbers?

9) How much did a Broncos season ticket on the 50-yard line cost in 1960?

10) How much did a gallon of gasoline cost in 1960?

Think about your answers, then click to see if you were right after the jump.

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Buckhalter, Moreno Up For Awards

September 29th, 2009 - 8:22am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

After winning their third game in as many weeks, the Broncos have two players up for voting for awards for their performances in Week 3.

Knowshon Moreno is nominated for the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week after his 21-carry, 90-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday. His teammate in the backfield, Correll Buckhalter, is nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week after notching his first 100-yard rushing game as a Bronco, finishing with 14 carries for 108 yards.

You can vote for both players at NFL.com here and here.

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Broncos at Raiders: Second Half Live Blog

September 27th, 2009 - 3:43pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

15:00: Eddie Royal takes a knee in the end zone after fielding the opening kickoff to start the second half.

14:25 A five-yard gain on a run by Knowshon Moreno followed by a 10-yard gain on a pass from Kyle Orton to Daniel Graham sets up the Broncos with a first down at their own 35-yard line.

13:00: Moreno picks up nine yards on his first-down carry, and then Correll Buckhalter keeps the chains moving by making some people miss and bursting forward for a 23-yard gain on second down.

12:26: Russ Hochstein is in at left guard in place of starter Ben Hamilton. There’s not an official word on Hamilton’s status, but Hochstein is in.

11:50: Richard Seymour is hit with a 15-yard personal foul penalty after some extra-curricular activity with Ryan Clady after the play, including pulling his hair long after the whistle had blown. That sets up the Broncos with a first down at the Oakland 14-yard line.

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