Hillis Showing VersatilityPeyton Hillis is fresh off the first 100-yard rushing performance of his NFL career. When asked if he envisioned this happening back during training camp, Hillis said he has always set high goals for himself.
“It was just to get out there and be on the team and try to get a starting spot somewhere, no matter where it was,” Hillis said about his mindset during camp. “I always try to set my expectations kind of high, and I have to say it has exceeded my expectations.”
Reinforcements on the Way?The Broncos are hoping for some good news on the injury front heading into this week’s game against the Chiefs. The Broncos could have defensive starters Champ Bailey, Nate Webster and D.J. Williams back in uniform this weekend.
Bailey for one, said he believes he will be on the field.
“I’m saying I’m going,” Bailey said. “Unless something else happens, I’ll be out there.”
Daniel Graham said it would be great to get those playmakers back out on the field, but said if they can’t suit up he has confidence in their backups and what they have been able to accomplish the last few weeks.
“Just to get them back to help the defense out,” he said. “It is also encouraging that if something does happen to them that we have some young guys that can step up and replace them.”
Talking Turkey and JetsConversation in the Broncos locker room on Wednesday focused on Sunday’s showdown against the Jets. However, with Thanksgiving a day away, players also chimed in on tomorrow’s fast-approaching holiday.
DUMERVIL ON FAVRE
So what is Elvis Dumervil’s opinion on Jet’s quarterback Brett Favre?
“Brett Favre is overrated,” Dumervil told reporters before pausing a moment.
“Is that controversy for you guys?” he said with laugh.
“Nah, Brett Favre is excellent. He’s playing his best ball — like 70 percent completion — you can really see he’s in rhythm right now, they’ve got a ground game going and they’re an explosive offense. We’ve got our hands full.”
Improving Upon InconsistenciesThe Broncos locker room was fairly quiet on Monday.
Although the day marked the start of a new week, this weekend marks a tough road contest at New York against the Jets, the team was still trying to gather itself after Sunday’s disappointing 31-10 home loss to the Oakland Raiders.
In his post-game interview Ebenezer Ekuban called the flow of the team’s contest against the Raiders “a little bizarre.”
“But there are ebbs and flows about every game,” Ekuban admitted. “You just have to take it as-is.”
Hillis and McFadden Square Off … On ClothingYING AND YANG
The Broncos’ Peyton Hillis and the Raiders’ Darren McFadden know a thing or two about one another. In high school Hillis was Arkansas’ leading rusher his senior season, McFadden was second to Hillis that same season as a junior. Hillis went onto the University of Arkansas where he played fullback and helped pave the way for McFadden for three seasons.
Last season Hillis finished with 886 all-purpose yards and blocked for Heisman Trophy runner-up McFadden, who ranked fourth in the nation in rushing with 1,830 yards.
The two college teammates both should see time at running back as their two NFL teams go at it this weekend at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Though the two players admitted they haven’t been able to keep in touch as much as they would have liked so far this season they know one another well enough that they can paint a pretty accurate picture of what the other guy is up to.
“I imagine (Hillis) would have a button up shirt on with the top three buttons not buttoned,” McFadden said. “With his chest hanging out, his neck showing and some cowboy boots — he is always in some type of cowboy boot.”
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Stepping Up and Filling InWith the Broncos recent injury woes the team has had to rely on first-year players and free agent acquisitions to step in and contribute. Both the rookies and the free agents have ran with their opportunities.
A CLASS ABOVE
The members of Broncos 2008 draft class knew that they were talented — they just didn’t think the team would be utilizing their talents so soon.
Spencer Larsen for one thought he would have to cut his teeth on special teams and that eventually down the road his chance would come. But the heart and drive demonstrated by Larsen and his peers coupled with the recent wave of injuries has been enough for the Broncos coaching staff to give the rookies a shot at serious minutes. They have responded by playing key roles at various times during the season.
Brandon Stokley said the rookies have been thrown into the fire and have held up well.
“It is hard to do for a young guy coming straight out of college (to adjust to) 16 games,” he said. “Usually they are winding down right about now and we are just getting cranked up. It is hard, but that is the business that we are in so they have had to grow up quick.”
Tatum’s Second Chance and Nate Jackson JokesFROM CELL PHONE CARRIER TO BALL CARRIER
When the Broncos signed free-agent running Tatum Bell on Tuesday, they not only gave him a second chance as a Bronco — they gave him a second shot at football.
Bell had been out of football since September when he was released by the Detroit Lions. After his release he moved back to Denver and tried to find work.
That work came in the form of manager of a cell phone store in a Denver-area mall.
Bell said going from a 1,000-yard rusher in the National Football League to retail manager was a humbling experience but not one that he was ashamed of.
“I was like, man, this is the real world – 9-5 everyday,” Bell said of his first “real” job. “I held my head up high going to work each day. I didn’t have a problem with it at all. That is what I had to do to feed my family and that is what I was doing.”
Whenever Broncos fans would walk by the store, Bell said he would stop them so they could talk about football and see if they might be interested in a new cell phone. Bell, who had to wear a collared shirt and tie to work each day, said he has a newfound reverence for people who work 9-5.
“I sold a couple (of phones),” Bell said. “It is actually is pretty hard.”
It was Bell’s phone that rang on Tuesday when the Broncos invited him in for a workout and another chance at football. And he looks to make the most of his opportunity.
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Cutler Named AFC Offensive Player of the WeekOn Tuesday the NFL informed the Broncos that Jay Cutler will be named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, for his performance against Cleveland in Week 10.
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The Hillis and Larsen TsunamiHillis and Larsen, “Thunder and Thunder”
The injury bug again bit the Broncos at the running back position on Monday with Ryan Torain being placed on injured reserve. With Torain joining Andre Hall, Michael Pittman and Anthony Alridge on IR, fullbacks Peyton Hillis and Spencer Larsen are preparing as if they could again lineup together in the Broncos backfield as they did on Thursday night.
“You can’t have thunder and lighting – we are both kind of thunder,” Larsen said about what the tandem should be called. “We would like to call it a tsunami or something like that.”
Marshall Votes, Bell Plays and Harris Wants a SandwichPeople across the nation are heading to the polls today to make their voices heard, casting their votes on who they want to be the next president of the of the United States of America.
Proud to Vote
First-time voter Brandon Marshall got up extra early today to join the fray.
“I got up actually at 5 a.m., came in, caught a few balls and ran a little bit,” he said. “Then I headed to the polls pretty early.”
Marshall said submitting his ballot was an exhilarating feeling.
“It was great,” he said. “I enjoyed it, it was exciting and I recommend to everybody who hasn’t voted to go out and do it — have a voice.”
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