As the Broncos prepare for their Week 3 matchup with Oakland, the Raiders’ receiving corps certainly has the attention of Denver’s secondary unit.
Two rookies, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy, top Oakland’s depth chart at the position. While it’s unique to see two first-year players designated as a team’s No.1 and No. 2 receivers so early into their young careers, Champ Bailey said they are slotted in those spots for a reason.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” Bailey said. “Two rookies starting — it’s a rare thing, but those guys are capable.”
Their biggest asset?
“Speed,” Bailey said without hesitation. “You’re talking about speed, they’ve definitely got it. Young, fresh legs and a quarterback that can really sling it. They present a lot of problems.”
Through two games, Murphy has been the more productive of the rookie counterparts, totaling six receptions for 113 yards. One of his most notable plays was a 57-yard touchdown that helped the Raiders win at Kansas City in Week 2.
Heyward-Bey, the club’s 2009 first-round pick, hasn’t been quite as productive. After going without a reception in Week 1, the two-time All-ACC performer snagged one pass for 18 yards against the Chiefs.
Head Coach Josh McDaniels believes the wide receiver position is one of the hardest in terms of coming into the league and making an immediate impact after jumping from the collegiate ranks. With Heyward-Bey and Murphy already making waves in Oakland, he attributes much of their success to their talent levels and how the Oakland coaching staff has used the pair.
And like Bailey, the duos’ speed has caught the eye of McDaniels.
“They are both very dangerous players,” McDaniels said. “That to me is the biggest thing. They have great speed and they run them down the field plenty. You’ve got to be on your toes. I don’t care which one of them you’re guarding, you can name any of the receivers on their roster and it’s the same thing — 4.36, 4.29, 4.26 (40-yard dash times) – and they are all 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. I think they are making the adjustment nicely. They’ve made some big plays already this year and we’ve got to try and prevent both of them from making big plays on Sunday.”
BOUNCE-BACK EFFORT
Peyton Hillis’ resiliency was on full display Sunday afternoon during the Broncos home opener. After Hillis fumbled the opening kickoff against Cleveland, he did anything but sulk about the play. Instead, he remained focused and when McDaniels called his number for a goal-line carry early in the fourth quarter, he made up for his early error by rumbling into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown run.
“He put me back in there, had faith and confidence in me, and I made the most of that opportunity,” Hillis said.
McDaniels said turnovers happen to even the best returns in the game, and he still believes Hillis’ brings a lot to the team on special teams and offense.
“I do still trust him with the ball,” he said. “He obviously made an error on the first kickoff but that happens to most skilled players in their lives. But he was our goal-line back last week and we weren’t going to hesitate to put him back in there. We do have great faith in him.”
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Champ Bailey, Oakland Raiders, Week 3
Can’t wait for Sunday!!!
wow i’m first. I REAALY HOPE THEY DON’T OVERLOOK THE HATERS
I fear the Raiders. They are the Grim Reaper. They have a point to prove. Massive chips on both shoulders plus a rabid monkey on the back. We are still a work in progress. I’m holding my breath and hoping for the best.
I think with BDawkins , Champ and others on the D and O leading I dont see them thinking they have a easy win I think they will prepare like their heading into the superbowl.
Gonna be a very tough game. Cmon Broncos, dont take this game lightly
lets go show those rookies that the nfl isn’t about speed it is about ability and experience
go broncos
Anyone who would take this game lightly is crazy. I know the Raiders haven’t been very good recently, but they’re getting better and we’re rebuilding. We can still beat them, but it won’t be as easy as it has been. This is a key game to proving that we are more than just a team who has beaten two easy opponents. Win this and we’ll prove that we aren’t as terrible as everyone else seems to think we are; that we may be that dark horse (pardon the pun) that I’ve been hoping we’ll be.
jamie dukes wouldn’t answer my question on nfl.com chat session when I asked him why he is so down on the broncos. Another broncofan asked a similar question about his thoughts on our defense and the only he could say is how much better we would be if cutler was here. I swear that guy has a mancrush on cutler. Jamie should get a clue.
also the bears defense is pretty good until you throw 4 int’s and put them in bad spots. The broncos wouldn’t have only given up 13 points on the season with 4 int’s
Go Broncos
History has shown that Denver/Raiders is always a tough game. I will say, however, that this is a new Denver team & won’t be as easy to gameplan against. I also know that the Raiders like to go downfield a lot. That means our front D line needs to pressure Russell. Don’t give him the time to make the downfield throws. Make them run & dink & dunk. Play to Denver’s strengths.
I noticed many are worrying about Royal not being seen much? He has been double teamed. That’s why Stokely is open coming out of the slot. Soon, they will begin to double team Stokley & Royal will get more catches. Marshall will get more into the game as he gets more adjusted to the new scheme & his assignments. I said this before the season started that Denver will have a lot of weapons. The ball will get spread around.
those guys may be speedy, but i’d like to see them take a hit from Dawkins or Champ…put in Bruton or maybe Barrett on a play or two to lay some hits..we’ve fot speed on D too…
I think Coach Nolan has his gameplan ready..we were worried about the Bengals in game one..3 PROVEN speedy playmaking WRs (Coles,Ocho,henry) and ProBowl gun slinging QB with better accuracy in Palmer, and look how it all turned out?and that was the first game, a lot of factors thrown in…
We have faith in Nolan & McD…control the clock on O, get in Russells face, make it less than 2 sec.(1.85 like the Jets vs.pats) to get to him, he’ll never complete a pass..and dont forget Mcfaden on the outside and Miller in the middle…
Go Broncos
GUYS, you dont have to talk about us taking the Raiders lightly. Remember, McD led the Pats to a 17-0 season. I am VERY CERTAIN that he takes every game and treats it like the superbowl. The pats won A LOT of games with McD so he definitely knows what hes doing!! I have no worries at all. Kansas City has a terrible defense and offense and the Faiders barely beat them!!! The Chiefs have no secondary compared to ours and they held the Raiders!!! I find it VERY possible, nearly 95% chance, that we will win this Sunday!!
With Faith, GO BRONCOS!!
We have alot of cool veteran heads in that defensive huddle and cooler heads prevail. Im not worried dont think they will take them lightly. In all things, underestimation is the first step to failure.
Looking forward to this game, hopefully the gloves come off for orton and we can see some zip in that ball. cant imagine having my finger dislocated and poking through my skin. We rotate receivers alot so theres not true number one I guess you could say but I hope to see Marshall and Royal getting more involved. We have one of the best WR cores and I would like to see more 4wr sets. But McD is a smart guy and overachiever im sure he has considered that lol
GO BRONCOS!!!
very true broncosfreak30,
as the days count down, the feelings of this game being a pushover are dissappearing, Broncos need to take it one game at a time…
check out all the hype on our upcoming game, the preview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-previews/09000d5d812e20c3/Week-3-Broncos-vs-Raiders-Preview
I forgot greg ellis was acquired before seymour.two good DLmen.our O-line will be tested…
We’ll come through.
Broncosfreak30, I disagree, first, u cant do better than 16-0
lol just messing with you, also can we stop saying McD led em, Belichek did on the staff side of the ball since he is the “head” coach and on the player side of the ball Brady did. But yes, McD, Moss and the other staff and players definitely contributed….they seem to be struggling in NE without McD lol….but then again, we did for a while without Kubiak….I liked that guy lol
I was just wondering if anyone else is getting sick and tired of all the hype for the san diego chargers?? They are so overrated!!!
I know that didn’t really apply to this column. But I think if broncos can really crush raiders this weekend it might go a long way in changing some of these commentators minds. Especially since chargers really struggled to barely beat the raiders two weeks ago.
shannyfan,
Im gonna say the same thing I said in offseason. I also think the Chargers are overated and hate how they already crown them the kings of the AFC west but their analysis means nothing to me. Im sure Cardinals were ranked low and werent expected to make superbowl. We just gonna take it one game at a time and when we get to december and our record is looking might pretty, they will flip flop like they always do.
Dont pay em no mind, in recent years competition for afc west has always been between us and the chargers. It will remain that way this year as well. they dont take it by default like all these analysts have been saying. I try not to think to much into the future and enjoy every bronco game. NFL has the shortest season. Gotta cherish every game. GO BRONCOS!!!
Hope Bailey and Dawkins contain these rooks. I will be representing in Oakland. Go Denver!!!
No doubt Oakland will try to beat us deep because are safeties are not exceptionally fast. If we have our safeties laying back, they’ll hit the tight end or bring on the running game. The only way we are going to win is to: 1) keep their offense off the field and 2) put significant pressure on Russell. If we don’t do those things, we will have a long afternoon.
Oakland and San Diego fans talking s*** on NFL.com. We’ll show ‘em.
Go Broncos!!!!
I hate to say this. I have the game recorded and the play where Marshall “falls down”? Is really very obvious to me that he is totally FLOPING!
IMO, he flops down and then pops up, looks to see if Wright gets the INT, (not even thinking about tackling him) and then looks to the bench with kind of an antagonistic posture.
I’m really starting to doubt his ability to “heartfully” go forward as a Bronco.
Is it too late to trade him?
First of all shannyfan, I agree the Chargers are totally overated and their fans are waaaaaaay too over confident. They were suppossed to walk to the super bowl last year and went 8-8. I am from S. California and have grown increasingly sick of their cocky attitudes. They haven’t done anything as an organization yet they act like they’re the Steelers.
I am also a high school teacher in S. Cal. so I’m sure you all can imagine many of my student are Raider fans. They are very cocky as well, even though the readers have the worst record in the league since 2002. To say the least I will be very sad if my Broncos loose.
But to be honest, so far I absolutely love what I see from our team. The defense is smart and tenacious and our offense is getting better every week. I can’t wait for Sunday. I see great things for the Broncos. This season and for many years to come.
GO BRONCOS…..
I agree the Chargers are way over-rated. They were supposed to walk to the superbowl last year and went 8-8. Their egos are totally over inflated. Also Raider fans are dillusional. They sure talk a lot of hype even though they have the worst record since 2002.
I love what I see from our Broncos. I hope we continue to shock all the nay-sayers. I feel very optimistic about the future of the Brocos.
Go Broncos…..
WOW it let me post. Whatever system they use to screen posts is ridiculous sometimes. lol
I didn’t say anything even somewhat obscene. Oh well.
I have been in “Raider Week” frame of mind all week! I do not think of changes on the Broncos or Raiders in staff or players. I hope Champ and Dawkins take the rookies to school! But more important I know every year these kinds of AFC west games always are close and I like it that way. I am confidant the Broncos are going to win Sunday because the New players either Drafted or came via Free Agency know these teams dislike each other. I hope all the veterans are warning the newbie’s that this is going to be a physical game. And like I and the rest of the Bronco Nation would love to see us go 3-0 at the expense of the hated faiders!!
FTR
Besides we need it going into the meat grider for the next 6 games!! Ha
No Kidding. We should win this game, no doubt. Our players and coaches have more character and are more of a TEAM then the Raiders. I teach in S. California so many of my students are Raider fans. There really is no reason we should loose. I hope we stomp them and send a message to the AFC west.
GO BRONCOS…
Orange_Crusher: No, it’s not too late to trade Brandon Marshall. Trade deadline Oct 20th.
If we continue to improve on offense and defense the sky is the limit. If we continually get better in all phases of the game I don’t see a team that we can’t beat. I realize it is too early to tell but that’s the way I see it. I just hope and pray the Broncos continue to progress every week and that we do not take any opponents lately. Gotta love what the defense is doing.
GO BRONCOS…. 10-6 or better…
FTR, your handle is most appropriate fot the occasion, LOL.
AFC West games always close? Think again, last year we beat the Raiders at their house 41-14, later on they beat us at our house 31-10… No close game there and I hope we keep it going this week, I got us winning 30-9.
OC, dude, LOL, we got plenty of time to trade him, trading deadline is not for quite a while yet, like 6-8 weeks I think. I posted a few comments about that on the previous blog, so I don’t want to repeat myself, other than to say I’ m all for trading him. MARSHALL MUST GO!
Thanx royalbroncofan1, my bad, trading deadline in 4 weeks.
baylinocrush, I like that score prediction. That would send a message to the rest of the AFC west and give our Broncos momentum going into the tough games that follow.
Also, I agree Marshall has been a big idiot and he has a lot to prove to us Bronco fans. He should be out working everyone on the team after the things he has said to try and win Broncos fans back on his side. Something is telling me he is not doing that.
Bad wording. He should be working harder than everyone. lol my bad
Big D 44. I feel very confident about this game even more so now than when I predicted a win in my yearly picks back in March. The only thing is I hope the players don’t read our posts. But I believe no way McD lets them go in there over confident anyway. We can run on them so we’ll be able to throw on them, they will have trouble running on us, so Russel will be forced to throw, he might hit a couple long ones but he’ll be under so much pressure we’ll get a couple turnovers to offset it.
Whats up Broncos family,
baylinocrush, yesterday yo said,
“OGB, you keep calling him a kid needing to grow into a man…at exactly what age do you figure a young man has become an adult and is expected to answer to his actions?”
Well, at no particular age really. Some males never grow into manhood, unfortunately; they look the part of a man but are immature and don’t understand the responsibility that is bestowed upon a man.
OGB, so you’re changing your position? You’re saying he will never grow up? Because that question was really aimed at getting out of you at what age you think BM is expected to grow up.
Here’s a Little Johnny story:
Little Johnny and his parents moved to San Diego from Denver.
Little Johnny was at school one day and Chargers were playing that weekend. Teacher says to the kids… “All you kids who are Charger fans, raise your hands”. Everyone in the class raised their hands except Little Johnny. Teacher says to little Johnny, How come you didn’t raise your hand little Johnny”?. Little Johnny says… “Well my Dad is Broncos fan, My Mom is Broncos fan, therefore I’m a Broncos fan !!”. Teacher says…”Well if you’re Dad was a felon and your Mom c***k h*, what would that make you”.
Little Johnny says…… That’s easy – “A RAIDERS FAN” !!
I never said he wouldn’t grow up! go back and read my post, if need be!
I am simply saying that he is struggling with the transition of becoming the man he needs to be. The stories I read about the male figures in his life (i.e. his dad) is not a encouraging.
I just hope he finds the way
royalbroncofan1, that is the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OGB, I’m just a bit confused is all, anyway I think we both posted on the matter plenty yesterday and I believe we both know where we stand which is what this is all about anyway. Glad to have the opportunity to blog with you.
No doubt Baylin, it’s always my pleasure!
Broncos Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that we are going to kill the raiders on sunday. You can have all the speed you want in your receivers, but you also have to have accuracy in your passes. I say we will get three picks this week and DOOM will be all over russel. Lets go kick some raider tail and send them back to the bottom of the pack.
—GO BRONCOS—
Hey,
I know we all have been brewing on a name for the Broncos’ D, yet it is ever so clear that we have a “team 1st” organization where everybody has baught in. So how does “The Kool-Aid Kids” sound. I think everybody at Dove Valley is drinking it. Hell, I got a big pitcher of that orange stuff in the frig right now. Infact, I need some more
Whoop those tricks (Raiders)-Whoop those tricks-Whoop those tricks !!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRONCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSS!!!
This should be a very good test for the Broncos. As fast as the Raider rookie receivers are, I believe this game will come down to which team can best stop the rush. Both teams are very capable of racking up some serious yards rushing with more than one option at RB. I think the Broncos will be up for the challenge based on how they have handled the previous games. The thing about this game that worries me is the Raiders newly improved D-line. They are big, and can make a lot of problems for our O-line. Obviously our O-line is the best in the business, but guys like Ellis and Seymore demand respect and cannot be overlooked as potential game changers.
Regardless however improved the Raiders may be the Broncos are in all reality better on every level as a team and should lock this one up. I really hate the Raiders, but I hate the Raiders fans even more. They all seem like a bunch of barking Chihuahuas. All bark and no bite!
Go Broncos!
Guys, I am interested to hear what you think about the following:
I’ve basically watched every press conference given by McD and I have come to the realization that by simply listening to him I have learned so much more about the game of football, about how his system fonctions, how it causes trouble to the opposing D’s, how they adapt their D’s to whatever they face, I mean it’s incredible the amount of information you can get out of him if you really listen.
On the other hand in 14 years of listening to Shanahan’s press conferences, I learned less about what he was trying to do and how he was going at it than I already have learned from McD in his 1st year. That just floors me. Is it just me? or are some of you guys experiencing the same thing?
No prob – baylin… didn’t see your post until after my response.
You’re right…. most appropriate handle…LOL!
Glad you like the Little Johnny story OGBronco4life. Good one to share!
Baylin, have you been drinking that orange stuff?
Obviously not the same brand as yours…LOL
ROYALBRONCOFAN1………..that was an awesome joke! But I don’t think it is very accurate because kids in San Diego are not smart enough to raise their hands..
GO BRONCOS!
Whatever, I’m serious, I get a lot out of his press conferences and I like it. The guy is a cool cat, might have brushed off a lot of people the wrong way since he’s been here, but he is pretty darn smart. I think the N-E Offense misses him, at least it looks like it.