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.”
From the linebacker’s point of view, he’ll be matching up with a player in the backfield as talented as anyone in the NFL.
“(They have) probably the best running back in football in Frank Gore,” Haggan said. “He is a great running back and we have our hands full once again, as it is each and every week in the NFL.”
So far this season, Denver’s defense already tackled three of the top 10 rushers from 2009 in Chris Johnson, Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew and game planned against the active leader in career rushing yards in LaDainian Tomlinson.
Gore finished just below Rice as the ninth most productive runner last year, and Champ Bailey regards him as highly as any of the backs he’s faced.
“Every week, it seems like we have a big test with running backs and it seems like that’s the way our schedule is,” Bailey said. “Gore doesn’t get all the (same) accolades as these other guys, but he’s one of my top-five backs in this league.”
Head Coach Josh McDaniels echoed Bailey and Haggan’s respect for the back in red-and-gold. He’s not sleeping on a roster that sent five players to the Pro Bowl in February.
“We think it’s a very, very talented roster with quite possibly the best (running back) we’ll play all year,” McDaniels said. “Frank Gore has great vision and great patience. He’s a very explosive guy — he touches the ball a bunch, I think it’s 40 percent of their offensive plays so far this year that he’s been a part of. He’s gained more yards from scrimmage than any other player since 2006.”
When Gore isn’t touching the ball, it’s a good bet it’s headed in the vicinity of Vernon Davis, the former first-round pick that scored more touchdowns than any other tight end last year.
Haggan said Davis is a “threat on every down,” and McDaniels said Davis has more speed at his position than anyone the Broncos will face this season.
“We know who their most explosive player is, and that’s No. 85,” Bailey said. “(He) is one of the best. He’s shown it every week and he’s already scored four times. The guy is explosive and we need to be ready for it.”
Similar to last week, the Broncos are preparing for skill players they respect without knowing who will be delivering the opposing playmakers the ball.
Alex Smith left last week’s loss to Carolina with a shoulder injury, but the team hasn’t ruled him out for Sunday. So Haggan, Bailey and the rest of the defense could see second-stringer David Carr or Troy Smith taking snaps.
With Gore and Davis leading the offense, Bailey said the team has plenty to focus on before it knows who will line up under center for San Francisco.
“We just have to go out there and prepare to play San Francisco’s offense,” Bailey said. “We’ll worry about who’s the quarterback later.”
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are photos from today’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Mario Haggan
Sounds like the whole team is getting us ready to handle whatever bad may happen in Wembley talking up the Niners the way they do, see what you want in it, respect, whatever, end result I see a lot of uncertainty as to our odds in this game.
GREAT to see Goody and Dawk practicing,it’s about time we start getting healthy.
Hope they don’t talk’em up too much,they might start believing it themselves,and another disaster like last week might just happen.
Lol we always talk up the other team, dunno if thats the best approach but like u said call it respect or whatever. I think all it is is McDaniels showing us he did his homework. Knowing stats and trends is nothing if u have to answer for it.
On a positive note gald to see goodman and Dawk out there. No better time for Goody to come back than when we also lose cox.
I think we will respond well and win, or should i say hope. either way like i said before that will just be a product of any given sunday because this team has alot of problems form the top to the bottom.
Hope we win. i will be watching. Still hope McD/xanders and company are gone at the end of this year, still hope to see some Tebow (u know the first round pick with a multimillion dollar contract to warm the bench) actually throwing the ball this year and maybe even starting if this losing trend continues. Just ready to move on, i think by now most of us know each others stand on this team. Can’t do anything about the raiders, all we can do i haope our team responds well and gives the london fans a good show. They Deserve it. Go Broncos.
Hahaha Go Broncos. With a period. That’s all we can muster up 3 days after 2 days after that humiliating loss. The Broncos get to move on, going to work on the 49ers game plan. Us fans do not have that luxury. All we have is a hangover from a Black Sunday (or is it the Mile High Massacre? it’s going in the history books so it may as well have a name).You guys know how I feel about McDaniels. If I was calling the shots there’s a good chance he’d get one more year. If he goes I’m not gonna cry about it. I just hope whoever comes in can get it done. Do you guys have any ideas as to who can fill that role at this point?
Anyone else think the Broncos should be in London right now? The 49ers have already been there for 2 days, with the long flight(9 hrs) and the time difference they need a little extra time to adjust and rest. But that’s just my opinion.
Chalk up another loss. Th 49ers are hungry! Their coaching staff is on thin ice and they will be ready to play. They will dominate us physically, and without a running game teams have figured out that all you need to beat the Broncos is a pass rush.
McD and xanders era is over! It was a giant failure, and if this organization is not careful they are going to lose a lot of fans. Especially if there is a lockout next year, interest will decline. How many 20+ point loses AT HOME have we seen under this regime?
if McD gets fired, the next coach might cancel the “tebow project” because although he is not a great head coach he is a pretty damn good qb coach and our next coach may not have the skill and or patience to teach him.
3
Biggest problem is not what happened last year anymore, it’s what’s happening now:
1-3 at home
1-5 in AFC conference games (incl. Raider loss)
0-1 in the division
But we are doing great against the NFC at 1-0, LOL, too bad that doesn’t do much good other than it may mean we got the NFC’s number and this game will be a piece of cake, now that’s looking at it glass half full if I ever saw one, haha.
5 times in Broncos history has the team given up 300 yards on the ground. It’s happened twice in the last 8 games. To division rivals. At home.
New Directions!
all I know is the next coach better be defensive minded. And the next GM better be, anyone that is not xanders lol
lmao sndvl, thats a very ugly stat
doesn’t say much baylin, everyone kows the best nfc team is usually the 3rd or 4th best team in the NFL. and the 2nd best nfc team is usually like the 7th best in the NFL. Point being AFC > NFC … all except the AFC west that is lol.
Funny thing is even tho the chargers are the same record as us, they have been in the game every week not to mention they always start slow and end strong, they at least have history on their side we on the other hand usually melt down and to start bad and melt down will be very ugly lol
I guess you missed the LOL and haha, definitely was not taking that NFC win to mean anything, just feeding the kool aid drinkers something.
I actually think that my breakdown of our current record meant plenty, but you missed it! LOL.
The leadership of Dawkins changes this team by ALOT. We will be okay as long as he’s around. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need HELP on Defense,not FAs,but we need to draft great defensive players,oh yeah,LIKE THIS YEAR’S DRAFT,STOCKPILED FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many did we get??….0
Walton is the only starter we drafted,talk about wastefull,when you finish 8-8,you draft impact players that start immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need help on the Dline and we need LBs.Strong fast LBs,that can runstop,passcover,and blitz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BFE
It looks like the tsunami that just hit us is now retreating, the fans have said their peace and are now going back to their daily routines, the blog is becoming peaceful once again, the fury of the water has nearly subsided, or did they all just turn their backs and walk away? LOL.
Oh yeah Beadles is starting too.
2 #1 picks are benchwarmers,sad.
Well, with all due respect, that’s not real encouraging news, Dawkins has already slowed down a whole bunch in coverage this year and his contribution is bound to come to an end soon, you better give us something else to hold our hats on, like Goodman, yes Goodman could be a much bigger difference maker coming back, do I need to say what happened to Cox when Goodman was out? Didn’t think so.
Granted Dawkins has got bravado, but he is losing the battle in the leg department, you can only hit a guy if you can catch him and it’s becoming fewer and farther between.
both the lol and the breakdown wasnt overlooked. especially the break down, shows how bad thigns really are. if anything my “doesn’t say much” breakdown of the nfc and afc power ranking was to reinforce your “too bad that doesn’t do much” stance.
So we cool, haha.
lol yea we cool
Will Mr. B go to the game?
Let me re-phrase that.
Is Mr. Bowlen going to be at the game?
we need a win badly and dont u hate hearing last week score it hurt me lol
We all know that he’s not a micro-manager like Jerry Jones is, but, maybe he should be a little more involved? Maybe he is, I don’t know?
He is not involved like he used to be, he used to come down to the sideline for the last few minutes of every game, at home and on the road, saw him one year in Atlanta riding the team bus along with everybody else, but he has stepped back for a while now, I would think there are some health issues involved, age will do that to you, I can attest to that, so in no way could I ever question his involvement now, I am 100% certain he gives it the best he can.
Mcdaniels wont be fired unless we totally blow the season. However, considering we get a new coach unless its john gruden *because he likes tebow* I still think theres a good chance any other coach will try tebow. They will notice his great worth ethics and so on. I see us surprising people and beat the 49ers…Come off the bye and come away with a win. Thes rest of the season after though doesnt look good… But atleast well have a high draft pick =-/
Maybe we should all start saying the Broncos don’t have a chance against SF. That seemed like it worked against the Jets to get all riled up.
haha Im sayin we rebound hard and win 42-17! NO JOKE!!!
Hey, OC, I ended up getting an Orange Sunday towel. My brother however, worked his way to the tunnel and got an equipment towel from Tebow. Silver Lining. lmao
I just hope we can be 3-5 before the bye. After the bye we probably lose to KC but have a chance at beating SD. So 4-6. Beat the Rams and maybe surprise the Chiefs? That would make us 6-6. Beat Arizona and go 7-6. Fight back against the Raiders and go 8-6. And then drop to Houston to go 8-7. And then we finish no worse than 8-8 (AGAIN) or we get lucky and finish with a winning record (for once) and go home 9-7.
It looks grim, and I know that. To me the scenario I just laid out would be amazing, even though it is still mediocre. But it sure as hell would be better than what anyone of us are hoping for at this point.
Sunday was awful. But it happened. And who knows, maybe we get lucky and McD gets humbled enough to listen to people or to reach out for help. I love the Broncos, and even though the Koolaid ain’t tasting so sweet these days, I’m still gonna drink it. Tennessee went 8-8 after starting 0-6. Maybe we can go 8-8 after being 2-5. I know it’s a long shot, but I gotta keep the faith. The team ain’t gonna believe in itself if nobody else does.
SO GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
And I think we can win against the 49ers on Sunday. 21-20. Orange and Blue till the day I die!
P.S. Let Tebow throw a pass.
Let Knowshon run the ball more than once in a series so he can actually get a rhythm (1 yd on first down, 3 yds on second down. Alot better than 1 yd on first down and a 3-n-out due to the predictability of the pass).
Let Orton dink and dunk for first downs. (We get it, he can throw deep now. But if we aren’t gonna run, then a lot of incomplete passes downfield are not gonna help us or our tired/depleted defense. Just sayin.)
And use Decker. The kid works hard. I think he deserves a shot.
THIS IS ADDRESSED TO MCDANIELS AND THE WHOLE TEAM
Since I have traveled across the pound well over a dozen times, I know everything there is to know about jet lag:
All flights from the USA to Europe leave about 5 to 6 pm local time and arrive in Europe about 8 to 9 am local time there.
It is critical to get a good night sleep on the plane, at the very most eat the meal that they will serve you right after the departure and immediately go to sleep, bypass all the movies and all that stuff. Sleep all the way until they tell you to raise your seat up for landing, that way you will have gotten at least 6 hour sleep in an 8 hour flight (if you need more sleep, skip the meal, eat before you board). Then as you get there spend the day as a regular day and no matter how tired you are do not sleep until that night, you will then immediately be on the local time schedule, not missing a beat by the next day, no jet lag to speak of, GUARANTEED.
If on the other end, you get on the plane enjoy the movies, play cards with your buddies or study the game plan without getting your sleep, when you get to London you will very quickly need some sleep and do that during the day, you will then have problem sleeping that night and wil be in the jet lag zone for multiple days, GUARANTEED.
You can take all the above to the bank.
As usual, this valuable advice I have learned over a lifetime is free of charge, just out of my benevolent Bronco fan heart.
Now that I have done my duty to my team, I can go mow the lawn.
just saw on espn.com that SF is going to go with Troy Smith as their starter while Alex Smith is out. he is the heisman winner from Ohio State from a few years back in case anyone doesnt remember.
Bay, you crossed the pound?
The pond, thank you for always being so caring for me hometeam007.
I’m out here guys.. Been reading the posts but just didn’t have the words to say what I feel about the Mc59 twist.
I lost my voice over the last two days from yelling all through the fourth quarter and stomping….Tebow! (boom-boom) Tebow! (boom-boom)…haha I had half the empty stadium chanting with me for a bit….
I stood right across the field from Josh in my Orange #15.. waited untill each quiet moment in the fourth qtr and screamed at the TOP of my last lung, “Josh, you have nothing to lose, put in Tebow”!!!! (boom-boom) haha. I know he heard me because he looked at me then it seemed like he was mad and got even more stubborn about it because I was yelling..
Anyhow.. I think we all need to get off his tail and let him yell and scream and rant and rave and cuss and fuss and do his thing for the rest of the way out. Because his new mellow demeanor isn’t working. He better just let it all hang out from here on out because this team needs a great big fire lit under their butt! And that’s Josh job to get this candle aflame. If he can’t do it? He is on the long ride back to Ohio…
I think the defense gave up on the offense more than the team gave up on Josh.. Though I guess that is really the same difference….
As soon as Orton threw that pick six it completely deflated any moxie that our defense brought to the game…
I blame Orton for having a crappy game and McD for having no guts to put Tebow in and give something else a try. I said it a long time ago but I want to say it again..
A QB defines a Head Coaches career more than any other player on a team.. Orton and this McDaniels offense (OL, RB’s)are making the defense give up… Thats our current identity…
YOU NEED TO GO ALL OUT FROM HERE ON OUT JOSH!!!!!!!
What’s your helpful tip for the Broncos today?
That was addressed to 007 of course.
I have to agree with Bay on Dawkins. While his leadership is invaluable, he does seem to have slowed down a few steps this season and hasn’t been the impact player I was hoping to see.
I honestly don’t really know what to expect next game. Who will show up? Will the O actually score a 1st Q TD? Will San Fran be equally as horrible? I think the key to this game will be Gore, of course, especially with Troy Smith in the game. He will be fed the ball all game long and if we can’t contain him, like McFadden last week, will have a career game against our D.
I really don’t know how to call this game…….but will have a pick before the end of the week.
I don’t think I have anythg to say about this team at this point. I think we are walking into the same kind of game we had last week. A team with an equal or inferior record, that has actually been in every game to the end. Please note optimist that losing by 14 is not in the game. It is not close and you get no cigar. A 14 point spread in the NFL means you are totally blown out. so losing by 13, 14, 14, and 45 are not “close” the 6 and the 4 are, but not the others. Have you noticed how we talk teams up EVERY week, but they don’t say the same about us anymore. We used to have players that made teams have to game plan, now we don’t. No one is saying, Orton is a guy that will kill you. NO ONE is scared of Moreno, unless they are saying he is definitely a top 35 back in this league. the receivers, I have stated a lot, are guys that can be handled man to man by just about any corner. We have been stripped of talent is all. So I am neutral this game like the field. Got a house full of 49er fans coming over to watch, hope they don’t get to enjoy what the Raider fans did.
Moreno will be starring on “So You Think You Can Dance!”
i came across an interview from tiki barber stating that his opinion on who is the best receiver in the NFL right now is in the Mile High City. Who else but Brandon Lloyd i thought was interesting to pass up moss, harrison, and the one and only marshless in miami. i mean marshall LOL
I do have to feel bad for London. They’re having two sup par teams come to town to play a game of “American Football.” Do you think they’re thinking “why couldn’t we get two good teams to come here and play?”
My tip for the Broncos is if were going to use those gimmick wild horse or swamp or whatever there called (uneffective is what I call ‘em) plays, then we at least need to let Tebow throw a few. Oh and my other tip is actually show up on the field to play this week please. Ever loss hurts but a beatdown leaves a nasty scar, which reminds me I have to go see the doctor and see if he can fix my broken heart. A win might help fix my broken heart a little bit. I’m just messing around.
Go Broncos!
Here goes … Broncos 27 – 49ers 17 …
Either the team is so pissed after last Sunday that they have a wonderful rebound – or they tank it and there goes the season … I wish we had better personnel … but that’s the bottom line, isn’t it?? … anyway, being a DIE HARD Bronco fan, I’ll go with them until they’ve proved they just can’t do it … both teams have a lot to fight for – respect being the most obvious … lots of these pampered athletes cry because they don’t get any respect, but respect is something you’ve got to EARN!!!!! …
Bay, if you and I can admit to mowing the lawn, does that mean we’re really BLUE COLLAR Bronco fans???? … also – your take on jet lag was fascinating … but I assume there’s NO chance of anybody reading it who could make a difference … a shame …
OK, after all my ranting and raving, I kind of feel sorry for McD. That doesn’t mean I take anything back that I have said. He is a young coach who looks like he wants to cry out of frustration (from observing the Wednesday and post game press conference). He is doing a pretty good job of hiding it but he looks like he is pretty sad inside, and scared that he may not be able to fix it. I guess I’m a bit of a softy. I really do want him to be successful. But whats done is done. I don’t know if he can turn it around. If I were to put a probability on him being able to turn it around I would guess around a 25% chance. I am still VERY dissapointed in the product that McD has put on the field.
Just my random thoughts for the day..
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS— BUT I HATE THE WAY THEY ARE PLAYING..
i had no point in coming here to rant about last sunday’s loss. whats done was done..i hope after touching rock bottom, we no where else to go but up!:D
keep Gore and that screen in check, double davis, and we’ll be ok..:)
GO BRONCOS!