A pair of knee injuries have forced Brian Dawkins to miss a total of five games in his 15th NFL season.
That meant five Sundays of watching as the Broncos took the field without him. Adding to that frustration, his team lost all five of those games.
Dawkins, who missed all three games on the team’s recently completed road trip, hopes to return to the field on Sunday against Houston at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The veteran safety wants to help his team complete a strong finish to an otherwise disappointing season.
“Sitting back and watching my guys out there going through what they’re going through and not being in it with them, it is a tough, tough pill to swallow,” Dawkins said. “So, being out there with them again is a relief for me — a tremendous relief.”
Dawkins, who has been limited in practice both days this week, said he’s reassured by the fact that his injuries were routine by NFL standards — unfortunate plays that happen in a physical league every week. He first had his leg rolled up on in Baltimore in Week 5 before suffering a similar injury six games later against the Rams.
The eight-time Pro Bowler said he’s determined not to let a few minor setbacks slow down his decorated career. He said right now he plans to play both games to close this season and return next year, as well.
After spending nearly two full seasons in the same secondary, veteran Champ Bailey has no trouble believing his teammate will bounce back strong — starting against the Texans, who have the league’s No. 5 passing attack this week.
“Being that he’s had his little nicks here and there with his knees he didn’t play a full season this year, so you can’t really count this one,” Bailey said. “He’s even going to be more fresh next year.”
If anything, Dawkins said the tough season might have added fuel to his passion for the game.
For now, Dawkins is just happy to be back on the practice field. After a few weeks of rehab, he appreciates the chance to be healthy again coming down the stretch of the season.
“It’s been a process,” Dawkins said, “but finally, I’ll hopefully be able to get out there with these guys and do what I do.”
FRIEND AND FOE
Robert Ayers insists he doesn’t have much to add to the scouting report on Houston running back Arian Foster, the league’s leading rusher. The linebacker said the game tape on his former University of Tennessee teammate speaks for itself.
But that doesn’t mean the second-year Bronco isn’t fired up to welcome his friend to the Mile High City when the Texans visit INVESCO in Week 16.
“We’ve had a little rivalry since we got into the league,” Ayers said with a laugh. “We always go back and forth talking junk. I’m looking forward to playing against him and getting after him a little bit.”
In a Wednesday conference call, Foster immediately referenced the chance to go up against his old college teammate when complimenting the Broncos defense.
Ayers said he’s communicated with Foster more than usual this week, helping both players get more excited about the matchup. The 2009 first-round pick said a popular topic of conversation has been what might happen if Ayers has to corral the running back in space.
Ayers, who has come back strong in recent weeks after a foot injury, said he hopes Foster, who leads the league in rushing by 21 yards over Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew, does become the first undrafted player since Priest Holmes to win the league’s rushing title — just as long as he doesn’t have a good game this week.
Combined with the fact that New England’s Jerod Mayo — another of his former Volunteer teammates — leads the NFL in tackles, Ayers said he’s happy to see his friends excelling at the next level. But unlike many football fans, he’s not surprised that Tennessee’s second all-time leading rusher has made a major splash this season.
“In my opinion, he’s always been a great player, and he’s continued to keep getting better,” Ayers said. “This year he’s really shown what he can do.”
PRATER TO IR, BYERS JOINS ACTIVE ROSTER
The Broncos put Matt Prater (right groin) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, ending his season. The team elevated offensive lineman Jeff Byers from the practice squad to fill Prater’s roster spot.
Prater finishes his season with 76 points, connecting on 16-of-18 field goal attempts and 28-of-29 extra point tries. The fourth-year kicker has not played since Dec. 5 in Kansas City.
Byers, a rookie from USC who spent the preseason with Seattle, has been on the Broncos practice squad since joining the team on Sept. 6. The Fort Collins, Co., native was a three-year starter in college and earned third-team All-America honors last season.
On the practice field, Knowshon Moreno returned to action with limited participation. The second-year running back missed the final three quarters of Sunday’s loss in Oakland and Wednesday’s practice session with a rib injury.
“We are going to get him moving around a little it out there, get him some reps, and see if we can get him going at a good pace today,” Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville said.
Jamal Williams (non-injury) was the lone Bronco to miss Thursday’s practice. Dawkins, Kyle Orton (ribs), Demaryius Thomas (ankle), David Bruton (ribs) and Darcel McBath (quadricep) were all limited in practice for the second straight day, while Daniel Coats (finger) and Eddie Royal (lower back) fully participated in practice.
For the Texans, TE Garrett Graham (hamstring), WR Andre Johnson (ankle) and K Neil Rackers (right hamstring) did not practice for the second straight session. LB Brian Cushing (knee/ankle/foot) was limited Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. DE Mark Anderson (knee), T Duane Brown (shoulder), RB Arian Foster (hip) and QB Matt Schaub (right elbow) all fully participated in practice.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Below are some photos from Thursday’s practice:
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jeff Byers, Matt Prater, Robert Ayers, Week 16
Great post Eric,I liked it,maybe because my favorite college team is UT.
Bailey talking about how fresh Dawk will be next year,that leads me to believe he wants to stay here.
No disrespect to this Saturday but COME ON SUNDAY!! I’m ready to see those Orange and Blue Colors in that wonderful stadium! I think it will be his last year if Dawk does come back next year.
melloo,yeah I think it will be his last one too!
What a great career he has had tho!
We need to draft a Safety this year.
A bummer to see Prater go on IR. But, if the Broncos play their cards right, they might be able to get a low round draft pick for Haushka (sp?).
He’s certainly done a very good job so far.
Prater is now on IR. He`s a free agent. I hope we sign him. He`s got the leg. He only missed two FG`s. Not bad, not bad.
If Dawk stays on next year, it should be mainly to teach the youngsters and playing sparingly, mainly on running downs since he has lost so much speed he can’t cover hardly anyone anymore, just saying.
And Prater is absolutely a keeper, no way we can let him go, having a guy that good after Elam is real lucky.
I wish McBath could stay healthy. I really think he can be something great! Is anyone still on the Patrick Peterson bandwagon? I really would like to see us grab such a physical and talented corner! Also with the rookie cap he wouldn’t break our bank!
I’m with you car, I can’t wait for sunday! Maybe Thomas will be healthy and we could see our first Tebow to Thomas hook up! Is Dawk coming back? That would be nice!
Yovi, Im all for Patrick Peterson. This kid is a physical specimen.
I agree Bowers is beast, so is Dareus and Fairley. One of em would a good pick. But we hear about elite DLs coming out almost every year.
Peterson is (6’4 215 runs a 4.44 40yrd) and his game tapes show for it. Champ is also physical at (6’0 ) and is already a HOF in almost everyone’s book…imagine him and Peterson lined up.
BLITZ ALL DAY! Let Doomsday lose and go crazy..teams would have to use spread offenses and limit running games..IMO.
Although a pass-catching TE is needed. I think its a 2nd day pick. Almost any TE can catch, it depends on the coaches and how they use TEs. IMO
I think we try like Hell to sign Champ,and address the Dline in the draft,if we can get pressure on the QB,Champ,Goody,and Cox are adequate CBs.
20,we HEAR about elite DLs coming out every year,but we never get one!
I think we take a Safety and a TE later in the draft.
Bay,I agree with Dawk playing on running downs,he’s good against the run,but not so good against the pass,done lost a step!
SIGN CHAMP,PRATER,AND KUPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we should move Dawk over to SS and let McBath take over the FS spot. And if Champ stays, he mentioned moving to the FS after he loses a step at CB, and I think he would be super effective there.
We need people on the DL. Big guys who can pass rush and get to the ball carrier. Another pass rushing LB would be nice too.
The only thing on offense we need is a TE, and that can wait for a later round. If we waste any picks on offensive guys in the early rounds I will be beyond irritated. After so many years of a mediocre defense, somebody has to be smart enough to draft defensive players. At least you would think so anyways.
BFE, Kuper sign a big contract just before preseason remember.
Agree BFE…. we need to address the d-line.
Crowder, Moss and Thomas were the last we drafted almost 4 years ago and the only one left is Thomas.
I want D-line also, but what about this scenario. We sign champ to a new contract, trade goody for maybe a 4th or 5th. Grab Peterson in the first, Pick up D-line in the second, a TE in the 3rd and go from there! Is Fairly a big time lineman? or is he someone we can trade back to get? I don’t know much about him, I just know we are in a great position to pick up a game changer. Is Fairly our guy?
It looks like the Panthers don’t want to lose their #1 pick, they are down 27-0 to the Steelers near the end of the third now.
We better not lose our #2!
This is how Scouts Inc. rates the top 8 players in the draft:
Player Pos. School Grade
1. Andrew Luck* QB Stanford 98
2. Da’Quan Bowers* DE Clemson 97
3. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 97
4. Patrick Peterson* CB LSU 97
5. A.J. Green* WR Georgia 97
6. Robert Quinn* DE N. Carolina 96
7. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 96
8. Marcell Dareus* DT Alabama 96
9. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 95
10. Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 95
* denotes draft-eligible underclassman
At #2 we would be able to pick and chose probably everyone but Luck.
Top ten obviously, my bad.
Kyper goes:
1. Luck
2. Bowers
3. Green
4. Peterson
5. Amukamara
MyNFLdraft.com has:
Carolina: Luck
Denver: Fairley
Bengals: Bowers
Arizona: Ryan Mallett QB
Bills: Green
Detroit: Peterson
Just filling up space here, LOL.
I say we need to go Fairley or Bowers, not Peterson, sorry all you Louisiana bloggers, haha.
Our biggest need is DT or DE. Our pass rush sucks. I`ll take either one, Fairley or Bowers. Kiper believes that Bowers is best D-lineman. Who knows, Kiper is wrong most of the time.
strand,I remember Kuper signing the contract now,don’t know what I was thinking.
I think we need a big guy inside,like Fairley,we need a pass rush and a runstopper,well then Fairleys our man,he has 10 sacks this year!
This draft is supposed to have more DLs in the 1st round than any draft in rescent memory,stacked at DL,so we need 2,a DT and a DE.Depends on if we stay 3-4,we need a DE worse,if we go back to 4-3,Doom and Ayers can play DE.Too many ifs in there,as the season winds down and we find out who the GM,HC,OC,DC are gonna be,then we can really start talking draft.I love talking about the draft and who we might get,I hope for our sake we have a better draft than weve had in a long time!
I would be shocked if we got Peterson somehow. I would like to see us get Bowers in the first round. I agree with most of the “wants” on this blog and don’t have anything really to add. I unfortunately don’t see Champ here next year and Dawkins might be gone also, which is even more reason we need attention up front. the secondary is supposed to compliment the d line not the other way around like in recent years.
Amen to that steve!
agreed BFE, we never got our elite DL. im actually banking on the FA to get an established DL force then get another talented one in the second round. if FAs dont pan out, then get one in the 1st round
BUT, I still like Peterson.
I know mocks are ,well, mocks, but waterfootball.com has a pretty interesting 3 round lineup for us.
http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php
Peterson in the 1st,
2 DLs in the 2nd,
and a DE/OLB in the 3rd,
one LB that I would like to someday see get drafted by the Broncos is
Manti’ Teo. LB Notre Dame
in highschool he was the most recruited LB. Freak of an athelete, fast and sure tackler, he played RB and once broke 7 tackles on a run. crazy!
hopefully he enters the draft next year.
highschool highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBmbcRUxTkc
college freshmen highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FFRPiqBpbk&feature=related
Broncos20…
Yea, I agree somewhat man! I would love to see Peterson become a Bronco! I really believe that he is the next Bailey/Sanders! Even though we do need major help up front, I would be very happy with either Peterson or Bowers!! I would love to come up with some way to get them both! Just like I mentioned earlier in an earlier blog, it would be nice to go ahead and start trading the players that we are going to trade so that we can see all the extra picks that we get and maybe trade them around or something!!
1st option-
Peterson, Rudolph, then all DL after them!! Just like everyone has said, this is a very deep defensive linemen class so I think we would be okay! Also, I think we will make some moves as well in FA in getting some DL in here! We did a good job with Bannan, Vickerson and Williams! I know that was with McD but we still have the other members of the staff here that was with us when we acquired those players!
2nd option-
Bowers, Rudolph, DL, CB, LB
With both of these options I have posted both involve Rudolph! This is a very huge need for us and it is the missing piece to our offensive puzzle!! I think Quinn might be stepping up for us hopefully and we need a very reliable pass catching TE and Rudolph would be the perfect candidate for the job in my opinion!
I would love to see a sick move and trade our picks that we obtain from trading some of our players to move up in the draft and getting another 1st round draft pick and getting Peterson and either Bowers/Fairley/Quinn!! Who knows, maybe Robert Quinn will be available in the 2nd because of his whole suspension thing in college!! Would be nice to have both brothers on the same team and is always a plus and they can help each other out!!
In the end, who knows, I just know that this is going to be a very surprising draft!!
Before we talk about the draft though, we need to get Elway in the building and signed and then get Gruden or another very proven head coach in here!! The draft will be a complete bust if we do not get a proven head coach that is very smart in all areas of football!! Gruden would be the perfect guy and can help in all phases in football!! Plus, him and Tebow could become like Dungy/Manning and Brees/Payton!!! Can you just imagine???
I LOVE ME SOME BRONCOS COUNTRY!!
Bay this is Louisiana blogger wants the Broncos to get the best player for one of our much needed spots. yes I like Peterson but I want us to draft NEEDS over WANTS. We’ve drafted wants too many times.
I do hope we pick up Drake Nevis in the later rounds bc he’s a DT with a very high motor. He would add nice depth on the DL like the Ravens have.
Important details on Orton’s contract:
Orton is signed through the 2011 season. Although some associated with Orton and the Broncos have put his total guaranteed money this season and next combined at $8.1 million, a review of NFL Players Association figures show Orton’s guaranteed money over 2010 and 2011 is $5.499 million — $2.62 million from this season and $2.879 million in 2011, whether he’s with the team or not.
Orton also has a roster bonus of $1.5 million due on the fifth day of the new “league” year in 2011, pending a new collective bargaining agreement, but that money is not guaranteed.
So, by trading Orton we would “only” spend 2.879 mil more on him if we do it before the fifth day following a new collective bargaining agreement. Obviously that seems to be the inevitable choice.
And the following he said / he said between Studs and Orton is one more step in that direction:
Broncos interim head coach Eric Studesville disagreed with Kyle Orton’s assessment that the organization has decided to start Tim Tebow in the final two games.
Orton said this week he had been told Tebow would close out the season as the starting quarterback, but Studesville tempered that Thursday.
“The only place we are is this week, and we’re looking at the Houston Texans,” Studesville said. “I’m taking it week by week. I’m not taking it any further than that.”
Studesville added the decision to start Tebow on Sunday was a move “we communicated with everybody . . . we were open and honest.”
Could Studs have gotten wind of my post yesterday morning asking of more honesty from our organization? Call it coincidence or concern on their part, I am glad they are now acknowledging the importance of honesty in their business. I guess it’s one more good reason for me to keep on writing….
Mr.Vanilla himself is actually coming up half way clean about his play calling:
Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has called the plays in the past two games, including Tebow’s first start last Sunday, and said Thursday he usually has second thoughts on a few things the day after a game.
“Eleven years I’ve been in coaching, you always wake up Monday morning wishing you would have done this or that, and that’s all part of it,” McCoy said. “There is some situational things I’d like to do better. It’s a learning process for everyone.”
I tell you, I can definitely feel a strong need by some in the organization to come clean and make the world a better place in this “Christmas feeling is in the air” type of atmosphere.
Anyway, Christmas time is all about doing the right things and it warms my heart that we are all trying, it’s like a breath of fresh air in the otherwise suffocating noxious breathing Bronco environment we have been living in all season. No more McD, Tebow starting, honesty put at the forefront and self questioning our play calling, those are all great Christmas presents for all of us, there is a Santa after all because he realized how good we’ve been all year for sticking with this sorry excuse of a season so he is giving us plenty of presents to reward us.
But one more present please, get Martindale to say the right things about the D too, that we need better talent, that the current players aren’t respecting their assignments, that we can’t feel sorry for ourselves when players go down, that we can’t blame it all on the lack of consistency at the helm like he and some players are doing in today’s article “Broncos declining D full of holes” by Klis at the DP.
I do understand that it has been probably the biggest obstacle for the D not to have had a steady DC for 5 years now, but come on, crying about it as if begging the top brass to give you another opportunity for next year is a bit much, man up you all, take your medicine like big boys and go to work for the next two games to show your worth, for crying out loud, this feeling sorry for yourselves is not manly at all, how about that being the major problem in our D, no backbone, no nasty disposition, no leadership, just mainly whinners is what I saw in that article.
I hope I didn’t go too far on Christmas eve? LOL. Merry Christmas to all, even the D, haha.
Yo Bay… I hadn’t seen too many predictions this week! Am I right or have I just been missing them?!
Here are some of the quotes from that article for the ones who don’t want to bother to go over there to read it:
Always the Rent-a-Coordinator is cited as the problem with the Broncos’ defense.
“Would there be things that I would do different next year?” said Martindale. “Sure. But one thing I would like is consistency in the lineup.”
“I want stability,” Bailey said. “I want a consistent guy on top. We just haven’t had that. Whether a coach or the guys in the locker room, stability means a lot to me. I’ve definitely had an unstable career, everywhere I’ve been. It’s always a (revolving) door. I wish we could make a decision with what we have, but …
“Love Wink,” defensive end Kevin Vickerson said. “He’s a good coach. It’s not his fault.”
“There’s a lot of good players on this team, a lot of good people and pros in this building and we’d like another shot at it,” Martindale said. “But that’s out of our control. We have two games left, and that’s in our control.”
“I don’t think people understand how much influence the head coach has,” Bailey said. “Whether it’s a defensive-minded coach or offensive-minded coach, they’re definitely putting their two cents in on what’s going on with the other side of the ball. At the same time, the coordinator pretty much makes the calls. It’s really his defense, but he’s not in total control of it.”
“It’s amazing to me that coaches sit there and say when we win, we have great leadership,” Martindale said, “and when we lose, we have bad leadership. I’m not saying that.”
A lot of time spent talking that’s for sure, zzzzzzzzzzzz…..
Mello, you’re right, Christmas I guess, only 13 so far, 9 Bronco wins, 4 losses, don’t have yours yet.
Given our trouble to stop the run and our lack of a blitz I’m going to go…..
Texans: 24
Broncos: 34
I think Hauschka has a nice kicking game in denver. I also think the Texans will either start off slow and make their late comeback that falls up short, or they start off fast and can’t maintain. Either way I think the team will feed off of the home crow energy and at least get us one more home win.
Well, if nothing else if we lose you are safe from being added to the Wall of Shame since we already have a pick Broncos winning by 14 points.
And it’s a good thing since you are now like in 9th place overall with 9 points, top 10 is real good (WOS is worth minus 5 points).
Wow that’s crazy especially with the way our run D has been playing or not playing. Add to the fact that we are going against Foster! A man that has made many fantasy people happy this year myself included.
So we still maintain our draft position with a win and a loss by cincy and the others right?
All I know is it’s gonna be cold here in Nawlins on Sunday and I’m gonna be Orange and Blue head to toe all day!
White Broncos hat
Blue Tebow jersey with Orange long john shirt underneath
grey and white adidas with orange trim
Man Orange and Blue are the greatest colors!! Just vibrant and fit perfectly!!
Bottom line is we control our destiny, we lose out we get at least the #2, we win one, the others have to lose one like you say, I don’t like that.
Champ said of the change….
“Well, I want stability,” Bailey said. “I want a consistent guy on top. Something consistent. Something stable. I just haven’t had that.
“Whether it’s the coach or the guys in the locker room, stability means a lit to me, and I definitely have had an unstable career, everywhere I’ve been. It’s always an open door.
“I wish we’d stay consistent with what we have, but that’s just the way this game is. I’ve just got to adjust to it as I go.”
“I can’t complain about the ones I’ve had. (Mike) Nolan (in 2009) was great; Wink has been great to me. If I do stay here, I wish Wink could, too.”
Dawk said….
“Some of the things that has happened on the game, on the field, have been a result of mental mistakes by us. It has nothing to do with Wink and his play-calling,” said safety Brian Dawkins.
“He’s a guy you believe in and when he tells us specific things going into a game, a lot of times those things show up. It’s up to us to make sure we cut back on the mental mistakes, what we didn’t do a good job of defensively.”
I disagree with Dawk to a degree bc we might’ve blitzed 10-15 times this whole season. At least the games I’ve seen and I’ve seen all except the Ravens, Titans, and 1st Raiders games
Also if mental mistakes are the reason then Dawk and some of the other vets are making rookie and 2nd year mistakes.
Actually you are 10th overall in the score prediction contest now.
Unofficial current overall standings:
1. casinoroyal19 19 points
2. baylinorcrush 16
3. footballMANIAC 15
3 tie. UKBroncos 15
5. killerkod 13
6. milehighmagic88 12
7. standoftds 11
8. wieminCA 10
8 tie. carnagebronco 10
10. caramelloo 9
It’s gonna go to the wire with 7 points awarded to the weekly winners!!!
Bay is that total?
Never mind I see how it’s done.
Yeah, you get points awarded like this every week:
1st place 7 points
2nd 4
3rd 3
4th 2
5th 1
Wall of Shame minus 5.