As Sunday’s matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars gets one day closer, the Broncos remember last year’s game all too well.
The Jags jumped out to an early 17-7 lead in the first half, extending it to 20-7 before the Broncos would get on the board again. A fourth quarter touchdown got Denver within a score, but it was not to be. The Jaguars won that game 23-14. This year, the Broncos would like to swap it up.
Denver is coming off a 16-13 win over a Buccaneers team that is similar to Jacksonville in several ways. Both teams like to play hard-nosed defense. Both like to pound the ball in the running game. And in that game against the Bucs, the Denver defense stepped up to match the physicality of their opponent. They’ll need to do it again this week.
But the Jaguars have a different dimension that the Bucs don’t have, thanks to one person — David Garrard.
“Everything starts with their quarterback,” Marlon McCree said before Thursday’s practice. “David is one heck of a guy. He’s a great quarterback. He makes great decisions with the ball, and he can take off and run with it, too.”
He has gotten off to a rough start in 2008, but Garrard was one of the top quarterbacks a year ago, completing 208-of-325 passes for 2,509 yards and 18 touchdowns to just three interceptions in 12 games. He went 14-of-20 for 154 and a touchdown against the Broncos in 2007 — pretty simple statistics — but he also scrambled 12 times for 52 yards.
The Broncos recognize the type of things Garrard is able to do, but they are more than up for the challenge.
“They’re definitely kind of similar to Tampa Bay,” Elvis Dumervil said. “They’ve got a really physical offensive line, their quarterback is able to scramble well, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us this week. The philosophy, I think, is there. We’ve just got to bring the same energy we brought last week against a very good team.”
INJURIES BITE HARD
For the Broncos, neither Tony Scheffler nor Selvin Young will suit up. Eddie Royal is dinged up, but he has been practicing on a limited basis. When asked about Royal’s status, Head Coach Mike Shanahan said, “We’ll see.”
And the Jaguars have been decimated by injuries along the offensive line to go along with the terrible and tragic shooting of offensive tackle Richard Collier. Center Brad Meester has been limited in practice with a biceps injury, but he has yet to play a game in 2008. Backup guard Chris Naeole has been limited with a knee injury. And that’s after starters Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams were placed on injured reserve.
They also have some major injuries in their defensive secondary. Safety Reggie Nelson has only played in three games and has not practiced this week with a knee injury. Cornerback Drayton Florence has missed time as well.
While the Jaguars may have been hit harder by injuries than the Broncos, don’t think that anyone at Dove Valley is underestimating them.
“Jacksonville, anybody in that division, the AFC South — even Houston. Tennessee I think has the best defense in the league,” McCree said. “Indy, they’re physical, and Jacksonville is a tough team. That division comes with some physicality with it, and we know we’ve got to be prepared.”
A BREAK IN THE CASE
For the family and friends of Darrent Williams, last night was a big night.
Willie Clark, who has been a suspect in the murder of the slain cornerback and is in federal custody on unrelated charges, was indicted on first degree murder charges for the drive-by shooting that killed Williams.
Shanahan spoke on the matter following the team’s practice.
“The Denver Police did an unbelievable job in the investigation,” Shanahan said. “From our perspective, nothing will bring Darrent back, but we’re very proud that they’ve found a person or at least they’ve got a chance to go through the due process. I think our organization is very happy. I think the Williams family is very happy. With the indictment on all the counts, it sounds like it’s a pretty strong case.”
President and CEO Pat Bowlen also commented on the recent developments.
“Knowing Rosalind (Williams, Darrent’s mother), I know that this has brought back some memories for her,” Bowlen said. “She needs a little time to digest that. I really like Rosalind — she’s done a wonderful job under very bad circumstances.”
“We stayed in contact, as much as we could, with the Denver Police department,” Bowlen continued. “They were going to do a very thorough job with this and make sure they came out with the guy who pulled the trigger.”
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Adam Zinser, Darrent Williams, Defense, Elvis Dumervil, Injury, Jacksonville Jaguars, Marlon McCree, Uncategorized, Week 6
im happy to hear they think theyve got the person responsable.it took longer then i thought it would but now maybe d-wills family can finaly have some peace. i miss watchin him play he was a heck of a player and that pic above is a great 1
rip dwill
To actually catch the guy who did this horrible thing did take longer than any of us wanted it to but it’s always better late than never. I’m thrilled they caught the guy (or indicted him) at all. Usually that never happens.
RIP D-Will. Broncos Country will always remember #27.
And now, back to football. I’d say that if we can play great defense like we did last week and then some (more like even better defense, it is possible) we’ll be on top of this game. I hope Cutler is able to be himself as QB and throw out some awesome plays. I never know what to expect from that guy, which makes him so good at what he does. I’d love to see some long passes (catching those would be nice too) if the Jag defense insists. I hope their D just stinks on Sunday, they stay at home and forget to show up.
And if our defense says their “up for the challenge” against Jacksonville then they better show it. I want to see them live up to what they said. Now that they’ve said they’re up for the challenge, all eyes will be on them. I’m watching….
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
LOL, is no one going to talk about Cutler and his “My arm is stronger than Elways” comment? Come on, that’s good stuff! I like Jay, I think he has the strongest arm in the NFL right now, but he doesn’t have that Elway gun. No one ever has, nor probably ever will, have a cannon shot like that. Although I like the kids aggressivenes, I question his judgement.
r.i.p. williams
i think that we should be good with hall and pittman in the backfield, but with sheff out, we need to be stokely in the game more. as for our defense, they need to step it up and get pressure on the qb because we cant always leave it up to our offense to win games for us. but if the D plays like they did last week, we should be good. ill be rootin for u guys in philly on sunday.
GO BRONCOS!
yep the “my big gun comment” …. Yikes. Dumb kid. GREAT ARM! I LOVE CUTLER! I could only pray that he gives us anywhere near the excitement that John did!!
i think the “big gun” comment is blown out of proportions…jst another story for analysts to make money with….
they make it sound as if Cutler showed no respect for Bronco greatness…
i think it jst shows Cutler has guts and thats a good thing…guarantee he has all the respect for John….