On Sunday, the Broncos could be without an anchor in the middle of the defense.
Middle linebacker Joe Mays was dealt a one-game suspension by the NFL for his hit on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub during the team’s Week 3 loss.
“Joe’s one of the best human beings I know, and there’s no way he would maliciously go after a quarterback like that or hit him in the head on purpose,” defensive tackle Justin Bannan said. “You guys have got to realize how fast these things happen.”
Head Coach John Fox acknowledged on Wednesday that Mays will appeal the decision, but currently the linebacker is not allowed inside the team’s facility.
If Mays’ suspension is upheld, Denver will face a potent Raiders offense — highlighted by running back Darren McFadden, who has averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his career against the Broncos — without its starting Mike linebacker.
But Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen recognized that the Broncos will be prepared regardless of who lines up on Sunday.
“(Mays) will be somebody that they’ll miss, but I know Foxy’s philosophy is ‘Next Man Up,’ and they’ll have the next guy ready and up and available and ready to play,” Allen said on a conference call with Denver media. “Whoever steps in there for him, I would anticipate that they’d be fully prepared to do the job.”
Among the options to step in for Mays are linebackers Keith Brooking and Danny Trevathan.
“We’ve got options there, depending on whether (linebacker) Nate Irving’s available,” Fox said. “There are a lot of what-ifs. We don’t have all the answers yet.”
Teammates were upset about the possibility of losing Mays — who defensive tackle Mitch Unrein called “one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet” — to a suspension, but understood their role is to step up their play in his absence.
“It’s tough to lose a guy like that,” linebacker Wesley Woodyard said. “We have to roll with it. Right now we have some guys that are going to roll in. Whoever gets chosen to play that ‘Mike’ (linebacker position), we’re going to step up and be ready for it.”
Tags: Danny Trevathan, Joe Mays, Keith Brooking, Nate Irving
PUM PUM PUM B-R-0-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
FTR!!!
That was a clean hit on Sunday. The reffs got it wrong and so did the commissioner.
Hey Turtle, Hows the ranch work? is it getting to a slow down point? I bet you’re still watching all the games. Prediction Broncos 24
Raiders 10
Gotta go, late for my alcohol enema.
This is so Unfair, and Un-Football… I pay damn good money to watch Men Play FOOTBALL! A full contact, grown man sport… I can go to the park and watch little kids and out of shape adults play their version for free…
DO NOT TAKE THE CONTACT OUT OF NFL FOOTBALL!!!
(THE NFFL IS COMING SOON, Said it for years, SO GET READY FOR THE NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE…
Hey WOLFE!
I’m doing great! Ranching is fun as always, and now we are preparing for winter! I am a true football junkie and watch as many games as I get time for! Watching a replay of Min/SanFran from last week right now… Ponder looks like he could almost be a real QB…
Talk to you all soon, I’m going to go Seal in a Window!
Steven Johnson will be The Man! Next Man up Steven Johnson!
McFadden (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, csnbayarea.com reports.
McGahee (ribs) practiced Wednesday on a limited basis, Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post reports.
OH! yeah! forgot about Steven Johnson.. If Nate’s not ready put this kid in. Him and Brooking can man that MLB all day! and Have Travathan change btw Woodyard and Miller on the outside,,, we need speed against this team..and I think they have a better defensive front than the falcons and houston.. IMO..Ramirez better get his game on………..
I’d rather see Johnson before Brooking any day. Steven Johnson will Be The Mike! and He will do well.
Ramirez should be fine, He’s no Kuper but I think He will be ok.
I would also like to see Manning get rid of the ball a hair quicker early in the game too.
Newcomer to the board, hello everyone! Just wanted to chime in to say the our Broncos will be just fine without Mays if he doesn’t play. Trevathan is a beast, as is Johnson and they’re finally gonna end this ugly and pitiful losing streak they have to oakland at home! These linebackers remind me of the old speedy LB’s like Gold, Wilson, and Mobley. Also I have a feeling we’ll (hopefully) see Peyton’s no huddle before the 2nd half. Predicting oakland 12 Denver 31.
I think people are way too focused on the final preseason games stats. Steven Johnson was not that good, he was solid against a bunch of 3rd stringers. He was on the bubble and barely made it. Sure, he probably has more than Brooking but people demanding this guy starts and act as if he is going to be the next great denver linebacker have another thing coming. He’s a rookie. He wasn’t even THAT good in preseason.
I meant 3rd preseason game
Danny Trevathan is the “next man up”. Trevathan looked nothing short of impressive in the preseason. I like Steven Johnson, but Trevathan will be all over the field. My prediction: Trevathan = 8 tackles and 1 sack
Oh and EasyEdFan87, I’m new too! Just a brief bio, I have been a Broncos fan all my life, and I started analytically covering the Broncos for about three years now. I’m a youngster (I won’t say how young) but I am very analytical and pay much attention to the Broncos. Thank you everyone, and I hope to be commenting for years to come!