While the beginning of the season saw the Denver Broncos lose many key players, for the second week in a row, the team is getting healthier.
Cornerback Champ Bailey and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. It marks the second straight Wednesday the Broncos got a significant boost in their practice participants as linebacker D.J. Williams, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, running back Knowshon Moreno and receiver Brandon Lloyd all practiced last Wednesday after missing at least the previous game.
Bailey hasn’t practiced since injuring his hamstring in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders, and Thomas hasn’t practiced since suffering an injury in mid-August.
“You feel a little more comfortable in the fight when you have all your troops with you,” Head Coach John Fox said. “They were a welcome addition for sure.”
While their playing status is unknown, it’s a positive sign as the Broncos head to Green Bay this week to take on the defending Super Bowl Champs — the 3-0 Packers.
“We will need to be at full throttle against this team, so it’s a good thing to have guys coming off an injury, including myself,” Dumervil said. “Nobody wants to be hurt, so it feels good to come out and practice to try to get better and help the team.”
Thomas has had to wait more than a month to return to practice since his injury in training camp. The Broncos will be looking for him to contribute on the defensive line as soon as he’s ready to go.
“It’s a little like injuries, everybody is different,” Fox said. “Some people come back faster than others, so we’ll be day-to-day on Marcus just like we are on all those guys that haven’t been with us (for) a while.”
Williams was another one of those players who hadn’t been with the team for some time. He injured his elbow in the third preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks and sat out practice until last week. However, even after practicing all week, Fox decided to hold him back on gameday.
“We suited him up, put him through pregame (at Tennessee),” Fox said. “He went on the trip, but again that’s part of the problem. To play in an NFL game all that preparation stuff is important moving forward as well as the conditioning on gameday, and we’ll continue with that this week.”
But the players recognize that even if they don’t get back to game action right away, there’s benefit to returning to practice as soon as possible.
“That’s always good getting a healthy group back together,” defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson said. “Just gelling back together and playing ball like we know how to play ball. Those guys have been missing, now those guys are back. We need to add to it and let’s go head on and finish the game off and do what we need to do to get the ‘W.’”
INJURY REPORT
Here is the full injury report from Denver and Green Bay for Wednesday.
For Denver: receiver Eddie Royal (groin), tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) and receiver Demaryius Thomas (finger) did not participate. Dumervil (shoulder), Marcus Thomas (groin) and Bailey (hamstring) were limited. Moreno (hamstring) and Williams (elbow) participated in full.
For Green Bay: safety Nick Collins (neck), defensive end Mike Neal (knee) and linebacker Frank Zombo (shoulder) are out for this week’s game. Tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee), running back Ryan Grant (kidney), linebacker Brad Jones (hamstring), cornerback Pat Lee (back), linebacker Clay Matthews (quadricep) and cornerback Charles Woodson (foot/knee) did not practice. Tackle Chad Clifton (knee), tight end Jermichael Finley (ankle), defensive end Ryan Pickett (foot) and cornerback Tramon Williams (shoulder) were limited. Linebacker Vic So’oto (back) participated in full.
Here are some pictures from Wednesday’s Practice.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Champ Bailey, injuries, Marcus Thomas, Week 4
[...] Notes and photos from Wednesday practice. [DenverBroncos.com] [...]
Maybe you guys can help me understand some things.
Orton is the problem. this is what I am hearing.
Again I ask, did I miss when Tebow went 3-0 to end the season last year?
Did I miss when Orton failed to stop a 90+ yard drive at the end of the Titans game. 90+ yards. I repeat 90+ yards.
Did I miss with 4 minutes remaining in the Raiders game, Orton leads the team on a score to get within 3 and then the defense failed to stop Oakland from getting a first down THREE times.
I am trying so hard to be on this “ALL HATE ORTON, ALL PRAISE TEBOW” bandwagon, but I unfortunately keep watching the WHOLE game.
I am trying to figure out, who he has on that team that can make a play.
Who can get open quick.
Who can block.
Who does block?
What about Dawkins inability to cover, but he sure is a FIERY LEADER.
Vaughan and Willhite torched by Tennessee WR.
We still get no pass rush unless we use Miller, but Miller is a LB who is usually in coverage on a lot of passing situations. Maybe when Doom returns we can get some pressure on the backs. Maybe Tebow can rush the passer. Tebow’s leadership alone will get it done.
Tebow inserted means EVERYONE else WANTS to play. No one else on the team WANTS to win? There are NO OTHER LEADERS on the team?
Whatever.
To Stevecan that stat is misleading, most other teams, who have lost more than we have, have switched qb’s on a consistent basis. Henne has not started every game. neither have the backs in 1-15 last year Carolina. But way to throw out a misleading stat.
This TEAM has problems across the board. Yet all people do is bash Orton.
cam Newton throws for 400 a game and is exciting…his team loses
Dalton torched us…team lost
Do we want to win or just watch Tebow?
broncos 29 pack 23
I like Tebow, but Orton is the better option for now! If we get out of the running to even make the playoffs – then why not play Tebow and see if he offeres anything for the future?!?!?!
I like Tebow and love what he bring to the QB position. He is exciting to watch and has the added benefit of running when plays break down.
HOWEVER, There have not been many if any “RUNNING QB’s” to win Super Bowls and that is what we all REALLY WANT!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
- Jonathan WIlhite has not been with this team since 2009. He never got torched, good routes and throws by Hasslebeck. Watch Wilhite again, the Wide Out, as soon as Wilhite opened his hips, went back and got the ball in front of him. That is not getting torched. That is bend but don’t break.
- Dawk is always getting ripped on these boards for not being able to cover, but he is also a SS. So your adding nothing to your backlash against him
- I posted that stat from another post, with a comment about Chad Henne. But that is my point, he hadn’t started consistently and yet, still holds a better win percentage than your boy KO.
- Orton has not gotten sacked or pressured as often as Cutler in Chicago. When Orton is on the ground 11 times in one game, then your argument has better credibility. Of course, you can keep denying that Orton doesn’t go off his first read, but twice in that Tenn game or almost never in the red zone. Compare him to QB’s that are successful in the red zone, you might start seeing what we see.
- the lack of pass rush and stopping the run held Tenn to 17 points with over 400 yds passing. Again, this is bend but don’t break. Two big plays allowed on that last drive in Tenn, one blown coverage. Can be chalked up as a great play call. Man coverage, every single receiver was covered minus the TE for the score. mis match created in the secondary.
- again and again, you want us to believe that Orton is not to blame, and for the reasons you argue, you hold the defense to the same standard as we do KO and the offense. You sit in judgement, and don’t realize the irony. The difference is that, the D is making monumental strides forward, progressing getting better, the offense, stalling or going backwards.
Like it or not leadership goes a lot further than people realize. Orton isn’t a leader and that really shows on the field.
Everything said that KO is lacking for weapons is not insider knowledge. Run game, a defense that doesn’t give up any points. I mean seriously, do people not realize how ridiculous this is getting.
We talk about the Broncos superbowls and having TD. Very true, heck Janet Elway at the end of the SB win, looked to TD’s mom and told her, your son just won us a Superbowl.
That was the Superbowl, rewind 15 years. We had a QB1 that with no superb run game, a solid defense took us deep into the playoffs on such a consistent basis, that seeing Den in the playoff bracket had just became common for any analyst to predict. In retrospect, you cannot win a SB without a run game, but you can make it deep into the playoffs, at least in Denver.
As for future hope, one draft with EFX, our defense is sitting at 16th overall. First two draft picks, starting. One instant impact player. The third pick, starting. There is hope, going forward. Our D is getting better and progressing without Bailey, DJ and Doom. How, this does not pump someone up I will never know. Now we look to GB and we will probably see Champ, DJ and Doom all on the filed again.
It is night and day on defense. On offense, blah blah blah. Champ after week 1, we lacked heart… Orton after 3 weeks, we need all 11 guys to play better.
About Wilhite. He was waived by the Patriots. Who here know who the man was 1 month ago?
Note: he was waived by the Patriots.
One more time, he was waived by the Patriots.
Hint: he was waived by the Patriots. Have you paid attention to their secondary?
Good job attacking Wilhite, who actually played very well, goes to show that there is no end to the madness that is Ortinite.
I guess some people would rather have Nate “Toast” Jones back. I for one would rather have Wilhite. Doesn’t he already have two sacks?
I have no doubt, that Imready, carnagebronc, sndvl and some others could do a better job motivating the team than QB1.
My point about Wilhite, is that his past shows, he was a chump. Gets into the Denver D and what, now is playing well? Big plays and consistent. Gives me that much more faith in where our defense is heading.
One thing is for sure about Woody, he says it like it is, no matter what. I like that in a reporter. Not afraid to get his feet wet or tread in the mud some.
All I can say is, if Orton scrfews this up this weekend in Green Bay, this blog will be smokin’ next week for sure. EFX ears will be burning is my bet. (Or maybe just FX since E doesn’t want to meddle in F’s business with the team.)
Everyone has to remember, it isn’t a “personal” attack on Orton and it isn’t that I personally “hate” Orton. I hate the way he plays not to lose, I hate the way he’s almsot too careful with the ball, I hate the way he thinks he’s Manning or Brady standing in the pocket when taking off and gaining a few would be the better decision. Coming into this season I was hoping he’d have changed but I should’ve known better. He’s not going to change and his playing style is the same as it was when he was in Chicago. Plain and smiple Orton plays not to lose. How come he can be so good in practice and be so bad in games? Because he doesn’t have that little orange jersey protecting him…although next year we’re switching to the orange. Anyway I think it will take 17 weeks for Fox to learn that his win now method with Orton is kind of like an oxymoron.
FYI:
Last time I checked we are a 13.5 dog against the PACK on the ESPN website!
Go BRONCOS!!! Gotta love an underdog story!!!
In Vegas it’s actually mainly between 12 and 13.
Close to what it was in the 97 season SB, but this is not a SB team, they are, we’re not, haha.
Anyway enough of the mushy stuff.
We’re going to have to rely on Orton this week. Our running game will again be nonexistant considering the Packers held the Bears to 13 or 14 total yards rushing. So I think they’ll dial up the blitz and force Orton to take sacks or make poor throws.
Our pass defense needs to be ready, with or without Champ or Doom. Maybe we try and blitz Rodgers and get some turnovers. We need turnovers and we need to turn them all into TDs.
Help me “Obi Won KanOrton” you our only hope….
I hate to be a downer, but I don’t see our offense doing much in this game. Points we score will be on ST or by the D creating turnovers within Prater’s range. Like I said in my prediction, not much from the O, herculean effort from the D to create an unlikely and low scoring win. Mmmmmmm…… Koolaid….
Little update on Bronco fans:
12 pick us to win Sunday,
26 to lose.
BAAAAD FANS! LOL.
LOL! Well Orton drank all the freakin’ Koolaid! We’re becoming realists.
Bench Orton
Bench Orton
Bench Orton
PLEASE!
PS: I’d rather take Quinn for the next 3 or 4 games then Tebow. Spread them out to avoid escalators but BENCH ORTON!
Well if all goes according to what it has this past three weeks, I picked us to win 2 games, which we lost. I picked us to lose one game, which we actually won. So therefore I picked us to loose this one in hopes that a win will come our way. IF we do win this one you can mark it dow, I will pick us to loose every game from here on out. Therefore my 11-5 prediction for the season will look fairly good because we will be sitting at 14-2…….RIGHT!!!!!!! Koolaid anyone.
11-5, LOL.
Not to worry, Broncfalls picked 12-4, haha.
Orton gives us the best chance to ___________.
A) Win
B) Lose
C) Become alcoholics
D) Both A & D
E) Both B & C
F) None of the above, Fox and Elway keep saying this but no one is sure what they mean.
Oh man can’t even get a joke right…D) both A and C.
Broncfalls must be like me and drinking the stuff by the drum. I passed on the gallon stuff a while back.
G) Both E & F
You know that feeling when you have to purchase textbooks at the university bookstore and they cost you like $800. Then the semester ends and you want to return them and they either don’t accept them because they came out with a new addition or they give yo ulike $5 back, is that what it feels like to be season ticket holders?
*edition* hyuck…hyuck..I done gone and got me an edukatian hyuck hyuck
That is good Brian! Haven’t laughed that hard in a while.
Rodgers has only had 1 interception in the first three games of this season. How many has Orton had?
This stinks but what else can you do. Broncos lose 24-10
I believe Orton has 5 TDs and 3 INTs.
It’s amazing that people who watch the “WHOLE” game are still defending Orton.
I am not an Orton fan. I’m not stating we NEED to start Tebow. I am a part of the group that is sick and tired of seeing Orton play the same way week in and week out. There’s no improvement with the man after 6 years in the league.
We do need a change at QB and since we have two others to choose from we need to pick one of them and move on.
The D is improved and will keep improving, unless we stick with Orton. In which case we will see the same thing as last season. The D will wear down further and by the late games be down to 2nd and 3rd stringers again.
Until our O can sustain drives, put up points and improve in general, we’re going to see the same arguements and points in these blogs.
And he’s got a strong arm now, just wait to see what happens around Thanksgiving if he is still starting, noodle arm will be baaack!
Yep Bay I forgot to mention that. thank you.
and the reason the D will be down to 2nd and 3rd string, will be that same as last year, 1st stringers will be getting hurt due to being on the field too long because of the inept O
While it’s great to see 5 Broncos in the initial list of “candidates” for the HOF, the reality of it is that 75% of them have done absolutely nothing to deserve being in the HOF. With Keeshan Josnson and Drew Bledsoe heading up the list of 1st year elegibles this is obviously a weak year for 1st timers. The works to Rod and TDs advantage. While I’d be a little surptrised if Rod makes it first time, it sure would be something to see Rod and TD going in at the same time in 2012. Sure would like to see Atwater in there also, but I just don’t see it ever happening.
The SAD TRUTH is any team that has 3 Quarter Backs = REALLY has NONE!!!
We may have to scrap the whole thing next year and get a REAL QB like Andrew Luck (if we are so unlucky to get there), or maybe Kellen Moore as he is an acurate pocket passer and theat is what EFX is really looking for. In all I can’t see any of these guys winning us a SUPER BOWL and isn’t that the WHOLE POINT of theis GAME!!!
I would like to see TEBOW play if for no other reason – he gives us the best chance to win and has the highest ceiling in my opinion!
***PLUS if he is not the GUY and it is obvious – let’s ship him down the road while he still has some stock value*** Along with Quinn and Orton! LOL
GO BRONCOS!!!
Andrew Luck may be getting touted as the best QB out of college right now but I’ve got one thing to say to that, and I hope I’m wrong but it could happen……… and that one thing………..
Ryan Leaf (Jamarcus Russell)
So let’s forget about Luck…….. for now because that talk is getting old and stale too.
My problem with Orton is that while he won’t lose a game, he certainly won’t go out and win it for the team either. He takes the opportunities he gets but doesn’t make any new ones. And when the game is on the line, he falls apart. There are tons of statistics to prove this. I recall a study done by MaxDenver that showed that when the Broncos are trailing by 8 or less with 10 or less minutes remaining in the game at the beginning of a drive, Orton’s QB rating is 46.2. That’s no mistake. 46.2.
http://www.milehighreport.com/2011/9/26/2449970/this-says-it-all-some-orton-figures-from-max-denver
BTW, my prediction is Packers 31 Broncos 17
I’ve been thinking of this lately when you have something negative or criticize your team or something they do or a player or whatever your labled a “fair weather fan” or “not a true fan” or a “Tebowmaniac.”
In government when you critize it or have something negative to say about it…nobody calls you “Un-American” No you stand up for what you think is right and practively do something about it and people call you an activist, or an inspriation.
If all we did was follow the status quo blindly just think of where we’d be….”communists.”…we’d be “communists.”…so anyone who wants Tebow to start or has criticism is “not a fan” and everyone who is drinking the kool-aid is a “communist.” ….LOL…I’m just joking but my point has been stated.
Does that definition make me a Communist Tebowmaniac that is not a fan, but been a fan for almost 30 years?
INSANITY-Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. For example, see Kyle Orton.
I agree with alot of the comments on here. Our D is improving which is a good sight to see, we need that heritage back in Denver! There are still some improvements I would like to see, Like A. Goodman, maybe he could actually tackle somebody? Still D is IMPROVING!
Now Off, It would be nice if some of those first round picks we had the last few years that are suppose to be good ie.. D. Thomas, Moreno, could oh I don’t know not be out pretty much each season with injury’s!!! I understand they cant control it, but maybe they could drink more milk to keep those bones strong. B. Loyd was brought to Denver because of Kyle and he has turned out to be a good receiver! Hopefully he can keep that up if his buddy Orton isn’t in there…. We will see! Decker also looks to be a great addition to the team! And Now for Orton I have so many different rants on him that all of you have hit on that I really don’t see what any True Bronco fans that watch the “WHOLE game and understand it at the same time” see in his value to the organization! He’s No way our future, contrary to popular belief he is not our “Best chance to win,” and has Zero Leadership ability! His only good attributes are that he’s pretty accurate and conservative with the football. Which like I have said before makes him the best Backup QB in the league…
I really Hate where this team has taken us as of the last few years. We were the one’s making fun of the raiders organization and there stupid decisions they made and now its them making fun of US! McD did a number and now were on our way out hopefully!! But there is one thing I check for on this website everyday and that to see if we are finally going forward in rebuilding and PULLING ORTON out!!! And until then I see no reason In updating and buying new Broncos Apparel or spending anymore money on this organization. With this rant out Still I love the Broncos! BUT PULL ORTON!!!
P.S. I think its Orton that has multiple screen names on here so he can defend himself! Really who else would defend him?
So let me get this right, you say its the D that has lost us these games. Hmm Off of 5 turnovers this season the Broncos O has only scored 6 points that’s right two FG’s off turnovers mind you that 3 of those came in the other teams field. The Broncos run game in the red zone has been shut out of the end zone 11 times out of 13 tries.
Not to mention dropped passes, low or over thrown un catch-able passes, Sacks on key downs and last costly turn overs that have costed denver 24 points in key moments. We have the 16th ranked D from last years 32nd. But we are 29th in O in the red zone.
Ortons has had 7 passes tipped and he leads the league in that 2 of them have gone for INT’s, Orton has more uncatchable balls thrown this year too leads the league in that. So you do the math if we avg 79 yards rushing a game we rely on orton to throw 300+ yards and when he can not do that we loose.
The O is not putting enough points on the board and we are keeping games close with the D the O has to score in key situations and has to come up big when they are needed (Orton has yet to have a 4th quarter comeback for Denver) Nuff said.
Orton isn’t a horrible QB. I don’t like him at all, but there are worse skill sets in the league.
The problem is that he is a horrible QB for the Broncos. For Orton to win, he needs to manage a game for a much stronger and well rounded team. Our defense is improving but can’t win games at this time on their shoulders. Our offense has a couple of bright spots, but none are true Game Breakers. When there are so many holes on an offense, you MUST have some catalyst to drive that offense and make players play above and beyond their average play ability.
You can’t change up an entire offensive skill set in the middle of the year, but changing the QB to a more aggressive type like Tebow that can make players better around him could spark something. Quinn is too streaky. Orton is too passive. Tebow is unproven and raw, but can make players better around him which has been proven.
1st and goal to go from the 2… Orton had no business in the game… Only one person… Tebow
so you think orton is still the best chance for our team the broncos to win huh, well for the person who said its not ortons fault our defense couldnt hold, to you i say this its not the defenses fault orton fumbled the ball on the 24 yardline when we could of tied or taken the lead..game one we lose because of orton…game 2 we won….game 3 in this game i throw a double fault out i blame fox and orton….fox for not kicking the fieldgoal on 4th and 1 from the 1 to go up 7 instead of 4 and orton for throwing another int on the final drive…and just a fyi orton is at 5tds and 5int + 2 fumbles
bottomline to all this is leaders find ways to win football games,not saying tebows the guy but id like to find out if he is or isnt…my meggage to you orton start taking some risks and youll start winning football games
Sorry but all my Bronco Buddie had better know, well, you probably already know we’re not going to be in the playoffs unless the San Diego team and Oakland all die off. So my hopes are not up for this year. We need Tebow, and I know here we go again but the Broncos ought to at least give him a chance and see what he can do. Orton has had his chances and always comes up short, good quartrerback but no playoff material. If Tebow doesn’t get a chance to play and learn the offence and you just put him in next year or let him go to another team, my son has already said he and all his friends will be looking for Tebow on his next team and they will be watching and buying that teams jerseys, hats, etc., instead of the Broncos gear. We’ve watched the Broncos since 1975 and enjoyed the team but last year and this year are getting to be to much for most Denver fans. New coach, but old quarterback, they just don’t mix. It is time for a change or a lot of loyal Denver Bronco fans will be spending their money somewhere else, sorry to say. Go Broncos tomorrow but it feels so hopeless saying that unless changes are made quick. God Bless everyone cause we are going to need it in the future.
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