Last week injuries to his top two quarterback kept Oakland Head Coach Tom Cable from announcing a starter until gameday.
This week, the Broncos have the luxury of knowing who will be under center to begin Sunday’s game in London.
With No. 1 quarterback Alex Smith out with an injury, San Francisco Head Coach Mike Singletary has picked Troy Smith to lead his team. Singletary decided on the former Heisman Trophy winner who has spent the season as the No. 3 quarterback rather than backup David Carr.
“I just feel that (Troy Smith) gives a chance to win football games, I really do,” Singletary said in a Wednesday morning conference call. “So, I am excited about the opportunity for him and for us.”
Smith, who has not started a game since he was a rookie with Baltimore in 2007, completed 34-of-63 passes for 388 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions this preseason. He was sacked nine times.
At Ohio State, Smith was known as a dual-threat quarterback adept at using his mobility to create big plays. He rushed for 1,168 yards during his career.
Watching Smith’s limited action as a pro, Head Coach Josh McDaniels has been impressed with his ability as a pocket passer and game manager.
“He can also do a lot of good things from the pocket with his arm,” McDaniels said. “He ran an offense in Baltimore that was, I would say, not a simple one to deal with and handle and he did a nice job with that. I’m sure he’s looking forward to the opportunity to get in there and go.”
Smith will be charged with leading an offense that includes proven playmakers in tight end Vernon Davis and running back Frank Gore. With Alex Smith — another quarterback capable of making plays with his legs — starting the first seven games, the 49ers scored the second-fewest points per game in the league en route to a 1-6 start.
While it’s nice to know before Sunday who the quarterback will be, Mario Haggan said ultimately, the Broncos gameplan remains the same.
“It doesn’t change much for us,” Haggan said. “We still have to go out and set edges and put pressure on him and make him make some bad throws.”
The Broncos pass defense — which currently ranks No. 10 in the NFL — could also get a boost this weekend from the possible returns of safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Andre’ Goodman from injury. Both participated fully on Wednesday — the second consecutive session they were back on the Dove Valley practice field.
Robert Ayers (foot), Perrish Cox (concussion), Darcel McBath (ankle), Eddie Royal (groin), Kevin Vickerson (groin) and Wesley Woodyard (hamstring) all missed Wednesday’s session.
McDaniels said Tuesday that Ayers, McBath and Woodyard will not travel with the team to London.
However, the head coach did not rule out the others and said those decisions will be made in advance of Thursday’s flight across the Atlantic based on if the players have a realistic chance of playing Sunday.
“We’re going to go through today,” McDaniels said, “and make sure we make a good decision on whether or not it’s worth their time (to travel to London) or if it would be better served for them to just stay here and rehab.”
For the 49ers, Alex Smith (shoulder) and center Eric Heitmann (neck) have already been declared out. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks (knee), cornerback Tarrell Brown (back) and Davis (ankle) missed Wednesday’s workout in London. Cornerback Nate Clements (ankle) and running back Anthony Dixon (hamstring) were limited during the practice.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Below are some photos from today’s workout:
Tags: 2010, Denver Broncos, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Mario Haggan, Week 8
I hope for the broncos to stop the 49ers last drive to attempt to win it and Champ or b – dawk gets an interception to stop the drive. Broncos win:
Broncos:17
49ers: 14
Broncos: 20
49ers: 17
Been away since Sunday with no internet and every time that happens something disasterous happens. Last time it was Doom’s injury. This time it’s a complete shallacking at home by the Raiders. Are you kidding me?
Still, my excitement for Wembley is undiminished. We need a win now more than ever and our poor division is still winnable!
The coverage in the UK has all been about the 49ers, Alex Smith and the 49ers legends (who were great), but it’s pretty funny that they are doing worse than us with no injury crisis to blame. I’d love to smash them up and kick start our season just when we need it.
I’ll be shouting for all of you, but I will be outnumbered. However, most of the UK fans aren’t that smart and they cheer for their team when they’re on offence, so the niners glory fans (from the UK NFL high of the 80′s) will do my job for me and our defence will do the rest.
Keep the faith!
UK
Broncos 24 – 9
see overtheedge, you are not alone. that was just my take, wasnt bashing. we all interpreted things differently.
some say big whoop he scored, but it was on a screen or it was because the defense was playing back or it was because of whatever…. point is the kid kept us from being completely shutout and didn’t quit like the rest of them team, we are mad for the team quitting but the guy that kept on fighting some say big whoop or have some harsh criticism. to each his own. I just think some don’t like Moreno and thats fine, I thought we shoulda gone defense as well but we didn’t we got Moreno, not his fault he was drafted by us, has a subpar oline, and a whack running scheme …. this post is not meant to be an attack or an arguement, just pleading his case since many don’t care to. The only thing I agree about Moreno is that he is injury prone … none of our other RBs when moreno was hurt could even run a screen or gain positive yardage … i dont even think any of them got into the endzone in the like 3 weeks he was hurt.
Timmah,
good point about the Titans last year, only dif is i think they have a better coach, they have a defense, and they have a running game….what also helped them make the change around was vince young took over as QB. I don’t see that happening for us even if Tebow takes over as QB (or whoever) because we still struggle running, and our D still sucks.
ps: not an excuse but with doom our D would be way better. we would actually still be in games cuz he sacks, forces fumbles and forces INTS. we lost alot when we lost him. With talented players getting ejected/traded we needed ever star we had if we had any hope of putting up a .500 season….
I know this is random but I sure miss Tim “Barrel Man” McKernan. I never did hear if they honored him in any way. Anyway a year after his death we’ll be playing at Arrowhead. Too bad it couldn’t have been at Inveso instead.
Sorry just random thoughts…
Go Broncos!!!!
I seldom post predictions and when I do I’m wrong. Let’s hope I am wrong again. Niners 31 Broncos 21. My perspective on Moreno’s dance in the end zone is much like that of Bay and overtheedge. It’s Busch League. You are down by 38 points or something insane like that, and you want to prance around in the end zone like you’ve just won something? Act like you’ve been there before…oh wait, you have not been there very often. Fine, celebrate with some dignity. Hand the ball to the ref and accept some helmet slaps from your team mates on the sideline. Your score meant NOTHING. As for the argument that Moreno didn’t “give up and was showing some passion.” That’s his job. He should never give up and should always exhibit passion. Do you dance around at SUBWAY when you finally finish building that turkey sub? No, it’s your job. Act like it.
broncos 34
49ers 28
go broncos
why not…
donkey 41
49ers 27
Agreed TRB…Doom seems to be the only one on Defense that can consistantly get to the QB,if you will notice all the great Defenses in the NFL have multiple players that can apply pressure every game.
We need to take next years draft and stamp a big “D” on it,I think once the Oline jells,maybe they’ll be ok,but since we went Offense mostly in this years draft,we need to go Defense mostly next year,because we need some DL and LBs that can runblock and rush the passer.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!Just one man’s opinion that don’t mean a Helluva lot.
BFE
TRB…. I do agree with you on Moreno,I’d like to see him 100% healthy,running behind a 100% healthy Oline.
UK Broncos….nice post. I think it is funny when fans cheer for their team on offense while the QB motions for silence. Anyway, I like your positive thinking about winning our division. That would be nice. I would be happy with a winning season and a good off-season at this point.
Yeah, there’s always a tipping point when you give up on the playoffs and start dreaming of high draft picks, a regime change and some gutsy free-agency pick-ups, but we’re not there yet!
I still think the Chargers are the team to beat. But we’ve got to start winning and that starts this Sunday.
And I will laugh at the niners fans cheering their 3rd string QB while he can’t hear the calls coming in or communicate with the rest of his team!
Of course I’ve only got more knowledge than them from years of reading this blog (and nfl.com) and staying up way past my bedtime on a Sunday night! I’m also a PE teacher, so unnaturally fascinated by the mechanics and history of sport. The NFL being the greatest example of both, in my opinion.
BFE
I agree about the all out D approach but i also think we should get Mike Pouncey (Maurkice brother). He is an OG … always wanted us to have both pouncey brothers especially since we were dying at both Center and OG. But yea I agree. Defense. Starting with a credible DE.
TRB…Florida moved Mike Pouncey from Guard to Center this year and he is struggling big time,he is a great Guard tho!
TRB, I have to agree about Moreno. All one has to do is look at our running stats with him and then without him. Neither are very impressive but there is a significant increase in production when he carries the ball. He falls forward, he sheds tackles, he’s more likely to make a play for 15 yards or more, and so on. I’m not ready to say that the scheme can’t work, but we’ve clearly had trouble executing it thus far. If it weren’t for Moreno we’d probably be averaging 25 yards a game.
Very glad to hear about Dawk and Goodman. Dawk might have lost a step or two but I think he raises the level of play of those around him and he still has proven capable of a lot of good things.
I think this game is gonna be a nail biter and as I you guys know, it is mandatory for me to submit a winning score for Denver.
23-21 Broncos