Determined to return to their winning ways, the Broncos locker room recently took an off-the-field step in that direction.
Earlier this week, the team held a players-only meeting to discuss matters on their minds. The result of that get-together was greater clarity among everyone on the roster.
“Anytime you discuss things amongst each other, at least you get honest views,” Champ Bailey said. “Just talking to some of the guys, just yesterday and today, you kind of get a feel where everybody’s head is, because I think the most important thing is we need everybody on the same page. It is always good to talk to your teammates.”
Fourteen-year veteran Brian Dawkins started off the meeting, with several other players following suit. That included everyone from the seven-time Pro Bowler to members of the practice squad.
As teammates with Dawkins for eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Correll Buckhalter said that his former club had a handful of team meetings to steer certain seasons back on track. He sees the same effect on the horizon for the Broncos.
“When you operate on the same page as a cohesive group, and be family-oriented, good things happen for you,” Buckhalter said. “That’s something that we needed. Things got stressed that needed to be done and we’re ready to move on to the Giants tomorrow night.”
Head Coach Josh McDaniels has been at the forefront of many motivational meetings during the 2009 season. While he was not a part of this one, he did not hesitate to reveal something that may have been strengthened by his players’ decision.
“Communication is always a very vital part of our organization, of our team (and) of our game plan each week,” McDaniels said. “There’s nothing more (important) than the communication between the players.”
INJURY UPDATE
There were two Wednesday changes to the Broncos Week 12 Injury Report. After limited participation in Tuesday’s practice, Brian Dawkins (neck) was a full participant. He is listed as probable for Thursday night’s game against the Giants.
“Brian is doing better, so we’re very hopeful that he will be fine,” McDaniels said.
A limited participant in Tuesday’s session, Ryan Harris (toe) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. He is listed as out for the Thanksgiving night contest.
McDaniels said that Harris performed well during Tuesday’s workout, but will not return largely because of the abbreviated week of preparation.
“I don’t think this is the kind of week that you’re bringing a player off of a fairly significant injury at his position without a whole lot of live practice reps and practice periods and day after day after day for him to get confidence in that thing,” McDaniels said. “I don’t think that this is a great time or a great week to go ahead and do that.”
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, Correll Buckhalter, New York Giants, Ryan Harris, Week 12
This should be a great game.
Man, I gotta believe dem broncos can do this. I’m not so sure we can catch up to San Diego, but I think if we win we can get a wild card. I’m not so sure we’re in the playoff picture, but if we are, then I’m sure we gotta step it up this week
It will be and very close. I think the Broncos can really get their season back on track with a win here.
I just saw a crawler in NFL network the that first HOF cut to 25 had ben made. Any bets that a maximum of 3 Broncos made it? ^$*((&(()) East Coast bias sucks!!!!!!
For soem reason havent been able to post for a couple of days now…keeps saying forbidden, dunno what I did or if its even something I did but I apologize nonetheless
Anyway, Glad to see a meeting liek this happened…I have often hoped I would get a chance…you know, just a random fan, to walk into the locker room and give an inspirational speech lmao….But what got us 6-0 IS cohesiveness AND being on the same page….Teams havent gotten better, we’ve just gotten worse and imploded within….If this team gets back on the same page we will end this season the same way we started it 6-0
PS: We really need Ryan Harris Back, sounds like he will be ready for the game after the GIants game.
Anyway, as always,
THE SEASON IS STILL OURS FOR THE TAKING
GO BRONCOS!!!
pps: To clarify, only reason I was able to make that post and this one is because I am on a public computer….still havent figured out whats up with the blog forbiden stuff on my computer/network. Anyway, Deuces and Happy Thanksgiving yall cuz I doubt I’ll be on tommorow with so much food, family and my eyes glued to the T.V to watch our resurgence
A TEAM MEETING CERTAINLY CAN’T HURT. MCDANIELS NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A MORE AGGRESSIVE GAME PLAN. THIS MEDIOCRE OFFENSE IS BORING AS HELL. THEY NEED TO OPEN IT UP AND START USING OUR WEAPONS.
PEZ
We are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs! Right now, Jaguars, and Steelers have the wildcard! Let’s Go Broncos, get it 2gether! This is OUR TIME!
TRB, I had the same problem so I sent an email to the site,and they replied that my post was comin’ up as spam to them,so it wasn’t getting through.They told me they were in the process of fixing the problem,they also said be patient,so you are not alone my friend.
I agree with u broncopez! Throw the ball down the field! Orton doesnt have Cutlers arm but he still can get it down the field!
T E A M meeting was needed,exactly what we need to be a total TEAM again,time to turn this thing around I’m hungry as he?? for a win.It’s Broncos time again so unleash the BEASTS and stand back so you don’t get eat.LOL
Need to get Hillis,Larson,and Bucky more involved and get our running game going,then our passing game will open up.Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Moreno fan,but if you keep fumbling you sit on the bench right guys???We also need to get Royal more passes he’s been overlooked on offense since he started performing on ST.Remember he had like 90 catches last year.I say lin’em up let’em run down the field and throw ‘em the damn ball????Royal,Marshall,Stokely,and Sheffler!!!!is that so hard to comprehend McD?????????
I also agree about hillis seeing more play time. I wonder if there is something going on behind the scense..Member his injury weeks ago when he made the td ?? You know how mchoodie likes to keep that stuff a secret.
ANy one hear that shanny spent pretty much the whole day talking to the billls in a interview?? crazy stuff..He better not go to the raiders lol.
He definately won’t go to the Raiders,Al Davis still owes him like 400,000.00.
I would believe so also..but he has already met with al 2 times….SO never know…I think we all know if shanny had the chance he would love to get back at us. Unless he was classy about the situation and had alot of respect for us.
We should do well with the running game because pierce is out. Also we should be able to slow down the running game with bradshaw out so it will be a good game. If we can get the offense rolling the defense will feed off it and maybe get some confidence and become that elite defense we saw in the first six games. It will be a good game. Although I was hoping Harris would come back.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
I’d like to see Shanny go to an NFC team,someone we don’t play every year.He’ll make some team a great coach,just hate to see him go to a bad team like Buffalo.
When did Shanny meet with Al Davis??recently???????????
Shanny met with al about..Prob a month or so ago *give or take* I havent heard anything huge on it though, so it prob is very unlikely
hey broncos_maniac i think you are dead on man!!! i read your post in the last blog and jake locker is absolutely the best qb comin out of college, of course imo. actually our opinion. dont care what the experts are sayin. i’m saying in the pro game he will be the best in this class. i think colt mccoy and bradford are both being rated too high for the nfl. they will be good, but locker will be great. another good one will be jevan snead. tim tebow? man i have no idea. he’s a joe montana spirit with a byron leftwich throwing motion. and that motion does not work no matter what in the nfl. jimmy clausen will also be very very good. i rate him 2nd with snead 3rd. then mccoy then bradford. i actually wouldnt be suprised if bradford is average. of course i could be wrong. now the game this week. we gotta win it. absolutely HAVE to. we will be in trouble if the giants beat us not only because it’ll make us 6-5 but because it will mean we are not a good team. it would mean 6-0 was a fluke because the redskins are not very good and the giants are average and losing to them both spells end of season and gloomy outlook on next year and this coaching staff. what they did worked but it was figured out relatively quickly by other teams and when it was our coaches were stumped on how to adjust. not a good sign. one trick ponies dont do well anywhere in sports. i do think tho that we will pull it out and the player meeting also will help the dumb miscommunication and missed assignment mistakes. if orton can expand his throwing arsenal than we will get much better too. he cant become ineffective if a team takes away one aspect of the throwing game. he’s got to be able to adjust and do other things. he has shown the potential to do just that and be an above average qb. but he’s not there yet. anyway broncos 27 giants 13. go broncos
This is my guess on the playoffs (w/ some bias)
AFC
Broncos (Wild-Card) Texans
l Patriots (Division) Chargers l
l l l l
——————————————————-
l l
Bengals (Bye) Colts
NFC
Panthers (Wild – Card) Eagles
l Cardinals Cowboys l
l l (divisional) l l
———————————————-
l l
Vikings Saints
Playoffs
WC-Pats 24, Broncos 28 (beat ‘em again) —– Chargers 26 – Texans 38
^
I can always hope
Panthers 30, Cards 14 ———– Eagles 38, Dallas 17
Divisional – Broncos 17, Bengals 31 ——— Texans 24, Colts 21
Panthers 17, Vikings 34 ———— Saints 41, Eagles 21
Championships – Bengals 30, Texans 21
Vikings 36 – Saints 35 (2 pt. conversion)
SB – Bengals 27, Vikings 16
So, a TOUCH biased, but I believe realistic all the same. EVEN IF THEY LOST TO OAKLAND, THEY COULD STILL PULL OFF A SB WIN!
I wish that woulda come out how I typed it. HOPE YOU CAN READ IT NONETHELESS-ALSO HOPE I DON’T GET STABBED FOR SAYING SD GETS THE WEST
DENVER 4 LIFE EVEN IF I DONT THINK THEY”RE GETTING A SB RING THIS YEAR!
I believe Snead will be the best QB in the draft IMO.
Bradford,if given time to throw is very accurate,and has a huge arm also.
marshallman: did you get that from my crystal ball? thats exactly how I have it picked, scores and all!! lol…………………..
Also, question for everyone “What is it that makes a person tired on Thanksgiving?” I will give my answer after seeing some responses!
coach
Waking up
baylin…. my prediction for the week is on the previous blog.
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
coachemup I think the answer you are looking for is tripdafan (not sure
on the spelling)
But my real answer is watching detroit and dallas play every year.
HMMMM???? I second that!!!!
I have no doubts concerning this team. The Steelers can easily get beaten by the Ravens and the Jaguars, until proven differently, suck on the West Coast as a trip to San Francisco looms. Thus, if we take care of business against the G-Men, we should be in good shape. GO BRONCOS!!!
Man, this is what i love about us denver fans..we stick with it through thick and thin. Cmon let’s here it, IN COM PLETE!!!
I say throw some deep balls to marshall or royal. Orton has the arm, McD has no confidence in him. Let the QB earn his paycheck. I think that if Manning test Baily he is going to be sorry just like Tony Romo found out. Baily got lazy against the Steelers because of the run game. It won’t happen this weekend. The Broncos are about to go on a streak again. If Orton can’t perform because of the Ankle, for the love of pete do not put the piece of crap simms in. Put the kid in let him play see what he can do, because simms is garbage. Thats all for tonight. I’m keeping the faith still have my broncos flag flying and it will be til the end of the season.
hey blum; guess you heard that before? and the answer is “I hope it’s ONLY watching the cowboys and Lions play football_.
rayjr26, been busy for the turkey thing, haven’t posted much but did get all you guys picks, only 5 so far….
Marshallman I think you are off on the AFC Wild cards. Jacksonville & Pittsburg is who I think will win the wildcard. Nextyears schedule will have us playing what i think is the toughest division;AFC SOUTH.Not a bad team in that division.We went 1-3 last time we played it (tenn)1W.
GO BRONCOS !!!!
I don’t see us getting in the playoffs this year. 9-7 is likely our record and that would leave us out. Hope I’m wrong.
baylinor – Broncos 28-21. That’s if it’s not too late to get my pick in.
Thx,
rbf1
We need to establish the run and not get away from it, this will make it easier on our pass protection and give kyle a chance to get the ball down the field. I like what they started to do last week with the zone blocking but Moreno needs to hold onto the ball.
Defense needs to put pressure on Manning and put a stop to their running game and Brandon Jacobs. Get that blitz going again like we did the first six games. Man up on the corners and stay in your gaps and everything should be alright.
I predict a real good game for Orton especially in the middle of the field both medium and long passes as long as he is able to stay upright. Both Moreno and Marshall should get game balls and we start the new season today. I still have faith that we can turn this around. It wont come easy but with our backs against the wall Broncos win 23-17.
P.S. everything flys out the window if we continue with stupid penalties and turnovers. Let the new streak begin today and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Coach
My prediction is:
Broncos:32 —only for the fact that they are pissed off and want to redeem themselves. Also the heart of G-Mens defense is out for this game.
G-Men:21 —–Bradshaw is out so it will only be a one punch by Jacobs and not that second punch that Bradshaw brought.
Bronco Nation:
Happy Turkey Day! Balin you get my pick in coops blog? Anyway its wine and food and a heaping of SHHHHH during the game here at FTR’s house!!! That is unless I can get the in-laws to leave early–HA. No Beer wife said so. I liked the team only meeting due to in the past the Broncos usually respond well. I have no years to quote on that. Would be an interesting Stat. Hoping to see Hillis but not expecting too. I agree BeastFromEast92 Larson and Hillis just to shake things up.
Shanny also was mentioned about Huston? That would be weird him taking Kubs job away from him.
GO BRONCOS
FTR
Nice writeup, coachemup. Let’s see if we can put this remedy into effect tonight. It’s been a tough 4 weeks. Orton said it best. I’m sure they’re hungry for a win tonight.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
This from SB Nation on Shanny:
The Bills are going about this business intelligently for now. There’s no reason to rush, and attempting to rush Shanahan – clearly the team’s top target – would probably have disastrous consequences. Buffalo is, however, willing to pay for his services; a source close to Shanahan, quoted in an NFL.com report, suggested a 5-year, $50 million deal with a piece of the franchise might do the trick.
Hummm!!
FTR
The Buffalos might actually win a championship with shanny instead of choking every year they went just like he took the broncos to the SB and won two in a row. Different circumstances but same sinerio.
Any one else wondering why the raiders who suck every year would be on thanksgiving? Did the browns and rams have plans?
tnalen66
Tried to find you answer. Here is as close as I could get:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_Classic
hope it helps!
FTR
I hope this team comes out FIRED UP!!!! But more importantly, I wonder how McD i s going to do tonite?
God forbid WE EVER see Simms play again. I hope McD is smart enough to realize the mistake he made with that guy.
I really want to see Hillis get the ball tonite. Enough of Moreno on short yardage situations and creating turn overs! Hillis is a BEAST!!! Let him off of his leash!
I hope to see more of Stokely and Scheff tonite as well.
It’s funny, NOW we’re in a MUST WIN situation!!! (oh boy…!)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
And here’s a Mile High Salute to all of our troops that can’t be with their families today. THANK YOU for your service and dedication!
Guys, because of the short week I’m taking pics until a half hour before kick off.
coachemup, I thought it was the double shifts yesterday and today then the next day that made me tired.
My pick 26-23 BRONCOS!! Yes I am a homer!!
This is the game we win and get back on track! No way do we lose 5 in a row, so I say we win 27-20. Broncos all the way to the SuperBowl!!