It’s only natural that the rookies feel generally excited about Sunday’s game — after all, six of them have been in starting roles, sometimes at different positions.
But for Josh Bell and Spencer Larsen, it’s a little different this week.
Bell, an undrafted rookie out of Baylor, started the first game of his career last week in Atlanta opposite Dre’ Bly.
This week, with the odds even better that Champ Bailey will resume his spot in the starting lineup, Bell could play at nickelback. If that’s the case, he’s looking forward to being on the field with both Bailey and Bly, two of the best in the business.
“I’ve been looking up to Dre’ Bly for a while, since he was at Carolina, watching him when I was back in high school,” Bell said. “Then Champ being one of the best, if I can get my little brothers and my family to see me with those two, and I’m good enough to be there, it’s going to be a great thing. I’m going to cherish the moment.”
For Larsen, his excitement stems from earning his first award as a pro.
Starting at fullback and linebacker says a lot about his athleticism, versatility and intelligence. And fans noticed that when they voted him Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week.
“It is cool,” Larsen said. “It is something I didn’t expect. I just found out today. It is always good to have people recognize you, especially at this level.”
And when asked how friends and family reacted, he laughed and talked about how most people couldn’t believe it.
“No way this kid from Gilbert, Ariz? People have been happy for me,” Larsen said. “I have gotten lot of text messages and messages from people I haven’t talked to in a long time.”
But Larsen is also excited to get back out onto the field and continue building chemistry with his fellow linebackers.
While he made seven tackles, he feels that he still has a lot to improve upon, and he’ll get a chance to build upon his solid play against the Raiders.
“Down on the goal line I feel like I didn’t play as well as I would have liked to,” Larsen said. “I would like to be more focused down there. I can get better at my technique. Watching the film you can tell that I was getting to the right spot but just not as fluid as smoothly as I would have liked to. That is what I worked on this week.”
SHANAHAN REPORTS
Head Coach Mike Shanahan spoke for a few minutes with the media after Friday’s practice, updating everyone on the status of Bly, who missed practice, Bailey and Selvin Young.
First up — Bly.
“He has the flu, so we sent him home today,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully it’s just the 24-hour flu.”
As for Bailey, Shanahan said he thinks that he has made some strides and could be good to go.
“He’s close,” Shanahan said. “We don’t want to test him closely until game time, but he’s gotten some reps and he’s feeling much better.”
And then there’s Young, who has been fighting a groin strain for weeks now. He returned to action in a very limited capacity against the Browns, but Shanahan thinks that may have set him back just a little bit.
“I think anytime a guy works out you can set yourself back a little bit, but you’ve got to do that a little bit to get back,” Shanahan said of Young. “He’s doubtful. I don’t really think he’ll be able to go. He practiced with the scout team some this week but he doesn’t look as good as Champ.”
Even if he hadn’t suited up and played in Cleveland, there’s even a chance he might have gotten set back anyways. Who knew something as simple as traveling could hurt?
“I think sometimes the plane ride hurts too,” Shanahan said. “You start to get loose and then all of a sudden you fly and that sets you back a little bit.”
So he has a new solution — one that drew more than a few laughs.
“Next time, we’re going to make him drive.”
THE OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT
For the Broncos, Marlon McCree, Nate Webster and D.J. Williams will miss this weekend’s game against the Raiders. Not too much of a surprise there as Shanahan also updated their status after practice. Bailey is listed as questionable while Bly is probable.
For the Raiders, linebacker Ricky Brown, center Jake Grove and wide receiver Javon Walker are out. Wide receiver Chaz Schilens is listed as questionable while quarterback JaMarcus Russell is probable.
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
And here’s a look at some of today’s action.
Tags: Adam Zinser, Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, Josh Bell, Mike Shanahan, Selvin Young, Week 12
Having this enthusiasm within the team will prove to be extremely valuable going into the final stretch. GO BRONCOS!!!
good job rookies and take your time getting back guys just be healthy we gotta make a playoff run
Wow, Champ might be back so soon? I’m still on the fence about him coming back Sunday… we’ll need him for the more critical games like the Jets, Carolina, San Diego and even KC. We’ll need him even more if we get to the playoffs. We’ll need the best of the best we got to make it through a playoff game. If he is back on Sunday… I’ll welcome him back with open arms but I sure hope he’s 110%. Makes me nervous they might be sending him in the game and he’s not fully ready. I trust Shanahan’s decision but it will be mostly up to Champ… only he knows if he’s 110% or not. Whatever happens I’m behind ya Champ. Make those Raiders pay again!!
And if J. Bell did get to play with both Champ and Dre… that would be awesome. Larsen – just keep doing what you have been, you’ll get better as you get to play in more games. You’re one talented kid!! Sure glad we got you on our team. And the rookies… what can I say. I’m amazed everytime I see someone like Royal, Hillis, Larsen make such huge game-changing plays for us. And yes, I hope that Bly’s flu isn’t one that will make him stay out of Sunday’s game… we need him.
Love that picture of Cutler getting his back stretched out… wish I was the one helping him out!!
Shut these raiders out on Sunday Orange & Blue… only Cutler & Co. can do it.
Keep the faith Broncos Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Awesome job Larsen….with seeing the best defense all year against atlanta and rookies playing a huge role i can wait for this sunday
Congrats to Spencer!!!! Good job everyone last week. Defense made the plays when it counted…got pressure on Atlanta’s 4th & 18. WTG guys!!! Can’t wait to see us pound the Raiders. I’ll be there….south stands 5th row behind the goalpost….ya baby!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!
2008 Draft
1. Ryan Clady – OT, Boise State
2. Eddie Royal – WR, Virginia Tech
4. Kory Lichtensteiger – C, Bowling Green
4. Jack Williams – DB, Kent State
5. Ryan Torain – RB, Arizona State
5. Carlton Powell – DT, Virginia Tech
6. Spencer Larsen – LB, Arizona
7. Josh Barrett – S, Arizona State
7. Peyton Hillis – FB, Arkansas
Brett Kern, Wesley Woodyard, Josh Bell, Anthony Aldrige were undrafted free agents.
Alridge and Carlton Powell are on IR.
2007 Draft
1.Jarvis Moss – DE, Florida
2.Tim Crowder – DE, Texas
2.Ryan Harris – OT, Notre Dame (starter on O-line).
4.Marcus Thomas – DT, Florida
(Selvin Young was an undrafted free agent in ’07)
2006 Draft
1. Jay Cutler, QB – Vanderbilt
2. Tony Scheffler TE, Western Michigan
4. Brandon Marshall WR, Central Florida
4. Elvis Dumervil – DE, Louisville
4. Domenik Hixon – WR, Akron (now with New York Giants).
5. Chris Kuper – OG, North Dakota (starter on O-line).
6. Greg Eslinger – C, Minnesota
(Mike Bell was an undrafted free agent in ’06).
It’s great to see the Team build thru the draft in the last few years!!
GO BRONCOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
royalbroncofan 1, that was very well done.
Tyler Polumbus is also undrafted free agent rookie on the Team this year.
DB Karl Paymah is the only player from the 2005 draft. He was drafted after the late D-Will and before Foxworth.
LB D. J. Williams and RB Tatum Bell are the only players left from the 2004 draft. Lelie and Portis were drafted in 2002 and of course both are gone.
OG Ben Hamilton is only player from 2001 draft.
Thx Detroit Reggie!
Royal Bronco fan is the man because he reminds me of Eddie Royal with his title. We’ll be ready for the Raiders Sunday and with that said, I think we can win by at least 10 if we don’t turn the ball over or committ silly penalties. GO BRONCOS!!!
i agree royal bronco well done i could do it and tell you where them free agents went i love this team and im glad to see someone else who cares
its good to see some of these guys getting healthy, my question is what will the broncos do about hte lb situation. These young guys are playing better than our starters were. I say put dj back in and tell nate to get ready for special teams. Im not sure out of the 3 lbs starting now who you sit becasue there all playing well. But dj can play outside or middle and thats a good thing, we have to have our best three on the field. if we have a healthy squad going into the playoffs i think this team can make some noise and nobody besides us broncos thinks so and i love being the underdog. Also i love seeing those rb last week playing hard and actually running very well and when selvin gets back we should be pretty good.
Sorry Columbus, but you’re wrong about the starting linebackers(Nate, DJ). The problems on Defense werent the LB’s, it was more of a lack of performance in the D line, that made things tough on the LB’s and DB’s. Not to mention the lack of a safety who can tackle!! Now the D line is performing better, stopping the run and getting pressure on QB. Once the starters at LB are healthy, I think we should consider putting Larsen back at safety, the defenses weakest positions!!
I like the picture of cutler getting his back stretched out by Bmarsh. That shows chemistry that will be there for years to come. NOw lets kill the lousy Raiders.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the way i seen it the defenses problem was not the D-line or linebackers, it fell or more on the secondary (namely the safeties) and our play calling
what i would like to see for next year is getting Woodyard to go through OTA’s, training camp, and preseason as a Sam backer, let him compete with Boss and let the best man win.. we’ll let the rest of the season tell the story but as of right now i think Larsen has got the Mike spot wrapped up for years to come
im hoping that Slowik calls lots of blitz’s for Winborn on 1st and 3rd down.. Russell panics under pressure and if you were to get Thomas Robertson and whoever is playing opposite of Elvis to blow up the middle of the pocket, Russell will try move around wil Elvis and Winborn waiting for him on each side, he takes a lot of sacks when he tries to make plays with his legs
I have had a lot of opinions about our defense through the past 10 weeks…but now i really don’t know what to say!! They have definately been playing better the past two weeks…is it because the lb’s are playing better? is it because of the D-line playing better? is it the secondary?? i really can’t put my finger on it…but my conclusion is that something happened after the Miami game, and the team came together and said “We can’t expect to get to the post season unless we do something as a unit” i honestly think that the beginning of the season everyone was kinda trying to prove themselves as a player, not as a team. but i have noticed that since a lot of starters have gone down, they realized that they can’t do it themselves as individuals, but as a team effort…at least thats what i have seen the past two weeks. Remmber how our defense used to be? when you would watch a replay you would see at least 5 guys on defense around the opposing team member who got tackled. WE used to swarm like flies to a dead carcus to the ball! i didn’t see much of that weeks 2 through 8. But now i have seen it again the past two weeks.
Who has gotten better? i say the team as a whole…not the d-line, or lb’s, or even the secondary. I say it was everyone realizing that they had to help the team by stepping it up all across the board on defense. And i love the fact that it’s rookies and young guys that have upped the standard. Who says veteran’s can’t learn from rookies? i love our team look, and i love our defense . Yeah we ain’t in the top 10, but heart is all you need, and i think they are showing that right now.
Just some food for thought =)
GO BRONCOS….and LONG LIVE BRONCOS COUNTRY!!!!!
hopefully the defense can play better and better as the season progresses . The AFC is wide open this year , even Tenessee can have trouble against our team . Remember , exept the Patriots last year , the team whith the best regular season record always stumbled in the playoffs so , once in the postseason ,everything is possible .
royalbroncofan1…..short sweet and to the point..well done….
orang_crush420 …..Completely disagree. Our linebacker unit was a joke even in the game when we recorded 6 sacks. These kids are playing awesome and while DJ deserves his job back nate and boss can back up these kids. These kids are all playmakers something Nate and Boss are not. Just my opinion. I am very pumped that Josh has been activated. This rookie class has been an incredible find. Props to the coaching staff……West Coast