The last time Carlton Powell suited up for the Broncos, the defense turned in the type of performance it had been craving all preseason.
The Broncos shut out the Cardinals in the exhibition finale, 19-0, at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Seven games later, Denver is 6-1 and its defense leads the NFL in yards allowed per game (266.7).
Back in orange and blue after being signed to the practice squad on Tuesday, those totals were no shock to Powell.
“I’m not surprised at all, from the work ethic everybody had put in during training camp and the type of scheme that we’re running now,” he said. “I kind of expected this and I’m definitely glad to be back and be a part of it.”
While Powell had grown accustomed to working with teammates and coaches over the course of training camp, Lance Ball’s transition has been more of a whirlwind.
After three weeks on Tennessee’s practice squad, Ball was also signed Denver’s practice squad on Tuesday. He spent his rookie season with Darrell Reid as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, and was also friends with Eddie Royal prior to the move.
Having those familiar faces helped smooth the transition into Wednesday’s practice session.
“Guys have been totally welcoming, from the first time I stepped off the plane,” Ball said. “I know a couple of guys here so I was kind of able to fit in a little bit.”
On the field, Ball’s fitting-in process will be aided by having a renowned running backs coach by his side. The second-year back said he’s looking forward to working with Bobby Turner, whose unit has produced 862 rushing yards over the first seven games.
“He’s a great guy who’s very energetic,” Ball said. “I’m just starting to get to know him, but the first impression was great.”
ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
A power outage at Dove Valley this morning did not stop the club from its preparations for Monday night’s contest with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The lights returned in time for the majority of Wednesday’s press conferences and locker room interviews.
The only effect it had was making for some dark interviews. Brandon Stokley was one of those, and when asked if he had any ghost stories to tell, he bridled at the post-Halloween power problems.
“I don’t believe in them,” he laughed.
Here are some more photos from the start of Wednesday’s practice.
– Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Brandon Stokley, Carlton Powell, Lance Ball, Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 9
YEAH FIRST
DO GREAT GO BRONCOS MONDAY NIGHT!!!
good to see the guys out working hard getting ready bring it on monday night
Still long to MNF.
Go Broncooos!
good to hear carlton powell back on team. I would love to hear something about Jarvis Moss doing something
definitely the most physical team we go up against this season is the Steelers, everyone can HIT! even Hines Ward lay out some devastating blocks, and I forgot who Mendenhall laid out on a lock 3 weeks ago, Jones-drew esque..lol..heck Ben’s a pretty big guy to bring down…but who said Doom couldnt take out big boy Russell?..aha
THis will be the a team win…
Is it me or do everyone get the same feeling I have. That McD is really ticked off with this loss. He keep reading the same statement off of a sheet of paper. Making sure he doesn’t say something that will make him look like a sore loser. I like that though. You are not suppose to like losses. ( Thanks Bay. lol ) I get the feeling the team is really irritated! That is a good thing. I thought the D was pressing in the 2nd half. Glad B. Dawk cleared that up for me. When you tryna make a turnover happen. Instead of letting those things(sack included) come to you. You forget your assignment! As evident against the Ravens.
Someone please knock Ward on his a$$. Before he does it to us on those crack backs. Let him know early. We are not having that.
I still think Hillis is a better option than Jordan for short yardage runs. How long is it going to take him to get out of McDaniels’ doghouse and play?
TRB- I think that the reason that Brandstater isn’t no. 2 is because McDaniels doesn’t want to throw him in too early- that can be really harmful to a QB’s development. Look at Vince Young and Matt Leinert. I think McDaniels realizes it’s better to develop a QB slowly from behind the frontline, then turn him loose after a couple years, like he did with Cassel and Weis did with Brady. My bet is that Brandstater is more of a long-term project; we’ll stick with Orton for 3-4 more years while letting Brandstater play occasionally, then let him have a shot.
What the… my post got put in front of the first one… weird.
He took selvin Young’s number. I’m still a touch disappointed about that. I guess there had to be a good reason to cut him, but I thought he was awesome.
TRB, this is a game for your man Marshall. That’s were we need to attack them at their weak spots, the corners. I’ll be the first one to praise him if he stands out, even so I have been giving it to him this week. LOL. Of course it all starts with the protection, but I think our players should have learned that this week and come through for Orton, he deserves it after the beating he took last week.
This is weird, TRB, I put up a post for you after your 6:18 pm post and it bumped it up to the 5:46 pm slot !?!?!? That’s a new one for me…
It bumped me up again! I must be special, I’m on a different time zone than anyone. LOL.
Actually, I’m posted on the right time, but you, TRB, are posting in the future, too hilarious…
I’ll have to wait until 6:19 pm to catch up to you. Good thing all I’ve had is two beers, I would be real confused had I been on a six pack, ahahah.
TRB, I share your sentiments.
I’d like to see Moss our there too. He gave the greatest performance during preseason. He and could do damage as an OLB
greatness007, footballMANIAC and TRB are all aliens posting from the future, be warned! LOL.
Better yet, I can predict the future, in a few minutes, TRB will say, I hear ya Salas, hahahaha.
I better have another beer until I’m caught up with the future.
I just listened to McD press con and could help envy the way he glorified the Steelers offense. He said they can do whatever they want run and pass. They can score from ANYWHERE on the field (how nice
and u can’t slack at all or they can strike and make it a long day for you ..as the chargers found out.
Just think of how solid we’d be if we can start playing offense like that. Man it still makes me crazy to think we have such a solid playin “defense” and only an average offense…who woulda figured the turn around. I hope we get it smokin this monday or i’m gonna be drinkin more than 6 beers. Cheers Baylinor
I think Hillis should be much more involved in our offense not only on short yardage but he should get some regular caries and passes out of the backfield. Hillis is a great open field freight train when he gets going
I should be out of the twilight zone now… Testing
WOW, I’ m going to bed, this was freaky, glad I caught up with time………..LOL.
FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED THE BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Send Marshall and Royal deep and put some air under that da?? ball.
I will say now that I DO think we will win this Monday Night Football Game against the Steelers. I think we will play just like we did against the Chargers and I think we will be nothing like how we played against the Ravens. Our O-line will be much better and our offense and defense as well. I think we will win also mainly because we are home and Orton is very focused there! Also, the altitude gives the Steelers A LOT of problems and we are used to it! I just know one thing, there will probably be A LOT of steelers fans there so if you go to the game BRING THE PRESSURE AND I BETTER SEE YOU ON TV SCREAMING YOUR HEAD OFF!!! ITS BS WHENEVER YOU HAVE A HOME GAME AND HAVE PRESSURE ON YOU BECAUSE OF SOO MANY FANS FROM THE OTHER TEAM!! It was great to see the picture of Hillis above!!! Hopefully hell get a lot of reps this coming game! I think they are going to surprise the Steelers with his presence this game!!! We shall see!
GOOO BRRROOONNNCCCOOOSSS!!
Just in case you guys didn’t notice, Kyle Orton injured his ankle in our loss against the Ravens. I’m not 100% sure, but I think it was the ankle he injured last year with the Bears. Remember how badly his play dropped off last year after sustaining the injury. Heads up.
where did u hear about the ankle injury??
nice double play…i smell Yankees take series tonight at home.
Orton was hobbling somewhat after a sack or hit he took.
I think that hit was more of him banging his knee. You never know though!
Great!! thats all we need. He cant move around as it is. I thought i was witnessing a miracle when he ran for about 10yrds on sunday.
He will be alright – it’s football alot of people like like to talk smack but they really haven’t played the game have they….haha !
Not to play head coach, but I agree with what most of you are saying, mix up the play calling in the first half. Call for the deep pass on the opening drive. Do a PA fake try and get the LBs and safties to “bite” or at least get them to hesitate. Hit Marshall or Gaffney in one on one coverage. Other thing try more fakes. Try a flea flicker, have Moreno or Buckhalter go up the middle toss the ball back to Orton and that will get the LBs to really bite and hit a open guy for a first down and YAC.
Bring back the wild horses formation and have dual HBs in there, have a reverse back to Orton and have him take a shot down field.
We need to domintate the first half, get ahead by 17+ pnts then in the 2nd half do what Orton good at, game manager and just pad the running/passing stats. Let the D keep the lead by not letting the Steelers score. Thats just my 2 cents, but once again I’m not a head coach just a wishfull thinking fan thats knows this would really screw up the Steelers defense and keep them guessing, make them use their time outs to change their defense not to adjust their offense.
We’ll see what Lance Ball is able to do with the opportunities he receives, but I honestly believe he was a good acquisition. As for Brandstater, I still think he’s our quarterback of the future, but so long as Kyle Orton plays well for us, there’s no reason for him not to be our quarterback. Let’s keep up the good work and beat the Steelers. GO BRONCOS!!!
I am hoping now that Larsen is back at FB Hillis can be more part of the offense(running and recieving). I think he can give the O the huge boost it needs . Look at what he did last year running and recieving. When he went down we never won again.
I like our chances on Monday. We have had alot of sucess agaist Pittsburg. We have won 2 straight and I think 7 out of the last 10. The last lost was a biggy, AFC championship which kept us from our 3RD SB win.
ENOUGH!
Seriously, Broncos don’t you dare forget what happened to you last Sunday!! Do you remember? You got out played!
Bring it Monday! Hit them so hard they’ll think they’re still on a bye week!
Doom & DJ, what you say we belly up to the table and eat? what do you say?
BDawk, who hits harder? you or Ward? Show me!
I want the 09′ Broncos on the field this Monday! It’s time to put it down! No bull$*!@
Go get em’ boys! You have the stage for millions to see why you’re an AFC team that can seriously bring it!
Kyle, LEAD THIS TEAM! Command your troops to the end zone. Control the huddle and lay out the expectations! It’s on you!!!!!
GO GET EM’ BOYS! THE WAY WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN!!!!!!
I seriously think we’ll take advantage of their secondary this week (if we can take care of their pass rush). Chances are Ike will be locked onto Marshall who is a beast compared to Ike. He’s bigger, stronger, and taller(by 2″). On the other side Gay he’s 5′-10″, Royal is 5′-10″ but the rest of our WR are 6′-0″ or taller. Scheffler is a big target also. Clark and Polomolu are 5′-10″ 5′-11″. Granted they are good safeties, but size wise we could have some mis-matches. I look for the game plan to consist of trying to get one of the safeties or shorter CBs to get on Marshall so we could possibly take advantage of a huge mis-match. That’s just my opinion. We need to have all cylinders going and going strong.
Broncfalls: Well said my man. A motivatoinal tear is coming out of my eye. LOL!! Seriously well said, we need our guys to be fired up like that. Lest we forget what happened last week, we better not.
We must protect Orton, get the running game going, and take it to them on the defensive side. Ben has a tendancy to try to do too much and that can both hurt us and help us, we must maintain discipline and not lose our heads. We can do this…
Go Broncos!!!!!!
This will be a really tough game…….for both teams.
I predict the score to be 17-13 for the Broncos with a pick-six from Champ!
GO BRONCOS!
Trivia Question!
Who are the three remaining holdovers that were on the Broncos’ roster during their loss in the AFC Championship game to Pittsburgh in 2005?
Don’t cheat and use the internet! Try to answer it with memory (I did!).
Champ, DJ, Hamilton??
brian – looks like you got it. Can’t think of anyone else that’s still around. Putzier (sp) was on that Team, but was cut during pre-season. I was at that game remember Plummer getting hit by Joey Porter and fumbling away that first drive.
I remember that game, it was just horrible losing it. I got way too drunk on Tequila after that loss.
We’ve beat them twice since the Jan ’06 game. Once in Pittsburgh which was the very next season. (Javon Walkers end around). Then year before last here in Denver. Elvis had a big sack in that game causing Big Ben to fumble, and Tim Crowder picked it up and ran it back for a score. Cutler also had a nice scramble in that game.
just watched AFC Playbook and total access…MAN they said the Ravens said Denver doesn’t go deep so they just played up and jumped routes….just as some of us on here have been complaining about. They were all over Marshall and had no respect for him goin long. WTF We have one of the tallest, biggest go up and get it WR and other teams don’t even achknowledge it because we WASTE his talent with this conservative BULL$%!t.
I can’t believe how conservative our play calling has been. …If we don’t open it up, there’s no way in heck we’re beetin Pittsburgh. McD better start being alot more aggressive and calling plays that gives us a complete offensive attack. I don’t understand why he wouldn’t have already (considering he did it with Brady n Moss all day long..even cassel n moss).
..the only reason i would say he hasn’t is because he doesn’t believe in Orton enough to let him light it up. If that’s the case that means he’s holding other peoples talent back because our QB sucks (to put it bluntly) What is scary is that maybe McD is too pridefull to want to pull Orton or admit that because of all the offseason drama w/ Cutler means he’s kinda married to Orton or else he looks stupid if he doesn’t work out.
Hey i hope it’s a simple matter of they just neglected the long ball and being more aggresive because players were adjusting to the new offense and the conservative play calling was working. That would be great. I’d love to see Orton have a great game throwing short and long and putting up 20-30+ points leading his team and getting rid of all the doubters (including myself). Time will tell…very soon!!!
#1, you are hoping for Orton to fail, why don’t you say it like it is. We are not exactly idiots out here, how do you expect us to think that you honestly want Orton to succeed when after listening to you rant all week against him anyone would know that the truth is, it is not McD who is married to Orton, but you who are married to Cutler. Your comments roll right off my back. You are just here to get people riled up, it must be a New-York thing, or a punk thing, or both. It is sad to see somebody so hateful call themselves a Bronco fan, and from New York, nonetheless. If you are a Bronco fan, then I don’t want to be one! Nothing to worry though, you are just a Shanny/Cutler fan.
That was for NYBM, not # 1.
GO BRONCOS….. SHOW PEOPLE WE STILL GOT FOR MONDAY NIGHT!!!
Reality is reality kids, whether you like it or not. Cutler is gone , who gives a crap? Not me, his short comings didn’t make up for his physical skills. Orton’s leadership and great decision making doesn’t make up for his inability to make all the throws and it taking forever for him to get the ball out of his hands. Can we win the big one with Orton? I say maybe, he does a lot of things very well but he’s no Peyton Manning. I say give him a chance and see if he can make a play coach, send the ball down field.
What I am really worried about was signing that old fart to punt the ball. Kern had the leg and needed guidence and time to learn. Burger is over done, slow getting the ball off and I can kick it as far as he does. That was the only really bad personal move I’ve seen this team make since Coach McDaniels took the reigns. That guy really worries me.
Glad C. Powell gets another shot and Ball looks like a beast , more good moves by our young coach.
We gonna beat them Steelers! Go Broncos!
imready- Cutler is gone – really now…when did that happen?? My post about what I remembered about the last time we played the Steelers. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean we can’t reflect on some of the good plays he did make for us. What he offered in talent, he lacked in leadership. We all know that…..tell us something we don’t know.
And since you can kick it farther than Berger….. put your money where you’re mouth is and try out of the Team then.