On January 12, 2009, Head Coach Josh McDaniels was named the youngest head coach in the 50-year history of the Denver Broncos.
Eight months to the day later, he and the Broncos will be on a plane destined for Cincinnati — marking the start of the 2009 regular season and the start of at least 16 chances to showcase their work over that time span.
That day couldn’t come any sooner for McDaniels and the rest of the organization.
“You want to get out there and get the butterflies out of the way, start playing football and execute the way you need to,” McDaniels said. “So I think our entire team, all our staff is excited for Sunday and just looking forward to the opportunity to play a real game.”
Part of McDaniels’ adrenaline comes from the special elements that the opener offers. From addressing the squad in the first morning meeting to listening to the first national anthem, he said opening day offers one-time events that are exciting in their own right.
But the most exciting prospect for McDaniels is leaving his home state of Ohio victorious.
“I’ve been through a lot of opening days in different roles and you’ve got that nervous, anxious energy that you can’t wait to go out there and get started, which is what I’m sure I’ll have on Sunday,” he said. “But I think everybody in the locker room and every coach that’s going to coach on Sunday will have the same feeling. I hope it’s a special experience for our team and our organization, and to win on Sunday would be a great experience for all of us.”
INJURY UPDATE
Brian Dawkins (hand) was added to the Broncos injury report on Friday, but fully participated in the afternoon session. He is listed as probable for Sunday’s opener against the Bengals. Josh Barrett (shoulder) and Le Kevin Smith (knee) did not participate in practice on Friday and both are listed as out for Sunday’s game.
Jabar Gaffney (finger), Chris Kuper (ankle), Knowshon Moreno (knee) and Kyle Orton (right finger) and Chris Simms (ankle) all took the field for limited participation. Each is listed as questionable for Sunday’s opener.
On the other side, Bengals cornerback David Jones (foot) and offensive tackle Andre Smith (foot) were held out of Friday’s practice and are listed as out for Sunday’s game. Tackle Scott Kooistra (knee) was a limited participant, and is questionable for the opener. Safety Roy Williams (thigh, wide receiver Chris Henry (thigh) and quarterback Carson Palmer (ankle) went through full participation on Friday. Each is listed as probable for Sunday.
Here are a few more pictures from the beginning of Friday afternoon’s practice.
–Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
I hope Orton and Moreno are ready to play on Sunday.
Glad to see it all coming together…we gonna need some excitement and intensity to win games all year. Glad to see Marshall is ready to go and orton and simms in practice altho they are still questionable. Either way Brandstater can hold it down till orton returns. If orton, simms and Moreno are still questionable….please sit them, its only the bengals, we can survive without them for one week :-). Im so pumped for the first game of the season. cant wait to see us prove some people wrong…especially on the defensive side of the balls.
THE SEASON IS OURS FOR THE TAKING
GO BRONCOS!!!
Thought I would put it in this blog as well.
“Marshall, who was reinstated Sunday after a nine-day suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, could be subject to a fine for failing to make himself available to reporters at least once during the week of practice leading up to Sunday’s opener at Cincinnati”
“Typically, though, the league first sends a letter to the offending player advising him of the NFL regulations mandating his minimum availability to the media. He could be fined if the behavior persists.”
Really??? They can fine you for not talking to the media…I swear….its like a lose-lose situation lol. Since when were WR required to talk to the media…..coulda sworn it was mainly coach and QB. Keep silent marshall, those mud slingers are just gonna have to find their dirt else where lol
ps: Torain had a sprained knee like Moreno but Torain go cut. Doesnt look like it took Moreno long to heal. Torain just got the short end of the stick. Maybe his was more severe….I had high hopes for him tho.
I agree, TheRoyalBeast. If they can’t play, don’t make them. I also wished that Torain made the team. He looked like he was going to be good. Mabye McDaniels thought that he would challenge Moreno too much.
Maybe he did….or maybe he just pull another power move for Lamont Jordan lol….ok…ill stop Jordan bashing…just dont like the guy lol….I see Marshall still practices in the Denver Broncos P.Js lol…..Classic
Yea, it’s good to see Marshall being himself again, in the good way, of course. I also don’t like Jordan. I only see him as a goal line running back, and Hillis is much better at that than Jordan.
Yes, I also believe hillis is much better at pounding than Jordan….Jordan is quite soft for a big back. They say he catches well but Hillis kicks his butt in that area as well…..TO tell you the truth…..glad we go Moreno but I believe Torain and of course Hillis coulda handled the running assignment.
Was just on bucaneers sitw…Hope Josh Freeman excells in Tampa. Thnx to the Vicks, Jamarcuss Russles, Tavaris Smiths, Jason Campbells, and Vince Youngs of the NFL. Cannon Arm QBs are beginning to be looked down on as good QBS.
i like seeing marshall back in his pajamas and a smile on his face!! Sounds like he’s gonna be playing a lot on sunday. good thing his hip isnt bugging him!
GO BRONCOS!!! a win would be huge!!!
I hope Freeman does good too. Kinda wished we got him. Oh well. Cannon arm QB’s are looked down upon, because of those players. I also think Cutler should be added to that list. Cutler cried his way out of Denver, and not many people respect him for doing that.
True, but the few i listed also unfortunately share one common theme as well….they are all black. Been a while since we had a good black accurate pocket passing QB in the league McNabb can pass with the best of them but he also started out as a scrambling QB as well. At a point in time I wanted us to get Freeman as well cuz I knew we couldnt get Sanchez or Stafford But I was over that after it didnt happen. We coulda too. He was drafted 17 overall i believe
THis is gonna be a good game….two teams with hopefull seasons tryign to start out strong.
That’s true. that is unfortunate about the QB’s.
I can’t wait for the game. This is going to be a grind-it-out type of game, two teams who need to start out strong in order to have a successful season.
So ironic, they keep putting up pictures of #15 smiling and looking content with the team now. I’m glad to see him happy… happy player equals better performance on the field. Just humorous they keep putting up those pictures. Oh the irony!! lol
Hope Dawkins can play Sunday… we really could use him. But I don’t him to stress his injury any further.
Good Luck Coach McDaniels.
Head Coach of an NFL team is the hardest job in team sports because you have the fewest number of games to put into practice your game plan and coaching skills.
It is also hard on the fans because they have so few opportunities to watch their team play. So relish every moment of Sunday’s game.
HOPEFULLY KNOWSHON CAN PLAY SO WE CAN RUN AND PLAY ACTION AND THROW DEEP FOR ROYAL AND MARSHALL
No kidding. I didn’t even see Knowshon play in preseason. I hope he is ready to go. I feel really good about this team, I hope my intuition is right. Coach McDaniels has some tricks up his sleeve and I know Denver will suprise and throw Cincy (and the rest of the league) a “curve ball.” I can’t wait for this season to get under way. Let’s get this party started.
GO BRONCOS!!!
U WISH IBAILEY!!! LOL
I still dont believe Orton is capable of throwing deep…I want him to prove me wrong….His deep ball prolly wont get to reciever until sometime next year lol….GOOD LUCK OUT THERE ORTON/QBS….hopefully the screens will be enough
It’s getting closer oh boy!Orton can throw it far enough it is his accuracy while doing that that is the real problem.I look for him to bring us a win this week,wouldn’t we all just love it if, when,he fires a 40 yrd strike down the field?Go Broncos!!ps I say Moss will surprise everyone in a good way.
our d will win the game for us.We just have to score 17 points some how
The bungles have home field n thats it.If we play like the west coast patriots we will win.
Moreno will play.
Dawkins will play.
Gaffney will play.
Kuper will play.
Orton can throw the ball deep, I seen it a handful of times at training camp this summer. I went twice.
We might come out in a 4 Receiver set (Marshall, Stokley, Royal and Gaffney) to start the game and then run the ball out that formation.
Personally, I will be looking at the D to see how they perform. The offense will be a work in progress until about week 4.
Infact, the team will be a work in progress untill about week 4. If we come out with 3 wins, its (more than) on!!!!!!
I’m beyond excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday can’t come soon enough
Lets go BRONCOS, make us proud.
paulbedichek, I agree. Moss will be the biggest suprise (most improved player on the team)
I really enjoyed that article on Moss on the front page of the site. I really think he will be fine and step in as a relief to Doom or Ayers/Haggan and we won’t lose a beat in our game.
Tell me what you guys think…… I can’t decide if I just want Champ to flat out stonewall Ochostinko the whole game. OR Let him get one open look for Dawkins to just put the numbers on his jersey backwards!!
Anyway I was kind of looking forward to seeing Rey M. and Keith Rivers behind Tank Johnson with Roy Williams trying to gain a few years back, but I don’t see the game going too well for them!
HOLD ONTO THE BALL OFFENSE!
MAINTAIN YOUR GAPS DEFENSE!
KEEP THE FAITH FANS!
Time to go get some pizza, I can’t wait til Sunday, I need it now!
Stay thirsty my friends!
I want to see Ochocinco go up for the ball and Dawkins knock him OUT!! then Champ get the INT for a TD.
I agree with 07Elway on the Brandon Marshall smiley pic fiasco. I’ve been thinking the same exact thing, good observation.
All kinds of stoked for the game. =)
I was thinking that too about Marshall but Id rather have posative pics then more of him punting.
Getting impatient… Can’t wait to see Marshall, Moreno, Hillis, Royal, etc.., run all over the Bungles. And then see Doom, Dawkins, Williams, and Bialey shut them down. 24-7 victory for the Broncos, thats my prediction. Jamie Dukes and Clayton puting their foots in their mouths, thats another prediction.
BRONCOS ALL THE WAY!!!
OOpps…. I mean’t Bailey. lol
Kind of funny. Its like we need drama for people to want to post. When the whole Marshall fiasco was happening people were posting every minute it seemed. lol Just an observation.
I’d like to see DOOM and D.J sandwich Palmer a few times.
ya i noticed that too Big D 44 two weeks ago the posts werent stoping now the season is almost here and no one to be found I guess Marshall should say or do something negative then it would blow up again.
You guys read the article were Shannon Sharpe said him and Rod three way called Marshall and put some since in his head lets hope it sticks.
Me too. I have a feeling Doom is going to be a nightmare for our opponents playing rush outside linebacker. The prospects are looking awesome.
I didn’t see that but I’m glad it happened. Marshall needed someone to talk some sense into him. He just needs to keep dominated on the field and stay out of trouble off the field. Then the $$$$ will come for sure.
broncofan96, do u have that link from shannon sharpe
Where is DD at. Taking the night off I guess. haha He always has good information and a positive perspective to share.
I’m thinking Moreno will not play this sunday, let Him heal and come back 100% Buckhalter and Hillis will be just fine.
Moreno needs to develope anyway and He’s only 21, I say get Him ready to play around the 3rd game of the year and hope He peaks at the end of the season. This could take us to the play offs. Ya I said it Play Off’s, what? what? That’s right…. He He He
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Wow, CU is getting W-O-R-K-E-D by Toledo tonight. Never thought I would say that sentence. Anyway, Sunday cannot get here fast enough. You wait all offseason and then the final couple of days just DRAG………….I can’t wait to see Dawkins knock the gold right out of OchoStinko’s mouth…LET’S GO BRONCOS!
Hey Torain ATV fan this should be the link to the article.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4465487
thank u
Hey royalbeast, there is a difference when it comes to Moreno and Torain!! Yes they both had the same injury, but Torain was a 5th round draft pick and Moreno was a 1st round draft pick!! It wouldn’t make sense to cut your top pick before not even playing a game!!!
Monodono, I agree. I definately see playoff potential. I am very excited to see Moreno play, however, if he is not ready to go 100% then I definately think we should not play him until he is. Hillis and Bucky can definately carry the load, although I am a much bigger fan of Hillis then I am of Buckhalter. I like Bucky also but Hillis is a freakn’ stud.
Bradford I am quite aware of that…im just sayign thier injuries was the same so recovery time would be the same not unless his was more severe….which would mean he would have been more than ready to go right now. Water unter the bridge…I just like his style thats all.
I sure they would not play anyone they think can be 100 percent it not worth the risk this early. but with that said Orton looked good in practice so they say and Moreno looked good as well
If this team lives up to their potential this should be a interesting season opener. I really like the match-ups in this game and think it may come down to our pass rush. Fortunately Cincinnati isn’t known for having a strong offensive line, so this should be a good game for the front 7 to get more comfortable… But not too comfortable I hope, because the receivers for the Bengals make me a little nervous. Its more so Henry than Ocho Cinco that worries me. I expect lots of screen passing, so hopefully our OLB’s are prepared for that. All in all it should be a very good test for us to see where we stand for this years marathon race.
Oh and I completely agree with everyone that staying healthy should be the priority. No reason to re-aggravate pass injuries in week 1. That was the real problem with Torrain in my opinion in that he just never let himself become 100% healthy. But I liked the way he played nonetheless.
Go Broncos!
I’m thinking Eddie Royal and Jarvis Moss will be our stars of the game while Orton will make good decisions and help us earn a big win. The stage is set for us to “shock the world.” Real experts, such as Michael Lombardi (all of you should read his stuff on nationalfootballpost.com. I’m ready for this weekend and all will be well. GO BRONCOS!!!
I’m with ya allsportsguru, I think with Ocho talkin so much smack, He may be a distraction for the other recievers in thier line up to get open.
I’m hopeing for The D to play a very agressive and focused game and a good running attack early in the game from the O, and the rest will fall into place.
Like I always say……
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
I FINALLY GOT TO JOIN THE FAMILY, I KNOW I”M THE KNEW GUY, BUT I FEEL THAT HAVING TWO NUMBER ONE RECEIVERS, HAVING HILLIS IN THE BACK FIELD AND WITH THE UP GRADES IN THE D WE SHOULD BE FINE WE ARE GOING TO UPSET EVERYONE. I JUST CAN”T WAIT.
60 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL GO BRONCOS!!!
Welcome MANNY01! You are completely right, don’t forget that after our 2 NUMBER ONE receivers we have the best slot guy in the league, another guy that can run any route or any WR position lineup, and a fantastic young rookie just absorbing all he can from each of them!
I’m so excited for the game, get to see our O and D on the field to prove the haters wrong! Special Teams is where I really want to see obviously noticeable improvement though. We don’t need to threaten for a TD on each punt and kickoff, but less field goals missed and better field position is all I ask!
Hold onto the ball offense!
Stampede to the ball defense!
Maintain the faith fans!
Stay thirsty my friends!!
Welcome MANNY01! You are completely right, don’t forget that after our 2 NUMBER ONE receivers we have the best slot guy in the league, another guy that can run any route or any WR position lineup, and a fantastic young rookie just absorbing all he can from each of them!
I’m so excited for the game, get to see our O and D on the field to prove the haters wrong! Special Teams is where I really want to see obviously noticeable improvement though. We don’t need to threaten for a TD on each punt and kickoff, but less field goals missed and better field position is all I ask!
Hold onto the ball offense!
Stampede to the ball defense!
Maintain the faith fans!
Stay thirsty my friends!!
Welcome MANNY01, but you have been part of the family as long as you’ve been a fan, you just finally learned to speak our language is all… You are completely right, don’t forget that after our 2 NUMBER ONE receivers we have the best slot guy in the league, another guy that can run any route or any WR position lineup, and a fantastic young rookie just absorbing all he can from each of them!
I’m so excited for the game, get to see our O and D on the field to prove the haters wrong! Special Teams is where I really want to see obviously noticeable improvement though. We don’t need to threaten for a TD on each punt and kickoff, but less field goals missed and better field position is all I ask!
Hold onto the ball offense!
Stampede to the ball defense!
Maintain the faith fans!
Stay thirsty my friends!!
ARGH!!!! I had a feeling it was going to do that! Just read the finale of the triple post everyone….
sorry