Justin Bannan didn’t make the call to Baltimore. The friends he collected in the past four years as a Raven reached out to him before he could pick up the phone.
“Those guys have already called me,” Bannan said. “They’re funny, they’re good friends of mine and they’re friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
The Broncos bring Bannan back to M&T Bank Stadium — where he contributed to 23 wins as a Raven — for the first time since he signed with Denver in the offseason.
Bannan said he’s happy to visit old teammates, but his first priority is to leave town with the team’s second consecutive road win.
“It’ll be good to see them,” Bannan said. “But when it’s time to strap it up, it’s time for business.”
Bannan left Baltimore on good terms with Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the club after deciding to ply his trade in Colorado — the state where he played his college football — with an opportunity to start.
“I could tell you it’s no personal grudge match,” Bannan said. “It’s kind of hard to go back there and say, ‘I’m going to go get revenge,’ to guys that have always been good to you in a place where you’ve always had good experiences.”
Harbaugh’s respect for his former player came out in a conference call on Wednesday.
“We love him,” the coach said. “He was a huge part of what we were doing here. We were very disappointed to lose him. Obviously it was a great opportunity for him out there to expand and be a leader and he’s done that.”
Bannan’s new locker room mates can look to him for advice on matching up against the Ravens.
When he watches game tape this week, the players he sees on film will reinforce his first-hand knowledge of the opponent’s personnel. Four years of memories from practices and games now serve as part of the scouting report.
“We talked to him a little bit about some of the things that they do,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “He kind of confirmed some of the things we thought about their scheme.”
The defensive lineman said he’s more comfortable discussing the tendencies of certain players than giving bigger picture advice.
He doesn’t want to tip off the team to components of Baltimore’s system that aren’t relevant a year after his stay.
“The last thing you want to do is say you think they might do this, but really they’re going to do something else,” Bannan said.
As a former member of the team, Bannan acknowledged the physical reputation the Ravens have built around the league, including an offense working to establish an identity “more complementary to the defense.”
He expects a battle in the trenches.
“I think this is going to be the most physical offensive line we go against so far this year, without a doubt,” he said. “They’re grinders, they’re gritty, and it’s going to be a tough game from start to finish.”
Cornerback Champ Bailey (non-injury) and fullback Spencer Larsen (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Andre’ Goodman (thigh), running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (hamstring) were limited in practice.
For the Ravens, tackle Jared Gaither (back), linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder), defensive end Paul Kruger (knee) and wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth (foot) did not practice. Linebacker Edgar Jones (thigh) was limited, and tight end Todd Heap (shoulder) and running backs Le’Ron McLain (shoulder) and Ray Rice (knee) participated in full practice.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are photos from today’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Justin Bannan
Ravens Ray Rice was/is somewhat dinged up with a bad knee. Looks like he’ll be ready for this matchup with Broncos. He’s currently averaging 3.8 yds per carry. Ravens have 7 sacks so far this year on defense. Only one interception by Lewis.
Surprised to hear they are #1 pass defense, but theyare known for their defense.
I was looking at game vs. Ravens last season. Looks like we inserted an O-lineman (R. Hochstein) inside the 5 yd line to open run lane for Moreno on our only TD scored. Don’t recall us doing so this year. Must have been Coach Turners’ wrinkle.
That was almost a hundred years ago…What do Horses and Irish have in common?
Now I didnt know Klis mentioned it. But he is wrong to say we cant use it! Just my opinion. Because, four horsemen for the BRONCOS has way more relevance than in 1924 with Notre Dame!!!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!
This was posted September 30th by Klis:
There once were the Three Amigos.
What the Broncos have now are the Four Horsemen of Kyle Orton.
Get it? Bronco. Horse. Four men with at least 10 catches, 140 yards and one touchdown, the first NFL team in history to have so many accumulate so much through three games. Get it?
OK, so even Broncos like Ryan Harris, Brady Quinn, David Bruton, Eric Olsen, Kyle McCarthy and other Golden Domers across the land may resent the infringement upon a Notre Dame nickname some writer named Grantland Rice came up with in 1924.
So, Klis then went on to call them the Broncos’ Big Four, not as catchy as he said.
There are pictures of the Notre Dame Four Horsemen everywhere on the web, this is how it all came about:
After Notre Dame’s 13-7 victory over Army on October 18, 1924, Rice penned the most famous passage in the history of sports journalism.
“Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
“In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden. They formed the crest of the South Bend cyclone before which another fighting Army team was swept over the precipice at the Polo Grounds this afternoon as 55,000 spectators peered down upon the bewildering panorama spread out upon the green plain below.”
George Strickler, then Rockne’s student publicity aide and later sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, made sure the name stuck. After the team arrived back in South Bend, he posed the four players, dressed in their uniforms, on the backs of four horses from a livery stable in town. The wire services picked up the now-famous photo, and the legendary status of the Four Horsemen was insured.
There is no way we can re-write that history is all I’m saying, but you are free to do as you wish of course.
Somebody better tell Ric Flair he can’t use it either,oops too late he used it from ’86-’91,I know it’s wrestling and not football,LOL,but I think it fits our WRs like a glove.I like it.Besides it was first used in the Bible,meaning:pestilence,war,famine,and death.Besides if Notre Dame can use it so can we.
Or we could call them the “FANTASTIC FOUR”.
Almost every nickname has been used once before, they sound great so people use them again and again. Just because there was already a four horseman does not mean it can not be used again. That was 1924 that story will never be rewritten but our boys can write there own, make their own place in history!
Hence they need their own nickname.
I put in my suggestion:
The “FEARSOME FOURSOME”
Good to see Woodyard smiling i think we miss him a lot on special teams. Sucks that Larsen still isnt practicing, but im sure russ will fill in just fine. It will be interesting to see if McD comes out running the ball against the ravens to try to set the tone of the running game and save that dynamic passing game for the later quarters. Our defense will be able to contain ray rice who has a bum knee anyway and im not sold on Flacco yet especially if Goodie is back. Broncos for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I digress but,
Man, I knew Bruton was one of the fastest on the team but watching game highlights from when mariani returned the ball on us, Bruton came streaking from out of camera view past everyone. if Mariani had more yards to go he would have been caught. And then on Demaryius Thomas return, Bruton streaking again lol. That man is really fast. And was it just me or did DT NOT look AS fast as advertised?
BTW, word is Moreno won’t practice today. I like the decision like am sure alot of others do. Let the man rest up and get as close to 100 as possible. We dont need any setbacks especially after seeing how ineffective his back ups are. go broncos
What about “The Fab Four” ! LOL!
I don’t see anything special about Flacco and the Ravens O. While there is some chemistry being built with Boldin, they struggle to score points and I think our D can contain their O and limit them to 17 points the most.
On that note, I believe our O has what it takes to score on this D. No, it won’t be easy by any chance, but I think with the use of some great screen plays and quick strikes to Royal in the slot, we will open up some chances for a few deep strikes down the field. And if we’re able to get any sort of running game going, look out…..Orton will be even more effective in the air.
Bay, my prediction for this game is 24-17.
GO BRONCOS!!!
1nonlyTRB
I use to be Torain ATV,
I am gla to see Ryan Torain is making an impact with the Redskins, I always loved his play. I understand the reason to cut him though. 2 years injured in a row, its hard to continue to pay someone who wasnt seeing the field. Oh Well.
About this weeks game. I feel we are really gonna stop surprising people after this week’s win. I predict a 17-13 win. Baltimores run D is pretty good, but their DB’s arent that great. And when it comes to passing the ball we excel. Baltimore’s offense does not scare me. I think the first team to 17 wins, and believe that will be us.
Here’s a quote from Don Banks… NFL Power rankings for SI.
”
The Ravens and their injury-depleted secondary somehow lead the NFL in pass defense (119.0), but now comes their toughest test so far, a game against Kyle Orton and the Broncos top-ranked passing game (339.5)”.
The Ravens have #5 defense, #1 against passing and #21 against rushing. However the teams they have played are ranked as follows in passing, Bengals #6, Cleveland #22, Jets #25 and Steelers #32 so it is correct they have not faced a passing team like the Broncos. Their offense ranks 27th. Fox gives them the #1 Power ranking but it would appear to me that we have a decent chance. Also, they have four players already declared out this weekend-Gaither OT, Stallworth WR, Gooden LB, and Kruger DE. So even though we are seven point under dogs I say it is a game we have a decent chance of pulling another upset. Any given Sunday, huh baylinor?
rbf1, Fab Four, that shows what generation you come from, LOL. It will be a perfect nickname when the Fab Four take on Wembley, haha. Deja vu all over again.
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY… on weeks like the last three were we are basically a TD underdog in each game, Colts , Titans and now Ravens, I feel my “any given Sunday” mantra is my best bet, it worked last week.
KnowshonForSure,
I hear ya….however, applying that theory…Moreno is on the verge of being cut LOL! Just teasing….I actually pointed out to Bay during preseason that ATV was looking really, really, good….You’re one of his biggest supporters and I see why?
Nickname suggestion for our WR’s? The Quad Squad
GO GET EM’ BOYS
Broncfalls………how about the Four Horsemen? Lame I know but I had to throw it out there for fun!
Killerkod, you oughta read this blog, you will find all you need to know about the Four Horsemen, haha.
Ok Baylin, I stay positive so here is my score for the contest:
24-17 Broncos.
I still like it.
the 4 Horsemen,everytime one of them makes a big play or scores a TD,all the fans hold up 4 fingers,yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Too funny bay…. well the Beatles were actually one generation ahead of me, but their music was on the radio during the ’70;s but Led Zepplin was our band…Lol!
KFS
Dude, u know i totally forgot u used to be Torain ATV….was wondering what happened to him lol. But yea I guess I can understand too but he ran with power and the few times we saw him play he was impressive. Like Hillis Just glad he got a chance else where.
Killer Kod
4 horsemen have been covered already lol. U should read up on this blog more like baylin says. No need to even read other news articles, Baylin always copies and pastes the relevant ones here lol. 4 horse men cuz we are broncos AND because our WRs wreak havos like the 4 horsemen.
I vote for royal to be War ( one of the 4 horsemen of apocalypse) LOL
I’m afraid we’ll lose this one, unless we win the turnover battle. But after this game, I think I’ve seen enough to start predicting quite a few wins!
Ravens 24-17
I will predict:
Broncos 23
Ravens 18
Maybe the Brits will nickname our boys while we’re in London…yeah yeah yeah !! LOL!
I have flacco throwing 2 INTS …. We will win this game. But I also fear that ray rice will have a break out game against us. He has been sub par all year but I have a bad feeling his resurgence will be against us. yea I know we corralled CJ but still bad feeling…lol
SI has the following power ranks:
Broncos # 22
Ravens #3
Titans…… #14
jeez, and here I thought I was being original! haha
Yeah rbf1, as soon as I posted it I knew it was my generation, not yours, haha.
I say Broncos win 21-17.
The Titans are still ranked way ahead of us after we beat them at their house? I don’t care if we were not suppossed to win that game. That is just retarded BS.
TRB….I guess Lloyd will be known as (death).LOL
BTW TRB, thanks for the good word about me trying to keep folks up to speed, it’s like my early morning ritual after walking the dog, even though sometimes I get wound up on something and I just bypass all news and make my own, LOL.
Man, the picks are flooding in today, and I have to say nearly everyone is feeling pretty spiffy about this one, this must be a Bronco fans website, haha.
BigD44,that’s all stats are anyway is retarded BS.People think if your ranked higher you are supposed to win,well maybe you are,but that don’t mean you WILL.
Like Baylin says:”ANY GIVEN SUNDAY”.
The Titans will have a big problem remaining rated that high, their biggest problems, Colts and Texans, that’s a heck of a division right now and Jacksonville is not exactly a cake walk as we well know, I like our division better, haha.
So anyhow, we should be getting some news about today’s practice pretty soon, I saw TRB mentioning Moreno didn’t participate, the kid is injury prone, when I first mentioned that mid summer I was being laughed at, I wonder how many are still laughing at that now, the guy might of done it on shear talent in college, but it looks like maybe the training regimen in the pros is just too much for the kid, hope I’m wrong, but never thought he was the answer anyway.
I don’t know who makes the damn schedules,but didn’t we play the Ravens last year at their house???
You’d think this year we would play them at our house,we always get screwed when it comes to the schedule.
Anyway after the Ravens game,we have 3 outta 4 games at home,and the 4th game is on neutral ground,that sucks for the 49ers,cause it’s considered one of their home games,guess they got screwed a little too.haha
Jets @ Broncos
Raiders @ Broncos
Broncos @ 49ers in England
BYE
Chiefs @ Broncos
hopefully we can win 3 outta 4.
Yeah, that’s what Lindsay says:
Time to downgrade Knowshon Moreno’s status from “hopeful” to “questionable” for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
The Broncos’ starting running back will not practice today, coach Josh McDaniels said this morning. That, after Moreno returned to the field Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring Sept. 23.
The practice didn’t go poorly, McDaniels said, but Moreno is not yet healthy enough to take the field on back-to-back days. McDaniels said earlier in the week that he was hopeful Moreno would be ready to go in time to face the Ravens.
“I think we’re trying to make sure we make a smart decision on when he’s ready, when he’s not,” McDaniels said. “Unfortunately, we can’t have him out there every day at this point until he’s totally healthy.”
Funny, that’s pretty much the argument I started here yesterday, as long as Moreno can’t practice fully for an entire week, keep him out, specially when we are about to play the team that many pick to win the SB and at their house. McD is being smart about injuries now, he didn’t use to in preseason, he definitely has changed his MO.
BFE, that’s exactly what I got in my season record prediction for that stretch, win 3 out of those 4. My ending up 9-7 depends largely on that.
Don’t get me wrong bay… I like the Beatles and the solo stuff they put out during the’70′s… one of the greatest all time bands.
I understand Kyle Orton is a big Beatles fan. Listens to them on his i-pod. Pregame warmups.
I didn’t like the Moreno pick at #12,but learned to live with it(thought we should’ve went Defense with both 1st round picks),but after a while I got over it,and since I watched Moreno a lot in college(watch a lot of SEC),I figured well ok he’ll be a great RB for us,well looks like it’s a very slow start,but I think it’s gotta be the blocking scheme,since no matter who plays RB we can’t run,hope McD figures it out soon,cause we can’t be expected to be contenders being one dimensional.I think once the Oline gets healthy and jells,and Moreno heals up we will have a good running game.
And yeah, last year at Baltimore too, for a 30-7 shellacking, where they ran over us like we weren’t even there. Good thing we got that new D line, first thing McD fixed this off season. That was my first wish accomplished.
Baylin..me too,I just wished we could somehow win all 4,but it’s hard when you got 2 outta 4 against division rivals,no matter how bad people think a team is,they know how to beat rivals more than any other team.IMO
Yeah the Dline was the most important thing to work on,now it’s the running game,and I think we need better LB play too.
I have have to ride with Beast on the four horsemen issue. It’s been used in the media and in entertainment plenty, and one team can’t retire a nick name they took from a 2000 year old document. Being the Broncos I think it fits for us. It doesn’t have to take anything away from the legacy of Notre Dame in order to add to ours. If they come up with something else that’s as good or better it won’t break my heart, I just don’t think you can find something more apropriate for our team. Ultimately I’m just happy we have four recievers who are good enough to be worthy of a nickname. I’m gonna hold off on my score prediction for now.
Still to come: a little something for those of you who think it’s “easy” to be the #1 passing team when you’re last in rushing.
I know Ayers and Hunter are playing good and getting better,but I think they are playing the run very well this year,but just like last year,they are too slow in pass coverage,look at ALL the LBs we passed on in the draft.