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
Yeah, we need Doom bad, that will make us instantly better next year at LB’s specially if they get a top ILB in FA or the draft.
I know, getting Moreno that high only made sense to McD, everyone else was shocked.
So Andre Goodman practiced both days… good sign.
No doubt, Cox back there now has been easy picking for teams in the end zone, having Goodman back could be big Sunday.
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
Lloyd=Death: to the other teams corners
Royal=war: to all who play the middle
Thomas=famine: to all the DBs who want ints
Gaffney=pestilence(disease):keeps eating at the Defense
Sorry couldn’t pass it up.LOL
Yeah Goody is needed badly,Cox will be good,when it’s his turn,after he learns from Champ and Goody.IMO
I like it Beast! I say we are The Four Horsemen for sure.
I’m glad it looks like Goodman will finally make his return and I’m glad Champ isn’t hurt. The way he walked off the field early in Tennessee I thought he might miss the Ravens game.
That’s one of the things people often forget about Bailey, he is a tough hombre, he doens’t stay down very long hardly ever.
This would’ve been better if had been posted on Jim’s article about Kyle making his own wow factor, but everybody had moved on by the time had the research completed and I really wanted TRB to see this.
For everyone saying that Kyle Orton is not doing something special and that it’s easy to be the top passing team in the league when you’re last in rushing, I’ve compiled a list of the last 10 teams to come in last in rushing at the end of the regular season. Let’s see how they did.
2000 San Diego Chargers – 18th in passing
2001 Cleveland Browns – 28th in passing
2002 Chicago Bears – 24th in passing
2003 Detroit Lions – 24th in passing
2004 Oakland Raiders – 8th in passing
2005 Arizona Cardinals – 1st in passing
2006 Detroit Lions – 7th in passing
2007 Kansas City Chiefs – 20th in passing
2008 Arizona Cardinals – 2nd in passing
2009 Indianapolis Colts – 2nd in passing
Half of those teams ranked lower than the great majority of the league in passing, and only half of them cracked the top 10. Of those 5 teams that did make the top 10, only three came in second or better. All three of those were lead by Quarterbacks who have Super Bowl rings on their fingers, two by Kurt Warner and one lead by Peyton Manning. I don’t have to remind everybody that the 2008 Cardinals and 2009 Colts were actually in the last two Super Bowls, but I will anyway. The moral of the story: yeah it’s easy to be on top of the league in passing when you’re last in rushing… if your QB is Kurt Warner or Peyton Manning. In my opinion Kyle Orton is in good company. I’m not saying that we don’t need to fix our running game and I’m not insinuating that we’re on our way to the big game this year. I’m just saying that if you’re first in passing and last in rushing, you’re not doing it without a really good QB. Here’s to Kyle keeping up the good work against the Ravens, and to us getting more than 17 rushing yards! GO BRONCOS!
I wonder how Mr. Saccomano would feel about using the four horsemen nickname, he is the one up on all the history stuff, and most here respect what he has to say. Too bad he usually doesn’t answer questions on his blog like Mike or Coop, BFE is always asking him something but never gets an answer, LOL, ask him that next time BFE, maybe he’ll answer this one, or maybe he should write a whole blog about it, that would be interesting, maybe he is reading this, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Yeah I’m curious to know what he thinks too. You out there, Jim?
And you’re right, Baylin. The Champ ain’t the Champ for nothin. Tough as nails!
Unreal that Kitna was 7th in the league in passing for Detroit in 2006. I do remember him having a good year there after he left the Bengals, but talk about over achieving there, pretty impressive.
BBR…Good point,that’s some interesting stuff.
I respect Jim a lot,but dosen’t mean I can’t use a phrase,just cause he don’t like it tho.
Kitna is the back up now in Dallas, I’d be way more comfortable with him than our back ups if Orton goes down, that’s for sure, Kitna was actually doing real well in Cinci also when Palmer got drafted, he just got the shaft there and Palmer still has not gotten anywhere close to realizing his potential, pretty much of a bust in my opinion.
how bout fantastic four, immaculate four, thats our four wrs
Talk like that and he’ll never answer you, LOL.
I know it.
Nicknames are pretty revered in the NFL, you got the Drive, the Catch, the immaculate reception, the Steel Curtain, the ice bowl, the fog bowl, ans so many more, in fact I saw a top ten nickname on the NFLN, even so there are many catches, many drives, many great receptions, many cold games, those nicknames will always only refer to one thing, the original play, players or day that brought up that nickname, the rest is just plagiarism, just how I see it. When I see the Four Horsemen I see that pic of the 4 Notre Dame backs on horses, not our WR’s, just how I see it, but everyone sees things differently and can call things how ever they wish, no big deal to me, now if someone puts another name on the Drive than Elway, let me know, I’ll have something in store for that guy, LOL.
Guys you better sit down and brace yourself for this one:
Just as a contract extension with star cornerback Champ Bailey was drawing near, the Broncos decided to pull out of negotiations.
The move increases the possibility that Bailey is playing in his final season with the Broncos.
“I am disappointed because I want to be here,” Bailey said. “We know that, they know that. What’s the issue here, really?”
I have absolutely nothing to add to that, and McD does all the right things for this team, yeah right, keep on dreaming McD fans everywhere….
This is the end of Klis’ article:
In the final season of a seven-year contract, Bailey, 32, can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
The Broncos and Bailey’s agent, Jack Reale, were close to hashing out a four-year contract extension that would have kept the 9-time Pro Bowler under the team’s control through 2014.
Bailey said he wasn’t crazy about the deal but was willing to take it because he wanted to stay in Denver.
But after submitting an offer to Bailey late last week, the Broncos said Tuesday they were postponing talks.
“We were scheduled for a discussion on the contract offer they had recently e-mailed me,” Reale said. “Before we had a chance for discussion, I received a call saying they wanted to put it off and wait until the end of the season. That is certainly their option and while not pleased, since no player likes playing in the last year of his contract, we respect their right to pursue that approach.
“Champ will do what he always does. Play hard, give 100 percent, keep quiet and lead this team.”
It’s possible the Broncos could retain Bailey with the franchise tag next year but that salary figures to be in excess of $10 million.
The move is especially surprising because the Broncos signed restricted free agents Elvis Dumervil, Chris Kuper and Kyle Orton to contract extensions.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels talked to Bailey personally this week and said he still hopes a deal can be worked out later.
“My mindset is I want to win,” Bailey said. “That’s my approach every year. I’m a competitive person and this is no different. I owe it to the guys in the locker room.”
Oh my, how can you justify putting your defensive star player in this situation….. This is real bad, another knock on the players’ morale I keep talking about.
The Bronco front office is starting to make me sick,don’t know if it has to do with McD or Xanders,but ever since they came aboard,this crap has been falling everywhere,this sucks.Who’s gonna take his place???Cox has been torched several times this year.
Thanks for the info Bay……I am truely disheartened about hearing this. Are the Broncos dead set on running all the talent out of town? Champ is still a premiere CB in this league and a leader on our team.
AARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!
Another name suggestion…..
The Barn Burners! haha
Nice job BFE! I love it. Now, to be honest, I remember the 4 horsemen from WCW. Not Notre Dame in 1924. The Four Horsemen of 2010…
I am happy to see Kyle doing such a great job–and he has a great back up not only if he needs it, but also spurring him on to be his best–
Moroney and Buck…bust it out this Sunday boys! Give us that balance we need against the Ravens.
Go Broncos!