It’s wet in Oakland.
It’s raining today, and there’s at least a 60 percent chance of rain on each of the next five days — including a 70 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday.
In other words, as Justin Bannan put it, “it might be a mud bath out there” as the Broncos take on the Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
“We have talked about the weather,” Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville said, noting that the team hasn’t spent much time dwelling on it. “At this point in time, we have not adjusted any of our game plan for that — although we do have things in the game plan that would be good for this kind of weather that we are anticipating.”
One player in particular who has an eye on the weather is kicker Steven Hauschka, who will play in his second game as a Bronco with Matt Prater officially listed as out for Sunday’s game.
At Middlebury College in Vermont, Hauschka said he kicked in snow, sleet and rain, so he has plenty of experience playing “in a lot of slop.”
“You’ve just got to trust it and kick the ball with confidence,” he said. “You can’t really come into the ball as fast and you can’t plant as hard or you’ll slip. It’s the same things the rest of the players are going through.”
To combat the conditions, Hauschka plans to wear longer cleats on his left shoe — but he’ll never change the kicking shoe on his right foot.
Britton Colquitt, who could have to deal with wet footballs for punting and holding, said the long delay in Jacksonville in Week 1 for a thunderstorm was good experience for the club.
Everything was soaked on the other side of the delay, but “our guys did a pretty good job.”
“You’ve just got to make sure you catch the ball is the biggest thing, and after that, everything is the same,” Colquitt said. “That’s why we work on all the drills and do all the fundamental things, so when adversity comes or weather comes, your muscle memory takes over.”
QUARTERBACK UPDATE
With Kyle Orton limited in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a rib injury, Studesville has addressed all week whether the veteran will remain the starter at quarterback this Sunday, even without taking many reps at practice.
“He knows this offense well — he has been in there for two years,” Studesville said. “But, at this point in time we have not made any decisions.”
Meanwhile, Tim Tebow has taken the majority of the first-team reps, and Studesville said the coaching staff has been pleased with his progress.
“Tim has continued to develop. He has the game plan, he has been out there and been getting a lot of reps with the situation of Kyle not being able to practice,” Studesville said. “He has looked good getting those reps and we are confident that if that is the situation that came to pass, he would be ready to go.”
While Studesville said on Wednesday that Orton is “absolutely” the starter, the veteran’s limited snaps in practice have raised questions from the media about his availability.
“We have time — we have practice today and we have two more days before the game,” Studesville said. “Kyle is a valuable part of this team and we are going to wait as long as we have to.”
In addition to Prater (right groin), Brian Dawkins (knee) and Demaryius Thomas (ankle) are listed as out for Sunday’s game.
David Bruton (ribs), Darcel McBath (quadricep) and Orton (ribs) are questionable for the contest.
Kevin Alexander (ankle), Eric Decker (foot), Spencer Larsen (hamstring), Brandon Lloyd (calf) and Marcus Thomas (ankle) all had full participation in Friday’s practice and are listed as probable for Sunday.
For the Raiders, LB Rolando McClain (foot) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable. DB Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle), S Hiram Eugene (ribs), WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (ankle) and WR Nick Miller (ankle) are also questionable for the matchup. T Khalif Barnes (back), QB Kyle Boller (quadricep), S Tyvon Branch (shoulder), LB Travis Goethel (knee), CB Chris Johnson (groin), DT Richard Seymour (knee) and TE Zach Miller (foot) are all listed as probable.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Below are photos from Friday’s chilly practice.
Tags: Britton Colquitt, Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville, Kyle Orton, Steven Hauschka, Tim Tebow
so… madden reports are saying TT has been named the starter per inside sources!
so is espn… TALK ABOUT A CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!
OK…. i know its sat night and all but come on… there must be a broncos fan DYING to talk about this news with me! …… ANYONE?
It’s about Damn time we get to see Tebow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t care if he gets sacked 6 times and throwa 4 ints,I’ll still be happy,because I will know he will get better.NOTHING takes the place of experience!!!!!!!!!
Xanders talks about staying on as GM and getting more power,now that McD is gone,and also says we need help on Defense thru the draft:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81cffbc6/article/xanders-says-hed-welcome-empowered-gm-role-in-denver?module=HP_headlines
After last week’s showing, I don’t know that I could have picked Denver to win this game regardless; but as it’s (probably) Tebow…
Denver Broncos 13, Oakland Raiders 31. (And that touchdown may be too optimistic; if we only score 6 tomorrow I’ll kick myself, I was so close to picking that.)
Go Broncos – prove me wrong!! And give us hope that you can personally end San Diego’s season in week 17 if you have to!
YAAAAAH!!! TEBOW TIME!!!!!!!
Found out Tebow is going to start the same day that my sister bought be a blue Tebow jersey. What an amazing day.
Broncos 27
Raiders 24
Go Broncos!
P.S. I realize Tebow is still a rookie so a 4 TD, 0 INT day is highly unlikely, but Tebow is a born leader and I think he will provide a huge spark for this team.
NOW ITS DOWN TO….
GRUDEN GRUDEN GRUDEN!
I see the reports as well. I am excited to see this game…last time I was excited about a broncos game was preseason when tebow started….can ya blame me? what have we done of worth this season? Just seeing him play is more enjoyable than orton…I can’t stand watching a veteran QB make such mistakes and lose. Sure its not just orton losing out there…but recent weeks he has been a huge contributing factor. Just excited to see tebow…shoulda happenned alot sooner in my opinion but Ill take it. With Tebow at the helm I would like to review my score…even tho i know it won’t be official/accepted…we win 24 – 20 … hahaha…this is ridiculously optimistic lol…but it feels good to want to predict a win for your boys…TRB out….
heck i dont even care who we get as HC tomorrow… im just happy for Tim Tebow Today!!!
lol whats up blaze…
wow…i feel like a kid the on christmas eve… i cant even begin to sleep right now. way to excited about Tebow! FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!
I am so ready for Tebow to play. I have realistic expectations, but I am still excited. And to top it off, my sister got me a Tebow jersey today. Life is good! haha.
27-24 Broncos.
Go Tebow!
I am so ready for Tebow to play.
27-24 Broncos.
Go Tebow!
We all need a spark after such a horrible start to the season!
Anyone else overly excited about the game?
I forget that it is really late. I will engage y’all in Bronco matters tomorrow! haha
P.S. We should change our name to the Enver Broncos. Cuz we ain’t got no D!
TEBOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea 07denver. I think I am one of those overly excited ones. But can you blame me. Theres has been nothing to be excited about all season. Just glad to see us change it up and play the “future”. I believe in the kid. Hope it all pans out
You need to read the posts TRB, you’re in luck:
baylinorcrush says:
December 18, 2010 at 2:03 pm
IMPORTANT ALERT FOR SCORE PREDICTIONS:
Since the weather report for Oakland tomorrow is predicting the worse storm of the season (some reports have 18 mph winds and up to 5″ of rain) I think it is only fair to allow the score predictors to change their score prediction once if they wish.
You guys have until 10 AM central time tomorrow to do so.
Special times call for special measures. I mean so many picks have such high score totals and in this mud fest on natural grass it might be anything but.
So it’s up to you guys, one score change per blogger is all.
Merry Christmas, haha.
However now they have winds at 14/16 mph for the game and heavy rain just prior to the game but letting up some by game time.
Ive been soo excited for tebow time that i could barely sleep last night. i even slept on the couch so i would be closer to the TV and NFL channel. lmao does that make me crazy?
man i hope he comes out and just lights it up in oakland! i know its not realistic but it would be the best christmas ever if that was the case! i believe he can make it happen. GO TEBOW!!
HAPPY TEBOW DAY BRONCO FAM!!!!!
ILMSDB!!!!
I posted this earlier. Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited to see TT play. but this is a reality check. This is a summary of when another highly touted rookie started at QB for the Broncos. My recommendation….be excited but be ready for anything….. GOOD or BAD from Timothy Richard.
September 4, 1983
Elway makes his first career start in a season-opening win at Pittsburgh. Elway is far from impressive as he completes just 1-of-8 passes for 14 yards. He is intercepted once and sacked four times.
September 18
Elway throws the first touchdown pass of his career, a 33-yarder to Rick Parros.
October 9
With just one touchdown pass and five interceptions, a struggling Elway is removed from the starting lineup in favor of Steve DeBerg. Elway would sit for the next four games.
December 11
In the highlight of his rookie season, Elway engineers the first of his 47 career comebacks as he leads the Broncos to a home win over the Colts, the team he demanded to be traded from. The Broncos trail 19-0 but Elway throws three late touchdown passes, including the last one on fourth down to Gerald Willhite, to rally his team to a 21-19 win. For the game, he throws for 345 yards with no interceptions.
Tebow,make us proud son!
Win,lose,or draw we know you have the heart of a lion and the leadership of a General,giv’em HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feels good to be a Bronco fan today.
BFE
I’m predicting a slow start/great finish for Tebow much like he had in the last preseason game against the Vikings. He had a fumble and an INT, but then he completed nearly all of the remainder of his passes and he threw a TD. No reason he can’t put some points up for us today. I expect him to make his fair share of mistakes, but the kid works so hard and is so hungry to win. So I also expect some big time plays from him.
Any other rookies getting to start today? Might as well. Squid and Decker could use some more time. Other young guys could use more time as well: McBath, Bruton, Woodyard, Richard Quinn.
Might as well see what we got out of a lot of young guys we haven’t got to see play.
I mean I know that 3 games can’t tell you everything, but it can’t hurt either.
27 them 7 us.
i just hope they at least drew up a few plays that really compliment Tebows style. roll outs and boot legs! and for the the love of god please dont go with safe plays all day. lets stretch the field a bit.
GO BRONCOS, GO TEBOW.
Time for Ryan Harris to step up! Play like a Fighting Bronco on that blindside. And can we please feed Royal some balls? Tim, good luck. Don’t forget the defenses are bigger, stronger and faster at this level. Thank you KO. Even though it didn’t work out like we hoped it would, I appreciate the gritty effort!
Tick…Tock…,,,RIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG. OC, you got the time?
I hate the raiders. GO BRONCOS!!!
All score predictions are in. Polls are closed.
Good luck to everyone.
Good luck to Tebow.
Go Broncos!!! Sort of, really want that top 3 pick….
Well we will see what kind of OC McCoy is,he needs to change the playbook to adapt to Tebow,like ray said,rollouts,bootlegs,and maybe even some option type plays,and WILDHORES.
If I were calling the plays,I’d let Tebow throw a bomb to Royal on the very 1st play,that would surprise the Defense.
Maybe we can keep our Defense off the field,Hell even the Ravens Defense,one of the best in the league, were about to collapse against the Texans,they were on the field too long!
I hear ya Bay,that #3 pick has my mouth watering too!
If Cincy beats Cleveland,we might be in the running for the #2 pick.
But not if we beat the Raiders, just saying.
It’s obvious many bloggers are totally getting carried away with Tebow starting and understandably so but I for one will try to keep level headed and keep in mind what’s best long run. For one thing they need to keep a simple game plan for Tebow so he doesn’t throw 5 INT’s and sets himself back, as we really don’t need to win this game, have him get his feet wet slowly but solidly and get out of there with positive little things rather than the grand things some are hoping for.
Plus you guys are totally dismisssing the weather situation today, the main thing will be to keep the turnovers to a minimum, to do that you have to have fairly conservative play calling. Nothing calls for fireworks today except for Tebow fans, haha.
Lose the next three while finding out as much as possible about our under used rookies, that is my wish for a perfect ending, winning has long been out the window for me, can anyone say top 3 pick?
snowed in here in Belfast, Ireland 1st time in December in 25 years. Beer in, crisps in and Tebow about to start the journey. Watching youtube clips all day about Tebow man is he inspiring. Not expecting much tonite but think we shall see glimpses of his class.
I expect that we will see him run through some raiders men tonite. This will inspire alot of this team to follow him into battle.
If the team already believe in him I think this will be quite close lads.
Go Broncos
The Pacific Weather Center has issued the following emergency alert:
Typhoon Tebow is about to hit landfall in Oakland around 1:15pm PST.
All residents of Oakland and the surrounding area are being warned to stay inside their homes, close and board up all windows, and turn the lights out……
They are calling for a Total Black Hole Blackout…..!
The storm shoud pass by 4:30pm PST wich is about 5:30 MTT (Mountain Tebow Time)..
Afterwards, Oakland residents are then asked to go out into their neighborhood to clean up and help remove all defensive debris such as Raider linebackers, defensive lineman, safties and corners….
If Oakland residents encounter any other Raider debris such as stray coaches or coordinators stuck in trees or dangling from powerlines, they are to just leave them in place and call for the Raider team bus to come by and rescue them…
That’s awesome, OC!
Go Tebow – Go Broncos!!!
LMAO…
On the other end of the spectrum is that we will play at 21 ft below sea level today!?!?! Yes the Alameda coliseum field surface was actually built below sea level. Let’s hope with the storm at hand the drainage/pumping system is working, haha, otherwise it will be litterally the first real swamp Tebow will play in, with all due respect to the “swamp” Gator field.
I think Tebow can breathe under water….
He’s got gills behind his ears….
So Hey all, Hey Bay been reading the posts but after this abysmall season and more to come kinda dissapointed didn’t want to engage in the discussions on who will be out next HC.
There are soooo many proven winners Team builders out there I will be realy dissapointed if we go after some no name Coordinator.!!! Really dissapointed.
I have watched every minute of every game and am going to todays game in the Rain and wind. I have 50 yard line seats that I paid alot of money for after vowing to never go to another game at the Colisium. UGH
Wanted to say I watched every game this season knowing the game would be blacked out localy.
So Not wearing my colors just not worth the Bashing you get. You could never understand until you have gone . Am wearing my hat though and will see how that goes.
Hope all is well with all and stay optimistic Bronco Fans we will turn it around and only true winners Believe.
Tebow the Broncogator will patroll the Black Swamp today hungry to dine on unsuspecting pirates!!!!
The Broncogator hasn’t been fed for months……
Good for you Ben, I wish I could say stay dry…
OC,you crack me up man.haha
COUNTDOWN TO TEBOW TIME……3……2……1.
Bai,I know your not implying I think we will win,cause I’m not,I done picked us to lose.Just trying to get in the Tebow groove!
But hey with all the rain and wind,we will probably get to see Tebow scrambling a lot,that’s what I wanna see anyway.
Time for the Field General to take over his position,and start the learning process,it’s long over due,sacks,ints,it’s gonna happen,but how he reacts to adversity is what makes him or breaks him.IMO.
*Bay,sorry.
Come on TIM TEBOW, make us proud!! It`s time to ROCK N ROLL!!