When the Broncos play host to Cincinnati Sunday, those watching will get a chance to see two top-5 picks from the 2011 NFL Draft square off.
Linebacker Von Miller — the 2nd overall pick — has assumed a role in the starting lineup for Denver, and wide receiver A.J. Green — the 4th overall selection — has taken over for the departed Chad Ochocinco as the Bengals’ primary downfield threat.
Cincinnati Head Coach Marvin Lewis, who closely evaluated both prospects leading up to draft day, spent some time talking with the Denver media in a conference call earlier, and he isn’t at all surprised that both rookies are already playing significant roles for their respective teams.
“There were basically two or three players that we felt could come in and make an impact, and two of them will be on the field this week,” Lewis said.
At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, Lewis said Green has the size and athleticism to make him the total package at wide receiver.
“He can go under (defenders), he can go over them and he can go through them,” Lewis said of Green. “That’s why we thought that he was such a great prospect.”
Lewis acknowledged he was very impressed with Miller’s abilities as well.
“He could make the same kind of impact as a player,” Lewis said.
Lewis is hopeful that his second-round selection will also have an impact on Sunday’s game, but quarterback Andy Dalton’s status is still uncertain.
Bruce Gradkowski took over for Dalton last week after the rookie signal-caller suffered a wrist injury.
“He’ll be limited in practice today,” Lewis said of Dalton. “He was visiting with our doctors this morning, and they thought that he was progressing well. He’ll throw a very little bit the rest of the day and hopefully be able to go full speed tomorrow in practice. But it’s coming along — the bruise or whatever it is, it’s coming along. It just has to get to the point where they’re comfortable with it.”
-Max Henson
Tags: A.J. Green, Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals, Marvin Lewis, Von Miller, Week 2
Miller might not have had a sack on sunday (because they don’t pass) but he at least forced a fumble. His sacks will come and he will be the DROY at least … not unless PP has something to say about it. Already has a return for a TD. Don’t think he has done anything on D yet tho. Can’t wait till DJ comes back … Our tackling machine (besides champ and his ankle locks lol) … TRB
I don’t know how many remember but Gradkowski used to be Russell’s back up in Oakland and he always played way better than him and we always feared they would use Gradkowski against us rather than Russell. Point being whether it’s Dalton of Gradkowski it’s not really a step down in fact they might be better off with Gradkowski, that’s who orchestrated the come back win last week I believe.
Gradkowski also won a game against the Broncos a few years ago starting for the raiders. If I`m the Bengals I`d run Benson all game.
I do believe you are correct Bay. I do hope we don’t take these guys lightly. This is going to be a tough game for us. I read on their website this morning that they are well aware og Miller and Doom’s capabilities to stuff the qb, as qwell as our lack of run defense. This has me quite concerned. Oakland had the same insight to our D and we all saw what happened there.
Unitl our O can produce long ball control drives and eat up clock and actually score, touchdowns not field goals, other teams will just pound our Defense with the run. This will be done to eliminate the strengths of Miller and Doom and force Dawk to sneak up to support. When that happens those that have passing games will start to torch us too.
But it all comes back to our O setting the tempo of the game and coming out and staying strong throughout. Not 3 and Out.
I see this game being a close one but I think in the end it will be our D making the difference in this one. Benson is not the same as McFadden when it comes to runners. So we will give up some ground yards (until DJ comes back) but we will hold them. It will be bend not break for D this week and a big play will come from them to get the win or lead to it.
I just hope they can get Orton to be Orton between the 20s and mix it up in the red zone with Tebow(preferably) or Quinn to get some TDs.
I don’t think we’re allowed to take any opponent lightly. If anything our opponents are probably taking us lightly.
I agree hh27 but the last sentence we can forget. Not going to happen. I am not putting in a prediction until I get a look at ther injury report for the game. That will tell us a lot.
bay did you ever post results from everyone’s picks? If so, just tell me where and I’ll find them. I had to be close with my 24-17 loss.
You won you dog!
Raidhdr, last blog @ 6:15 a.m. You won bro.
Yeah, I know my mix it up in the redzone comment is off, it’s just wishful thinking that the coaching staff would do that. Throw a wrinkle in there, screw up the other teams D and actually put them on their heels for a play or two.
Much like I wish TD could still play (he looked like he could when they interviewed him before the game monday night), and Elway could still sling the pass( I’m sure he could but with our O line, he’d get killed too, though I’d be willing to bet he could still out run Orton in the 40).
Original Results in 2nd half blog, September 13, 7:36 am post
The word on QB Dalton so far is that he is having a hard time gripping the ball today.
Just your average football family trying to make it all season long without killing each other…Orton should start….No Tebow should start…pipe down back there don’t make me stop this vehicle…we don’t have a running game…yeah well our defense was on the field for far too long…*screeech*…that’s it I’m turning this car aound and we’re not going to the Super Bowl….NO…NO..were sorry dad…ok that’s better…*underneath their breath*…orton sucks…tebow sucks…*kick*…ouch dad he kicked me…that’s it GTFO….should’ve adopted those kids that were Packers fans…..The Footballery’s coming this Fall to a Denver Broncos blog near you.
Flippen Funny!
I mean its quite a simple approach to shot people up but it wont happpen.
Heres the Dilemma …. We suck in the redzone and we can’t win overall. People believe its the QB … and want to see Tebow … Coaches believe Tebow is not ready and believe in Orton. So how can both sides be happy???? TEBOW PACKAGES
Its quite that Simple … leave it to Orton to score from outside the 20s but once we get in the 20s … give it to Tebow because …. He can run and pass … and its hard to guard both in the redzone. So that way we solve redzone problem, fans gets their fix of Tebow and Coaches get Orton as the starter … If Orton isn’t to prideful and this is all about winning … he won’t mind all the helpt THE TEAM … can get. Whether is on 3rd and short or in the redzone … Tebow packages solve all even if he aint starting like many of us want. TRB
That just does not feel good. I really didn’t want to be right on that one. I say we bounce back with a W against the Bengals.
Broncos 24
Bengals 13
1nOnlyTRB: That would be nice but does Fox even have plays designed around Tebow????
TRB, that’s in a perfect world, but not gonna work, Orton is playing for a long term contract, if you take him out when he has a chance to score he will be totally upset having stats that show no points and will then be just as bad between the twenties to spite us, just saying.
Liar, LOL.
But diplomatic I’ll give you that, haha.
Brian, don’t forget the neighbors, loveable yet annoying.
I don’t know what’s the big deal about Dalton’s health, unless you guys are interested because you want him to play, that would be my approach, much rather play against a rookie with one NFL game experience than Gradkowski.
No sense in rubbing that one in right? I think our D comes to life and holds them to field goals until a late garbage time TD. I sure hope our O-line gets better though.
at least we can look at film on Gradkowski though….from….last year or whatever. Dalton’s taken how many snaps as a pro?
Brian, Tebow practiced with the 1st team at times during the TC I think … so i thought those were just the few packages he had with em. Maybe they didn’t wanna break em out … maybe they thought they could beat the raiders without it … or maybe they just dont have it … either way … they better get it … heck even McD did THAT much.
Bay, take touchdowns away from Orton? As opposed to the bounty of TDs he is currently scoring for us? LOL … haha but I get your point … he will be sour and in my mind … if this is about the team we should do watever it takes to win and use all that we got … and right now its not looking good. Heck no one says Tebow has to take ALL the snaps in the redzone lol. How about this … Orton lined up at QB … Tebow lined up at RB in the I behind him … Tebow breaks right … they toss him the ball to run … if he can run he runs if he can’t he passes … or something … not thrilled about using him in a designated RB position but just utilize all personel darn it lol. TRB
TRB, point is who is going to give a long time contract to a QB who needs another one to score for him, LMAO, it’s just a dream, it may happen once or twice a game at the very best.
And raidrhadr, other teams don’t have to look at films of Orton, it’s word of mouth, LOL.
has anyone seen any updates on how serious the injuries where to Champ and Doom – any word on the time they will miss?
Bay, it’s partial word of mouth but mostly I think opposing teams read these blogs to figure out how Orton is doing and how to “defend” against him!!
latest injury report, without much change but interesting comments by Fox about it:
The Broncos are still feeling the pain of Monday’s 23-20 loss to Oakland.
When the team returned to practice Wednesday, it did so without four starters who suffered injuries in the loss. Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), defensive end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (groin) all watched from the sidelines as their teammates began getting ready for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.
“We’re day to day,” Broncos coach John Fox said about the injuries to those players. “I don’t want to rush anybody out there. It’s a double-edged sword in the sense that, you get a guy re-injured and he gets a setback. When they’re cleared medically they’ll practice.”
Fox is surprised by the number of injuries heading into Week 2.
“It’s one of the higher numbers,” he said. “It’s just part of the game and you deal with it.”
He added: “I learned a long time ago, in this business nobody comes and rescues you. We’ll prepare just as hard as we have in the past, hopefully a little bit better, and see how it goes against Cincinnati.”
Linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow), defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (pectoral) and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (Achilles/finger) — all of whom missed the opener on Monday — are also not practicing.
Well, Fox, welcome to the Broncos Raiders rivalry, no wonder he’s never seen so many injuries in a single game, what’s the Carolina rivalry? LOL.
HH27, yeah, other teams reading our blogs is why Miami backed out of trading for Orton, LOL, one look at the blog, Orton is not the man we need….
Question of the day from 850 KOA; who`s the best player for the Broncos who is not on the injury list listed as (did not partcipate) in practice today?
Easy, Clady.
I`d say Clady by far, absolutely.
ARE U NUTS BAYLIN?!?!?! its clearly Orton ……. …… …. .. ..
lol
I agree with the Clady selection.
Stupid question, KOA must be bored…
LMAO@TRB!
Too late though….
So do the Broncos go out and sign another WR if Lloyd is out?
Only person that can challenge Clady on body of work is Dawkins … and say what you wan’t about the man … he still flies and plays with unparalleled passion. Puts his body on da line every play and enver gives up. Now thats a man that cherrishes the game and plays like every play could be his last. Brings it day in and day out. TRB
Dave Kreiger questions.
Dawk played with passion monday night.
Talking abour our rivalry with the Raiders I also thought Von Miller’s statement after the game was funny when he said he was surprised on how physical a game it was. Get used to it we got more than one rivalry even though this one tops the KC one, the SD games can be pretty hard hitting too, those guys have just been thrown into the fire and they’re like, what just happened, too funny.
We don’t have to sign a receiver, if we decide to get one just look at our PS. Riley, remember.
A different story playing in the pros.
Yeah, Dawk is still tops in the running game but the game has passed him by in coverage, maybe he should move at the mike, haha.
Great answer, cut Unrein.
Riley is in the pros, but I get your meaning, however when you keep guys that good on PS it’s a good place to go to if you need a 4th receiver for a game or two.
The Mike is ILB, so Mays would have to move over, Unrein is on the line.
Heck, keep him on the team I say, Riley that is.