Broncos veteran safety Brian Dawkins has been ruled out of Sunday’s Wild Card playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a neck injury.
The 16-year player — who’s been to the playoffs on eight separate occasions — has sat out two of the previous three games and once again the team captain will be leading the team from the sideline.
“It’s kind of hard to put into words (how frustrated Dawkins is) because I know how much this game means to him,” cornerback Andre’ Goodman said. “I know how well he prepares week-in and week-out to get his body ready to play football games. He’s the guy who’s willing to put himself through anything to put himself out there. So I know how frustrated he is and we’re all frustrated for him.”
Head Coach John Fox echoed Goodman’s statement, saying Dawkins is probably more frustrated than any of the players or coaches. But at the end of the day, just as the coaches put the players in positions to succeed, they aren’t going to put players in harmful situations.
“Injury is part of the game, and our responsibility as coaches in this organization is to the well-being of our players,” Fox said. “We’re not going to put them in a position. Brian has been a big part of this season, a big part of this team. Hopefully we can get him well soon.”
With Dawkins out, Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will look to third-year safety David Bruton to pick up the communication void left by the eight-time Pro Bowler. Bruton played a role last week in limiting Kansas City to just seven points.
“I think one of the things that always helps you in the secondary is having a veteran guy back there that can kind of help in the communication,” Allen said. “We brought David Bruton and played him last week, and that’s kind of what he brought to the table as far as he understood exactly what we were trying to get done. He does a great job of communicating, making sure everybody’s on the same page, and that’s what you’ve got to make sure you’re doing, especially from a secondary standpoint.”
CREATING TURNOVERS
Thursday, Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy spoke at length about the need for the Broncos to limit their turnovers. After having five during their six-game winning streak, they’ve had nine during their last three games.
On a similar note, the Broncos defense hasn’t created any takeaways during the three-game slide. Takeaways were a big part of the Broncos’ success in the middle of the season, as they had nine during the win streak.
“It’s very (important),” Goodman said. “That’s how we’ve been able to win games in terms of keeping the score to a minimum and creating turnovers on defense to set the offense up in good positions. We haven’t done that and the outcome the last few weeks hasn’t been positive, so it’s one of the things going into this game you try to focus on. But it’s easier said than done against a team like Pittsburgh.”
While the Steelers offense has the potential to be prolific at any time, they are not without their faults. The Steelers have turned the ball over seven times in the last three games, so the opportunity could be there for the Broncos.
“I think when you look at any stat in football, the most critical stat is obviously points scored versus points allowed. Right behind that is the ability to take the ball away,” Allen said. “So that’s what we’ve got to find a way to do. We’ve got to do our part on defense, take the ball away, set our offense up with short field and give them an opportunity to score on short fields.”
INJURY REPORT
Here is the full injury report for Sunday’s game.
For the Broncos:
OUT: Safety Brian Dawkins (neck),
DOUBTFUL: Fullback Spencer Larsen (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: Cornerback Johnathan Wilhite (illness), safety David Bruton (Achilles).
PROBABLE: Wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe), linebacker Von Miller (thumb).
For the Steelers:
OUT: Cornerback Cortez Allen (shoulder), running back Mewelde Moore (knee),
QUESTIONABLE: Center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle).
PROBABLE: Tackle Jonathan Scott (back), linebacker James Harrison (toe), defensive end Brett Keisel (groin), safety Troy Polamalu (calf), guard Doug Legursky (shoulder), linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle).
Below are some photos from Friday’s practice.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Wild Card Playoffs
Anybody ever stop and think who hire McDaniel that was the wrost hire ever lol
Dear god Calvin Johnson is unstoppable!!!!!!
No quit in the Lion’s.
Bay, haha! I didn’t post often…mostly just read. I found it…I joined 12-13-2007.
Hard to believe! Time flies!
No quit in the Saints either!
45 points can you imagine.Tim better be loosening up his arm.
Wow, that’s over a year before I did.
Way to remain incognito, LOL.
Detroit has nothing to be ashamed of tonight! Played them very hard…Saints were just too much for them!
I’m usually not a “talker” BAY….but I’ve been reading and enjoying all of you for some time!
But when the kids let me…I like to pour a crown and coke )or three) and get in the discussion!
Was in the Stadium for Elways first pass and just love “my” Broncos! Practically lived in the South Stands for 10 years!
Congrats to the Texans and the Saints….hope we get to say congrats to our Broncos tomorrow!
Night Everyone!
Checking out too. I guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Go Broncos.
We are in the playoffs!! Still a happy thing to re-realize and appreciate for me.
The result of our game, who knows… And, man, wish we had B-Dawk – poor Brian… But, for some reason, Denver Broncos 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 10 keeps coming to mind, so, why not? Roethelisberger hasn’t been the same since his injury; maybe a forced turnover to set up a score…. A big game from Doom, and Tebow adjusts enough to the adjustments defenses have made against him to make enough throws to compliment our running game….
Whatever happens – we are in the playoffs and AFC West Champions, in this season! Very happy about that, and GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Wonder if turtle made it to denver
OK – Bay, It’s time to ante’ up!!! Tell us how badly you predict the Steelers beat the Broncos. ???
It’s easy for me to see this game going either way. Will the real Tebow show up? Or will that impostor, that can’t throw, looks like he’s lost, poser – show up???
If the real Tebow shows, it’ll still be a battle and a close game.
If the poser shows – it’s going to be a long game and a much longer offseason!!! LOL
Did I miss Bay’s prediction?
I should point out that I didn’t kill this blog – it had been dead for an hour before I got here. LOL
Man oh man o mano – I sure would like another shot at those patriots!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
PUM PUM PUM!!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!!
I made it! I’m at Holiday Inn East…
CAN’T WAIT for tomorrow!!!!
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL BABY!!! PLAYOFFS!!!!!
Daddy!!! Hola Amigo!
You ready for tomorrow?!?
Shaz- your husband will need a separate email address to register his name but that should be all he needs. You can still do it from the same computer.
Hey Turtle – fired up!!! I need to sleep cuz I have to speak in church in the morning – -but I can’t sleep.
I think Bay forgot to post his prediction – is that possible?
We are going to be anxious to hear your report on the stadium atmosphere when you get back home. I’m just hoping TT doesn’t do anything to get himself attention from the Boo Bears.
I’m out for a while – I’ll check back in. Good night Turtle and blog.
*Official Score Prediction*
23-30 Steelers
-Royalty
I hope you get some sleep! Enjoy the game if I don’t see you before!
Hi Royalty!
I really hope your prediction is wrong… nothing personal, I hope you understand…
The AFC WEST CHAMPIONS advance past the Stillers 16-13.
*Official Score Prediction*
26-22 Broncos
-Royalty
Royalty, I got you down for your first one, 23-30 Steeler win.
10-17 Steelers
All score predictions are in, no picks on gameday, no exceptions.
Good luck to everybody!
Good night.
Oops I thought my first one didn’t go through lol I flipped a coin and changed my pick. But first one counts oh well LMAO. Just ftr, I have a gut feeling the Broncos will win. I’ll be at the game tomorrow SO STOKED since I thought I wouldn’t make it due to work I flew all the way from ATL. Hope to see some of you there.
Been a great day today! Sunny and warm in the AM, snowing in the PM and cold now!
Went to the Coors Brewery today. They’ve got a brew called Colorado Native. “Born Brewed & Shared local.
*available only in Colorado, is the only lager brewed with Rocky Mountain water, Colorado grown barley from the San Luis valley, the oldest strain of brewers’s yeast in Colorado and finished with hand picked Colorado grown hops- Crisp Clean and Unmistakeably Colorado*
Perfect beverage for the day! And tomorrow! We’ll be heading to the stadium for tailgating at 1100 MST… Its gonna be a great day!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a gut feeling too – Royalty. I can’t tell if I have the flu or if the game has made me sick at my stomach!!! LOL
Good night all! The wait till game time will likely kill me.
Glad to see you made it Bay – pretty early for you isn’t it?
I’m still thinking my prediction is a lock!!! 7pts for Daddy!!! LOL
wow talk about heavy hitters. Those guys can really pile the scores on. Seeing something like that and all u can think is “Man the broncos are out of thier league” lol … but i still think we win tommorow … or is it hope? hmmmm.
So much for defense wins championships … tell brees and rodgers that lol … hell tell Patriots that. We will see tho. San Fran D v Brees O … interesting stuff will come next week.
Later days, TRB
KEEP BELEIVING
I can’t wait, first playoff game since 05! Shoot I can’t even sleep. I was just going to take my lady but, my mother-in-law (a Cowboys fan
) wanted to go, as well as my wife’s little cousin and his friend (all from NM, my wife’s cousin; he’s still on the fence so I’m hoping to turn him into a Bronco fan.
I had great seats initially but used Ticket Exchange and got 5 tickets instead in section 132 row 6. Hopeful that most the TDs we get are coming my way LOL.
Overall I’m just happy to be at a playoff game! LIVE! When I didn’t even think I could get away from work. But I’m gonna be in the building! With my OC towel!!!
Mile High Salute — My Soldiers are Eternal
-Royalty
ps: PUM PUM PUM lol ILMSDB!!!!!
With my OC towel, LOL.
PLAYOFF DAY!
OUR PLAYOFF DAY!
GO-O-O-O……………………………………………….BRONCO-O-O-OS!!!
That’s as good as I can do to get the stadium feel without being there.
You all enjoy and make some noise!
Even on a great day, bad news abound and this is the morning news so there is no way to escape it:
CANTON, ohio — It was a tough day for Broncos’ Hall of Fame hopefuls.
Terrell Davis , Steve Atwater and Karl Mecklenburg , who all made it to the semifinal round of 26 modern-era candidates, did not make the cut Saturday to 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2012.
It was especially disappointing that Davis didn’t make it to the next round because he has been a four-time semifinalist who has never been a finalist.
This may be a nice 2011 Bronco season souvenir for you:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_19697231
That is bad news Bay. All of those players should be in.I thought maybe, with Shannon getting in, the hall would finally start showing the BRONCOS a little love.
Kiszla is absolutely AWOL for at least the last three weeks and he comes back on having it all figured out:
Kiz: If I were the offensive coordinator, surprise would be the element of the game plan against the Steelers. Put Quinn in at quarterback for a series in the second quarter. Run the no-huddle offense. See what happens. Ridiculous, you say? It’s no crazier than digging in the 1970s vault to install a run-option attack midway through an NFL season.
About the yellow towels and Steeler fans expected to be anywhere between 10 and 15 thousand at Mile High today:
“It’s still going to be Mile High Stadium. The game is still going to be here in Denver. And we’re still going to have our fans cheering for us,” rookie linebacker Von Miller said. “But we definitely want to get this win for Broncos Nation.”
Here goes Miller again with the Nation thing, I guess this Cowboy fan will never get it that he is playing for Bronco Country… as long as he is doing his job who cares, right… but still, it would be nice if he remembered that one day. Rahim Moore has already learned that…not that it’s helping him any with his play, LOL.
RAIDER NATION
BRONCO COUNTRY!
17-10 Broncos, I have to WORK TODAY!!!!! first playoff game in 7 years and I have to work on Sunday. Talk about a real bummer. I hope we get past these fools because we are goin to walk into Brady’s house and run him over. I already got 50 bux on that game if we get there lol. DOOOOOOOOM gets a strip sack, ayers runs it in for a TD. write it down.
If Rahim plays, this would be the perfect game to get his first INT. Also, VonDoom need to put some pressure on Big Ben, we need some sacks by the D today. Getter Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s interesting how Tebow can get ticket prices to sky rocket on the resale market with a six game winning streak as much as he can get them to become the cheapest ticket of any playoff game this weekend with a three game losing streak:
The Broncos quickly sold out today’s game, but it is far from the hottest ticket around. Secondary-market prices, on sites such as StubHub and ticket aggregators like SeatGeek.com and Tiqiq.com, plummeted by the end of the week, with the average ticket going for $183.50, the cheapest, by about $80, of any of the weekend’s four NFL playoff games.
Asking price on the secondary market was even cheaper than for the team’s regular-season home games against Chicago and New England, said Will Flaherty of SeatGeek.
“It is really surprising. We thought it would be a big draw,” Flaherty said.
Think again!
Winning sells.
Losing, not so much.
Even for Tebow.
Tebow disciples are not the majority after all….
I thought no Bronco fan really cared about McD anymore enough to get all riled up about him, not Klis though and he is on a mission:
http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/01/07/broncos-playoff-teams-should-officially-protest-josh-mcdaniels-hire-in-new-england/11679/
BTW HandofDoom and any other, no picks on game day ever as far as the score prediction contest is concerned.
Hey All happy Broncos playoff day!Hope it goes great for the team AND for all the fans.
shazta,I might be wrong but if RM has a pick today it would be his second.Can’t remember if the first was agaist that team we played first this year(can’t say what I usually call um on here).Or,the 3rd game(can’t remember who we played).He wasn’t real happy about ’cause we still lost.