Monday was the final day of fan voting for the Pro Bowl, and we asked Broncos fans for one final push to have Denver represented.
Well, your voices were heard.
At the close of voting, eight Broncos were among the top five at their respective positions in the AFC.
Tim Tebow is No. 3 among quarterbacks, Willis McGahee is No. 5 among running backs, Elvis Dumervil is No. 3 among defensive ends, Von Miller is No. 2 among outside linebackers, Champ Bailey is No. 4 among cornerbacks, Brian Dawkins is No. 3 among strong safeties, Matt Prater is No. 4 among kickers and Britton Colquitt is the No. 2 AFC punter.
Bailey said he can think of a few more Broncos that he hopes make the final list, including Ryan Clady, Chris Kuper and D.J. Williams.
“There’s a lot,” he said of deserving candidates.
Players and coaches account for the other two thirds of the Pro Bowl voting equation, and Bailey said the players take that responsibility seriously.
“You want to make sure the people that deserve it get in, not just somebody we know,” he said. “You look at the whole body of work people do and go from there.”
The final teams will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 5 p.m. MST on a special NFL Total Access 2012 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network.
The game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.
VERSATILE BILLS PROVIDE CHALLENGE
When Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen was asked about the problems the Bills present on offense, he was quick to point out the unit’s versatility.
“I think when they’re really good and clicking, they’ve got a good combination of run and pass,” he said. “I think they try to spread you out, get into a lot of opened-up sets, and obviously — lately it’s been [RB] C.J. Spiller; previously it was [RB] Fred Jackson — they spread you out, and they make you execute in the running game. [QB Ryan] Fitzpatrick does a nice job of getting the ball in the right spots and getting the ball out of his hands and not letting you get to him.”
Champ Bailey said he plans to treat Spiller like a wide receiver if he goes out wide, as he has the kind of speed that makes him “special.”
But he’s also focused on an actual Bills receiver, Stevie Johnson, who has 68 receptions for 872 yards and six touchdowns this season.
“He’s tough, and watching him on tape – I watched the Jets game and Chargers game – their corners had a hard time with him,” Bailey said. “One thing he’s good at is getting off the ball and making people kind of look stupid. If we can just limit those plays, especially down the field, we can do a good job against him.”
Fortunately for the Broncos, Allen said, they have the “luxury” of a Pro Bowl cornerback in Bailey to help neutralize some of those threats.
“Any time you’ve got a guy that can kind of say, ‘You go take care of that guy, and we’ll worry about all the rest of them,’ it makes your job easier as a coordinator, and it makes our job easier as a defense,” Allen said. “We’ve been fortunate to have a guy like that, and he still plays at an elite level, and we’re going to continue to try to use him the best way we can.”
INJURY REPORT
After missing last Sunday’s game, Brian Dawkins was limited in the first practice this week. But he said he’s feeling better.
“Going in the right direction,” he said. “Things are feeling better and better so we’ll see.”
Here is the full Broncos injury report:
LIMITED: David Bruton (Achilles), Brian Dawkins (neck)
FULL: Brodrick Bunkley (knee), Willis McGahee (hamstring), Daniel Fells (thumb), Von Miller (thumb)
For the Buffalo Bills:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Lee Smith (fibula), RB Johnny White (concussion)
LIMITED: TE Scott Chandler (ankle), WR Stevie Johnson (groin), WR Martin Ruvell (hamstring)
Below are photos from Wednesday’s practice.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Britton Colquitt, Buffalo Bills, Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil, Matt Prater, Pro Bowl, Tim Tebow, Von Miller, Week 16, Willis McGahee
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
Sooo Ready for Saturday!!!
I hope Royal is healthy this week… Alot of people are down on him, but when he is healthy and used properly he gives the Bronco’s a slot weapon that few teams can match…
Royal is a number 3 reciever that should be used to exploit mismatches in the slot. He should also be the Punt Returner going into the post season…
This team is built to win in the playoffs, but with the talent level on the Roster they have to play almost perfect football… I hope some of the young guys can step it up in the secondary and keep the Bills down this weekend!!!
PS… Can we please get some production from the TE in the passing game? Please? Pretty Please? Pretty Pretty Please with Sugar on Top?!?
Royal focusing to make a catch! Yes! He CAN do it!
All I want for Christmas is for the receivers to catch passes.
I also would not mind a better defensive effort
I laughed at the comments about the wife that was yelling at the pats on the last blog, freaking hilarious because my wife is the same way. She didn’t know anything about football and now texts me all about the games when I have to work on Sundays or Mondays. She screams at the tv when things don’t go our way, and she’ll ask me about why the refs only call bad plays on us. Now she wants to get the whole family Tebow Jerseys which is fine by me. I would prefer 58 but Im fine with 15.
All I want for Christmas is a playoff berth….a playoff birth….a playoff birth.
Mark Schlereth gaining some pounds…been eating too much of his chile. lol
To continue from the last couple blogs, I am a new blogger. I started blogging during the lockout. I have never blogged in my life and didn’t even know what it was. My 17 year old daughter told me about blogging. I started talking to Bay and asking questions and then I was hooked. I visit the blog at work and spend most nights reading and talking sometimes. I have been married for 1 year to a wonderful man. This is my 2nd marriage and my husband has cerebal palsy and has put in a request with Tim’s foundation to meet him. I am 44 and my hubby is 31. I also have a son who will be 25 in January. I work at a juvenile prison in Okeechobee Florida. I do the payroll and scheduling for 200 staff. I recently got my bachelors degree and I am moving to Gainesville in March 2012 for a better opportunity. I used to be an Area Director of Finance but got laid off after a new company came in and took over. Since I did not have my degree at the time I had to take a payroll tech position with a 13,000.00 a year reduction in pay. Okay so there is my life story in a nut shell.
Yeah it was pretty funny broncsbomber66. I was pretty proud. She is from Minnesota and one night when we were first together i asked her if she had an NFL team and she said no not really so i said ok you are now a Denver Broncos fan, she smiled at me and said ok! She now want to get out to Denver for a game. Her and I have never been to one together, but I am excited to take her! I am from South Dakota and my mom is a season ticket holder, which will be passed on to me. I try to get out there once a year for a game. I love how she is taking an interest in the game!
I would love for Tim to be my son in law but my daughter is NOT his type of girl. She has piercings and a tattoo. She likes metal (slipknot, Korn, Lamb of God etc.) she does not do drugs and is saving herself for marriage but she is not into religion at all. Oh well.
I have never been to a football game in my life, not high school, college or Pro. I hope one day before I die I will get to go.
Wow shaztah, I like your story, you and your husband are the same age difference as me and my fiance, though I am the older one. I joke around with friends that I am 33 and was able to snag a 24 yr old!! (when we met, now 25). I said it is because I’m the man, people who know me find that to be very funny, probably because I am not like that at all, pretty laid back and humble. In truth I often look at her and think I can not believe how blessed I am and have no idea what I did to get her but I’m happy that God found me worthy of her in my life!
Wow. Good to hear some of the blogger’s stories. Gives me a sense of humanity to know a little something about some of the bloggers here. I haven’t been blogging for long, came into it a little bit during the McDaniel’s tenure but mostly treated to blog to vent my frustrations. During our 1-4 stretch earlier in the year, It was actually a little comforting to read about other people’s similar rants. I called it my Blogs Anonymous. Actually felt better after I vented and it was good to read some of the comments by some of the veteran bloggers here.
Shaz – Lead for Korn had a radical transformation. He is now a Christian and doing good. I forget his name but his videos are on You-tube. Your daughter will know who I am talking about. Still sorry about your exposure to the fake kind of christian thing.
I like to hear everyones stories as well – I am certain that most of you, just like myself, look at your ‘life-in-a-paragraph’ – and find it fairly weak and frustrating. But it is better than nothing. Feels something like a tombstone where your life gets summed up in the dash between dates.
Enjoying the Ride – with all of y’all!!!
Daddy, guitarists name of Korn: Brian (Head) Welch. A true transformation too. He left the band after getting saved.
He was the guitarist and his name is Brian Welch AKA “Head”. One of my favorite bands besides Linkin Park is Skillett, they are a christian rock band. They are really good.
Cool that you know that Strand
Shaztah, Your husbands a lucky man, God bless. Not many gals out there are like you.
Do you guys think that Brady Quinn will stay?
Thanks Strand but I am the lucky one
I don`t like Korn, not my type of metal. But love the story of Brian Welch, He takes care of his own daughter due to his exwife being a drug junky, An amazing story.
I went through a bad devorce 2 years ago. I left my ex, she was a severe alcoholic. I`m hoping to get it right the next time. Takes a little patience is all.
I really do like him too, Hubby being a Browns fan was a big supporter of Quinn and he was so mad that they never gave him a fair shot. They preferred Derek Anderson of all people to him. Sad situation. I really think he needs a shot at starting somewhere and adjusting to being a QB. Another QB that I think will get messed over with the Brown’s is Colt McCoy. He was so good at Texas (Just ask Tebow).
Talk to yall later, I`m off to church.
Brady Quinns sister is married to the Packer LB A.J. Hawk.
I just have this feeling about Jeremiah Johnson… He could be the Knowshon that we are still waiting for… I like his quickness
Strand I was married to my first for 22 years and he also was a drunk. I supported the family for the last 8 years that we were married and I missed a lot with my kids. I worked 2 jobs and went to college. My current husband made me quit my 2nd job right away he said his social security would make up for it and my family needed my time. Don’t rush it, I made new hubby wait almost 3 years before I would agree to marry him.
Papacy he sure gets excited…Did you see him jumping and screaming when tebow was miked?
I thought after the final pre-season game that -apart from a major injury – Quinn had played his final game in the NFL.
I think that Quinn has the physical ability to be a great QB – but the stuff that has to happen between the ears – his brain doesn’t process fast enough. He has been plagued with poor decisions. The NFL just doesn’t give a guy the time and losses to get up to speed. I think Quinn goes free agent and I would be surprised if anyone picks him up.
Thanks Shaz. There`s a woman at my church who I really like and we are good friends. It`s a start. She`s a successful personin the workforce. I`m taking it slow, she`s making me. LOL1 She a neat gal and loves God.
We need a QB in the draft, say the 5th round.
S.D. That is great and good luck. Little advice to you if you don’t mind. The little things are what matters most. Little notes, a kiss and hug when you see her, fix a dinner for her stuff like that. My hubby did the sweetest thing ever for our first anniversary. He took me to see the new twilight movie even though he hates those movies. He didn’t complain or make fun of me when I cried, now that is love LOL.
I hope we keep Weber too.
S.D. just now read your story, It`s whats in the heart not numbers of age at our age anyway. Hey, your both adults.
Strand and Shaz – you killed this one! LOL
yup … stories sure to make help see a blog name as more than just a name but a person behind it. Great story … until you said your daughter was not Tims type, I was convinced you weren’t going to gainesville for a better opportunity but to see if you could set up an arranged marriage with Tims family for your daughter LOL
Man JJ is my boy. Liked him in preseason and he seams like an all round great guy and excitable guy. Prefer him over ball but maybe thats Bias … never been a ball guy but he has done alot for this team. People say we need RBs … dunno … not yet at least. We have McGahee, Moreno, JJ, Ball and lets all not forget Mario Fannin who was absolutely killing it in camp before he got hurt. Like 230 pounds with 4.3 speed. Kids a beast. But I like JJ … great hands (somethign ball lacks) and great running skills. Heck he once lined up at reciever in a game and tebow his a quick throw to him. Kid can do it all and is a great complementary back. Still like knowshon but as fars as ive seen, JJ has the edge on him because JJ (so far) has managed to stay healthy … but don’t get it twisted, Moreno can bring it. I still believe.
TRB
Would love Brady Quinn back … team guy. He got the biggest bum wrap out of all our QBs in this QQ but he has handled it like a champ and is always seen talking to Tebow on the sidelines. Great Guy. Still wish he could succeed in the NFL, but he will never have a chance if he remains here so it maybe best if he goes. Weber would be nice to bring back too … dunno much about him or his skill minus the little he played but for some reason I like the kid. If its not BQ we will need another vet QB I think.
TRB
Just got done watching the NE /Broncos game again on NFL instant replay. I was more impressed with Tebow than the first time around. Frankly, that lousy NE defense – was totally on their game. Sad thing was that it looked like it was the Broncos who were winded in the 4th. Hernandez ….never mind…need I say more?
I’m new and I have been reading seriously since the lockout. I’ve figured some things out, like the fight, friendly fight, over whether TT is a legit qb. I’ve been a fan since the last playoff run and we lost to the steelers on their cheating SB run. (still waiting for that rematch and seems like ill get it this year!) I am 14 and argue with my older bro over Tebow all football season long. hoping for a good run in the playoffs. and a question for baylinorcrush, daddybronc, and Bronco_Turtle: are the broncos really going to finally make the playoffs and have people respect them again?
I got abandoned tonight. Me and my two biggest boys (21 & 15). We even had to fix our own dinner! (Hormel Chile and Top Ramen) LOL
I have softball in an hour – anybody out there???
Brandon,
I’d be willing to bet my last dollar that the Broncos are going to the playoffs this year –
but, I wouldn’t be willing to be anyone else last dollar.
I’d be real surprised if the Broncos go very far in the Playoffs this year – but I am going to bet on them anyway! They are just the type of high character team that could win a Super Bowl by accident.
Brandon – Glad you are aboard and don’t take anything off the older bro on behalf the Broncos!!!
Enjoy the Ride!!!
Are people going to respect the Broncos?
I think that Tebow at QB has brought more notice and respectability to the team than it has had since John Elway played. He is a great story and he has the attention of the entire football world – for the moment. It is going to be great fun to watch the rest of this year and the next few years unfold. Kick back and enjoy it!
hey dbronc..you can bet my dollar,shoot ill even give you two..lol
Thanks 777. Not like risky are we. LOL
i hope and pray that all fans of the nfl, have a happy and blessed new year . sometimes in life we forget to enjoy the simple things in life, and get to caught up in the problems of everyday life. sometimes we have to stop and remember that things could be so much worse..enjoy your friends and family, and remember to tell the people that are important in our lives, just how much they mean to us.. weather you believe in higher power or not..remember that as long as you have family and friends, your never alone..have a merry christmas everyone………. broncfan forever.
i cant wait for christmas i walked in my moms room the other day and saw a pair of broncos slippers i dont think i was was supposed to see them but i cant wait to get them they are awsome.
is there a way to change your username?
i also got my daughter a sweet polaris four wheeler power wheel i think she is gonna love it.
millerqbkiller: how do you know they are for you?
im the only broncos fan in my family i hope there for me i guess.lol
4 more questions: is Dennis Allen finally going to get the d to get the “takeaways” hes been promising since the lockout?
Will the broncos draft someone who will pick baileys brain and get picks next season?
Will Ayers ever do ANYTHING?
Will J. Thomas get to play?
THAT could be a hint
LOL