With a little less than three weeks remaining in Pro Bowl fan voting, Broncos fans are making their voices heard.
Five Broncos are among the top five vote-getters at their respective positions in the AFC — cornerback Champ Bailey, punter Britton Colquitt, safety Brian Dawkins, linebacker Von Miller and quarterback Tim Tebow.
Four of those five players were among the top five in mid-November, and Bailey has since joined that list.
It would mark the first Pro Bowl selection for Colquitt, Miller and Tebow, the ninth trip for Dawkins and the 11th for Bailey.
Voting is still open, and will end on Dec. 19 at the conclusion of the Monday Night Football matchup between the Steelers and 49ers.
The teams will be announced 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.
PREPARING FOR PONDER
In Minnesota, Christian Ponder stepped in under center in Week 7 and has led the Vikings to one of their two wins on the season.
During that stretch, the rookie signal caller has thrown for 1,042 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions, running for 132 yards and fumbling three times.
Dawkins said he has been impressed with what the young quarterback has been able to do.
“He’s doing a good job from what I can see,” Dawkins said. “They’ve lost some close games, and they’ve been in the games. He’s absolutely mobile. You can kind of see him pull away from guys when he tucks the ball and decides to run with it. Then, he has the mobility to get outside the pocket and still put the ball on the money down the field. He’s doing some good things that I can see on film.”
Two weeks ago in a close loss against Oakland, Ponder ran for 71 yards in addition to his 211 yards passing. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen said that double-threat can cause problems for a defense.
“I think he’s athletic, obviously,” Allen said. “He can really scramble around, extend the play, and that’s something we have to really contend with. I think he really throws the ball pretty well. I’ve been really impressed with this guy. I think he’s going to be an exceptional quarterback.”
BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES
One of the biggest challenges for the Broncos offense on Sunday will be contending with defensive end Jared Allen.
The three-time Pro Bowler ranks second in the NFL with 13.5 sacks — three ahead of the Broncos’ rookie pass-rusher, Von Miller.
Allen typically lines up on the right side of the defense, meaning he will match up with left tackle Ryan Clady, who Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy said will be up for the challenge.
“We rely on him to do it all,” McCoy said of the 2009 Pro Bowler. “I’ve got no fear at all putting him one-on-one against the best guy we play each week. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Ryan Clady, as a staff we do, as an organization (we do). He’s an outstanding left tackle, and he’s exactly what you want.”
Still, the team won’t necessarily leave Clady on an island.
“There are plenty of times where we’re going to help him, because you want to do that,” he continued. “You want that guy to know that there is going to be a presence, [that] he’s going to be chipped, or that somebody’s going to be there.”
“Then again, I have a lot of confidence in Ryan to say, ‘Hey, if there are certain plays I need you, we’re going to count on you. We’ll single you up,’ and I have no questions at all that he’s going to win.”
As for McCoy, he’s excited to watch the matchup unfold.
“It’s going to be a great game for both of them,” he said. “They’re both outstanding players, Pro Bowl-caliber players. They play extremely hard every play. It’ll be a battle every play.”
Below are photos from Thursday’s practice, which was moved indoors due to plenty of snowfall in Denver.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Britton Colquitt, Champ Bailey, Christian Ponder, Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings, Pro Bowl, Ryan Clady, Tim Tebow, Von Miller, Week 13
Do we pass out of the same formations that we run the option out of? If so, how is it suppose to be so easy to stop? If the D designates a guy to the running back and a guy to the QB, wont that open up the underneath passing
I’M GONNA BE AT THE GAME!!! I’ve been waiting to be at this game for as long as I can remember. 4 years ago when the Vikings played at Mile High, i realized that in 4 more years they will be playing in Minnesota and I live in South Dakota so I couldnt wait for this opportunity. I’ll be representing the away team! Go Broncos!
Also very glad our players are getting the recognition for the Pro Bowl!
It is extremely difficult to win in the NFL especially on the road. This game will be tough just like most of the games in the Tebow era. I for one am enjoying the ride as the margin for error has been small and the Broncos are showing true character in the face of adversity. As for Hoge and all of the prognosticators I pay them little or no attention. In pro sports everybody has an opinion which fuels the fans fervor for what is going on with their favorite team. I can speak from experience (24 years coaching, 12 at the collegiate level) that the speculation and opinions from the outside though interesting have little to do with the day to day operations of the team. Glad to see that the Broncos are interesting again and am glad that the excitement and fan discussions reflect this. Love this comment thread and Broncos Country message board, gives us a chance to talk about our team and the greatest game in the world. Thanks for the info Bay, very informative.
These are the guys i voted for as well … woulda been great if we could get DJ, Doom and Someone from the Oline in there but its all good. These are difenitely the 5 I think deserve it. And yes even Tebow … because AFC got no QBs this year. Rivers is playing like trash and Manning is hurt. Only QB to represent the AFC is Brady … and Maybe big ben .. and then for excitement factor IMO … Tebow … I wonder if coaches and players will vote him in. Especially if this streak continues. TRB
Dunno if its been mentioned but am i the only one excited about Pits v Bengals … one of them gotta lose and that could help us secure a wild card spot worst comes to worst. They are both currently taking the wild card spots.
ESPN has released the Simulations for week 13…
It has Denver winning 14-13…
TRB_ In a perfect world for Denver the Raiders, the Titans and the Bengals would all lose this weekend…
We hold a head to head tie breaker with Cincy but not Tennessee. I’d just as soon see the Raiders get busted up by the Fishes to give us the inside track on Hosting a first Round game!
i think miami wins they have looked pretty good since we played them
Prediction : Broncos 23 – Vikings 20
The vikings have been hanging in there late in 4th Q in most games this season but have found a way to lose most of them. Hope that trend continues on Sunday.
Von Miller will be motivated by Jared on the other sideline and could have his first 3sack game against a rookie qb.
LOL – may have to scratch Von Miller 3 sack prediction after catching up on older blog and reading about his thumb injury. Had not had time to catch up on the blogs/news all week because of travel with work.
If he plays injured thumb or not he will get the 3 sacks.
To all the steady bloggers on here, I really enjoy my Saturday mornings catching up on your discussions, no matter if you believe in Tebow or not – think it is all down to our defense or not etc. With one or to noteful exeptions it mostly very insightful to read your comment and learn from your football knowledge.. Keep up the posting.
5 Broncos to the Pro Bowl……well deserved boys,that’s what you get for working your tails off,wished Clady and Bunkley would make it too!
Oh yeah:
Broncs 20
Vikes 17
Official prediction Broncos 21 – 17 Vikings. We should win playing mistake free ball as usual . Just something about this game making me nervous. This feels like a trap game. It is undoubtedly a must win.
Fingers crossed
Go get em broncos!!!
BFE, reminder about the pro bowl, this is only the fans voting part which accounts for only a third, no way we’ll get 5 in.
QB, Tebow won’t get in because of Brady, Big Ben and even Dalton.
OLB, Miller will lose out to Lamarr Woodley, Terrel Suggs but may be in a battle with Tamba Hali for back up.
CB, Bailey’s competition is Revis because of reputation, Kyle Arrington and Brandon Flowers so he has a good chance.
S, Dawk has no shot with Polamalu, Ed Reed and Eric Weddle.
P, Colquitt is the most deserving yet will probably lose out to Shane Lechler and since there is no back up at the punter position his only shot will be down the road as an alternate if Lechler can’t go.
I say we get two in, Bailey as a starter and Miller as a back up.
And we’ll find out Dec 19th.
In my opinion the Miami game for the Raiders and the Vikings game for us could be trap games. You always say you don’t overlook an opponent, but subconciously you may a rep or two off or you may let up just a tinly little bit giving your opponent an opportunity. I sure hope the Raiders lose, but we need to prepare for the Vikings hardcore.
I still think our first game of the season is going to haunt us. You know if we won that game a number of things may have chaged. But lets just say for the sake of arguement we won our first game against the Raiders and everything played out as it has. We’d be on top of the AFC West! Does anyone still think one game doesn’t make a season? Every game counts mathmatically or not.
That’s the past I guess no sense dwelling but I was just thinking of that for a while just all these what ifs, I’ve got to stop that though. Tebow won’t make it to the Pro Bowl because he’s Tebow.
Good Morning!
TGIF and one day closer to game day………..always puts a little spring in my step anticipating a broncos game……….
Been mulling it over and because it worked for me two weeks ago and I shoulda stuck with it to work again last week, I’m going to it again.
Broncos: 17
Vikings: 13
I think the Vikings D will be tough to run against……..and will be competitive in this game. They’ve been in pretty much every game this season and just found ways to lose at the end.
I also think our D will keep them in check for the whole game……
Again, it won’t be a pretty game………but as long as we win, who really gives a crap, right?
Will also be looking at the Bengals game against the Steelers too………hopefully they lose that one and put us in a better position for the wildcard incase the raiders don’t stumble.
GO BRONCOS!
can’t look back at the past brian………if we won a few of those close games, orton would prob still be our starter and we would’nt be in this situation………..
Brian, I’m sure you recall me saying over and over that first game was a huge loss and one we would live to regret while the blog kept telling us it was only one game, Mike, Coop Sacco and most of the bloggers. Every game counts, specially the opening one at home against a division opponent, that one could get us to lose the division, let’s hope not. I have always been arguing here the mathematical thing with Mike, to me games are mathematical way before they get to be mathematical if that makes any non mathematical sense, LOL.
killerkod being original with his score prediction, LOL.
Not sure if you guys saw this, but here are two interesting facts about our #58:
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month Von Miller is third in league history among first-year players in sacks through 11 games. Leslie O’Neal had 11.5 in 1986. Julius Peppers had 11 in 2002. Miller is the only rookie in NFL history with nine games notching at least a half-sack through a team’s first 11 contests.
According to Stats Inc., OLB Von Miller is the only rookie and one of just seven NFL players to have more than 55 tackles and zero missed tackles this season.
I agree I think every game is a crucial game. Fox’s whole “we were one of the 50% of teams that didn’t win their first game” or “one game doesn’t make a season.” mentality I didn’t really appreciate. I can say one game doesn’t make a season but if you say that for 17 weeks..it does make the season. I’m not sayin’..I’m just sayin’.
That’s like what the 3rd prediction of 17-13…
Very impressive stuff indeed, but he got benched too, obviously still far from perfect in all his assignements, maybe that’s why he has zero mistackles because when he doesn’t make one he missed his assignement so bad no way he could have a shot at it, LOL, just kidding, he is obviously the greatest thing since #58, but just keeping things in perpective, we only have one Savior on this team, LMAO!
maybe I’ll change my handle to killerkod17-13 hahaha!
17killer13kod sounds good.
have you posted yours bay?
Haha! I hope you are referring to Miller as being our only savior Bay…
Not knocking Tebow, and really hope he can be our QB so that we can use our high picks on other needs, but this kid Miller is something else… I can’t get over how luck we were, when you consider this year draft not having an elite pass russer and also the rookie wage scale.. I guess everything happens for a reason!
Only if you can have a D Savior, but I was thinking Overall Supreme Savior, LOL.
None of your business killerkod, haha.
assuming we beat the chiefs………and the raiders win out against the AFC West………..that would put us tied for division record, with a 1-1 record head on………….would it then go to conference record? We are ahead of them in that regard right now as well by one game.
Gotcha… I guess you also have to consider the that the the overall supreme savior also has a higher calling… Robin just can’t compete with all that… LOL
a little fiesty today bay………..I like it! haha
TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.
Two Clubs
1.Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5.Strength of victory.
6.Strength of schedule.
7.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9.Best net points in common games.
10.Best net points in all games.
11.Best net touchdowns in all games.
12.Coin toss
So it goes to common games before conference.
I’m WAY behind on comments.. Have you guys discussed the possibility of Webb getting into the game on Sunday? If so, any thoughts?
So a fins victory would help in more ways than 1!
Has the tiebreaker ever gotten to step 12 before?
wow, that would have to be two extremely even teams to have to get to that point………..lol
My guess is that it has never happened……….but I could be totally wrong.
btw – that lynch TD run last night was so sick……….how he came out of that pile of players still on his feet was amazing. Def a play of the year contender at least.
While I hate to root for the chargers………I hope they demolish the raiders in the last game of the season……..it might just come down to that last game they way things are looking!
Well I went and voted for Chris Kuper, Orlando Franklin, Von Miller, Champ, Dawkins, Colquitt, Beadles, Tebow and a few others although I agree with bay’s assessment of how it will likely shake out.
I’m scared of this game. They are 2-9, it’s inside and they aren’t playing for anything. Although I’m gonna predict the Broncos win.
Broncos 20
Vikings 13
We could be in the lead in the AFC west after this week based on tiebreaker rule #2 bay posted. I’m sure that’s been discussed here but….
It’s getting to the point in the season where teams like the Vikings or Miami are playing with nothing to lose. Sometimes that kind desperation can yield favorable results. We need to watch our for the gimicks, i.e. fake punts and field goals and all the trick plays.
Well since I started to predict the Broncos to loose they have won. That has made me superstitious!! If I pick them to win, which I want to, and they loose I will be mad at myself. I HATE predicting them to loose but this game does scare me, for many of the reasons all of you have said. I am not a hater, I love this team, how they are playing and am a Tebow fan. I am super excited about this team and have had a blast watching them this year, especially lately. I am not sure if anyone has picked a loss on this game yet. So here is to hoping they continue to make me wrong.
Queens 21
Broncos 20
Morning!
OT, yesterday I did discuss the matchup of Webb for the defense… With them having so many injuries I fully expect him to play a big part in the game plan for the week…
As figure since Goody is playing well he will have the full time assignment of Harvin, and since Champ is a better tackler and run supporter he will be shadowing Webb and be around the line of scrimmage…
Webb played QB a little last year and is very mobile… I also expect him to line up in the backfield for at least 5 snaps to give the defense a WildCatish Look…
Odds makers have us as 1 point dogs @Minnesota btw.
killerkod I made a last minute adjustment on my fantasy roster to start Lynch last night. I was happy but I also have Shady McCoy against me. He scored one less point than Lynch. That was a great run.
Maybe the Vikes are going to use Webb to run the read option and beat us at our own game…?
Hello all! Couple of thoughts I had:
1. I like the boys playing in a dome! I think the strength of our defense is speed and aggression. Put these warriors on inside field conditions and I think by a landslide advantage Broncos! No slipping or gripping issues just raw speed, strength and aggression! I like it! Plus if there is any team as of late that can handle road games, isn’t our beloved Broncos!
2. I think Miller will play! 150% He’s a tough kid and I bet you the farm they’ll wrap it, get him in warm ups during pre-kick off and make a game time decision! You can take all the “one game at a time” theories you want, but this coaching staff knows they have a chance at the playoffs and you need one of your brightest stars out there! Considering the injury, he’ll play and be fantastic! Mark my words! We can’t afford not to! I don’t care about the “next man up theory” that’s great when you have some time but not when you have 5 games left and you’re in the thick of the playoff race and it’s a thumb injury on a defensive end/LB…you bet it’s next man up! We’re talking about you Von! We need you! There is no “next man” next to you my friend. And if there was he is already playing on the other side…remember……Batman over there!
3. Miami will bring their “A” game no doubt. There is a laundry list of coaches and players playing for contractual guarantees and job security! Plus you have a division leader coming in, what better way to say “hey, we’ve started to turn this season around” by knocking off a divisoinal leader. I look for Miami to win this one.
4. Pittsburgh just do your job and beat the Bengals! Acutally sick of watching both of you! bunch of bottom feeders!
5. Lastly, I mentioned earlier about the speed that could be a huge benefit for us. For that reason, I look for 4 people to have big days. Tebow in his rushing game. McGahee with his running. Decker’s deceiving speed getting above the secondary for a deep threat. And Lastly a shout out to The Blogfather’s boy Willis. I look for him to have a big impact with Royal nursing his injury.
Broncos 27
other team 17
GO GET EM’ BOYS!