As the opening game draws nearer, the excitement about starting the season against the division rival Raiders on Monday night continues to grow.
Gone is #84 Jerry Porter, who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent, but in came former Bronco Javon Walker. And one of the most exciting matchups looks to be when either Dre’ Bly or Champ Bailey lines up across from their old teammate.
Both Bly and Bailey spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice, and both cornerbacks talked about what it’s going to be like going up against Walker.
Bly is fairly accustomed to seeing Walker from when they both played in the NFC North. As a Detroit Lion, Bly faced off against Walker when he played for the Green Bay Packers. It’s a matchup that Bly enjoys and hopes to win come Monday night.
“Javon has been to Pro Bowls and put up great numbers in this league,” Bly said. “It’s something I’m looking forward to. He’s an old buddy of mine that I’ve played against a lot.”
But Walker has been fighting a hamstring injury this week, and that brings about questions as to whether or not he would even play in the game.
“I’ll be disappointed (if he doesn’t play),” Bly said. “When you play against some of the top receivers, they bring out the best in you. Unfortunately I think he tweaked his hamstring yesterday. I’m sure he’s going to do whatever he needs to do to try to get ready for this game. Of all the games he wanted to play this year, this probably was the one — nationally televised, playing against his former team.”
Another question on all the reporters’ minds — which side has the advantage?
“Well it goes both ways a little bit, but when it all comes down to it, it’s just competition,” Bailey said. “All of that stuff will probably go right out the window. It’s going to be a little strange seeing him in a different uniform, but I’m ready for it.”
BACK IN ACTION
While Champ prepares to take on Walker, his younger brother Boss is simply getting ready to get back into the action on the field. He sprained his ankle on the team’s first defensive series against the Houston Texans in the first week of the preseason.
“When I did it, I thought it was worse than what it came out to be,” Bailey said of the injury. “It still took a little time to heal. I’m definitely excited I’m back for the first game. There’s no more doubt about me playing this Monday.”
But just because he only saw action for a few plays in the preseason doesn’t mean he’s not ready. Bailey said there is no rust to shake off and that he’s ready to start laying some hits again.
He’s especially looking forward to taking on the Raiders’ potent rush attack, led by Justin Fargas and 2008 first-round pick Darren McFadden.
“Both those backs are fast, tough. I’m sure they’ll find ways to get them the ball as many times as possible. They’re going to come with everything they’ve got this weekend,” Bailey said. “We’re expecting it. It’s going to be a big challenge. It’s going to take all 11 men to stop that running game. We just have to prepare hard. We’ve been preparing hard all week, and we’ve got to be ready for it.”
The Raiders had the sixth-ranked rush offense in 2007, and with the addition of McFadden, they look to have another big year running the ball, but Bailey is confident that the Broncos linebackers can take care of business.
“Nate Webster’s going to come hit you in the mouth. I think he probably loves football more than anybody in this building,” Bailey said of his teammate manning the middle. And as for D.J. Williams?
“A lot of effort. Athletic ability. Leadership. He’s going to come out and strike you too. He plays hard. He’s just a good leader out there on the field.”
PIERCE WAIVED, SAPP RELEASED
The team waived tight end Brett Pierce and released fullback Cecil Sapp after reaching injury settlements with the players, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced Thursday.
Pierce, a third-year player, was designated waived/injured by Denver on Saturday. He joined the Broncos as a future-contract signee on Dec. 31.
Sapp, a sixth-year player, was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. In 49 career games with the Broncos, he posted 49 rushes for 223 yards with two touchdowns, 24 receptions for 102 yards with one score and nine kickoff returns for 187 yards.
INJURY UPDATE: There are no changes to the injury report for the Broncos, but the Raiders have shaken things up by listing Walker, who did not participate in practice today in Oakland.
Defensive end Kalimba Edwards also did not participate today, and safety Rashad Baker had limited participation with an ankle injury.
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Adam Zinser, Boss Bailey, Brett Pierce, Cecil Sapp, Champ Bailey, D.J. Williams, Dre Bly, Nate Webster, Oakland Raiders, Transactions
Hopefully Boss plays. I saw him on several occasions with the Lions, but I’m not really sure how good he is. If he fits into the scheme, he’ll be good enough, I suppose. I think the Broncos have enough firepower, even in Marshall’s absence, to pull this one out so bring on the Raiders! We’ll win. GO BRONCOS!!!
Opening with the Raiders and thier talented running attack will be a true test if the Denver D is improved over last year. You throw in the size of thier QB and his talents, stopping the ground game will be tough. Go Broncos - Beat the Raiders
I thought the Raiders looked pretty goo out of the box last year and would have a winning season, glad I was wrong! Saw a “Raiders suck” bumper sticker on the way to work yesterday, lots of Bronco fans up here in Wyoming looking forward to knocking the snot out of the Raiders Monday night!
Go Broncos!
Sapp waived!!! Wow!!!! Shanny must have a lot of confidence in Hillis, Pittman and Larsen. Sapp cetainly wasn’t a top notch FB, but it’s still a shock when you look at what the Broncos currently have at FB, a rookie in Hillis, a hybrid RB/FB in Pittman and a LB/FB in Larsen. It’ a position that will cetainly bear watching throught the season.
As much as I hate the raiders, despite their horrendous record they beat the Broncos last year. This is always a good game. Broncos run defense seems better to say the least but pass rush is still a big question mark. Echoing many others, someone opposite Dumerville NEEDS to step up. I hope the Broncos shine their brightest under the monday night lights and show America we are contenders! Destroy the Raiders!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!
Let’s think about this for a minute!
We had a sick QB, broken D Line, a stud LB’r playing out of his position, an entire defensive scheme that sucked as a whole, a RB that we didn’t really see until week 5 that should’ve started….etc……
I love how the national media is looking past the boys! Anyone scared of the Giants? WOW!
Raiders….you freakin’ bunch of spider monkeys, your greedy QB and #1 draft pick are getting exactly what you don’t want! A bunch of Broncos pissed off that you even exsist. We have unfinished business to take care of and actually YOU’RE IN OUR WAY!!!
p.s. Just so you know, unfortuantely you’ll have to come to Invesco for the same a$$ kicking later in the year….sorry!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Well i am shocked to see Sapp waived…i don’t question it at all, but just surprised i guess.
I know the raiders haven’t done hardly anything in the past few years but it looks like they might be gettin better. I agree that this will be a ghood test to our run defense. Since we didn’t do a whole lot in the preseason except basic D, i am eager to see us against the Oakland rushing game. I expect us to do well, but i think if we run blitz a litlle than that will get the rush stopped and a shot at sacks, cause i have confidence that Bly and Bailey will hold down the passing game and Russell wn’t have an open target to throw to in time before we knock him on the ground!! hope we show everyone what we have this year…and scare the hell out of San Diego!!! Go Denver Defense!!!!!
We’re going into Raiderville on Monday Night !! It’s going to be great to see our Team on primetime !! We do need to stop the RUN, and keep the ball in the hands of our offense. If Boss is ready - that’s great ! Hopefully he will stay healthy the rest of the year! Can’t wait to see Woodyard get some reps on defense!! GO BRONCOS!!!
Hopefully and I believe that Boss has the same type of instincts as his older brother, the Champ-ion also has good speed at least on Madden that what it says. I can’t remember what year but Madden had Boss speed at a 97. Yea I know its gone down even by Madden ratings but he should do great.
I really want to see the Broncos just come out quick and punch em in the mouth show a mean streak on d and come out firing. Im really excited this year with the personel and the new scheme. Im real anxious to see Selvin hope he runs for a buck fifty or more with a TD because i think with Bmarsh out the game is gonna be on how good the running game is unless Eddie Royal has a great game. I hope Domonique Foxworth becomes a good corner i really wish the best for him. Cant wait for monday GO BRONCOS!!!!
ALL READY!!!
Let get it on
All I am hearing on game analysis is: “Who is Cutler going to throw to?” I guess the analysts don’t bother to look at the roster. I hope Hillis gets in the mix early and often. Cutler won’t have any shortage of weapons Monday. He will just be missing our biggest threat, not our only threat. When Marshall gets back, Cutler will have more than he needs. For now, we will have to settle for just enough.