Demaryius Thomas summed up the Colts defense in two players.
“Two defensive ends that play,” he said. “The whole defense is fast.”
Head Coach Josh McDaniels took a similar stance.
“They have very disruptive players, which starts with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the edge — who get to the quarterback plenty and also take the ball away,” he said.
Last year’s AFC Pro Bowl starters at defensive end both start for the Colts. Together they have seven combined Pro Bowl selections and 153 sacks.
Neither defensive lineman tips the scales heavier than 270 pounds, and neither is taller than 6-foot-2, so they rely on leverage and — most of all — speed.
“Their defensive ends are as fast as a lot of teams’ wide receivers and backs,” McDaniels said.
Preparing for the tandem requires a creative mind. This week it means pitting two of the team’s defensive backs against the offensive line to give the linemen an idea of the style they’ll see on Sunday.
“They are going to be spinning, they are going to be rushing and they are going to line up a yard offside, too,” McDaniels said. “Anything we can do to simulate it, that’s what we are going to try and do.”
Freeney and Mathis outweigh Cassius Vaughn and David Bruton by a combined 107 pounds, but the Denver defensive backs will line up at defensive end on the scout team to simulate the speed of the Colts’ pass rushers.
“It’s going to be exciting to play a defensive end spot that you haven’t played,” Vaughn said.”(I’ll) just go out there and freelance a little bit, go against people bigger than you and try to outwork them a little bit.”
Of course Vaughn and Bruton can’t mix in the power-rush moves in Mathis and Freeney’s repertoire.
“It doesn’t matter what we do in practice, we are not going to be able to simulate Freeney and Mathis,” McDaniels said.
But they can try, and putting two of the teams fastest players at end is a good start.
“With Freeney and Mathis just being so fast off the ball, it’s going to help us a lot,” Vaughn said. “Whatever is going to help the team, I’m just going to try my best in doing it.”
VOTE FOR THOMAS
Following a debut in which he caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, Demaryius Thomas is up for multiple NFL awards online. You can vote for the wide receiver to win Pepsi Rookie of the Week here, and you can vote for his day to be named the GMC Never Say Never moment of Week 2 here.
BRIGGS SIGNS TO PRACTICE SQUAD
The Broncos signed linebacker Diyral Briggs to the practice squad. The 6-foot-4, 230 pound defender originally signed with the 49ers in 2009 as a college free agent from Bowling Green. He suited up for San Francisco in four games last year and the first game of this season. Now he takes over the practice squad spot vacated by Andre Brown, who was recently elevated to the active roster.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are photos from today’s practice:
Tags: 2010, Andre Brown, Cassius Vaughn, David Bruton, Denver Broncos, Diyral Briggs, Dwight Freeny, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Robert Mathis
The Colts game last year was a very tough game for our team to lose mentally I think, they were so close and really should of won it and it somehow kept them falling apart for the remainder of the season. If we do lose I hope they don’t take it so hard this time around, with 13 games to go after this one, there will be no time to feel sorry for themselves if they lose this one, hopefully they can move on quickly, it is what McD is trying to change, not getting those 4 game losing streaks.
Actually, I’m not going to take the credit for that, even though I do recognize Clark’s talent, another blogger brought it up very nicely yesterday:
broncos20 says:
September 22, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Im not really concerned about covering their 1 and 2 WRs..Dawk and Hill will be busy this upcoming game if Nate and Cox start. Im more concered about their slot and especially TE Dallas Clark. Historically, he’s been torching any LB covering him and this is still a problem in our defense. Last week, Dawk was truly playing FS running around baiting and covering Seattls Carlson, but that was because Bailey and Goody kept those WR in check…So we could see another big day for their TE…I look to see Peyton make quick throws to Clark on their first drive.
Reading some of these blogs would make you think Indy can’t be beat and the Broncos don’t have a chance. On paper that is true. On paper Dallas shud be 2-0 but are 0-2, Vikes same thing. Tampa Bay and Chicago 2-0. Go figure. Guess that is why the game is played on the field and not on paper. We are six point underdogs so just have to find or stop that one touchdown difference. Any given Sunday. Go TEAM Broncos!
Hell we had 3 interceptions against him last year and still lost,unfortunately he threw for 4 TDs.I just hope Champ and Goody both can go Sunday,then we would at least have a shot.
Yes, I had a post where I ended saying for this game I was going to have to rely on any given Sunday and make it my mantra for the week, but some of us write so much stuff unless you read it all you miss lots of it:
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY…ANY GIVEN SUNDAY… ANY GIVEN SUNDAY…
That’s the best I got for Sunday, that and hoping for multiple turnovers.
Looks like we’ll need 4 turnovers, since last year 3 just fell short.
I look at it this way,if we can actually run the ball effectively,since they do have a weakness against the run,we got a shot,if we can keep Manning off the field as much as possible,but on the other hand,he dosen’t need much time to light it up,I read that someone said blitz him,you can’t blitz him,he’ll torch your ass,you have to get pressure on him,but blitzing won’t work.
I like your motto:ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.
Well nice chattin’ but gotta run,talk to you soon bro.
On a positive note, and it tickles me to death because it is so deserved, and will maybe be a start to righten the biggest injustice on our team:
A spokesperson for the Broncos Team Store said there have been enough recent purchases of Orton jerseys for additional orders to be placed.
My gosh how would any team fan feel right about themselves sporting our back up QB Tebow jerseys everywhere in the stadium while our starting Orton QB gets the shaft!?!?! I’m real happy to see this might start turning around, gotta support the current players, not the if, maybe players of the future, just saying.
lets go cassius clay. i mean vaughn. knock these receivers out if u start on sunday.
Vaughn is only third string.
Colts jumped out 14-0 last time we play them and then 21-7 at halftime.
Broncos made it a game as we pulled within 5 pts at 21-16 when Manning lost his touch, …three int’s. Broncos also failed to convert 2 pt conversion on last TD to pull within three. Manning finally got it together for one more score and put the game away… 28-16.
Our red zone O looks improved and if we give Orton a little time, he should be able to go through his reads and find the open man. Our run offense needs to get it going this weekend. We abandoned it last year after we fell behind, but then again most Teams do vs. Colts.
Our Defense held them to 28 pts which the best in recent years.
Let’s see who matches up with Clark. We had nickel D last time out vs. Manning. Like bay says, if we can get some turnovers and capitalize…that’s the key.
Good to get them on our field for a change and the 12th man better help make a difference!!
Tough game going against the best in the business in Manning but never say never….right ?
Broncos 34 Colts 30
Go Broncos!!!!!
Well Baylin, just like you, I always look at the realistic side of every game we play against teams! This game, against the Colts, we will win 37-34!
Here is why!
First off, we have Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris back in the lineup. That is me guessing that Harris will be playing since he is already practicing on Wednesday! Brown and Maroney will also be back playing so I see them getting time, especially Maroney, this weekend! I think our running game is finally going to open up and surprise people this weekend!! I think Moreno will finally have his first 100 yard game and see Maroney show his worth with why we picked him up! Our wide receivers will also have a big game! Just remember, last year, against the Colts defense, we put the ball in just one of our receivers hands 21 tiimes! Now we have a better wide receiver core and have basically 4 #1 guys on our receiver core! Also, we have the best record for the last 26 years with playing at home in the whole NFL! I believe it was .765 or something like that!! Our fans will definitely contribute to this game and throw Manning off of his game!! You have to remember, even though he is the best QB right now in the league, it doesn’t do anything good for him whenever he can’t hear plays and the grass under his feet is vibrating!
Orton did very well against their defense last year and Orton has easily doubled in talent from last year!
The thing that will hurt us however significantly is whether Goody and Bailey are playing or not!! Every time I have seen that a player is not practicing at least by Wednesday, he hasn’t been in the starting line up for that weeks game!! I am hopeful that I am wrong. Even though, Bailey did say that he should be good to go whenever we play the Colts so who knows really! If we can at least get one of them to play, preferably Champy, then Cox can play the other CB spot! I would be comfortable with that!!
A lot of people are on here and are acting like it would be a miracle if we won but we about came back and won at their house last year so whenever we play at our house….I think we all know what happens at our house!!
I am excited for this game in a huge way and can’t wait for our boys to come out and honor Kenny’s name and put up a huge win!!
I love me some Broncos Country!
I live in North Cal, so I don’t get to see my Broncos play. Will be reading this blog to get updates
I say 23 – 28 Broncos WIN.
I say we loose 27-33, the colts have a qb that calls his own plays. After two weeks of football we have played teams like the jax and seahawks. While they have played teams like the texans and giants that are pretty good teams. By the way they are the colts enough said. The only way we can win is if manning gets hurts for this game. but I would not like that because then that would be the thing, the media will always bring up. I wish I was wrong on this one because I love it when my broncos win but they have the best qb in the league. If home field advantage was a guarantee win, then their is nothing to be worry about.
60 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL GO BRONCOS!!!
I see that the colt`s are favored by 5 1/2. Come on BRONCO`S!!!!!
rbf1…you said “if we can give Orton a little time”.That’s a BIG if,cause Freeney and Mathis are relentless.Our Oline has a lot of talent,and if they are at full strength,we can give him a little time,but I’m not convinced they are healthy enough to do it.When Clady,Harris,and Kuper are healthy,Walton is a Beast,Beadles has got a ways to go to be considered in the same class as the others,but when all those things come together(jell)we will have one of,if not the best Oline in the NFL.IMO
I would say we can move the ball on the Colts,but can our D hold them under 28 pts,if they can we got a shot,but without Champ and Goody,Peyton will shred our secondary with Wayne,Garcon,Collie,and Clark.Cox,Jones,Thompson,and Vaughn can’t cover those guys and we don’t have a LB that can cover Clark,we have got to put a Saftey or someone with speed on him for sure.Don’t mean to sound negative,cause I LOVE MY BRONCOS but I think we still have to get more healthy to compete with the Colts.
If Doom,Champ,Goody,Moreno,Clady,Harris, and Kuper were all 100% healthy going in I would love our chances,but there not.
thanks Bay for agreeing with my post yesterday..:)..
our TE coverage isnt the best, subpar at times (trying to sound politically correct..aha)..but its true. first week, Jags TE LEwis had a career day. I didnt watch the game but saw how he was able to get into the endzone a couple of times…and David and Lewis arent Peyton and Clark.
Im hoping we have a blast. Someone needs to make a play that shifts the momemtum over to us (i.e. Champs pick last week)..
My keys:
-Keep the offense rolling
-If we are weak at covering TEs, theres a chance they are too (most teams are)
-They’ve pretty average CBs, quick passes might be good then doublemoves..aha..obvious
-OL- as BEST (be a beast Clady) as you can keep Kyle off his back dont let him eat grass
-DL-push them. This be the time to make a statement..**cough cough** Jamaal..lol
-CBs- (if Bailey and Goody are out) Good luck. Make plays.
-D-be ready for audibles..
I like Cox’s confidence: ” Peyton is a great QB hands donw, but I will try to snag one too”..
HOME FANS- WHOEVER IS GOING TO THE GAME, REMIND EVERYONE ELSE TO DEAFEN PEYTON WHEN HE GETS ON THE FIELD….
GO BRONCOS!
Freak30, I already have your first pick down from earlier in the week of 27-24 Broncos win, only first pick counts.
about the not practice on Wednesday, and then not playing on Sunday . . .
DB site says that Harris DNP today, although he did yesterday. This could mean a relapse and so I wouldn’t count on him for this Sunday. It may be that better to have Beadles 100% at RT than a less than 100% Harris anyway, so we’ll see . . . I am hoping that somehow we can use the DE speed against them by running some delayed runs between the tackles, draws, and was also wondering about the shovel pass I saw used last weekend. A great play if the DE’s speed rush and the RB just moves to the center and takes the quick pitch from the qb . . . don’t know if the Broncos have this in their offense?
Okay, I forgot that I already picked…thanks for reminding me Bay
First of all like any Bronco Fan I would love to see Bailey and Goodman be ready to go. However I have a lot of faith in Nate Jones, and Cox. I don’t know why vaughn keeps gettin mentioned to be a starter, worst case sceniro is he plays nickel, My prediction is that champ will be ready and goody won’t, thus, Nate Jones (another Miami Dolphins turned Bronco Prodcut) would play there, and Cox, and Vaughn, would be in dime and nickle packages.
HAHAHA SHAME ON ME! yeah sorry bout that HAHAHA 180mins WHAT DAH HELL??? LMAO!
Not to worry samoan, strange enough you even had a girl coming out to your rescue, it was like the twilight zone, I thought we were discussing soccer for a while, not because of the 180 min of course, soccer is half that, but because in soccer the clock never stops, like you were saying we play 180 min straight, well you get the point, you are down under, you are used to those sports where the length of the game is how long the players play, rugby, soccer, right? It was funny just thinking how our guys could not finish out games strong playing sixty minutes last year and imagining them going 180….
I watched an NFL channel segment last night about this game. The Broncos were described as “the heavy hearted Broncos”. I know the team is looking at a lot of negatives right now…how many of them are already expecting to lose this game?
It was mentioned by Broncs20 that the fans need to deafen Peyton, I will say that actually might have the biggest effect on lifting the spirits of our own Broncos when they need it most….and deafening Peyton, maybe getting a few false starts would be bonus!
This is a win-able game! This is home field! We have the best secondary in the league! (Lets hope Champ is on the field) We are prepared and taking this game seriously!
Any given Sunday is this Sunday! Go Broncos!!!
I’m getting so pumped for this game! Moreno and Harris will be out which kinda sucks. I believe the other backs are going to tear up this very poor run defense. Can’t wait to get a look at brown, maroney, and bucky all mixing it up! I’m hoping for +150 yds rushing and no fumbles guys if you’re reading! Orton throw in another +300 yds passing and no int’s. Pick off manning a couple times and force a fumble or two, lets even getting a return for a td special teams! We got this one, were at home. Broncos 34-14
I’m excited about Maroney. I think we’ve needed a fast down hill running back every since the Portis days. I really hope he’s health and as fast as he used to be. If thats the case we should get ride of Buck and have M&M in the backfield. No offense to Buck, whom I think is a great guy, and good team player.