In Champ Bailey’s mind, it is no accident that the Broncos have looked like a cohesive unit week in and week out six games into the regular season.
No mystery as to why guys are always on the same page. No mistake as to why the team is able to make quick in-game adjustments.
The 11-year pro attributes much of how the team performs on the field to one thing: an intense level of preparation.
“We practice like it’s a game,” Bailey said. “We just know how to prepare. I think you win the game during the week. You don’t win it on Sunday. If you don’t go in there with the right mindset and the right preparation, you’re going to lose.”
In an effort to get in the most effective preparation possible prior to Sunday’s Week 8 matchup with the Ravens, the Broncos have moved both their Wednesday and Thursday practices to an indoor facility down the road from their Dove Valley headquarters.
Eager to continue the success they established before the bye week, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said it hasn’t been hard to motivate his team to practice inside the small space. In fact, McDaniels said this week’s practice sessions have not lacked intensity.
“(It was) probably as loud of a practice as we have had in awhile, and I mean there was a lot of (pads) popping, a lot of banging going on,” McDaniels said.
The Broncos have made six strong impressions on Sundays. But it seems as if the team gets the big picture, and is focused on making another strong showing against the Ravens.
“They know what we know, which is we are 6-0, we haven’t accomplished anything and we have got a heck of a challenge in front of us this week,” McDaniels said. “I think they are excited to play this game. It is a really good team we are going to get ready for, and they have got a lot of work to put in today, tomorrow and Saturday and continue to prepare all the way through the game.”
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On Thursday morning it was announced that the Broncos had selected Bailey as their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award recipient for the second year in a row.
By winning the award, the eight-time Pro Bowler was recognized for his leadership both on the field and in the community.
Bailey said he was surprised, but appreciative of receiving the prestigious honor for the second time in as many seasons.
“I didn’t expect to win it again,” Bailey said. “It’s a great honor. I pretty much represent a lot of the guys in this locker room that do a lot of great things in the community. That’s one thing I pride myself on, is giving back. Hopefully that rubs off on a lot of guys in the locker room, around the league, and people in the community.”
After sitting out practice on Wednesday, Ronald Fields (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday’s session. Brian Dawkins (hamstring) was also listed as a limited participant. Spencer Larsen (shoulder) participated in full.
For the Ravens, T Jared Gaither (neck) did not partcipate in Thursday’s practice session, while LB Tavares Gooden (head) was a limited participant. S Ed Reed, QB Joe Flacco (ankle), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), WR David Tyree (hamstring) and K Steven Hauschka (right ankle) participated in full.
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Here are a few pictures from the onset of Thursday’s practice session, including a few shots as the players arrived at the indoor facility.
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Champ Bailey, Walter Payton Man of the Year, Week 8
The next ten games are certainly going to be interesting and hold some major challanges for the Broncos. here’s how I see it:
at Baltimore:Toss up with home field advantage to Baltimore
Pittsburg: Toss up with home field advantage to Denver
at Washington: Broncos
San Diego: Broncos
Giants: Toss up with home field advantage to Broncos
At KC: Broncos, with possible upset at Broncos always suck at KC
at Indy: Peyton to much, Colts
Oakland: Nice to have a second bye week, Broncos
At Philly: Toss up with home field advantage to Philly
KC: Broncos
Take the cetrtain winners, 5, split the toss ups, 5, and I say Broncos finish 13-3 or 14-2, survive the toughest schedule of all the teams and meet the Colts in Indy for the AFC Championship game and get revenge.
We do have a tough schedule but at least we can have a good season against good teams. We’ve already heard it “haven’t played anyone good yet.” After the season, if it ends well there will be no doubt about how REAL the Broncos are.
Hey Baylinorangecrush: I guess great minds really do think alike!
What is your pick by the way?
Coach
Yeah, coach. I hope we’re right, I was even saying this would be the perfect game to have another speedy receiver to help out Marshall, and considering Royal will be doing his thing on returns, I think McD should try McKinley in at wideout. Just a thought. I will post my pick tomorrow, not that far off from yours, a bit more conservative on both ends is all.
I spend all week dissecting the game here, there is one thing left to do, my pick, 27-14 Broncos.