It’s Friday, and we all know what that means. Most people are itching to get out of their workplaces and head home for the weekend.
But that’s not the story at Dove Valley.
For the Broncos, today has been all about making the final preparations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — get their gameplan set, know their assignments and fix any problems they may have seen on film. It’s time to get back to their winning ways after last week’s loss. It’s time to refocus.
“You would expect that, because we feel like we missed out last week — we knew we should’ve won that game,” Champ Bailey said Friday. “But we didn’t prepare well enough. I think you kind of stress that during the week, ‘OK, we’ve got to practice harder and prepare harder.’ And I think guys understood that and people stepped it up a little bit.”
As Bailey sees it, the biggest issue for the defense is to prevent the big plays in the running game. He feels they played solidly against opposing running backs in the first three weeks, but last week they had a lapse.
This week, they want to make sure they don’t repeat the same errors because the Bucs have the weapons at their disposal to do some damage.
“That’s one thing about this league, you’re going to get premier backs every week,” Bailey said. “That’s just how it goes nowadays. We’ve been effective against the run for the most part. We just can’t give up big plays in the run game.”
“They’re going to run the ball, but we know they love short passes,” Bailey continued. “They love the play-action, go deep. We’re going to have our hands full – you never know what they’re going to throw at us. I don’t know what to expect from them, but I know teams have been successful stopping their run, so I hope we can, too.”
Bailey’s counterpart on the other side of the defense, Dre’ Bly, feels that the team has had an excellent week. They’ve been much more focused, and they truly have made stopping the run a focal point.
“We really emphasized stopping the run and guys getting back in their gaps where they’re supposed to be, because Tampa, they like to run the football,” Bly said. “They like to grind it out.”
Leading the Tampa Bay ground attack is Earnest Graham, the fifth-year running back who rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns a year go. Already in 2008, he has two 100-yard performances with the most recent occuring last week in the Buccaneers’ win over the Packers.
But the Buccaneers also brought back a familiar face in Warrick Dunn. Now in his 12th year, Dunn began his career in Tampa and then spent six years with the Falcons before re-signing with the Bucs as a free agent in the offseason. He has carried the ball 42 times for 197 yards and a score.
Toss in 11th year vet Brian Griese, who just two weeks ago threw 67 passes in their win over Chicago, and Tampa Bay has a number of ways to get the job done.
“They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, and in this league, when you have your confidence it can carry you a long way,” Bly said. “Our job is to try to bring them down a little bit. They like to get the run going, establish the run early, so that’s going to be our focus this week.”
“I think it’s something to be motivated about this week — try to correct what we did wrong last weekend and get ready for this game.”
INJURY REPORT
For the Buccaneers, fullback B.J. Askew and wide receiver Joey Galloway will not play in this weekend’s contest at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Safety Sabby Piscitelli is doubtful for the game. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, guard Davin Joseph and defensive tackle Ryan Sims are all listed as questionable, while cornerback Aqib Talib is probable.
For the Broncos, Ryan Torain is out as he continues to rehab his elbow. Darrell Jackson, who has been a limited participant on the practice field this week with a calf injury, is questionable. John Engelberger is probable.
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Adam Zinser, Champ Bailey, Darrell Hackney, Dre Bly, Tampa Bay Buccanners, Uncategorized
I hope we make some major improvements on the run D as we got smoked last week. Now with Graham and Dunn in the TB backfield we will be in for a long day. Come lads lets fix it here as we need to take the pressure off the Offence.. GO BRONCOS!!
I’m gonna be there Sunday. C’mon Broncs win one on my Birthday!!
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THATWE NEED TO STICK TO 4-3 DEFENSE AND THROW AWAY THAT3-4 DEFENSE ALSO I FEEL THAT WE WANT GIVE UP BIG PLAYS AND WE CAN GET OFF THE FEILD ON 3RD DOWNS IF WE BLITZ THE QUATERBACK MORE
Lets be honest our defense is horrible. We could start 3-2 if the defense cant cause pressure on the Q.B and cause more 3 and outs. We should play our 4-3 defense which in my opinion is a lot better. We also need John Lynch back.
But i’m confident that the Broncos win against the Bucs.
GO!!!!! Broncs!!!!!!!!
The next Sunday the Broncos are going to lose against the Bucs, and the wonderful defense of the Broncos will be displayed as the worst in the NFL,
is the beginning of 6 victories and 10 defeats in 2008,
and another year full of mediocrity and nothing happens,
because we are tired of hearing the excuse of Shanahan and not do anything about it
I also think that it would be a good idea to try to get Lynch back. With him in the back field, the other teams are going to think twice about dumping the ball in the middle.
yo rnst go back wherever you came from
Our defense has playmakers and can be top ten if they perform and execute well. I have seen it and i will see it again. Graham is strong but slow so lets bring it to him ,and yeah did anyone think about how tampa will stop our passing game?Lets win this one in fashion.
31-10
DdK
GO BRONCOS
RNST, you are the most negative person ever. You keep on posting the stupidest crap ever and everyone is tired of it. You always post off topic subjects in other blogs. So, stop posting or, well just stop posting unless you got something nice or useful to say.
Go BRONCOS!!!!!I think that they are good and ready, and confident for Sunday
Amen to all of that negative talk of RNST. I’ll admit I am pretty disappointed with our defense but look at all the players who hardly played together as a unit. Everybody is getting used to eachother and they’ll communicate better as the year goes on. I also hope that Cutler plays smart like I know he can Sunday and doesn’t turn the ball over. We will have our hands full with their defense but I’m confident that our line will block well and Cutler will have another 300+ yard game. Go Bronco
I think we should be able to take T.B. We have to stop the run, and we need to get our running game going better. It should be interesting though. Pittman is playing his former team, as well as Griese. Marshall is blaming his self for last game. Which it wasn’t. He says he will do better this game. Expect a big day out of him and Cutler. Go Broncos!
Guys its not even worth the time to keep responding to that fool (RNST) he wanting a reaction stop giving it to him. We know we are better than what we are showing on the field I think the team will figure it out there young. I no that not a excuse but the D is still learning. Im still not panicing were still a over 500 team and still lead the division.
I’ll bet we stick with the same personnel on defense……How unfortunate.
We need an upgrade; Big time.
Hopfully at halftime they will see the light and put Larsen in for Webster and Lowry in for McCree. On top of that I hope they swap Manuel for Barrett on the practice squad.
Some one needs to see the light and get an all out youth movement going on our defense. All the guys mentioned above are some of the hardest hitters and most athletic players on the team.
How players hit when it’s game time is one thing you don’t get a feel for in practice when everyone is being judged and it’s unfortunate. Our youth needs a chance to learn and grow.
I would feel better if our mistakes were at least coming from a group of promising rookies; like we have on the sidelines.
I know I’m dreaming, but that’s how I feel.
RNST is a jackass. He posts that stupid comment on every blog he can. If you’re going to be critical, RNST, at least be creative. In any case, I think the Broncos have made some adjustments and will be more successful. While the Buccaneers are an excellent team, we can beat them and I think we will!
The problem last week was that KC figured out that our passing game is based on a perimeter attack where our WR play the majority of the time on the outside of the hash marks. To alleviate this problem we need a big day from our TE’s and the running game has got to get on track. Speaking as some one that was born in Aspen and has lived in Florida, I know that the altitude plays as much a factor for teams visiting from Florida as the heat and humidity does when the Broncos travel down there. We need to wear their defense out with long, sustained drives. I would start Pittman, throw the ball to Payton Hillis, Scheffler, and Graham over the middle and punch the Bucs in the mouth for the first half. Not only will this force them do dedicate their coverage schemes to the zones in between the hash marks but it will also make covering Marshall and Royal that much more difficult when they turn on the burners in the second half. Denver must also show that they can play as effectively in the second half as they do in the first. This team has been terminal in the third and fourth quarters allowing big plays on defense while going three and out on offense. I do agree with most of you on the use of the 3-4 zone scheme by the Broncos on passing downs. While watching the Chargers game, the color commentator (I’m sorry I don’t remember who it was) identified the scheme, then described why it was going to fail and sure enough it did. With out a complimentary RE, Dumervil has two and even three guys riding him wide every time we see this alignment. On a side note has anybody noticed that Dumervil is being held nearly 75 percent of the time that he is out there and I have yet to see the Ref or line judge call it. I know the man is only 5’10” but if your going to call the broncos for illegal hands to the face then you better be damn ready to do the same when some LT has got his hands buried to deep into Dumervil’s helmet that it looks like he’s shampooing the mans hair. Step up Refs and make the call! Sorry about that but I know that like me, the rest of the Bronco Nation has been listening to comments like “Here’s a team that should have lost the games against SD and NO but were able to squeak through with a little help from the referees. I know this team has the talent on defense to get the job done and I am willing to give Slowik another shot but if this game against Tampa does have us sacking and intercepting a quarterback that Shanahan knows all to well or if the Bucs ring up 400 yard of offense then the only logical course is to move in an entirely different direction. Hell, at last I checked Brian Billick isn’t doing anything. Have Shanahan give him a call, pitch the idea of building a dynasty and ask Billick to bring his what he learned about defense in Baltimore to the Broncos. I know that its a fantasy but the pipe dream I had of the Broncos having a good or even great defense has sprung a leak. GO BRONCOS AND PREPARE TO REPELL BOARDERS!
Mike in San Diego
Hey Archangel – excellent points of obsevation. Our system is too predictable and teams a catching on. We need to mix it up a bit with the shorter routes underneath and running game before opening up the big plays down field. We can’t expect Cutler to do it everytime, but it is a real possibility if the set up is correct.
Damn having Billick as Defensive Coordinator is quiet the fantasy, but not a silly idea.. I have always had question mark over Engleberger and Moss and thier ability to recipricate the pressure Dumervil creates. Can Crowder be the man??
Sunday , we’ll see what this team is really made of . The KC game looked really like last year , turning over offense and unable to stop the run defense .It looks like Dewayne R will play and its a good news , he’s a run stuffer we really need but we really need the D tackles to step up , Robertson is injury prone and may not finish the season or at least miss few games . Whithout him the run D looked like last year . But tet’s be honest , last week failure was not only the defense , it helds for 3 quarters but the offense was awful , the broncos really need to be consistent in this aera to alleviate the pressure on the D so it can improve .
as for Billick , he was an offensive coordinator in Minnesota , he’s not responsible for the ravens D , i think the success the Ravens D has had the last ten years has more to do whith Ray Lewis than Brian Billick !! So bring in Ray lewis !! The problem is Mike S is not a defensive mastermind , he does not have the knack to find defensive players in Fa or draft like offensive jewels he routinely disovers , what we need is a great cordinator for the D , a guy who can transform averages players in probowlers , Bill B ,Monte K , Steve S …..
Here’s my 2 cents….I agree with the comment about the holding on Dumervil, I though his head was going to be snapped off on a couple of occasions. That being said, we need to do a much better job of disguising our blitz packages.
We have some fast LB’s and need to move them in and back quicker as it is now I can tell EVERY TIME we’re about to blitz (usually in 3rd and long) and then we get burnt with some little dump pass over the middle that goes for 35 yards because the LB’s have blitzed and the safeties are weak at best.
BUT….to me our BIGGEST issue bar none….special teams…….let’s be real guys, it’s been our downfall for years….who among you doesn’t hold your breath a little every time we kick, then breathe a little sigh of relief when they actually make a tackle inside the 30. I don’t care how good your D is….if you’re giving the other team an average start around the 50 YOU WILL LOSE…..and consequently our offense almost always starts at the 20 or worse…..can we please get a returner that just doesn’t run right into the coverage??! Now because of injuries we bring back Martinez who will likely return kicks because we can’t risk Royal but God Bless Martinez I always have a feeling he’s going to fumble. I feel like why not bring in Quincy Morgan…at least the guy gave us some great runbacks when he was here….at least until D Jack is healthy.
To me until we get our special teams house in order we’ll struggle because our D is always working with a short field and our O is on a long one!
well i noticed one thing last week and that is that everyone on the broncos side did not know what they were doing, except champ bailey and he was actually out there playing the game called “football”. champ saved at least 2 touchdowns and mabey one other one. i think champ rocks the boat.
I’ve been a Bronco since 1977, and I’m not negative, I’m realistic,with Shanahan the Denver Broncos are not going to get to anywhere, they need a change of philosophy and a change of staff, his time was over.
until now the worst team in the league wins on Denver
RNST, you are not a Bronco fan, so for all the Bronco fans we say no to you and you can and will not be allowed to become a Bronco fan.
RNST:
Ridiculousness, Numskull, Stupid, Toadeater that is what you are.
Woot! My first post! Any way..With the negative comments for Shanny is kind of…Strange..Sure we blew it big against KC and i think we all can agree to that. BUT that lose can be more positive than many of you may think..Being undefeated is nothing..Having our first loss now is better than in the playoffs. But come on..Cutler didnt play well neither did our D against KC. They came and wanted it more. I love cutler, i do but there were plenty of plays were he just tried forcing the ball to marshall and royal too much and didnt go for tony or grahm like he USUALY does. Which is fine..He made a mistake and now he will do much better im sure. However on the Defense of topic. I still like the 3-4 scheme. Yes we need more blitzes, but i will be a fan of the 3-4 until this next game if it fails. Though the thing im worried most about is the fact we cant get to the QB..Many of my friends say that our pass D is horrible blah blah and wheres our Number 1 and 2 corner. Well its not their fault..With out the right pressure any QB can make beautiful throws. So what it comes down with honestly isnt firing Shanny…Thats horrible, his play calling didnt mess up in KC it was the players. But we need to train our draft picks a little more like moss on techniques to getting to the passer and i think we will be just fine..If we can beat the bucs which i think we can. We will have a promising season ahead of us.
The problem on D points to 2 players. Thomas is too small to play nose tackle and Webster over pursues and gets out of his gaps, not to mention he gets washed out by blockers 1/2 the time. The offense will expose the “Tampa 2″ system this weekend. Last weekend was the first time we’ve seen it this season. Look for Tony to EXPLODE against an aging Brooks and really take advantage of the matchup against Barber. Marshall may catch a lot of quick hitters.
look here my fellow broncos fans except you RNST. The broncos are still a great team I think we are alot better tha last year. If the Broncos would have won the game there would not be much talk about the D except they need to play much harder. The team is better than last year we all see the reports yes the d is last place but people seem to forget we have played some hard teams. Some people may say well you played the raiders how hard is that but to me its a division game they are all hard just ask the Cowboys. No loss is good, but sometimes you can take the bad and turn it into a positive because you really get to see the real problems of the team. When you win it mask the problems. The team needed this wake up call you guys will see a differnt team on the field on Sunday.
RNST you are out of control. Shanny gave us two rings. last time I checked he is the only coach denver has had that has ever had any. Second, we are 3-1 which is tied for the second best record in the NFL and the best in the all important AFC WEST. So whatever grounds you have for your bullsh#t to get rid of shanny, Shove it up your #ss. Get a life.
rnst if your not negative then your a jackass shut up get off this site your a loser raider fans are better then you we dont want you on here you suck. 12 and 4 at least
RNST anyone who want him off here say it after this post cause i know any bronco fan has to hate this guy
Agreed, i think RNST is really the new screen name for letplummerplay.
ill find a link for it. usually takes a good 10-15 mins to get one. try justin.tv.com
Awesome, I to need a online site I will try this one JayCutler4MVP if anyone knows more please let me and Denbroncos47 know Thanks.