Editor’s Note: DenverBroncos.com’s Stuart Zaas is in Indianapolis working for the NFL during Super Bowl week. He will check in from time to time with updates leading up to the game on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS– With the arrival of the New York Giants in Indianapolis just before 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon, both teams are present and ready to get to work in their second week of preparation for Super Bowl XLVI. The New England Patriots arrived on Sunday evening and used Monday to get in a practice session at the Indianapolis Colts practice facility. The Giants will practice at the University of Indianapolis.
BROADCASTING LIVE
The massive amount of media members covering the game continued to build on Monday with radio stations starting their live broadcasts from the media center. NFL Network also began its live coverage from Indianapolis on Monday, which will continue throughout the week leading up to Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. EST (4:30 p.m. MST) kickoff.
Two local stations are broadcasting live from Indianapolis this week — FM 104.3 The Fan and FM 102.3 ESPN are both set up among the 107 different stations that are broadcasting from radio row in the NFL Media Center.
GIANTS ARRIVE
The New York Giants’ charter flight landed at Indianapolis International Airport on Monday afternoon, meaning that both teams are now present in Indianapolis (New England arrived on Sunday).
“We’re very happy to be here and it’s an exciting time in all our lives,” Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin said upon arriving. “We’ve been in anticipation of this, in coming out here to Indianapolis, of getting started on this wonderful Super Bowl week, of conducting our meetings and practices here and acclimating our players to the surroundings…We’re excited to get things started.”
Quarterback Eli Manning talked to the team after its NFC Championship win over San Francisco, drawing on his past experience in the Super Bowl to help keep the team focused.
“We had just come off a big win,” Manning said. “We were excited about going to the Super Bowl. Our families were excited, there were a lot of things going on. I just wanted to make sure guys knew the importance of the practices last week.”
PATRIOTS HIT THE FIELD
The Patriots held their first practice of the week Monday at the Indianapolis Colts practice facility. The team practiced in pads in the morning before watching film in the afternoon.
“I think we got a few things done,” Head Coach Bill Belichick said. “It’s good to get underway down here.”
New England will continue their preparation for the Giants that they started last week. But even with two weeks to prepare, Belichick acknowledges it’s not easy.
“The Giants are a tough team to prepare for,” Belichick said. “They really do a good job with all of the different schemes they have, and the players they have present a big challenge for us.”
COACHING CONNECTION
When the Patriots and Giants take the field Sunday for Super Bowl XLVI, Belichick will look across the field and see a coach he formerly worked with — Tom Coughlin.
Belichick and Coughlin worked together under former Giants coach Bill Parcells from 1987-90. During that time, Belichick served as defensive coordinator while Coughlin coached the receivers.
“What we did was, early on there was a certain amount of competitiveness about the positions and the interaction of the positions,” Coughlin said.
However, as they worked more and more alongside each other, the coaches would feed off each other to do the best they can to prepare their team.
“We helped each other and would act as each other’s scout squad,” Coughlin said. “We would take advantage during training camp of any opportunity we were given to work against each other, whether it be red zone work, one-on-one, or whatever. We would show him the design that he wanted to see, and he would show us the coverage that he wanted to see.”
As a result of working together under Parcells, Belichick sees a lot of of his former coach in the current Giants coach.
“He was fair, but firm, like he is now,” Belichick said. “Tom is a good guy, and he has a good sense of humor….On the practice field and the game field, you have a job to do. There is a lot of Bill Parcells in that too. He is demanding. He has high expectations.”
LOOKING AHEAD
The largest media spectacle of the week will take place on Tuesday with Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium. New England is scheduled for their photo and interview availability from 10-11 a.m. and the Giants will follow from 12 – 1 p.m. For the first time in Super Bowl history, tickets were sold to the public for the event.
-Stuart Zaas and Kenny Legan
Tags: Super Bowl XLVI
OT, that battle fighting comment was not directed at you….just so you know. Later.
For the Record…
Denver Drafting a TE or MLB would be in NO way SHAPE or FORM any kind of indictment about the validity of the value of the picks made at those positions last draft…
Case in Point (Example)
Denver spent a 4th and a 7th at the Tight End Position… We have 3 TE’s under Contract and it is one of the most pivitol positions in Today’s game… how would spending a first round pick on a guy like Allen out of Clemson be a waste?
Not only is it adding quality depth and filling a real need, it is showing a dedication to make this team truly better talent wise and not feed us lip service about doing so… Same at MLB, if Mays re-signs or not if you can get a guy that makes you better you draft him… Period…
The Best Talent Available can’t just hold true to our positions of need because that is exactly how you reach and miss with your choices.
There were several articles last week about how much he enjoyed coaching Rainey and Polk, among others. Posting the link to one of them below:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/coaches-praise-chris-polk-chris-rainey-tuesday-senior-010541971.html
Greatness, this ESPN article is the one he was most complimentary of Rainey. Posting an excerpt:
MOBILE, Ala. — Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan liked the play of Chris Rainey so much he began to sound like the former Florida running back’s agent. After praising Rainey’s versatility and speed at Tuesday’s news conference, Shanahan stopped himself, saying he wasn’t his representative, but if he were, he would want a piece of that action.
Rainey has made a good impression on the rest of the South team’s coaching staff at the Senior Bowl, playing running back and wide receiver during practice in addition to time as a punt returner. He showed good hands at wideout and even threw a block against a defensive end during 11-on-11 drills.
Size, though, is the speedster’s biggest hurdle in the upcoming NFL draft. To Rainey, the argument is a tired one.
lol@Tide I was just reading that Espn article 2 min ago.
LOL
It’s funny I told ya’ll that Stevie Johnson was looking at Denver. Now Tebow and Stevie will be on first take Friday. lol Next time don’t discount me.
Greatness, does this mean that the team has given up hope of re-signing Royal?
I hope they at least make a play to bring him back to the Orange and Blue…
Naw Turtle they gonna go in house first. So I can see them tryna get him back. Shanny wants Royal as well. Don’t forget Chi needs WR. Cutler gave him his best yr. So don’t think if he leaves we didn’t do anything. (Oh yeah when I say we. I mean the Broncos) People might start jumping to conclusions lol
Hey Everyone!
Just wanted to drop in and say hello. On a business trip this week and heading to my sister in-laws wedding in Edmonton this weekend. Won’t get much of a chance to blog so I’ll catch up with you all next week sometime.
So happy to hear of the JDR signing. I think he’ll get our D to step it up another notch. Can’t wait to see what reinforcements we get in the draft and through FA.
Heading to watch the Chicago Blackhawks take on my favorite hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers, on Thursday night…………..Can’t wait!
Why would Stevie Johnson want to come to Denver?
LOL!
—————————-
Broncos deny Raiders from talking to Smith
By Bill Williamson
The nice play is over in the AFC West. It didn’t last long.
When Dennis Allen was hired to be the Oakland Raiders’ head coach last week, his former boss John Fox wished Allen well. And, now, Allen is on his own.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos have denied the Raiders permission to speak to linebackers coach Richard Smith for the Oakland defensive job.
Previously, Kansas City defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas and New Orleans defensive line coach Bill Johnson were dropped off as candidates. It’s not a surprise Fox denied Allen permission. He wants to keep as much stability on his defensive coaching staff as possible. It seems more and more teams are denying permission these days and it’s no shock this intra-division hard stance was made.
Potential coordinator candidates may now include former San Diego defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and San Francisco defensive backs coach Ed Donatell.
Meanwhile, NFL.com is reporting that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is considering pursuing former Kansas City coach Todd Haley as offensive coordinator.
That would be an interesting pairing. Haley is known for being high strung and vocal in his coaching. Tomlin is intense, but he’s not much of a screamer and a yeller. Also, Haley is known for getting on his players often during games. It would be interesting to see an established quarterback such as Ben Roethlisberger adjust to playing for Haley.
I’m sure Haley would love the job. He is from Pittsburgh and his father, Dick, is a former legendary Steelers’ personnel man.
Found two interesting tidbits:
Oakland’s decision to hire ex-Broncos DC Dennis Allen as coach makes Jack Del Rio the seventh Broncos DC in as many seasons. Del Rio doesn’t believe it will be eight in eight, saying he’d like to be a head coach again “maybe someday, but it’s not in the forefront of my thinking.”
Ex-Broncos DC Dennis Allen worked under DC Gregg Williams in New Orleans in 2009 and 2010, and Williams was Jack Del Rio’s DC in Jacksonville in 2008. “(With) the things they were doing here between John Fox and Dennis and Gregg and myself I feel very comfortable in making this a smooth transition,” Del Rio said.
Yea JDR said that in the audio interview
Apple Jack, im glad the playing nice is over. I mean seriously … its ridiculous. Desimate our whole D staff why dont you.
TRB
I can’t see us going crazy and spending too much dough to sign Eddie, as much as he is a great guy, he’s been mediocre since his rookie season. Compare his numbers with Matt “my boy” Willis. Eddie Royal 19 155 8.2 26 1
Matt Willis 18 267 14.8 42 1
If another team makes him a good offer it will be so long Eddie. We have other positions that we need the money to improve play at that position. We will have to get better depth at wr and maybe get JT up to speed and get him on the field when we send 4 reciever sets to the field.
I hope they can get a deal worked out with Royal… I wouldn’t hesitate to Franchise him if we get Prater signed long term, if we don’t get him (Prater) signed I think I would use the tag on him for a season and try to work out a deal…
I really enjoy the vibe that I get when Reading about JDR… This organization is turning things around very quickly and I am very excited to be a Bronco Fan…
‘Everything’s coming up Millhouse!!!’ BRING IN SOME BEEF!!!!
Just becuz yu don’t think Tebow can play QB. Doesn’t mean no one wants to be apart of something believed to be special in Denver. Royal makes more than Stevie Johnson now. lol Sometime wonder do people even believe in their own team. Yu hear all the so-called experts say who would wanna come to Denver. You can believe what yu want. I know if someone offered me more money plus incentives. Why not come?? They made it to the playoffs with out yu. Yu can just make them even better. Competitive people think like that.
imready, dont forget his 2 returns for a TD on limited return duty. Even tho 1 of themw as called back. He can bring alot to the team. But if he goes it is what it is. Luv the guy but im so over feeling bad when we lose a player I like. Besides if they wanted to get rid of him, they might as welll have traded him when they were gonna trade lloyd and gotten some value. I do however wish he was in a offense better suited for him
TRB
I wouldn’t franchise neither. Yu gonna pay Royal as one of the top 5 WR in the game. I wouldn’t even do a deal if I was Royal. I would take the 7 to 10 mil. lol That’s crazy
This is from the NFL.com Blog… I had to repost, a great take and well written, the sign off is PRICELESS… Had to share
“dsquirrel33
@wawasomo Cam Newton… Mr. Turnover? The only reason why Denver did what they did was because of the lack of turn overs…. Bringing in Cam would have been the same thing as keeping Orton. Tim makes good decisions…. that is something he has done his entire life…. The same thing can not be said for Cam….Chased out of the University of Florida for cheating on tests 4 times…. yes 4…. how do you even get caught four times… this is coming from a student at the University….. When you are taking the easy class load he was.. A)There is no reason to cheat B)If you do set your mind to cheat and get caught….. Step up your game C)Giving the school a reason to kick you out by buying “hot” merchandise so they don’t have to disclose that you are not smart enough to pass elementary course work is just ….clown shoes…
9 minutes ago”
Tell them like it is TRB. I for one saw this day coming in the McD day’s. After Shanny and the boys left. Royal was the only one left from the skill positions on O. Oline is not a skill position in the football world.
Fair Greatness, I think that Eddie is worth every penny really when you add in his value as a Game Changing kick returner… he has simply been misused by Mc D and in a Foxxy style offense there is just not going to be 100 balls coming your way ever…
I’d pay him and Prater… but if he can be replaced by a guy like Murphy who knows Tebow, like you mentioned, I wouldn’t complain…
Well Tebow makes better decisions than me. I would have been all over Katie Perry and Kim K. Probably at the same time. lol
LMAO… now that is PRICELESS…
Tebow in a People Pile?!? Man, that picture would make the sky fall straight to ground…
Vaughn, Thompson, and Wills all can return kicks.
With us saying no to Smith being interviewed. The talking about Murphy is gonna be done. If not already had been. That’s probably why they said no to Smith. lmao I can see them cutting him though. That’s if a already over stocked WR corp gets bigger.
Willis Can’t return a movie to Blockbuster… are they re-signing him?
Tim is a cool dude. I know yu think of a church going person being all sunday school and what not. He wears his hat to the back. He daps people most of the time instead of shaking hands. He is young so it’s understandable. The Difference between Tim and Dwight Howard is this. Tim still have his family living with him and all. Dwight came in the NBA just like Tim. When he got on his own though. Superman was born. lol
Willis and McBean are Restricted FA. So I think no one is gonna try and get them. Which means Broncos can throw them a bone to just keep them here. People that already know what we’re tryna build and do. If someone do offer them a deal. I don’t think the Broncos would try to match them.
lol@ skip Bayless. He said he would pay for Martinez.(the QB guru who taught Brady) He said he would put him up in a hotel and everything. He is gonna talk to Tim friday about him.
When Denver won their Superbowls a huge part of that was Gordon returning punts that season… he changed games. I just hope the Broncos aren’t cheap when they talk to Royal’s agent… he is a 9 at PR and those other guys would be reaching to get to a 7, 6 with Willis… but that’s me beating a dead horse! If he stays Good, if he goes, well put him on the list of guys I cheer for elsewhere (Cutler, and Marshall are two, Hillis would be 3)
Is Tebow going to the Super Bowl?
Those Seasons* he was a very Solid Corner across from Crockett as well…
Lmao@ the same time! That’s good stuff.
We don’t need Murphy anyway. I’d rather them try to bring Bush over. That’s funny they denied them Smith. I love it!
I like the idea of Steve Johnson. Though, Royal has more value with his return ability.
Sucks that it’s a leap year. We have one more day to wait before the Free Agent Frenzy begins…I’m curious to see where Hillis will land. And what will come of the Colts FAs. We could use a vet like Wayne to mentor our young wideouts…(not that I see that happening. Just thinking out loud).
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
I think he is gonna be their. I hope they don’t try and put him in the booth. They did that with arena football. To show he had a good football IQ.
“Well Tebow makes better decisions than me. I would have been all over Katie Perry and Kim K. Probably at the same time. lol”
hahahaha 007. bro, I knew I liked you for a reason. I guess we just aint ass strong willed as Timmy T lol
I forgot about the extra day sndvl… damn…! lol!
I’m sure they will get a camera in Tebow’s face somehow… he has to get a little tired of it but it does come with the celebrity…
What up TRB…! How’s your night man? getting late back East…
royal isn’t coming back period, shanny will sign him, the thing is we can get another good wr trough draft or FA. give one year to decker and thomas to prove that they can be a reliable 1 or 2 reciver. i think thomas will be our number one, and decker will get his chance to be number two, if it doesn’t work he’ll be a great slot reciver
Yea it is. Slept right after oming back from work … so im up so late lol.
TRB
Im sorry Mex, I was unaware u were able to see the future with such words as “period” … my apologies. Wasn’t aware I was in the presence of an oracle. TRB
****Official Super Bowl Prediction****
Giants 27-24
The Broncos not allowing the Raiders to interview Smith brings validation to my previous contention that they wanted to get rid of Allen in the first place. Now that Jack became available Fox wanted him back and that was the end of Allen. And that’s as far as it goes, the Broncos now obviously would rather keep Smith.
Getting ready for FA:
Denver’s unrestricted free agents:
Brodrick Bunkley
Brian Dawkins
Daniel Fells
Mario Haggan
Derrick Harvey
Russ Hochstein
Jason Hunter
Spencer Larsen
Joe Mays
Ryan McBean
Matt Prater
Brady Quinn
Manny Ramirez
Dante Rosario
Eddie Royal
Marcus Thomas
Jonathan Wilhite
Matthew Willis
Wesley Woodyard
Restricted free agents:
Lance Ball
Chris Clark
Britton Colquitt
Legwold telling us something no one wanst to hear:
Compensatory picks for the 2012 draft, which is April 26-28, will be awarded based on 2011 free agency. The Broncos signed Willis McGahee last summer, and he rushed for 1,199 yards and played in the Pro Bowl. His production means the Broncos probably lost any shot they had at compensatory picks for the 2012 draft.
Well, wonders never cease to happen, Klis actually coming back down to Earth about his boy Tebow:
Klis: Tebow’s passing key in an NFL whose game has changed quickly
INDIANAPOLIS — Kurt Warner was standing alone in front of the whirling baggage belt, minding his own business, checking his text messages, when he was politely interrupted.
So, Kurt, I said, after introducing myself as a Broncos reporter for The Denver Post, is Tim Tebow going to make it?
Warner paused and gave it some thought.
“I don’t know,” Warner said. “He’s going to have to improve, let’s say that. I think you saw at the end of the season that he’s going to have to pass better. I think he will get better because he’ll work at it. But I don’t know — it’s tough for a running quarterback to become a passing quarterback.”
The over/under for New England’s Brady in this game is 320.5 yards and 2.5 touchdown passes. For New York’s Manning, the lines are set on 314.5 yards and 2.5 touchdown passes.
Here is the world championship, the biggest game on the planet, and the oddsmakers expect an Arena League game.
“The game has changed so that it takes away a lot of what those defensive guys can do,” Warner said. “Even since I played, it’s changed.”
“The biggest thing that’s changed is how you can throw the ball in the middle of the field now,” Warner said. “You take away the ability (for defenders) to unload on receivers? That changes the game a ton. We could not throw down the middle of the field when I played like they can now.”
And of course the reason you can throw the ball in the middle of the field now is because you are not allowed to hit a defenseless receiver which is what slot receivers always were afraid of and now it’s like a deserted highway for them out there.
Kiszla: Broncos living in past with Tim Tebow
Posted: 01/31/2012 01:00:00 AM MST
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
If the Broncos want to travel down the road to the Super Bowl, the training wheels need to come off Tim Tebow.
One look at New England star Tom Brady or Eli Manning of the New York Giants reveals the reality of the NFL in 2012.
This is a league ruled by quarterbacks.
And we’re not talking about a quarterback who would rather run than pass.
There are 1,001 legitimate reasons to love Tebow.
But anybody who thinks the Broncos can win a Super Bowl with the offense they used to crash the postseason party with Tebow at the controls is living in the 1970s.
During 11 starts during the regular season, Tebow won seven games. That’s a shining testament to his leadership ability. He averaged 150 yards passing per start. That’s as clunky and hopelessly out of date as a 1974 Ford Pinto.
In fact, no team has won the NFL championship with a less-productive passing attack since the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers averaged 140 yards passing per game. But they also competed in an era so long ago that Barbra Streisand was atop the music charts and Curt Gowdy led the TV broadcast of the Super Bowl.
Go ahead and cue “The Way We Were” if you so desire. But, in John Fox’s first season as Denver coach, the Broncos did not play football the way championships are won now.
Fox deserves full credit and coach of the year votes for redesigning his offense to bring out the best of Tebow’s limited, raw skills.
The next step is harder. Fox must find a way to turn Tebow into a quarterback fit to thrive in the 21st century.
I asked Broncos general manager Brian Xanders where the organization expects Tebow to improve between his first and second season as a starting quarterback.
“It’s the precision on the passing, it’s the accuracy, the footwork, the mechanics, the rhythm, the timing, the quickness, the release. Everything,” Xanders said Monday. “And he wants to work at it. And he’s dedicated. He’s going to work really hard at improving those things. Our coaches, Mike McCoy and Adam Gase, and hopefully even John Elway are going to help him improve throughout the offseason. And he knows he has a lot of work to do. We’re excited about him improving in those areas.”
It’s a long list. Unless Tebow gets better as a passer, it will be extremely difficult for the Broncos to be better than an 8-8 football team next season.
Denver needs to find competition for Tebow, if for no other reason than he responds best when challenged. But, with the 25th selection in the NFL draft’s opening round, how does Denver do it? Quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor will be long gone. Nick Foles of Arizona and Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M seem like developmental projects.
Finding a quarterback in the free-agent market would be a crapshoot. While Green Bay backup Matt Flynn is intriguing, ask the Arizona Cardinals how they now feel about investing more than $20 million guaranteed in Kevin Kolb.
The soap opera that overshadows the Super Bowl in Indianapolis is the melodrama of what feels like an impending divorce between Colts owner Jim Irsay and Peyton Manning. It makes no football sense for the team to draft Luck and keep Manning. In a business bound by salary-cap regulations, it makes no dollars and sense for the Colts to trade Manning.
As painful as it might be, the right thing to do is for Indianapolis to let Manning walk out the door. Washington, Miami and Seattle desperately need a quarterback. I’m not sure how much money I would wager on a 35-year-old player who has endured three surgeries on his neck during the past two years. Here’s thinking retirement might well be the smartest option for Manning.
But should Peyton watch little brother Eli one-up him with a second NFL championship in his own backyard, the urge to get back in the game will be powerful. Wouldn’t Denver be a more attractive spot for Manning to pursue one more ring than as a member of the Redskins, Dolphins or Seahawks?
Either Tebow grows as a passer or Elway must shop for a new quarterback.
Anybody think Denver could win a championship with a healthy Manning at quarterback?
BTW, Klis didn’t question Tebow’s ability to ever be a pocket passer per say, but at least he let Curt get there for him, LOL.
This is interesting because if you guys remember that’s exactly what Allen was all about when he became our DC, turnovers was mainly all he would talk about:
Del Rio, who ran a 4-3 scheme in Jacksonville, said his vision is for the Broncos to have an “attacking” defense, with a balance of good pass rush and a stout run defense. Del Rio said that while he generally doesn’t pay attention to defensive statistics, a number he does care about is turnovers. Denver’s defense had only 18 takeaways in the 2011 regular season — nine interceptions and nine fumbles. The team added two more interceptions (both by rookie safety Quinton Carter) in the playoffs.
“On the defensive side, we want to generate plenty,” Del Rio said.
Here is hoping Jack can put his words into action better than Allen.
LMAO @ Kiszla about Tebow:
This season he averaged 150 yards passing per start. That’s as clunky and hopelessly out of date as a 1974 Ford Pinto.
For those too young to know, those are the ones that used to catch on fire in any rear end collision, hahahaha!
Definitely! I thought our D was pretty stout on our winning streak but we still did not make very many interceptions… i hope one of our young guys really step up under JDR i think some of our cb’s have talent they just need experience. I think if we upgrade our coverage skills at LB and beef up our DT it will do wonders for our pass coverage …
And obviously Kiszla paid no attention to Legwold whatsoever when he said no way Manning ends up in Denver, so why ask the dumb question. Legwold is a football writer, Kiz came in as a basketball one who fills in with football posts from time to time, most of them funny but of very little consequences to me.