Two weeks into the regular season, the Broncos’ rush defense has been stout. Their opponent on Sunday, the Houston Texans, aren’t overlooking it.
In a conference call on Wednesday with Denver media, Texans running back Arian Foster called the Denver defense “one of the best in the NFL.”
“They’re so quick,” said Foster, who ran for 110 yards last week against Jacksonville and scored his third touchdown of the year. “They’re fast. They run to the ball and they’re just — honestly, they’re exciting to watch.”
The Broncos have allowed just 2.6 yards per carry this year on 54 attempts, which is the fourth-lowest per-carry average in the league.
Foster and the Texans saw plenty of Broncos Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio when was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars — a divisional rival of Houston — from 2003-2011.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Jack Del Rio,” Foster said. “He was in our division for years. I’ve played against him and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he does and how he carries himself. Obviously, his defenses have always been good.”
Foster isn’t alone in the Texans’ rushing attack, though. With the help of fellow running back Ben Tate, Houston tied for second in the league last year in rushing.
“You can’t get every carry as a running back, so it’s great to have a capable (backup) running back that can be efficient,” Foster said. “There’s not a lot of drop off when you leave the field. It’s always good as an offense.”
Splitting carries among the backs could be one way the Texans can combat the effects of playing at a higher altitude, which is part of Denver’s home field advantage.
Hailing from a city that is even higher than Denver, Foster might not feel the effects as much as other ball carries. Still, it has an impact.
“It’s always going to be a factor,” Foster said. “I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and that’s actually higher elevation than Denver. Coming from there, I know that elevation is a factor.”
On the other side of the ball, Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak addressed the challenge in facing quarterback Peyton Manning — a task he and the Texans are very familiar with. Kubiak saw Manning twice a year when the quarterback was with Indianapolis.
“He’s got some fine weapons on his football team, some good young players, and they’re running the ball extremely well too,” Kubiak said. “It’s the same challenge. Obviously, we’ve had that challenge many times in Houston with him in Indy. Now it just comes with a different uniform on. It will be a tremendous challenge to find a way to get some stops defensively.”
Tags: Arian Foster, Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans, Week 2
Foster has all of the tools. And a humble young man at that. He’s a well rounded guy on and off the field.
Arian Foster played high school football in Albuquerque NM for a few years, then transferred to out sea level in San Diego to finish high school…. he was then recruited by the University of Tennessee. His Dad, Carl Foster was a WR for the UNM Lobos. Foster is correct in the fact that Abq is higher in elevation than Denver but that’s downtown vs. downtown.
He’s turned out to be one heck of an RB, coming into the league as an undrafted player.
DId you guys see this in the article on NFL.com?
“Those are two of our favorites. It’s understandable Manning is frustrated with the line of questioning. There are inevitably going to be ups and downs in his recovery from multiple neck surgeries. He’s not yet quite as good as he looked in Week 1 or as bad as he looked in Week 2. While his passes have floated at times, Manning has completed 82.9% of his passes outside the numbers, according to ESPN Stats and Information. That’s the best in the NFL.
A lot of those passes are short or bubble screens, but we’ve seen him drive the ball well on a few out routes. Manning has said repeatedly he’ll have to learn what he can and can’t do as he goes. Monday night’s game will go down as a somewhat painful learning experience.”
Sorry, you don’t have to THROW long passes to win football games. We have Brock for that, not kidding either.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000064067/article/peyton-manning-on-his-arm-strength-it-is-what-it-is?module=HP11_headline_stack
Mile High Salute Mr. Foster! You are one of my favorites.
You too, coach, you too. Mile High Salute Mr. Kubiak. It’s going to be weird seeing him on the opposite of the field… Probably happened once before and I don’t remember it.
*** Official score Prediction*****
Broncos 16
Houston 10
Thats encouraging to know Cat! Cool beans!
Denver-27
Houston-17
Broncos Country:
We had a tough game vs. a great NFC top contender! Just have patience –Manning is still not 100% and adjusting to a new team! Have patience here and things will come! This is not minute rice in a bag! It’s slow steamed rice! If you know what I mean! Manning will be back. Give him time! He is a competitor and will get better as the rice cooks!
ILMSDB!!
STRONG IS THE NECK!!!
FTR
It’s not every day that Charlie Daniels rewrites one of his best songs for YOUR team. And I know we lost, but I had to buy it on iTunes… and here are the lyrics I could figure out. If anyone else can figure out the end, go for it! LOL!
Now available on iTunes: “Peyton went down to Georgia right out on to Falcons homefield. He was in a bind because in his mind Matt Ryan was a sure enough deal. The boy said my names Manning and it might be a sin but I’ll make you a bet you’re gonna regret cause I’m THE BEST THAT’S EVER BEEN! Ryan you better step up proud and give it all you’ve got, cause Peyton’s loose in Georgia and that Denver D is hot, but if you win you’ll make it one step closer to the goal down that long hard highway to the SUPER BOWL! When Matty finished, Peyton said, “You’re pretty good ol’ son, but sit down on that sideline and I’ll show you how it’s done!”
OOPS! LOL! It’s supposed to be “The boy said my names Matty”
Good job cat – I heard that and…
Let me admit that Peyton has brought respectability and notoriety to Denver. (Shhh–TT couldn’t have caused this….LOL)
Where’s Imready???
Just goes to show I’m not Thumper and you wouldn’t expert a cartoon rabbit to have good theology. LOL
Ok…so I was a little negative and harsh towards a few players and the refs…the balance was all good positive and encouraging.
I thought seriously about hammering Manning and looking for the predictable ‘rise’. But, my sense of integrity demanded of me that I express that I wasn’t worried about the game or PM…not even in the first quarter. (Frankly, I’ve had days like that…that’s when you need to know whose in your corner.) I knew that the adjustments would be made and we were just fine.
*** Official score Prediction*****
Broncos 17
Houston 14