The first snow at Dove Valley forced the Broncos into the South Suburban Sports Dome for today’s practice. And the players were in a light mood, cracking jokes left and right — after all, since they won last week they didn’t have to wear helmets at practice.
#24 UPDATE
Though he didn’t speak with the media today, Champ Bailey was definitely the player everyone had their eyes on.
He did not practice on Wednesday and participated on a limited basis Thursday.
When he initially suffered his injury against the Patriots, Head Coach Mike Shanahan and Bailey believed it would be 4-6 weeks before he returned.
Bailey participated in today’s practice as well, though in actuality, it was more of a walkthrough since the bad weather forced the Broncos into the Dome for practice.
“He practiced today,” Shanahan said. “He’s feeling better. Hopefully no setback and we’ll kind of see how he feels before the game.”
If he is healthy enough to play on Sunday, it will surely boost the defense that already has injuries across the board. Prior to his injury, Bailey had lamented the fact that he hadn’t had as many opportunities to make plays — after all, quarterbacks never threw to his side.
NO GROUND WORRIES
Another thing Shanahan spoke about after today’s practice was the situation at running back, and as he said, when injuries decimate a running back corps, things are going to change.
“I think we’ve probably thrown the ball a little bit more this year than we have in the past, but any time you lose five of your guys you’re always going to be tested,” Shanahan said. “I still have a good feeling about the guys that we’ve got.”
And those guys of course include Peyton Hillis, P.J. Pope, the newly added Tatum Bell and the still injured Selvin Young, who has not participated in practice this week.
“I think Peyton Hillis did a great job, he played well,” Shanahan said. “And we’ve got Tatum back. Pope’s been with our system for about seven weeks. Obviously Tatum’s got the experience and the other two guys have really stepped up. I’ll be surprised if we don’t run the ball well.”
THOUGHTS ON LYNCH
With the breaking news that John Lynch will announce his official retirement from the NFL on Monday, a couple players shared their thoughts on their former teammate.
Dre’ Bly had high praise for the hard-hitting safety.
“You’re talking about a guy that laid it all on the line when he was out there on the field,” Bly said. “He’s been a captain, he’s been a leader, and that’s what kind of guy you want in the league. I can tell my kids when they grow up that I had a chance to play with John Lynch, because he is going to be a Hall of Famer.”
Brandon Stokley too talked a little bit about Lynch, but he saw things from a different perspective than Bly — not because he disagreed but rather because he was on the receiving end of some of Lynch’s hard hits.
“You always knew where John was – that’s the thing,” Stokley said. “When people are back there, those hard-hitting safeties, you always know where they are. John was one of those guys.”
UPDATE
Earlier in the week, we told you that Jay Cutler and Eddie Royal were up for awards.
Well, they won.
Cutler has been voted the Fed Ex Air Player of the Week for Week 10 after completing 24-of-42 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns.
Royal has earned Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors for his performance as well, catching six passes for 164 yards and his 93-yard touchdown. This is the second time Royal has won the award — the first coming in the Broncos’ Week 1 41-14 win over the Raiders.
Big congrats to Jay and Eddie!
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
And here is some photographic evidence that despite the cold and snowy weather, the men in orange and blue didn’t let it keep them from finalizing their preparation for this weekend’s game.
But the lighting (or lack thereof) can make things a little blurry…
Tags: Adam Zinser, Atlanta Falcons, Brandon Stokley, Champ Bailey, Eddie Royal, Week 11
don’t jump on Scheffler!!!!!
Hey, I get to be first for once. I’m gonna enjoy this.
I really hope Champ can play on Sunday, but I’m no so sure he will. We need him to come back 110% so if he’s not ready to go on Sunday, I’d rather wait for him another week so he would be ready to go all the way.
And guys, give Tatum a second chance. Even though he knows our system none of us know exactly what’s going to happen. So hold your breath and just wait it out. Get some patience people!!
And last, my #6 up there is lookin’ good!!! Yummy. I love that its starting to snow… my favorite time of the year. The snow is what makes playing this game outdoors so much fun. Let’s go Orange & Blue… tear up those Falcons on Sunday, I’m counting on you!!
Keep the faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Well, nevermind on being the first. There’s always next time. I have got to stop with these short comments. This is getting really weird for me.
GO BRONCOS!!!!
i couldnt have said it better.
Yeah, don’t jump on Tony, we can’t afford to lose him. Tatum, I liked you when your first played here so I’m hoping for good things from you. Not everyone gets second chance, so don’t let us down PLEASE!!!!!
Little concerned about Tatem’s shape. Been working a nine to five. Not sure he is going to come right out of the gate. Have to have that runing game in order to keep Cutler succesful. Champ should sit another week and make sure he isn’t going to do more damage. We HAVE to have him for the playoffs. Steeleers will smash the Chargers, so we will still lead AFC west into next week Champ or no Champ
i guess nate jackson got into tatums head with the whole jersey number thing lol
i’m with u scttyclln on everything u said….gud job very well put….especially liked the part about Steelers smashing the Chargers..ahah
This will be a good defensive test for us. The Falcons are really good at running the ball, so we will see if the rookies and new starters on D step up this week. I’m trying to be optimistic about our defense because I usually am quite annoyed with their play. In the beginning of the season our defense seemed to play better in the 1st half and struggle in the 2nd half. Lately the opposite is true. The D has played worse in the 1st half and better in the 2nd. I guess that is a positive thing. Maybe we can put something together for both halfs this week.
This may seem strange, but I hope Champ decides to wait one more week before playing in a game. Groin injuries, just like hamstring injuries, are tough to get over. I would rather wait a week and have him for the remainder of the year than possibly get him injured again and lose him for the rest of the year. I realize Champ is the man on D, but him being out there won’t matter if the rest of the guys don’t step up. Our D was bad before we lost Champ, and we are only recently seeing progress in some areas. Every game matters, but this is the least important game that we have left on the schedule. It is an out-of-conference game, so it won’t help with determining playoff scenarios much. The rest of our games are against divisional foes and teams in the same conference (other than Carolina). I say lets keep him healthy for those games. Go Broncos.
champ gets healthy fast hes a man thats for sure, i say he plays but on in the nickle. and i hate the steelers just as much as i hate the chargers so i dont like that game i hope they all get hurt. sign lynch before he retires marquand manuel is not as good as lynch let him play strong safety. tatum has potential he is back in a better system where he was always productive go tatum go. we need dj williams back now and i say our starting defense needs to be
moss thomas robertson doom
woodyard (webster if hes not hurt too bad) williams with winborn subin
champ lowry mccree bly with williams at nickle
Peyton Hillis is going to be the biggest shock for most people this week I think. I already picked him up for fantasy. Good luck Tatum cause I can see you breaking a 60 yd gainer from a screen pass once P-HIll pounds their defense. If we just stop the run this one is wrapped up but thats easier said then done. Turner would have been the perfect fit for this team and I was hoping we would get him but we were loaded at that time. i hate SD but I always liked him. However I wish him ill for this week cause Orangle and Blue is in my blood!!!! While Im at it I wish Jerius Norwood ill also LOL !!! JUST KIDDING BUT YOU GUYS BETTER MAKE SOME PLAYS AND MAKE THEM SEEM LIKE THEY ARE NOT THEMSELVES! GOOD LUCK BRONCS!!!!
Hey Adam, will Tatum start at runningback this week?
im worried about champ agrivating his injury. its not worth it just to play in front of your family and friends. they have been watching you for years and everyone knows he’s the best. i agree we need to support tatum while he is here helping the team and you never know maybe selling cell phones at the mall might have woken him up and got him motivated to be the best rb he can be. its time for this team to come together and play as a team no matter what. even if there getting beat they need to play together and stay positive and after cleveland i think they are starting to see what its all about.
BaileytheBronco: I couldn’t agree more with you about the Steelers and Chargers. There couldn’t be 2 teams that I hate more in the league. I live in near Columbus, Ohio and there are probably more Steeler’s fans than Cleveland and Cinci fans combined. I have no idea why. They probably all jumped ship after years of both Ohio teams stinking. I think I hate the Chargers more because they are such a huge rival for us, but I definately hate Steeler’s fans more than any other fan base. They are the most annoying group of people ever. I want Pittsburgh to win to help the Broncos, but it will be hard cheering them on. I have to say I wouldn’t mind seeing Phillip Rivers cry after he throws a few picks and gets slammed to the dirt a few times. Has anybody ever disliked an opposing player more than Rivers? I can’t think of anyone as annoying as this guy.
ColumbusOHbronco: Hey I just noticed you are from Columbus as well. That’s amazing. It gets lonely in Ohio being a Broncos fan. I thought I was the only one.
Man, I’m geared!!! I live in GA and I get to see the Broncos dish out some punishment. I’ll be there right behind the Broncos “hollering” GO Jay, B-Marsh, Royal, Defense (anyone
). Hah, Denver just needs to put some licks on the RB and QB and the rest will take care of the mess! LOL. GO Broncos!!!
Nope, there’s no one in the NFL I despise more than Crybaby Rivers but the worst fan base EVER is here (where I’m stuck at) in Kansas City. And it only makes sense why their such a bad fan base… the Chiefs are that bad and their “fans” know it. And yet, this is what really baffles me, when you go to play at Arrowhead the fans cheer like the Chiefs are actually going to win the Superbowl any day now… ha that’s funny!
Rivers is VERY annoying and I just hope and pray we beat him for our last game. Man, it would be SOOOOOO sweet to get a win (and it would be a HUGE one) at SD. We barely got by in our win in our own house but to beat them at their place would be monumental for us considering what they did to us last year (twice)… sorry, didn’t mean to bring back bad memories. And I would love, love, love to see him cry after getting picked and sacked and then lose… I’m smiling already.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
Hey I am stocked for this game, I think we have a great chance of putting some additional distance between us and San Diego…..and about that number thing for Tatum, has anyone heard of a guy who wore 40 for the Bears, it seem to work out for him.
When I heard that the Broncos signed Wesley Woodyard, I was excited. I was happy to see him last through camp, and I am more excited to see him decimate Turner “the Burner”.
I’m sure both steeler and chief fans are bad but I think I got you both beat
I live in Texas and nobody can be as bad as cowboy fans.
Blum, you’re absolutely right. On my LDS mission in Texas, the Cowboys fans were the biggest douchebags ever. Still, even in El Paso, there were lots of Broncos fans as well so that was cool. I’ll tell Daniel Graham “what’s up,” he’s going to make the game-winning play. I feel it in my bones!
Dr. Doom — I wish I could give you a definite answer, but I’m afraid I just can’t. I think y’all know as well as I do that Head Coach Mike Shanahan knows his running backs pretty well, and he will give the start to whomever he feels has earned it and gives the team the best chance of success.
My assumption — and this is purely speculation — is that Hillis would be first on the list simply based on the fact that he has been playing consistently. He may have earned it at this point. But then again, who knows? You and I will both find out on Sunday.
I would so luv Tatum to get his 26 jersey back cuz it just suits him but 21 sre as hell is better than 40 and Jack Williams got there first. Maybe when Tatum gets some money and If it matters enough to him and he is staying, he can buy the number from Jack Williams lol.
Yall just go out and do your thing. I believe in yall and I also believe If we have Champ and Sheff back, nothing is impossible. I thought I was the only one that noticed we really started losing when we lost Sheff. Anyway, GO BRONCOS
Hey BradJames glad you noticed us broncos fas here in el paso. I take a lot of smack from Cowboy fans, but im pretty big and can take care of myself. Those haters know I bleed blue and orange. They dont bleed ble or gray, they bleed red. LOL.
Gami,
You are correct. We are 5-1 with Sheffler playing. He opens up the offense. Lets just hope he stays healthy all year from now on.
Defense has been getting better and better last few outings. Sure would like to see Lynch back in the orange and Blue. Would be a hell of an asset to running D. We need to double team White this weekend, take the long ball away from Ryan. Take that away and all Atlanta has is Turner. We just need to put him on his you know what after that. I’m not too worried about the Denver “O”. After the momentum they built up from the foufth quarter last week, they will come out firing on all cylinders
Oh man, I live in atlanta and i’ve been a bronco fan since 6yrs old had my tickets since the pre season and im gonna have a ball i hope i get to see champ play.Only sad part is you cant find bronco gear in atlanta, but im going to the mall today hope im lucky. Go broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone see the Field Pass broncos vs falcons review on ESPN. James Hasty’s prediction is good for a good laugh. 28- 10 Falcons. 10 points for the broncos? WOW. I know he played for the Chiefs and I know he doesn’t like the Broncos but that is ridiculous. And why do they say that their run D has been so bad. Have they watched the last two games. Shut down the Dolphins and the Browns run game. I just don’t get it. They are suppose to be experts.
No kidding dont jump on scheff he’ll BREAK
with all these important defensive starters out, we’ll have to win the next couple of games with the offense… good thing we have one of the best, or the best offense in the NFL. Niko, and Woodyard better wrap up Turner and Norwood tomorrow or its going to be a long day… GO BRONCOS!!!
We better get the lead early or we will be blown out. Atlanta has a great running game and if they get up early they will pound us all day. Notice how in the NE, Jacksonville and Miami games early turnover killed us. Matt Ryan is accurate and if they add play action… good night. I have realized now that if we lose it is not a big deal. So many injuries etc and plenty of rookies. If Shanny can pull this one off kudos to him. Now he really has to coach. I believe our offense is hot but falling behind will bring in the zone. I predicted that Torain would have 70 yards and TD last week (he.had 66 and a TD) I also said we would lose to Miami by 10 (and was crucified by all of you for saying it… we lost by nine). Now I say we will lose by 13. Cutler will struggle b/c we will fall behind but Hillis will have a good game. SD will lose to Pitt and we will still be one game up. Go Broncs. Prove me wrong.
brad james waS right about graham and his winning catch well played game
idiot icarus your a god damn fool who knows nothing about football. did we lose no your a jackass